Prep Baseball Report

Illinois Class of 2025 Rankings: Risers


By: Gavin Smith
Area Scout

As the summer comes to an end and the 2025 class heads into their junior campaigns, we take a look at the risers in the state’s 2025 rankings.

Yesterday, our staff officially updated our 2025 board, highlighting several of the state’s top prospects within our release. You can find that by clicking HERE.

We'll dive deeper into the rankings themselves today, shining light on a handful of players that earned a rise up our board after showing well to our staff. Below you'll learn more about these names that are trending upward as the fall is set to start.

RISERS

Quinn Schambow C / RHP / Libertyville , IL / 2025

Ranked No. 4 overall.

From 8/1/23: “...proved to be one of the top prospects and performers on Team Illinois from the Future Games, impressing on both sides of the ball. Positionally, Schambow is a premier defender behind the dish with one of the strongest arms in the state, regardless of class. He led the entire Future Games in peak throwing velocity at Wednesday’s workout (84 mph) and popped a 1.86 on his quickest bullet, which was also among the event’s leaders. His arm translated to the gameplay portion effortlessly, as Schambow back picked a runner at first base and gunned a would-be base stealer at second in the same inning against Team Midwest in game three. At the plate, Schambow finished 5-for-6 with three hits in game one, two total doubles, and he drew four walks, too. After all that, Schambow toed the rubber on the final day and was electric, punching out a pair with an upper-80s fastball, touching 90 mph, while spinning a true swing-and-miss mid-70s slider that reached upwards of 2600 RPM. Schambow was an all-around winner from the event that should garner plenty of interest in the coming weeks.”

CJ Deckinga 3B / OF / Minooka, IL / 2025

Ranked No. 5 overall.

From 8/1/23: “Arguably the biggest winner from the Team Illinois’ position player group was 3B/OF CJ Deckinga (Minooka, 2025), who turned plenty of heads throughout the weekend. Standing at a long, lanky, and highly projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pounds, Deckinga was all over the barrel in BP during Wednesday’s workout, showcasing an athletic swing with present bat speed and plenty to project on from the right side. His 94.8 mph max exit velocity, 89.9 mph average exit velocity, and 342 ft. peak batted distance are all presently impressive numbers that are surely to tick upward as he continues to physically mature. Deckinga wasted no time showcasing his offensive skill-set in gameplay, homering in the first game for Team Illinois and picking up a few more hits in game two, including a double he rocketed to the opposite field. He took a number of quality swings throughout the Future Games and looks every bit the part of a future middle-of-the-order bat at the next level. Further enhancing his overall value, Deckinga looks capable of sticking at third base, moving well for his size at the hot corner with steady hands and a quick, accurate arm to release. Deckinga may have one of the highest ceilings in the entire Illinois’ 2025 class and he did nothing but solidify himself as a high-end prospect heading into his junior year.”

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