Prep Baseball Report

Illinois Underclass Invitational: Top Overall 2023 Prospects


By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Underclass Invitational is one of Illinois’ most highly anticipated events on the PBR Illinois showcase calendar. The invitation-only event for the state’s top 2022 and 2023 prospects was held on Feb. 16, at The MAX in McCook, Ill. Over 110 of Illinois’ best freshman and sophomores represented themselves at the sold-out event.

As expected, this was an absolutely loaded event that yielded to us a brand new crop of underclass talent to follow as they continue maturing and developing at the high school level. Soon following the event we released early analysis with our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis

Over the last week or so, we’ve been rolling out position-by-position analysis from this event that started with the day’s catchers and took us through the outfielders, infielders, and pitchers. We’re concluding our event coverage today, by ranking the top 15 2023 prospects from the event. 

Continue reading below for reports and the 2023 top overall prospects.

2023 TOP OVERALL PROSPECTS

Ryan Jefferson SS / Providence Catholic, IL / 2023

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. Lanky, athletic, wiry frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, wide base, smooth load, high leg kick, drives lower half.  Loose fast hands, aggressive swing, uphill path, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, comfortable from multiple angles. Accurate throws with carry.
Defense: Premium actions, confident defender, fields in rhythm, gets around the baseball, maintains body control. Soft hands, clean funnels, quick glove-to-hand release, plays through the baseball. Has all the tools to stick up the middle.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60. 


TJ Schuyler C / Antioch, IL / 2023

INDIANA COMMIT

Positional Profile: C
 Body: 6-foot-2, 170-pounds. Highly-athletic build, with more room for continued physical development.
 Hit: RHH. Narrow, slightly open setup, smooth load, short leg-lift trigger and stays extremely balanced though contact. Fluid rhythm, easy effort, loose quick hands, whip through the zone. Short, direct path, highly-repeatable, line-drive mature approach for age.
 Power: 84 mph exit velocity from the tee.
 Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, throws play with carry from a 3/4 slot.
 Defense: 2.10-2.15 pop times. Flexible hips, sits low in crouch, strong wrists, steady hands. Clean and athletic out of the crouch.
 Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

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