Illinois Fall Games: Names to Know
October 1, 2026
By: Kyle Rodriguez
IL/WI Content
This is the week of the Illinois Fall Games, taking place on October 12th at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex in Rantoul, IL, featuring players from the grad classes of 2029 through 2027. Over 100 players are headed to Rantoul this coming Saturday.
Inside this article, we're previewing the talent making its way down by analyzing Prep Baseball showcase data since the start of 2026 to find the most impressive statistical outliers and under-the-radar athletes on this weekend's rosters.
Notable 2027s
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Dayton Travis OF / 1B / Glenwood, IL / 2027
From 08/03/26:
+ Currently ranked No. 179 in the state. 5-foot-11, 179-pounds. One of the top performers for his team, finishing 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored.
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Eric Acevedo SS / 2B / Lane Tech, IL / 2027
From 03/30/26:
+ Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 186 in the state. Compact and wiry 5-foot-7, 145-pound frame. Started at second base and hit out of the two-hole, finishing the day 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and a walk. Above-average defender with crisp actions and a confident glove, moves well to either side with a quick first step, quick and clean release, arm can play from multiple angles. Right-handed hitter, wide base with a longer toe-tap stride, hands work on top of the baseball with some whip in the barrel, loose and athletic operation with upside.
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Hunter Bergdahl SS / RHP / Lakes Community, IL / 2027
From 08/03/26:
+ Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 225 in the state’s 2027 class. Athletic, high-waisted 6-foot, 180-pound frame with additional room to fill in. Bergdahl presented some intriguing arm strength on the mound, sitting in the mid-80s and topping 87 mph with a lively fastball at an 18.9” max HM. He also utilized a 12/6 curveball at 69-72 mph that showed notable depth with a -17.1” max HM, and flashed a changeup at 75 mph that he killed spin on. The right-hander is a still uncommitted arm to follow heading into his senior season.
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Aidan Gusta 1B / 3B / Carterville, IL / 2027
From 04/23/26:
+ Uncommitted. Physical 6-foot-4, 218-pound frame with strength. Batted seventh and served as the designated hitter for the Lions. The right-handed hitter showed easy barrel strength throughout the game, tallying three hits including a loud double that nearly left the yard in his final at-bat. He demonstrated a patient approach with the ability to fight off tough pitches and use the whole field. His swing works slightly uphill with the ability to generate backspin on contact. An uncommitted name for schools to follow.
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Carter Freeman C / RHP / Armstrong, IL / 2027
From 08/03/26:
+ Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 244 in the state. Compact, durable 5-foot-8, 190-pound frame with strength present in the lower half. Freeman secured a ton of swing-and-miss in his outing, punching out five batters through two scoreless innings. The right-hander possesses a lively three-pitch arsenal with feel for spin and movement with each selection. His fastball sat 83-86 mph with life and arm-side run out of the hand (18.8” avg IVB). He also utilized two high-spin breaking balls with a curveball at 72-75 mph (2,400+ avg rpm) and a slider at 73-76 mph (2,300+ avg rpm), and flashed a heavy fading changeup at 76 mph. The right-hander is an uncommitted name to know from the event.
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Garet Lobbins 1B / 3B / McHenry, IL / 2027
From 08/03/26:
+ Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 256 in the state. 6-foot, 171-pound frame, athletic and proportionate. Swung it well for our staff with a handful of barrels in-game, showing a strong uphill swing with bat-speed, doubling at 95 mph pull-side before collecting a loud out his following at-bat.
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Ian Boland SS / RHP / McHenry, IL / 2027
From 02/14/26:
+ RHP/INF Ian Boland (McHenry, 2027) emerged as yet another interesting 2027 prospect McHenry will have this upcoming spring to go along with the likes of Kaden Wasniewski (LSU commit) and the aforementioned Landon Clements (UIC). Boland deserves a mention for his work on the mound and at the plate. On the mound its a developing overall arsenal with above-average stuff including a fastball that ran up to 86.2 mph, averaging 85.8 with big running action, 16.4 inches of HM. Showed advanced spring on his 70-71 mph slider as well, peaking at 2,519 tpm (2,362 average) and 14.4 inches of HM as well while landing it in the zone at an 80% clip. He also killed sping on a 73-78 mph splitter as well. Offensively, the 6-foot-1, 164-pound, lean right-handed hitter showed advanced bat speed and hand speed while working on top of the baseball and using the whole field. Uncommitted 2027 two-way to follow moving forward.
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Notable 2028s
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Ty Bachman RHP / SS / Normal West, IL / 2028
From 08/03/26:
+ Currently ranked No. 48 in the state. 6-foot-4, 189-pound frame, long-levered with room to continue to fill out. Impressive week with the bat as he finished 3-for-5 with a triple, double, three RBIs and two runs scored. He also impressed on the mound with two scoreless innings and a fastball up to 86 mph.
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From 08/03/26:
+ Currently ranked No. 58 in the state. Lean, wiry and projectable 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame. Athletic and whippy right-handed swing with abilty to match plane and control the barrel, finished gameplay 2-for-5 with a home run, RBI and two runs scored.
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Gavin Hartigan SS / 3B / Nazareth Academy, IL / 2028
From 08/03/26:
+ Uncommitted and currently ranked No. 56 in the state’s 2028 class, Hartigan measured 5-foot-9, 176 pounds. The RHH put together an impressive showing in both the showcase and gameplay portions of the event. In the showcase, Hartigan ran a 6.65-second 60-yard dash, reached 83 mph across the diamond, and posted exit velocities up to 96 mph during his round of BP. In gameplay, Hartigan was consistently on the barrel throughout the second day, recording multiple exit velocities north of 88 mph, including a 90 mph single to the pull side. He flashed his athleticism throughout the week, running a 4.47-second home-to-first time. Hartigan finished with three hits on the week and is a name to follow heading into his junior season with the Roadrunners.
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Kaeson Ernst RHP / 1B / Warrensburg-Latham, IL / 2028
From 03/05/26:
+ 6-foot-5, 187-pound, long-levered, high-waisted projectable prospect, worked out as a position player as well but on this day it was his performance on the mound that really stood out. He oozes upside with his frame and long, loose, quick arm which makes it easy to dream on his current 82-85, T86 mph fastball making big jumps in the future. Ernst also showed feel for his three-pitch repertoire which includes a mid-70s curveball and 75-77 mph changeup. Name to watch in the coming years.
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Gaetano Lazzara SS / 3B / Lake Park, IL / 2028
From 08/03/26:
+ Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 99 in the state’s, Lazzara came out of the event a winner. Showed well defensively throughout gameplay. The SS showed off his range in games, making a handful of impressive plays, including a diving play recording an out at first. At the plate, recorded multiple EVs north of 90 mph including a 93 mph 2B. In the showcase, reached 97 mph EV with an average of 90 mph and a 372’ max distance. Ran a 7.03 60-yard dash and tossed 82 mph across the diamond. A smooth defender to keep an eye on in the 2028 class.
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Matteo Banuelos C / SS / Von Steuben Metro Science HS, IL / 2028
From 08/03/26:
+ Uncommitted, Banuelos came out a winner from the event. Measured 5-foot-10, 173-pounds with present strength. Currently ranked No. 63 in the state’s 2028 class, the LHH looks to be one of the top backstops in the state. In the showcase, peaked at 94.5 mph RV with an average of 91 mph. The backstop ran a 7.45 60-yard time and flashed a pop time range of 2.12-2.16 with a 72 mph C velocity. In gameplay, got hot in the back half of games, finishing with a triple to left-center (87 mph EV) and a single (83 mph EV) in the last two games. Sound defender behind the dish with athletic actions. A catcher to keep an eye on coming out of the event.
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Wesley Bogda OF / RHP / Crystal Lake South, IL / 2028
From 08/03/26:
+ Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 65 in the state. Wiry, projectable 6-foot-4, 197-pound frame. The left-handed hitter was aggressive in hitter’s counts throughout gameplay, finishing 2-for-5. His swing works flat, showcasing bat speed and jump off the bat at times. During the workout, he ran a 7.15 60 and peaked at 92 mph off the bat.
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From 08/03/26:
+ Uncommitted. An impact backstop for Huntley this spring, Artinghelli has continued to make strides in front of our staff. Defensively, showed quality actions both during the workout, with pop times as low as 1.99 seconds during the workout, while showcasing soft hands and mature defensive instincts during gameplay. At the plate, showed a clean, athletic left-handed swing, utilizing a longer knee knock stride to get into a position of launch with a slightly uphill bat path. During his batting practice, produced a 93.5 mph max exit velocity and an 87.9 mph average. Name to follow as he continues to add strength.
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Notable 2029s
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Charlie Kohman LHP / OF / Comm High School Dist 99 - North High School, IL / 2029
From 08/02/26:
+ Currently ranked No. 8 in the state and No. 178 nationally. 6-foot, 178-pound frame, projectable with wide shoulders and a high waist. Was in complete control over his two innings of work, striking out four without allowing a run. Clean, athletic mover that works in-line from a stacked balanced point. Loose and uninterrupted arm on the backside that hides it a bit before coming through with a high ¾ release. Fastball played up the 82 mph with heavy run arm-side, but the separator was his slider at 69-72 mph (2500 rpm) that he consistently collected whiffs with, throwing it in and under the zone with ease. He also flashed a quality third offering with a fading changeup at 74-75 mph. As impressive as he was at the plate, he holds upside at the plate as well with a clean and pretty left-handed swing, working uphill with loose hands.
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Kaleb Gossett SS / 3B / Yorkville, IL / 2029
From 05/06/26:
+ Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 162-pound frame, proportionate and athletic build. Started at second base and hit out of the nine-hole, finishing the day 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk. Scrappy right-handed hitter, flat path through the zone, clean swing and operation, confident look in the box. Athletic defender at second, quick hands and crisp actions, looks the part. Quick release with accurate throws. High-follow moving forward.
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Ryan Smith 1B / 3B / Bartlett, IL / 2029
From 08/02/26:
+ Currently ranked No. 34 in the state. Strong, durable 6-foot-1, 230-pound frame with impressive athleticism (7.26 runner). Was one of the more imposing bats all weekend and continued to show why he’s one of the top right-handed bats in the state. It’s a simple move that creates a stretch before firing through with effortless bat-speed, averaging just over 70 mph in his round of BP - also averaging 91 mph for his EV with a peak of 98.5 mph. The swing is simple and plays in-game while remaining on-time consistently, finishing the week 4-for-6 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Power profile will only increase with move elevated contact, real hit tool to pair with his power.
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Tyler Dudzienski RHP / SS / Oswego East, IL / 2029
From 08/02/26:
+ 5-foot-11, 155-pounds, wiry and projectable frame with room to fill out. The arm is quick from a longer path on the backside, playing with a ¾ release and arm-speed, creating a naturally sinking fastball at 82-84 mph. The curveball showed gradual 11/5 shape with some depth and the ability to land it for strikes, 68-70 mph. Loose and whippy arm with jumps likely.
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Austin Koch RHP / 3B / Bloomington Central Catholic, IL / 2029
From 08/02/26:
+ 6-foot-2, 174-pound frame, wide shoulders with room to add strength in the coming years. Allowed two runs over his three innings of work with three hits and a strikeout. Long-levered operation with a quick/clean arm that plays from a higher ¾ slot. Simple tall/fall operation with jumps likely as he continues to fill out. Fastball jumps out of the hand up to 83 mph with an average of 6’8” for his extension, sitting in the low-80s. The slider is developing spin and hand-speed as it played around 56-59 mph, though he collected some ugly swings on it.
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