On August 8th and 9th the PBR Illinois team hosted the second-annual Illinois State Games at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex in Rantoul, IL. This invite-only event was for all high school classes (2024-27), and gave our staff a chance to get a look at 300+ prospects at the end of the summer. The event featured 16 teams, a position player showcase, and a three-game guarantee per player.

The list below is a combination of a player's showcase performance, along with their in-game performance from the event.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. Today we begin to conclude the analysis of the event with a look at all of the 2024 pitching prospects from the event.

Brady Turner (Routt Catholic), Braydon McKendrick (Brother Rice) and Sam Higgins (Maine South) are a trio of left-handers to know in the 2026 class and just missed the cut below. All three have clean operations with plenty more velocity to come.

Read on below for a look at some of the top young arms that should be making some noise in the near future for some varsity squads across the state.

TOP 2026 PITCHING PROSPECTS

No. 1 Paddy Roth RHP / OF / St. Patrick, IL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 100 / POS: 27 Body: 6-3, 195-pounds. Delivery: Methodical, hybrid windup, medium, slightly closed leg lift, tall/fall delivery. Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot, quick arm. FB: T89, 83-87 mph. Life through the zone, cutting action. T2012, 1756 average rpm. SL: 69-72 mph. 11/5 action, late depth. T1819, 1716 average rpm. CH: 78-82 mph. Running action with depth, feel for the pitch. T1678, 1592 average rpm. Illinois commit.

No. 2 Cullen Schwigen RHP / OF / Rockridge, IL / 2027 Positional Profile: RHP/OF Body: 6-2, 165-pounds. Delivery: Simple, repeatable delivery, medium leg lift, tall/fall, short stride, foot lands closed. Struck out three and allowed one hit in three innings of work. Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm out of a 3/4 slot. FB: T85, 82-84 mph. Arm-side-run with life, showed ability to paint the corners. T2323, 2196 average rpm. CB: 68-70 mph. 11/5 shape with depth, sharp actions. T2149, 2020 average rpm.

No. 3 Andrew Dawson RHP / 3B / Tremont, IL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 25 / POS: 5 Positional Profile: RHP/3B Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Delivery: Simple, fluid delivery, high leg lift, tall/fall, foot lands slightly towards third base. Arm Action: RH. Short, clean, high 3/4 slot. FB: T87, 84-86 mph. Plays down in the zone, stays true to plane. T2215, 1928 average rpm. CB: 71-71 mph. 12/6 shape, throws with confidence. T2077, 1969 average rpm. SL: 73-77 mph. Short break, lands for strikes. T2301, 2112 average rpm. CH: 76-77 mph. Maintains arm speed, creates fade. Confident in the pitch. T1481, 1444 average rpm. CUT: 79-85 mph. Plays true with horizontal action.

No. 4 Brandon Pelz SS / RHP / Bartlett, IL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 8 Positional Profile: SS/RHP Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Delivery: High leg lift into tall and fall delivery, controlled tempo throughout. Arm Action: RH. Quick and loose. 3/4 slot. FB: T87, 83-86 mph. Life through the zone with run. T2402, 2175 average rpm. CB: 73-76 mph. Tight, horizontal action. Feel to land for strikes. T2316, 2259 average rpm. CH: 77-81 mph. Thrown at arm-speed. Late fade and depth. T2092, 1901 average rpm.

No. 5 Kaden Wasniewski 3B / RHP / McHenry, IL / 2027 Positional Profile: 3B/RHP Body: 6-0, 157-pounds. Delivery: Stretch-only, medium leg lift into drop and drive delivery, works in-line, foot lands on-target. Arm Action: RH. Full arm circle, quickness out front. high 3/4 slot. FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Some life to the arm side. Plays with carry at times. T2327, 2204 average rpm. SL: 70-72 mph. Tight spin, short 11/5 shape. T2137, 2047 average rpm. CH: 71-75 mph. Maintains arm speed, fade with some depth. T1605, 1511 average rpm.

No. 6 Ian Tosi LHP / 1B / Mount Carmel, IL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 36 / POS: 3 Positional Profile: LHP/OF Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Delivery: Simple, repeatable delivery, medium leg lift with coil, tall/fall, lands on-line at foot strike. Twirled three innings of no hit baseball. Struck out six, walked two. Arm Action: LH. Medium arm circle with whip, high 3/4 slot. FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Some run to the arm-side. T2111, 1821 average rpm. CB: 65-69 mph. 1/7 break with depth. T2002, 1895 average rpm. CH: 67-70 mph. Maintains arm speed, creates fade. T1877, 1671 average rpm.

No. 7 Chase Lockwood RHP / 3B / Libertyville, IL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 35 / POS: 7 Positional Profile: RHP/3B Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Delivery: Simple delivery, high leg lift with some tuck and coil, tall/fall that works in-line down the mound. Two innings of no hit baseball; struck out three and walked one. Arm Action: RH. Full arm circle, 3/4 slot. FB: T81, 77-81 mph. Arm-side-run with some sink. T2232, 2065 average rpm. CB: 66-70 mph. Sharp, 12/6 shape, big depth and well above-average feel for his age. T2530, 2405 average rpm. SL: 69-74 mph. More horizontal actions than curveball, shorter break. T2579, 2397 average rpm. CH: 74-74 mph. Fade with some feel. T1920, 1920 average rpm.

No. 8 Jackson Stahl RHP / OF / Hononegah, IL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 57 / POS: 12 Positional Profile: RHP/OF Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. Delivery: Up tempo, medium leg lift with tuck, tall/fall delivery, lands in-line with plate. Arm Action: RH. Full arm circle, low 3/4 slot. FB: T84, 81-84 mph. Arm-side-run, firm. T2061, 1999 average rpm. CB: 72-73 mph. 11/5 break with some depth. T2280, 2190 average rpm. CH: 73-74 mph. Fade to the arm side, kills spin. T2155, 1905 average rpm.

No. 9 Alec Novotney SS / RHP / Marquette Academy, IL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 31 / POS: 11 Positional Profile: SS/RHP Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Delivery: High leg lift with upper-body tuck, tall/fall delivery, works in-line, easy. Arm Action: RH. 3/4 slot, long and loose stroke, repeatable. FB: T82, 81-82 mph. Attacks hitters at the top of the zone and not afraid to come inside; ride to the pitch. T2243, 1943 average rpm. CB: 69-72 mph. Good depth, 11/5, sharp action, tunnels off the FB. T2592, 2495 average rpm. SL: 74-76 mph. Out-pitch potential, late, sharp break. T2423, 2354 average rpm. CH: 70-72 mph. Slows down arm slightly, fade to the arm-side. T1378, 1297 average rpm.

T10 Drew Clark RHP / Stevenson, IL / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 41 / POS: 8 Positional Profile: RHP Body: 6-4, 155-pounds. Long, loose-levered, projectable build. Delivery: Simple, high leg lift, tall/fall delivery, works towards target. Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot. FB: T84, 81-83 mph. Arm-side run through the zone. T2444, 2255 average rpm. CB: 70-72 mph. Sweeping movement with depth. T2565, 2392 average rpm. CH: 73-75 mph. Maintains arm speed, creates fade. Confident in the pitch. T1907, 1781 average rpm.

T10 Jacob Matise RHP / 3B / Mount Carmel, IL / 2026 Positional Profile: RHP/3B Body: 6-1, 160-pounds. Delivery: Medium leg lift with tuck, tall/fall delivery, foot lands in-line. Arm Action: RH. Full arm circle, clean with acceleration out front, 3/4 slot. FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Throws downhill with some arm-side run. T2135, 2003 average rpm. SL: 63-65 mph. Above-average feel, depth, 12/6 to 11/5 shape at times. T2168, 2000 average rpm. CH: 71-76 mph. Maintains arm-speed, plays with fade. T1714, 1583 average rpm.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Chase Butler, Bunker Hill (IL), 2026 
Positional Profile: OF/1B 
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Athletic, broad-shouldered build.
Delivery: Uptempo delivery, high leg kick, slight crossfire finish.
Arm Action: RH. Full arm action out of a 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. Mostly straight with life through the zone. T1944, 1726 average rpm.
SL: 65-69 mph. Short lateral break, flashed ability to throw to spots. T1739, 1458 average rpm.

Tre Cole, Champaign Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Simple, easy delivery, high leg lift with coil and tuck, drop/drive, foot slightly open at foot strike.
Arm Action: RH. Full, loose arm action, athletic out of a 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 80-82 mph. Some run, can locate throughout the zone. T2238, 1997 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. 11/5 shape with big break. T1699, 1639 average rpm.
SL: 68-72 mph. Tighter spin with shorter break. T1884, 1767 average rpm.

Daniel Coyle, St. Laurence (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Simple, up tempo delivery, high leg kick with tuck in the upper half, tall/fall, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long, clean arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 77-80 mph. Arm-side-run on the pitch, stayed low in the zone. T1973, 1733 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. 11/5 shape with late break. T2269, 2039 average rpm.
CH: 74-74 mph. Maintains arm speed, has fade to the arm-side. T1211, 1157 average rpm.

Sam Higgins, Maine South (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Controlled, high leg kick into a drop/drive lower half, works on-line to home.
Arm Action: LH. Loose arm action out of a 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 76-79 mph. Occasional cut, flashes feel for the zone. T1912, 1624 average rpm.
CB: 62-66 mph. Similar movement profile to the slider. T1968, 1909 average rpm.
SL: 69-71 mph. Tight break, 10/4 shape, backdoors opposite handed hitters. T2104, 1986 average rpm.
CH: 70-74 mph. Plays with fading action. T1372, 1327 average rpm.

Joseph Kelly, Loyola Academy (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Physical, well-proportioned.
Delivery: Up-tempo, repeatable, high leg lift with tuck and slight coil, drop/drive delivery, works in-line, foot lands slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arm circle, loose, 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Firm out of the hand, has slight arm-side run. T2243, 2065 average rpm.
CB: 69-71 mph. 11/5 shape, located down. T2478, 2428 average rpm.

Luke Martin, Mt. Pulaski (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-8, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Simple, controlled delivery, high leg lift with tuck in the upper-body, tall/fall delivery, foot lands closed.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 75-79 mph. Pitch has some life through the zone with arm-side run. T2001, 1795 average rpm.
CB: 67-70 mph. 11/5 shape, sharper action. T1977, 1883 average rpm.
SL: 66-69 mph. Flashed sharp movement, shorter break. T1994, 1693 average rpm.
KN: 65-68 mph. Downer action, changes slot.

Braydon McKendrick, Brother Rice (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery:
Arm Action: LH. Long out of the glove, loose into a 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. Plays with life out of the hand, slight ride through the zone. T2436, 2343 average rpm.
SL: 67-70 mph. Hops out of the hand, 10/4 shape with sweep. T2444, 2367 average rpm.
CH: 76-79 mph. Plays with hard fading action to the arm-side. T1816, 1716 average rpm.

Emerson Miller, St. Charles North (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-11, 140-pounds.
Delivery: Up tempo, high leg lift with coil, tall/fall delivery, foot lands open at foot strike.
Arm Action: LH. Compact, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 72-75 mph. Arm-side run with sink. T1947, 1715 average rpm.
SL: 63-67 mph. T1820, 1250 average rpm.
CH: 64-65 mph. Decel with fade, maintains arm-speed. T1545, 1481 average rpm.

Owen Novak, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 185-pounds.
Delivery: Hybrid delivery, quick rock into medium leg lift, tall/fall delivery, finish out front.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Heavy sinking action at times. T2055, 1898 average rpm.
CB: 71-74 mph. Short 10/4 action with some horizontal movement. T2196, 2137 average rpm.
CH: 70-73 mph. Fade, maintains arm action. T1988, 1664 average rpm.

John Strzechowski, St. Laurence (IL), 2026 
Positional Profile: RHP/3B 
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Delivery: Stretch-only, tall/fall lower-half, stride works in-line, athletic finish. Struck out two in two innings of work.
Arm Action: RH. Short, clean arm action, 3/4 slot
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Two-seam, stays true, mixes locations up/down in/out T2026, 1815 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. 11/5 shape with bite, tunnels well off the fastball.  T1814, 1698 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Prime secondary pitch, showed feel to land for strikes.  T1617, 1522 average rpm.

Brady Turner, Routt Catholic (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 185-pounds.
Delivery: High leg lift, tall/fall, short stride, works in-line. Minimal effort.
Arm Action: LH. Loose, easy arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 76-79 mph. Arm-side-run, effective on the outside. T1937, 1819 average rpm.
CB: 57-65 mph. Gradual, 1/7 shape. T2474, 2411 average rpm.
SL: 63-65 mph. Late break with sweeping actions. T2553, 2453 average rpm.

RELATED CONTENT