Week 5 Games

St. Laurence vs St. Rita - 5/13/21

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Tommy Atkinson, 2B, St. Rita, 2023
Uncommitted; ranked No. 70 in the Illinois’ 2023 class. 5-foot-10, 175-pound, compact build with advanced strength in lower half. Right-handed hitting infielder, hit in the two-hole and played second base. Plays fast in all areas of the game. Offensively, has a knack for the barrel and hard contact. Strong, quick hands, present bat strength, natural lift and uses the middle of the field. Speed plays up on the bases. Finished 1-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. Put the ball in play in every at-bat. Flew out to deep center field in his second at-bat and delivered a two-run triple in his final at-bat. Follow 2023 right-handed hitting athlete.

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Tommy Atkinson

Al Holguin, 1B, St. Rita, 2021
USC-Upstate commit; ranked No. 48 in the Illinois’ 2021 class. One of the top first baseman’s in the state. 6-foot-2, 205-pound, physical, wide-shouldered, left-handed hitter. Hit in the four-hole and played first base. Presence and confidence in the box. Has an above-average approach. Stays within himself, uses the whole field and understands the zone. Loose, strong hands, present bat speed and flashes pull-side power. Finished 2-for-4 with two singles; one over the shortstops head and the other a hard-hit ground ball right back up the middle. Defensively, made multiple impressive plays at first base. Soft hands, ability to handle balls in the dirt with ease. Feel around the bag and has a well-above average arm that showed carry and life during pre-game infield. 

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Al Holguin

Michael Laudando, SS, St. Laurence, 2021
6-foot-2, 170-pound, long-limbed, high-waisted, athletically-built, right-handed hitting shortstop; also has been one of St. Laurence’s top arms all spring long. Hit in the lead-off spot and played shortstop. Fluid athleticism to his overall game. Defensively, smooth, easy infield actions, soft/sure hands, presents the glove out front and low to the ground. Natural playing on the move, clean release and can throw from seemingly any arm slot; advanced on the run thru/slow roller play. Offensively, finished 1-for-4 with three runs scored and a stolen base. Loose swing, pull-side tendencies; should continue to ascend as he gains strength.

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Michael Laudando

Kevin McCormick, 1B, St. Laurence, 2021
Evansville commit; ranked No. 90 in the Illinois’ 2021 class. 6-foot-1, 175-pound, athletically-built, left-handed hitting infielder. Hit in the three-hole and played first base. Continues to show he has some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the state. Stays inside the baseball extremely well, lets his hands work and seemingly prefers the ball out over the plate so he can get extended and use the opposite field. Finished 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, a walk and a run scored. Doubled down the left-field line in his first at-bat and singled over the third baseman’s head in his final at-bat.

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Kevin McCormick

Kannen Mosher, RHP, St. Laurence, 2024
Uncommitted. 5-foot-9, 170-pound, right-handed pitcher. Got the start for St. Laurence in a Chicago Catholic matchup with St. Rita. Given the circumstances, and despite picking up a no-decision, Mosher threw extremely well. Went five innings, scattered eight hits, one run, struck out five and walked two. Made a number of quality pitches in big spots to avoid damage. Short arm action, high ¾ to over-the-top slot and pounded the strike zone throughout; 72% of his 67 pitches landed for strikes. Mainly showcased a fastball/curveball mix throughout. Fastball plays straight, stayed on the edges of the plate, sat 77-79 mph. Curveball played with 11/5 shape, 65-68 mph and revved it up to 2211 rpm; went to his curveball in any count and showed the ability to get chases with it with two strikes. Competitive, strike-throwing 2024 arm to follow moving forward.

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Kannen Mosher

Saint Charles East vs. Saint Charles North - 5/13/21

By Peter Hamot
Area Scout

Kyle Hayes, IF, Saint Charles East, 2021
Kirkwood CC commit, ranked No. 32 in the Illinois 2021 class. Strong 6-foot-1 220-pound frame, advanced strength in forearms and lower-half. The top-ranked first-baseman in the Illinois 2021 class. Started his day at first and then moved over to third base after a few innings. Defensively shows soft hands with feel for both corner infield positions. At first-base, displayed the ability to handle short hops and showed athletic footwork around the bag. At third-base, showcased a strong arm across the diamond, sure-handed and showed above-average body control on the slow roller play. Offensively; confident presence in the box, starts in an open stance, long stride. Quick bat that works quick through the zone, advanced bat-speed. Showcased his power/quick bat by turning on a 92 mph fastball for a no-doubt home run in his first at-bat of the game. Tracks pitches in and around the zone well. 

Dominic Buono, LHP, Saint Charles East, 2021
Unsigned senior. 6-foot-2 145-pound wiry, high-waisted frame; plenty of room for continued physical development. Started on the mound and tossed six innings, allowing three hits, no earned runs and struck out four. Loose arm action, plays from an over-the-top slot. Starts with feet staggered, front foot closer to first base, high leg-kick at balance point, tall and fall style delivery, strides in-line with the plate. Fastball sat 79-82 mph with arm-side movement and feel for the corners of the zone. Curveball was his go-to secondary pitch this game in the 66-69 mph range, thrown in any count and created swings-and-misses on pitches in the zone. Changeup was 76 mph with arm-side sink and kept down in the zone.

Zach Kempe, RHP, Saint Charles North, 2021
Notre Dame commit, ranked No. 9 in the Illinois 2021 class. Athletic 6-foot-1 200-pound frame, strong lower-half. One of the premier right-handed arms in the state. Short and clean ¾ arm action, extremely quick arm and low effort throughout; ball jumps out of his hand. Easy, repeatable mechanics, drop and drive type delivery, strides in-line with the plate, minimal effort appearance. Started on the mound for Saint Charles North and tossed 5.1 innings while only allowing 1 hit and striking out 7. Kempe featured a fastball that sat 90-92 mph early on, settling in at 88-91 mph later in the game, with arm-side life, jump through the zone and feel for both sides of the plate. Featured a high-spinning, tight slider at 74-76 mph with sharp 10/4 action. Ability to throw it both for strikes and to put hitters away. Continues to prove he is one of the top arms in the state. 

New Trier vs Glenbrook South - 5/12/21

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Dylan Huang, RHP, New Trier, 2021
Unsigned senior. Plans to attend Indiana for academics as of now. 5-foot-10, 170-pound, right-handed pitcher. Started on the mound for New Trier and has been one of their most reliable arms all season. Opened eyes with his high-spinning curveball; sat 64-67 throughout and spun anywhere from 2600-2720 rpm throughout his outing; pitch plays off an 11/5 plane, depth and showed feel for the zone. Fastball played straight, sat 80-82 mph throughout. Also, showed a changeup at 72 mph with advanced fade. Delivery works across his body; short, compact, clean arm action, high ¾ slot. Final Line: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 K, BB, 63% strikes. Follow unsigned senior arm.

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Dylan Huang

Ryan Kaestle, 2B, New Trier, 2021
Oberlin college commit. 6-foot-1, 170-pound, lean, loose-bodied, right-handed hitting infielder. Started at second base and hit in the three-hole for New Trier. Finished the game 3-for-4 with three runs scored, and two stolen bases. Direct path, athletic hands, advanced hand/eye, minimal swing and miss and uses the whole field to hit. Singled hard through the left-side of the infield in his first at-bat then lined a ball to right field in his second at-bat. 

Charlie Brodell, DH, New Trier, 2021
Indianapolis commit, currently ranked No. 213 in Illinois. Known for his high-ceiling on the mound and fastball that has been up to 86 mph, Brodell DH’d and hit out of the four-hole in this game. Finished 3-for-5. Was consistently on the barrel throughout. Creates leverage to the pull-side, consistently on time and the ball comes off the bat with authority; pull-side tendencies. Given the way he handled the bat, potential two-way ability at the next level.

Brenden Stressler, OF, New Trier, 2023
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 51 in Illinois. 6-foot-1, 180-pound, strong-bodied, left-handed hitting outfielder. Started in right-field and hit in the seven-hole as a sophomore. Showed a knack for the barrel; finished 1-for-3 with a walk. Quiet, repeatable swing, loose, athletic hands, stays inside the baseball, feel for the barrel and lets the ball travel. Bat stays flat and through the zone a long time. Bat projects to fit in the middle of an order moving forward. Defensively, profiles at a corner outfield spot. High-follow left-handed bat in the ‘23 class.

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Brenden Stressler

Louis Florida, 1B, New Trier, 2022
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 160-pound, left-handed hitting C/1B. Started at first base and hit in the five-hole for New Trier. Fluid athlete, has a smoothness to everything he does on the diamond. At the plate, confident in the box, takes controlled aggressive swings. Path works uphill, topspin to the pull-side but on time and on the barrel. Finished 2-for-3 with a double, walk and four RBIs. 

James Hackett, SS, Glenbrook South, 2022
Recent Boston College commit. Has emerged this spring as a high-follow left-handed bat in the 2022 class. 6-foot-3, 175-pound, left-handed hitting shortstop; highly-athletic, projectable build. Has been leaving the yard with regularity this spring. Hit in the two-hole and played shortstop for Glenbrook South. Finished 3-for-3 with two doubles, four RBIs and scored two runs. Long, loose levers creates easy whip in the swing and jump off the barrel. Hands set low, works uphill, natural lift, stays inside and can drive the ball to the opposite gap with authority. Quiet, simple approach, feel for the barrel and understands the strike zone. Defensively, steady defender, accurate arm at shortstop; frame and footspeed will likely profile him elsewhere at the next level. Impressive look at a 2022 left-handed hitter on the rise.

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James Hackett

Downers Grove South vs. Downers Grove North - 5/11/21

By Peter Hamot and Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Staff

Ethan Patera, RHP, Downers Grove South, 2022
Louisville commit, ranked No. 6 in the Illinois 2022 class. One of the top 2022 arms in the Midwest. Continues to ascend with his performances this spring. 6-foot-4 230-pound frame, physical build with well-proportioned strength throughout; overall, workhorse type build. Clean ¾ arm slot, athletic delivery, loads into his back-leg well when driving down the mound, aggressive lower-half, drop and drive type delivery, strides in-line with the plate, will pull off on his finish at times. Went five innings of shutout ball with 11 strikeouts. Featured an exploding fastball with arm-side life which sat mostly 92-94 mph early on, touching 96 mph once; settled in at 90-93, touching an occasional 4 later in the game. Slider was his go-to secondary offering this game, thrown in the 78-82 mph range with sharp 10/4 shape. Featured a changeup at 85-87 mph with arm-side movement and feel for the bottom of the zone. Overall, control and stuff continues to improve. High-level 2022 Prospect.