On October 20th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled to The MAX in McCook, to host our Underclass Showcase. The event gave our staff a look at over 30+ propsects from the 2027 & 2028 grad classes before the off-season fully kicked off.

Today, we are taking a look at every single pitcher from the day, while also breaking down who our staff thought showed the best in their 'pens. 

TOP PITCHERS

1. Colin Giles, St. Ignatius (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame with room for added strength.
Delivery: Stretch-only; medium leg kick into coiled balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Short, compact arm action, low 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. Clean out of the hand with life, feel to spin, plays with heavy sink. T2581, 2454 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. Sharp 11/5 action, high-spin feel, out-pitch characteristics. T2778, 2677 average rpm.
CH: 76-77 mph. Decelerates slightly, plays with heavy arm-side action and occasional downer fade. T2056, 1944 average rpm.

2. Miles Mazanowski, Lane Tech (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Proportional frame, athletic, some present strength throughout.
Delivery: Stretch-only; medium leg kick into slightly coiled balance point, tall/fall lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Short draw out of the glove, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-84 mph. Lively out of the hand, clean, plays with carry. T2418, 2315 average rpm.
SL: 71-73 mph. High-spin, 9/3 shape with bite. Out-pitch characteristics. T2755, 2662 average rpm.
CH: 80-81 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, developing. T2202, 2073 average rpm.

3. Anthony Kilimnik, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-10, 147-pounds. Trim, high-waisted build with room for added strength.
Delivery: Simple, controlled delivery, medium leg kick into balance point, tall/fall lower-half.
Arm Action: LH. Loose, athletic arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays with carry through the zone. T2078, 2004 average rpm.
CB: 68-71 mph. 1/7 action, feel to spin, strike feel. T2343, 2007 average rpm.
SL: 70-73 mph. 3/9 shape, lands, feel to spin. T2416, 2327 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Plays with downer action, developing feel for the zone. T1590, 1516 average rpm.

4. Jenner Smith, Hersey (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 160-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with projection.
Delivery: Stretch-only; medium leg kick into slightly coiled balance point, slight drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Compact, whippy arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-78 mph. Clean and easy out of the hand, has occasional life through the zone. T2193, 2037 average rpm.
CB: 68-71 mph. Feel to spin, tight 11/5 break. Out-pitch characteristics. T2353, 2322 average rpm.
CUT: 70-71 mph. Short horizontal bite, occasional depth.

5. Alexander Aridas, Maine South (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room for added strength, long-levered.
Delivery: Simple, controlled delivery, long high leg kick into balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Long, clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 76-77 mph. Clean and easy out of the hand, strike feel, mostly straight, occasional sink. T1719, 1462 average rpm.
CB: 65-67 mph. Varies shape, occasional feel for the zone, developing. T1720, 1645 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Heavy sinking action, clean out of the hand, throws with confidence, strike feel. T1242, 1113 average rpm.

6. Gavin Weston, Hampshire (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room for added strength.
Delivery: Simple delivery, medium leg kick into balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, clean arm action, 3/4 slot with acceleration out front.
FB: T77, 76-77 mph. Plays clean out of the hand, heavy arm-side action. T2281, 2213 average rpm.
SL: 66-69 mph. 10/4 bite, plays effectively to the glove-side. T2403, 2166 average rpm.

7. Sam Schwartz, Richwoods (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Proportional, sturdy frame.
Delivery: Hybrid delivery, controlled tempo, medium leg kick into balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, over the top slot.
FB: T81, 80-81 mph. Life out of the hand, plays with carry through the zone. Plays at the bottom of the zone. T2306, 2218 average rpm.
SL: 65-71 mph. Sharp 10/4 action, high-spin, out-pitch characteristics. T2518, 2391 average rpm.
CH: 70-72 mph. Plays with downer fade, developing feel for the zone. T1621, 1514 average rpm.

8. Doug Strom, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room for added strength.
Delivery: Simple, uptempo delivery, high leg kick into slightly coiled balance point, tall/fall lower-half.
Arm Action: LH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-75 mph. Clean out of the hand with carry. T2082, 1973 average rpm.
SL: 67-69 mph. Tight 3/9 shape with sharpness. T1981, 1772 average rpm.
CH: 68-70 mph. Maintains armspeed, plays with arm-side fade. T2320, 1930 average rpm.

9. Aaron (AJ) Knizner, Oswego GOAL (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room for added strength.
Delivery: Big rocker step, controlled tempo, medium leg kick into slightly coiled balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Short, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-78 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays with slight arm-side run. T1950, 1886 average rpm.
CB: 63-66 mph. 10/4 break, best of the offspeed offerings, lands. T1890, 1850 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Arm-side fade, maintains fastball armspeed. T1376, 1255 average rpm.

10. Kal Click, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Proportional, sturdy frame.
Delivery: Simple delivery, higher leg kick into balance point, slight drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Short, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 74-76 mph. Plays with some carry, clean out of the hand, throws with intent. T2016, 1920 average rpm.
CB: 63-65 mph. Tight 11/5 shape, throws with intent, plays effectively at the bottom of the zone. T2049, 1907 average rpm.
CUT: 64-65 mph. Inconsistent shape, developing. Plays like a slider.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Hunter Bergdahl, Lakes Community (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds. High-waisted frame with room for added strength.
Delivery: Hybrid delivery, uptempo, medium leg kick into coiled balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-79 mph. Clean out of the hand, mostly straight actions, strikes. T1909, 1829 average rpm.
CB: 60-62 mph. 11/5 big break, occasional feel for the zone. T1878, 1819 average rpm.
CH: 68-70 mph. Occasional arm-side fade. T1528, 1339 average rpm.

James O'Brien, New Trier (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Proportional frame with strength.
Delivery: Stretch-only; medium leg kick into slightly coiled balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 78-78 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays with sink. T2013, 1962 average rpm.
CB: 65-66 mph. 12/6 big break, lands. T2128, 1992 average rpm.
CH: 67-69 mph. Plays with downer fade, effective at the bottom of the zone. T2040, 1945 average rpm.

Anthony Oster, Mount Carmel (IN), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds. Proportional frame.
Delivery: Stretch-only; higher leg kick into balance point, slight drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 73-78 mph. Mostly straight actions, plays at the bottom of the zone. T2113, 1991 average rpm.
CB: 61-62 mph. Short wrinkle, developing. T1651, 1583 average rpm.
SL: 61-64 mph. 9/3 shape, lands. T1650, 1551 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Some downer action at times. T1343, 1266 average rpm.

Harry Resis, New Trier (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-5, 225-pounds. Strong, sturdy build with present strength.
Delivery: Controlled tempo, medium leg kick into slightly coiled balance point, tall/fall lower-half.
Arm Action: LH. Loose, medium arm circle, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 76-79 mph. Plays with arm-side run, heaviness. T1936, 1841 average rpm.
CH: 71-72 mph. Maintains armspeed, heavy arm-side fade. T1636, 1497 average rpm.
CUT: 68-71 mph. Short wrinkle, developing.

Tyler Scott, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 137-pounds. High-waisted frame, trim, with room for added strength.
Delivery: Stretch-only; medium leg kick into coiled balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw out of the glove, compact, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 73-76 mph. Clean out of the hand, mostly straight actions. T1787, 1704 average rpm.
CB: 58-59 mph. 12/6 action, amount of break varies. T1851, 1642 average rpm.
CH: 59-62 mph. Mostly straight actions, developing. T1427, 1359 average rpm.

Jacob Whitver, Rolling Meadows (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Proportional build.
Delivery: Stretch-only; medium leg kick into balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arm loop, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 72-74 mph. True two-seam feel, clean out of the hand, heavy horizontal action, plays at the top of the zone. T1796, 1666 average rpm.
SL: 62-65 mph. 9/3 action, has feel for the glove-side part of the plate, short, best of the offspeed. T2072, 1894 average rpm.
CH: 71-72 mph. Maintains fastball armspeed, mostly straight actions, developing. T1732, 1693 average rpm.

Max Wiginton, McHenry (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 225-pounds. High-waisted, sturdy frame.
Delivery: Controlled delivery, deliberate leg kick into balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Short draw out of the glove, low 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 76-79 mph. Plays with occasional arm-side run. T2060, 1942 average rpm.
SL: 63-66 mph. Short wrinkle, developing. Flashes 9/3 bite. T1500, 1403 average rpm.
CH: 66-69 mph. Plays with arm-side fade, occasional downer fade. T1743, 1551 average rpm.

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