Week 7 Games
May 5, 2023
The Illinois Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the Illinois Scout Blog is loaded with information ...
KENWOOD AT NAZARETH - 4/29/23
By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director
Phillip Thigpen, INF, Kenwood, 2025
Uncommitted. 5-foot-8, 155-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder. Started at second base and hit in the six-hole. Had a big day offensively going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Started a rally in the second inning when he drove a double off the top of the center field wall. Also barreled a ground ball up the middle for a single in his third at-bat. Covers the whole plate, simple flat swing, stays within himself and the ball has sneaky jump off the barrel.
Phillip Thigpen
Kevari Thunderbird, LHP, Kenwood, 2024
Eastern Kentucky commit, currently ranked No. 30 in the Illinois’ 2024 class. Lean, wiry, left-handed pitcher, got the start on the mound. Struck out five in four-plus innings. Stretch-only delivery, works on-line, highly-athletic mover and quick worker. Loose, quick arm, ball comes out of the hand clean and lively. Challenged hitters throughout with his fastball, plays mostly straight, around the zone and sat 84-86 mph. Mixed in a breaking ball with slurvy 1/7 shape and occasional depth at 74-75 mph. Also showed a straight changeup at 81 mph. Plenty more velocity and stuff to tap into down the road.
Kevari Thunderbird
Jimmy Downs, 3B, Kenwood, 2025
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 34 in the Illinois’ 2025 class. Right-handed hitter with a 5-foot-11, 190-pound, strong, thick build. Flashed advanced bat speed for his age at the plate. Finished 1-for-4 with an RBI. Flew out to left-field in his first at-bat; 6.76 second hang time on the fly ball. Singled to left-field in his second at-bat. Middle of the order presence with some of the better right-handed bat speed we have seen to-date in the class. Defensively, position profile remains to be seen but a right-handed bat to follow.
Jaden Fauske, 3B, Nazareth, 2025
Louisville commit, currently ranked No. 2 in the Illinois’ 2025 class. 6-foot-2, 182-pound, wide-shouldered, physical, athletically-built, left-handed hitter. Ability to play multiple positions but started at third base and hit in the three-hole against Kenwood. Finished 2-for-3, with two RBI, run scored and a walk. All kinds of presence and confidence in the box. Quiet, relaxed takes, sees pitches deep into the zone with twitchy, strong hands. Ball jumps off the bat, creates bat speed and uses the whole field. Hit a missile, run-scoring single, right back up the middle in his second at-bat of the day. Advanced left-handed bat that continues to impress everytime we see him.
Jaden Fauske
Cole Reifsteck, OF, Nazareth, 2024
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 165-pound, athletically-built, left-handed hitting outfielder. Started in left-field and hit in the six-hole. Finished 2-for-4 with a run scored. Creates havoc with his on-field speed. Ran a 4.18 on his infield single in his first at-bat. Quick out of the gate and easy runner. Also lined out to center field in his second at-bat and singled in his last at-bat. Also, covers ground and is an above-average outfielder. Athletic left-handed hitter to follow moving forward.
David Cox, INF/RHP, Nazareth, 2024
Northwestern commit, currently ranked No. 29 in the Illinois’ 2024 class. 6-foot-4, 200-pound, broad-shouldered, well-proportioned frame. Moves much better all around the field than his frame would indicate. Started at shortstop and hit in the four-hole. Offensively, presence in the box, aggressive swing, present whip through the zone and ball jumps off the bat at times. Finished 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and run scored. Smoked a line-drive to left-field in his final at-bat and also drove a sacrifice fly to right field in his second-to-last at-bat. Also, came out of the bullpen and went three innings, giving up one hit, no earned runs, four strikeouts and two walks. Fastball plays around the bottom of the zone at 85-88 mph, touched 89 and went to a 74-77 mph breaking ball.
Collin Roche, C, Nazareth, 2025
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 180-pound, high-waisted, projectable, right-handed hitting catcher. Started behind the plate and hit in the seven-hole; finished 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and run scored. Knack for the barrel at the plate, was consistently on time, took quality at-bats throughout and uses the middle of the field. Grounded a single back up the middle in his first at-bat, drove a double to deep right-center in his third at-bat and lined a sacrifice fly to center field in his final at-bat. Steady receiver behind the plate, active blocker and works to present pitches.
Chase Zidlicky, RHP, Nazareth, 2025
Uncommitted. Long, wide-shouldered frame. Came out of the bullpen and warrants a follow moving forward. Went 1.1 innings of no hit baseball while striking out two and walking one. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and attacked with a fastball that sat at 81-82 mph. Went to a 69 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and occasional depth. Frame and stuff to keep an eye on moving forward.
LOCKPORT AT JOLIET WEST - 4/29/23
By: Peter Hamot
Area Scout, Staff Writer
Ryan Groberski, DH, Lockport, 2024
Uncommitted. Listed at 6-foot, 202-pounds with some strength throughout. Impressed at the plate with a simple right-handed swing that stays through the ball, using the middle/opposite part of the field consistently and also back-spinning the ball at times. Strong right-handed swing with some power potential. Finished the day 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and a run scored.
Joey Manzo, OF, Lockport, 2023
North Central commit. Currently ranked No. 164 in the state. 5-foot-17, 175-pound frame with room to add on strength. Hit out of the leadoff spot and finished the day 3-for-5