From Wednesday, July 26th, through Saturday, July 29th, the Prep Baseball Report Future Games will take place at the LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Georgia. This event will feature select uncommitted 2025 and 2026 prospects from our 40-plus state coverage area and Canada. 

For more information about the event, click HERE. 

Below is a quick itinerary for Team Illinois at the Future Games: 

+ Wednesday, July 26th: Workout, 11:30 AM
+ Thursday, July 27th: Illinois vs Pennsylvania, Field 12, 3:00 PM
+ Friday, July 28th: Illinois vs Ohio, Field 11, 4:30 PM
+ Saturday, July 29th: Illinois vs Team Midwest, Field 12, 9:00 AM 

More than 20 players will represent Illinois at this prestigious event and, per usual, this group is as talented as those that came before them. Below, in alphabetical order, you’ll learn more about the names on Team Illinois’ roster at the 2023 Future Games. 

TEAM PREVIEW

Joey Arend OF / St. Charles East, IL / 2025 From 5/6/23: "...Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 21 in the Illinois’ 2025 class. 6-foot, 160-pound, wiry, athletic, left/left outfielder. Hit in the two-hole and played right field. Was coming off an impressive pitching performance the night before so he was careful with his arm throughout pregame and the game. Has fluidity and athleticism to all parts of his game. Ranged a number of times in right-field to make a few non-routine plays look relatively easy. Quick first step and easy range. Offensively, he has a calm, relaxed demeanor with fluidity and a hitterish look. Loose, athletic hands with an uphill path and sneaky barrel strength. Finished 0-for-3 but flashed future pull-side power potential with a deep fly out to right-field in his final at-bat. High-follow two-way prospect in the Illinois’ 2025 class."

Liam Arsich OF / Lincoln-Way Central, IL / 2025 From 7/21/23: "...Perhaps the day’s biggest standout. Standing at a highly projectable 6-foot-3, 160-pounds, Arsich glided effortlessly to a 6.68 60-yard dash, reaching nearly 21 mph of run speed with a 1.60 10-yard split. For his size and age, Arsich controls his long levers well, staying short to the baseball and peppering line drives to all fields throughout his round. As he continues to add strength, Arsich should start to impact the baseball at a higher rate and that, coupled with his present feel to hit, will only greatly improve his production at the plate. Defensively, Arsich moved comfortably around the outfield, reaching back for a 90 mph max on his firmest bullet. He continues to prove himself as a high-follow prospect in the Illinois’ 2025 class."

Zach Bava C / Naperville North, IL / 2025 From 2/17/23: "...is a left-handed hitting catcher to know from the event. Behind the plate, Bava works with steady hands and a quick/clean transfer, remaining directional, athletic out of the crouch and reaching as low as 2.00 for his pop-time (T77 mph). At the plate, Bava has an intentful swing with strong hands, short path and quick bat. He worked to the pul-side of the field with a max exit velocity of 95.4 and max batted ball of 330’."

Connor Blue RHP / O'Fallon, IL / 2025 From 5/31/23: "...Well-proportioned 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete with present strength and room to add more as he continues to physically mature. Took the mound against a potent Edwardsville offense and held his own through four innings, showing his loudest stuff to date. Worked exclusively out of the stretch, stacks onto his backside from a simple start, drop/drive mover downhill, stays connected to the rubber and rotates onto his lead leg at front footstrike. Works slightly across body, momentum carries out front and throws with some effort through release. Short arm stroke, high ¾ slot with arm speed out front. Fastball touched 89 in the first, held 85-88 mph throughout with carry up in the zone and late upper-quadrant arm-side life on occasion. Continues to spin his breaking ball at an advanced rate, showing sharp, downer action at 70-73 mph off an 11/5 plane with swing-and-miss upside at the next level. Progressively impressed over three live looks as the spring went on and remains one of the top prospects in the Illinois’ 2025 class."

CJ Deckinga 3B / Minooka, IL / 2025 From 6/6/23: "...stands at an intriguing 6-foot-3, 180-pounds with room to add strength. Currently ranked No. 79 in Illinois’ incoming junior class, Deckinga began the day running a 7.08 60-yard dash, a noteworthy time for his size. At the plate, the right-handed hitter consistently barreled the ball (70%) to all fields and produced a max exit velocity of 92.3 mph, an average exit velocity of 87.1 mph and a max batted distance of 316 feet. Athleticism transfered to the infield as well, showing fluid actions during the infield portion of his workout. Deckinga also flashed a loose and quick arm, reaching 86 mph across the infield. He later hopped on the mound where his strong arm played well. Deckinga ran his fastball up to 85.9 mph, and his slider sat 74-75 mph with a max IVB of 11.7 inches. His change-up sat 79-80 mph and had an average of 15.6 inches of horizontal movement."

Caden Earing RHP / Mundelein , IL / 2025 From 2/27/22: "...gave our scouting staff his strongest showing to date, adding five mph to his fastball since our last look this past June. The athletic right-hander ran his fastball up to 82 mph with easy life and finish through the zone, playing with notable horizontal action and pouring it in for strikes. His curveball pairs off his fastball effectively, thrown with intent and breaking off a sharp 11/5 plane with short shape, sitting mostly in the 72-74 mph range. Earing went to an above-average changeup to round out his arsenal; thrown with fastball arm-speed and featuring heavy arm-side sink, also kept down at 74-75 mph."

Brady Green SS / Oak Park-River Forest, IL / 2025 From 6/20/23: "...Listed at an athletic and strong 5-foot-10, 170-pounds, Green was all over the barrel throughout the weekend for Strikes Baseball. Friday was the epitome of how Green’s weekend went as he tallied two hits, which included a deep double to left-center field to help Strikes to a win. Not only did his strong right-handed bat impress but his glove on the infield was arguably even more noteworthy. Manning the shortstop position the entire weekend, Green plays the position with bounce and athleticism, pairing it with sure-handedness that made a number of tough plays on the weekend."

Joshua Holst LHP / Libertyville, IL / 2025 From 5/18/23: "...Uncommitted, 6-foot-2, 205-pound, broad-shouldered, physical, left/left first baseman. Most notably known for his ability on the mound but he showed well hitting out of the five-hole and playing first base on this day. Presence to his overall game. Confident, physical tone in the box. Aggressive swings, present bat strength and looks to drive the baseball with authority from gap-to-gap. Finished 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Drove a pitch down and in, into the opposite field gap (into the wind) for a double and one of the hardest hit balls on the day. Impressive frame and skill set for a sophomore."

Tucker King RHP / Lyons Township, IL / 2025 From 5/18/23: "...6-foot-3, 200-pound well-proportioned frame with present strength and room to further fill out physically. Got the start on the mound in a conference game against York, punching out seven over six innings of work. Deliberate mover on the mound with some quick twitch to him as he gets downhill. Fastball played with easy life through the zone with arm-side run sitting 87-90 mph throughout the outing. Spun a curveball with 11/5 shape at 74-77 mph that he turned to most off his fastball, and he features a changeup at 81-84 mph that showed natural arm-side run. One of the top prospects in the state’s current sophomore class that impressed our staff previously in the spring too as he continues to trend upward."

Keegan Luxem RHP / Hersey, IL / 2025 From 6/20/23: "...6-foot-5, 215-pound frame with a strong lower half. Ball comes out of the hand clean upon delivery with a longer stride towards the plate. Fastball sat 82-85 mph, T86 mph with natural cut. Curveball was 68-73 mph with quality vertical depth. Slider was sharp and late-breaking at 74-77 mph."

Trey Meyers OF / New Trier, IL / 2025 From 5/18/23: "...the sophomore is listed at 6-foot-6, 195 pounds, and he moves exceptionally well for a player his age with the present levers he possesses. Meyers was in attendance at our Preseason All-State event at the end of February where he ran a 6.83 60, recorded a top speed of 20.2 mph; both were two of the best marks of the event. He demonstrated unique athleticism for a corner infielder his size, and it plays in the right-handed batter’s box too, where he measured above-average hand and bat speed metrics."

Austin Musso RHP / Mascoutah, IL / 2025 From 4/12/23: "...6-foot-1, 180-pound well-proportioned athlete with plenty of physical projection to come. Started on the mound for Mascoutah in this contest against a strong Belleville West team. Hurled six no-hit innings, striking out eight. Allowed one baserunner to reach throughout his outing, issuing a walk in the bottom of the sixth. Works with pace and tempo on the mound, lead leg lifts to an upright posture at balance, tall/fall type mover downhill. Consistently finished in line and onto a firm front leg, tall through release. Clear competitive presence on the mound, challenged and trusted his stuff throughout, got ahead often. Short quick arm draw out the glove, finished from a clean high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 88 mph twice in the second inning, held 85-87 mph in a 90+ pitch outing. Flashed some life up in the zone, worked mostly on the corners with comfort going in-and-out to both handed hitters. Commanded it in the zone throughout. Landed a 70-71 mph curveball with depth and gradual action for strikes. Turned to a firm, tight, more laterally spun slider at 74-77 mph for whiffs, used it mostly to the glove-side corner of the plate. In 17 innings pitched this spring, across four starts, has struck out 31 batters and walked only five, failing to allow an earned run yet. Has the stuff, makeup, and mound presence to be a frontline arm now, and at the next level. Continues to show out as a high-follow arm in the state’s 2025 class."

Nathan O'Donnell 3B / Providence Catholic, IL / 2025 From 4/12/23: "...Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 180-pound, well-proportioned, athletically-built, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Got the start on the mound and hit in the five-hole. Was impressive on the mound, showing a polished three-pitch mix throughout while pounding the zone at an above-average rate (71% strikes on 42 pitches). Worked four innings, scattered three hits, one run, struck out four and walked one. Clean, compact arm action plays out of a high ¾ slot with seemingly much more velocity to come. Repeated well throughout and plays with minimal effort down the mound. Fastball works mostly straight, occasional arm-side-action, controlled the zone and sat 81-83 mph throughout (was up to 87.9 mph this winter). Curveball is an above average offering at 74-75 mph with 11/5 shape and depth. He also flashed a changeup at 76 mph with a feel for the zone. Offensively, he is equally as intriguing taking a number of quality at-bats and swings throughout. He finished 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI. He was consistently on-time while staying short and flat through the zone with twitchy, athletic hands and jump off the barrel. O'Donnell's biggest swing of the day was a two-run double deep down the right-field line. High-follow uncommitted sophomore with an advanced feel for the game and true two-way potential."

Karlos Otero SS / Romeoville, IL / 2025 From 4/5/23: "...Uncommitted. Athletic 5-foot-9, 150-pound frame. Started at shortstop and hit out of the nine-hole. Otero took impressive reps on the infield during IO, showcasing athletic/smooth actions with soft hands, also has a polished feel. At the plate, Otero starts in a crouched, slightly open stance, utilizing a short/simple stride moving through the zone with a level bat-path. Otero held his own in the box against some talented arms, and should only continue to improve as he gets more reps on varsity."

Toby Peterson LHP / Palatine, IL / 2025 From 7/7/23: "...6-foot-2, 165-pound frame. Athletic build with plenty of room to grow. Had a loud inning Saturday morning while coming in to close out the game, striking out two. Peterson operates at a  ¾ slot with short, clean, wiry arm action. Has a high leg lift, utilizes the mound for plane, and lands toward home. Delivery has some effort to it. Fastball was sitting in the mid 80s while topping out at 87 mph. Mixed in a mid 70s curveball. Peterson also contributed offensively in the second game of the day with a home run to deep right field."

AJ Putty 3B / Huntley, IL / 2025 From 5/17/23: "...Uncommitted. Ranked No. 15 in Illinois’ 2025 class. Strong-bodied, 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame with strength throughout. Started at third base and hit out of the five-hole for the Red Raiders, finishing the day with a grand slam and two walks. Strong right-handed swing, loads with some rhythm and hangs foot for timing; showed easy opposite field power, staying through a pitch on the outer half and driving it over the wall for his grand slam on a line. Mature approach, limited his chases out of the zone and had a clear plan of attack. Steady actions at third base with a strong arm (T83 mph in-event). Profiles on the corner of the infield and middle of the lineup at the next level. High-follow 2025."

Quinn Schambow C / Libertyville , IL / 2025 From 5/18/23: "...Uncommitted and currently ranked No. 22 in the Illinois’ 2025 rankings. 6-foot, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher with a strong, wide-shouldered build. Caught and hit in the three-hole. Looks to be one of the top defensive catchers still on the market in the sophomore class. Advanced arm strength; arm plays clean, short and quick with carry. Throws play true and flashed sub-2.00 pop times in between innings. Uses his arm as a weapon, routinely trying to throw behind runners and catch them sleeping on the bases. Also, an above-average receiver, soft hands, strong wrists with the ability to present pitches in and around the zone. WIlling blocker and clean out of the chute. Right-handed hitter with strong hands, natural loft through the zone and competitive look in the box. FInished 1-for-4 with a two-strike single back up the middle in his third at-bat. Ran a 4.55 down the line on a groundout in his first at-bat. High-follow uncommitted sophomore catcher."

Peter Thompson RHP / Loyola Academy, IL / 2025 From 7/20/23: "...arguably the day’s biggest winner...only solidified the positive reports that we had heard from him throughout the summer in this ‘pen. The 6-foot-4, 170-pound Thompson pumped his fastball at 85-87 mph from a long arm draw, bumping it up to 2400+ RPM at peak. He spun a downer CB with clear vertical break at 67-70 mph, averaging nearly 2600+ RPM. Thompson rounded out his arsenal with a 76-78 mph changeup that he created some arm-side run on at times in this look. Given his physical stature and easy, fluid movement patterns down the mound, Thompson is certainly an arm to follow in the state’s 2025 group. He will represent Team Illinois at the PBR Future Games next week."

Ben Toft OF / New Trier, IL / 2025 From 3/9/23: "...is another sophomore to know in the hallways at New Trier. The path is unclear for Toft as New Trier has plenty of competition in the outfield but he is a talented left/left prospect who could impact the varsity club at some capacity this spring. We last saw Toft in the fall where he showed sub-7.00 speed and athleticism in both the left-handed box and in the outfield. Regardless of his overall role, he’s certainly a Trevian to monitor in the coming years, if not in 2023."

Gavin Triezenberg SS / Brother Rice , IL / 2025 From 5/11/23: "...Uncommitted and currently ranked No. 18 in the Illinois’ 2025 class. 6-foot-3, 190-pound, wide-shouldered build with developing strength. Started at shortstop and hit in the five-hole. Natural infield defender with athletic actions and overall polish to his game. Slows the game down, never seems in a hurry, comfortable on the move, quality glove presentation and hands play soft and out in front. Clean release, internal clock and accurate arm. Offensively, right-handed hitter, calm and relaxed look in the box. Looks to use the big part of the field, works to keep his hands inside the baseball with natural loft through the zone. Finished 1-for-2 with a sac bunt (4.36 down the line) and scored a run. On the rise, uncommitted sophomore with plenty more ceiling to tap into down the road."

Wyatt Wawro OF / Downers Grove South, IL / 2025 From IL State Games: "...is an athletic, fluid outfielder to follow moving forward. Wawro took a number of quality at-bats and swings over the course of the two days. Has a presence in the box, smooth swing, quick hands and creates whip through the zone. Wawro was unfazed by velocity and was on time and on the barrel in a number of at-bats. Should only continue to ascend as he matures and gains strength to his frame."

Andrew Winslow RHP / Triad, IL / 2025 From 4/25/23: "...6-foot-5, 185-pound frame with long, lanky, thin levers that offer plenty of projectability. Started on the mound for the Knights against Nashville, hurling five shutout innings of two-hit ball, striking out six. Tall upright mover on the mound that’s still learning how to control his body downhill. Arm works from a loose, whippy ¾ slot, comes out of a tough angle and makes for a difficult look for opposing hitters. Ran his fastball up to 89 in the first inning, sitting at 84-88 mph throughout his outing with late arm-side life on occasion, though he did work around it at times. Generated plenty of uncomfortable swings throughout, jumped on hitters and induced plenty of ground balls. Confidence in his slider, turned to it with two strikes as well as when he was behind in the count. Played at 72-74 mph, flashing hard late sweeping action at times with future swing-and-miss potential. Calmed, collective presence on the mound - didn’t shy away when behind in the count once and didn’t issue a walk, either. Has also been a noteworthy contributor on Triad’s basketball team each of the last two seasons as an underclassman. Flashed glimpses of one of the higher ceiling arms in the state’s 2025 class."

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