Prep Baseball Report

PBR Preseason ProCase: All Player Analysis


By Drew Locascio and Peter Hamot
Illinois Scouting Staff

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the PBR Preseason ProCase at Rhino Sports Academy in Shorewood, IL. This event featured 22 prospects, most of which coming from Illinois, and allowed our staff as well as MLB scouts the opportunity to get an in-depth look at the players in attendance. 

Below you'll find the scouting reports on each player that attended the event, sorted alphabetically.

POSITION PLAYERS (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Jaden Correa, De La Salle (IL), 2023; Nebraska commit
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Lean, athletic, loose frame with more room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, relaxed setup, fluid load and quiet heel-lift stride.  Quick, athletic, loose hands, sneaky jump off the barrel, natural lift in swing and pull-side approach.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 90.7 mph. 370’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, clean arm action, can throw from multiple slots and throws play true with occasional carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork and actions, plays through the ball with timing and rhythm, clean release and comfortable on the move. Soft, sure hands, plays out in front.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. 

AJ Garcia, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2023; Michigan commit
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Lean, quick-twitch, athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Confident, quiet look in the box. Simple, balanced setup, minimal wasted movement and finishes on balance. Mature approach, stays within himself, repeats with minimal effort throughout. Quick hands, whippy barrel and elevates the baseball.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 355’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 97 mph. Athletic, quick arm, plays clean and quick from a high 3/4 slot. Easy life and carry.
Defense: High-level outfield defender. Easy, athletic actions, fluid footwork, moves with ease and body control. Confident hands, plays through the ball with rhythm and timing.
Run: 6.42 runner in the 60. 

Eli Kieser, Normal University (IL), 2023; Ball State commit
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Long, loose-limbed, athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Simple, wide setup with a minimal stride.  Easy, repeatable, balanced swing with developing strength in the barrel. Stays short and quick to the ball, level path with a line-drive approach, uses the whole field. Polished approach and round.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 86.4 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 90 mph. Fluid arm plays accurately from a 3/4 slot, flashed carry.
Defense: Steady infield actions, soft confident hands, plays low to the ground and through the ball in rhythm, long athletic strides when moving laterally.
Run: 6.86 runner in the 60. 

Tony Konopiots, Downers Grove North (IL), 2023; West Virginia commit
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-1, 205-pounds. Durable, thick build with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, fluid load with small leg-lift trigger. Fluid, compact, repeatable swing. Sees the ball deep into the zone, strong, fast hands, stays on-plane and gets extension through the zone. Looks to elevate the baseball to both gaps.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 88.3 mph. 340’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 90 mph. Athletic arm action, plays from any slot, natural 3/4. Throws played with carry and life out of the hand.
Defense: Smooth defender at third base. Athletic actions, fluid footwork, soft, confident hands, plays through the ball with timing and rhythm. 

Eduardo Letamendi, Von Steuben (IL), 2023; Illinois State commit
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-11, 196-pounds. Wide-shouldered, athletic build; added quality strength since our last look.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched setup, leg-kick timing trigger and gets separation at foot strike. Strong hands, stays short and direct, controls the barrel and featured the third-best average bat speed at the event 76.3 mph. Line-drive, middle-of-the-field approach.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 91.4 mph. 335’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 89 mph. Clean athletic arm action, natural high 3/4 slot with ability to change platforms.
Defense: Defends with flair and athletic actions. Light on his feet, attacks the baseball, plays through in rhythm and body control. Soft, confident hands and fluid double play turn.

Ryan Niedzwiedz, West Aurora (IL), 2023; Southern Illinois-Edwardsville commit
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Strong, durable build.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced setup, fluid load and knee-knock stride.   Fluid swing, loose hands, short, direct and repeatable. Polished swing, stays on-plane and through the zone with intent to lift at times. Was on the barrel throughout, registering an 85% hard-hit percentage. One of the top left-handed bats in the class, continues to ascend with every look.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 95.5 mph. 360’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 91 mph. Accurate arm, plays from a high 3/4 slot, comes out of hand well.
Defense: Active feet, steady, reliable infield defender. Sure hands, quick release, played with body control on the move and clean double play turn.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60. 

Kerim Orucevic, Maine South  (IL), 2023; UC San Diego commit
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-1, 193-pounds. Athletic build with developing strength.
Hit: LHH. Wide, crouched setup, fluid pre-pitch load and hitterish look in the box. Swings with controlled aggression, hands stay inside and on top of the baseball. Whippy strong barrel with present bat speed and ball jumps off the bat at times. Worked to drive baseballs back up the middle or to the opposite field.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.4 mph. 320’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot, quick out front.
Defense: Feel for the infield, attacks his hop, plays through the baseball with soft, confident hands.
Run: 6.80 runner in the 60. 

TJ Schuyler, Antioch (IL), 2023; Indiana commit
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-2, 210-pounds. Wide-shouldered, durable build.
Hit: RHH. Calm, relaxed, balanced setup, medium leg lift.  Simple, repeatable swing, polished approach, uses the middle of the field, finishes on balance. Quick/whippy hands, backspins and elevates the baseball.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 82.9 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Short, clean, strong arm action, consistently around the second base bag.
Defense: 1.86-2.03 pop times. Clean, easy receiver, quiet hands, presents pitches. Works on-line out of the crouch, light on his feet for his size.

Cal Sefcik, Marist (IL), 2023; Indiana commit
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-0, 205-pounds. Muscle-bound, physical build, continues to add quality strength to his frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow base, long stride, bat tip loading action. Eye-opening physicality and strength in the box. Creates hand separation at footstrike, quick, strong hands with some of the best hand speed and bat speed in the class. Led the event with an average hand speed of 24.8 mph. Hands work on top of the baseball and bat stays flat and through the zone a long time. Creates advanced carry and backspin off the barrel with balls remaining true to both gaps. Loudest, most consistent hard contact of the event.
Power: 108 max exit velocity, averaged 98.5 mph. 406’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 92 mph. Clean, strong arm, natural over-the-top slot with ability to change platforms. Throws play true and with carry.
Defense: Fluid, bouncy feet with soft hands. Works through the baseball and gains ground through transfer. Clean lateral mover and efficient double play turn.
Run: 6.90 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Stretch only, drop/drive lower-half, explodes down the mound, rides his back leg down the mound, stride works in-line, shoulders work level.
Arm Action: RH. Slight plunge out of the glove into a high 3/4 slot. Quick arm out front.
FB: T90, 89-90 mph. Life through the zone with some carry, plays at the top of the zone. Average IVB of 12.3 (T13.7). T2212, 2081 average rpm.
CB: 74-76 mph. Sharp 11/5 shape with downer action. Landed for 100% strikes. -11.1 horizontal movement average. T2120, 2043 average rpm.
CH: 80-82 mph. Maintains armspeed, late dive to the arm-side. Average IVB of 10.2 (T13.4). Average horizontal movement of 15.6 inches (T17.2). T1995, 1818 average rpm.

Oliver Service, University Liggett (MI), 2023; Texas commit
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 188-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Simple, balanced setup, quiet leg-lift stride. Highly-repeatable swing, direct to the ball, quick hands, feel for the barrel and natural lift through contact. Was on the barrel to both gaps throughout.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 91.2 mph. 359’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. OF - 89 mph. Arm plays more loose and fluid from the outfield and flashed carry. Played short and over-the-top from behind the plate.
Defense: 2.01-2.11 pop times. Worked out behind the plate and in the outfield. Catcher; Low setup and presents the glove, steady hands. Clean footwork out of the crouch, replaces feet, stays on-line and smooth glove-to-hand exchange. Outfield; fluid footwork, moves well laterally with a quick first step, plays through the ball with rhythm and timing.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Stack, Oswego  (IL), 2023; Xavier commit
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-4, 195-pounds. Long-limbed, athletic build with upside.
Hit: RHH. Narrow base, fluid load and hangs foot slightly.  Aggressive swing, creates leverage to the pull-side, strong hands, works uphill and uses the middle of the field.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.2 mph. 336’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Strong arm, plays short and over-the-top with carry.
Defense: 1.94-2.02 pop times. Presents a low, wide target, one-knee receiver at times. Soft hands, strong wrists, soft, agile blocker. Quick and athletic out of the crouch, works on-line with clean glove-to-hand release.
Run: 6.81 runner in the 60. 

Brenden Stressler, New Trier (IL), 2023; St. Louis commit
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced setup, short toe-tap stride, relaxed overall look in the box. Easy, loose hands, creates advanced whip in the barrel through the zone. Ability to manipulate the barrel and drive balls with backspin to all fields. Polished approach, stays on-plane and within himself.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 92.2 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 86 mph. Arm plays out of a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Easy, clean actions, gets around and behind the baseball, reliable hands and clean transfer.Reliable hands and actions,
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

Luke Stulga, St. Laurence  (IL), 2023; Illinois State commit
Positional Profile: OF/OF
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic build with developing strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, balanced, simple toe-tap into a minimal stride.  Minimal wasted movement throughout. Direct hands, repeats and showed above-average feel for the barrel throughout. Gets extension at times and looks to elevate baseballs into the pull-side gap.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 91.7 mph. 346’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Clean arm action, ball plays easy out of the hand, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays light on his feet with a quick first step. Bouncy defender, ranges with ease, sure-hands and clean, efficient transfer.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. 

Adison Worthman, Bloomington  (IL), 2023; Missouri commit
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-2, 235-pounds. Ultra-physical, imposing frame with athleticism throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, square, slightly crouched setup, pre-pitch hand rhythm and load. Coils into hand separation, quick/direct hands, stays compact and works uphill through the zone. Above-average rotational acceleration, present bat speed and strong hands. Ball jumps off the bat at times with power potential to all fields.
Power: 102 max exit velocity, averaged 95.8 mph. 397’ max distance.
Run: 6.68 runner in the 60. 

Jake Zitella, St. Charles East (IL), 2023; Illinois commit
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-11, 195-pounds. Strong, mature frame with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, strong base.  Features some of the best bat strength in the class. Swings with purpose and intent. Above-average plate coverage, barrel stays on-plane and through the zone a long time. Gets separation in his hands, looks to elevate the baseball with authority and was consistently making loud, hard contact.
Power: 103 max exit velocity, averaged 96.2 mph. 406’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 91 mph. Clean arm action, high 3/4 slot with the ability to change angles when necessary.
Defense: Worked out at third base. Steady defender, sure-hands, comfortable on the move, clean double play feed showed body control on the run-through.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

PITCHERS ONLY (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Ryan Anderson, Minooka  (IL), 2024; Arizona commit
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-6, 214-pounds. Lean, athletic build with long limbs.
Delivery: Fluid tempo, controlled into leg-lift, tall/fall lower-half, stride works in-line with the plate, shoulders work level down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Long/loose arm out of the glove, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T90, 86-90 mph. Life out of the hand with some finish through the zone, plays at the top of the zone. Average IVB of 11.1 (T12.8). T2377, 2316 average rpm.
SL: 74-76 mph. Tight 10/4 shape, feel to the glove side. Average RPM of 2316 (T2378). -14.8 inches of average horizontal movement (T-19.8). T2379, 2317 average rpm.
CH: 80-81 mph. Maintains fastball arm-speed, plays with fade and diving action to the arm-side, feel for the zone and to the arm-side. Kills spin. Average IVB of 12.0 (T17.4). T1455, 1369 average rpm.

Dimitrios Bourmas, Harvard  (IL), 2023; Southeastern CC (IA) commit
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Strong, muscle-bound frame, developed lower-half with round shoulders, evenly proportioned strength.
Delivery: Controlled tempo, powerful drop/drive lower-half, stride works in-line with the plate, shoulders work level to the plate.
Arm Action: RH. Long/loose arm swing into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T93, 92-93 mph. Life out of the hand with hard running action to the arm-side, plays with finish through the zone. Low release height (4.5 ft) gives "rising" effect. Average RPM of 2538 (T2631). Average IVB of 11.9 (T16.9) Average horizontal movement of 16.1 inches (T17.6). T2631, 2538 average rpm.
CB: 77-79 mph. Tight 11/5 shape, sharp action. Average RPM of 2508 (T2639). T2640, 2508 average rpm.
CH: 80-83 mph. Thrown with fastball intent, reached up to 20.9 inches of horizontal movement (17.4 avg.)  T2102, 2003 average rpm.

Zachary Kwasny, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2023; Ball State commit
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-5, 220-pounds. Large, strong frame. Evenly proportioned strength throughout, broad shoulders.
Delivery: Stretch only, up-tempo delivery, slight coil in leg-lift, powerful drop/drive lower-half, stride works in-line with a strong/sturdy landing foot, shoulders slightly uphill down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Slight plunge out of the glove into an over the top/high 3/4 slot.
FB: T90, 89-90 mph. Life through the zone with control. Average RPM of 2253 (T2322). Average IVB of 12.2 (T15.1). T2322, 2253 average rpm.
SL: 74-76 mph. Tight 11/5 shape, sharp action, late break, feel for the zone and to the arm-side. Average horizontal movement of -12.4 inches (T-15.7). T2196, 2111 average rpm.
CH: 81-83 mph. Heavy fade, maintains fastball arm action. Averaged 14.0 inches of horizontal movement, reaching up to 20.0 inches for his max. T1941, 1851 average rpm.

Hank Liss, Evanston  (IL), 2023; Belmont commit
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Athletic frame, strong build with evenly proportioned strength. Round shoulders with a developed lower-half.
Delivery: Up-tempo delivery, coils into a high leg-lift, drop/drive lower-half, stride works in-line with the plate, shoulders work level down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Long plunge out of the glove into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T90, 88-89 mph. Four-seam has some finish through the zone with an average IVB of 13.6 (T17.5). Sinker plays with heavy sinking action through the zone. Up to 18.3 inches of horizontal movement with an average of 13.9. T2227, 2169 average rpm.
CB: 75-76 mph. Sharp 11/5 shape, late action with above-average spin. 2620 RPM average (T2712). Averaged -12.9 inches of horizontal movement (T-15.2). T2712, 2621 average rpm.
SL: 79-80 mph. 10/4 shape, sharp action with late break, above-average spin. Averaged 2537 RPM (T2677). T2677, 2537 average rpm.

Colin Miller, Hampshire (IL), 2023; Illinois State commit
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Lean, wiry frame with room to fill out. Projectable.
Delivery: Up-tempo delivery, high leg-kick into balance point, slight drop/drive lower-half, stride works in-line with a closed landing foot.
Arm Action: RH. Long/loose arm out of the glove into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T89, 86-89 mph. Plays through the zone with late hop and life. Average IVB of 14.9 (T16.7). Average horizontal movement of 14.7 inches (T19.5). T2289, 2159 average rpm.
SL: 76-78 mph. Tight, sharp 10/4 shape. T2120, 1908 average rpm.
CH: 76-79 mph. Heavy fading action to the arm-side. Average horizontal movement of 16.9 inches (T21.5). T1756, 1634 average rpm.

Maksymilian Pierga, Barrington (IL), 2023; Eastern Illinois commit
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-5, 225-pounds. Strong, durable frame. Wide shoulders with evenly proportioned weight/strength.
Delivery: Slightly up-tempo delivery into leg kick, drop/drive, stride works in-line to plate.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose out of the glove. Over the top/high 3/4 slot.
FB: T91, 86-91 mph. Plays with some tilt through the zone. Average IVB of 14.2 (T16.7).   T2130, 1987 average rpm.
CB: 74-76 mph. 11/5 downer, some feel down in the zone. T2070, 1960 average rpm.
CH: 82-84 mph. Maintains FB intent, heavy fade, run, feel down. Average horizontal movement of 15.0 inches (T16.9). T1882, 1801 average rpm.

Jarron Thompson, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2023; Seminole State JC commit
Positional Profile: RHP/RHP
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Lean, athletic build. Strong with evenly proportioned strength. Broad shoulders.
Delivery: Coils into leg-lift, drop/drive lower-half, stride works in-line with the plate, shoulders level to the plate, creates hip/shoulder separation at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Long/loose arm swing into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T91, 90-91 mph. Clean out of the hand with heavy running action to the arm-side. Averaged 15.7 inches of horizontal movement (T19.1). T2200, 2097 average rpm.
CB: 79-79 mph. Sharp 11/5 shape, slurvy action. Showed some feel and landed for strikes 40% of the time. T2220, 2140 average rpm.
CH: 84-86 mph. Slight fade to the arm-side with an average horizontal movement of 12.3 inches (T14.5). Kept down in accordance to the zone. T1713, 1680 average rpm. 

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