Colin
Barczi

Barczi became the first to be named DuPage Valley Player of the Year three times, and his performance this season explains why he received the honor. Barczi recorded 25 hits in 60 ABs and finished the year with a slash line of .417/.576/.917. He launched 8 HRs and 31 RBIs which led to his record-breaking accolade. He was just impressive behind the plate as he finished with a perfect fielding percentage and didn't allow any passed balls. The Vanderbilt commit missed time this season due to an illness that kept him sidelined for multiple weeks. The top-ranked catcher in the state still posted impressive numbers in the ABs he recorded, all while being pitched around.

Two other Super 60 participants of note at the top of the Illinois’ 2023 class were C Colin Barczi (Naperville Central; Vanderbilt) and SS Cal Sefcik (Marist; Indiana). 

C Colin Barczi (Naperville Central, 2023; Vanderbilt commit) is no stranger to hard elevated contact, and he continued to show that throughout his rounds of BP this past Sunday. Currently ranked No. 6 in the state, No. 103 nationally, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed hitter is physically mature throughout his frame, boasting broad/round shoulders with a developed lower-half. The strength throughout his frame is obvious, and he uses it efficiently throughout his powerful swing; starting from the ground up, Barczi rocks into his back leg throughout his load with a coiled upper-half, creating hand-separation before exploding through the zone with quick/strong hands and an uphill path - averaging 23.3 mph (T25.2 mph) for his hand speed and 75.3 mph (T79.4 mph) for his bat-speed. He averaged 93.6 mph off the bat during BP, while reaching up to 102.5 mph with a max distance of 401’. Defensively, he showcased plus arm strength, reaching up to 86 mph from the chute (second best at the event) to go along with a low pop time of 1.86 seconds. His athleticism (6.90 runner, 6.69 in the past) creates intrigue and defensive versatility while featuring above-average, to plus, tools across the board.

Vanderbilt commit. 6-foot-2, 200-pound, broad-chested, strong, right-handed hitting catcher. One of the top prospects in the Midwest. Hit in the two-hole and caught. Consistently showed off a plus arm from behind the plate. Comes out of the chute in between innings directionally and with a purpose. Throws stay on a line, show life and carry out of the hand and are consistently on the second base bag. Arm is a weapon defensively. Offensively, takes consistent, quality at-bats. Ready to hit from the moment he steps in the box, recognizes spin and is consistently on time. Took a number of aggressive intentful swings; does not get cheated. Has a presence in the box, fluid rhythm throughout and explosive hand speed. Creates some of the best bat speed in the class and the ball is extremely loud and different off the bat. Uses the whole field with a mature, powerful approach. Finished 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored. High-level talent in the 2023 class.  

Verbally committed to Vanderbilt.

6-foot-2, 200-pound, broad-shouldered, athletic, strong build, right-handed hitting catcher. One of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2023 Illinois’ class. Features well above-average tools across the board; 6.69 60 (plus run time for his position), 83 mph from the crouch and 104 mph exit velocity. Creates plus bat speed for his age and has some of the best jump off the barrel in the state, regardless of the class. Smoked an RBI backspin line-drive double in the first inning that did not get more than 10 feet off the ground and rolled all the way to the right-center field wall; 4.54 on the turn. Unorthodox setup but gets his hands and body in a good position to hit during his load. Loose, athletic strong hands and stays inside the baseball extremely well. Has shown well above-average power to all fields in the past. High-level right-handed bat. Defensively, continues to make improvements behind the plate. Sure hands, works to present pitches on the corners of the plate. Clean and easy out of the crouch and arm flashes plus. Pop times of 2.01, 2.06 and 2.08 in between innings. Also, showed instincts throwing behind a runner who had rounded second base too far; quick release and strong throw right on the bag for the putout. High-level 2023 prospect.

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, slightly open, smooth load, toe-tap trigger. Aggressive, strong swing, advanced bat speed with an average of 75.1 MPH (led the event), intent to do damage on every swing, consistent contact on barrel, gap-to-gap approach with line drives.
Power: 103.59 max exit velocity, averaged 92.65 mph. 320’ max distance. Best max exit velocity during BP at event.
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, throws carry.
Defense: 2.00-2.11 pop times. Sticks pitches while receiving, soft hands, clean exchanges, quick feet, advanced block.
Run: 6.69 runner in the 60. Advanced runner.

Positional Profile: C/OF; One of the top uncommitted prospects in the state's 2023 class.
Body: 6-foot-2, 200-pounds. Proportionally strong frame with upside levers attached.
Hit: RHH. Starts tall in the box with a narrow base, bat starts over the center of body and loads back into a slight coil, long stride, controlled balance through contact. Explosive hands with natural quick-whip bat speed and strength; averaged 77.45 mph of bat speed per Blast Motion. Bat stays short through the zone with advanced feel to lift, hands work inside the baseball, loose and easy gap-to-gap power, consistent hard contact on the barrel.
Power: 100.8 max exit velocity, averaged 87.19 mph. 358’ max distance. Boasts well above-average raw power for age, primarily to the pull-side. Upside levers and frame suggest room for more, too.
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Arm plays with some length on the back side, finishes from an over-the-top slot. Advanced arm strength for age, throws flashed carry to the bag.
Defense: 2.00-2.05 pop times. Athletic stance, quick pop from the crouch at gather, clean hand transfer to release, square blocker.
Run: 6.75 runner in the 60. Above-average runner for size and age; fluid strides. 

C Colin Barczi (Naperville Central, 2023) seems to get better with every look. Ranked inside the state’s top-30 for the sophomore class, Barczi further cemented himself as a top prospect after this recent showing. Standing at a proportionally strong and athletic 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, Barczi started his event off by running a 6.75 in the 60-yard dash, a well above-average time for someone of his size and age. He then took a strong, polished round of batting practice, showing off easy gap-to-gap power and advanced bat strength that’s harnessed within his short right-handed stroke. His hardest hit ball left his barrel at 100.80 mph and traveled 358 feet, per TrackMan, further reiterating the level of raw power he possesses. Barczi also showed off improved arm strength behind the plate, topping at 80 mph with a low pop time of 2.00. One of the top uncommitted right-handed bats we have seen in Illinois.

Positional Profile: C/OF. A high-follow prospect in the Illinois' 2023 class.
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Lanky, high-waisted frame. Projects to add strength as he matures.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, bat starts vertical, hands coil into a bat tip load, long stride to footstrike, controlled through contact.  Loose athletic hands with bat speed, uphill bat path with natural lift through contact, fluid gap-to-gap power. Easy juice off the barrel and consistently makes hard contact, average exit speed of 88.30 mph. Max distance of 335 feet with a max exit speed of 95.31 in BP, per TrackMan.
Power: 96 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short and loose arm action, comes out of a high 3/4 window.
Defense: 2.05-2.16 pop times. Athletic lower half, flexible hips, starts tall some from the crouch, clean hand transfer to release, adept blocker.
Run: 6.91 runner in the 60. 

6-foot-1, 185-pound, right-handed hitting catcher; Strong, athletic, well-proportioned frame. Took quality at-bats throughout the weekend, looks to do damage with every swing, hunts the fastball, creates leverage to the pull-side. Present bat speed and bat strength. Narrow setup, long stride, hands separate and get into a strong hitting position. Middle-of-the-order potential. Defensively, has the tools to stick behind the plate moving forward. Flexibility in hips, soft hands, presents pitches well and willing blocker. Above-average arm strength for his age, plays accurate out of the crouch; 2.13 pop time in between innings.
Stats: 3-for-7, 3 BB.

Physical, 6-foot, 180-pound frame with natural, defined strength throughout that still projects to carry more. Barczi took quality at-bats throughout the weekend showcasing strength through the zone with quick hands and gap-to-gap power. Also did a quality job behind the plate, and profiles well there as a potential middle-of-the-order bat at the next level.