We continued our summer tournament circuit this past weekend with the Illinois Evolution Series in Rantoul, Illinois. This event targeted some of the up-and-coming prospects from the state, as well as a couple surrounding states. Read on below to see which players stood out to our scouting staff from the event. 

Saturday  

Bison Outlaws Vegas 

RF Kole Aken (Byron, 2027)
Aken went 4-for-4 with a double, home run, two RBI’s, four runs scored and a stolen base on Saturday out of the six hole for the Outlaws. Strong load and balanced swing through the zone. Displayed athleticism on the base paths with easy strides, always looking to take the extra base.  

(Kole Aken)

Effingham Heaters 

3B Jude Traub (Effingham HS, 2027)
In his first game on Saturday, Traub impressed with his ability to hit the ball to all fields. He hit a two RBI double to center in the second inning, a double to left in the fourth inning, and hit a single the opposite way in the sixth. In his second game, he flashed some big power. He hit a double in the first to center field. Then hit a two-run home run to left center in the fourth. Later in the game he hit a line drive single - tallying 12 total bases, six RBIs, and four runs scored over two games, making him a true middle of the order presence at the plate.  

Game 7- Collins 

3B/RHP Drew Overocker (Fieldcrest, 2027)
Overocker is a 6-foot, 170-pound projectable frame with power to all fields. Went 4-for-6 with two doubles, a triple, four RBI’s and four runs scored on Saturday. Hits from an open stance with a strong leg kick. Smooth, balanced swing. 

(Drew Overocker)

GRB Rays Illinois Dabe 

3B Kaden Wasniewski (Mchenry HS, 2027)
Started at third in both games for GRB on Saturday. In the first game, he flashed some power hitting a solo home run to deep left field. In the second game, he showed his power to all fields. He hit an opposite field double over the right fielder's head in the first, crushed a line-drive single into center, pulled a hard-hit single into left and finally in his last at bat he hit his second home run of the day to left field. On the mound, Wasniewski showed a clean arm with projection.  

MIF Sean Dabe (Huntley, 2027)
Former Junior Future Gamer, is also set to represent Illinois once again at the JFGs in a couple weeks. Lanky, projectable build with room to add on strength as he matures. Fluid right-handed swing, works the whole field with upside in the stroke. Clear arm-strength on the mound, working his fastball up to 81 mph.  

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(Sean Dabe)

Illinois Steelmen 

SS Austin Rutter (Sacred Heart Griffin, 2027)
Rutter showed well for the Illinois Steelmen on Saturday hitting out of the leadoff spot. The shortstop went 3-for-4 on the day with two runs, two RBIs and a walk. In his second at-bat of game one, Rutter hit a towering two-run shot to straight away center field. 

Post 210 Quick 

OF/RHP Ayden Batchelor (Fountain Central, 2027)
Batchelor showed well in two games for Post 210 on Saturday, finishing the day going 4-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, three runs and three stolen bases. Showed speed and athleticism. Quick hands through the zone with a strong lower half. Also threw three shutout innings in relief on the mound. Followed that up with a 1-for 3-day on Sunday with an RBI. 

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(Ayden Batchelor)

Puma Academy 14u  

OF Justin Williamson (Union Grove HS, 2027)
Showed some power at the plate hitting a home run to left field to start off the second inning for Puma Academy. Showed patience at the plate walking in two of his three plate appearances and working the count in each of them.  

Razorbacks 2027 Navy  

MIF Sam Gasser (Southridge HS, 2027)
Impressive right-handed bat with an athletic and balanced stroke. Finished the day 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored in front of our staff. Former Junior Future Games participant for Indiana. Athletic and fluid defende, soft hands with clear feel for the middle of the diamond.  

LHP Mason Baker (William Henry Harrison HS, 2026)
Went the distance on Saturday night for the Razorbacks throwing a seven-inning complete-game shutout. Only allowed one hit on the night and three walks. He finished the game with 10 strikeouts. Showed solid control throwing over 60% strikes. His fastball topped at 81 mph and sat around 77-80 mph. Went to a 10/4 breaking ball that sat 66-69 mph.  

Sunday  

Effingham Heaters 

LHP Carter Braddy (Effingham HS, 2027)
Braddy displayed his athleticism in multiple facets for the Heaters on Sunday. The leadoff hitter effectively worked counts at the plate, finishing going 1-for-3 with a walk, double and two runs scored. He also added a stolen base, showing his speed around the base paths. The southpaw tossed a complete game on the mound, allowing two runs on three hits while walking four and striking out 11. Fastball reached 77 mph, ranging from 73-76 mph throughout. Fluid delivery, moves well on the mound. Mixed in a sweeping slider at 62-64 mph with late bite.  

3B/RHP Jude Traub (Effingham HS, 2027)
Traub continued his strong weekend at the plate on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with a deep home run to left field, five RBI’s, a sacrifice fly and a run scored. In five games throughout the weekend, Traub drove in nearly 30% of his team’s runs (11 of 37), while also hitting 9-for-15 (.600). In the Razorbacks’ semifinal matchup with Game Seven Collins, the righty threw five innings on the mound and allowed just two runs (both unearned) on four hits with four strikeouts. Threw his fastball at 72-75 mph, mixing in a breaking ball at 64-66 mph and changeup at 66-68 mph. In control on the mound with effortless and repeatable mechanics. Flashed impressive leather playing third base in his other games on the weekend, making multiple tough plays look routine. Steady footwork and quick hands.  

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(Jude Traub)

Game 7- Collins 

OF Braydon Laesch (Heyworth HS, 2027)
Broke open the game hitting a leadoff home run on the fourth pitch of the game to left-center field. Showed some patience working a walk later in the game. Showed speed and IQ on the bases. Played strong outfield, and displayed quick jumps on balls in the air.  

Illinois Steelmen 

CIF Lucas Richardson (Springfield, 2026) 
Physical, 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame with clear strength. Showed off his pop at the plate with a home run to straight-away center. Pre-pitch rhythm in his hands with a fluid load, fires through the zone with an uphill path, intent to lift. Power upside as he continues to mature.  

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(Lucas Richardson)

PTA Sobczak 

1B Evan Ploeckelman (Mukwonago HS, 2027)
Showed off some big power on Sunday hitting a two-run home run during a big six run inning that ultimately won the game for PTA. Has a tall stance then crouches before the pitch is thrown. Has a lean athletic frame with room for added strength.  

Puma Academy 14u 

SS Jaxson Prust (N/A, 2027)
Prust led the charge offensively in Puma Academy’s victory over Bison Outlaws Vegas on Sunday, using his speed and athleticism effectively. The shortstop finished the day going 2-for-3 with a double, three runs scored, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base. 

Razorbacks 2027 Navy 

RHP Andrew Broshears (Evansville Memorial, 2027)
Broshears is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound projectable frame who dominated on the mound for Razorbacks Navy in their semifinal win over Illinois Steelmen on Sunday. The righty threw a complete game and allowed one run (unearned) on four hits while striking out two and walking five. Produced a plethora of weak contact, working out of a fluid, easy delivery. Straight fastball 76-80 mph. Spun a curveball for strikes consistently at 67-71 mph. 

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(Andrew Broshears)

SS Sam Gasser (Southridge HS, 2027)
Gasser was a major catalyst hitting in the three hole in Razorbacks Navy’s championship run throughout the weekend. The shortstop was regularly on base throughout, finishing the five games going 8-for-14 with eight RBI’s, two doubles and two runs scored. 

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