McHenry Preseason ID: Preview Story
February 13, 2025
This Saturday, February 15th the Prep Baseball Illinois team is hosting the McHenry Preseason ID at Pro Player Academy in McHenry, IL. This is an open event for all high school classes (2025-28), 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 HERE.
EVENT HISTORY
We've been hosting this event for the past 9 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 Prep Baseball Future Games and Illinois State Games. Among the players in attendance at this event in 2024, there are already 43 commitments among them.
RHP Ethan Dorchies (Cary-Grove, 2024; Illinois-Chicago) Standing at 6-foot-5, 201-pounds, Dorchies was selected No. 305 in the 2024 MLB Draft. The right-hander impressed in front of our staff in 2023 at this event where he threw his fastball up to 91.5 mph, sitting 87-90 mph. Dorchies also mixed in his splitter at 77-78 mph and a cutter at 81-83 mph with an average spin rate of 2238.
RHP Brandon Shannon (McHenry, 2025; Louisville) The No. 1 ranked right-handed pitcher in Illinois’ 2025 class and 2025 Super 60 participant was in attendance at the McHenry Preseason ID last year where he showed off his four pitch arsenal. Starting with the fastball, 88-90.5 T90.7 with an average spin rate of 2250, curveball 75-79 mpg, average spin rate of 2541, slider 77-80 mph and finally a splitter at 83-85 mph T86 mph, Shannon will be a name to watch this spring and beyond.
1B AJ Putty (Huntley, 2025; Illinois) The No. 1 ranked first baseman in the 2025 class was at the McHenry Preseason ID the last 3 years showing off his power and skill at the plate. Last year, Putty topped out his exit velocity at 101.1 mph while averaging 92.8 mph, max distance at 354, and an average bat speed of 76.3 mph. Putty impresses in front of our staff every time, helping him become a participant in the Future Games as well as the 2025 ProCase.
RHP Charlie Taczy (Cary-Grove, 2025; Illinois-Chicago) Taczy is another player who has been to the McHenry Preseason the last 3 years. The right-hander measures in at 6-foot, 150-pounds and showed a 4 pitch mix at last year’s event. A fastball 83-85 T86.5 mph, slider at 75 mph with a spin rate avg of 2508, CH at 79 mph, and a sinker at 83-84 mph.
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.
2025 ROSTER
This year's roster is already shaping up nicely, just like in years past.
OF/ LHP Carver Cohn (McHenry, 2028) is the No. 1 ranked prospect in Illinois’ 2028 class. The left handed hitter powers the ball at a max exit velocity of 93.1 mph, Cohn runs a 6.97 60-yard dash and tops at 84 mph from the outfield. On the mound Cohn mixes in a fastball at 79-82 T83.3 mph, slider at 69-70 mph, and a changeup at 75-77 mph. Cohn is an all around prospect that will continue to impress in front of our staff.
RHP/INF Kaden Wasniewski (McHenry, 2027) is another highly touted prospect out of McHenry, coming in at No. 2 in Illinois’ 2027 class Wasniewski is someone to watch on both sides of the ball. As a pitcher, Wasniewski runs his fastball up to 92 mph while throwing a changeup and slider mix, the changeup at 79-81 mph and a slider at 74-76 mph. Offensively, the right-handed bat peaks at a 94.3 exit velocity and runs a 6.54 60-yard dash. Wasniewski is set to be a real threat this spring for the Warriors.
RHP/INF Owen Borkowski (Huntley, 2027) has been a riser in the 2027 class. Standing at 6-foot-1, 162-pounds Borkowski has done nothing but improve in front of our staff each time we've seen him. On the mound, Borkowski has been up to 81.7 mph and sitting 79-81 mph, throwing the curveball at 64-65 mph, and a slider at 63-67 mph. Brokowski is one who should stand out at this weekend’s event.
Perusing the event roster, we’re set to meet a majority of players who’ve not yet attended a Prep Baseball 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 adjusted 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 PB 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.
POSITION GROUPS
- All Pitcher-only's, two-way players (position & pitcher) and catchers: 12:30 PM
- All Position Players (non pitchers/catchers): 2:30 PM
- Catchers will catch bullpens to start the day.
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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