Underclass Showcase: Preview Story
October 14, 2021
On Sunday, October 17, the PBR Illinois staff will head back to The MAX Sports Complex in McCook, Illinois, to host the final event on our 2021 calendar - the Underclass Showcase. This annual open event allows our staff an opportunity to get one final up-close look at the current freshman and sophomore classes in the state prior to the beginning of the off-season.
For more details on this event, including how to register, click HERE. You can also find a complete list of which players are set to attend this weekend by clicking HERE.
ROSTER PREVIEW
We’re eager to get an up-to-date look at the 60+ players set to workout at The MAX on Sunday, including several brand new faces to our scouting staff. Combing through the current roster, here are a few quick nuggets on some names that stand out:
+ OF Luke Jurack (Hinsdale Central) debuted on our initial Illinois’ 2024 rankings that we rolled out last week. Jurack played a role in the Red Devils’ offense in his first year at the high school level and he’s an athletic 5-foot-10, 175-pound prospect that looked the part throughout the summer circuit at PBR tournaments. This’ll be the first time we’ll see him in a showcase setting since last year’s Underclass Invitational, where he was amongst the top performers in attendance as identified by our scouting staff.
2024 SS Luke Jurack (Hinsdale HS) delivers his second hit of the day and an RBI out of the lead off spot for @CangelosiSparks in the semi-finals of the #Super15.@PBRIllinois pic.twitter.com/JazroZdzMk
— Andy Urban PBR (@PbrUrban) July 12, 2021
+ INF Trey Schilling (Lincoln Community) popped up on our radar at an event this winter and the 5-foot-10, 165-pound infielder performed throughout the IHSA season and at the inaugural Illinois State Games. A brief nugget on Schilling from a “Diamond Notes” article this spring:
“Lincoln Community went 5-0 in Week 1 play, and starting the freshman third baseman helped make that happen. Schilling went 7-for-15 last week, with three extra-base hits that included a pair of doubles and a triple, in turn producing five RBIs and six runs scored. He’s also been a reliable defender at the hot corner, and even came in relief to earn a few high leverage outs in a win.”
+ Both INF David Cox (Nazareth Academy, 2024) and OF Luca Royer (Lake Forest, 2024) offer upside attached to fairly advanced physical frames for their age. Cox stands at a proportionally strong 6-foot-3, 190-pounds, while Royer’s built at a lankier 6-foot-3, 195-pounds.
+ Amongst the 2025 prospects set to attend, CIF Enzo Infelise (Providence Catholic) is one of the top names on this roster. A strong, sturdy 6-foot, 190-pound presence in the batter’s box, Infelise showed well at this year’s PBR Junior Future games as he represented Team Illinois, showcasing easy raw power both in BP and during gameplay.
ITINERARY
CHECK-IN TIMES
Position Players: 8:30-8:45 AM
Pitcher Onlys: 11:30 AM
CHECK-IN PROCESS
In an effort to continue and develop a simplified, contactless check-in process, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PBR profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name. From there, players will be instructed to the area where they’ll pick up their designated jersey color and number.
MORE EVENT DETAILS
Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.
Finally, masks are strongly encouraged during non-baseball activity. We will facilitate a contact-less check-in. Hand sanitizer stations will be accessible. Wear baseball clothes; assigned and numbered PBR jerseys will be provided.