Zach
Bava

Verbally committed to Illinois State.

Building on an already impressive summer circuit at the event was uncommitted C Zach Bava (Naperville North, 2025). Bava is a left-handed hitter with high bat-to-ball skills that has continuously hit in front of our staff all summer long. During the workout portion of the event, Bava had a max exit velocity of 96 mph, paired with a max distance of 350 feet. Bava additionally showed well behind the dish on the workout day with a max velocity of 78 mph down to second, with a quick pop time range of 1.95-2.03 seconds. Bava is a high-motor backstop to continue to monitor in the 2025 class.

A left-handed hitting backstop, C Zach Bava (Naperville North, 2025) came away from the Future Games with an arrow-up next to his name after a highly competitive showing. Bava consistently got off fast, intentful hacks from the left side and consistently generated some of the deepest batted ball contact for Team Illinois, starting during the event’s workout portion. There, Bava swatted the furthest ball amongst Team Illinois’ position players (377 feet) and his average batted distance (312 feet) was one of the higher marks, too. In game, Bava drove several balls with authority to the pull-side and, while looking mostly for fastballs, was on the barrel on spin as well. He finished the week 5-for-9 with a double, two RBIs, and four runs scored. His best showing came in the opening-act against Pennsylvania, where he went a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, RBI, three runs scored, and a stolen base. Bava played with arguably the highest motor on Team Illinois, he ran a 4.35 out the box on a routine groundout to shortstop, and is a highly competitive, grinder-like prospect to know from the event. 

Bava, a left-handed hitter, took an intentful round of BP, staying direct to the baseball with lift and authority to the pull side. Bava drove a ball 377’ with an average batted ball distance of 312’, peak exit velocity of 96.2 mph, 91.4 mph average. After his loud round of BP he proceeded to play efficiently out of the crouch recording a few sub-2.0 pop times (1.89-2.02 range) while topping at 78 mph and consistently putting throws around the bag.

C Zach Bava (Naperville North) is a left-handed hitting catcher to know from the event. Behind the plate, Bava works with steady hands and a quick/clean transfer, remaining directional, athletic out of the crouch and reaching as low as 2.00 for his pop-time (T77 mph). At the plate, Bava has an intentful swing with strong hands, short path and quick bat. He worked to the pul-side of the field with a max exit velocity of 95.4 and max batted ball of 330’.

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-7, 163-pounds. Durable frame with evenly proportioned strength.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, crouched setup, short stride. Intentful swing, quick bat, strong hands, short path, on the barrel to the middle, pull-side of the field.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 82.8 mph. 331’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Loose arm, works with short action from a high 3/4 slot. Arm play with accuracy from the crouch, throws play with carry.
Defense: 2.00-2.08 pop times. Soft hands with a clean and quick transfer. Gains ground out of the squat. Flashed soft blocking skills.
Run: 7.49 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-6, 150-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Crouched setup, bat wraps at load, quick leg lift trigger.  Present hand speed and rotational acceleration, short and level path to contact, line drive approach, backspins to the pull-side.
Power: 91.4 max exit velocity, averaged 81.9 mph. 325’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short, 3/4 slot, some life out of the hand.
Defense: 2.18 - 2.28 pop times. Steady hands, works to present pitches around the zone.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60.