Max
Heineman

2024 Future Games: Max Heineman (Normal Community) had a quality showing at this year’s event, which included being named the Dicks Sporting Goods Player of the Game in Illinois’ win over Kansas. In that game, Heineman went a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, RBI and one run scored. The 5-foot-10, 188-pound backstop impressed with his catch-and-receive, as well his motor behind the dish and ability to block the baseball. At the plate, the right-handed hitter took quality at-bats and proved to be a tough-out for opposing pitchers. During the workout portion of the event, he posted a max exit velocity of 95.9 mph, while averaging 87.1 mph, and sending his farthest hit ball 338 feet. Defensively he posted a pop time of 1.97 with a 76 mph velocity on his best ball down to second base.

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 15 in the state’s 2026 class and No. 384 nationally. Was the starting catcher and batted third for the Pioneers. Stands in an athletic 5-foot-10, 186-pound frame with strength. Heineman impressed at the plate with his mature approach, continuously taking quality at bats throughout the game. He’s a right-handed hitter with a simple, fluid load, hands stay short and direct to the ball, has a slightly uphill bat path that looks to drive the ball to all fields. Finished the day 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI. Works hard behind the plate, moves around well, blocks the baseball. A must-follow sophomore in Illinois.

Uncommitted. Yet another impressive week for Heineman, going 6-for-9 with one double, four RBIs, four walks and one stolen base. In their game against Mahomet-Seymour, Heineman went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one walk. He added two more hits in their win over Pekin, tallying a double, one RBI and one walk in the game.

Season Stats: Heineman is hitting .448 on the season with a .560 OBP, and he’s thrown out 10 runners while allowing only one passed ball.

Uncommitted. Ranked No. 15 in the state’s sophomore class. Was the starting catcher and batted third. Stands in a strong, 5-foot-10, 186-pound frame. Heineman had a really impressive day, both on the offensive and defensive end. He’s a right handed hitter with a simple load and quick bat, showing a direct bat path with a slightly uphill path. He has an advanced approach at the plate showing minimal swing-and-miss. Finished the day going 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBIs, one run scored and two walks. Defensively he blocked everything that came his way, he has quality receiving actions with an above-average arm, recording a 1.97 pop time in warm-ups. A must-know name-to-follow in the sophomore class.

The uncommitted sophomore had a quality week for the Pioneers going 8-for-14 with two doubles, one triple and five RBIs. In their 9-0 win over Washington, Heineman went 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI. On the season he’s hitting 15-for-30 (.500).

Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 171.3-pounds. Some present strength throughout, evenly proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Simple, crouched setup, medium leg lift into shorter stride. Looks to stay on top of the ball, loose hands, elevates with authority to the pull-side. 76.8 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 84.5 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Clean, short to the ear out of the glove, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.01-2.10 pop times. Works under the baseball and frames pitches around the zone, clean/quick transfer to hand, works in-line out of the crouch.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60.

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. 

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Quality strength in the lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, fluid load and short leg-lift timing trigger. Direct, quick swing, athletic, above average bat-to-ball skills, stays on-plane and flashed easy power to the pull-side.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 89.8 mph. 363’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot; accurate.
Defense: 2.00-2.09 pop times. Clean out of the chute, repeatable, body syncs and stays directional.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60.

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.  

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.