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McHenry Preseason ID: Takeaways

February 19, 2025
Illinois Scouting Staff

On Saturday, February 15th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled to Pro Player Academy in McHenry, IL for the McHenry Preseason ID. This event is typically one of our larger events, and this year was no different, with around 150 players in attendance. 

With it being one of the larger events on our calender, naturally it makes it one of the more talented events as well, with the loaded Fox Valley conference helping to play into that as well. 

Today, we are continuing our post-event rollout with a look at some of the standouts from the day in a Takeaways story, broken up by position profile. 

Position Players 

One of the top players in the entire 2028 class, OF Carver Cohn (McHenry) gave one of his strongest looks to date. Currently slotted at No. 15 in the country and No. 1 in Illinois, Cohn is an extremely toolsy and athletic prospect that we expect to stick at the top of the class as he moves through the high school ranks. Listed at 5-foot-9, 161-pounds with lean strength and plenty more to come, Cohn got his event started with a 3.83 in the 30-yard dash - and he’s been down to a 6.97 in the past for the 60. He’s a true switch-hitter with feel to hit from both sides, showing impressive strength and athleticism with a 100 mph EV from the right side and 99 mph EV from the left. He has a similar operation from both sides, showing feel for the barrel with a path that stays through the zone, also hitting routinely in front of our staff in-game. Cohn continued to look the part of a top player in the class with his defensive workout; showing athletic footwork and natural actions for the position, while also reaching 86 mph with lively arm action that could have more in the tank moving forward.

Another one of the countries’ top players resides at the same high school as Cohn, INF Kaden Wasniewski (McHenry) comes in as the second ranked player in Illinois’ 2027 class and No. 38 nationally. Also known for his prowess on the mound, Wasniewski decided to just show as a position player in this look, and we were not disappointed. The right-handed hitter worked all over the barrel throughout BP with a simple yet intentful swing and athletic hands, reaching up to 94 mph for his EV with a 343’ max distance. Wasniewski continued his impressive day during the defensive portion; showcasing soft hands, natural actions, and the strongest arm for the event, topping out at 95 mph from across the infield. 

INF Ryan Tucker (Jacobs, 2027) continues to look the part in front of our staff, coming in as the No. 37 ranked player in Illinois. The right-handed hitter took a polished round of BP, showing off his strong hands and balanced swing while working consistently on the barrel with a hitterish look about him, reaching up to 94 mph for his EV (88 mph avg.) and 336’ for his max distance. He also put up some impressive BLAST numbers with an average bat-speed of 72 mph, reaching up to 75 mph. Tucker also impressed with how he moved on the infield with athletic actions, being a smooth mover laterally and also displaying a very confident glove.

INF Andrew Deegan (Jacobs, 2026; Belmont commit) was one of our favorite prospects on the day. His round of BP really stood out, showing off a simple/compact swing with some strength, looking to elevate up the middle and to his pull-side with a 95.3 mph peak EV and 355’ max distance. Defensively, Deegan plays low to the ground, while getting around the ball and playing through it with intent. His arm played from multiple angles, reaching a max velocity of 91 mph.

One of the day’s loudest rounds of BP came from Diego Herrera (Huntley, 2026). The right-handed hitter delivered a heavy barrel through the zone with intent to lift to his pull-side and up the middle, reaching up to 101 mph for his EV while averaging 93 mph, also working on the sweet spot 87.5% of the time per TrackMan. Herrera then showed well during defense, where he attacked the baseball and fielded in-stride off his front foot, showing some feel for the position.

An upside sophomore that stood out on the day was MIF Landon Clements (McHenry, 2027). Standing in at 5-foot-11, 155-pounds, Clements has a lean, high-waisted frame that still holds plenty of room to fill out. The left-handed hitter has a lot to like in his operation at the plate, controlling his levers well with a loose and whippy swing, reaching up to 90 mph for his max EV. Clements also displayed soft hands on the infield, utilizing a two-hand funnel into his body while also showing the ability to play on the move.

INF Nathan Rosalez (Huntley, 2027) had a strong all-around day and looks to be an intriguing young infielder to follow for the Red Raiders moving forward. Throughout his round, the right-handed hitter showed loose, athletic hands that work to stay on top of the baseball and keep the ball on a line or on the ground. Rosalez also impressed the staff with his actions on the infield; playing low to the ground and showing range up the middle, paired with a steady glove.

An Athletic outfielder we have become familiar with is Ian Kelly (Huntley, 2026). Currently ranked No. 123 in the state, he looks to have added some strength to his already athletic 5-foot-10, 158-pound frame, though there is still plenty of room to continue to fill out. At the plate, the left-handed hitter has a balanced operation that utilizes his legs through impact, working to keep the ball on a line up the middle of the field, reaching up to 94 mph for his peak EV with an average of 88 mph. Kelly also showed well from the outfield with a confident one-hand gather off his front foot, fielding the ball in-stride, and looking comfortable at the position.

An uncommitted junior that caught our eye was INF Colin Dreckmann (Warren Township, 2026). He has a high-waisted and projectable build, standing in at 5-foot-10, 158-pounds, surely looking to have room for added physicality in the coming years. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed all sorts of upside with a loose and handsy swing, working line-drive contact throughout with a max EV of 91.4 mph. Dreckman also impressed on defense; showing natural and confident actions, a reliable two-hand funnel into his body, and a clean double play turn to pair.

OF Mason Klimek (Cary-Grove, 2028) will be a name to follow moving forward after a strong all-around showing. At the plate he has an easy and simple swing, working through the zone with a flatter path and a line-drive approach up the middle, T89 mph EV. Defensively, Klimek is an aggressive outfielder who attacks the ball, paired with a steady and reliable glove that fields the ball out front, while utilizing a quick arm.

C/INF Liam Schultz (Burlington Central, 2027) will be a name for us to follow moving forward. At the plate, the left-handed hitter showed an extremely simple swing that was strong and direct to the baseball, working on the barrel with some lift to the middle of the field at times, reaching up to 95 mph for his peak EV. There was also a lot to like metrically with Schultz, averaging 21 mph for his hand-speed, just under 70 mph for his bat-speed, and 22.1 Gs for his rotational acceleration. 

INF Gabe Winkelman (Prairie Ridge, 2026) had a strong showing defensively. A lean and athletic 5-foot-8, 163-pounds, Winkelman showed natural feel for the position; playing through the ball and fielding it out front, ranging well laterally to both sides, and showing one of the better arms for the event that topped out at 90 mph.

OF Colin Boskey (Huntley, 2027) looks to be another upside name to follow. He has a lean and projectable build with a high waist, standing in at 5-foot-8, 142-pounds. At the plate, he has a loose and upside operation with an athletic and handsy swing, reaching up to 89 mph for his EV.

A couple 2027’s from Huntley  to make note of are INF Parker Frost and OF Parker Filipek. 

Frost showed some athletic hands with bat-speed throughout his round of BP, reaching up to 90 mph for his EV. He also took a clean round of defense on the infield with a steady two-hand gather. 

Filipek took a clean round of batting practice from the right side showing an easy and balanced swing that lets the hands and barrel work with easy effort. 

An uncommitted name that took a strong round of BP is INF Jackson Hatfield (Marian Central Catholic, 2026). The right-handed hitter showed the ability to stay through the zone, showcasing loose hands with some extension through impact, utilizing a line-drive approach to the middle of the field and his pull-side, reaching up to 95 mph for his EV. 

A handful of 2028’s that we are excited to follow throughout the coming years after strong showings are OF Joey Frano (Johnsburg), C Anthony Nuccio (Rolling Meadows), INF Connor Nissen (Warren Township), OF Nico Vavalle (Grant), INF Joey Spelman (McHenry) and INF Nolan Jones (Huntley). 

Two-Ways

RHP/OF Drew Borkowski (Huntley, 2026) was a big winner all-around from the event. The athletic 6-foot-1, 179-pound prospect still has room to fill out the frame, and has certainly made big strides since we last saw him at the State Games in the summer. At the plate, the right-handed hitter took one of the loudest rounds of the day, reaching up to 102 mph for his EV with controlled intent and a repeatable swing that works flat through the zone, working with intent to stay up the middle of the field. On the bump, he is a loose and athletic mover down the hill. His fastball sat 87-88 mph with 2-seam characteristics (avg. 11.5” HM) filling the zone 80% of the time, which was the second-highest clip for that pitch for the event. He showed both a slider and a curveball in his ‘pen, where each seemed to have firmer action than when we last saw him. His curveball was thrown at 79-80 mph for strikes (67%) with late break to it, playing well off his fastball. The slider flashed at 78-80 mph with short, late downer action. His changeup remains to be perhaps his most polished offering, thrown with intent and confidence at 80-82 mph with fade and sink, for a 60% strike percentage. 

INF/RHP Jackson MacDonald (Sycamore, 2027) will be a two-way prospect we need to monitor throughout the coming years. He has a wiry, projectable frame, standing in at 6-foot-1, 182-pounds with room to add strength. The left-handed hitter has a relaxed setup and lower hands that work into a flat path, showing some looseness and balance in the swing through impact, reaching up to 92 mph for his EV with more strength to come in the near future. He showed to be an athletic defender as well in the outfield, moving well laterally and fielding the ball in-stride, paired with a strong arm (86 mph). His arm played even better on the mound where he showed a hard-to-miss quick arm, that was loose and whippy. His fastball sat 85-86 mph (T87) with both run and carry through the zone with above-average spin-feel (avg. 2219 rpm). His breaking ball showed to be a potential out-pitch for the spring season, thrown with intent at 73-75 mph with depth, located at the bottom of the zone. His changeup flashed at 75-78 mph, killing spin (avg. 997 rpm), playing with sink (avg. 7.7” IVB). A name to monitor this spring on what should be another competitive Sycamore team.

One of the day’s top performers, OF/LHP Jace Koth (Jacobs, 2027) gave a strong look on both sides of the ball. The left-handed hitter has all sorts of upside in his swing, displaying athletic hands with whip in the barrel and a line-drive approach, extremely athletic operation with body control and balance through impact. On top of his impressive round of BP, Koth tied an event-best 3.80 in the 30-yard dash. He’s an impressive and fluid athlete in the outfield, attacking the baseball with fluid footwork, fielding the ball in-stride and moving efficiently into a crowhop (T85 mph). He also showed well on the mound, working his fastball up to 80 mph to go along with a curveball he could land for strikes and a changeup. 

OF Scott Cole (McHenry, 2026) gave a loud showing on both sides of the ball this past weekend. He stands out physically with his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, and he still holds room for added strength in the future. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed off his strong hands while averaging 25.3 mph for his hand-speed and 73.4 mph for his bat-speed. He showed an intent to lift to his pull-side throughout his round, reaching up to 97 mph for his EV. On the other side of the ball, Cole impressed with a fastball up to 86 mph, showing carry traits and feel for the zone. To pair off the fastball he showed feel for his slider in the 72-73 mph range, landing it for a strike 100% of the time per TrackMan. To fill out his mix he also went to an 11/5 curveball at 70-72 mph and mostly straight changeup in the mid-70s. 

C/RHP Brady Klepfer (Huntley, 2026) consistently shows well in front of our staff on both sides of the ball and this event was no different. As a position player, he took a strong round of BP while working hard on the barrel to his pull-side, showing strong hands with rhythm throughout his round, reaching up to 95 mph for his EV with a max distance of 340’. He looked to be an above-average receiver of the baseball throughout pens, working under the ball with strong hands to present pitches around the zone, framing pitches with subtle moves and confidence. His defensive round was also extremely impressive, showing a clean glove-to-hand operation while working in-line, reaching up to 79 mph from the chute with a 1.87 pop-time. On the mound, the right-hander worked his fastball in the 87-88 mph range, setting up a firm curveball at 76-77 mph that he could land for strikes and a 78-79 mph changeup with hard running action. 

A physical freshman to know is 1B/LHP Tommy Gasner (Huntley, 2028). Listed at 6-foot, 200-pounds, there’s some present strength in his build and he put it on display in BP, displaying strong hands with a balanced finish through impact, controlling his levers well with intent to stay on the barrel up the middle of the field, reaching up to 95 mph for his EV. He also looked to be a steady defender at first base, playing low to the ground with a two-hand gather out front with some natural feel for the position. On the mound, the southpaw worked his fastball in the 75-77 mph range with mostly straight action and some slight arm-side run at times. He also featured both a curveball and a changeup in the mid/upper-60s to change the pace, with the curveball showing developing spin.

Pitchers 

One of the top 2027s in the state, RHP Liam Nash (Westminster Christian, 2027) looked just that on Saturday. Currently ranked No. 23 in the state, the 6-foot-2, 201-pound right-hander showed an advanced feel for four pitches, starting with his four-seam fastball that lived at 88 mph throughout the ‘pen, showing hop and jump through the zone for strikes. He featured both a curveball and a slider, with the CB landing for strikes in the 73-74 mph range with short, tight 11/5 shape, and the slider acting more lateral with tight 10/4 bite, 75-76 mph. His final offering was a sinker with hard running action, 82-84 mph, almost acted like a firm changeup. Starter profile, definite high-follow. 

RHP Nicholas Sherry (Burlington Central, 2027) gave an impressive look in his ‘pen on Saturday. He has a strong-bodied, durable frame at 5-foot-11, 181-pounds, and he should still have room to add more strength moving forward. He has a simple tall/fall delivery that works in-line, and his arm is clean from a shorter path and high ¾ window. The fastball sat in the 85-87 mph range, with life out of the hand, creating some tilt through the zone. His curveball showed occasional depth with 11/5 shape, 73-75 mph with feel for the zone - while his slider showed more horizontal action with arm-speed, 75-77 mph. His final offering was a splitter he could kill spin on and land for strikes occasionally, 77-79 mph. 

RHP Johnny Geisser (Crystal Lake Central, 2026) is an uncommitted name to know from the day with a real three-pitch mix. He has a simple and compact delivery, pairing with a loose/clean arm from a ¾ window. His fastball played with some jump in the 86-87 mph range, peaking at 87.5 mph with the ability to throw it in the zone. He showed above-average spin on his slider, playing over 2,400 RPM at times with sharp bite and some lateral action, 74-76 mph. His final offering was a firm changeup he could land for strikes, playing with natural arm-side run at 79-80 mph. Clean and polished arm with a starter profile. 

Another uncommitted 2026 to know is RHP Kaden Norman (Cary-Grove). He stands out physically with his 6-foot-2, 188-pound frame, looking to have a durable and strong build that still has room for added strength. The big right-hander showed easy intent throughout his ‘pen, working with a controlled operation that stays in-line with the plate. His arm is clean with a full circle out of the glove, creating a tough look for opposing hitters with his sidearm slot. He gets heavy arm-side run on the fastball thanks to his lower slot, sitting 81-83 mph throughout with nearly 2,400 RPM at times. His curveball had some slider shape due to his lower slot, playing from a 10/4 plane but also showing some sharp downward action, put-away pitch, 72-75 mph. His final offering was a changeup in the 78-79 mph range, thrown with fastball arm-speed and natural sink for strikes. 

An uncommitted junior southpaw to know is Carter Kropke (Crystal Lake Central). He has a durable build at 6-foot, 183-pounds, and he was able to move athletically down the mound with a directional and fluid operation. He has a long/loose arm action, playing relatively easy out front to create a fastball in the 81-83 mph range, playing clean out of the hand with life and run through the zone. His slider is a quality offering at 71-72 mph with over 2,300 RPM on average, showing some sweeping action with developing feel. His final offering was a changeup that he could land for strikes with late running action, 77-79 mph. 

Another southpaw to note from the day is Nate Larson (Huntley, 2027). Larson looked to be an extremely clean mover, working exclusively out of the stretch with a controlled operation. His arm action is also extremely clean, delivering his arsenal from a high ¾ window. His fastball played with arm-side life and finish through the zone, also showing some carry traits, 80-82 mph, T83 mph. His curveball looks to be a potential out-pitch with sharp, tight action and 11/5 shape, thrown with intent at 72-74 mph. Lastly, his changeup is a quality third offering with feel under the zone and natural fading action, thrown with fastball intent, 73-75 mph. 

RHP Josh Rudnick (Huntley, 2026) is a sure-fire name to follow from the event, looking to have added notable strength to his now 6-foot-2, 197-pound frame. He has a simple delivery that works in-line with the plate, pairing with a clean arm from a ¾ release. The velocity continues to trend upwards, now up to 87 mph with some finish through the zone. He showed both a curveball and a slider, with the curveball showing more feel for the zone at 75-76 mph. The slider showed quality spin, over 2,300 RPM in this look, just scattered feel at 79-80 mph. His final offering for us was a firm changeup at 83-84 mph, thrown with 100% spin efficiency and hard running action to his arm-side.

RHP Michael Bud Shanahan (Crystal Lake Central, 2027) is a name that popped for our staff, and could provide immediate impact on the mound for the defending 3A State Champs this spring. He stands in at a high-waisted and athletic 5-foot-10, 162-pounds, and was moving down the mound really well. His fastball was clean out of the hand at 80-83 mph (T84) with slight sinking action (avg. 12.2” IVB). His slider was perhaps his best pitch on this day; sitting 71-74 mph, thrown with intent, showing lateral action, and was around the zone (50% strikes). His changeup also flashed out-pitch potential at 76-78 mph, thrown with intent, while playing with sink to round out his arsenal.

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