Lucas
Grant

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. 

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.