PBRT Illinois Open: Takeaways
June 28, 2023
We continued our summer tournament circuit this past weekend with the PBRT Illinois Open in Rantoul, Illinois. This event targeted some of the up-and-coming prospects from the state, as well as a couple surrounding states. Read on below to see which players stood out to our scouting staff from the event.
Friday
Top Tier Central Americans
RHP Griffin Meyer (Normal University, 2026)
Meyer showed a loose and clean arm out of ¾ slot. Threw a two-pitch mix with a fastball that sat 73-76 mph, topping out at 77 mph. His slider sat 65-66 mph with 10/4 shape. Threw a three inning complete game shutout, struck out two, walked one, and allowed no hits.
Rawlings Tigers
C Ayden Braud (Rock Island, 2026)
Right-handed hitter. Displayed fast hands that get through the zone quickly. Gets foot down quick and is able to read the breaking ball well inside. Went 2-for-4 with a single and a double. Willing and active blocker, wall behind the plate, above-average arm, threw out one runner at second and one at third. Did not let a single ball get past him all game.
Extreme Elite National
LHP Ben Sink (Father McGivney, 2026)
Sink showed control of the zone throughout his outing Friday against the Oak Lawn Lightning, tossing five innings and allowing one run on three hits, walking two and striking out 10. The lefty sat 76-80 mph on his fastball, consistently throwing 80 mph his first two frames. Fastball featured sinking action and some arm-side run. Sink also showcased his ability at the plate on Saturday, going 2-for-3 including a three-run homer to right field in the first inning.
(Ben Sink)
1B Isaac Wendler (Father McGivney, 2026)
Right-handed hitter. Impressed with his ability to work counts. Finished 1-for-2 with a home run. Smooth swing, strong, athletic stance and fluid load. Wendler followed that up on Saturday, going 1-for-3 with a smooth line drive through the right side before launching two warning track flyouts in his last two at-bats.
OF Chase Butler (Bunker Hill, 2026)
Right-handed hitter. Finished 1-for-3 with two deep flyouts to center, two RBIs and a single through the left side. Strong, athletic build with loose hands in the stroke. Continued to impress into Saturday, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and a deep warning track flyout.
Oak Lawn Lightning
LHP/OF Jack Dempsey (Oak Lawn, 2026)
Dempsey pitched well against the Oak Lawn Lightning on Friday, as the lefty allowed one run on four hits in five innings, also finishing with seven punch-outs. Displayed arm-side run on his fastball, which sat 74-76 mph. Also mixed in a breaking ball at 64-68 mph. Went 2-for-3 at the plate from the left side with a double.
(Jack Dempsey)
MW Astros
RHP Stryker Gill (Hauser, 2026)
Gill entered the game Friday in the first inning, and boosted his club by closing out the final 5.2 innings and allowing just one run (unearned) on two hits, while also racking up eight strikeouts. Fastball sat 71-75 mph, with a 58-63 mph breaking ball. Also sprinkled a knuckle ball at 56 mph.
RHP Greyson Betts (Franklin Community, 2026)
Betts showed well in his team’s second game of the day, dominating throughout his four innings pitched. Betts mixed his deliveries and off-speed effectively, resulting in hitters being off-balance throughout the afternoon. The righty allowed no runs on two hits, and also registered nine strikeouts. Fastball sat 81-84 mph with arm-side run. Also mixed in a curveball at 73 mph, changeup at 74-75 mph and slider at 77 mph. Showcased the ability to throw offspeed for strikes, and consistently hit spots.
OF Collin Ash (Roncalli, 2026)
Ash found the barrel regularly on Friday from the left side, launching a long ball down the right field line before connecting for a two-bagger in his final at-bat. Finished 2-for-2 with a walk. Athletic build with a balanced load and smooth swing.
Midwest Gamblers Hidden
LHP Braden Arrenholz (Delavan, 2025)
Works down the mound well, ¾ arm action with a notable amount of run across the zone. Was able to secure weak contact and was a consistent ground ball pitcher. Held velocity well, touching 77 mph early and was 74-76 mph in the 4th inning. Breaking ball cruised at 68-69 mph and collected swing and missed throughout.
UTIL Curt Sosnowski (East Peoria, 2024)
Sosnowski impressed on both sides of the ball Friday for the Midwest Gamblers, finishing going 4.1 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits with five strikeouts. Displayed a 80-83 mph fastball with ride and extension to the plate. Curveball was thrown consistently for strikes at 60-67 mph. Also went 3-for-4 at the plate with a ground rule double and two singles.
Dixon Rebels
C Garrett Polson (Sterling, 2024)
Stands at an athletic 6-foot-3, 185-pounds. A left-handed hitter, Polson impressed in this look with a direct path and quick swing, consistently producing line-drive contact up the middle. Was on the barrel throughout the day, recording three singles in the game.
OF Brendan Tunink (Newman Central Catholic, 2024)
Notre Dame commit. Stands in a 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame with athleticism and clear strength starting to form. A former member of Team Illinois at the 2022 PBR Future Games, Tunink has continued to stand out since. The left-handed hitter hit a no-doubt home run over the right field fence, and produced multiple quality swings throughout the rest of the game. Above-average defender with a quick first step and accurate reads.
RHP/MIF Alex Harrison (Dixon, 2024)
5-foot-11, slender frame with an easy delivery. Pitched a seven-inning complete game shutout against Rawlings Tigers- Quad Cities. Breaking ball had an 11/5 shape and was consistently put onto the corners at 68-69 mph. Was able to get weak contact from the Tigers and was a very strong ground ball pitcher with the fastball cruising at 74-77 mph.
White Sox Elite - White
SS Max Michalak (Lemont, 2024)
Michalak impressed in our brief look, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two triples, an infield single in which he turned in a 4.50 down the line, and two RBIs.
(Max Michalak)
Wisconsin Phoenix
C Shaun Stone (Nathan Hale, 2024)
Stone worked well on both sides of the ball Friday. Finished going 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBI’s, with his last out being a deep flyout. Keeps hands in and has ability to spay to all fields. Also showed athleticism and strong blocking skills behind the plate.
White Sox Elite Black
3B Mark Iozzo (Benet Academy, 2024)
At 6-Foot-1, 175-pounds, Iozzo showcased his athletic frame on Friday, finishing going 2-for-2 with two doubles and a sacrifice fly. Made loud contact on both doubles, which were both down the left field line. Smooth swing with extension through the zone.
Flood City Midwest 2024
LHP Harley Sharp (Williamsville, 2024)
Loose and easy delivery with a fastball up to 80 mph, sitting 78-79 mph. Pitched a complete game against Oak Forest Blue Demons. Utilized the breaking ball well and was able to secure weak contact from the opposing batters, 64-65 mph. Only allowed one run and two hits through five innings of work with eight strikeouts
Top Tier South
INF Jimmy Anderson (Joliet West, 2024)
Anderson continued to show why he is one of the top uncommitted athletes in Illinois’ 2024 class Friday night, closing out the final three frames to secure a win over the Schaumburg Seminoles. Up-tempo delivery, fastball reached 88 mph, sitting 83-87 mph. Tight spin on curveball, 68-74 mph. Also flashed a changeup at 74-77 mph for strikes. Played shortstop, showcasing easy range and a strong arm. Finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two singles and a bases-clearing triple to the opposite field.
Schaumburg Seminoles
LHP Lewis Slade (Lake Park, 2024)
At 6-foot, 185-pounds, Slade was effective in his outing Friday against Top Tier South. The southpaw sat 79-82 mph on his fastball, maintaining velocity throughout with a ¾ arm slot and a balanced delivery. Also threw a sweeping breaking ball at 68-69 mph for strikes.
SATURDAY
White Sox Elite Black
RHP Matthew Rosado (Sycamore, 2024)
Rosado was dominant in his start on Saturday morning. Fastball worked up to 86 mph in the first inning. Settled in around 79-82 mph range. Threw a heavy dose of fastballs that got swings and misses in the zone. Curveball was 68-70 mph and was thrown for strikes and garnered swings and misses. Had nine strikeouts in five innings while scattering four hits.
MIF Blake Phommachanhom (Plainfield South, 2024)
Phommachanhom showed well with a projectable 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame. Athletic right-handed hitter with loose hands that work towards the middle of the field. Flashed power potential with a pull-side double. Advanced instincts on the bases. Showed range up the middle with a clean arm action and soft hands.
(Blake Phommachanhom)
INF Jackson Stanek (St. Rita, 2024)
Physical hitter standing at 6-foot-1, 225-pounds. Simple swing with quick hands that generates easy power. All over the barrel for White Sox Elite on Saturday morning. Tallied three hits including a double that nearly left the yard. Natural hitter that can also take the ball the other way. Steady defender at first base.
(Jackson Stanek)
White Sox Elite White
RHP Zakery Sumser (Naperville North, 2024)
Sumser is a crafty pitcher that had a quality start on Saturday. Loose arm action that showed advanced feel for three pitches. Used a fastball that was 78-80 mph, T81 mph to get swings and misses up in the zone. Located a sharp slider that was 70-73 mph on the outer half of the plate to get ahead early in the count. Competitor on the mound.
MIF Max Michalak (Lemont, 2024)
Michalak was an impressive player to watch this weekend for White Sox Elite. Looks the part on the field with advanced instincts and athleticism. Simple swing at the plate that looks to drive the ball to the middle of the field. Aggressive on the base-paths, stealing second and third on consecutive pitches on Saturday.
Dixon Rebels Black
C Garrett Polson (Sterling, 2024)
Long and athletic 6-foot-3 frame. Gets foot down quickly, hands move quickly through the zone to the ball. Wall behind the plate, did not allow a passed ball the entire game and showcased an above-average arm throwing out two runners from behind the dish. Finished the day 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI at the plate.
RHP Braylon Kilduff (Byron, 2024)
Kilduff showcased a strong fastball at 80-82 mph in his seven inning complete game shutout. He utilized three different pitchest from a ¾ arm slot. Commanded both a slider at 67-68 mph and an 11/5 curveball at 61-63 mph that was fooling hitters left and right. His three-pitch arsenal was very effective as he was able to induce a plethora of weak contact to the effect of only allowing two hits all game. Final line: 7.0 IP 9 K 0 R 2 H.
C Breydan Andrews (Rochelle Township, 2025)
Strong arm behind the dish with multiple thrown out runners. Smooth hands at the plate, drives through the ball well; finished 2-for-3 with a double and a single.
2B/RHP Dawson Criddle (Byron, 2026)
Displayed a strong bat all weekend with the ability to spray the ball to all sides of the field. Showcased potential in his fastball that he used to paint the corners. His fastball sat at 74-76 and he maintained velocity throughout his appearance topping out at 75 mph in his last inning of work. He worked the zone well with his curveball that was 65-67 mph. Final line: 7.0 IP, W, 3 R, 5 K.
Edge Baseball 14U
SS Jaxson Nielson (NA, 2024)
Neilson swung it well in front of our staff, going 1-for-3 in our look with a double and two RBIs. Aggressive instincts on the basepaths, swiping two bags in one game.
MVP Elite 2026 - Holbrook
OF Stavros Pantazis (NA, 2026)
Pantazis went a perfect 2-for-2 in front of our staff with an athletic stroke. Showed off steady and reliable actions in the outfield.
Athletes HQ
OF Eric Krob (Saint Viator, 2024)
Krob has an athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, and used that to his advantage Saturday in a 3-for-4 outing. Laced a two RBI opposite field single in his last at-bat, and also added a double down the left field line in the first frame. Showed athleticism by beating out an infield chopper, hustling out of the box.
Crusader Baseball 15u
C/RHP Hunter Cole (Portage, 2026)
Cole showcased his two-way potential in our brief look. At the plate, he went a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple and two singles. On the mound, he fired four shutout innings with a quality two-pitch mix; a fastball in the 74-76 mph range and an 11/5 breaking ball at 64-67 mph.
Prospect Training Academy- Cardinal
RHP Tyler Conger (Waukesha South, 2024)
Conger commanded the zone well through five innings of work. He worked well down the mound and utilized his fastball well around the corners. Forced multiple double play balls as well to get out of jams. He worked his fastball in the 83-85 mph range, topping out at 86 mph. Went to a hard breaking ball at 73-74 mph. Final line: 5 IP, W, 7 K, 2 H, R.
Flood City Elite
LHP Lucas Bixby (New Berlin, 2024)
Bixby gave a high-upside look for Flood City on Saturday. Projectable 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame. Fastball sat in the 79-82 range topping at 83 mph. Showed a clean arm action with an effortless delivery. Flashed feel for a mid-70s change-up as well as a sharp curve-ball that got swings and misses.
(Lucas Bixby)
RHP/C Seth Impson (Springfield, 2024)
Impson gave an impressive look from both sides of the ball for Flood City. Legitimate two-way prospect that showed above-average athleticism. At the plate, worked a number of quality at-bats with an aggressive approach. Crushed a triple to the pull-side gap with a fluid right-handed swing. Advanced instincts on the base-paths. Stole bases on back-to-back pitches multiple times throughout the weekend. Behind the plate, fluid glove movement that stole strikes with advanced arm strength. Hopped on the mound to close out the game with a quick arm that sat 85-87 mph with the fastball. Also went to a mid-70’s curve-ball that was thrown confidently.
RHP Jackson Connoyer (Quincy Notre Dame, 2026)
Connoyer impressed on Saturday night after showing well at the recent St. Louis Open. Projectable frame standing at 6-foot-3, 170-pounds with long levers. Athletic mover on the mound with a fluid arm. Fastball played in the high-70s and touched 81 mph early. Attacked hitters with the fastball and played off of it with a sharp curveball that got swings and misses. An arm to keep an eye on as he develops.
(Jackson Connoyer)
Prospect Training Academy Cardinal 15U
RHP/OF Jackson Boeshaar (Martin Luther, 2026)
Loose and easy delivery, ¾ arm slot, works well down the mound. Worked his fastball up to 81 mph, sitting in the 79-80 mph range.
RHP/SS Brayden Alivo (Thomas More, 2026)
Was very consistent with his corner placement with both his breaking ball and fastball, induced plenty of weak contact with offspeed. Pumped strikes for most of the game. He displayed a strong fastball all weekend sitting around 76-77 mph. His 11-5 breaking ball was 67-69 and was giving hitters trouble all day. Final line: 4.0 IP, W, 2 H, 0 ER.
FTB Mud Dogs
LHP Colin McCarty (Lincoln Way West, 2024)
McCary was dominant on the mound on Saturday, going four innings with no hits, no runs and five strikeouts. Threw a heavy dose of fastballs that sat 78-80 mph, T81 mph with ride through the zone. Used the fastball to get in-zone swings and misses. Mixed in a curve-ball that was 69-71 mph to get weak contact.
Top Tier South 17U
CIF Trey Blanchette (Kankakee, 2024)
Blanchette impressed with his power from the right side of the plate Saturday. Blanchette pulled a ball for a home run over the left field wall. The swing is quick, with an uphill path that has the intent to lift the ball. An uncommitted 2024 bat to follow this weekend.
(Trey Blanchette)
INF/C James Love (Joliet West, 2024)
Eastern Illinois Commit. Love was a standout both behind the dish and at the plate for Top Tier South. Love continued to show a loud bat from the right side when he hit a triple in his first at-bat tonight. In the box, Love displays a whole-field approach with intent to do damage. Behind the plate he showed off a strong arm, and was a willing blocker for his pitching staff.
(James Love)
Game Seven Legacy 2024
INF Bennett Summers (Bloomington Central Catholic, 2024)
Summers caught our eye on both sides of the ball Saturday evening. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound MIF found barrels all game for Game Seven Legacy. From the right side of the plate, Summers possesses a balanced setup with a hitterish look in the box. The hands are quick and allow for barrel control through the zone. Defensively at shortstop, he showed to be smooth and rangy, also showing off a strong arm. Went 2-for-2 with a home run, walk, and two RBIs out of the leadoff spot.
(Bennett Summers)
1B Trey Thompson (Bloomington, 2024)
The 6-foot, 180-pound, athletic-framed first baseman was a standout performer Saturday. The L/L first baseman went 1-for-2 with a triple and an RBI out of the three-hole for Game Seven. Thompson displayed a smooth, easy stroke that stays on the barrel and induces power. A bat to follow the rest of the weekend.
(Trey Thompson)
OF Tyler Cribbett (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, 2024)
5-foot-10, 185-pound, strong and sturdy frame. Cribbett was on the barrel at the plate for Game Seven. A left-handed hitter, Cribbett has a quiet setup in the box with little-to-no movement in the stance before getting into his stride. The swing is quick with a slightly uphill path that allows for loud contact. A bat to watch moving forward the rest of the weekend.
(Tyler Cribbett)
Schaumburg Seminoles
LHP Dylan Bergman (Lake Park, 2024)
Bergman has a 6-foot-1, 155-pound frame with plenty of room to grow into. He worked down the mound well and incorporated an effective breaking ball that induced swings and misses at 68-70 mph. His fastball cruised at 79-81 mph and he consistently could spot it on the corners for a large portion of the game. Final line: 5.2 IP, W, 0 ER, 4 K, 0 BB.
INF Jayden Patel (Lake Park, 2024)
Patel has an athletic, projectible build at 6-foot-2, 170-pounds. Flashed a strong arm as well as range and fluid footwork at third base on Friday. Made an impressive diving catch on a line drive while playing second base on Saturday. Smooth, balanced swing at the plate. Showed opposite field pop with a double to the left-center gap. Finished a two-game stretch going 5-for-7 with double and two walks.
Midwest Astros Capps 15u
LHP Colin Ash (Roncalli, 2026)
Ash was a standout performer on the mound in his outing Saturday night. The lefty changed speeds well throughout the outing and induced swings and misses, as well as weak contact all night. The fastball sat 80-83 mph that had life and arm-side run. The curveball worked from 73-75 mph with 11/5 shape and had out-pitch potential. Ash struck out eight over six innings of work.
Top Tier Central Americans 15u
OF Logan Rosenthal (St. Joseph Ogden, 2026)
Rosenthal impressed out of the leadoff spot for Top Tier Central Americans. Went 2-for-2 with a stolen base and played a smooth centerfield. Rosenthal is an athletic, left-handed hitter to watch the rest of the weekend.
Sparks Northwest Indiana 17U
OF Nick Robinson (Schererville, 2024)
5-foot-9, athletic build. Robinson shows advanced speed that is a weapon on the basepaths and in center-field. Robinson collected multiple steals throughout and utilized his speed by beating out close plays on the bases. Robinson was clocked at 4.30 from home to first out of the right handed batter’s box.
Cangelosi Sparks - Carli 14U
RHP Austin Winge (Oak Prairie, 2027)
5-foot-9, 140-pound frame with plenty of room to grow. Sat 80-81 mph on the mound with some arm side run. Paired with a 71 mph slider that tunneled well. High ¾ slot, uses the mound for plane, lands in-line with home, some effort in delivery. Enticing name to follow.
Sunday
Top Tier South 17u
OF Nate George (Minooka, 2024)
Eastern Illinois commit. Proportionate and strong 6-foot, 190 pound frame. On the barrel all day. Short and compact swing that keeps the barrel in the zone for a long time. Hands move with ease as well. Ulta-quick out of the box with aggressive instincts on the basepaths. Athletic defender with quick, accurate reads, covers ground easily to pair with a strong arm. Final Line: 3-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2B, 3B.
MIF Jackson Smith (Providence Catholic, 2024)
Smith is a twitchy athlete that impressed in front of our staff throughout the weekend. Smooth, compact left-handed swing with quick hands. Flashed bat speed. Barreled a double the other way on Saturday. Rangy defender up the middle, made a couple nice plays ranging to his right. Also has a smooth arm action with strength. No. 86 ranked player in the Illinois 2024 class and was recently PBR Illinois Third Team All-State.
(Jackson Smith)
LHP Ryan Young (Manteno, 2024)
Young showed well in his start on Saturday. Displayed a clean arm action with a balanced delivery that looked effortless at times. Heavy dose of fastballs that sat 80-83 mph, T85 mph early with ride through the zone. Also mixed in a curveball that flashed sharp bite. Final line: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 K.
Midwest Gamblers
CF David Hartwell (Pekin, 2024)
Speedy right-handed bat that was consistently on the barrel. Quick hands at the plate allowed the barrel to be out in front. Quality range in center paired with a solid arm. Final Line: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, R.
Midwest Gamblers Hidden
INF Jordan Marsh (East Peoria, 2026)
Marsh got on-base twice for the Gamblers and overall showed well at the plate. Batting out of the cleanup spot and from the right side, he went 1-for-1 with a loud triple, a walk, and two RBIs. Marsh has a simple, efficient swing that stays on the barrel.
Game Seven Legacy
OF Tyler Cribbett (Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, 2024)
Cribbett impressed on Saturday morning going 4-for-4 including a home-run straight into the wind. Strong build, with a simple swing and a fluid bat path. Showed off advanced bat-to-ball skills, taking pitches the other way and finding the barrel a number of times throughout the weekend. Also showed some quality power, shooting a number of balls into the gap for extra base hits.
SS/RHP Bennett Summers (Bloomington Central Catholic, 2024)
Speedy and athletic frame that showed a flashy glove at short. Feel for the barrel is obvious due to his active hands at the plate. On the mound, Summers sat 78-82 mph with arm-side run. Body moves in sync and is easy to replicate. Final Line: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR.
(Bennett Summers)
Flood City 2024
LHP Cameron Appenzeller (Chatham-Glenwood, 2024)
Appenzeller emerged as a high follow prospect following his outing on Saturday. Projectable 6-foot-5, 180-pound frame with long levers, shows plenty of upside. Came out of the bullpen sitting 83-85 mph, T86 mph with a whippy arm action and effortless delivery. Confidently threw a change up with depth at 75-77 mph. Flashed feel for a 11/5 curveball with hard bite. Also was playing up a year. A left-handed pitcher to watch on the rest of the summer circuit.
(Cameron Appenzeller)
Crusader Baseball 15U
RHP/SS DJ Malloy (Valparaiso HS, 2026)
At the plate, Malloy got three hits on three line drives due to his advanced bat-to-ball skills. Quick hands and a compact swing. Loose arm on the mound from a long, ¾ slot. Fastball was 78-81 mph with ride. Curveball was low-70s consistently for strikes. Ball comes out of the hand fluidly. Pitching Line: 3.0 IP, 3 K, 0 BB, 0 R, 1 H. Hitting Line: 3-for-3, 2 RBI, R.
Revolution Baseball - Concialdi
MIF Julian Cabanin (Notre Dame College Prep, 2024)
5-foot-10, 165-pound athletic frame. Hands are quick at the plate fueling a compact swing. Barrel gets out in front. Finished 2-for-4 with a home run in front of our staff.
MDB/FTB
RHP Hunter Becker (Peotone HS, 2024)
Tall, squared shouldered frame with a long lower half. Delivery is segmented making both the fastball and curveball deceptive. Arm is loose from a long, ¾ slot. Arsenal consisted of a fastball at 77-79 mph with carry and a curveball at 66-67 mph. Both pitches were thrown for strikes throughout the entire outing. Overwhelmed hitters with the amount of strikes thrown. Final Line: 6.0 IP, 13 K, 2 BB, 2 ER.
White Sox Elite White
RHP TJ Silkaitis (York, 2024)
Durable and reliable arm that was able to pitch to contact well. Fastball was 77-82 mph. Slider was 67-72 mph. Change-up was in the low-70s and came out of the hand with deception. Kept all three pitches low in the zone. Commanded the run game efficiently as well as stranding a multitude of runners. Final Line: 7.0 IP, 8 K, 1 BB, 1 ER.
1B Patrick Dillow (Wheaton North, 2024)
Powerful and strong 6-foot-1, 185-pound build. Showed the ability to backspin baseball to both sides of the field. Bat to ball skills were positive leading to multiple extra base hits. Final Line: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 2B.
Athletes HQ 2024
3B Caleb Williams (South Elgin, 2024)
5-foot-10, 185-pound frame. Powerful bat with bat speed and quick hands. Bat-to-ball skills are obvious. Ability to drive balls to the deep parts of the field. Final Line: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 R, HR.
C Anthony Dorn (Walter Peyton College Prep, 2024)
6-foot-1, 190-pound frame. Consistently kept his barrel in the zone to showcase his gap-to-gap approach. Started the day with a seven RBI game including a grand slam. Dorn also showed off an impressive arm from behind the plate.
OF/RHP Keenan Oldani (South Elgin, 2024)
6-foot-3, 197-pound frame. Oldani impressed in both games on Sunday all while using a wooden bat. Oldani connected on four extra base hits including a two-run homer. Oldani utilizes his strong upper half and quick hands in order to connect and be dangerous all throughout the zone. Oldani showcases a gap-to-gap approach with plenty of room to grow.
(Keenan Oldani)
1B/RHP Tyler Martini (Stevenson, 2024)
6-foot-5, 225-pound frame. A physical presence that utilizes his frame for power. Pairs with his short swing and quick hands. Consistently was barreling balls all throughout the day. Upright stance with a slight bend at the knees, short stride, was consistent at the top of the zone. Steady actions at first base and showed to handle any throw. Impressed with a quality arm on the mound, sitting 78-80 mph with the fastball.
(Tyler Martini)
MVP Elite Baseball 15u
UTIL Jake Pacini (Lake Zurich HS, 2026)
Went 3-for-3 at the plate on Sunday with a double and four RBIs. Crouched setup at the plate and showed quick hands. Came into the game at catcher and flashed his athletic ability behind the plate. Moved well behind the dish and was a willing blocker. Some physicality in the frame, especially in the lower-half.
Lansing Redbirds 17u
LHP Michael Bailey (Marian Catholic, 2024)
6-foot-2, 160-pound frame with room to fill. Bailey spun a gem on Sunday night going: CG, 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, and 1 K. Bailey mixed speeds well all night and kept hitters off balance. Navigating a three-pitch mix, the fastball sat 77-79 mph, touching 80 mph at times with arm-side run. The curveball sat 67-68 mph, and the changeup sat 71-73 and garnered swings and misses.
PTA Cardinal 17u
RHP Bryce Balistreri (Pius XI, 2024)
Balistreri impressed on the mound when he punched out five hitters over 5.2 innings of work. Balistreri started the game for PTA Cardinal and worked with a two-pitch mix. The fastball sat in the upper 70's, inducing weak contact. The curveball sat in the upper 60’s with 11/5 shape.
Rebels Baseball Club 17u
UTIL Drew Hittmeier (Mt. Zion, 2024)
5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Athletic frame, batted out of the leadoff spot and showed well for Rebel Baseball Club. Batting from the left side, Hittmeier has a balanced setup with a slightly open stance paired with a small stride. The bat moves quickly through the zone with control of the barrel. Hittmeier went 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base.
Dixon Rebels 17U Black
OF Braden Engel (Stillman Valley, 2024)
6-foot-1, 175-pound frame with room to grow. Athletic build that capped off the weekend with a five RBI performance with a couple extra base hits, including a homerun. An upright stance with a slight bend in the knees, consistently got a piece of every zone including barreling plenty of balls in the bottom of the zone.
Illinois Sting 2024
RHP/INF Jake Miller (Victor J. Andrew, 2024)
Miller impressed out of the ‘pen and with the bat for IL Sting today. Starting with his performance at the plate, Miller had a two-hit day including a double from the right side. On the mound, Miller gave an impressive look from the right side primarily working a low-80’s fastball, topping out at 82 mph. The fastball was able to get swing and misses, paired with a low-70’s slider that induced weak contact. Punched out two guys in an inning and a third of work.
Schaumburg Seminoles - Kelley 17u
INF Lukas Trippiedi (Addison Trail, 2024)
Trippiedi went 2-for-3 with three RBIs for the Seminoles in their consolation game Sunday. Trippiedi made a habit of finding the barrel from the right side of the dish. Working a slightly taller setup in the box, the swing is fluid and works uphill with an intent to lift the ball. Listed at 6-foot, 185-pounds, Trippiedi was an athletic mover at multiple infield spots.
INF Jayden Patel (Lake Park, 2024)
Currently ranked No. 190 in the class of 2024 for the state of Illinois, Patel continued to swing a hot bat on Sunday going 1-for-2 with a loud double and two RBIs. Was also on-base two more times after being hit with pitches. An uncommitted 2024 to continue to monitor.
PTA Cardinal 15u
INF Owen McLellan (Shorewood, 2026)
5-foot-9, 145-pound athletic frame, McLellan was a spark plug for the Cardinal offense on Sunday. Out of the leadoff spot, McLellan went 3-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs. From the right side, McLellan has a balanced setup at the dish before moving into a high leg lift load. The hands are quick and whippy to allow for barrel control through the zone. The bat path is level and induces natural lift on the ball. A bat to watch moving into Monday’s championship games.
C Jack Butler (Waterford, 2026)
Butler impressed behind the dish and at the plate on Sunday. Behind the dish, Butler shows a strong and accurate arm, soft hands, and ability to block balls in the dirt. At the plate, he went 2-for-3 out of the three-hole with two RBIs, including a double and a triple. Butler is a left-handed hitter who uses the whole-field with line drives and is a bat to continue to follow the rest of the tournament.
Oak Forest Blue Demons
RHP Joshua Dawson (Oak Forest, 2024)
Dawson started on Sunday morning for the Blue Demons and had a nice showing on the bump. Dawson was able to induce swings and misses throughout his outing, punching out 10 in five innings of work. Worked a two-pitch mix consisting of a mid-high 70’s fastball that touched 79 mph, and a curveball that sat in the mid 60’s with 11/5 shape and out-pitch characteristics.
Oak Lawn Lightning
C Carson Maranda (Richards, 2026)
Displayed active and fluent hands in his swing, demonstrated his power at the plate against Dixon Rebels 15u as he went 1-for-3 with a home run in a come-from-behind victory for the Oak Lawn Lightning.
Dixon Rebels 15u
C Breydan Andrews (Rochelle Township, 2025)
Showcased a strong arm behind the dish this weekend throwing out multiple runners in multiple games. Was a wall behind the plate this weekend as well, displaying his ability to block the ball and move well at the catcher position. Showed smooth hands at the plate, drives through the ball well. Went 2-for-3 at the plate Saturday with a towering home run to center field and a double.
White Sox Elite 17U Black
MIF Ryan Cubulka (Benet, 2024)
5-foot-10, 155-pound frame with plenty of room to grow. Athletic build, strong lower half that allows him to show off his advanced speed that is a weapon on the basepaths and up the middle of the field. Was barreling balls in the inner-half of the zone allowing him to use his quick bat and smooth stride.
MONDAY
PTA Cardinal 17u
RHP Andrew Halser V (Marquette University, 2024)
Loose, 6-foot, 165-pound frame with room to build muscle, currently ranked No. 143 in the class of 2024 for Wisconsin. Mechanics were simple with a long, athletic stride toward the plate coming from a long ¾ armslot. Arm is short in the back and comes through with ease. Fastball was 80-84 mph, T86 mph with efficient carry. Curveball was in the low-70s with advanced, late bite. Pitching Line: 6.0 IP, 6 K, BB.
RHP/INF Kyle Alivo (St. Thomas More, 2024)
Iowa commit. Alivo did it all on both sides of the ball on Monday when we saw him. After coming in to get the save in the semi-final game for PTA with a fastball that touched 90 mph, Alivo would start the championship game as well. At the plate, he launched a home run over the left-center fence to help his own cause on the mound. On the bump, he worked a three-pitch mix with the fastball primarily working 87-89 mph, the slider was in the upper 70’s and got swings and misses throughout the outing, as well an 81 mph changeup that has true out-pitch potential. Punched out seven in five innings.
15U Extreme Elite National
1B Isaac Wendler (Father McGivney, 2026)
6-foot, 185-pound frame with room to build muscle. Bent stance, long swing, no stride, uses lower half for power, quick bat speed, transfers weight well, barreled up balls in various parts of the zone. Was a key contributor in helping his team to a championship.
RHP/SS Hunter Baugh (Edwardsville, 2026)
5-foot-9, 135-pound frame with plenty of room to grow. Athletic frame, sat 80-82 mph on the mound, paired with 69 mph sliders that played off the FB well. Pitched for five innings, striking out six and only allowing one run to score. Clear confidence on the mound.
SS Nolan Keller (Father McGivney, 2026)
6-foot-1, 155-pound frame with room to grow. Athletic, rangy shortstop that was flashing the leather all day. Any ball hit up the middle had a chance to be scooped up and turned into an out. An above-average arm that was accurate from various arm angles. Well above-average defender to know.