Class of 2020 Showcase: Preview

Annually, around this time of year, the PBR Illinois staff hosts a showcase for the area’s high school juniors, providing a platform for the top on-the-market talent to perform before the offseason in November and December. At this year’s Class of 2020 Showcase, over uncommitted 80 juniors will be headed to The MAX sports complex in McCook, Ill., to participate in a pro-style workout.

There is still time to register for the event by CLICKING HERE. For a look at the most up-to-date roster, CLICK HERE.

Nearly 20 of the prospects who attended last year’s event have since committed to play at the next level, at programs like Illinois-Chicago, Northwestern, Triton College, and Wisconsin-Oshkosh, among others.

Among this year’s most compelling pitching prospects planning to be in attendance: RHP Ethan Alexander (Marian Catholic), RHP Jack Feely (Normal University), and RHP Matthew Zahora (St. Laurence).

We last saw the lean 6-foot-3 Alexander at an event all the way back in January, where he sat in the low-80s with a loose, quick arm, making him a candidate for a velo jump at some point. Feely is coming off a spring season where he saw time as a sophomore at the varsity level on a talented Pioneers team; he has sat in the mid 80s with a clean and easy delivery in the past. And Sunday’s event will be Zahora’s first-ever with PBR; we saw him pitch for St. Laurence this spring where he was up to 81 mph with an above-average slider out of a deceptive low ¾ slot. Reports have surfaced that Zahora’s velocity has been on the rise as of late, too.

Ethan Alexander (1.15.18)

As for the position players, there’s a couple notable names to circle: C Isaac Crabb (Harrisburg) and INF Nicholas Serr (Minooka), among others. Crabb is a big and strong backstop with present bat strength and a gap-to-gap approach. Behind the plate, Crabb has soft and receptive hands. Serr was an All-State Games invitee with smooth actions on the infield and a barrel control approach at the plate.

These are just a handful of names to keep an eye out for on Sunday. There are bound to be plenty of other prospects who emerge at the event.

ITINERARY

• 8:20 to 8:40 a.m. – Position Players Check-in
  + Stretching
  + 60-yard Dash
  + Defensive Evaluations
  + Offensive Evaluations
  + Round of Batting Practice

• 11:45 a.m. to noon – Pitcher Only Check-in
  + Stretching
  + Bullpen Session
  + (Catchers will also be evaluated during this time)

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