Preseason All-State Upperclass: Top Overall Prospects

May 12, 2023
By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On February 25th, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Preseason All-State: Upperclass showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill., featuring many of the state’s top players inside the 2024 class. This event helped our staff gain a clearer picture of the on-the-rise prospects in Illinois and who needs to be followed closely this spring and beyond.

To view the Preseason All-State: Upperclass landing page, roster, and stats collected, click here.

Today we finish off our post-event analysis with an in-depth breakdown of who our scouting staff deemed to be the top overall prospects based on their performance in-event.

We separated the rankings by committed and uncommitted prospects, which can be found below.

Top Committed Prospects

1. Ryan Sloan RHP / York, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-4, 220-pounds. Well proportioned, strong lower-half.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive delivery, works on-line with intent.
Arm Action: RH. Big arm strength, 3/4 slot.
FB: T95, 92-94 mph. Plays with heaviness at the bottom, sinks with spin. T2265, 2218 average rpm.
SL: 80-82 mph. Hard sweeper, 10/4 shape. T2719, 2634 average rpm.
CH: 83-88 mph. Hard sinking action, plays to the arm side. T2000, 1778 average rpm.

2. Tyler Bell SS / 2B / Lincoln-Way East, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Athletic build, evenly proportioned weight with room to add on more strength.
Hit: SH. Relaxed, balanced setup, quiet pre-pitch actions. Athletic swing, stays through the zone a long time, consistent on time and on the barrel with loud contact to both gaps.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 91.6 mph. 350’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 90 mph. Plays on the move, short out of the glove with a quick release, changes slot when necessary.
Defense: Athletic, confident actions, soft hands, pre-pitch hop and fluid footwork through the ball, controls body well on the move.
Run: Did not run the 60 at the event.

3. Cooper Malamazian SS / RHP / Nazareth Academy, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Wiry, projectable build, room to add on strength as he matures.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed balanced setup, short stride. Creates easy bat speed, repeats, feel for the barrel, whippy through the zone, ball jumps off the bat.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 83.8 mph. 343’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 89 mph. Loose, whippy arm, quick 3/4 release, easy life and carry across the diamond.
Defense: Fluid, athletic actions, plays through the ball with tempo and confidence, clean transfer.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60.

4. Savion Flowers OF / 1B / Kenwood Academy , IL / 2024

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-5, 200-pounds. Highly-advanced, high-waisted, broad-shouldered build with loose athletic levers and room for continued physical development.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, medium/wise base, short stride and minimal hand load. Works short to the ball with direct hands, athletic swing with balance through contact, middle/pull approach.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 90.8 mph. 323’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 94 mph. Long/loose circle, high 3/4 release, easy life out of the hand.
Defense: Athletic actions, plays through the ball in rhythm, sequences well into crow hop.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60.

5. Jimmy Janicki C / 3B / Downers Grove North, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-3, 210-pounds. Strong, athletic frame with more room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Upright, quiet setup, minimal wasted movement and short stride. Simple, strong, repeatable swing, ball jumps off the barrel and works gap-to-gap. Easy twitch and strong levers, feel for the barrel.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 91.4 mph. 308’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Short, clean arm action, plays from an over-the-top slot. When at its best plays true and with carry.
Defense: 1.94-1.97 pop times. Athletic and clean behind the plate. Soft hands, agile blocker and flexible hips. Easy and efficient out of the crouch, maintains body control and direction, repeatable.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60.

6. Luke Weber RHP / Highland Park , IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Athletic build, well proportioned, projectable.
Delivery: Fluid, athletic, on-line delivery, works with tempo and controlled finish.
Arm Action: RH. Athletic, loose, quick arm, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T91, 89-91 mph. Lively and clean out of the hand, controlled the zone, late horizontal action. T2094, 2009 average rpm.
SL: 77-79 mph. Fastball arm speed, late, tight 10/4 shape. T2402, 1864 average rpm.
CH: 82-84 mph. Advanced offering, thrown with intent, late run and sink, above-average feel. T2036, 1962 average rpm.

7. Aidan Hayse RHP / SS / Joliet Catholic Academy , IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds. Athletic build, well proportioned.
Delivery: Athletic, fluid, tall and fall delivery, works on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Highly-athletic, compact, clean, quick arm, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T90, 89-90 mph. Jumps out of the hand, heavy, late finish through the zone. T2009, 1952 average rpm.
SL: 77-80 mph. Thrown aggressively with intent, late, sharp 10/4 bite. T2320, 2178 average rpm.
CH: 77-80 mph. Fastball arm speed, late fade and sink at times. T1543, 1459 average rpm.

8. Trevor Rehnstrom RHP / Glenbard East, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 185-pounds. Lanky build, well proportioned.
Delivery: Fluid, tall and fall delivery, body control and balance down the mound, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, uninterrupted arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 86-88 mph. Clean and easy out of the hand, commanded the zone. T2361, 2287 average rpm.
CB: 75-76 mph. Thrown with intent, sharp spin, depth. T2544, 2427 average rpm.
CH: 80-82 mph. Advanced feel, painted at the bottom of the zone consistently, flashed fade. T2081, 1974 average rpm.

9. Kenny Perez SS / 3B / De LaSalle , IL / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic build, round shoulders, room to add on strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, confident setup, smooth pre-pitch actions. Fluid, loose, quick swing, stays through the zone, natural loft and athleticism throughout. Worked hard contact to both gaps throughout.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 89.8 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Short out of the glove, 3/4 slot, quick release, plays on the move.
Defense: Soft/confident hands, plays low to the ground and through the ball with fluid footwork, controls body on the run through play, plays with rhythm and feel.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60.

10. Jameson Martin SS / 2B / St. Laurence, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Athletic, evenly proportioned strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced quiet load and stride. Direct swing, flat and long through the zone, advanced bat-to-ball, line drive approach and polished round.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 91.3 mph. 351’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Short, quick release, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Fluid two hand gather out front, athletic actions and footwork, plays through the ball.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60.

Top Uncommitted Prospects

1. Kyle Hartmann C / SS / Sycamore, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Athletic build, wiry strength.
Hit: RHH. Narrow balanced setup, long stride Aggressive swing, loose, fast hands, present bat speed, on the barrel with natural lift throughout and length through the zone.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 96.7 mph. 329’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 84 mph. Loose, strong arm, plays short and from an over-the-top slot; throws flash carry and life.
Defense: 1.94-2.03 pop times. Flexible, athletic receiver, presents a low target, sets up on one knee at times. Soft hands, clean and directional out of the crouch with a quick glove-to-hand release.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.

2. Bryce Koch RHP / OF / Barrington, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-4, 190-pounds. Lanky build, projectable.
Delivery: Stretch-only delivery, lanky actions, high front side.
Arm Action: RH. Long levered, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T90, 88-89 mph. Lively fastball, with ease. T2550, 2490 average rpm.
CB: 77-77 mph. 11/5 shape, above average action, locates down. T2115, 2087 average rpm.
CH: 82-84 mph. Hard sink, down in the zone. T2028, 1909 average rpm.

3. Luke Oblen RHP / 2B / DePaul College Prep, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-3, 198-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Delivery: Side step rocker, high leg lift, tall and fall delivery, in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Quick separation and arm speed, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T91, 88-90 mph. Down in the zone, sink action. T2337, 2271 average rpm.
SL: 75-79 mph. 10/4 shape, above average spin. T2434, 2410 average rpm.
CH: 81-82 mph. Sink to arm side, average feel. T2005, 1858 average rpm.
CUT: 83-85 mph. Slight cut to glove side.

4. Alex Schimmel SS / RHP / Moline, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Strong build, strength in the lower-half, round shoulders.
Delivery: Clean repeatable delivery, simple with short stride, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm circle into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T89, 87-89 mph. Runs to arm side. T1957, 1875 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. 11/5 shape, shows depth. T2631, 2552 average rpm.
SL: 73-76 mph. Slightly lower slot, sweep action. T2498, 2400 average rpm.
CH: 78-79 mph. Above average sink to arm side. T1771, 1575 average rpm.

Positional Profile: SS
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, fluid load and toe-tap stride. Polished approach, simple, repeatable and stays inside the baseball. Strong hands, uses the whole field and repeats.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.7 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Plays from multiple slots, easy carry and backspin.
Defense: Steady two hand gather out front, some range up the middle, clean transfer.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60.

5. Tom Ford RHP / 1B / Lisle, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-6, 185-pounds. Tall, lanky build, high-waisted.
Delivery: Stretch-only delivery, toe lift into balance, slight collapse on back side works into glove side.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, clean arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T91, 89-91 mph. Controlled the zone with back spinning fastball, flashed ride. T2335, 2298 average rpm.
CB: 74-76 mph. 11/5 shape, above average spin for age, showed feel. T2369, 2222 average rpm.
CH: 84-86 mph. Firm grip, plays straight and firm. T2149, 2012 average rpm.

6. Jack Olson RHP / OF / Antioch, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Athletic build, projectable.
Delivery: Fluid, uptempo, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line, lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Clean arm circle, loose and quick, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T91, 89-91 mph. Lively out of the hand, slight arm-side-run, controlled the zone. T2289, 2241 average rpm.
CB: 69-72 mph. 12/6 shape, sharp biting action, depth and feel. T2330, 2219 average rpm.
SL: 72-74 mph. Thrown with intent, horizontal, 10/4 shape, sharp spin. T2298, 2259 average rpm.
CH: 75-79 mph. Maintains arm speed, flashed fade. T2009, 1946 average rpm.

7. Jalen House OF / LHP / Downers Grove South, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Pre-pitch rhythm; tall setup. Fluid, athletic swing. Balanced throughout; pull-side approach, line-drives.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.6 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 86 mph. Plays with some carry and backspin, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic actions through the ball, plays in rhythm, steady hands, sequences well into crow hop.
Run: 6.76 runner in the 60.

8. Ethan Borggren 1B / OF / Lane Tech College Prep, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. Wide-shouldered, athletic build with developing strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup, rocks back into load with rhythm, hangs foot slightly into a medium/long stride. Loads hands slightly, creates whip in the barrel through the zone, athletic swing with balance through impact, middle/pull approach.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 85.5 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. OF - 86 mph. Short arm circle, 3/4 release with some quickness to the arm.
Defense: Active feet through the ball, one-hand field to the side, athletic actions plays through in stride.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60.

9. Joshua Vaughn RHP / 3B / Illini Bluffs , IL / 2024

Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Well proportioned, projectable, athletic.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive style, works on line, athletic.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm, whippy action out of a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T90, 87-89 mph. Gets action to arm side. T2044, 1981 average rpm.
SL: 73-75 mph. Slider lands for strikes, above average feel. T2060, 1997 average rpm.
CH: 79-80 mph. Fades to arm side, occasional decel. T1681, 1590 average rpm.

10. Jackson Spring SS / 2B / St. Charles North, IL / 2024

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Athletic, lean build, room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, some rhythm with hand separation and foot strike, medium stride. Loose, fluid swing, stays through the zone, creates some whip in the barrel, uses the whole field.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 87.1 mph. 295’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Loose arm, 3/4 release, plays on the move.
Defense: Quick first step, two-hand gather out front, soft hands, plays through the ball with rhythm, fluid footwork.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60.