Brayden
Zilis

Zilis had a breakout junior campaign for Minooka and continues to ascend as a two-way prospect in the 2025 class. At the plate, the left-handed hitter slashed .407/.489/.763 in 118 at-bats, with 7 home runs, 15 doubles, and 33 RBI’s and 3 triples; scoring 43 runs and drawing 19 walks. On the mound, he led the way for the Minooka rotation going 7-1, striking out 66, walking only 18, and allowing four earned runs. He ended season with a 0.58 ERA in 48 IP.

Verbally committed to Illinois State.

Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 40 in the state. Took the ball and was dominant over his four innings of work, scattering just two hits, no runs, two walks and three strikeouts. The slender, 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-hander is a loose, athletic mover with a whippy arm, upside in the movement patterns. He cruised with his fastball in the 83-86 mph range, topping out at 87 mph early. He went to a slider in the 75-78 mph range, landing it for strikes and also placing to his glove-side, collecting some uncomfortable swings throughout the day. The left-handed hitter also swung it well at the plate, leaving the yard to left/center in the first at-bat of the game. It’s an upside swing, working with a controlled load and slight bat-tilt before firing through with loose hands. After he came out from pitching he moved over to shortstop and showed fluid, natural actions. Overall feel for the position, displayed a quick first step with easy range behind him, making an impressive play on a pop-up that put him on the move to shallow left field. High-follow two-way prospect in the state.

INF/RHP Brayden Zilis (Minooka, 2025) had an impressive all-around showing at this past weekend’s event. The 5-foot-9, 162-pound junior ran a 6.87 in the 60-yard dash, his fastest mark at our events to date. All but one of Zilis’ swings in BP produced exit velocities above the 94 mph mark with six at 98+ mph, including a peak mark of 99.9 mph. Zilis’ arm strength showed on the infield, where he was up to 89 mph across the diamond, and on the mound as he pumped his fastball at 87-89 mph. Zilis also spun his slider at 77-78 mph (T2777 RPM) and he threw a changeup at 77-79 mph that averaged 16.8 inches of horizontal movement.

INF/RHP Brayden Zilis (Minooka) came away one of the event’s biggest all-around winners over the weekend. At the plate, the left-handed hitter displayed a loose stroke with a flat path, staying through the hitting zone a long time with extension through the ball, swing really projects as he continues to add on strength; maxing out at 99.9 mph for his EV while averaging 96.2 mph. he‘s an athletic defender on the infield, boasting soft hands that play out front with a clean transfer. His arm is quick to release, playing from multiple angles and on the move, topping out at 89 mph. Zilis was strong on the mound as well, running his fastball up to 89 mph with sinking action to the arm-side. He complemented the fastball with a short, sweeping slider at 76-77 mph that had the second-highest max spin rate of the event at 2777 rpm.

INF/RHP Brayden Zilis (Minooka, 2025) is another two-way prospect to know. Zilis, who was playing for Top Tier Americans 2025 squad came out of the bullpen late on Friday night and threw a high-volume of strikes. Zilis works with an easy, loose arm and sat in the low-80s with his fastball but it was his high-spinning slider that was the separator. Zilis worked his slider up to to 75 mph while playing out of his fastball window with above-average feel and late sweeping action with spin rates climbing above 2700 rpm. The left-handed hitter was also on time and on the barrel in a couple of looks over the weekend and plays a steady second base with the ability to turn over the double play with an athletic, quick glove-to-hand release.

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide stance, no stride, loose, fluid load with weight shift back. Fluid swing, stays on plane, uses the middle of the field, balanced finish and stays within himself. 58.4 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 79.5 mph. 324’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Short, quick arm, loose, low 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active footwork, plays through the ball with intent, steady hands, clean transfer.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Tall stance, toe tap stride, slight hand load. Fluid swing, loose, athletic hands, easy balanced finish. Polished look and approach, spraying contact to all fields.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 85.8 mph. 326’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 85 mph. Loose 3/4 slot, can play on the move.
Defense: Soft, fluid hands, athletic feet with range to both sides of the glove, plays with rhythm, controls body on the move.
Run: 7.27 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Clean repeatable delivery lands square and on line.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 to 3/4 slot, long full arm swing. Loose free and easy.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. Well above average feel for glove side of the plate, slight arm side run. T2084, 2009 average rpm.
SL: 72-74 mph. Short tight action, 10/4 shape. T2482, 2427 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Above average fade action, showed feel. T1914, 1855 average rpm. 

Zilis is a smooth left-handed hitter with loose hands, fluid swing that is repeatable and consistently on time. Defensively, he plays light on his feet with rhythm and feel to his overall game. His arm plays loose and topped at 75 mph.