Ben
Toft

OF Ben Toft (New Trier; Iowa commit) gave an impressive look on both sides of the ball. The left-handed hitter displayed quick hands with controlled aggression, looking to elevate the ball to his pull-side and up the middle with a max EV of 95.2 mph. In the outfield, he has athletic actions with soft hands, playing through the ball with intent and reaching up to 91 mph from a crow hop. Impressive athlete, turning in a 6.77 in the 60 with a 20.6 mph peak run speed and 33.6” vertical jump.

OF Ben Toft (New Trier, 2025) is a high level athlete with a motor that is capable of impacting the game positively in multiple ways. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Toft ran a 6.77 60 and reached a peak run speed of 20.6 mph at Wednesday’s workout. His speed was on display over three games, where Toft ran a 4.22 on a groundout, beat out an infield single with a 4.11 down the line, and was 4.59 on a turn after singling to left field. He took one of the louder rounds of BP for Team Illinois, averaging 90.1 mph per batted ball with a 96.4 mph peak exit velocity. Toft’s ability to impact the baseball at a high rate, get it in the air consistently (90%) and drive the ball with authority both at peak (351 ft.) and average (287 ft.) are all noticeable. Offensively, Toft picked up a hit in all three contests, finishing the week 3-for-7 with a double, two runs scored, and he also walked. His glove is worth highlighting too as Toft has the makings of a future high-end center fielder given his comfort and athleticism on the outfield grass. 

PBR Future Games: A future top-of-the-order player at the next level, Toft took quality at-bats all week en route to a 3-for-7 (2B, BB) performance. The 5-foot-9, 164-pound outfielder comfortably rocks the hands down and back at a controlled pace before generating bat speed via quick hands with some length in the zone. Quiet with the head while staying behind the baseball, he was perpetually on the barrel throughout two batting practice sessions that included a max exit velocity of 96 mph with some sneaky strength to the pull side. Athletic in the outfield, his 6.81 speed played up with a quick first step in center field and advanced instincts. Toft’s ability to slow things down at the plate while showcasing impressive decision making abilities is something that is sure to generate plenty of interest from college programs who are looking for a player that will undoubtedly boost a recruiting class.

Toft is listed at 5-foot-10, 165-pounds and is one of the top overall athletes on Team Illinois. Toft showed loose, easy hands with whip through the zone and was consistently on the barrel with a lifted approach. Toft registered an average exit velocity of 90.1 mph and a max of 96.4 mph, highly-impressive given his stature. Toft also possesses all kinds of sneaky juice, launching his furthest batted ball 351 feet. The 6.81 runner has natural actions in the outfield with a clean, loose arm that topped at 87 mph. 

PBR Future Games: Toft is listed at 5-foot-10, 165-pounds and is one of the top overall athletes on Team Illinois. Toft showed loose, easy hands with whip through the zone and was consistently on the barrel with a lifted approach. Toft registered an average exit velocity of 90.1 mph and a max of 96.4 mph, highly-impressive given his stature. Toft also possesses all kinds of sneaky juice, launching his furthest batted ball 351 feet. The 6.81 runner has natural actions in the outfield with a clean, loose arm that topped at 87 mph.

PBR Future Games: OF Ben Toft (New Trier, 2025) is a high level athlete with a motor that is capable of impacting the game positively in multiple ways. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Toft ran a 6.77 60 and reached a peak run speed of 20.6 mph at Wednesday’s workout. His speed was on display over three games, where Toft ran a 4.22 on a groundout, beat out an infield single with a 4.11 down the line, and was 4.59 on a turn after singling to left field. He took one of the louder rounds of BP for Team Illinois, averaging 90.1 mph per batted ball with a 96.4 mph peak exit velocity. Toft’s ability to impact the baseball at a high rate, get it in the air consistently (90%) and drive the ball with authority both at peak (351 ft.) and average (287 ft.) are all noticeable. Offensively, Toft picked up a hit in all three contests, finishing the week 3-for-7 with a double, two runs scored, and he also walked. His glove is worth highlighting too as Toft has the makings of a future high-end center fielder given his comfort and athleticism on the outfield grass.

Fellow sophomore Ben Toft, a left/left outfielder, is another sophomore to know in the hallways at New Trier. The path is unclear for Toft as New Trier has plenty of competition in the outfield but he is a talented left/left prospect who could impact the varsity club at some capacity this spring. We last saw Toft in the fall where he showed sub-7.00 speed and athleticism in both the left-handed box and in the outfield. Regardless of his overall role, he’s certainly a Trevian to monitor in the coming years, if not in 2023.

Ben Toft (New Trier) is a left/left outfielder to know in the 2025 class. Toft put together an impressive stat line across the board, running a 6.93 laser-timed 60, topping at 86 mph from the outfield with a max exit velocity of 93 mph. Toft has athletic hands at the plate, staying short and level through the zone with a line-drive, middle of the field approach. Defensively, he is a fluid mover with natural outfield actions and quick arm. Also, turned in the second best vertical jump of the event at 32.7 inches. 

Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 163-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide, crouched setup, loads into back knee, short stride. Athletic hands, short and level bat path, line drive approach with feel to work back up the middle.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 83.7 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 86 mph. Short, quick arm, works from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic feet, natural actions, fluid defender with soft hands. Clean release with length.
Run: 6.93 runner in the 60. 

Ben Toft (New Trier) is a left/left outfielder to know in the 2025 class. Toft put together an impressive stat line across the board, running a 6.93 laser-timed 60, topping at 86 mph from the outfield with a max exit velocity of 93 mph. Toft has athletic hands at the plate, staying short and level through the zone with a line-drive, middle of the field approach. Defensively, he is a fluid mover with natural outfield actions and quick arm. Also, turned in the second best vertical jump of the event at 32.7 inches.

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-7, 140-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, minimal movements into a short stride, quiet load. Loose hands and wrists, easy. Simple, controlled to contact, flat path, opposite field feel.
Power: 84.99 max exit velocity, averaged 75.11 mph. 254’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Loose, high 3/4 slot, arm showed life and carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork, athletic outfield actions, plays through in rhythm, reliable hands.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-7, 140-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only athletic delivery, works on-line.
Arm Action: LH. Long, quick arm action, over-the-top to high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78.2, 75.57-78.08 mph. Lively, clean out of the hand, works mostly straight. T2007, 1921 average rpm.
CB: 62.40-64.36 mph. 1/7 shape, thrown aggressively, feel for the zone at times. T1976, 1934 average rpm.
CH: 66.15-68.00 mph. Fastball arm speed, T1469, 1414 average rpm.

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 163-pounds.
Hits: LHH. Balanced relaxed setup, minimal wasted movement. Direct path, works uphill through the zone, gap-to-gap approach and lift in swing.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 75.9 MPH. 310' max distance.
Arm: LH. OF-85 mph. Accurate arm with some life, long arm action, 3/4 slot
Defense: Deliberate routes, athletic actions, breaks down, sure handed, clean transfer
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60.
Vizual Edge: 73.87 Edge Score

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 163-pounds.
Hits: LHH. Balanced relaxed setup, minimal wasted movement. Direct path, works uphill through the zone, gap-to-gap approach and lift in swing.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 75.9 MPH. 310' max distance.
Arm: LH. OF-85 mph. Accurate arm with some life, long arm action, 3/4 slot
Defense: Deliberate routes, athletic actions, breaks down, sure handed, clean transfer
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60.
Vizual Edge: 73.87 Edge Score

+ OF/LHP Ben Toft (New Trier, 2025) is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound, left/left prospect with an athletic frame and easy actions on both sides of the ball. Toft has an advanced skill set for his age, gliding to a 7.14 time in the 60-yard dash with plenty of room to project on his speed to improve as he matures given his current athleticism. At the plate, Toft swung a loose left-handed bat that worked short and direct to the baseball. It’s a simple, easy all-around operation with gap-to-gap feel as he peppered line drives to all areas of the field. Defensively, Toft has athletic actions in the outfield with a quick, accurate arm that topped at 76 mph to his target. He carried that over to the mound where he sat 76-78 mph with his fastballs and was around the zone with a three-pitch mix.

OF/LHP Ben Toft (New Trier, 2025) is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound, left/left prospect with an athletic frame and easy actions on both sides of the ball. Toft has an advanced skill set for his age, gliding to a 7.14 time in the 60-yard dash with plenty of room to project on his speed to improve as he matures given his current athleticism. At the plate, Toft swung a loose left-handed bat that worked short and direct to the baseball. It’s a simple, easy all-around operation with gap-to-gap feel as he peppered line drives to all areas of the field. Defensively, Toft has athletic actions in the outfield with a quick, accurate arm that topped at 76 mph to his target. He carried that over to the mound where he sat 76-78 mph with his fastballs and was around the zone with a three-pitch mix.

Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-7, 140-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only athletic delivery, works on-line.
Arm Action: LH. Long, quick arm action, over-the-top to high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78.2, 75.57-78.08 mph. Lively, clean out of the hand, works mostly straight. T2007, 1921 average rpm.
CB: 62.40-64.36 mph. 1/7 shape, thrown aggressively, feel for the zone at times. T1976, 1934 average rpm.
CH: 66.15-68.00 mph. Fastball arm speed,  T1469, 1414 average rpm.

Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, minimal movements into a short stride, quiet load. Loose hands and wrists, easy. Simple, controlled to contact, flat path, opposite field feel.
Power: 84.99 max exit velocity, averaged 75.11 mph. 254’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Loose, high 3/4 slot, arm showed life and carry.
Defense: Fluid footwork, athletic outfield actions, plays through in rhythm, reliable hands.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60.