On Saturday, Mar. 13, the PBR Illinois team is hosting its inaugural O’Hare Preseason I.D. at the brand-new Bo Jackson Elite Sports Dome in Bensenville, Ill. There are over 100 athletes registered to attend this event, representing the 2021-24 high school classes from across the state. 

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here. 

THIS SATURDAY 

This will be our first time hosting this particular event, and after perusing through the roster, there are several names making their way to Bensenville on Saturday that we’re eager to get an up-to-date look at. 

Ranked inside the state’s 2022 class, OF Ryan Henschel (Glenbrook North, 2022) headlines a group of uncommitted junior athletes who we’ll see this upcoming weekend. He’s built at a strong, wide-shouldered 5-foot-11, 182-pound frame and gets the most out of it, too. Henschel took one of the more physical BP rounds at last summer's All-State Games while showing pull-side power potential – the hardest batted-ball leaving his barrel at 92.8 mph and traveling 352 feet, per TrackMan.

Ryan Henschel (6/30/20)

A former PBR Junior Future Games participant, LHP Luke Brown (Plainfield South, 2023), is one of the more physical southpaws in the state’s sophomore class, listed at a large 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame. Brown attended last year’s Lockport Preseason I.D., where he sat exclusively at 82-84 mph with his fastball and showed advanced feel for a changeup that had the makings of a potential out pitch down the road. With another year of experience under his belt since our last look, we’re excited to see how Brown’s arsenal has taken shape in his bullpen on Saturday. 

Another member of the state’s 2023 class that we’ll see on Saturday: SS/RHP Calvin Proskey (Oak Park-River Forest). Proskey appears to have grown in both size and stature since our last look, now listed at a lanky 6-foot-1, 150-pounds, nearly a three inch and 25-pound increase from when we saw him last June. The added size paired up with smooth-flowing actions, primarily his up-the-middle defense, make for an enticing all-around potential profile. 

Several members of the Illinois’ 2024 class that emerged as follow names throughout all of 2020 are set to attend this event: 

+ 3B Cash Campbell (Montini Catholic) has true impact potential harnessed within his left-handed stroke. We saw the 6-foot-1, 195-pound third baseman make loud contact in several different looks last summer, primarily at our Illinois’ 2024 Top Prospect Games, where he was ranked one of the top prospects in attendance by our staff amongst an extremely talented roster. 

+ We recently saw OF Beau McBride (New Trier) on Jan. 31st at our Mchenry Preseason I.D. event and the 6-foot-1, 185-pound left/left prospect left a lasting impression. McBride took a quality round of batting practice, showcasing easy gap-to-gap barrel feel attached to his left-handed stroke and advanced raw pop for his age, supported by his TrackMan metrics. He also uncorked an 87 mph throw to home from the outfield - one of the top overall numbers from the event and the highest of anyone in the 2024 class. His arm strength is especially noteworthy, considering he's slated to attend the O'Hare event as a pitcher-only.

Beau McBride (1/31/21)

+ RHP Brady Chambers (Lyons Township) is a long-limbed 6-foot-5, 190-pound prospect with intriguing upside on the mound. We saw him touch 79 mph this past summer at The Rock while flashing feel to land his curveball for strikes, but it was more so the future projection and upside with Chambers that caught our attention, especially once he consistently starts to sync up his levers. 

+ Two more names to note here: OF Khamaree Thomas (Kirkwood) and C Sir Jamison Jones (St. Rita). Thomas is a loose-levered, athletic left/left outfielder with a contact-oriented left-handed stroke and easy, fluid outfield actions to pair. Jones is built at a more stout 5-foot-9, 185-pound frame with a sturdy lower half, using that strength to barrel the ball up consistently, particularly back up the middle. Both are follow names in the state’s current freshman class. 

NEW CHECK-IN PROCESS 

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend this event, it is imperative that you read our adjusted showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.

ITINERARY 

Due to state guidelines, and the facility's requirements, there will be a limit to the number of people inside the facility at one time. Because of this, parents will NOT be allowed within the facility. This showcase will operate in groups, by position, under the format as follows (Note: Players registered for multiple sessions will need to LEAVE the facility after completing their first session and arrive at the designated check-in time for their next session): 

POSITION GROUPS

CHECK-IN TIMES:

+ All Catchers & Pitchers (two-way and pitchers-only): 9:30 a.m.

+ All Infielders & Outfielders: 12:30 p.m.

**Everyone needs to bring turfs or molded spikes. Metal Spikes are NOT ALLOWED**

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.

Finally, masks are mandatory during non-baseball activity. We will facilitate a contact-less check-in. Staff will wear masks throughout the event. Hand sanitizer stations will be accessible. Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.

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