The Underclass Invitational is one of Illinois’ most highly anticipated events on the PBR Illinois showcase calendar. The invitation-only event for the state’s top 2021 and 2022 prospects will be held this Sunday, Feb. 17, at The MAX in McCook, Ill. Over 115 of Illinois’ best freshman and sophomores will represent themselves at the sold-out event this weekend.

There are already 22 players from last year’s event that have gone on to commit to Division I programs with plenty more to come. Fourteen prospects from the 2018 Underclass Invitational ultimately earned invitations to this past summer’s PBR Future Games. With a roster rivaling the level of talent at last year’s showcase, the 2019 event should help us identify potential members of this year’s Team Illinois roster. For a look at the most up-to-date roster of this year’s Underclass Invitational, click here.

Currently, 23 of the top-40 ranked prospects in the state’s Class of 2021 Rankings will be in attendance this Sunday, including the No. 1-ranked player: 3B/RHP Vytas Valincius (St. Laurence), a South Carolina commit. Valincius is one of the more advanced bats in the country and continues to add strength to his 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame.

The highest ranked uncommitted prospect headed to The MAX is Routt Catholic’s LHP Cory Ronan, the No. 8-ranked prospect in the 2021 class. Ronan is a loose-armed, highly athletic, 6-foot-1, 151-pound southpaw with a mid-80s fastball who’s shown us feel for his breaking ball, too. Ranked right behind Ronan is fellow lefty Adam Dowler (Oswego East). Dowler has an extra-large 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame with a loose and clean arm that helps produce a low-80s fastball and a feel for three pitches.

The top uncommitted 2021 position player in attendance will be OF Isaiah Thompson (Sacred Heart-Griffin). Thompson is a smooth left/left prospect who oozes athleticism and has high upside.

On paper, the catchers look to be one of the deepest and most talented positional groups in attendance. With the likes of 2021s Emmanuel Scott (St. Ignatius), Ty Batusich (Joliet West), Brian Rapanan (Warren), Sebastian Cabeza (Kaneland), Jonny Crowel (Marist) and others, there will be plenty to keep an eye on among this group – Rapanan is also set to throw a bullpen on the mound.

Sebastian Cabeza

 

Emmanuel Scott

 

Brian Rapanan

Some other notable uncommitted 2021s poised to impress Sunday: OF Gavin Baldwin (Nashville), SS Shane Baumgarten (Wheaton Academy), 3B/RHP Nathan Buchan (Plainfield Central), SS Gallien Coupet (Homewood-Flossmoor), OF Zamaurion Hatcher (Kenwood), LHP Grant Holderfield (Oak Park-River Forest), 1B George Korompilas (Glenbrook South), LHP Eric Orloff (Glenbrook North), RHP Chad Readey (Homewood-Flossmoor), and OF Steven Sanderson (St. Rita), among many others.

Zamaurion Hatcher

Ben Hess, a physical right-handed arm from Charleston HS should have one of the firmest fastball's come Sunday. The central Illinois product was up to 85 mph last fall and reports have surfaced that his velocity has been climbing this winter.

Ben Hess

Not to be forgotten, there are plenty of talented 2022s ready to make a name for themselves at the invite-only event. There will be a plethora of high-level RHP’s poised to break out including Alex Alberico (Providence Catholic), RHP Ethan Patera (Downers Grove South), CIF/RHP Brady Small(Lemont), RHP Alex Stanwich (Lincoln-Way East) and RHP Abram Wills (Coal City).

Outside of the right-handed arms, some others worth a mention are LHP Shane Curtin (Mount Carmel), LHP Dylan Warda (Brother Rice) SS Izo Delgado (Illinois Lutheran), SS Christian Holmes (De La Salle), SS/C Jayden Comia (Sandburg) and C Nate Voss (Marist).

There are sure to be plenty of other prospects not mentioned above who will burst onto the scene Sunday.

CLICK HERE for the current roster.

Check-In times for the Underclass Invitational are as follows:

Pitchers, Catchers and all Two-Way Players:

8:15-8:30 AM

Position Player Only:

11:30 AM-11:45 AM

Catchers will stay for both sessions as they will also be evaluated while catching bullpens.

Pitchers need to bring turfs and spikes as they will warm up on turf mound and throw live on dirt mounds.

The event should end around 4:00 pm

**The MAX (McCook Athletic and Exposition Center) is located at 4750 S. Vernon Ave, McCook, IL, 60525.**

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