Rocco
Szambelan

The future of the Joliet Catholic pitching staff showed well on Sunday. A trio of Hilltopper youngsters showed some premium stuff that could impact the staff sooner rather than later. The biggest winner of the three might have come from freshman Ian Campbell (2026). Campbell looks every bit the part at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds with a young look on an athletic frame with big hands and feet that will carry plenty more mass as he matures. He already generates premium fastball velocity at his age working 81-85 mph and flashing ride at the top of the zone. While his spin is still a work in progress, he throws his curveball with intent at 69-73 mph. He also showed a knack for hard contact at the plate, working with a simple/easy operation and natural lift through impact - averaging 89.4 mph and reaching up to 97.6 mph for his max exit velocity (349’ max distance). Freshman LHP Rocco Szambelan (2026) is another athletic arm at 6-foot, 165-pounds. He showed plenty of upside with an upper 70’s fastball from the left side and an upside slider that flashed sharp action and depth. Sophomore LHP Lucas Grant (2025) gave a similarly impressive look, sitting in the 81-82 mph range with over 2,300 RPM at times. He also showed a knack to spin the breaking ball with over 2,300 RPM once again at 71-73 mph. To fill out his three-pitch mix he went to a fading changeup at 73-75 mph with some feel for the zone. Grant also topped at 86 mph from the outfield. 

Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, long stride. Long through the zone with a flat to downhill path at times.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 72.2 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 84 mph. Loose, quick arm, 3/4 slot, throws show carry.
Defense: Active, light on his feet. Athletic actions, steady hands and gains ground through release.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Subtle rocker step, athletic delivery, tends to fall glove side at times.
Arm Action: LH. High 3/4 slot, clean arm path.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. Flashes cut action, gets on side at times.  T1909, 1823 average rpm.
SL: 66-68 mph. Flashed sharp action, showed depth at times. T2022, 1982 average rpm.
CH: 68-70 mph. Fade action, thrown with arm speed. T1601, 1387 average rpm.

Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Athletic delivery; works closed and on line to target.
Arm Action: LH. Quick arm speed; short circle to a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 76-79 mph. Straight, heavy type. T1784, 1731 average rpm.
SL: 67-70 mph. Sweep-type, some depth; locates well for age. Above-average action. T1925, 1719 average rpm.
CH: 68-73 mph. Straight change, firm. T1330, 1187 average rpm.

The incoming freshman southpaw worked his fastball in the 75-77 mph range, playing mostly straight with an average IVB of 14.8. He showed the ability to spin two different breaking balls; the first being a curveball with 1/7 shape at 62-65 mph, and the second being a 2/8 slider at 64-67 mph. His final offering was a straight changeup at 63-66 mph, thrown with intent and from a similar fastball release point. 

Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Athletic delivery, medium leg-lift into balance point, drop/drive lower-half, remains in-line to the plate, front foot lands square.
Arm Action: LH. Short to the ear out of the glove into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-77 mph. Mostly straight, slight arm-side-run at times.  T1881, 1760 average rpm.
CB: 62-65 mph. Gradual 1/7 shape. T2009, 1973 average rpm.
SL: 64-67 mph. Gradual 2/8.  T2129, 2009 average rpm.
CH: 63-67 mph. Plays off a similar plane to his fastball, mostly straight.  T1229, 1110 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Balanced wide stance, hands high, leg kick. Long path, works uphill through the zone, loose hands and pull-side approach.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 78.2 mph. 283’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot, accurate throws.
Defense: Athletic footwork, bouncy, advanced actions.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60.