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. We began our position-by-position scouting reports process earlier in the week with the catching group and followed it up with the outfielders. Today, we’ll highlight the infielders from the event, with a few names that just missed the cut: 

Two 2023 middle infielders that showed well but just missed the cut were Julian Silva (Plainfield Central) and Jeremy Yanow (Deerfield). Silva stays direct and flat through the baseball with his hands staying on top, resulting in a lot of backspun, line-drive contact with steady defensive actions. Yanow has a simple right handed swing and showed natural infield actions and a lot of confidence in his hands which play soft. Yanow topped at 83 mph across the infield and should be able to stick on the dirt long term. 

Another 2023 just outside of the top five to keep an eye on is Tyler Patterson (Simeon). The 6-foot-1, 210-pound, physically-built, right-handed hitter was on the barrel with authority during BP. Patterson averaged 90.1 mph off the bat with a max of  97.5. His furthest batted ball traveled 353’. Where he ends up defensively remains to be seen but he possessed some of the best bat strength at the event. 

Read below for all of the event’s infield reports. 

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Jayden Cummings, Simeon (IL), 2022; Parkland JC commit.
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Sloped shoulders. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Wide, athletic base. Fluid load into a long stride. Quick, strong hands. Short path. Works uphill at times. Gap-to-gap, line-drive approach.
Power: 90.7 max exit velocity, averaged 79.5 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Clean, 3/4 slot. Plays on the move.
Defense: Soft hands with a clean transfer. Athletic, fluid feet with easy range to both sides. Showed body control on the move.
Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. 

2. Phillip Thigpen, Kenwood (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-7, 155-pounds. Compact, wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched setup. Simple, short stride. Creates hand separation at foot strike.  Confident look. Controlled aggression. Stays balanced. Compact swing. Occasional lift. Middle-of-the-field approach.
Power: 83.9 max exit velocity, averaged 70.2 mph. 270’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short, clean arm action. Works from a high 3/4 slot. Arm plays on the move.
Defense: Highly athletic footwork around the ball. Soft hands with a quick, clean transfer. Easy range to both sides.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

3. Shemar Harris, Thornwood (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Highly athletic frame with developing strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. Transitions weight into back leg before moving into a long, gliding stride.  Quick, strong hands. Stays short to the baseball. Present rhythm and uses the middle of the field.
Power: 90.2 max exit velocity, averaged 78.3 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot. Plays with carry.
Defense: Two-handed gather out front. Keeps the ball in front to both sides.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

4. Brenden Beals, Barrington (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 140-pounds. Short, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup. Slightly crouched with weight on back leg. Moves into a long, fluid stride. Strong, athletic hands. Compact, highly-repeatable swing. Fluid rhythm. Consistently on the barrel. Middle-of-the-field, line-drive approach. Advanced feel for the barrel.
Power: 87.9 max exit velocity, averaged 84.2 mph. 318’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, clean, 3/4 slot. Arm plays on the move.
Defense: Soft hands with a quick, clean transer. Athletic actions with fluid footwork. Easy range to both sides of the glove.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. 

5. Nicolas Mangano, Marian Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, balanced setup. Weight stacked on the back foot. Lift and place type stride. Hits with rhythm. Uphill path. Quick hands. Pull-side approach. Sneaky jump off the barrel.
Power: 94.9 max exit velocity, averaged 86.9 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm that can play on the move.
Defense: Soft hands. Quick, clean transfer. Athletic actions with fluid, quick feet. Moves well side-to-side.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

5. DaSaan Lee, Crete Monee (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 6-0, 193-pounds. Athletic, physical frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup. Back knee bowed inwards slightly. Short, simple stride with a fluid load.  Fluid, easy swing. Maintains balance throughout. Loose, strong hands. Uphill path. Creates jump off the barrel at times.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged  mph. 322’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short, loose arm action. High 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Moves well side-to-side. Sure-handed with a clean transfer out of the glove.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Jalen Allen, Marian Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-3, 150-pounds. Long, lanky frame. Rounded shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Wide, slightly crouched setup. Bat starts on shoulder before moving into a short, repeatable stride.  Short, direct path. Hands work on top of the baseball. Balanced finish. Line-drive approach to the big part of the diamond.
Power: 74.5 max exit velocity, averaged 64.9 mph. 209’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 64 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-handed gather out in front. Some range to both sides with a clean transfer.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60. 

Bernabe Astorga III, Eisenhower (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup. Toe-taps into a short, quick stride.  Aggressive swing, level path, pull-side approach.
Power: 86.2 max exit velocity, averaged 74.9 mph. 288’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long, loose, 3/4 slot. Jumps out of the hand.
Defense: Two-handed gather out in front with a clean transfer from the glove.
Run: 8.35 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. 

Matthew Bressler, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup. Long stride. Compact swing. Uphill path. Minimal wasted movement. Gap-to-gap approach. Remains balanced throughout.
Power: 86.7 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sure-handed. Fluid footwork. Clean transfer with range to both sides of the glove.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

Christian Carr, Kenwood (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds.
Hit: . Starts with a slightly crouched lower-half. Toe-taps into an early stride.  Simple swing, short bat path. Works uphill at times. Middle-of-the-field approach. Finishes on balance.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 65.1 mph. 253’ max distance.
Arm: . INF - 67 mph. Short, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Keeps the ball out in front. Clean transfer. Works from the ground up.
Run: 7.99 runner in the 60. 

Christian Clark, St. Rita (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 130-pounds. Short, compact frame. Plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup. Slightly open with more weight on back knee. Moves into a long, gliding stride with hand separation at foot strike.  Fluid rhythm. Hits off front foot at times. Loose hands. Flat path. Middle-of-the-field approach.
Power: 73.9 max exit velocity, averaged 69.6 mph. 250’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-handed gather out in front. Moves well to his glove-side.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60. 

Kyrent Cole, Leo (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup. Hands start low while moving into a short stride.  Fluid rhythm. Handsy swing with an uphill path. Stays balanced throughout contact. Easy effort.
Power: 75.5 max exit velocity, averaged 69.8 mph. 255’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic actions with soft hands. Quick transfer. Moves well side-to-side.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

Mac Collins, Blue Springs South (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Athletic build. Lean strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup. Toe-taps and knee-knocks into a long stride.  Short path at times. Flat through the zone. Strong through contact. Ball jumps off the barrel at times. Works gap-to-gap with authority.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 87.8 mph. 349’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short, 3/4 slot. Some carry.
Defense: Two-handed gather out front. Steady hands.
Run: 7.73 runner in the 60. 

Nolan Daley, Brother Rice (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Well-proportioned frame. Room to grow.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, upright setup. Hands stay close to the head throughout. Simple stride.  Rotational swing at times. Level path. Loose hands. Line-drive, spray approach.
Power: 80.5 max exit velocity, averaged 74.4 mph. 254’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Loose, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands with a clean transfer. Moves well side-to-side.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60. 

James Escamilla, Reavis (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-6, 125-pounds. Compact frame. Rounded shoulders.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup. Toe-taps into a short stride. Long, level bat path. Line-drive, middle-of-the-field approach.
Power: 74.4 max exit velocity, averaged 60.4 mph. 242’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 60 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-handed gather out in front. Keeps the ball in front to both sides.
Run: 7.88 runner in the 60. 

Jaden Franckowiak, Andrew (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-1, 246-pounds. Sturdy frame. Stocky build.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup. Toe-taps into a long stride with hand separation at foot strike.  Swings with controlled intent. Strong hands. Advanced jump off the barrel at times.
Power: 93.8 max exit velocity, averaged 89.9 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Long, loose, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands. Keeps the ball in front to both sides.
Run: 8.14 runner in the 60. 

Danny Johnson, St. Ignatius (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Long, lean build. Upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, slightly open setup. Narrow feet before moving into a short, simple stride.  Simple, easy swing. Stays balanced. Loose, easy hands. Controlled finish and elevates the baseball. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 83.1 max exit velocity, averaged 75.2 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Loose, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-handed gather that plays out in front. Keeps the ball in front to both sides.
Run: 8.35 runner in the 60. 

Bryce Jones, Simeon (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-8, 170-pounds. Compact frame. Strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Starts with slightly more weight on back knee. Short, simple stride.  Simple, balanced swing. Strong/direct hands. Creates leverage. Uses the whole field. No wasted movement.
Power: 82.2 max exit velocity, averaged 73.6 mph. 265’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Short out of the glove. Works from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands. Two-handed gather out in front with the ability to keep the ball in front to both sides.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Mason Lei, Freeport (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Open setup. Slightly crouched. Moves into a long stride.  Long, uphill path. Utilizes lower half. Lifted contact. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 80.8 max exit velocity, averaged 73.2 mph. 279’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sure-handed. Quick feet. Moves well side-to-side. Clean transfer out of the glove.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

Anthony Mangano, Marian Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Starts with an open setup. Slightly crouched. Moves through the box with a long stride while creating separation at foot strike.  Long, level bat path. Collapses into backside at times. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84.3 max exit velocity, averaged 68.2 mph. 286’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Long, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-handed gather. Keeps the ball out in front.
Run: 7.79 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: 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. 

Kendall Pace, Homewood Flossmoor (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-5, 105-pounds. Short, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. Toe-taps into a quick, early stride.  Aggressive swing, long path, line-drive approach. Loose hands. Middle-of-the-field approach.
Power: 76.3 max exit velocity, averaged 69 mph. 228’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 62 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-handed gather. Keeps the ball in front to both sides. Clean transfer out of the glove.
Run: 8.30 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Patterson, Simeon (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-1, 210-pounds. Strong, defined, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Starts with a wide lower-half. Equal weight on both legs. Short, quick stride.  Simple, strong swing. Present bat strength. Ball jumps off the barrel when balanced. Uses the middle of the field.
Power: 97.5 max exit velocity, averaged 90.1 mph. 353’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sure-handed. Keeps the ball in front to both sides. Showed body control.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60. 

Rudy Perez, Brother Rice (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Broad shoulders. Strength throughout upper body.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open setup. Weight is evenly distributed on both knees. Transitions into a long, gliding stride. Simple, strong swing. Loose hands. Short and direct to the baseball. Good extension at times. Middle-of-the-field approach. Balanced at finish.
Power: 89.9 max exit velocity, averaged 85.1 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Short, 3/4 slot. Arm plays on the move.
Defense: Clean transfer out of the glove. Moves well side-to-side.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Maurice Pinkney II, Marion Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 5-10, 130-pounds. Rounded shoulders. Compact frame. Plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Open, upright setup. Hands start high before moving into a short stride.  Long, level bat path. Finishes on backside and uses the middle of the diamond.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 67.1 mph. 225’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 63 mph. Loose, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sure-handed. Two-handed gather. Keeps the ball in front to both sides.
Run: 8.13 runner in the 60. 

Nicholas Rayyan, Stevenson (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 220-pounds. Developed lower half. Strength throughout frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, balanced setup. Leg-lift into a short stride. Hangs foot slightly.  Easy, strong hands. Long path at times. Controlled finish. Left/left-center field approach
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 84.9 mph. 245’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Soft-hands with fluid footwork. Keeps the ball in front to both sides. Vocal on the field.
Run: 8.19 runner in the 60. 

Evion Rodriguez, Homewood Flossmoor (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide base. Toe-taps into a short, quick stride.  Level path. Strong, loose hands. Hits off front foot. Backspins the baseball. Flashed jump off the barrel to the pull-side.
Power: 85.1 max exit velocity, averaged 76.7 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot. Arm plays on the move.
Defense: Moves well to both sides for his size. Two-handed gather out in front.
Run: 8.27 runner in the 60. 

Julian Silva, Plainfield Central (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: SH. Wide, balanced setup. Transitions into a consistent, steady stride.  Simple, repeatable swing. Short path. Hands stay on top of the baseball. Flat through the zone. Consistent backspin line-drives. Whole field approach. Feel for the barrel.
Power: 84.5 max exit velocity, averaged 78.7 mph. 261’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Loose, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sure-handed. Moves well side-to-side.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60. 

Donyae Smith, Gwendolyn Brooks (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-8, 175-pounds. Broad shoulders. Lean strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Starts slightly open with narrow feet. Hands start high before moving into a long stride.  Strong hands, direct path, hits off front foot. Ball jumps off the barrel at times. Occasional line-drive backspin contact.
Power: 91.3 max exit velocity, averaged 85.5 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Short, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Steady hands. Two-handed gather while playing out in front.
Run: 7.15 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: 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. 

Richard Taylor, Marian Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 5-7, 140-pounds. Compact, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, slightly crouched setup. Knee-knocks into a long stride with an upbeat tempo. Loose, athletic hands. Short, level path through the zone. Ability to create backspin at times. Line-drive, middle-of-the-field approach.
Power: 82.3 max exit velocity, averaged 72.3 mph. 254’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. OF - 68 mph. Clean, high 3/4 slot. Flashed accuracy.
Defense: Plays through the baseball before moving into a crow hop. IF: Two-handed gather. Keeps the ball out in front to both sides. Clean transfer out of the glove.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60. 

Jeremy Yanow, Deerfield (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup. More weight on back knee. Moves into a simple toe-tap stride.  Quiet, simple swing with present bat strength. Direct, slightly uphill path. Worked on the barrel throughout round. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 88.3 max exit velocity, averaged 81.3 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long, loose, high 3/4 slot. Ball jumps out of the hand.
Defense: Sure-handed with the ability to make tough plays on the move. Range to both sides with athletic actions and body control.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. 

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