TJ
Schlageter

A Louisville commit, Schlageter completed his prep career at Joliet Catholic Academy with a 20-3 overall record on the mound in three varsity seasons, including a 7-0 record in 2023 to help lead the Hilltoppers to their second straight IHSA Class 2A State Championship. Schlageter received the win in JCA’s 10-3 state semifinal victory over Quincy Notre Dame, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out eight in a complete-game effort. The southpaw pitched his team to victories over area powerhouses such as Brother Rice, Minooka, Naz and Viator, solidifying himself as one of the top arms in Illinois in the class of 2023. Schlageter finished the spring with a 1.47 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 52.1 innings pitched, registering 69 strikeouts compared to just 16 walks on the season.

Louisville commit, ranked No. 23 in the Illinois’ senior class. Stands at an athletic 6-foot-3, 200-pounds. Started on the mound for the Hilltoppers in their state semifinal game for the second year in a row, earning wins in back-to-back years. Athletic mover down the mound, working over his lead leg. Loose and quick arm with noticeable acceleration out front, hides the ball well. Fastball sat 85-88 mph, touching 90 mph with mostly straight actions. Mostly showed a change-up with fade to the armside, sitting in the upper-70s throughout. Threw a complete game with eight strikeouts, two walks, three runs and three hits allowed. 

Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-3, 195-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery. Easy effort. Athletic. Works in line with target. Lands with a closed front toe.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T88.1, 86.1-87.8 mph. Mostly straight, four seam action. T2359, 2270 average rpm.
CB: 65.6-66.7 mph. 1/7 shape, casts at times, showed depth and above average feel for the zone. T2082, 2024 average rpm.
CH: 73.6-77.0 mph. Sinking action with feel and arm speed. T1990, 1949 average rpm.

Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds.
Delivery: Easy, athletic tall and fall delivery, repeatable, smooth rhythm, lands square, works in line with target.
Arm Action: LH. Short, quick arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Mostly straight, plays downhill, thrown for strikes. T2051, 1942 average rpm.
CB: 66-69 mph. 1/7 shape, sharp action, advanced feel for strikes. T1895, 1811 average rpm.
CH: 73-75 mph. Straight change, arm speed similar to fastball. T1487, 1393 average rpm.

6-foot-1, 175-pound, well-proportioned, athletically-built, left-handed pitcher. Showed a polished three-pitch mix throughout his start including a swing-and-miss curveball. Went to the curveball often, inducing a number of bad swings, advanced offering, feel for the zone, 1/7 to 12/6 shape, big depth and tight spin, sat 65-66 mph. Fastball played to both sides of the plate, works mostly straight, played up due to the steady mix he was showcasing; sat 81-82, T83. Changeup, threw to right-handed and left-handed hitters, slight cut, 73-74 mph. Multi-sport athlete with high upside on the mound.
Final Line: 4 innings, H, 2 ER, 8 K, 4 BB

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound southpaw emerged as a follow prospect in Illinois’ 2023 class after displaying a healthy three-pitch mix that he demonstrated budding command over. The JCA product has a quick, athletic arm that sat virtually 80-82 mph throughout his start, touching 84 several times. He showed signs of spinning an even tighter breaking ball as he continues to develop, but the offering was plenty effective enough to keep both right- and left-handed hitters off balance on Saturday against NorthStar. Schlageter was also mixing in a changeup with fade/sink action at 70-73 mph that proved effective. A good look at a lefty to know in Illinois’ incoming sophomore class.

Positional Profile: LHP/OF Has been a rising sophomore all summer and fall within the state; debuted on the Illinois '23 board.
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Lean, lanky levers, athletic; high projectability.
Delivery: Upright, staggered base working off the right edge of the rubber; subtle side step, rhythmic rock to balance point. Strides to a slightly open position, toe-closed, controlled finish. Low effort throughout, finishes athletically, square to home.
Arm Action: LH. Compact arm circle, quick and loose out front; high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Averaged some of the most horizontal break (14.1 inches) at the event; flashed carry with sub-2,000 rpm spin rates.
CB: 65-66 mph. Confidence, feel for 1/7 breaking ball; works off vertical plane, flashed depth.
CH: 72-72 mph. 

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Open athletic setup, smooth loading action, short leg lift trigger.  Long through the zone, uphill path, natural lift, flashed bat speed and fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Long and loose arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot. Arm played accurate and with carry.
Defense: Athletic actions in the outfield. Fluid, quick footwork, gets behind the ball, plays through in rhythm, sure-hands.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Athletic on the mound, strong front side, directional to target with an athletic finish, easy effort.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-78 mph. Flashed late arm-side run, strikes.
CB: 62-64 mph. 1/7 shape, decelerates arm action.
CH: 69-71 mph. Near fastball arm speed, showed sinking action, some strikes.