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Joliet Preseason ID: Takeaways

March 12, 2025
Illinois Scouting Staff

On Sunday, March 2nd, we capped off our winter circuit with the Joliet Preseason ID at Rhino Sports Academy in Shorewood, IL. This event was host to over 100 prospects from around the state, and gave our staff one last chance to see these players before the spring season begins. 

Today, we are taking a look at some of the day's standouts with this takeaways story, found below. 

BATS

Carson Ebeling (Benet) and Alec Novotney (Marquette Academy) are a couple of 2026 infielders to know coming out of the event. 

Ebeling had his strongest showing to-date, improving on all of his metrics and overall performance year-after-year. Listed at 6-foot, 169-pounds, he boasts an athletic frame with more strength to come. He also ran a 6.96, was 83 mph across the infield and has seen his peak exit velocity climb seven mph, up to 96 mph. Offensively, he was one of the top bats of the day working with an athletic right-handed swing that was on time and on the barrel. He looked to do damage to both gaps throughout his round and his furthest batted ball traveled 337’.

Novotney continued to solidify himself as a two-way follow after showing well on the mound the prior day at the Preseason All-State. Novotney is a natural, fundamentally sound middle infielder and he topped at 88 mph across the diamond. He also looked to control the barrel throughout his round of BP while topping at 90.1 mph. Name to know in the 2026 class who has been a key varsity contributor since his freshman year.

Another intriguing prospect who made it over from LaSalle County was INF Lucas Farabaugh (Ottawa, 2026). The on-the-rise junior has an easy, fluid right-handed swing that works loose and long through the zone. There is some natural lift throughout and he looks like a polished bat that should only continue to get better as he gets stronger. Averaged 82.6 mph off the bat, 90.6 peak and 326’ max distance. 7.31 runner in the 60 and 77 mph across the infield.

Aidan Cullen (Oswego East, 2027) is a young infielder with an athletic right-handed swing and above-average feel to hit for his age. Like Farabaugh, his best days are yet to come and he has a strong foundation to build on when it comes to his swing. He controlled the barrel throughout, stayed within himself and lined hard contact back up the box. 7.40 runner and 82 mph across the infield while showing the hands and actions to stick up the middle infield moving forward.

Caleb Prendergast (Evanston, 2028) was another young infield prospect with a projectable right-handed swing. Despite an inconsistent round he features quality movement patterns with loose hands, fluidness throughout and stays on-plane. Name to watch in the coming years. 

Matt Bullington (Marist), William Caddick (Mount Carmel) and Ryne Peterson (Providence Catholic, 2028) were three other freshman bats that came away as names to follow in the 2028 class. 

Nicholas Santis (Hononegah, 2026) was yet another infielder to mention from the event. Santis flashed one of the more dynamic right-handed swings on the day, especially when timing was right. The 6-foot, 190-pound, physical right-handed hitter has loose, athletic hands that create whip and loud contact off the barrel. It was inconsistent at times, but when right the ball jumps off the barrel with raw big power attached. He peaked at 98.1 mph with a max batted ball of 360’. He also had an average bat speed of 76.4 mph which was second best of the event. 

Javoris Bohannon (Homewood-Flossmoor), Anthony Couch (Marquette Academy) and Kamden Muell (Yorkville) are three more juniors (2026s) to know from the day as well. 

There were plenty of outfielders who showed well at the event and Haiden Lajcin (Mount Carmel, 2026) was one of the best of the bunch. Lajcin ran the second-best 60 of the event at 6.84. He proceeded to live on the barrel during BP, lining hard contact to all fields, profiling as a top-of-the-order type of bat. He also showed well in the outfield playing with pace and athleticism, floating around with ease and topping at 83 mph. Name to know moving forward.

Grant Dose (Marquette Academy) was another 2026 outfielder who put together a strong all-around performance. Dose has present physicality in his 5-foot-7, 185-pound, compact frame and it translated over to his right-handed swing. Dose swung with controlled intent and was on the barrel averaging 87. 3 mph off the bat, T94.8 with his furthest batted ball traveling 357’ which was top-five at the event. He also ran a 7.10 and was 87 mph from the outfield. 

OF Mark Jackson (Wheaton Academy, 2027) put his name on the map as a 2027 to track down and see this spring. The right-handed hitter has an athletic, defined 5-foot-11, 187-pound frame and present bat speed while staying on-plane and on the barrel to the pull-side gap. Quality round of BP that resulted in a peak exit velocity of 95.7 mph and 313’ max distance. Also ran a 6.94 60 and topped at 85 mph from the outfield.


OF Kyle Kim (Vernon Hills, 2026) showed a hitterish look in the box that featured a big hanging left-lift trigger and fluid, athletic hands that play flat through the zone. Inconsistent timing throughout his round but played with line-drive backspin off the barrel when synced/timed up. Peak exit velocity of 94.3 mph, 87.3 average. 7.23 runner and 83 mph from the outfield.

C/OF Mason Gialo (Lakes Community, 2026) is a 6-foot-2, 183-pound, loose-levered right-handed hitting catcher with upside. His swing is loose, stays through the hitting zone and on-plane while routinely working to both gaps throughout his round. Gialo peaked at 92.2 mph off the bat with his furthest batted ball traveling 334’.

C Grant Seppelfrick (Oswego East, 2028) is a freshman bat to know coming out of the event. The strong-bodied, compact right-handed hitter averaged 86.6 mph off the bat, T92.6 mph with a furthest batted ball of 311’. Its a compact, repeatable swing with a heavy barrel that was consistently on time.

C Evan Mendiola (York, 2026) was another bat that showed intrigue throughout his round of BP. Listed at 6-foot-1, 187-pounds, Mendiola has developing strength throughout his frame and he flashed looseness and leverage in his right-handed swing. When in sync and on time the ball jumps off the barrel; T 94.6 mph exit velocity and 352’ max distance. Also topped at 75 mph from the crouch with a low pop time of 2.08.

OF Gavin McReynolds (Minooka, 2026) is a toolsy prospect to note from the day. He got things started with a 6.97 in the 60 and he moved around the outfield well with fluid footwork - pairing with a strong arm (T85 mph). At the plate, the left-handed hitter has a simple swing that stays on-plane, repeating well while staying level through the zone. 

ARMS

A couple freshmen who showed well were RHP Tyler Scott (Waubonsie Valley, 2028) and RHP Caleb Prendergast (Evanston, 2028).

Scott’s fastball topped out at 80 mph, playing clean out of the hand. Scott would also mix in a 62-65 mph curveball that had gradual, 11/5 action.

Prendergast ran his fastball up to 81 mph, playing clean out of the hand with occasional run. He then showed the ability to land a 67-68 mph slider that played vertically with short break. Prendergast rounded out his mix with a heavy-fading changeup (avg. 18.8” HM) at 71-74 mph.

RHP Camden Rujawitz (Minooka, 2026) stands at a strong and sturdy 5-foot-11, 200-pounds, and showed to be an uncommitted arm to follow. From an over the top slot, he showed the ability to throw four pitches for strikes. His fastball played clean out of the hand with carry (avg. 16.1” IVB), sitting 81-83 mph. He had two breaking balls; his curveball showed 12/6 action that could land at 67-72 mph, while his slider sat 70-72 mph with short bite for 75% strikes. Rounding out his mix was a 73-74 mph changeup that played with late cut for 75% strikes.

RHP Robert Miller (Vernon Hills, 2026) emerged as an uncommitted name to keep tabs on throughout the spring. He presents a strong and well-proportioned frame at 6-foot, 195-pounds. His arsenal was headlined by an 86-88 mph fastball that had life out of the hand, showing occasional run. His best off-speed pitch on the day was a 75-76 mph slider that played laterally with late bite. Miller also showed feel for a changeup at 73-75 mph with sink (avg. 3.7” IVB), located at the bottom of the zone for strikes (75%).

RHP Aidan Hack (Lakes Community, 2027) is a loose-armed sophomore to follow. His fastball played with run (avg. 15.5” HM) for strikes, while flashing above-average spin (T2382 rpm). He had high spin-feel (avg. 2627 rpm) for a 67-68 mph slider that showed out-pitch potential with sharp horizontal action. Hack rounded out his mix with a 72-73 mph changeup that showed sink and fade. 

RHP Kellen Forsythe (Coal City, 2027) was one of the event’s biggest winners. He stands at a high-waisted and loose-levered 6-foot, 158-pounds, with room to fill. He had a controlled and athletic delivery down the mound, paired with long, loose arm action. Forsythe's fastball was clean out of the hand with life through the zone at 84-86 mph. He landed the slider at 69-72 mph with 10/4 shape, while showing feel for a changeup at 77-78 mph with late fading action (avg. 17” HM). Forsythe will be a name to follow throughout the upcoming spring.

RHP Matthew Rogers (Plainfield South, 2026) made his Prep Baseball event debut, and emerged as an uncommitted name to follow in the state’s junior class. Presenting a lean 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame, Rogers filled the zone with all three pitches during his ‘pen. His fastball sat 84-87 mph with life out of the hand, playing with carry (avg. 19.4” IVB) and 71% strikes. He spun a short curveball at 74-77 mph with feel for the bottom of the zone for 75% strikes. Rogers completed his repertoire with an 80-81 mph changeup that was in the zone 60% of the time.

RHP Parker Danielson (Hononegah, 2026) is an athletic mover to know from the day. He has a longer arm path out of the glove that plays into a ¾ slot, creating natural running action on his fastball that played around 82-83 mph, topping at 84 mph. His curveball has out-pitch potential, playing firm at 78-80 mph with depth and tight downer action. His final offering was a changeup at 77-78 mph, flashing fading action. 

RHP Johnny Kellams (Evanston, 2026) is another fluid mover that stood out from the day, boasting a clean delivery that works in-line. His arm is also naturally quick, playing from a high ¾ slot with a medium circle. His fastball played at 82-84 mph with some feel for the zone and arm-side run, setting up a high-spin curveball that reached nearly 2,500 rpm, 70-71 mph with some sweep and feel. His changeup showed big running action to his arm-side with efficient spin (96%) and nearly 19” of run at its’ peak, averaging 17” HM. 

RHP Alex Arens (Glenbard North, 2026) is an intriguing arm from the day with some deception in his delivery and a loose arm from a lower release window. He showed to have some feel for his fastball around the zone with heavy running action, averaging over 17” while cruising around 82-84, topping at 85 mph. He has developing spin on his slider that showed bullet shape at 69-72 mph, while his changeup profiles well off the fastball with a similar release and arm-side traits. 

RHP Reid Hepperly (New Berlin, 2026) showed one of the stronger arms in attendance. Listed a strong-bodied 6-foot-2, 192-pounds, the right-hander’s fastball came out noticeably well in the 83-86 mph range, showing some finish through the zone and feel. His curveball has developing spin but showed some depth, 62-68 mph. His final offering was a changeup at 75-78 mph, playing with around 15” of run on average with developing feel. 

Another uncommitted junior to note from the day is RHP Liam Martin (Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2026). He stands out physically at 6-foot-5, 215-pounds, working with a tall/fall delivery that stays in-line with a clean arm circle and high ¾ release. His fastball flashed some carry traits while playing in the 81-84 mph range, setting up a curveball/changeup combination that both play in the low-70s - with the curve showing shorter 11/5 shape and the changeup playing mostly straight. 

RHP Graydon Leonard (Gibson-City Melvin-Sibley, 2027) is a young arm to watch moving forward. He has plenty to project on in his wiry 6-foot-1, 172-pound frame, and he is able to repeat his delivery and high ¾ release. His fastball played easy out of the hand in the 82-83 mph range with some carry traits and feel around the zone. To pair off the fastball he went to a curveball in the 70-72 mph range, flashing spin over 2,300 rpm and depth. His changeup has developing action and feel, but it plays clean out of the hand with some fade, 77-78 mph. 

RHP Anthony Couch (Marquette Academy, 2026) had one of the louder showings on the day. The strong-bodied right-hander worked his fastball in the 82-85 mph range, showing arm-side run throughout with feel for the zone. He showed above-average spin on his curveball, spinning it on average around 2,300 rpm with depth and sharp downer bite. His slider also looks to be a high-level offering with over 2,600 rpm at times and hard lateral break, 68-72 mph. His final offering was a changeup at 74-75 mph, killing spin with nearly 20” of run at times. 

LHP Jacob Prosise (Joliet West, 2027) is a 6-foot-1, 168-pound southpaw to make note of. He has a simple delivery, creating a fastball in the 77-78 mph range with carry through the zone. He showed both a curveball and a slider, both showing some horizontal action in the upper-60s. 

RHP Nick Stowasser (Crystal Lake South, 2027) and RHP Max Rathbun (Joliet Catholic, 2027) are a couple names that look to have bright futures and more in the tank. 

Stowasser, a lean and projectable 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-hander, worked his fastball in the 79-80 mph range with a curveball and a changeup - showing an easy tempo with a clean and loose arm. 

Rathbun has some present strength in his 6-foot-2, 224-pound frame, and he’s a clean mover that hides the ball well on the backside - working up to 80 mph for his fastball with a curveball/slider/changeup mix. 

A couple sophomores from Minooka to note are right-handers Kyle Rodak and Logan Mackin, who both worked their fastballs up to 83 mph. 

TWO-WAYs

C/RHP Jack Bullington (Marist, 2028) is no stranger to our staff after participating for Team Illinois at last year’s Junior Future Games. Jack continues to look like a 2028 to know in the state after taking a polished round of BP where he was consistently on the barrel while spraying hard contact to all fields. Listed at 6-foot-1, 183-pounds, he has plenty more physicality and strength to come in his frame. On the mound, Bullington is a loose and athletic mover with more to come. His fastball played around 79-81 mph, and he also showed a feel to spin both his fastball and his slider - with the FB playing over 2,300 rpm and the SL over 2,400 rpm. His final offering was a changeup he killed spin on in the 72-75 mph range with slight fading action. 

INF/RHP Alex Syska (Plainfield Central, 2027) is another clean mover to note from the day. The right-hander has a simple delivery that he can repeat, delivering his arsenal from a clean ¾ slot. His fastball played at 80-81 mph, showing hard run to the arm-side at times with some feel for the zone. His curveball and slider both have developing spin around 70 mph, and his changeup showed big arm-side fade at 74-75 mph. On the other side of the ball, the right-handed hitter showed loose, athletic hands with whip through the zone, staying on-time throughout his round with a peak EV of 92 mph.

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