Max
Heineman

Another top prospect in the state’s 2026 class on this red squad: C Max Heineman (Normal University). The 5-foot-10, 170-pound backstop looks every bit the part of a premier right-handed hitter and he took one of, if not the, best BP rounds on the workout day. Heineman confidently stayed on his barrel (80%) while working gap-to-gap, averaging nearly 90 mph per batted ball with a 95.9 mph high. His furthest ball traveled 363 feet, which was one of the furthest marks of any 2026 in attendance. Defensively, Heineman owns above-average arm strength for his age from the chute, peaking at 76 mph on his firmest bullet while popping in the 2.00-to-2.09 range. 

Max Heineman (Normal University) is another catcher that has a well above-average right-handed bat that should play for a long time. Heineman stays  through the zone a long time with a mature, whole field gap-to-gap approach while staying on the barrel with natural backspin lift. Heineman also put up some noteworthy TrackMan numbers; T95.2 mph exit velocity, 86.1 mph average with a max batted ball of 342’.

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, slightly open stance, leg kick trigger, slight hand load.  Fluid, repeatable swing, short and direct to the ball, on the barrel, mature gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 86.1 mph. 342’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Arm draws back with some length, finishes from a loose high 3/4 window. Flashed carry through target at times.
Defense: 2.07-2.15 pop times. Athletic behind the plate, loose mover. Fluid feet that gain ground and stay in line, soft hands that transfer in rhythm, clean to release.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60.  

Junior Futures Games: Team Illinois 2 started their tournament out with a bang, cutting down a two-run deficit and eventually walking off Team Florida by the score of 5-4. C/INF Max Heineman (Normal University, 2026) delivered the final blow, driving a ball deep to center-field to push across the winning run.

Strong, well-proportioned 5-foot-8, 150-pound frame with athleticism throughout. Started behind the plate and hit cleanup on Thursday. Plenty of confidence and rhythm in the box, balanced lower half, creates hand separation at load, short stride. Loose athletic hands, level path to contact with some leverage out front, stays through the baseball. Took several quality hacks before backspinning a barrel to left field for a single in his third at-bat. Adept defender behind the plate, vocal. Steady hands, works down-to-up from a one knee stance. Loose arm that played accurate to the bag in between innings. Emerging as a name-to-know in the state’s incoming freshman class. 

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds. Athletic build with room to add strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, balanced setup, active hands, high leg kick trigger.  Quick hands with bat speed, controlled aggression and rotates well. Barrel stays in the zone, level path with some uphill tendencies, repeats with loud contact off the barrel.
Power: 87.5 max exit velocity, averaged 80.4 mph. 268’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.20-2.38 pop times. Quick exchange, clean transfer, steady hands receiving, athletic out of the crouch.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-4, 135-pounds.
Defense: 2.50-2.67 pop times. Advanced actions behind the plate, easy receiver, fluid feet, clean exchanges.
Arm: RH. C - 62 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot, accurate throws.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, smooth load, short stride. Simple, repeatable swing, hands work with fluidity, long through zone, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 8.34 runner in the 60.