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McHenry Preseason ID: Preview Story

February 8, 2024
By: Gavin Smith
Area Scout, Content

This Saturday, February 10th, the Prep Baseball Illinois team is hosting the McHenry Preseason ID at Pro Player Academy in McHenry, Ill. This is an open event for all high school classes (2024-27), 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 eight 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.

Last year, CIF AJ Putty (Huntely, 2025) attended the event and earned an invitation to the 2023 Future Games and eventually committed to the University of Illinois afterwards. Last year’s event also featured INF Dominic Bonilla (Hope Academy, 2025; Illinois State commit), OF Ian Kelly (Huntley, 2026), OF Ryan Dabe (Huntely, 2025), RHP Tyler Tylka (Wauconda, 2026; Parkland JC commit), and RHP Charlie Taczy (Cary-Grove, 2025) all of which attended the Illinois State Games last August.

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.

Illinois commit, CIF AJ Putty (Huntley, 2025) is set to attend this year’s event yet again. A member of Team Illinois at last summer’s PBR Future Games, Putty is a strong 6-foot-4, 210-pound right-handed hitter that owns all kinds of power at the plate. We’ve seen his exit velocity top at 98.3 mph and consistently sit in the low-90s, sending his farthest hit ball 377 feet. Our staff is eager to see the progression Putty has made over this last offseason.

3B/RHP Kaden Wasniewski (McHenry, 2027) is one of the top prospects in Illinois’ 2027 class, ranked No. 9. He attended last year’s PBR Junior Future Games and was a key contributor to the team both on the mound and in the field. He was one of the few ‘27s that also attended the Illinois State Games last spring, attending the event as a pitcher only. We’ve seen his fastball up to 85 mph, sitting mostly in the low-80s, paired with a tight slider in the low-80s. A quality right-handed hitter, too, Wasniewski produced barrel after barrel during his round of BP at the JFGs, reaching a max exit velocity of 88.1 mph. He’s an athletic and fluid defender with a strong arm across the diamond, reaching a top velocity of 91 mph.

RHP/OF Wilson Wemhoff (Hampshire, 2025) is an uncommitted name-to-know heading into this event. A strong, 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame, Wemhoff has a quick and strong arm on the mound where we’ve seen his fastball up to 87 mph. There’s easy juice from the right side of the plate as well, where he’s produced a max exit velocity of 97.1 mph. Wemhoff is ranked No. 92 in Illinois’ 2027 class.

RHP Cole Kenyon (Lake Zurich, 2025) is a name our staff is eager to get a look at after an offseason of work. Kenyon has a quick arm on the mound, and we saw him up to 86 mph back in July, with a true swing-and-miss slider.

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 Saturday’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

Due to the space in the facility, parents will not be allowed inside of the facility. And as a reminder, we will be running the 30-yard dash at this event, due to space limitations.

CHECK-IN TIMES:

  • All pitcher-only’s, two-way players (position & pitcher) and catchers: 1:00 pm
  • All position players (non pitchers): 4:00 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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