Recruiting Roundup: Week of 11/5

Jacob Armstrong 3B / RHP / Timothy Christian , IL / 2024

WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH COMMIT

From 8/27/23: “...is a rising senior that gave an intriguing two-way look on Sunday. Armstrong stands at a long-levered 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame with plenty of room for added strength. Defensively, he stood out as one of the top infield defenders of the event. Armstrong moves with clean, smooth footwork, easy on the move, athletic actions and sure hands while topping at 81 mph. At the plate, he stays on-plane and flat through the zone from the right-side of the plate while creating occasional back spin off the bat while registering a peak exit velocity of 91 mph. On the mound, Armstrong operated from an athletic delivery and paired it with a loose arm action. His fastball sat primarily in the low-80s, T84 mph with an average of 18.6’’ of horizontal movement (2nd best in event). Armstrong also spun a quality slider which had 2500 RPMs with late bite. Two-way unsigned senior to know.” 

Noah Bagby 1B / Bolingbrook, IL / 2024

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE COMMIT

Quinn Boyer / OF / Montini Catholic, IL / 2024

MIAMI (OH) COMMIT

From 5/6/23: “6-foot-2, 183-pound frame, appears larger than listed with some room to add on strength. Started in center field and hit out of the two-hole for the Broncos as he finished the day with a home run, RBI single and two walks. The right-handed hitter gives off a comfortable appearance in the box, some pre-pitch rhythm in his hands while staying simple and short to the ball with clear strength in the barrel, looks to handle velocity well. Quality defender in the outfield with accurate routes and steady hands. Arm plays with clear life out of the hand and accuracy, reaching up to 85 mph in-event. Follow 2024 prospect.”

Cooper Breiler RHP / OF / Hersey , IL / 2024

LORAS COLLEGE COMMIT

From 2/13/22:
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Long, lean frame.
Delivery: Athletic drop and drive delivery with tempo. Lands on line.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T79.7, 77.9-79.3 mph. Natural running action. T1956, 1866 average rpm.
CB: 56.6-59.0 mph. Slow, gradual break. Some depth. T1292, 1262 average rpm.
SL: 63.3-66.1 mph. 10/4 shape. Some depth. Slight lateral action. T1670, 1632 average rpm. 

Ryan Coon OF / 1B / Freeport, IL / 2024

AUGUSTANA COLLEGE COMMIT

From 2/4/23: “Coon has a compact, athletic frame at 5-foot-9, 175-pounds and he ran the top 60-time of the event at 6.87. He also had a top vertical jump of 30.7 inches, runner-up at the event. The left-handed hitter has intent in the box, looking to drive the baseball to the pull-side with authority and direct stroke that works uphill through the zone. Coon registered a 95.2 mph exit velocity and 349’ max batted ball. Defensively, he plays through the ball with intent, showing fluid footwork and some feel for the position.”  

Thomas Corley 1B / Bolingbrook, IL / 2024

OLNEY CENTRAL JC

From 5/8/23: “The right-handed hitter worked out of the three-hole for the Raiders and impressed throughout the day with quality at-bats. Fluid load keeps his weight in the center of his body, hands separate slightly at foot strike before firing through with an uphill path and loose barrel through the zone. Was consistently on the barrel all game, most impressively staying through a ball and driving it to the opposite field for a double. Bat looks to profile in the middle of the order at the next level, simple operation with easy power.”

David Cox SS / 3B / Nazareth, IL / 2024

ILLINOIS-CHICAGO COMMIT

From 4/29/23: “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.”

Danny DiMartino OF / LHP / Plainfield North, IL / 2024

NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE COMMIT

From 2/4/23:
Positional Profile: C/LHP
Body: 5-8, 143-pounds. Compact, athletic frame.
Delivery: Up-tempo, hunched over when set, quick into leg-lift, drop/drive lower-half, stride works in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Long out of the glove into a 3/4 slot, quick arm.
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Life and finish through the zone. T2274, 2086 average rpm.
SL: 70-73 mph. Tight 2/8 shape. T1864, 1818 average rpm.
CH: 70-72 mph. Thrown with fastball intent, slight fade to the arm-side. T1167, 1075 average rpm.

Jaden Franckowiak 1B / OF / Andrew, IL / 2024

WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE COMMIT

FROM 2/22/23: “...led the entire event in max exit velocity, reaching up to 102.1 mph with an average exit velocity of 91.2 mph (375’ max distance). He was routinely on the barrel throughout his round of BP, working with an uphill path through the zone and intent to lift the baseball. His BLAST metrics were also highly impressive, averaging 23 mph for his hand-speed (T24.7 mph), 75.8 mph for his bat-speed (T79.6 mph) and 19.7 for his rotational acceleration (T24.1).” 

Will Gladden / Fenwick, IL / 2024

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO COMMIT

From 2/13/22:
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly closed setup. Stands on front toe. Short stride. Strong hands. Short path through the zone. Works uphill at times.
Power: 90.3 max exit velocity, averaged 84 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Quick, active feet. Off-balance at times.
Run: 7.08 runner in the 60. 

Braden Grimm RHP / 2B / Evanston, IL / 2024

MINNESOTA STATE COMMIT

From 8/8/23: “There’s plenty to like with RHP Braden Grimm (Evanston, 2024), who’s a long, projectable 6-foot-1, 165-pound athlete with more to come. Grimm’s fastball played at 84-87 mph with noticeable raw spin (T2540 RPM) and carry (20.2 IVB) as well. He spun two breaking balls off his fastball; a low-70s curveball that peaked at 2636 RPM with more bend/depth and a tighter, bullet-like slider at 74-79 mph, topping at 2538 RPM.”

Braeden Groszek 2B / SS / Glenbard West, IL / 2024

NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE COMMIT

From 10/1/23:
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, minimal leg lift and stride. Quick bat, short and direct, stays flat through the zone. 68.1 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 78.3 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short, quick arm, changes slots.
Defense: Fluid, athletic action, fields ball to body, quick to release, moves well to both sides.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60. 

Sir Jamison Jones C / 1B / St. Rita, IL / 2024

OKLAHOMA STATE COMMIT

From 4/14/23: “Physical, 6-foot-2, 215-pound build, continues to advance his frame with muscle, appearing to be leaner since our last look. At the plate, the right-handed hitter has advanced bat-strength, especially for this age - seemingly flicking a ball to the opposite field for a double in his first at-bat. He’s always been a vocal leader behind the plate, and his defense looks to be trending upwards - showing improved hands while receiving with a hop to his step, also flashing a well above-average arm down to second. High-level 2024 backstop that profiles in the middle of the order at the next level.” 

Matt Knapczyk OF / Neuqua Valley, IL / 2024

PARKLAND COLLEGE COMMIT

GIOVANNI LONG RHP / OF / Addison Trail, IL / 2024

QUINCY UNIVERSITY COMMIT

From 12/10/22:
Position: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-4, 225-pound physical build.
Hit: (RHH) Solid. Started in an open stance with a compact load, then used a short stride. Present bat speed. Level finish, rotational swing. Gap to gap approach.
Power: 87.3 mph exit velocity, average 80.6 mph. 74.4 mph bat speed average. 23.3 mph hand speed average.
Defense: (OF) Sure hands, in control footwork, natural exchange. Capable.
Arm: 84 mph outfield velocity. Short arm action, an-over-the-top slot.
Speed: 7.55 (60-yard).
Pitching: Projectable. Stretch only delivery, some effort. Over-the-top arm angle, good arm speed, moderate arm action. Strong balance point, in line shoulders, lands closed, a clean balanced finish.
FB: 77-85 mph. (Max spin 2173; Avg 1964). Arm side accuracy, slight running action.
CB: 72-73 mph. Slurvey action. (Max spin 1982; Avg 1954).
CH: 72-75 mph. 

Camden Loomis RHP / SS / Ottawa, IL / 2024

NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE COMMIT

From 2/26/23:
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Wiry, athletic build.
Delivery: Controlled tempo into leg-lift, athletic mover, drop/drive lower-half, strides in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm circle into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 83-84 mph. Plays with some finish through the zone. T2234, 2104 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. Tight, sharp 11/5 shape, kept down. T2281, 2230 average rpm.
CH: 70-74 mph. Thrown with intent, kept mostly down, some fade to arm-side. T2119, 1708 average rpm.

Brenden Martin RHP / Morrison, IL / 2024

TRITON JC COMMIT 

Noah Petersen C / Civic Memorial , IL / 2024

LEWIS & CLARK CC COMMIT

From 9/26/23:
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-8, 215-pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, minimal load and leg-lift trigger. Strong hands, compact swing, heavy barrel and made hard contact throughout; whole field approach. 73.1 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 87.1 mph. 337’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm stroke, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.22-2.41 pop times. Lower half lines up to the bag, quick and efficient hand transfer, some accuracy on the bag.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60.

Daniel Rodriguez SS / 2B / Yorkville, IL / 2024

AURORA UNIVERSITY COMMIT 

DALTON RUTHERFORD C / 1B / Sycamore , IL / 2024

KISHWAUKEE JC COMMIT

Aiden Simmons C / 3B / Plainfield North, IL / 2024

MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY COMMIT

From 2/4/23: “Standing at a projectable 6-foot-2, 165-pounds, was one of the top defensive catchers in attendance. He has fluid actions behind the plate, using soft hands and a quick/clean transfer. Out of the crouch, Simmons is clean and quick, reaching as low as 2.02 seconds for his pop-time with a max catcher velocity of 75 mph. Offensively, it's a loose, balanced right-handed swing that creates leverage to the pull-side at times.”

Elijah Skidmore RHP / RHP / Harlem , IL / 2024

ROCK VALLEY JC COMMIT

From 10/17/21:
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long, quick arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T79.9, 76.88-79.50 mph. Jumps out of the hand at times, works straight. T2143, 2071 average rpm.
CB: 64.08-66.00 mph. 12/6 shape, lands for strikes at times. T1913, 1774 average rpm.
CH: 69.64-73.56 mph. Works straight, occasional tilt. T1525, 1439 average rpm. 

Brock Suding C / 3B / Tolono Unity , IL / 2024

HEARTLAND CC COMMIT

From 8/8/23: “...looks the part of a high-level backstop, and has repeatedly shown advanced catch and throw skills behind the dish. A physical 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete, Suding moves well behind the dish, and he’s a comfortable blocker laterally, too. He showed advanced arm strength behind the plate (T81 mph), the second highest mark of the event, and he was accurate with quickness to the bag, popping at 1.93-to-2.02 in his workout.” 

Grant Tebbe SS / RHP / O'Fallon Township, IL / 2024

JOHN WOOD CC COMMIT

Morgan Wachler OF / OF / Palatine , IL / 2024

ILLINOIS WESLEYAN COMMIT

From 2/25/23:
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds. Physical, broad-shouldered build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet load and stride. Strong hands, present bat strength, long through the zone, flashed power potential.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 90.1 mph. 347’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long arm circle into an over-the-top slot.
Defense: Deliberate footwork through the ball, one-hand gather off to the side.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.

Jonah Weathers 3B / OF / Marian Catholic, IL / 2024

JOHN A. LOGAN COMMIT

From 8/8/23: “...has noteworthy tools and athleticism attached to a strong, well-proportioned 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame. Weathers, who’s also a standout basketball player at Marian Catholic, showed above-average hand (23.8 mph) and bat speed (76.5 mph) on the workout day to go along with a 95.2 mph max exit velocity and 346 ft. peak distance. He did so from a flat and simple right-handed swing, staying through the baseball to the pull-side while maintaining balance throughout. It didn’t take long for Weathers to show his strength in game, as he rocketed a triple into the right-center gap in his second at-bat of the event. He also ran a 6.80 60 and was 87 mph across the infield with a 90 mph arm from the outfield.”

Jack Wilson RHP / New Trier , IL / 2024

WEBSTER UNIVERSITY COMMIT

From 6/20/23: “The right-hander has a drop/drive delivery, moves easily downhill with a high-intent, short arm action out of a ¾ slot. Showed a four-pitch mix with his fastball sitting 82-83 mph, topping at 83 mph. Including both a four-seam and a two-seam, each showed arm-side run and feel for the zone. Both the curveball and the slider had 11/5 shape and landed for strikes, with the curveball being the better of the two.” 

Cameron Armstrong RHP / 3B / Lincoln Way West, IL / 2025

QUINCY UNIVERSITY COMMIT

From 2/20/23:
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-9, 170-pounds. Well proportioned, sturdy frame.
Delivery: Uptempo with recoil finish, moderate effort. Works slightly across body.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 slot. Full clean arm action.
FB: T87, 86-87 mph. Showed arm side run, above average for age. T2295, 2225 average rpm.
CB: 77-78 mph. 11/5 shape, above average spin. T2405, 2391 average rpm.
CH: 82-83 mph. Fastball arm speed, creates deception, plays firm. T1979, 1817 average rpm.

Austin Musso RHP / 3B / Mascoutah, IL / 2025

KANSAS COMMIT

From 8/1/23: “Taking the mound twice at the Future Games, RHP Austin Musso (Mascoutah, 2025) hurled a pair of scoreless frames in total. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hander lived inside the zone, something we’re used to seeing from him, and has a highly competitive, confident demeanor on the mound. Musso pitched at 86-88 mph with his fastball, touching 89 mph, and spun it at 2500+ RPM at peak, while working in both the upper and lower quadrants of the strike zone throughout. He also showed tight spin on a slider at 76-77 mph and was capable of landing it for strikes consistently. A strike-thrower who has gotten outs at a high rate each time we’ve seen him, Musso has established himself as a premier arm in the Illinois’ 2025 group.” 

Peter Thompson RHP / Loyola Academy, IL / 2025

PENN STATE COMMIT

From 8/1/23: “...hurled two clean innings for Team Illinois on Friday afternoon against Ohio. The 6-foot-4, 170-pound right-hander showed noticeable arm speed out front, pitching at 85-88 mph with his fastball, and touching 89 mph. He spun two breaking balls; a 72-76 mph slider with more horizontal break and a bendy 69-70 mph curveball that had more depth to it. Thompson also mixed in a 76-78 mph changeup to left-handed hitters to round out a competitive four-pitch mix.”