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., and over 110 of Illinois’ best freshman and sophomores represented themselves at the sold-out event last weekend.

Earlier today, we published our rapid analysis from the event in a loaded Quick Hits post. Inside, we detailed the hefty list of highlights coming out of The MAX. 

In this post below, we’re spending some time breaking down the statistical leaders from the showcase in each of the measured categories. Stay tuned in the coming weeks when videos from the showcase are posted to profiles and when we begin our position-by-position analysis. For now, here’s a look at all of the measured data taken from Sunday’s underclass event.

MAX FASTBALL VELOCITY

Rank	Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Max FB
1	Owen Murphy	IL	Riverside-Brookfield	2022	3B	92 mph
^	Ethan Patera	IL	Downers Grove South	2022	RHP	92 mph
2	Nicholas Kolze	IL	Romeoville	2022	RHP	89 mph
^	Alex Alberico	IL	Providence Catholic	2022	RHP	89 mph
^	Abram Wills	IL	Coal City	2022	RHP	89 mph
3	Julien Hachem	IL	Mount Carmel	2022	LHP	88 mph
^	Jack Bach	IL	Normal University	2022	RHP	88 mph
4	Luka Radicevich	IL	Joliet Catholic	2022	OF	87 mph
^	Kyle Rossy	IL	Glenbard West	2022	RHP	87 mph
^	Ysen Useni	IL	Crystal Lake South	2022	RHP	87 mph
5	Gus Lucas	IL	Washington Community	2022	LHP	86 mph
6	Kaiser Quick	IL	Metamora	2022	RHP	85 mph
^	Roger Simon	IL	Loyola Academy	2022	OF	85 mph
^	Tony Pluta	IL	St. Viator	2022	RHP	85 mph

Right away, it’s clear to see just how electrifying some of the performances were from the rubber last Sunday. Pacing this group were two right-handers who spent time representing Illinois at the 2019 PBR Future Games in Georgia: Owen Murphy (Riverside-Brookfield, 2022; Notre Dame commit) and Ethan Patera (Downers Grove South, 2022; Louisville). Patera’s lanky and loose 6-foot-4 frame helps him project as one of the top ‘22s in the Midwest, while Murphy’s athleticism and quick arm helped him climb way up the radar gun since we saw him in Georgia. Murphy also excelled on defense and at the plate, too. Providence Catholic’s RHP Alex Alberico (uncommitted) was also selected to the Team Illinois Future Games roster last summer and he was able to top himself with an 89 mph high.

Tied with an 89 mph best were fellow strong, sturdy uncommitted righties Nicholas Kolze (Romeoville, 2022; uncommitted) and Abram Wills (Coal City; uncommitted). Julien Hachem (Mount Carmel; Oklahoma) recorded an 88 mph to lead the lefties in attendance. Freshmen right-handers Nicholas Lacson (Barrington; uncommitted) and Grant Tenuta (Sandburg) were each up to 84 mph to lead the 2023 group.

TOP 60-YARD DASH

There were 14 underclassmen who recorded sub-7.00 laser-timed 60-yard dash marks on Sunday, led by Hogan Schmitt (Yorkville, 2022; uncommitted) who blazed to a 6.45 event-low. Lincoln-Way East sophomore Alex Stanwich (Tennessee) was one of the 2022 stars of last summer’s Future Games and he shined once again on Sunday. His 6.58 time in the 60 was the next best and you’ll see him at or near the top some of other leaderboards below. Myles Supurgeci (Mount Carmel, 2022; uncommitted) also clocked in at an elite 6.66 mark to land. Minooka’s Mikey Murphy (uncommitted) led all freshmen with 6.68 time and he also added an impressive round of BP.

TOP EXIT VELOCITY

Stanwich’s 106 mph high at the Future Games was the best in the illustrious event’s history, and he topped 99 mph on Sunday, but for some context, Mundelein 1B Daniel Pacella (2022; Kentucky) recorded a 107 mph event-best at The MAX. He led the next best by seven big ticks and looks like one of the state’s best lefty power threats already. C Zander Buchan (Maine South, 2022; South Carolina) is one of the best prospects in both the state and the country and he reasserted that fact on Sunday. He’s a switch-hitter with a short, strong swing and he broke into the triple digits at the exit velocity station over the weekend. Kolze showed he can handle the bat as well as he also topped 100 mph off the tee. Huntley freshman C Ryan Bakes (uncommitted) led the 2023s with a 97 mph high.

TOP INFIELD VELOCITY

RHP/1B Ysen Useni (Crystal Lake South, 2022; uncommitted) is a hulking 6-foot-3 with big arm strength and he topped 87 mph from both the mound and from across the infield, and the latter led the event. Versatile sophomore Jack Scheri (La Salle Peru; uncommitted) was the only 2022 position player on Team Illinois last summer at LakePoint. On Sunday he was 85 mph across the infield, topped 99 mph at the exit velo station and also ran a 7.08. Estevan Moreno (Montini Catholic, 2022; uncommitted) was one of the day’s overall winners for multiple reasons, but his infield defense and big arm were part of the equation. Prairie Ridge sophomore Braden Thelander (uncommitted) has a short, live arm on the mound that we’ve seen in the past, and it carries across the diamond, too.

TOP OUTFIELD VELOCITY

This is another leaderboard where you can find Stanwich at the top. His 95 mph high to home led the event. Stevenson’s Jordan Skolmar (2022; uncommitted) was another name who pronounced himself in multiple categories on Sunday, including this one, when he recorded a 94 mph high on his throws to the plate – Skolmar also ran a 6.71 and topped 97 mph off the tee. The other Bakes brother, freshman Brayden (Huntley; uncommitted), is a left-handed-hitting outfielder who topped 87 mph to home to lead the 2023 group and he also notably ran a 6.88 and was 91 mph at the exit velo station.

TOP CATCHER VELOCITY

Buchan recorded some of the day’s lowest pop times and was locked in a three-way tie for top velocity out of the crouch at 80 mph. Joining him at the top on this chart: Saint Viator’s Tony Pluta (2022; uncommitted) and Grayslake Central’s Charlie Marisca (2022; Missouri). Also worth noting, Pluta was up to 85 mph on the mound with a feel for three pitches. As for Marisca, he's a strong defender with an upside left-handed bat. Joliet Catholic sophomore Ryan Louthan (2022; uncommitted) was just a tick behind the trio ahead of him. Michigan commit Nate Voss (Marist, 2022) is a smooth defender and topped 76 mph on his precise throws through the infield.

TOP POP TIMES

McHenry’s Cooper Cohn (2023; uncommitted) is an athletic freshman with natural actions for a backstop – and he was also up to 83 mph on the mound. The aforementioned Marisca averaged the day’s lowest pop times while Voss, Pluta, and Buchan weren’t far behind. Glenwood backstop Will Plattner (2022; uncommitted) is worth a mention here considering his pops ranged from 2.01 to 2.10 with his right-handed bat standing out at the event. Something similar can be said about Victor Izquierdo (Lockport, 2022; uncommitted) who was consistent out of the chute with the potential to carry the middle of a lineup.

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