Brayden
Bakes

Bakes’ senior season for Huntley was one to remember, as he posted standout numbers and was named Fox Valley All-Conference. Committed to Indiana, the future Hoosier posted 40 hits, 35 RBI, and launched 10 HRs in 101 ABs. The second-ranked outfielder in the Illinois 2023 class finished with a slash line of .396/.534/.842. Bakes is accompanied on the third team by his brother, Ryan.

Indiana commit. Currently ranked No. 12 in the state, No. 262 nationally. Started in centerfield and hit out of the two-hole for Huntley. Finished the day with a home run, RBI and a run scored. Mature presence in the box, controls the tempo of the game, remains on time and utilizes a simple, powerful stroke. Well above-average defender in the outfield, quick first step with ultra-athletic actions and routes. Soft hands that pair with a strong arm (T87 mph in event). Game-changing speed, especially in the outfield with his ability to track down fly balls, had been down to a 6.45-60 time in-event. High-level outfielder that swings a strong left-handed bat. 

Decommitted from Wichita State.

Positional Profile: OF The top position player at this year’s ProCase, Bakes raked, both in BP and during live at-bats.
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Physical frame. Wide shoulders. Strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Wide, crouched open setup. Toe tap trigger. Controlled, short stride. Late violence to swing. Compact swing. Power profile. Produced consistent hard contact.
Power: 99.5 max exit velocity, averaged 91.3 mph. 389’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Average arm strength, plays above with compact transfer and good on-line carry to target for plus accuracy.
Defense: Compact transfer.
Run: 6.67 runner in the 60. Power runner. Gains ground.

Very good present strength on a compact 5-foot-10, 180 pound frame. Compact swing, ball jumps off his barrel with late violence to his swing. Also stood out with his arm strength and run speed. Runs fairly loose for his strong build/body type.” Bakes put up a flashy set of numbers too, posting a 6.67 in the 60 to go along with a 99.5 max exit velocity and hitting the longest ball of BP at 389’. 

Wichita State commit, currently ranked No. 15 in the Illinois 2023 class. Strong, compact 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame, wide shoulders with a physically developed lower-half. Started in centerfield and impressed with an athletic round of IO; cruising to balls with ease and showing off a strong arm that plays with carry to bases. At the plate, the left-handed hitter found multiple barrels throughout his at-bats, working with quick/strong hands through the zone with an uphill path, demonstrating a clear understanding of the zone and letting the ball travel deep. Highly-talented 2023 prospect.

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 178-pounds. Strong frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, slight knee bend, toe-tap, short stride, simple pre-pitch actions. Short, fluid swing, advanced bat path, drives the baseball getting extension, flashed bat speed with 72.7 MPH bat speed, gap-to-gap approach finding consistent hard contact.
Power: 97.08 max exit velocity, averaged 90.5 mph. 275’ max distance.
Run: 4.30 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 170-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Crouched quiet setup, minimal load and short stride. Simple swing, strong hands, present bat speed, lifts the baseball, gap-to-gap approach and stays balanced throughout.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Present bat strength.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long, quick arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Clean actions, gets around the baseball, length through exchange at times.
Run: 6.88 runner in the 60. Powerful, clean runner.

Positional Profile: OF 
Body: 5-foot-9, 170-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly crouched and quiet setup. Minimal load and short stride. Fast bat, repeatable, controls the barrel, a lot of hard gap-to-gap contact.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Advanced bat strength for age.
Arm: RH. OF - 86 mph. Long arm action, plays quick out of a high 3/4 slot and throws carried.
Defense: Steady outfield actions, reliable hands and clean release.
Run: 3.94 runner home-to-first. Advanced run time for his age.

A similar build to his brother; proportional strength throughout, though he hits from the left side. A smooth left-handed hitter with fluidity and rhythm, which helps him find the barrel with ease, with bat speed. Uses his strength to generate hard contact into the gaps. Is quick out of the box with above-average foot speed. Has some instincts in center field, and the speed to chase down balls in the gaps.

5-foot-8, 170 pound, strong, left-handed hitting right handed throwing outfielder and pitcher. Offensively, balanced slightly opened stance, smooth load, short stride, extension through baseball and stays balanced throughout. Fast bat speed, consistent hard contact, gap-gap approach and 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long over the top, accuracy on throws flashing carry. Played through the ball, clean fluid footwork, quick exchange, throwing through target. 80 mph from outfield. Ran well above-average home-to-first, 4.30. On the mound, smooth rhythm, long loose arm action with high ¾ slot, linear direction, open landing with an athletic finish. Fastball flashed cut, ranging between 75-77 mph. Curveball had 11/5 break, gradual, 58-61. Changeup had same arm action as fastball, sitting between 66-67 mph.