The Underclass Invitational is one of Illinois’ most highly anticipated events on the PBR Illinois showcase calendar. The invitation-only event for the state’s top 2022 and 2023 prospects was held on Feb. 16, at The MAX in McCook, Ill. Over 110 of Illinois’ best freshman and sophomores represented themselves at the sold-out event.

As expected, this was an absolutely loaded event that yielded to us a brand new crop of underclass talent to follow as they continue maturing and developing at the high school level. Soon following the event we released early analysis with our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis. 

Today we continue the roll-out of our position-by-position breakdown of the event, by looking at the 2022 arms in attendance. Due to the amount of high-level arms in attendance we ranked the right-handed and left-handed arms separately. At the top of both lists are committed prospects. Owen Murphy (Riverside-Brookfield; Notre Dame commit) and Ethan Patera (Downers Grove South; Louisville commit) lead the list of right-handers. Both sat 89-91 mph, touching 92 with the makings of advanced off-speed offerings.

The top uncommitted right-hander in the group was Jack Bach (Normal University). Bach has a physical, durable frame and threw one of the more polished ‘pen’s on the day. Bach pounded the zone with an 86-88 mph fastball and complemented it with a swing-and-miss changeup. 

Two imposing, physical prospects; Julien Hachem (Mount Carmel; Oklahoma commit) and Gus Lucas (Washington; uncommitted) led the talented group of left-handers. Both Hachem and Lucas feature lively, strong arms and are just beginning to scratch the surface of their immense upside and talent.

Read on below for reports on all of the 2022 pitchers from the event.

TOP LHP PROSPECTS

1. Julien Hachem, Mount Carmel (IL), 2022 (Oklahoma commit)
Positional Profile: LHP/1B 
Body: 6-foot-6, 219-pounds. Physically-imposing build. Wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Delivery: Controlled tall and fall delivery, works on-line, controls his body and lands square.
Arm Action: LH. Long, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 84-87 mph. Lively out of the hand, late jump through the zone, occasional arm-side-action.
CB: 76-78 mph. Thrown aggressively with intent, sharp 1/7 action, short tight wrinkle.
CH: 78-80 mph. Maintains arm speed, plays well off fastball, feel for the zone, fade action.

2. Gus Lucas, Washington Community (IL), 2022 
Positional Profile: LHP/ Multi-sport athlete with high-upside on the mound.
Body: 6-foot-5, 197-pounds. Extra-large, physical, broad-shouldered build.
Delivery: Simple delivery, works across his body, creates an uncomfortable look for a hitter.
Arm Action: LH. Clean arm, has length on the backside, quick out front, high 3/4 window.
FB: T86, 83-86 mph. Late, lively action, jumps through the zone, late run.
CB: 74-83 mph. Still harnessing pitch but has taken big strides since our last look. Thrown aggressively, shape and velocity varied but showed tight spin and feel for pitch.
CH: 72-75 mph. Showed feel, late run, locates to the arm-side.

3. Shane Curtin, Mount Carmel (IL), 2022 
Positional Profile: LHP/OF 
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Lean, wiry frame.
Delivery: Controlled balanced repeatable delivery, works with rhythm, on-line, lands square, controlled at foot strike, minimal effort throughout.
Arm Action: LH. Clean, uninterrupted arm circle. Works loose and quick out front; high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-82 mph. Controls the zone, pitches to both sides of the plate, late arm-side-run.
CB: 70-71 mph. 1/7 shape, occasional sweeping action.
CH: 71-73 mph. Advanced offering. Maintains arm speed, feel for the bottom of the zone, fade and sinking action.

4. Dominic Corgiat, Fenwick (IL), 2022 
Positional Profile: LHP/ 
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic, high-waisted frame with more room for added strength.
Delivery: Side-rocker step delivery, works slightly across his body, creates some deception.
Arm Action: LH. Long, quick arm action, high 3/4 window.
FB: T83, 80-83 mph. Lively out of the hand, plays up, late arm-side-run.
CB: 68-70 mph. Thrown aggressively, 1/7 shape, slurve type, flashed late action, potential out pitch.
CH: 76-76 mph. Slight fade at times.

5. Brady Banker, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2022 
Positional Profile: LHP/1B 
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Compact frame with strength.
Delivery: Smooth, controlled drop and drive delivery, lands square, fluid rhythm throughout and minimal effort.
Arm Action: LH. Long loose clean arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. Showed control, late arm-side-run and finish through the zone.
CB: 69-70 mph. 1/7 shape, ability to land for strikes.
CH: 73-75 mph. Works down in the zone, slight fade.

TOP RHP PROSPECTS

1. Owen Murphy, Riverside-Brookfield (IL), 2022 (Notre Dame commit)
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Athletic, proportional frame.
Delivery: Highly-athletic on the mound, strong front side, on line with target, lands square with present rhythm throughout, easy velocity.
Arm Action: RH. Short, loose, lively arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T92, 89-91 mph. Comes out easy, plays mostly straight with heavy action, strikes to all corners of the zone.
CB: 75-79 mph. 11/5 shape, plays down in the zone.
CH: 81-84 mph. Near fastball arm speed, showed arm-side run, strikes.

2. Ethan Patera, Downers Grove South (IL), 2022 (Louisville commit)
Positional Profile: RHP/1B Continues to solidify himself as one of the top power arms in the state.
Body: 6-foot-4, 220-pounds. Long-levered, athletic, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Slow and controlled delivery, rides back hip down the mound, tilt in shoulders, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T92, 88-91 mph. Jumps out of the hand, late arm-side-action at times, late hop through the zone.
SL: 77-80 mph. Thrown with intent, tight spin, late bite, swing and miss potential.
CH: 84-87 mph. Aggressive, power action, lives down in the zone.

3. Jack Bach, Normal University (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-4, 210-pounds. Physical, durable, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Side-rocker step, works in rhythm, stays on-line and lands front toe slightly open at times.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, uninterrupted arm action works quick out front, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 86-88 mph. Hard, late running action, controlled the zone.
CB: 73-76 mph. Thrown with intent, 12/6 shape, late, short wrinkle.
CH: 80-82 mph. Fastball arm speed, late hard run and sink action, potential out pitch.

4. Abram Wills, Coal City (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 5-foot-10, 195-pounds. Compact, durable, wide-shouldered frame.
Delivery: Full windup, drop and drive delivery, works across his body, repeats and controls his body.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm actio, high 3/4 slot, quick out front.
FB: T89, 86-88 mph. Thrown for strikes, heavy action, occasional run and sink.
CB: 69-71 mph. 10/4 shape, slurvy action, lands for strikes.
CH: 80-81 mph. Aggressive, down in the zone.

5. Kaiser Quick, Metamora (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP Emerged as a 2022 arm to follow.
Body: 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, sloped shoulders, plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Methodical, slow and controlled delivery, inward turn at balance point, unfolds on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose whippy arm action, quick out front; 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Lively and clean out of the hand, jump through the zone. Works mostly straight.
SL: 75-78 mph. Thrown with intent, shape matches arm slot; late sweeping action, sharp spin, feel, swing-and-miss potential.
CH: 75-78 mph. Maintains arm speed, arm-side-run.

6. Alex Alberico, Providence Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 195-pounds. Strong frame, powerful lower half.
Delivery: Slow and controlled delivery, works on-line in rhythm and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot works quick out front with minimal effort.
FB: T89, 87-87 mph. Easy out of the hand, late ride, occasional cutting action.
SL: 77-83 mph. Thrown with intent, cutter type action, late, small 10/4 action.
CH: 78-81 mph. Maintains arm speed, sink and fade action.

7. Nicholas Kolze, Romeoville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. Strong, proportional frame.
Delivery: Coiled drop/drive type delivery, deceptive, proportional to target, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T89, 87-88 mph. Four-seam type, difficult to pick up out of the hand, lively action, plays up in the zone.
CB: 74-78 mph. Sharp 12/6 shape, works down in the zone.
CH: 79-82 mph. Near fastball arm speed, flashed slight arm-side run.

8. Luka Radicevich, Joliet Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame. Quick twitch athlete.
Delivery: Drop/drive delivery, twitchy lower half, short strider, works directional to target, front toe closed on landing.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T87, 85-87 mph. Cutting action, plays toward glove-side of plate.
SL: 75-78 mph. Sharp 11/5 shape, thrown with fastball arm speed, works down in the zone.
SPLT: 79-81 mph. Plays with arm-side fade.

9. Kyle Rossy, Glenbard West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-3, 195-pounds. Strong, athletic slope-shouldered build.
Delivery: Smooth delivery, works on-line, lands square and with some effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, whippy arm action, works quick out front, 3/4 slot.
FB: T87, 82-86 mph. Lively out of the hand, inconsistent action.
SL: 70-72 mph. 10/4 sweeping action.
SPLT: 76-78 mph. Fastball arm speed, down in the zone.

10. Jorgie Vazquez, Mount Carmel (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 168-pounds. Athletic, proportional frame.
Delivery: Athletic on the mound, drop/drive type delivery, uphill shoulders, throws directional to target, smooth and confident rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Plays with arm-side-run, tilt at times.
CB: 67-71 mph. Tight 11/5 shape, plays down in the zone.
CH: 74-76 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed, flashed arm-side run.

11. Ysen Useni, Crystal Lake South (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-3, 220-pounds. Physical, well-proportioned frame. Strong lower half.
Delivery: Physical presence on the mound, athletic drop/drive delivery, level shoulders stay strong, falls towards first base side at time, throws with some effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T87, 86-87 mph. Four-seam type.
SL: 70-71 mph. 11/5 shape, tight spin.
CH: 76-78 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed, plays straight and down in the zone.

12. Roger Simon, Loyola Academy (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF Feel for three-pitch mix.
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Athletic, wide-shouldered frame.
Delivery: Methodical drop and drive delivery, works across his body and spins off on finish at times.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T85, 83-85 mph. Late finish, occasional arm-side-run and sink.
CB: 73-78 mph. Maintains arm speed, tight spin, 11/5 shape, late action, swing-and-miss potential.
CH: 80-81 mph. Thrown aggressively, heavy sink, down in the zone.

13. Elias Hachem, Mount Carmel (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-5, 220-pounds. Extra-large, wide-shouldered, physically imposing frame.
Delivery: Side rocker step into a tall and fall delivery, creates angle, with regular effort.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, uninterrupted arm circle. Works loose and quick out front; high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 80-83 mph. Works mostly straight, creates tilt and late run at times.
CB: 67-71 mph. 11/5 shape, tight spin, late action.
SL: 71-76 mph. Blends with curveball at times. 10/4 shape, short wrinkle.
CH: 75-78 mph. Fade action.

14. Tony Pluta, St. Viator (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: C/RHP Two-way potential.
Body: 5-foot-7, 146-pounds. Smaller, athletic frame.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, works slightly across his body, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm action plays out of a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 81-84 mph. Comes out easy, mostly straight, occasional arm-side action, thrown for strikes.
CB: 69-71 mph. Maintains arm speed, 12/6 shape, tight spin.
CH: 76-78 mph. Late arm-side-run, feel for the zone.

15. Sebastian Gutierrez, Nazareth Academy (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Methodical drop/drive type delivery, works directional to target and lands square, some rhythm throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 80-81 mph. Showed both run and sink, some strikes.
CB: 65-68 mph. Horizontal 11/5 shape, thrown with near fastball arm speed.
CH: 68-74 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed, late fading action, feel for pitch.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Alexander Cherian, Niles West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. Athletic build with room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Stretch-only drop and drive delivery, works on-line and lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 78-82 mph. Plays mostly straight with occasional arm-side-run.
CB: 64-66 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action.
CH: 69-74 mph. Mostly straight action.

Landon Geragosian, Breese Central (IL), 2022 
Positional Profile: RHP/OF 
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Long-levered, high-waisted, projectable frame.
Delivery: Smooth drop and drive delivery, works on-line and repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick loose arm action, high 3/4 window.
FB: T82, 79-82 mph. Works mostly straight with occasional sink.
SL: 70-73 mph. Short, late sweeping action.
CH: 74-77 mph. Sinking action.

Frank Hummel, Minooka (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned build.
Delivery: Segmented tall and fall delivery, stays on-line.
Arm Action: LH. Long draw out of the glove, short 3/4 window.
FB: T80, 79-80 mph. Late arm-side-run.
CB: 63-65 mph. 2/8 shape, sweeping action.
CH: 68-70 mph. Works mostly straight.

Jake Kohanzo, Barrington (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 190-pounds. Wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Delivery: Full windup, tall and fall delivery lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T83, 80-83 mph. Occasional arm-side-run.
CB: 70-71 mph. 11/5 shape, depth at times.
CH: 74-76 mph. 

Chase Krueger, Glenbard West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Average, proportional frame.
Delivery: Stretch-only delivery, minimal wasted movement, inward coil at balance point, works across his body, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Quick, loose, easy arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 79-82 mph. Comes out of the hand easy, late run, sneaky life, plays best when he stays on top.
CB: 67-70 mph. Tight spin, 10/4 sweeping shape, lands for strikes, potential out pitch.
CH: 72-75 mph. Flashed sink.

Quinten Lane, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 185-pounds. Strong frame, durable lower half.
Delivery: Side-rocker step, drop and drive delivery, works slow and controlled, stays closed down the mound, lands square
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Arm-side-run, elevated in the zone.
SL: 70-71 mph. Maintains arm speed, best from the stretch, 10/4 shape.
CH: 69-72 mph. Fade action.

Ryan Norman, Minooka (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Controlled, methodical, drop and drive delivery, works slightly across his body and lands front-toe square.
Arm Action: RH. Uninterrupted, clean arm action, comes out of a high 3/4 window.
FB: T78, 76-78 mph. Works mostly straight, showed control.
CB: 68-69 mph. Maintains arm speed, 11/5 shape, short wrinkle.
CH: 71-73 mph. Feel down in the zone, late fade.

Cade Nowik, Lake Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot, 185-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered frame, sturdy lower half.
Delivery: Rocker step, drop and drive delivery, firm landing, front-toe slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short draw out of the glove, comes out of an over-the-top slot.
FB: T84, 81-83 mph. Works straight.
CB: 65-68 mph. 12/6 shape, underneath.
CH: 75-77 mph. Works mostly straight, flashed fade.

Brayden Pals, Effingham (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-5, 180-pounds. Long-levered, high-waisted, projectable frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works across his body, lands closed and finishes upright.
Arm Action: RH. Short draw out of the glove, quick out front, over-the-top slot.
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Mostly straight action.
SL: 65-71 mph. 10/4 shape, occasional sweeping action and depth.
CH: 74-77 mph. Works mostly straight, occasional sink.

Easton Rakers, Breese Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot, 145-pounds. Lean, high-waisted build.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, works on line with target, lands square with an upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, showed both a 3/4 and sidearm slot.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Flashed slight cutting action.
SL: 65-68 mph. 11/5 shape, sweeping action.
CH: 69-71 mph. Plays with sink, works down in the zone.

Cole Shamhart, Oak Park River Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 145-pounds. Long-levered frame. Young look with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Simple, quiet tall and fall delivery, works across his body and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short, clean arm action, high 3/4 slot, easy effort.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Clean and easy out of the hand, occasional late arm-side-run.
CB: 69-71 mph. Fastball arm speed, 11/5 shape, sharp spin, potential out pitch.
CH: 74-78 mph. Thrown with intent, sinking action at times.

Dylan Warda, Brother Rice (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Long-limbed with plenty of room for added strength.
Delivery: Tilt and topple delivery, works on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot and regular effort throughout.
FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Plays mostly straight.
CB: 70-72 mph. 12/6 action, depth at times.
CH: 76-78 mph. Maintains arm speed, late sink.

Luke Wolff, Joliet West (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Athletic proportional build.
Delivery: Side-step delivery, high front side, squared landing.
Arm Action: RH. Long full arm swing, loose out front, over-the-top slot.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Lively out of the hand.
CB: 65-68 mph. 11/5 shape.
CH: 72-73 mph. Fade action, feel for zone from windup.

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