On Feb. 19, the PBR Illinois staff traveled to the Pullman Community Center in Chicago to host the Chicago Preseason ID. This event provided us an ample opportunity to check-in on some of the area’s top high school prospects and identify several new names to know as we prepare for the IHSA season, as well as future invite-only events on the PBR Illinois calendar, like Saturday’s Preseason All-State events.

In the week that followed this event, we produced post-event analysis that includes performance highlights inside of our Quick Hits story, a look at the traditional stats measured within our Statistical Analysis piece, batted-ball and pitch data compiled in TrackMan Files, swing metrics captured on the Blast Motion Board, and sight scores from an athletic perspective tracked on the Vizual Edge Scoreboard.

You can learn more about the state-of-the-art technologies featured at our showcases within the hyperlinks above. Today we’ll begin our post-event process by rolling out the individual scouting reports of the day, starting with the catcher position while working our way across the diamond as the week continues.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Keshaun Parker, Simeon (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide base with weight evenly distributed on both legs, short/minimal stride with a fluid load.  Simple, fluid swing. Balanced throughout. Quality approach. Lets the ball travel. Uses the whole field. Controls the barrel.
Power: 82.8 max exit velocity, averaged 73.1 mph. 251’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. OF - 79 mph. C: Short, over-the-top arm slot. Ball carries to the plate. OF: Short, clean arm action. High 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.95-2.08 pop times. C: Soft hands with a quick/clean transfer. Moves athletically out of the crouch on throws and balls in the dirt. OF: Fluid footwork around the ball, plays through with athletic outfield actions.
Run: 7.80 runner in the 60. 

2. Marco Luna, Brooks (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-7, 145-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Slightly crouched setup, keeps weight on the back knee throughout load, toe-tap into a short stride. Easy, loose hands. Fluid rhythm. Hands stay short and work on top of the baseball. Creates backspin and works gap-to-gap.
Power: 82.9 max exit velocity, averaged 76.5 mph. 285’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short, over-the-top slot. Accurate throws.
Defense: 2.04-2.23 pop times. Soft hands with a quick/clean transfer. Moves well out of the crouch while remaining directional on throws.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60. 

3. Antwan Jackson, Leo (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, simple setup. Fluid rhythm throughout load into a consistent stride.  Easy effort. Controlled, balanced finish. Loose hands. Uphill path. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87.1 max exit velocity, averaged 79.1 mph. 308’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.26 pop times. Works to present pitches in and around the zone. Feet work in line with the second base bag.
Run: 8.20 runner in the 60. 

3. Joshua Moore, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10, 144-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, moves into a long stride, hangs foot slightly. Easy, relaxed swing. Flat path. Line-drive approach. Utilized the middle of the field.
Power: 84.3 max exit velocity, averaged 76.3 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Clean, loose, over-the-top slot. Short out of the glove.
Defense: 2.01-2.19 pop times. Fluid footwork out of the crouch. Works in-line with soft hands while receiving.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Nicholaus Asiyanbi, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-7, 147-pounds. Short, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, front foot slightly bent in, consistent leg-lift into a short stride.  Quiet swing. Long, uphill bat path. Looks to elevate. Pull-side tendency.
Power: 83.4 max exit velocity, averaged 68.6 mph. 289’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short out of the glove. Works from an over-the-top slot. IF: Short, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.41 pop times. Sure-handed with a clean transfer. Works directionally out of the crouch in-line with the base.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60. 

Andy Ayala, Brooks (IL), 2023 
Positional Profile: C/INF
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: RH. Athletic, balanced setup. Lift and place type stride, minimal stride length.  Easy, loose swing. Short and steep into the zone. Middle-of-the-field approach. Remains balanced throughout contact.
Power: 76 max exit velocity, averaged 64 mph. 247’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 73 mph. Short, quick arm action. Over-the-top arm slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.19 pop times. Steady hands with a quick/clean transfer. Works in-line out of the crouch. IF: Steady hands with a clean transfer. Keeps the ball out in front. Showed body control on slow-roller play.
Run: 7.90 runner in the 60. 

Christian Martinez, Solorio Academy (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11, 138-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, starts with knees bowed slightly in, long stride.  Long swing. Loose hands. Natural lift. Gap-to-gap, line-drive approach. Uses the whole field.
Power: 79.5 max exit velocity, averaged 74.6 mph. 237’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 76 mph. C: Short, high 3/4 arm slot. IF: Short, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.22 pop times. Steady hands with a clean transfer. Athletic blocker and works in-line to the base out of the crouch. IF: Steady hands with awareness around the bag. Keeps the ball out in front.
Run: 8.27 runner in the 60.

Luke Mejdrich, Hampshire  (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, coils into a long/aggressive stride while leading with his front hip.  Aggressive swing. Hits off front foot. Strong hands. Present bat strength. Hands stay on top of the baseball. Consistent hard contact. Uses the whole field.
Power: 94.2 max exit velocity, averaged 82.6 mph. 264’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Loose, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.07-2.34 pop times. Steady hands. Feet work directionally out of the crouch on throws.
Run: 8.21 runner in the 60.  

Nicholas Patten, Blue Springs South (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds. Athletic build. Strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup with a slightly open front foot. Hands start low before moving into a long stride.  Advanced twitch and bat speed. Simple, uphill bat path. Creates consistent, hard, elevated contact. Worked on the barrel throughout round.
Power: 90.1 max exit velocity, averaged 86.5 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.07-2.32 pop times. Sure-handed with a clean transfer. Deadens the ball out in front on balls in the dirt. Moves directionally out of the crouch.
Run: 7.95 runner in the 60. 

Alijah Rainey, Homewood Flossmoor (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 215-pounds. Stocky build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. More weight on back knee. Toe-taps into a simple, short stride.  Compact swing. Controls the barrel. Strong hands. Elevates the baseball. Gap-to-gap, middle-of-the-field approach.
Power: 84.4 max exit velocity, averaged 73.9 mph. 294’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short, over-the-top slot. Quick out of the glove.
Defense: 2.11-2.26 pop times. Quick/clean transfer. Soft hands. Moves well out of the crouch with quick feet while remaining in-line.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60. 

Jalil Tate, Illinois (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/C
Body: 5-7, 135-pounds. Short, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup with more weight on back knee. Short stride. Hands start low and create separation at foot strike.  Long, uphill bat path. No wasted movement. Balanced at finish.
Power: 74 max exit velocity, averaged 64.1 mph. 242’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. INF - 68 mph. Short, loose arm action. Over-the-top slot. IF: Short, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.37-2.50 pop times. Steady hands with a clean transfer. Moves well out of the crouch to block balls in the dirt. Feet work directionally to bases on throws. IF: Two-handed gather with the ability to keep the ball in front to both sides. Clean transfer.
Run: 8.18 runner in the 60. 

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