Tue June 12, 2018
The Fox River Open took place Monday, June 11th. The event consisted of members from all high school Classes. Originally scheduled to take place at Judson College in Elgin, IL, the event was moved to the MAX in McCook, IL due to weather.
A number of the players in attendance helped elevate their stock heading into the summer months. Today we take a quick look at some notable performances from the event.
+ Luke Fisher (Geneva) is an athletic left-handed hitting outfielder with present bat speed that generated an exit velocity of 88 mph off a tee. Fisher showed a line drive, gap-to-gap approach in his BP session and got down the line quickly clocking a 7.10 laser timed 60.
+ Jim Zay (Glenbard North) is a 6-foot,170-pound infielder that saw top statistical finishes in all categories. Zay threw 78 mph across the infield and topped 91 mph in exit velocity from a tee. He also ran a 7.17 laser-timed 60 yard dash.
+ Daniel Marion (West Aurora) is an imposing right-handed hitting outfielder that garnered an impressive 91 mph exit velocity off a tee. Marion has a compact, uphill path and can generate easy power to the pull side.
+ Jackson Mladic (Lockport) earned the top spot on the exit velocity leaderboard hitting 94 mph off a tee. Mladic is a 6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitter that looks to create lift at the plate. Mladic utilized all fields with an uphill bat path and present bat speed.
+ At 6-foot, 215-pounds, Anthony Caruso (Streamwood) showed an aggressive, middle of the field approach at the plate and generated easy bat speed with an 89 mph exit velocity. Caruso also flashed athletic actions from the infield.
+ One of the more durable, strong framed athletes in attendance was left-handed hitting catcher Joseph Marcucci (Rolling Meadows). Marcucci flashed above average bat speed that translated to easy pull side pop off the barrel, generating an exit velocity of 89 mph. He also put forth the best pop time on the day at 2.10 from the crouch.
+ Two right-handers with strong, physical frames and feel for their secondary pitches were RHP/C Logan Romasanta (South Elgin) and RHP/C Nikolas Panico (Kaneland). The two were joint leaders for max fastball velocity at the event, with 86 mph efforts. Romasanta tied for second in highest exit velocity at 92 mph and Panico earned the top spot at 93 mph.
+ Christian Webb (Yorkville) emerged as one of the more intriguing prospects. At 6-foot-4, 205-pounds, the right-handed pitcher has a long, lean frame, plenty of room for continued physical development. Works from a high ¾ slot with a long arm action, drop and drive delivery. Fastball up to 83 with tilt, curveball 11/5 shape flashed bit 66-67, and worked in a hard knuckleball with late, sharp downward movement at 75-77.
+ Switch-hitting catcher Joseph Batusich (Joliet Catholic) garnered one of the top catcher pop times at the event at 2.11 down to second. At 6-foot-1, 195-pounds, Batusich is a broad-shouldered, strong framed athlete that generated an 85 mph exit velocity from the right side with more of a contact approach and 80 mph from the left with a more natural uphill lift through the zone.
+ Dane Edwards (Rockridge) possesses an extra large frame at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds. The rising sophomore right-handed pitcher was up to 80 on the mound.
+ RHP Jacob May (Dundee-Crown) was an intriguing prospect due to his frame and age. A member of the Class of 2022, May has a long, lanky frame with a high waist, and stands 6-foot-1, 150-pounds. On the mound his fastball topped out at 78, and he offered up a cutter with slider actions at 65-67.
