Class of 2025 Showcase: Position Player Analysis
November 16, 2023
On Oct. 8, PBR Illinois hosted the fall’s Class of 2025 Showcase at The MAX in McCook, Ill., where nearly 50 prospects participated. These Class of 2025 athletes all remain uncommitted as they enter their junior year offseason.
For a closer look at the showcase details, click here. For a complete look at those that were in attendance, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here.
C/1B Anthony Batshon (Lockport) and OF Dylan Hecht (DePaul College Prep) are two right-handed hitters to know from the event. Both took polished rounds of BP, repeating hard lifted contact throughout with present bat strength.
Continue reading for a look at all of the position players from the event.
TOP POSITION PLAYERS
No. 1 Beni Espinosa SS / 2B / DePaul College Prep, IL / 2025Positional Profile: SS/2B |
No. 2 Aadden Guerrero SS / OF / St. Laurence, IL / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 78 / POS: 19
Positional Profile: SS/RHP |
No. 3 Jonathan Medina Jr OF / St. Laurence, IL / 2025Positional Profile: OF |
No. 4 Braylon McNair 1B / RHP / Lindblom Math & Science , IL / 2025Positional Profile: 1B/RHP |
No. 5 Jackson Newton OF / LHP / Dunlap, IL / 2025Positional Profile: OF/LHP |
No. 6 Ethan Mendez SS / 3B / Benet Academy , IL / 2025Positional Profile: SS/3B |
No. 7 Alec Gunderson SS / C / St Ignatius College Prep, IL / 2025Positional Profile: SS/C |
No. 8 Evion Rodriguez 3B / OF / Morgan Park, IL / 2025Positional Profile: 3B/OF |
No. 9 Owen Strahl OF / 3B / Lake Zurich, IL / 2025Positional Profile: OF/3B |
No. 10 Theodore Greco SS / 2B / Lane Tech, IL / 2025Positional Profile: SS/2B |
BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Bernabe Astorga III, Morgan Park (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 205-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base with slight crouch, small leg lift, short stride. Long, slightly uphill path, flashed barrel feel to the pull-side. 65.7 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 77.1 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Long, quick arm, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays tall, two-hand gather out front, fields ball to body, clean transfer, moves well to both sides.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60.
Anthony Batshon, Lockport (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds. Strong build throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced base, small leg lift with minimal stride, stays in control. Simple without much added movement. Uphill path, flashed barrel feel and bat strength to the pull-side. 72.3 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 71.5 mph. 320’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.19 pop times. One-knee down squat, comfortable hands, presents target, works up through the baseball, sticks the pitch.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60.
Oliver Brandow, Champaign Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Strong, defined build.
Hit: RHH. Wide base. Quick toe-tap load. Short to the ball, mostly flat path, works up the middle, flashed bat strength. 69.7 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 85.6 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. 3/4 slot, accurate to bag.
Defense: Secures the baseball, two-hand gather, fields ball to body.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60.
Andres Becerra, Proviso West (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-7, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open base with crouch, small leg lift with medium stride length. Simple swing, long path that works uphill. Worked middle-away. 60.3 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 74 max exit velocity, averaged 70.2 mph. 215’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 69 mph. Shorter arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, fields ball to body, clean transfer.
Run: 8.32 runner in the 60.
Alex Behles, Huntley (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-0, 220-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall, wider base, hands start shifted back, toe-tap stride. Direct, flat path, stays long through the zone, on the barrel. 71.6 mph bat speed with 5 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 85.4 mph. 289’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 75 mph. Quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, sure-handed.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60.
Sean Campbell, Riverside-Brookfield (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, small, up/down leg lift. Inside out approach, worked up the middle. In control and balanced through contact. 63.1 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 73.6 mph. 222’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Lower 3/4 slot with accuracy to the bag.
Defense: Lets ball travel, works around the ball, two-hand gather, clean transfer.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60.
Luke Canada, Timothy Christian (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Taller setup, relaxed, small load, stays controlled through swing. Long swing, uphill path with aggression. 70.9 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 68.6 mph. 252’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Quick arm from 3/4 slot. Accurate to bag.
Defense: Quick first step, works aorund the ball, sure-handed.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60.
Logan Carlson, South Elgin (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open, tall setup, leg-lift trigger, agressive foot strike. Flat bat path, long through contact, pull-side approach. 65.2 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 80.6 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Quick, long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: One-hand gather out front, fields ball in-stride, crow hops into throw.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60.
Joseph DalPonte, Lockport (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup, fluid load and leg-lift timing trigger. Aggressive swing with uphill path, looks to elevate the baseball. 66.2 mph bat speed with 5 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 74.6 mph. 265’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Long, clean arm action, 3/4 slot; carry, accurate to bag.
Defense: Athletic actions, works around the ball, clean footwork.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60.
Kaleb Elwood, Aurora Christian (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-7, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, quick leg-lift trigger, balanced finish. Direct path, mostly flat path, works on top of the baseball. 59.7 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 76.6 mph. 219’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 75 mph. INF: Loose arm, accurate, side arm. C: Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, accurate.
Defense: 1.95-2.21 pop times. INF: Works around ball, sure handed with quickness from side-to-side. C: One-knee down look, presents a big target, works up through the baseball, presents pitches well.
Run: 7.64 runner in the 60.
Nick Francis-Miller, Metamora (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, small load. Short, uphill bat path, consistent contact to the middle/pull-side. 64.4 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 70.9 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather out front, works towards target.
Run: 8.08 runner in the 60.
Ryan Frano, Glenbard East (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide base with high hands, weight shift load, balanced finish. Long and level path, gap-to-gap approach, balanced through contact. 68 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 85 mph. Loose, whippy arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the ball, one-hand gather, works through the ball, shuffle step on throws.
Run: 6.92 runner in the 60.
Jaden Gonzalez, Lyons Township (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds. Athletic frame with some strength.
Hit: RHH. Wider, open setup. Short, quick leg lift trigger, aggressive footstrike. Strong hands. Short and uphill path, creates bat speed, controlled the barrel, pull-side approach. 69.7 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 73.2 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Carry to the bag from multiple slots.
Defense: Flashed athletic actions, plays from the ground up, quick first step.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60.
Dylan Hecht, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. High-waisted with strength.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, controlled leg lift, aggressive to ball, stays on balance through contact. Aggressive/intentful swing, long through the zone with a slightly uphill path, barreled up the baseball at times. 66.1 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 306’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Long, quick arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather out front, works in-stride, shuffle step crow hop, works towards target.
Run: 7.65 runner in the 60.
Justin Hodges, Hononegah (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open setup, small load, controlled stride with balance. Long, uphill swing, consistent contact up the middle and to the pull-side. 59.4 mph bat speed with 5 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 74.1 mph. 254’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather in-stride, shuffle step on throws to home.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60.
Patrick Kennedy, Champaign Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, minimal leg lift with long stride. Long to contact, barrel works out front, some all fields feel. 71.2 mph bat speed with 4 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 77 mph. 277’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.19 pop times. Athletic, quick first step, quick to release, body works in-line to target. Soft hands, soft blocker.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60.
Luke Krumwiede, Paxton-Buckley-Loda (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 166-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Closed stance, wide base, minimal leg lift and stride. Long path that stays mostly flat, finishes on backside. 61.6 mph bat speed with 5 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 71.9 mph. 261’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Short action from a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, two-hand gather out front, quick to release.
Run: 7.68 runner in the 60.
Jace Lautemann, Routt Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 5-9, 168-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Open base with lower hands, big leg-lift trigger. Long and uphill bat path, looks to elevate the baseball. 65.3 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 81.8 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 74 mph. Clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather in-stride, looks to attack the ball, works well around the ball.
Run: runner in the 60.
Edward Lopez, Mount Carmel (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 167-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open base, toe-tap trigger into controlled stride. Quick hands, short and direct path, gets on top of the baseball, worked up the middle. 65.8 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 73.4 mph. 283’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Short, quick arm, low 3/4 slot. Accurate to bag.
Defense: Quick first step with some bounce, two-hand gather out front.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60.
Eli Ordower, Niles West (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, tall setup, leg lift into controlled stride, stays balanced through swing. Quick hands, short to the ball, flat through the zone, controlled aggression. 66.8 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 78.5 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Showed multiple arm slots, accurate on throws.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, quick first step.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60.
Roan Orlanes, Naperville Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, high leg lift into longer stride. Aggressive to ball. Quick hands, short/direct to the ball with a flat path. All fields approach. 67 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 75.9 mph. 249’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Compact arm action, quick, 3/4 slot.
Defense: One-hand gather, shuffle step on throws, works in-line.
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60.
Wyatt Pierson, Delavan (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, toe-tap trigger, balanced finnsih. Long and uphill path, gap-to-gap approach. 60.8 mph bat speed with 2 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 67.3 mph. 279’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short, low 3/4 slot, carry to throws, accurate.
Defense: Attacks the ball, plays tall, fields ball to body, quick, clean transfer.
Run: 8.47 runner in the 60.
Zachary Ponce, Pleasant Plains (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-4, 195-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, slightly open, toe-tap trigger. Short path that works uphill to contact. Barrel works out front, looks to elevate the baseball, favored the opposite field. 67.8 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 304’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.04-2.18 pop times. Agile behind the plate, works around the plate on throw downs, quick, clean transfer. Soft hands when receiving.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60.
Max Russ, Immaculate Conception Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletic build with projection.
Hit: LHH. Tall, open setup. Controlled load and stride works back to even. Long bat path, uphill path through the zone, up the middle approach. 65.6 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 80.9 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 85 mph. Quick, athletic arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic, easy, fluid outfield actions, comfortable on the move, gains ground through release.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60.
Vincent Skokal, St. Rita (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Closed setup, leg-lift trigger into aggressive footplant. Direct, uphill path, above-average bat speed, twitchy. 62.1 mph bat speed with 20 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 79.2 mph. 270’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 67 mph. OF - 78 mph. C: Short, over-the-top slot. OF: Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.33-2.51 pop times. C: Quick first step, clean transfer, works on-line to target. Sure-handed, presents low target. OF: Attacks the ball in-stride, crow hop, works on-line to target.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60.
Nicholas Splitt, Lemont (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-0, 194-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, narrow, tall base, small leg lift with longer stride. Strong hands, short, aggressive swing, slightly uphill at times, looks to elevate the ball. 68.9 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.4 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, steady hands.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.
Vai Stulga, Joliet Central (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, small leg lift with minimal stride. Stays in control and on balance throughout. Short swing with aggression at times. Mostly flat path, worked the middle/pull-side of the field. 66.3 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 79.9 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. 3/4 slot with some carry.
Defense: One-hand gather out front, works through the ball. Worked around the bag well on double play.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.
Chase Vargo, Fremd (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, small leg lift into short stride. Direct, quick to the ball, flat path through the zone, consistently on the barrel. 68.8 mph bat speed with 20 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 74 mph. Short arm action, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather, attacks the ball, crow hop on throws.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60.
Cristian Zaragoza, Lyons Township (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/C
Body: 6-0, 167-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, small, up/down leg lift. Short to the ball, long through the zone, uphill path. 61.7 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 77 max exit velocity, averaged 60.6 mph. 253’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.20-2.26 pop times. Athletic, quick out of the crouch, quick and clean transfer.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60.