Lucas
Grant

Uncommitted. 6-foot, 185-pound, left-handed pitcher, currently on the rise in the Illinois’ 2025 class. Showed well this winter at the Preseason All-State and has now backed it up with two quality performances this spring. Came out of the bullpen in this game and was almost perfect in his three innings of work, allowing one hit, no walks and struck out six. 29 of his 42 pitches were strikes, working primarily behind a lively fastball that gets all over hitters at 87-89, T90 mph early on, settling at 86-88. Worked almost exclusively with his late running fastball that he works at the bottom of the zone. Rarely went to his slider which played at 77 mph with a short, late horizontal wrinkle. Overall, easy operation with feel and presence on the mound. Should be a highly-sought after left-handed arm in the Illinois’ 2025 class.

Grant threw his from a lower release height (5.1 ft.) on average, pumping it at 87-89 mph while averaging -15.9” of run. He also spun it at upwards of 2504 RPM with 90% spin efficiency and did flash some carry (15.4” IVB avg, T16.4”).

LHP Lucas Grant (Joliet Catholic) is an uncommitted arm that showed well during his bullpen in McCook. He has an easy delivery that creates velocity with minimal effort and a clean, quick arm to pair. His fastball sat 87-89 mph with noticeable arm-side run, an average of -15.9 inches of horizontal movement, and quality spin (avg. 2390; T2504 rpm). Grant’s changeup showed swing-and-miss traits with heavy arm-side fade (-18” avg. HM), sitting 79-81 mph. His slider played with short, horizontal break, sitting 78-81 mph. 6-foot, 185-pound frame with athleticism throughout.

LHP Lucas Grant (Joliet Catholic, 2025) flashed a dynamic arsenal in our brief look. Compact, 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame, still has room for added strength. Easy mover down the mound, simple tall/fall lower-half, works in-line. Fastball cruised at 82-84 mph, topping out at 85.5 mph with above-average spin (2300-2400+ RPM) and over 20” of run at times. Flipped in a short, lateral slider at 70-76 mph. Flashed a fading changeup with a similar profile to his fastball, 73-74 mph. A southpaw with three pitches to follow headed into his junior year. 

The future of the Joliet Catholic pitching staff showed well on Sunday. A trio of Hilltopper youngsters showed some premium stuff that could impact the staff sooner rather than later. The biggest winner of the three might have come from freshman Ian Campbell (2026). Campbell looks every bit the part at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds with a young look on an athletic frame with big hands and feet that will carry plenty more mass as he matures. He already generates premium fastball velocity at his age working 81-85 mph and flashing ride at the top of the zone. While his spin is still a work in progress, he throws his curveball with intent at 69-73 mph. He also showed a knack for hard contact at the plate, working with a simple/easy operation and natural lift through impact - averaging 89.4 mph and reaching up to 97.6 mph for his max exit velocity (349’ max distance). Freshman LHP Rocco Szambelan (2026) is another athletic arm at 6-foot, 165-pounds. He showed plenty of upside with an upper 70’s fastball from the left side and an upside slider that flashed sharp action and depth. Sophomore LHP Lucas Grant (2025) gave a similarly impressive look, sitting in the 81-82 mph range with over 2,300 RPM at times. He also showed a knack to spin the breaking ball with over 2,300 RPM once again at 71-73 mph. To fill out his three-pitch mix he went to a fading changeup at 73-75 mph with some feel for the zone. Grant also topped at 86 mph from the outfield. 

Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. High waisted, long levers.
Hit: RHH. Toe-taps into a short stride. Slight hand separation at footstrike, level path with extension through the zone.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 83.7 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 86 mph. Loose arm action, plays clean out of a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady actions, powerful gather and gains ground through release.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60.

Delivery: Medium leg lift with slight coil, tall and fall delivery, works in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Clean arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Arm-side run and sinking action. T2310, 2241 average rpm.
CB: 71-73 mph. 11/5 shape, downer action. T2320, 2253 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Showed feel in the zone, cutting action. T1706, 1677 average rpm. 

Position: LHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-1, 98-pound projectable lean frame.
Hit: (RHH) Begins in a balanced closed stance with a small arm bar load, then uses a short quick stride. Balanced finish, short level swing. Line drive gap to gap approach.
Power: 67 mph exit velocity.
Defense:  (OF) Soft hands, fluid athletic footwork, clean exchange. Shows out front glove work.
Arm: 73 mph outfield velocity. Long loose arm action, high ¾ slot.
Speed: 8.75 (60-yard dash).

Pitching:  Tall-and-fall delivery, some effort. High ¾ arm angle, short quick arm action. Lands square, balanced finish.
FB: T72. 71-72 mph. Straight movement.
CB: 54-58 mph. Down in the zone command, gradual action, 11/5 shape.
CH: 63-64 mph. Slight fading action. 

Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-1, 98-pounds.
Defense: Athletic actions, works around the baseball, fluid footwork, clean to release. 
Arm: LH. OF - 68 mph. Long and loose arm action, high 3/4 slot. Ball comes out clean.
Hit: RH. Tall open setup, narrow base, short stride.  Short and uphill path, line drive approach.
Power: 67 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.99 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Smooth tall/fall delivery, level shoulders, front toe lands closed, works in line with target.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T65, 64-65 mph. Late arm-side run.
CB: 54-56 mph. 12/6 shape with depth. Gradual action. Feel.
CH: 60-61 mph. Near fastball arm speed. Plays straight. Feel.