Prep Baseball Report

Preseason All-State Underclass: Catcher Analysis


By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On Feb. 26, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Preseason All-State: Underclass showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill., featuring many of the state’s top players inside both the 2024 and 2025 classes. This invite-only event helped our staff gain a clearer picture of the on-the-rise underclassmen from around the state heading into the spring season. 

For a complete list of the player’s that attended this event, click HERE

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. Today we’ll begin our post-event process by rolling out the individual scouting reports of the day, starting with the catcher position while working our way across the diamond as the week continues. 

top catching prospects 

1. Peter Visconti II, St. Joseph (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Loose and relaxed. Quiet in the box. Short stride. Ultra-quiet, simple swing, highly-repeatable, works on the barrel with advanced hand-eye and easy jump off the bat. Works gap-to-gap throughout. High-level 2025 bat.
Power: 97.3 max exit velocity, averaged 90.8 mph. 362’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 80 mph. C: Quick, clean, loose arm action. Works from an over-the-top arm slot. Some carry on throws to second. INF: Short circle out of the glove to a high 3/4 slot, some carry across the diamond.
Defense: 2.13-2.19 pop times. C: Quick feet. Athletic actions. INF: Quick hands, clean exchange, some feel.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. Long low strided gait.

2. Enzo Infelise, Providence Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Lean strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup. Front leg open, some pre-pitch looseness/rhythm. Loose, athletic hands. Strong, aggressive swing. Lifted contact. Advanced jump off the barrel for his age.
Power: 97.4 max exit velocity, averaged 84.1 mph. 345’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 84 mph. C: Loose arm action. High 3/4 arm slot. Flashed accuracy on throws to second. INF: Loose, strong arm. Plays from a high 3/4 slot with easy life out of the hand, carry across the diamond.
Defense: 2.02-2.12 pop times. C: Agile. Soft hands, quick exchange. Inf: Plays loose. Under control on the move. Balanced footwork.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60. 

3. Kyle Hartmann, Sycamore (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. Athletic base. Short stride. Aggressive, intentful swing, stays flat and long through the hitting zone. Ball jumps off the barrel at times. Backspun hard contact to all fields.
Power: 94.3 max exit velocity, averaged 86.5 mph. 334’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Loose arm action. Works from a 3/4 arm slot. Quick exchange. Carry and accuracy on throws.
Defense: 1.96-2.09 pop times. Steady hands. Feet work in line with the second base bag. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60.  

4. Sir Jamison Jones, St. Rita (IL), 2024; Illinois State commit.
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 210-pounds. Athletic build. Strong lower half
Hit: RHH. Wide base, squared, open toe stance; loose hands pre-pitch. Strong hands, short and direct to the ball, jumps off the barrel at times, minimal wasted movement throughout. Drove balls to both gaps with authority.
Power: 95.4 max exit velocity, averaged 84.9 mph. 305’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Loose, clean arm action. Over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.14 pop times. Balanced. Soft hands, quick exchange.
Run: 7.46 runner in the 60. Light footed runner. Easy.

5. Charlie Meister, Hersey (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Well-proportioned frame. Plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, even setup; narrow. Hands set high. High elbow at load. Short, smooth stride. Aggressive swing, long bat path, rotational at times. Advanced hand strength for his age. Level through the zone. Flashed hard backspin contact.
Power: 94.5 max exit velocity, averaged 91.1 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Loose, quick arm action. Works from a high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 1.93-2.01 pop times. Quick, active feet. Quick exchange. Feet work in line with the second base bag.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

6. Ashton Seymore, Latin School of Chicago (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 190-pounds. Round shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, even setup. Balanced base. Squared. Quiet, highly repeatable swing, sits on backside, flashed well above-average bat speed, lets the ball travel, short path with strength through contact. Consistently peppered balls back up the middle with authority.
Power: 96.4 max exit velocity, averaged 82.2 mph. 302’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Stiff arm action, plays from a low 3/4 slot. Consistently around the second base bag with carry at times.
Defense: 1.96-2.07 pop times. Natural actions behind the plate. Quick feet. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. Quick first step, high knee gait.

7. Brandon Stinson, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 178-pounds. High-waisted, projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow feet, tall setup, slight bend at the knee; hands set high. Lets the ball travel, swings with controlled aggression, remains balanced throughout, long, uphill path, strong off the barrel and gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 87.6 max exit velocity, averaged 76.5 mph. 322’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Loose arm action. Works from a high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.06 pop times. Athletic receiver. Soft hands, quick feet, works to present pitches in and around the zone.
Run: 7.85 runner in the 60. 

8. Gael Urbieta, Loyola Academy (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, upright start, hands set high with some pre-pitch looseness. Long path, uphill tendencies, strong hands, finished on balance and utilizes the middle of the field.
Power: 87.7 max exit velocity, averaged 75.6 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. INF - 84 mph. C: Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Flashed accuracy and carry on throws to second base. INF: Loose arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot, some carry with life out of the hand.
Defense: 1.94-2.07 pop times. C: Steady hands. Clean exchange. Directional footwork out of the crouch. INF: Plays loose. Steady hands. Balanced footwork.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60. 

9. Randall Nauden, Brother Rice (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 195-pounds. Athletic build. Strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup; smooth load, short stride back to even. Long path, strong hands, balanced at finish. Slight lift in swing, elevates the baseball to both gaps.
Power: 98.7 max exit velocity, averaged 92.5 mph. 345’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot. Consistently around the second base bag.
Defense: 2.02-2.19 pop times. Athletic, quick exchange, short to release.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

10. Tyler Humphrey, Washington Community (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup. Quiet in the box, hands set low. Balanced throughout, strong swing, easy effort, long path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 88.5 max exit velocity, averaged 74.9 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Quick arm action, over-the-top slot. Throws have carry.
Defense: 2.12-2.22 pop times. Athletic receiver, quick feet, clean exchange.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Ethan Flores, Marmion Academy (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11, 190-pounds. Well-proportioned frame. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup. Closed stance. Hands set away from body. High back elbow. Long, uphill bat path, sits into backside. Elevates the baseball to both gaps. Strong hands for his age.
Power: 88.9 max exit velocity, averaged 78.6 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action. Works from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.32-2.34 pop times. Balanced footwork, clean exchange, blocks the ball out front.
Run: 7.82 runner in the 60. 

Vincent Ippolito, Willowbrook (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds. Broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup. Hands set shoulder high. High back elbow. Strong, intentful swing. Level path, advanced bat speed for his age. Peppered hard contact to all fields.
Power: 88.6 max exit velocity, averaged 75.9 mph. 298’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Quick arm action, low 3/4 slot. Some carry.
Defense: 2.01-2.14 pop times. Soft block. Gains ground out of the crouch. Quick exchange.
Run: 7.92 runner in the 60. 

Jaime Luna, Mount Carmel (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/2B
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Compact build. Strong lower half.
Hit: SH. Balanced base. Slightly open stance, leg kick trigger. Easy, balanced swing. Level path, stays through the zone and uses the middle of the field.
Power: 88.9 max exit velocity, averaged 66.1 mph. 278’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action. High 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.20-2.22 pop times. Soft, steady hands. Deadens the ball out front. Feet work in line with second base bag. INF: Athletic footwork. Loose and easy actions. Plays under control on the move. Works through the baseball.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. High effort runner.

John McAuliffe, Marist (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced setup. Minimal pre-pitch movement. Simple, repeatable swing. Strong, twitchy hands, level path at times and ball jumps off the barrel.
Power: 89.5 max exit velocity, averaged 80.9 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. C: Slow arm action. Works from an over-the-top slot. INF: Short, clean arm action from a high 3/4 slot. Accurate throws across.
Defense: 2.08-2.13 pop times. C: Balanced footwork, deadens the ball out front.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Benjamin Mitchell, Harvest Christian (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open setup. High back elbow. Short stride. Long, aggressive swing. Present bat strength. Uphill tendencies. Extension through the zone. Lifted, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 91.8 max exit velocity, averaged 72.6 mph. 352’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot. Accuracy.
Defense: 2.12-2.19 pop times. Feet work in line with second base bag. Blocks the ball out front.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

Kaleb Navarro, De La Salle (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, open front foot, hands set high. Quick, twitchy hands, short and uphill to contact, lets the ball travel. Middle-of-the-field approach.
Power: 87.6 max exit velocity, averaged 77.2 mph. 328’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action. High 3/4 slot. Some length to release.
Defense: 2.07-2.16 pop times. Quick exchange. Steady hands.
Run: 7.77 runner in the 60. 

Graham Roesel, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, squared footing, hands set shoulder high, vertical bat. Simple swing, lets the ball travel. Short, quick hands. Sprayed contact to all fields.
Power: 86.9 max exit velocity, averaged 82.6 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Loose arm action. Works from a high 3/4 arm slot. Flashed carry on throws to second.
Defense: 1.94-2.09 pop times. Balanced footwork. Quick feet. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60. 

Easton Ruby, Oswego East (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. Open stance. Smooth stride to even. Quiet in the box. Easy swing. Remains balanced throughout. Loose hands, long through the zone, level at times. Line-drive approach.
Power: 86.1 max exit velocity, averaged 71.6 mph. 277’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. Long, loose arm action. Over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.37 pop times. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. Long smooth strider.

Aiden Simmons, Plainfield North (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 165-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, even setup. Pre-pitch rhythm in hands. Short stride. Stays inside the baseball, opposite field approach. Easy, loose hands. Balanced at finish.
Power: 87.1 max exit velocity, averaged 71.7 mph. 232’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action. High 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.03-2.08 pop times. Steady hands. Clean exchange.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

Cameron Smith, Reed Custer (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Lean build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup. Wide, slightly open stance. Quiet load. Toe tap trigger. Short stride. Easy hands, stays inside the baseball, looks to control the barrel. Used the whole field.
Power: 84.2 max exit velocity, averaged 73.9 mph. 172’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Flashed accuracy.
Defense: 2.09-2.13 pop times. Soft hands.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Brock Suding, Unity (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 184-pounds. Sloped shoulders. Strong lowr half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. Wide, open stance. High back elbow with bat held horizontal. Strong hands, steep entry into the zone at times, uses the whole field.
Power: 85.6 max exit velocity, averaged 64.6 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Long arm action. Over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.07-2.21 pop times. Clean exchange. Long to release.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60.

Owen Young, Joliet West (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 180-pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet load, minimal stride. Level path, direct to the baseball, line-drive approach, controls the barrel, easy effort.
Power: 90.6 max exit velocity, averaged 84.2 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action. High 3/4 arm slot. Consistently around the second base bag.
Defense: 1.96-2.03 pop times. Fluid actions. Soft hands. Deadens the ball out front.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. Strong well-proportioned frame.

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