On Saturday, February 3rd, our staff hosed the first ever Southwest Chicago Preseason ID at the Go Pro Sports Dome in Minooka, IL. This event hosted just under 30 players, and allowed our staff to get an in-depth look at a number of prospects in the area prior to the spring season. 

Below you'll find scouting reports on every single position player that was in attendance, as well as a Top-5 listing of who our staff deemed as the 'top overall' prospects from the group. 

1B Joshua Ziemer (Glenbard East, 2026) and 3B Ronan Owens (Lane Tech, 2026) are two names that deserve a mention from the event. 

Ziemer, a strong right-handed hitter, impressed throughout his round of BP with loud, elevated contact and a max exit velocity of 94 mph (T334'). He also moves well around the bag at first base with comfortable actions and steady hands. 

Owens, who also showed well on the mound, has a projectable 6-foot-2, 188-pound frame with likely more to come. The right-handed hitter was on the barrel throughout BP, reaching up to 93 mph for his max EV while averaging around 86 mph. Profiling on the corners of the infield, Owens has steady hands that pair with a strong arm across the diamond (T85 mph). 

Now lets take a look at the Top-5 position players from the event. 

TOP POSITION PLAYERS

1. Jacob Gross, LaSalle Peru (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Wide-shouldered, long-levered frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, minimal load, medium stride. Loose, strong hands, long through the zone, stays on plane, pull side jump off the barrel. Repeatable swing, controlled finish with gap-to-gap power. 75.6 mph bat speed with 24 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 103 max exit velocity, averaged 93.8 mph. 374’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot, plays comfortable from different slots.
Defense: Plays from the ground up, active feet, plays through the baseball, clean actions.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60. 

2. Christian Clark, St. Rita (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Long-levered, lean, upside frame.
Hit: RHH. Wider setup, deep pre-pitch load, toe tap stride. Loose, athletic hands, long path, stays on the barrel, line-drive approach. 62.5 mph bat speed with 3 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 80.3 mph. 297’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Clean, easy, athletic arm action, plays on target and from multiple slots.
Defense: Easy, athletic actions, quality glove presentation, smooth footwork, plays through the baseball, clean release.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

3. Caden Kendall, Victor J Andrew High School (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 167-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Wider slightly open stance, minimal load. Easy, quick hands, present twitch and bat speed, stays direct and through the zone, line-drive approach. 68.6 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 82.4 mph. 318’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fields through mid-section, ranged with pace, length through release.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60. 

4. Nolan Kendall, Victor J Andrew High School (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. High-waisted, athletic frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, quiet fluid load and short stride. Loose hands, creates bat speed and whip through contact. Flat through the zone and whole field, line drive approach.  68.4 mph bat speed with 28 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 86.6 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. OF - 83 mph. OF: Long arm action, over-the-top slot.  C: Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.16-2.19 pop times. OF: Plays with pace, quick feet, gets around the baseball, clean release. C: Quiet receiver, soft hands. Gains ground out of the crouch.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

T5. Parker Zasada, Reavis (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-10, 198-pounds. Strong, durable frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, hands stay high, minimal load. Strong hands, creates bat speed and bat strength, ball jumps off the barrel at times. Hard pull side contact at times. 65.4 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 85.4 mph. 357’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm action, comes from the ear.
Defense: 1.94-2.16 pop times. Quality receiver, flexible, low setup. Works to present pitches in and around the zone. Works directional out of the crouch.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

T5. Dominic Stottler, United Township (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-0, 173-pounds. Trim, athletic look, high waist with a projectable frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, simple, easy controlled stride load. Direct swing, athletic, strong hands, on time, whole field approach. 71.6 mph bat speed with 11 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 87.1 mph. 274’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. OF - 76 mph. INF: Short, compact arm path, side arm slot. OF: Long, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Clean actions, ranges with ease and body control, steady hands.
Run: 7.33 runner in the 60.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Austin Aldridge, Seneca High School (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Trim, lean frame, some strength throughout, evenly proportioned, sloped shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, knee knock short stride, flat load. Controlled aggression, middle of the field approach, on the barrel at times with occasional lift. 69.1 mph bat speed with 29 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 81.1 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. INF - 78 mph. C: Compact arm path, 3/4 slot. INF: Compact, aggressive arm path, side arm action.
Defense: 2.12-2.19 pop times. C: Steady hands, clean transfer, works in-line to the bag, clean block. INF: Fields the ball in center of body, secures it through release, quick exchange at times.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Caden Bregar, Oswego East (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. High-waisted, projectable frame, lean and wiry.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open, tall setup. Balanced finish, easy effort, line-drive approach, pull-side tendencies. 68.3 mph bat speed with 18 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 78.8 mph. 231’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 79 mph. Short compact arm action.
Defense: Steady hands, comes and gets the baseball at times, directional routes.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

Carson Ebeling, Benet Academy (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Compact, wiry frame, high waist.
Hit: RHH. Athletic slightly open stance, medium leg kick stride. Consistently on time, whole field approach, stays on top of the baseball.  67 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82.2 mph. 264’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short, compact arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic feet, stays low to the ground, two-hand gather out front, soft hands, works well to both sides.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60. 

Braden Goffin-Eilers, Minooka Community (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Lean, proportioned frame, room to gain strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Narrow balanced setup, minimal load, direct path on plane. Balanced swing, lets the ball travel, loose hands, stays on plane and uses the middle of the field. 60.5 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 79.4 mph. 268’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 74 mph. INF: Compact arm path, over top slot. C: Short, compact arm, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.26-2.33 pop times. Secures the baseball, clean release, steady hands.
Run: 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Ryan Keener, Minooka (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-5, 135-pounds. Compact, lean frame, room to add on muscle.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, crouched setup, slightly open and works into a long stride.  Controlled swing, steep path, looks to stay on top of the ball, consistently used the middle of the field with line-drives.  65.2 mph bat speed with 19 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 80.8 mph. 283’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Long arm path, over the top slot.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, clean footwork, gains ground through release, reliable hands.
Run: 7.16 runner in the 60. 

Shawn Krieps, Providence Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Evenly proportioned frame, room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Wide closed setup, toe tap load, short stride. Direct swing, twitchy hands, creates bat speed, repeats and was on the barrel through the majority of the round. 68.4 mph bat speed with 18 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 78.5 mph. 272’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short, quick arm path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, plays comfortable on the move, steady hands, clean release.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

Aidan Lindquist, Burlington Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-4, 115-pounds. Trim, lean frame, plenty of room to grow physically.
Hit: RHH. Narrow ball of foot setup, medium stride. Loose hands, easy swing, long path at times and balanced through contact. 62.2 mph bat speed with 18 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 76 max exit velocity, averaged 59.9 mph. 229’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 63 mph. Long arm path, over the top slot.
Defense: Short, quick feet, aggressive approach, attacks the ball in stride, shuffle step crow hop.
Run: 7.50 runner in the 60. 

Ronan Owens, Lane Tech (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 195-pounds. Athletic build with some strength throughout, strong lower-half, room to add on more strength.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, slightly open stance, minimal late load. Present levers, creates bat speed, stays on plane, gap-to-gap approach and finishes on balance. 69.5 mph bat speed with 16 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 85.9 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Short, compact arm, quick, 3/4 slot, comes out clean.
Defense: Steady defender, plays from the ground up, clean footwork, easy release and double play turn.
Run: 7.00 runner in the 60. 

John O'Brien, Joliet Catholic Academy (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-7, 170-pounds. Compact, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, no load, minimal stride. Direct, quiet swing, hands work on top of the baseball, repeatable and whole field approach. 67.4 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.7 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Short, quick arm, side arm path.
Defense: Active feet, plays from the ground up, quick glove-to-hand release at times.
Run: 7.22 runner in the 60. 

Howie Porath, Minooka Community (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-11, 171-pounds. Evenly proportioned build, room to gain strength physically.
Hit: LHH. Wide, straight leg setup, toe-taps into a medium stride.  Direct path, natural lift, stays within himself, gap-to-gap approach. 64.6 mph bat speed with 6 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 77.9 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Plays from the ground up, steady hands, length and effort through release.
Run: 7.79 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Scardina, Jacobs (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/OF
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Athletic frame with some strength, evenly proportioned, round shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, hands drop into load. Strong hands, uphill path, lifts the baseball and worked the middle of the field. 75.6 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 79.9 mph. 343’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Shorter arm path, over the top slot.
Defense: Proper direction, gains ground through release at times, steady hands.
Run: 6.90 runner in the 60. 

Quinn Scott, United Township (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-3, 220-pounds. Strong, durable build, high waist.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet load and stride. Easy, fluid, controlled swing, strong hands, whole field approach and stays balanced throughout. 61.9 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 79.5 mph. 280’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 76 mph. INF: Short arm action, accurate, short 3/4 arm slot.   C: Compact arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.19-2.43 pop times. C: Quick, clean transfer, easy footwork, moved well on the block, easy receiver, quick feet. INF: Clean hands, plays tall through release, easy effort.
Run: 8.08 runner in the 60. 

Sean Skrtich, Morris (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Trim, athletic build, high waist, room to fill out.
Hit: SH. LH: Athletic setup, Short stride, direct path from left side. RH: Short stride, direct path, simple and repeats. Strong hands, direct path, natural lift and up the middle approach. Creates bat speed and jump off the barrel from the right side. Flashed pull side power. 67.5 mph bat speed with 15 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 332’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Quick transfer, whippy arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.05-2.29 pop times. Soft hands, easy transfer, works quick out of the crouch and quick to release, clean block.
Run: 7.79 runner in the 60. 

Sebastian Solis, Romeoville (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Athletic build with some strength in the lower-half, wide shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched stance, short stride, minimal controlled load. Balanced swing, minimal wasted movent, uphill path at times, middle of the field approach. 69.4 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 86.2 mph. 339’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short, quick release, over the top slot, accurate throws.
Defense: 1.97-2.04 pop times. Quick, clean transfer, quick feet, works in-line, soft, athletic blocker.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Tyler Weigand, Northside College Prep (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Lean, evenly proportioned build, room to add on strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, leg kick, exaggerated load. Uphill path, long through the zone, lifted approach and worked the whole field. 71.5 mph bat speed with 10 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 82 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, aggressive arm path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Plays with bounce at times, gets around the baseball, clean and quick release.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

Jake Williams, Wheaton North (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 192-pounds. Athletic frame, some strength throughout, evenly proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, medium load and stride.  Loose storng hands, pull side approach, present levers, balanced setup. 64.7 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 83.3 mph. 307’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short, compact path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, two-hand gather out front, fields ball to body, active feet through release, gains ground,  moves well to both sides.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60. 

Jackson Yates, Marmion Academy (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-6, 135-pounds. Compact, lean frame, room to grow physically.
Hit: RHH. Tall, wider setup, minimal load, short stride. Long path, easy effort, whole field approach. 63.8 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 68.2 mph. 253’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 75 mph. Long arm path, over the top slot.
Defense: Steady actions, gets behind the baseball, clean release.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Joshua Ziemer, Glenbard East (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 5-11, 205-pounds. Strong, durable frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic slightly open stance, medium leg kick, minimal load. Aggressive swing, lifted approach, uphill through the zone and flashed above average power to the pull side. 69.7 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 87 mph. 334’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Medium, loose arm path, over the top slot.
Defense: Steady hands, fields ball to body, has some bounce with body control.
Run: 8.20 runner in the 60. 

For a full look at the event page, click HERE. 

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