Cael
Karczewski

Verbally committed to Jefferson County JC.

At 5-foot-10, 165-pounds, MIF Cael Karczewski (Joliet West, 2024) has tools and athleticism to pair along with advanced up-the-middle actions on the infield. Offensively, Karczewski showed balance and polish at the plate, peppering line drives to all fields from a clean, simple, and repeatable right-handed swing. A 6.95 runner, Karczewski is also a fluid defender on the infield with steady, sure-handed actions that should stick on the dirt moving forward. 

Uncommitted. Athletic, strong 5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder got the start at shortstop and batted down in the lineup. Setup in a balance stance with a wide base, minimum pre-pitch movement with a short stride. Quick twitch with athletic hands, uppercut swing through the zone, works the whole field on a line drive approach. Went 2-4 on the day with two runs batted. Defensively at shortstop, has fluid footwork ranging to both sides of the ball, with soft hands and a clean exchange. A winner at our Preseason All-State where he ran a top-10 60 yard time and had the fourth hardest infield velocity.

Jackson Spring (St. Charles North), Cael Karczewski (Joliet West), Blake Crancer (Normal West), Will Potter (Downers Grove South), Bobby Kutt (Providence Catholic) and Jaden Obaldo (Crystal Lake Central) were a strong crop of middle infielders that should be able to stick up the middle moving forward and they all swing intriguing right-handed bats. 

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Athletic build, some strength present in the lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly crouched setup, quiet load. Athletic swing, stays on-plane, natural loft through the zone and worked to all fields.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 86.2 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Quick, loose arm, high 3/4 slot, plays on the move.
Defense: Sure-handed, quick hands and clean transfer, confident actions.
Run: 6.92 runner in the 60. 

Uncommitted. Compact frame, standing 5-foot-9, 150-pounds with room for added strength. Started at second-base and hit out of the two-hole for a talented Joliet West club. The right-handed hitter starts in an athletic stance and moves into a long stride, hangs foot. He creates some hand-separation at foot-strike, transitioning into a flat path with loose arms throughout, clear line-drive approach. On the infield, Karczewski moves around with fluid actions and is noticeably athletic with a hop in his step; also showing body control on the slow roller play and a clean arm that plays from multiple angles.

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Athletic look, balanced setup, smooth hand load, steady leg kick trigger.  Athletic, fluid swing, works uphill through the zone, pull-side tendencies. Upside swing.
Power: 81.2 max exit velocity, averaged 73 mph. 303’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short arm action. Works from a high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Sure-handed. Funnels to the center. Ranges well both left and right.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-foot-8, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic in the box, balanced, slightly open setup, smooth pre-pitch load, leg kick. Flashed bat speed, long uphill swing, line drive to the gaps, advanced rhythm.
Power: 82.69 max exit velocity, averaged 75.72 mph. 263’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: Works towards the baseball, feet get staggered, fluid footwork, fields low to the ground, smooth double play turn.
Run: 7.75 runner in the 60.