Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect - Chicago: Position Player Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

On Tuesday, June 22nd the PBR Illinois staff held an invitation only Top Prospect - Chicago event at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, IL.  The event featured 40 uncommitted prospects from the class of 2022. Since the event, 16 players have made their college commitment.

Today we take a look at all of the position players from the event. There are a number of quality prospects still on the market. A trio of uncommitted outfielders who stood out and should be close follows moving forward are Jermaine Young Jr. (St. Patrick), Will Goldberg (Homewood-Flossmoor) and Connor Dickson (Libertyville). 

+ Young, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound, wide-shouldered, physical, right-handed hitter, put together arguably the most impressive round of BP on the day. His advanced strength translates to the box where he routinely hammered baseballs that registered 95+ mph off the bat, his best swing registering 101 mph off the bat. Young, who features some of the best bat strength in the class, creates easy jump to the pull-side of the diamond and his short/flat path generates impressive backspin and carry.

+ Goldberg is a left/left, two-way prospect who has a simple, short stroke with feel for the barrel at the plate. The 7.06 runner also moves with fluidness in the outfield and a loose arm that topped at 87 mph. 

+ Dickson is a right-handed hitting outfielder who flashes big tools across the board. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound, right-handed hitter ran a 7.13, was 93 mph from the outfield (T85 on the mound) with a max exit velocity of 94 mph. 

Charlie Faoro (Homewood-Flossmoor) is one of the smoother infielders still on the market in Illinois. Faoro has a low-pulse with everything he does on the field, can play any infield position thanks to his clean actions, soft hands, body control and ability to throw from multiple platforms. 

One of the top catchers on the day was Kyle Odeshoo (Prospect). The 6-foot, 185-pound, right-handed hitter swings with intent, registered a 94 mph max exit velocity during BP and is an above-average receiver who has topped at 77 mph from the crouch. 

Read on below for a look at all of the position players from the day.

POSITION PLAYERS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Evan Baptiste, Barrington (IL), 2022: Wisconsin-Milwaukee commit.
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Wiry, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched stance, smooth leg kick load for timing. The swing is loose and athletic. Bat path is short and direct to the ball and is slightly uphill. He has a line drive gap to gap approach.  
Power: 94.8 max exit velocity, averaged 89.43 mph. 337’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. OF - 88 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release, throws were accurate with plenty of life and carry.
Defense: High-level athlete, has quick feet and quick hands, plays through the ball well.
Run: 6.56 runner in the 60.

Jackson Bessette, South Elgin (IL), 2022: Illinois-Chicago commit.
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 205-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced athletic crouched stance.  Short stride with good balance,  Loose level swing with good bat speed.  Uses the whole field 
Power: 96.41 max exit velocity, averaged 91.32 mph. 365’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release, strong arm with accuracy, life and carry
Defense: 1.97-2.09 pop times. Quick hands and quick feet. 
Run: 6.84 runner in the 60. 

Charlie Breen, Lyons Township (IL), 2022: Wisconsin-Platteville commit.
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, tall, open stance, smooth load, glide leg kick, flashed bat speed, uses legs well, bat path is short and direct.  Uses a line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 94.22 max exit velocity, averaged 88.47 mph. 345’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 85 mph. Long, loose arm action from a high 3/4 slot, throws were accurate with carry and life.
Defense: Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 6.88 runner in the 60. 

Connor Dickson, Libertyville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic stance, smooth load, short stride.  Strong swing, uses legs well, short bat path, direct to contact. Swing is level and generates line drives using a gap to gap approach.
Power: 94.3 max exit velocity, averaged 90.5 mph. 361’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 92 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 release; arm played strong and accurate.
Defense: Plays through the ball with athleticism, hands and feet are clean throughout the process. 
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60.

Gavin Dobbels, Yorkville (IL), 2022: Ashland commit.
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Hit: SH. Balanced, athletic stance. Smooth leg kick for timing. Short, direct, line drive gap to gap approach. Flashed bat speed and sneaky power to the pull-side.
Power: 97.73 max exit velocity, averaged 83.73 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release, throws have some carry.
Defense: Soft hands, quick feet, clean exchange, athletic actions
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.  

Harry Fandre, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2022: Quincy commit.
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open stance, short stride to arm bar load, strong, short swing with a pull side line drive approach.
Power: 96.14 max exit velocity, averaged 93.81 mph. 372’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release
Defense: 2.13-2.20 pop times. Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60.

Charlie Faoro, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched stance.  Smooth load and short stride.  Uphill line drive swing with a gap to gap approach
Power: 88.49 max exit velocity, averaged 84.7 mph. 319’ max distance. Crouched stance.  Smooth load and short stride.  Uphill line drive swing with a gap to gap approach
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action, natural high 3/4 slot, ability to throw from multiple platforms. Arm plays accurately.
Defense: Smooth, confident fielding actions, soft hands, quick feet, plays through the ball well.  Has advanced feel and rhythm for the infield.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60. 

Will Goldberg, Homewood-Flossmoor (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, open stance, slight leg kick to close, smooth hand load. Swing is short, level with extension. Uses the whole field and back spins line drives.  
Power: 92.25 max exit velocity, averaged 82.55 mph. 345’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 87 mph. Long over the top arm action.  Throws are online and accurate with life and carry.
Defense: Moves athletically with good footwork and rhythm.
Run: 7.06 runner in the 60.  

Andrew Ivy Jr, Brother Rice (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-9, 135-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced athletic stance. Short stride. Short, level swing, stays inside the baseball, opposite field approach.  
Power: 89.08 max exit velocity, averaged 77.69 mph. 275’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, average arm strength, throws were accurate
Defense: Quick feet, clean exchange, athletically plays through the ball.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

Kyle Kaempf, McHenry (IL), 2022: Missouri Southern commit.
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic stance. Smooth leg kick load, Hands work well, short and direct to the ball.  Stays on plane and generates backspin to all fields.  Flashed pull side pop.
Power: 90.29 max exit velocity, averaged 83.36 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Loose, short arm action.  high 3/4 release, Throws are accurate, with life and carry
Defense: Moves with rhythm and tempo. Has active feet and fluid actions in the infield. Hands are soft and quick. Makes difficult plays look easy.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

Trent Koehler, Lincoln Community (IL), 2022: Lincoln Land CC commit.
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open, tall stance, big leg kick with a long stride, dives to landing. Swing is uphill and generates line drives to the opposite field.  
Power: 90.78 max exit velocity, averaged 80.69 mph. 344’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 93 mph. Loose, short arm actions, strong arm, throws have life and carry. Arm is quick and easy.
Defense: High-end defender. Hands and feet work well together. Plays athletically through the ball. Glides laterally to balls and transfers to throwing with ease.
Run: 6.85 runner in the 60. 

Jake Kohanzo, Barrington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open stance, knee knocks into long stride, smooth hand load. Swing path is long and level with extension.  Uses a line drive gap to gap approach. 
Power: 96.48 max exit velocity, averaged 91.43 mph. 370’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Long arm action from the 3/4 release slot.  Arm is strong and accurate
Defense: Takes quality routes to the ball.  Showed soft hands with a clean exchange.
Run: 7.34 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Kramer, The Latin School of Chicago (IL), 2022: College of Wooster commit.
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 220-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched, open stance, smooth leg kick, dives, advanced bat speed, short slightly uphill bat path, flashed pull side power.  
Power: 95.48 max exit velocity, averaged 86.59 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Loose arm action, delivers from a high 3/4 slot, throws have life and carry.
Defense: Fluid, clean footwork and exchange, athletic fielding actions
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60.

Jack McNamara, Lyons Township (IL), 2022: Wisconsin-Oshkosh commit.
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balance, open, tall setup, short stride with a short swing that is direct to contact.  Finishes with extension after using a line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 100.41 max exit velocity, averaged 84.79 mph. 344’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. short arm action, high 3/4 release, average arm strength.
Defense: 2.07-2.13 pop times. Average hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. 

Jake Munroe, Champaign Central (IL), 2022: John A. Logan JC commit.
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-2, 205-pounds. Strong, broad-shouldered build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, crouched, open stance, no hand load, dives with a long stride, stays balanced.  Short level swing, line drive gap to gap approach, strong swing, flashed bat speed to the pull side.
Power: 96.02 max exit velocity, averaged 90.91 mph. 358’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long, loose arm action, over the top delivery, Throws are accurate with carry.
Defense: Soft hands, quick feet, athletic actions and plays through the ball.
Run: 6.89 runner in the 60. 

Anthony Nino, Von Steuben (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced athletic stance, slight leg kick to a short stride landing, short bat path, slightly uphill, line drive gap to gap approach.  
Power: 86.71 max exit velocity, averaged 77.03 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release accurate with average arm strength
Defense: 2.10-2.19 pop times. Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Aidan O'Connell, St. Charles North (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, open stance, short stride, slight leg kick, fluid line drive gap to gap approach, swing is short with extension through contact.
Power: 91.31 max exit velocity, averaged 87.36 mph. 341’ max distance. Balanced, open stance, short stride, slight leg kick, fluid line drive gap to gap approach, swing is short with extension through contact.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, over the top delivery, average arm strength with carry
Defense: 2.08-2.15 pop times. Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, athletic catching ability.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

Kyle Odeshoo, Prospect (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced tall stance, toe tap load, dives to launch. Short bat path, loose hands, creates easy whip in the barrel and works the middle of the field.
Power: 94.37 max exit velocity, averaged 82.97 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release, accurate, with carry.
Defense: 2.05-2.13 pop times. Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Rick Powell, McHenry (IL), 2022: Rock Valley JC commit.
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, short stride, smooth hand load. Short, direct, level swing. Flashed pull side power. Swing path is slightly uphill.
Power: 95.97 max exit velocity, averaged 90.49 mph. 358’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Long over the top arm action.  His throws were accurate with occasional life.
Defense: Fluid footwork, clean exchange. plays through the ball well. 
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. 

Owen Ross, Yorkville (IL), 2022: Kirkwood CC commit.
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic, open stance. Toe tap to long stride. Swing has projection. Twitchy, loose, uphill and violent. Showed pull side pop.
Power: 97.54 max exit velocity, averaged 88.53 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 93 mph. Loose, quick twitch arm speed. Plays short and from an over the top slot. Throws have life and carry.
Defense: Athletic, moves with tempo and rhythm.  Hands and feet are quick and efficient. Solid overall round defensively.
Run: 7.03 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Royer, Grant (IL), 2022: Lincoln Land CC commit.
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-4, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, crouched setup.  Short stride and smooth load.  Easy repeatable swing, short, barrel direct, slightly uphill, uses the whole field. Polished overall swing.
Power: 92.16 max exit velocity, averaged 79.35 mph. 273’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long, loose arm action from a high 3/4 slot. 
Defense: Soft hands, quick feet, clean exchange, athletic actions
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Brian Twomey, Riverside Brookfield (IL), 2022: Lewis University commit.
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, short stride with leg kick. Uphill swing with pull approach. Flashed bat speed to the pull side.  
Power: 92.77 max exit velocity, averaged 74.99 mph. 343’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. INF - 82 mph. short arm action, high 3/4 release; accurate with life and carry.
Defense: 2.03-2.15 pop times. Soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange.
Run: 8.20 runner in the 60. 

Jermaine Young Jr, St. Patrick (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 223-pounds. Wide-shouldered, physical build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic stance, smooth load, leg kick for timing. Swing is powerful and clean. Has advanced bat strength and bat speed to the pull side.  Bat path is short, direct and slightly uphill.  
Power: 100.93 max exit velocity, averaged 93.69 mph. 388’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 release, arm is strong and accurate. 
Defense: Athletic for his size, movements are fluid, plays through the ball well. 
Run: 7.00 runner in the 60. 

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