Brendan
Tunink

Notre Dame commit. Stands in a 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame with athleticism and clear strength starting to form. A former member of Team Illinois at the 2022 PBR Future Games, Tunink has continued to stand out since. The left-handed hitter hit a no-doubt home run over the right field fence, and produced multiple quality swings throughout the rest of the game. Above-average defender with a quick first step and accurate reads.  

Tunink helped lead Newman Central Catholic to the 1A state playoffs for the first time in program history this spring and was a terror on both sides of the ball for the Comets. He slashed .488/.650/1.268, good for a 1.919 OPS, in 82 at-bats with a state-leading 18 home runs and 50 RBIs to pair. He scored 52 runs, walked 34 times, and stole 26 bases, too. Though he’s known more for his left-handed bat, Tunink anchored the Comets’ pitching staff this season as well, pitching to a 10-0 record in 63 innings of work. He posted 1.00 ERA and 0.86 WHIP, punching out 104 batters and holding his opposition to a .138 batting average against. The Notre Dame commit and PBR Future Games alum is one of the top prospects in the state’s soon-to-be senior class. 

Notre Dame commit and ranked No. 9 in the state’s class of 2024. Stands at an athletic 5-foot-11, 180-pounds with noticeable upper-body strength. A standout for Team Illinois at the PBR Future Games in 2022, Tunink continued to find success all spring helping lead his team to an IHSA Final Four appearance. Hit third and started on the mound for the Comets. At the plate Tunink shows a quick and direct swing with an uphill path. Went 2-for-2 with an inside-the-park home run and three RBIs. On the mound, threw four innings, struck out six and allowed one hit. Tunink continued to show why he is one of the state’s top prospects this spring.

Notre Dame commit, currently slotted at No. 10 in the state’s class of 2024. Tunink recently impressed last summer as a member of Team Illinois at the PBR Future Games in Georgia. Listed at an athletic 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, with present upper-half strength and developing overall strength throughout. Started in centerfield and hit third for the Comets. On the day, Tunink went 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI and a walk. His first hit of the day was a triple to the warning track in center field, and throughout the day, he hit multiple foul ball home runs. He showed confidence at the plate with present bat speed, the ability to cover the whole plate and easy jump and loud contact off the bat. He controlled the outfield, tracking down multiple fly balls, showing range to both sides. 

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted build with developing strength.
Hit: LHH. Upright setup, toe-taps into a medium stride. Natural lift with intent to elevate, athletic swing with balance through impact.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 78.4 mph. 335’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 86 mph. Short arm circle, clean path into a 3/4 slot.
Defense: Confident hands, fluid footwork, plays through the ball in rhythm and moves well into crow hop.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60. 

Left/left outfielder Brendan Tunink (Newman Central Catholic) featured some of the highest upside at the event. Tunink has a 5-foot-11, 165-pound, athletic, squared shouldered frame with plenty more strength to come down the road. He ran a 6.87 60 and showed a polished swing with present bat speed and power. Tunink registered the second highest average bat speed of the event at 73.9 mph. He also had the top average exit velocity at 90.2 mph and routinely squared up baseballs in the air to the pull-side of the diamond. It's an athletic, repeatable swing that works on balance and with minimal effort. Defensively, he moves with fluidity, getting around and playing through the baseball in rhythm and with ease to go along with an arm that topped at 85 mph.

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Wiry build, projectable.
Hit: LHH. Upright setup, slightly open stance, slight leg lift. Loose line drive swing, barrelled every swing, pull side approach, feel in the box.
Power: 101.9 max exit velocity, averaged 90.2 mph. 327’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 85 mph. Short arm circle into a clean 3/4 release.
Defense: Feel in the outfield, loose athletic actions, soft hands, clean footwork, confident.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60.