O'Hare Preseason ID: Preview Story
February 7, 2025
This Sunday, February 9th the Prep Baseball Illinois team is hosting the O’Hare Preseason ID at Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports in Bensenville, 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 4years, 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 41 commitments among them.
C Zach Bava (Naperville North, 2025; Illinois State) Impressed at last year’s event popping a max exit velocity of 101.5 mph and averaging 87.7 mph exit velocity. Along with the impressive showing with the bat, Bava showed well on defense with a 1.93-2.00 pop time and throwing 80 mph from the chute.
OF/LHP Joe Dusell (St. Edward, 2025; Cincinnati) showed well in his first Prep Baseball showcase. Dusell had a loud BP round maxing out his exit velocity at 98.9 mph while averaging an impressive 89.5 mph. Dusell went on to run a 6.85 60-yard dash along with throwing 89 mph from the outfield. On the mound, Dusell sat 85-87 mph from the left side and showed a curveball at 75 mph with a spin rate of 2821 rpm. Dusell impressed all-around in his showcase debut.
C Brandon Thomsen (St. Viator, 2026) Put together a solid showing at last year’s event having one of the best BP rounds of the day and following that up with impressive defense behind the plate. Thomsen was powering balls off the bat at an average of 91.1 mph with a max distance of 321 feet. Behind the plate, Thomsen had a pop time of 1.93-1.97.
OF Chase Petersen (Glenbrook North, 2025; Heartland CC) proved himself in front of our staff yet again at this event last year with a loud BP round. Petersen had an event leading max distance of 381’ and a max exit velocity of 97.2 mph. On defense, Petersen threw 84 mph from the outfield while running a 7.09 60-yard dash.
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.
RHP/OF Justice Hernandez (New Trier, 2027) is one of the most intriguing prospects out of the 2027 class. At 5-foot-10, 155-pounds, currently ranked no. 25 in the state, Hernandez impresses on the mound with his fastball at 83-85 T86 mph and his curveball at 67-70 mph. Hernandez should be a prospect that pops this weekend.
OF Mason Bloom (New Trier, 2026) Standing at 6-foot, 201-pounds Bloom is a former Illinois State Gamer and is a prospect to look out for. Currently ranked No. 111 in The state’s junior class Bloom has an exit velocity max of 100.5 mph while running a 6.83 60-yard dash, a power and speed combo for the outfielder.
INF/RHP Jacob Conover (Wheaton Warrenville South, 2026) Another Illinois State Gamer, Conover is currently ranked No. 93 in the state’s junior class. With an exit velocity max of 100 mph and an avg. exit velocity of 90.3 mph Conover is a prospect to watch. On the mound, using a three pitch mix the right hander has a fastball that sits 78-80 T81.5 mph and has a curveball and changeup.
MIF Billy Main (Hinsdale Central, 2026) Measuring at 5-foot-11, 179-pounds, Main is a prospect that will impress this weekend. The former state gamer pops the ball off the bat at 94.4 mph and runs a 7.09 60-yard dash. Main throws 87 mph across the infield. Don’t be surprised if Main is one of the top performers 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 Sunday’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
POSITION GROUPS
+ All position players:
- Check-in: 8:45 AM
+ Pitchers-Only:
- Pitchers-only Check-in: 9:45 AM
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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