Prep Baseball Report

CLASS OF 2025

SS
RHP

Jackson
Natanek

Brother Rice (HS) • IL
5' 10" • 180LBS
R/R • 17yr 6mo
Travel Team: Chicago Cubs Scout Team

Rankings

2025 National

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2025 State

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Commitment

Videos

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Best of Snapshot
Physical
Positional Tools Velos / Pop
TrackMan Hitting
Blast
TrackMan Pitching
Pitch Scores
Pitching Velos
Swift
Visual Edge
PitchAI
News
Comments
Twitter
Contact

Best Of Stats

Hitting
23.1
Hand Speed (max)
8/08/23
74.3
Bat Speed (max)
8/08/23
14.1
Rot. Acc (max)
2/26/22
13
Hard Hit %
2/25/23
Power
91.1
Exit Velocity (max)
8/08/23
85.7
Exit Velocity (avg)
8/08/23
331
Distance (max)
8/08/23
70
Sweet Spot %
7/27/22
Run
7.11
60
8/08/23
3.92
30-yd
8/08/23
1.71
10-yd
8/08/23
19.2
Run speed (max)
8/08/23
Defense
91
INF Velo
2/25/23
-
OF Velo
-
C Velo
-
Pop Time
Pitching

Fastball

88
Velocity (max)
8/08/23
83.9 - 87.2
Velo Range
8/08/23
2459
Spin Rate (avg)
2/26/22

Changeup

81 - 81
Velo Range
8/08/23
1877
Spin Rate (avg)
8/08/23

Curveball

74.6 - 76.4
Velo Range
2/25/23
2482
Spin Rate (avg)
2/25/23

Slider

77 - 79
Velo Range
8/08/23
2826
Spin Rate (avg)
8/08/23

Positional Tools

2023
2022
2021
60 Yard Dash
7.11
Infield Velocity
91.0
Power / Speed Score
12.8
60 Yard Dash
7.70
Infield Velocity
87.0
Power / Speed Score
10.9
60 Yard Dash
7.86
Infield Velocity
83.0
Power / Speed Score
10.2
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 8, 2023
Position
7.11
60-yard
89
INF Velo
91
Exit Velo
Power Speed Score
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 25, 2023
Position
7.52
60-yard
91
INF Velo
90
Exit Velo
Power Speed Score
2022 PBR Future Games
Jul 27, 2022
Position
85
INF Velo
Power Speed Score
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
Position
7.70
60-yard
87
INF Velo
94
Exit Velo
Power Speed Score
2021 Junior Future Games
Jul 28, 2021
Position
7.86
60-yard
83
INF Velo
81
Exit Velo

Hitting

2023
2022
2021
Exit Velocity Max
91.1
Exit Velocity Avg
84.2
Distance Max
331
Distance Avg
222
Launch Angle Avg
22.0
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Exit Velocity Max
83.6
Exit Velocity Avg
76.4
Distance Max
291
Distance Avg
204
Launch Angle Avg
24.7
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Exit Velocity Max
80.5
Exit Velocity Avg
76.3
Distance Max
242
Distance Avg
160
Launch Angle Avg
13.7
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 8, 2023
Trackman - Hitting
91.1
Exit Velocity (max)
85.7
Exit Velocity (avg)
235
Distance (avg)
331
Distance (max)
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 25, 2023
Trackman - Hitting
90.4
Exit Velocity (max)
82.4
Exit Velocity (avg)
207
Distance (avg)
301
Distance (max)
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
2022 PBR Future Games
Jul 27, 2022
Trackman - Hitting
81.6
Exit Velocity (max)
76.0
Exit Velocity (avg)
205
Distance (avg)
266
Distance (max)
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
Trackman - Hitting
83.6
Exit Velocity (max)
76.4
Exit Velocity (avg)
204
Distance (avg)
291
Distance (max)
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Junior Future Games Workout - IL/WI
Jul 28, 2021
Trackman - Hitting
80.5
Exit Velocity (max)
76.3
Exit Velocity (avg)
160
Distance (avg)
242
Distance (max)
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %

Hitting

2023
2022
Hand Speed Max
23.1
Hand Speed Avg
19.3
Bat Speed Max
74.3
Bat Speed Avg
68.9
Rotational Acceleration Max
Rotational Acceleration Avg
On-Plane Efficiency Max
On-Plane Efficiency Avg
Hand Speed Max
19.4
Hand Speed Avg
18.5
Bat Speed Max
65.1
Bat Speed Avg
63.0
Rotational Acceleration Max
Rotational Acceleration Avg
On-Plane Efficiency Max
On-Plane Efficiency Avg
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 8, 2023
Blast - Hitting
23.1
Hand Speed (max)
19.4
Hand Speed (avg)
74.3
Bat Speed (max)
68.5
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 25, 2023
Blast - Hitting
19.7
Hand Speed (max)
19.1
Hand Speed (avg)
70.5
Bat Speed (max)
69.4
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
Blast - Hitting
19.4
Hand Speed (max)
18.5
Hand Speed (avg)
65.1
Bat Speed (max)
63.0
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency

Pitching

2023
2022
Fastball
Velocity Max
87.8
Fastball
Velocity Avg
85.5
Fastball
Spin Rate Avg
2360
Fastball
Spin Score Avg
27.6
Fastball
Total Movement Avg
Curveball
Velocity Avg
75.5
Curveball
Spin Rate Avg
2482
Curveball
Total Movement Avg
Changeup
Velocity Avg
79.3
Changeup
Spin Rate Avg
1747
Changeup
Total Movement Avg
Slider
Velocity Avg
77.9
Slider
Spin Rate Avg
2826
Slider
Total Movement Avg
Sinker
Velocity Avg
86.1
Sinker
Spin Rate Avg
2338
Sinker
Total Movement Avg
Fastball
Velocity Max
83.2
Fastball
Velocity Avg
82.6
Fastball
Spin Rate Avg
2459
Fastball
Spin Score Avg
29.8
Fastball
Total Movement Avg
Slider
Velocity Avg
72.4
Slider
Spin Rate Avg
2592
Slider
Total Movement Avg
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 8, 2023
Trackman - Fastball
87.8
Velocity (max)
83.9 - 87.2
Velo Range
83.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,590
Spin Rate (max)
2,346
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - Slider
78.7
Velocity (max)
77.3 - 78.6
Velo Range
74.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,940
Spin Rate (max)
2,826
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - ChangeUp
81.2
Velocity (max)
79.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
1,877
Spin Rate (max)
1,877
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - Sinker
86.1
Velocity (max)
83.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,338
Spin Rate (max)
2,338
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 25, 2023
Trackman - Fastball
86.0
Velocity (max)
84.6 - 85.8
Velo Range
83.0
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,508
Spin Rate (max)
2,413
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - Curveball
76.9
Velocity (max)
74.6 - 76.4
Velo Range
72.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,555
Spin Rate (max)
2,482
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Trackman - ChangeUp
80.0
Velocity (max)
77.7 - 80.0
Velo Range
76.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
1,780
Spin Rate (max)
1,721
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
Trackman - Fastball
83.2
Velocity (max)
82.2 - 83.0
Velo Range
81.9
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,574
Spin Rate (max)
2,459
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Trackman - Slider
74.1
Velocity (max)
71.3 - 73.6
Velo Range
70.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
2,679
Spin Rate (max)
2,592
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %

Pitch Scores

2023
Fastball
Hop+
Fastball
Sink+
Fastball
Rise+
Curveball
Hammer+
Curveball
Sweep+
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 25, 2023
Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
Rise+
Sink+
Pitch Scores - Curveball
Hammer+
Sweep+

Pitching Velos

2024
2023
2022
2021
Fastball
Velocity Max
86.0
Fastball
Velocity Avg
85.0
Curveball
Velocity Avg
74.5
Fastball
Velocity Max
88.0
Fastball
Velocity Avg
85.5
Curveball
Velocity Avg
75.5
Changeup
Velocity Avg
80.0
Slider
Velocity Avg
78.0
Fastball
Velocity Max
83.0
Fastball
Velocity Avg
82.5
Slider
Velocity Avg
72.5
Fastball
Velocity Max
80.0
Fastball
Velocity Avg
77.5
Curveball
Velocity Avg
67.8
Changeup
Velocity Avg
73.5
PBT Illinois Open
Jun 21, 2024
Pitching
86
Max FB
84 - 86
FB
74 - 75
CB
2024 IHSA Season
Mar 11, 2024
Pitching
88
Max FB
84 - 87
FB
74 - 75
CB
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 8, 2023
Pitching
88
Max FB
84 - 87
FB
81 - 81
CH
77 - 79
SL
2023 IHSA Season
Mar 13, 2023
Pitching
87
Max FB
85 - 86
FB
75 - 76
CB
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 25, 2023
Pitching
86
Max FB
85 - 86
FB
75 - 76
CB
78 - 80
CH
15U National Championship
Jul 7, 2022
Pitching
81
Max FB
77 - 81
FB
66 - 68
CB
2021 Junior Future Games
Jul 28, 2021
Pitching
79
Max FB
77 - 79
FB
67 - 69
CB
72 - 75
CH
PBR At The Rock 14U
Jun 10, 2021
Pitching
80
Max FB
76 - 78
FB
67 - 68
CB

Game Performance

2023
10 Yard Dash
1.71
30 Yard Dash
3.92
60 Yard Dash
7.11
Top Speed (MPH)
RSi
Vertical Jump
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 8, 2023
Swift
1.71
10-yd
3.92
30-yd
7.11
60-yd
19.2
Run speed (max)
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 25, 2023
Swift
1.84
10-yd
4.17
30-yd
7.52
60-yd
18.3
Run speed (max)
2.58
RSi (max)
2.58
RSi (avg)
1,661
Jump Power (max)
29.9
Jump Height (max)
29.2
Jump Height (avg)
2022 PBR Future Games
Jul 27, 2022
Swift
1.94
10-yd
4.41
30-yd
7.96
60-yd
17.3
Run speed (max)
7.5
Run Speed (avg)
2.52
RSi (max)
2.52
RSi (avg)
1,429
Jump Power (max)
27.4
Jump Height (max)
27.3
Jump Height (avg)

Visual Edge

2022
Edge Score
68.04

Pitch Ai

2022
Arm Speed
Arm Slot
Knee Extension Velo
Deception
Hip-Shoulder Separation
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
ProPlayAI - Foot Plant
Elbow Flexion (avg)
Shoulder Abduction (avg)
Hip Shoulder Seperation (avg)
ProPlayAI - MER
External Rotation (avg)
Stride Length (avg)
Horizontal Abduction (avg)
ProPlayAI - Release
Arm Speed (max)
Arm Speed (avg)
Knee Extension Velocity (max)
Knee Extension Velocity (avg)
Knee Flexion (avg)
Arm Slot (avg)
Lateral Trunk Tilt (avg)
Arm Path (avg)
Deception (avg)
Torque (avg)
Efficiency (avg)
Sequencing (avg)

Notes

News

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Comments

5/01/24

Illinois State commit. Currently ranked No. 36 in the state. Athletic, 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame, round shoulders with some strength throughout. Advanced defender on the dirt, soft hands with confident actions, secures the ball into his body before moving into a clean transfer with above-average glove-to-hand work. The right-handed hitter finished the day 1-for-3 with two runs scored, walking once. Works in his legs in his setup and through impact, strong hands through the zone with controlled aggression.

3/15/24

Illinois State commit, ranked No. 29 overall in the state’s junior class. Sturdy, compact 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame with lower half strength. Worked a clean, quick 1-2-3 inning out of the ‘pen for the Crusaders in a winning effort. Simple, athletic drop-and-drive delivery, repeats and works in-line to the plate. Continuous arm path, short draw out of the glove with arm speed out front, high ¾ finish. Attacked hitters on the corners with his fastball, touched 88, pitched at 84-87 mph. Sharp late break on his breaking ball, 74-75 mph, swing-and-miss upside.

9/23/23

SS/RHP Jackson Natanek (Brother Rice, 2025; Illinois State) is a scrappy up-the-middle defender that put on a clinic early on Saturday. It started at the plate, where the uncommitted prospect finished with two hits, both of which were barrels. On the defensive end, Natanek made a slick diving play up the middle at the shortstop position, and threw the runner out at first base with ease and plenty of arm strength. More of that arm strength was reflected on the bump later on Saturday, where Natanek worked his fastball in the 85-87 mph range. He also mixed in a sharp curveball and slider combination from the high ¾ arm slot.

9/20/23

Another 2025 for Top Tier Americans that caught our eye was former Future Games participant, SS Jackson Natanek (Brother Rice, 2025). THe uncommitted shortstop made a number of plays defensively over the weekend. His footwork stood out, playing through the baseball with active feet while showing an advanced arm across the diamond that was consistently on the bag playing with life and carry.

8/08/23

A former member of Team Illinois at the 2022 PBR Future Games, RHP/SS Jackson Natanek (Brother Rice, 2025) was a major winner at this year’s Illinois State Games. A legitimate two-way prospect, Natenek really stood out on the mound in this look. Athletic with quick levers, his fastball was up to 87.8 mph, sitting mostly 84-87 mph, and spinning it at a max of 2590 RPM. He threw a true sinker, too, at 86.1 mph with 18.3” of horizontal movement and 5.1” of induced vertical break. Pairing that with his slider that spun at 2826 RPM, on average, with an average horizontal movement of 13.3”, Natanek’s sequence of sinker/slider has out-pitch potential. During his two innings of work, he struck out three, allowed one hit and no runs. Positionally he continues to prove he is one of the steadier middle infielders in the state and took a number of competitive swings and at-bats throughout the two days.

8/08/23

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Methodical windup, high leg lift into drop and drive delivery, aggressive downhill. Went two innings of scoreless baseball, striking out three.
Arm Action: RH. Athletic, quick arm, 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 84-87 mph. Carry through the zone, life to the arm-side. T2590, 2346 average rpm.
SL: 77-79 mph. Sharp, late sweeping action. T2940, 2826 average rpm.
CH: 81-81 mph. Mostly straight, plays similar to the fastball. T1877, 1877 average rpm.

8/08/23

Positional Profile: SS
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, knee knock trigger, gains ground. Quick, in control and on time, long through the zone, slightly uphill, consistent barrels to pull-side. Collected two hits, scored two runs and walked three times during game play. 68.5 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 85.7 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 89 mph. Quick, athletic arm action, accurate on the bag with carry.
Defense: Fluid, athletic actions, soft hands, clear feel for the position, body control on the run-through.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.

6/10/23

Athletic 5-foot-10, 172-pound frame with lean strength and room to fill out further. Represented Team Illinois at the PBR Future Games last summer and is currently the No. 25 overall prospect in the state’s 2025 class. Started at second base and hit in the two-hole for Brother Rice in this look. Heavy back leg load, active front half at the plate, hands are already set as the pitch is delivered. Path is short with quick hands and bat speed through the zone. Comfortable defensively, has advanced feel for himself on the dirt with steady glovework and athletic feet. Capable of providing positive production in multiple ways on the diamond; one of the top infielders in the state’s soon-to-be junior class. 

6/10/23

Athletic 5-foot-10, 172-pound frame with lean strength and room to fill out further. Represented Team Illinois at the PBR Future Games last summer and is currently the No. 25 overall prospect in the state’s 2025 class. Started at second base and hit in the two-hole for Brother Rice in this look. Heavy back leg load, active front half at the plate, hands are already set as the pitch is delivered. Path is short with quick hands and bat speed through the zone. Comfortable defensively, has advanced feel for himself on the dirt with steady glovework and athletic feet. Capable of providing positive production in multiple ways on the diamond; one of the top infielders in the state’s soon-to-be junior class.

5/12/23

The Crusaders went 3-2 on the week, and Natanek was a big help going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, five RBIs, five runs scored and two walks. In their loss to No. 1 Providence Catholic, Natanek went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and a run scored. Rounding out the week with a 14-5 win over Loyola, Natanek went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, one run scored and a walk.

5/12/23

The Crusaders went 3-2 on the week, and Natanek was a big help going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, five RBIs, five runs scored and two walks. In their loss to No. 1 Providence Catholic, Natanek went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and a run scored. Rounding out the week with a 14-5 win over Loyola, Natanek went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, one run scored and a walk.

5/11/23

Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 25 in the Illinois’ 2025 class. 5-foot-10, 172-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Started at second base and hit in the two-hole. Finished 1-for-4 at the plate and played a smooth second base. Also, came out of the bullpen and showed above-average arm talent on the mound. Loose, quick, athletic arm. Fastball jumps out of the hand and sat 85-86 mph, T87. Slider has a chance to be a go-to, swing-and-miss secondary, flashed hard, tight spin and horizontal action at 75-76 mph; shape and tightness was inconsistent in this one inning look. Two-way prospect to follow moving forward. 

 
5/11/23

Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 25 in the Illinois’ 2025 class. 5-foot-10, 172-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Started at second base and hit in the two-hole. Finished 1-for-4 at the plate and played a smooth second base. Also, came out of the bullpen and showed above-average arm talent on the mound. Loose, quick, athletic arm. Fastball jumps out of the hand and sat 85-86 mph, T87. Slider has a chance to be a go-to, swing-and-miss secondary, flashed hard, tight spin and horizontal action at 75-76 mph; shape and tightness was inconsistent in this one inning look. Two-way prospect to follow moving forward.

3/01/23

Fellow Brother Rice product, INF/RHP Jackson Natanek (Brother Rice, 2025), was a part of Team Illinois at the 2022 PBR Future Games and continues to separate himself as one of the top middle infield defenders still on the market in the class. He’s an ultra smooth and athletic mover, boasting soft hands while playing low through the ball and gaining ground easily with a shuffle into his throws. His arm has made some jumps since our last look at him, now reaching up to 91 mph across the diamond. The right-handed bat has always been compact with a line-drive approach, whole field approach and it gained some bat strength over the winter, now registering a T90.4 mph exit velocity, up from 83.6 mph in 2022. He has continued to improve his 60-time and his arm is an asset on the mound too. He topped at 86 mph with a hard-biting mid-70s curveball that plays with an average of 2482 rpm.

2/25/23

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced slightly open stance with toe tap trigger and strong hand load Compact swing, stays on-plane, developing bat strength and was consistently on time.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 82.4 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 91 mph. Easy life and carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, plays low and through the ball, gains ground easily through his shuffle into thrown, ultra athletic look with feel and confidence.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60.

Delivery: Drop and drive delivery with effort and intent, works directionally. Uptempo pace, attacks.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw, over the top slot, quick out front.
FB: T86, 85-86 mph. Played mostly straight, showed finish. T2508, 2413 average rpm.
CB: 75-76 mph. Well above average spin, sharp action. 11/5 shape. T2555, 2482 average rpm.
CH: 78-80 mph. Fade action, plays to the arm side. T1780, 1721 average rpm. 

2/25/23

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery with effort and intent, works directionally. Uptempo pace, attacks.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw, over the top slot, quick out front.
FB: T86, 85-86 mph. Played mostly straight, showed finish. T2508, 2413 average rpm.
CB: 75-76 mph. Well above average spin, sharp action. 11/5 shape. T2555, 2482 average rpm.
CH: 78-80 mph. Fade action, plays to the arm side. T1780, 1721 average rpm.

2/25/23

Positional Profile: SS/2B 
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced slightly open stance with toe tap trigger and strong hand load Compact swing, stays on-plane, developing bat strength and was consistently on time.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 82.4 mph. 301’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 91 mph. Easy life and carry.
Defense: Athletic actions, plays low and through the ball, gains ground easily through his shuffle into thrown, ultra athletic look with feel and confidence.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60.

2/25/23

Fellow Brother Rice product, INF/RHP Jackson Natanek (Brother Rice, 2025), was a part of Team Illinois at the 2022 PBR Future Games and continues to separate himself as one of the top middle infield defenders still on the market in the class. He’s an ultra smooth and athletic mover, boasting soft hands while playing low through the ball and gaining ground easily with a shuffle into his throws. His arm has made some jumps since our last look at him, now reaching up to 91 mph across the diamond. The right-handed bat has always been compact with a line-drive approach, whole field approach and it gained some bat strength over the winter, now registering a T90.4 mph exit velocity, up from 83.6 mph in 2022. He has continued to improve his 60-time and his arm is an asset on the mound too. He topped at 86 mph with a hard-biting mid-70s curveball that plays with an average of 2482 rpm.

2/26/22

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Athletic build. Plenty of room for continued physical development.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, quiet load, short stride. Athletic hands, bat stays on-plane, natural lift, works gap-to-gap.
Power: 83.6 max exit velocity, averaged 76.4 mph. 290’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Short arm circle into a 3/4 slot. Life out of the hand. Accurate throws on the move. Carry to the base.
Defense: Fundamentally sound. Athletic actions. Under control on the move.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Twitchy, up-tempo delivery, pre-loads back knee before moving into a strong drop and drive lower-half, works in line with the plate, closed front foot at landing.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm swing out of the glove. Quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83.2, 82.2-83.0 mph. High spin fastball--Life and carry through the zone. T2573, 2459 average rpm.
SL: 71.3-73.6 mph. Hard slider. Tight spin. Out pitch potential. T2679, 2592 average rpm.

2/26/22

Here are two of the top two-way talents at The MAX on Saturday: SS/RHP Xavier Crowder (Montini Catholic, 2025) and SS/RHP Jackson Natanek (Brother Rice, 2025). Both stood out on the mound with their high spin rate breaking balls that topped the entire event. Crowder led the showcase with a curveball that averaged a spin rate of nearly 2,700 rpm, while Natanek’s slider averaged nearly 2,600 rpm, which led that pitch’s category. Both clearly have dynamic, athletic arms and Crowder paired his breaking ball with one of the top fastballs of that day, topping at 90.7 mph. Crowder’s dynamic athleticism was on display as a position player as well. He ran the top 60 time for 2025s (6.94) and showed off elite bat speed for his age (75.5 mph max). Crowder swings with intent off an uphill path with pull-side tendencies and his furthest batted ball traveled 346 feet. Natanek is a high-level shortstop with fundamentally sound, athletic actions, and a strong arm, naturally, and has shown a feel to hit from the right-handed box.

2/26/22

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Long Projectable frame
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, toe-tap stride. Easy, balanced swing. Handsy. Repeatable. Uses the whole field. Remains balanced throughout.
Power: 87.4 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 257’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short, whippy arm action. 3/4 slot. Accurate throws to the base on the move.
Defense: Quick feet, aggressive, quick release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.84 runner in the 60.

2/26/22

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Athletic build. Plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Twitchy, up-tempo delivery, pre-loads back knee before moving into a strong drop and drive lower-half, works in line with the plate, closed front foot at landing.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm swing out of the glove. Quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83.2, 82.2-83.0 mph. High spin fastball--Life and carry through the zone. T2573, 2459 average rpm.
SL: 71.3-73.6 mph. Hard slider. Tight spin. Out pitch potential. T2679, 2592 average rpm.

2/26/22

Here’s a trio of left-handed-hitting infielders worth noting: Jackson Smith (Providence Catholic), James Novakovic (New Trier), and Gavin Duran (Harvest Christian). Smith has a 6-foot, 160-pound wiry/lean frame, ran a 6.84, and he profiles as a top-of-the-order middle infielder moving forward. He flashed an easy, balanced, handsy swing featuring barrel control from a spray approach. Defensively, he plays fast with quick, active feet, sure hands, and a consistently fast glove-to-hand release from a low slot. He profiles as a potential spark plug-type.

6/06/21

5-foot-8, 135-pounds, right handed hitter. Small, quick frame projectable to fill out. Profiles as a lead-off type hitter, even/balanced stance, short stride, quick and short swing. Has a 2-strike approach with discipline. Clean transfers at shortstop with quick hands and above average accurate arm, is agile and able to cover a lot of ground. Has the ability to make the big plays in the hole, up the middle and in front of him. At the plate against Chicago Elite went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI. Offensively, he totaled 16 hits on the weekend in his team’s seven games, en route to the championship. On the mound, he showcased a clean arm with long and loose action. His arm speed is quick from a high ¾ window. Fastball sat 76-78 mph, topped at 80, and plays with life in the zone. He mixed in a breaking ball with 11/5 shape at 67-68 mph. Final line: CG, 0 R, 1 H, 4 K.

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Physical

2023
Grip Strgth (LH)
Grip Strgth (RH)
Illinois State Games (Invite-Only)
Aug 8, 2023
Physical - Athlete
5' 9"
Ht
160.9
Wt
Body Fat %
SMM
Grip Strgth (RH)
Grip Strgth (LH)