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Joliet Preseason ID: Preview

February 23, 2024
By: Gavin Smith
Area Scout, Content

This Sunday, February 25th, the Prep Baseball Illinois team is hosting the Joliet Preseason ID at Rhino Sports Academy in Shorewood, Ill. This is an open event for all high school classes (2024-26), and gives our staff an ample look at the area's top players.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here.

EVENT HISTORY

We've been hosting this event for the past three years, and it's consistently provided us a look at prominent players who've later gone on to receive invitations to select events, like the PBR Future Games and Illinois State Games. Among the players in attendance at this event in 2023, there are already 19 commitments among them.

We also saw eight players go on and receive invites to the Illinois State Games: RHP John Balla (Hersey, 2024; Southwestern Illinois JC), OF/LHP Cody DelFavero (Morris, 2024; Parkland College), LHP Braydon McKendrick (Brother Rice, 2026), SS/RHP Alec Novotney (Marquette Academy, 2026), 1B TJ Pipkins (Champaign Central, 2024; Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology), INF Ryan Sobun (Joliet West, 2025), RHP Jackson Stahl (Hononegah, 2026), and MIF Jailen Veliz (Yorkville, 2026).

We're looking forward to checking in on the next crop of talent from this event to earn next-level attention in the coming weeks, months, and years.

2024 ROSTER

This year's roster is already shaping up nicely, just like in years past.

RHP Andrew Dawson (Tremont, 2026) is set to attend this Sunday’s event. The Central Illinois native is currently ranked No. 26 in the state’s sophomore class. He’s an impressive arm on the mound, featuring a mid-80s fastball, topping out at 86.8 mph with an average of 17.8 inches of IVB. Both his breaking balls sit in the low-70s, while his change-up sits 75-76 mph. After an off-season of work, we’re excited to get our first look at Dawson since the 2023 Illinois State Games.

LHP Rocco Szambelan (Joliet Catholic, 2026) is set to attend this year’s event again, and we’re excited to see the off-season strides he’s made. Ranked No. 63 in the class, Szambelan Has a clean and easy operation on the mound with a quick arm. We’ve seen his fastball up 84 mph with reports of it being even higher this off-season.

We last saw INF Ryan Sobun (Joliet Catholic, 2026) at the 2023 Illinois State Games, where he blasted his hardest hit ball 94.1 mph (average 89.1 mph), and was consistently on the barrel throughout his round of batting practice. He moves well on the infield and has a strong arm across the diamond, recording a max infield velocity of 89 mph.

Perusing the event roster, we’re set to meet a majority of players who’ve not yet attended a PBR showcase, and we’re eager to add more names to our follow lists.

EVENT CHECK-IN PROCESS

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Sunday’s event, it is imperative that you read our showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.


ITINERARY

Note: Please bring snacks and drinks as events can run long, especially depending on your position.

CHECK-IN TIMES:

  • All Position Players: 8:30 AM
  • All Pitcher’s Only: 12:30 PM
  • Catchers will stay for both sessions

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Vizual Edge, and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.

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