Prep Baseball Report

Illinois State Games: Catcher Analysis


Illinois Scouting Staff

On August 8th and 9th the PBR Illinois team hosted the 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.

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 catchers from the event.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

Rankings are a combination of the showcase and in-event performance. 

1. Kyle Hartmann, Sycamore (IL), 2024; Western Kentucky commit.
Positional Profile: C/SS 
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Wiry strength.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, leg lift trigger that gains ground. Direct, flat path, barrels the baseball up the middle/pull-side. Finished game play 2-for-7 with a double, RBI and run scored.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 89.1 mph. 358’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 84 mph. Throws with intent, short arm action, whippy at times. Plays lively out of the hand, high ¾ slot, inconsistent action. 
Defense: 1.90-2.00 pop times. Athletic actions, moves quickly out of the crouch.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

2. Zach Bava, Naperville North (IL), 2025; Illinois State commit.
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 5-8, 171-pounds. Compact strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Crouched, strong, wider stance. Fluid swing, medium leg kick trigger, hands work short, on the barrel to all fields. Finished game play 2-for-6 with a double, triple, two RBIs, four runs scored and a walk. 70.3 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 89.9 mph. 350’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Strong, quick, accurate, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.95-2.03 pop times. Quick out of the crouch, gains ground, smooth transition.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

3. Noah Brandt, Somonauk (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. 
Hit: LHH. High hands, toe-tap stride. Easy, fluid swing, short to the ball, extends through the zone, balanced through contact. Finished game play 3-for-8 with a double, three RBIs, a run scored and two walks. 72 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 88.2 mph. 307’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short, clean, quick arm action from a 3/4 slot and played accurately.
Defense: 1.90-1.97 pop times. Agile, athletic defender, soft hands, quick transfer, quick to release, throw on-line and accurate, athletic blocker. 
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

4. Eli Craft, Monticello (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/2B 
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Athletic frame with more strength to come.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, upright stance, leg lift trigger. Short, flat path, controlled intent, pull-side power, all fields approach. Finished game play 1-for-4 with a walk.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 79.3 mph. 288’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, quick, whippy, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.20 pop times. Natural catcher actions, plays with bounce and energy behind the plate. 
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

5. Max Heineman, Normal University (IL), 2026 
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Quality strength in the lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, fluid load and short leg-lift timing trigger. Direct, quick swing, athletic, above average bat-to-ball skills, stays on-plane and flashed easy power to the pull-side. 
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 89.8 mph. 363’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot; accurate.
Defense: 2.00-2.09 pop times. Clean out of the chute, repeatable, body syncs and stays directional.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60. 

6. Addison Latko, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2026; Illinois commit.
Positional Profile: C/OF 
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Athletic, quick-twitch frame.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, fluid load and leg lift trigger. Swings with intent, above-average bat speed, athletic hands, accurate barrel, consistent hard contact. Finished game play 2-for-5 with two doubles, three RBIs, a run scored and a walk.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 88.2 mph. 363’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short, quick arm plays from a high 3/4 to over-the-top slot. Above-average arm for his age; plays accurate and with carry.
Defense: 2.02-2.05 pop times. Quick and athletic out of the crouch, light on his feet, directional and clean glove-to-hand.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

7. Brandon Thomsen, St Viator (IL), 2026 
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced upright setup, fluid bat tip load, toe-tap stride. Loose, fluid swing, uphill through the zone, in rhythm, up the middle/pull-side. Finished game play 3-for-6 with three runs and two walks. 62.9 mph bat speed with 5 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 86.8 mph. 356’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, plays from the ear; clean and repeatable arm stroke. Throws played around the bag.
Defense: 1.97-2.08 pop times. Athletic catcher actions, soft receptive glove hand, clean transfer. Gets out front and on top of throws.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

8. Derek Kubek, Oswego East (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/SS 
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with developing strength.
Hit: LHH. Quiet easy setup and movement, short stride. Easy, loose swing, long through the zone and works on an uphill plane, balanced finish. Finished game play 3-for-6 with a triple, run scored and two walks. 69.6 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 84.4 mph. 284’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short, one-hop to target, accurate, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.09 pop times. Plays with bounce, athletic, quick out of the crouch, smooth.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

9. Dasaan Lee, Thornwood (IL), 2024 
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds. Wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, quiet load and forward move, repeats. Simple approach, quick bat, aggressive, easy power to all fields. Finished game play 3-for-7 with a run scored and three walks. 69.8 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 82.9 mph. 330’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot, played accurate.
Defense: 2.00-2.13 pop times. INF: Two-hand gather out front, steady actions, secures the ball into his body. C: Soft hands, quick first step, works well around the plate, quick to release, quick and clean transfer, soft blocker.
Run: 7.24 runner in the 60. 

10. Jake Johnson, Burlington Central (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 6-4, 205-pounds. Advanced frame; broad-shouldered, well-proportioned strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, knee-knock trigger, gains ground. Quick and direct to the ball, slightly uphill path, on the barrel throughout, aggressive. 
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 84.1 mph. 312’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short, quick, accurate, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.95-2.07 pop times. Soft hands, quick/clean transfer, quick first step, works around the plate with ease, soft blocker. 
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60. 

Just missed the cut (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Joey Gainer, St Francis (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/OF 
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Open setup, rocks into backside, lower half coil, gains ground. Controlled, loose, direct path, barreled the ball consistently up the middle. 76.3 mph bat speed with 2 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 85.5 mph. 322’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. OF - 82 mph. OF: Short, high 3/4 slot. C: Short, quick, one-hop to target, accurate, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.14 pop times. OF: One-hand gather, attacks the ball, works in-stride, quick to release. C: Steady hands, quick, clean transfer, quick first step, one-hop throws to bag, athletic blocker.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60. 

Sean Kempf, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2024 
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 5-10, 200-pounds. Strong frame, physical lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, leg lift trigger, repeats. Simple approach, direct at times, quick swing, consistently on the barrel, all fields. Drove a double during game play, knocked in one, scored once and walked. 
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 85.7 mph. 363’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Quick, accurate, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.03-2.19 pop times. Quick actions, clean transfer.
Run: 7.97 runner in the 60.

Carter Lennington, Minooka (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/1B 
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Upright, open stance, leg lift trigger, gains ground. Quick to the ball, slightly uphill path, pull-side barrels. Drove a double during game play, scored three runs and walked once. 69.6 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 89.5 mph. 340’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short, one-hop to target, accurate, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.03-2.13 pop times. Plays from a one-knee down position, quick hands, reliable transfer.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60.

Benjamin Mitchell, Harvest Christian (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Physical, broad-chested frame.
Hit: RHH. Closed setup, deliberate, repeatable load, leg kick trigger, gains ground. Aggressive with control, easy power, slightly uphill path, consistently barreled the ball. 77.8 mph bat speed with 22 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 93.9 mph. 345’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Quick, accurate, strong, high 3/4 slot, ball has life out of hand.
Defense: 1.95-2.03 pop times. Plays with intent, explosive out of the crouch, athletic.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60.  

Matt Murphy, Mount Carmel (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, leg-kick trigger, gains ground. Short, flat path with quickness, consistently on the barrel to all fields, ease and fluidity. Doubled and drove in a run during game play. 
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 81.1 mph. 323’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.16 pop times. Soft hands, clean transfer, agile, works quick to throws, throws on/around the bag, clean blocker.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

Kaleb Navarro, De La Salle (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 6-4, 200-pounds. Long-levered, athletic build with plenty more physical development to come.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, fluid load and toe tap trigger. Uphill path, easy and fluid swing, minimal effort and balanced throughout. Finished game play 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. 
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 79.3 mph. 317’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, flashed carry.
Defense: 2.05-2.13 pop times. Quick glove-to-hand release at times, tall through release, repeats.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Collin Senkpeil, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2024; South Suburban JC commit.
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Upright, toe tap trigger, gains ground. Controlled swing, short and flat path, can barrel the ball. 
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 78.4 mph. 329’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short, one-hop to target, accurate, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.89-2.06 pop times. Quick out of the crouch, gains ground, smooth glove to hand transfer.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60. 

Carson Stevens, Neuqua Valley (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/1B 
Body: 6-3, 210-pounds. Physical, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, upright setup, knee knock trigger, gains ground. Aggressive swing, direct, slightly uphill, easy pull-side power. 60.1 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 362’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, whippy, one-hop to target, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.15 pop times. Works around the ball, gains ground, clean transfer.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.

Brandon Stinson, Kenwood Academy (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 6-1, 177-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, sits backside, slight leg-lift trigger. Twitchy, quick swing with some uphill, pull-side approach. Finished game play 3-for-8 and drove in a run. 
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 71.7 mph. 351’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Quick, short, one-hop to target on the bag, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.22 pop times. Clean, quick transfer, quick to release, works in-line on throws, soft blocker.
Run: 7.40 runner in the 60.  

Brock Suding, Tolono Unity (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Open stance, leg lift trigger, gains ground. Simple approach, uphill path at times, barrels the ball to the pull-side/middle with easy pop. 
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.4 mph. 335’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Quick, carry on throws, accurate on the bag, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.93-2.02 pop times. Moves quickly, clean transfer, feet work in-line.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. 

Noah Tomaras, Lemont (IL), 2024; Missouri-St. Louis commit.
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Wide-shouldered, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, upright stance, gains ground. Pull-side approach, short to the ball, power at times. Drove a triple, scored a run and knocked in three over the course of game play. 74.5 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 81.2 mph. 368’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short, quick, accurate, on the bag, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.88-1.97 pop times. Soft hands, quick and clean transfer, works on-line, soft blocker.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Lawson Alwan, Peoria Notre Dame (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/1B 
Body: 5-11, 193-pounds. 
Hit: LHH. Strong stock setup, simple/easy load, short stride. Creates easy, loose bat speed, uphill path through the zone, whole field approach. Game play stats: Triple, two RBIs, two walks and a run scored. 70.3 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 84.3 mph. 357’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Long, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.09-2.13 pop times. Clean transfer, quick to release, consistent accuracy on throw downs, soft blocker. 
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Cayden Arbour, Bradley Bourbonnais (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/1B 
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. 
Hit: LHH. Wide stance, slightly open, simple, small leg lift, balanced stride/load. Fluid swing, loads into backside, stays short and flat through the zone, all field approach, stays inside the baseball, line-drive contact. 68.2 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 77.8 mph. 234’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, one-hop to target, accurate, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.20 pop times. Agile, soft hands, clean, quick transfer, quick first step, works on-target, accurate throws, soft blocker.
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Angel Castro, De La Salle (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/1B 
Body: 5-10, 220-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, leg-lift trigger, repeats. Direct and slightly uphill, consistently on the barrel, minimal effort, easy juice. 
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 86.9 mph. 328’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short, quick, accurate at times, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.14 pop times. Steady hands, quick transfer, works on-line.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60. 

Sam DesCarpentrie, Normal West (IL), 2024 
Positional Profile: C/1B 
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, leg lift trigger, gains ground. Simple approach, athletic hands, present bat speed, flat path, pull-side/middle approach. 
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 91.8 mph. 354’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Long arm action, over-the-slot, plays true out of the hand and consistently around the second base bag.
Defense: 2.06-2.22 pop times. Square setup, intentful out of the crouch, feet work in-line.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

AJ Foley, Lake Zurich (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, deep load into backside, leg-hang timing trigger. Uphill swing, direct to the ball, easy, minimal effort, pull-side lifted approach. Finished game play 2-for-6 with an RBI and walk. 
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 75.1 mph. 341’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, clean arm action, over-the-top slot and throws played true and around the bag.
Defense: 2.02-2.27 pop times. Easy, athletic actions. Soft hands, clean exchange and plays tall through release with minimal effort.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Nicholas Franklin, Father McGivney Catholic (IL), 2024 
Positional Profile: C/1B 
Body: 6-2, 220-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Sits into legs, open stance, leg lift trigger that gains ground. Simple approach, uphill path, some power. Finished game play 2-for-6. 
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 299’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short, on the bag, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.15 pop times. Quick transfer with easy footwork, gets around the ball.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Gurski, Glenwood (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/OF 
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Open stance, slight leg lift into forward move. Short path, quick, controlled swing, consistent line drives up the middle/pull-side. Finished game play 2-for-8 with three RBI. (IL)
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 87.6 mph. 307’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Quick, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.19 pop times. Soft hands, quick, clean transfer, quick to throws, accurate at times, soft blocker.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60. 

Owen Hawkins, Mattoon (IL), 2024 
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Closed stance, sits into legs, no stride. Controlled, easy swing, slight uphill path, all fields approach. 
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 80.5 mph. 297’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short, quick, accurate, one-hop on the bag, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.16-2.20 pop times. Has bounce behind the plate, steady hands, intentful out of the crouch.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Vincent Ippolito, Willowbrook (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Open stance, high leg lift, long stride. Aggressive swing, uphill path, natural power to the pull-side. 
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 314’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short, accurate, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.22 pop times. Steady hands, active feet, works around the plate, quick to release.
Run: 7.79 runner in the 60. 

Ben Jarnecke, Fenwick (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 6-0, 178-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Open stance, knee-knock trigger, gains ground. Quick, short path, mostly flat, aggressive approach. 
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 77.8 mph. 249’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.20 pop times. Steady hands, clean transfer, accurate at times, clean block.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

Alex Kiefer, Mount Vernon (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Compact frame with developing strength.
Hit: SH. Stock setup, minimal stride, high hands. RH: Stock setup, leg kick into forward move. LH: Stays direct at times, uphill through contact, on time with a balanced controlled finish. RH: Long path, stays level through the zone, on time, strength in hands and stays balanced throughout. 67.1 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 81.9 mph. 311’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short, clean arm action, over-the-top slot, throws play true and accurate.
Defense: 2.03-2.06 pop times. Natural catcher actions, plays with body control and repeatable out of the crouch. Clean glove-to-hand release, plays on-line out of the chute and steady receiver.
Run: 7.30 runner in the 60. 

Freddie Matvias, Walter Payton College Prep (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/OF 
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, leg-lift trigger, rocks into backside. Simple approach, easy and fluid actions, uphill path at times. 
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 79.7 mph. 326’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. OF - 83 mph. OF: Short, high 3/4 slot. C: Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.26 pop times. OF: Deliberate actions, shuffle step on throws. C: Clean transfer, works in-line on throws, accurate.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Jake Parpet, Conant (IL), 2024 
Positional Profile: C/SS 
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, athletic, leg lift trigger, gains ground. Controls the barrel, aggressive, on the barrel to all fields, consistent. 69.1 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 85 mph. 338’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. INF - 87 mph. Short, quick, accurate, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.90-2.07 pop times. Two-hand gather out front, soft hands, clean/fluid transfer.
Run: 6.95 runner in the 60. 

Eloy Suarez, Hoffman Estates (IL), 2024 
Positional Profile: C/2B 
Body: 5-10, 200-pounds. 
Hit: LHH. Stock setup, medium stride. Aggressive swing, present bat speed, uphill path, pull-side power potential, on the barrel throughout. 66.1 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.9 mph. 319’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short, one-hop to target, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.28 pop times. Soft hands, clean transfer, works in-line, one-hop throws to bag, soft blocker.
Run: 7.66 runner in the 60. 

Mark Takasaki, Jacobs (IL), 2024 
Positional Profile: C/RHP 
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Athletic, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Stock stance, sits backside, up and down leg lift trigger, gains ground. Simple, controlled approach, short, flat path, line drives to the pull-side/middle. 68.6 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 86.6 mph. 343’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Quick, whippy, one-hop to target, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.26 pop times. Quick out of the crouch, clean transfer, feet work toward the bag.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

Damian Valdez, Addison Trail (IL), 2024 
Positional Profile: C/2B 
Body: 5-5, 145-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Athletic, relaxed, leg lift trigger, gains ground. Controlled and on balance, short to the ball with slightly uphill path, all fields. 62 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 79.9 mph. 275’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Quick, short, one-hop to target, accurate, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.19 pop times. Clean, easy actions out of the crouch. Fluid transfer.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Carson Wort, Pawnee (IL), 2025 
Positional Profile: C/SS 
Body: 5-9, 175-pounds. 
Hit: RHH. Sits into backside, up and down leg lift trigger. Direct, aggressive swing, occasional lift and creates occasional leverage to the pull-side. 70.3 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 82.5 mph. 312’ max distance. 
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. INF - 77 mph. Short, whippy arm action, 3/4 slot, accurate arm.
Defense: 2.00-2.15 pop times. Plays low and gains ground out of the crouch. Reliable hands.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

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