The sixth annual Metro East Kickoff Classic, sponsored by Prep Baseball, is back in 2026. Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, this four-day event will feature teams spanning the entire state of Illinois competing against each other in the St. Louis area across 9 venues in the Metro East: Arsenal BG Ballpark in Sauget, Ill., Edwardsville High School (Tom Pile Field & JV Field), Blazier Field in O'Fallon, Belleville East High School, Triad High School, Belleville West High School and Alton High School, and Edwardsville Plummer Park (Field 1, 2, 3, & 4).

The Prep Baseball Illinois staff will provide on-the-ground coverage of the Kickoff Classic, producing game updates, post-game analysis that will impact our Power 25 rankings, as well as scout notes on the top performers through the week. Our homepage, prepbaseballreport.com/illinois, will house everything IHSA baseball fans will need in order to stay updated on this opening week of action, including daily schedules, participating team previews, game scores, player scouting reports, and more.

For all Metro East Kickoff Classic information, check this event homepage. For up-to-date information and live coverage throughout the event, be sure to follow Prep Baseball Illinois on Twitter at @PrepBaseballIL.

+ To view the updated Player Rankings, CLICK HERE.
+ To stay updated on news around the state, CLICK HERE.
+ Follow us on Twitter, @PrepBaseballIL.

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+ CLICK HERE TO FIND FULL KICKOFF CLASSIC SCHEDULE +

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

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Players to Watch Within Power 25

We recently rolled out a detailed breakdown of the state’s top 25 teams as part of our Preseason Power 25 countdown. For more insight into this year’s rankings and the Power 25 teams set to compete at the Kickoff Classic, click the links below.

+ No. 2 Normal Community
+ No. 8 Huntley
+ No. 11 New Trier
+ No. 12 Edwardsville
+ No. 17 St. Joseph-Ogden
+ No. 18 O'Fallon
+ No. 20 Triad
+ No. 23 Oak Park-River Forest

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Players to Watch Outside Power 25 TEAMS

+ RHP/C Anderson Kaufmann, Alton, 2028:
2/28/26: 6-foot, 182-pound, athletic, broad-shouldered Kaufmann put together his strongest showing to-date. The two-way prospect showed well with the bat but it was what he did on the mound that turned heads. The right-hander is arguably the most polished arm in the state and is a must know name for every college in the country. He is highly-athletic, clean and repeatable down the mound, while sitting 91-92 mph with his fastball. He commands the pitch to both sides of the plate while featuring riding life and natural arm-side run. He complements the fastball with a 76-77 mph slider that features late, sharp break and an 83 mph changeup with heavy arm-side fade. Kaufmann also ran a 6.78 60 and averaged 91.4 mph during BP with his right-handed bat. Must-know 2028 prospect.

+ RHP Logan Hickman, Alton, 2026: John A. Logan JC commit
4/29/25: Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 56 in the state. Extremely projectable 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, long levers, high-waisted. Came out of the ‘pen for the Redbirds and gave a highly intriguing look. Athletic mover, flexible lower-half, opens early at times but creates notable hip/shoulder separation, will continue to throw harder. Elastic and whippy arm, quick into release, ¾ window. The fastball played in the 83-86 mph range with scattered control, comes out of the hand with easy life and some sink at times. Slider is a dynamic secondary offering, sells the pitch with arm-speed, sharp 10/4 shape with depth, missed bats, could land for strikes or to put hitters away. High ceiling right-hander with his best days still ahead.

+ C Braden Fournie, Belleville West, 2026: Lindenwood commit
8/05/25: C Braden Fournie (Belleville West, 2026; Lindenwood) is a 5-foot-10, 177-pound backstop with advanced defensive actions. Throughout gameplay, the defense was standout for the catcher out of Belleville East, Fournie flashed a 2.06 in game pop time, throwing two runners out at second in the first game of gameplay. At the plate, worked at-bats throughout and recorded a double in game two. Fournie stood out enough to commit to Lindenwood right after the event.

+ OF Wyatt Robinson, Belleville West, 2028

+ RHP Tre Cole, Champaign Central, 2026: Wright State commit
1/27/26: RHP Tre Cole (Champaign Central; Wright State commit) has made noticeable strides since we last saw him in the summer. An athletic, high-waisted mover downhill at 6-foot-2, 193-pounds, Cole displayed a dynamic arsenal that will likely have him followed by pro scouts throughout his senior season. His fastball had noticeable jump and life out of the hand, sitting 90-94 mph while throwing his firmest bullet to end his ‘pen at 95.4 mph. He was around the zone consistently with his heater, showing evident armside run (avg. 18” HM). Playing off the fastball was a changeup that showed the makings to be an out-pitch both now and at the next level; sitting 82-84 mph with downer action and occasional fade, it showed to be a pitch that can be effective to both right-handed and left-handed hitters. Rounding out his arsenal was an 81-84 mph slider that flashed on this day, showing hard lateral bite at times with a 10/4 shape. Cole looked to have the makings of an immediate-impact arm, should he make it to campus in the fall, and an arm that could be in line for a big spring to finish off his high school career.

+ OF/RHP Ryan Pipkins, Champaign Central, 2028:
8/05/25: Fresh off a strong Midwest Super Sophomore Games, OF/RHP Ryan Pipkins (Champaign Central, 2028) would continue to show one of the more intriguing two-way profiles in the state's 2028 class. At the plate, he showed a controlled left-handed stroke with line drive intent and some present feel for the barrel while flashing some barrel strength during his batting practice, producing a max exit velocity of 97.2 mph. Finished gameplay 4-for-7 with a double, a home run, two RBIs, and four runs scored. Would also show well on the mound, throwing two scoreless innings, showing simple, easy movements on the mound with feel to repeat while working from a high 3/4s slot. The fastball would sit in the low-80s and was thrown alongside an upper-60s-low-70s curveball with sweeping shape and a fading low-70s changeup. Athletic 6-foot, 174-pound frame.

+ RHP/INF Nic Bralts, Champaign Central, 2028:
8/05/25: RHP Nic Bralts (Champaign Central, 2028) has continued to show above average metrics on the mound in event. Athletic 6-foot, 171-pound frame with room to fill in. The right-hander possessed a simple, controlled delivery, moving athletically down the mound, with a high leg lift into a tall/fall finish. He also showcased a quick, compact ¾ arm action. Bralts didn’t allow a single run or hit through his two innings of work. The right-hander was efficient in his second inning of work, working a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts to end the inning. His fastball played with arm-side run through the zone at 82-84 mph, topping 85.9 mph with a IVB max of 20.2” and a HM max of 15.9”. His curveball was 71-72 mph with a max spin rate of 2,225 rpm. He showed a feel for spin with his slider at 74-77 mph that was 2,400+ rpm. He also flashed a changeup at 75 mph with some arm-side run and a HM max of 15.5”.

+ RHP Logan O’Dell, Collinsville, 2026: Missouri-St. Louis commit
8/05/25: RHP Logan O’Dell (Collinsville, 2026) showed well in the nightcap of the Illinois State Games. Simple, fluid delivery; athletic mover down the mound with a high coiled leg lift into a directional drop-and-drive move. Short, quick arm-action out of a high ¾ slot. Strong two-pitch mix with a developing third offering. Fastball sat 85-88 mph (T89.8) with life out of the hand (avg. 18.2 IVB). Added a high-spinning, sweeping breaking ball at 70-76 mph with a max of -18 inches of horizontal movement (max 2501 rpm). Flashed a straight changeup at 78 mph.

+ 1B Brody Landgraf, Columbia, 2026: Creighton commit

+ RHP Connor Basinski, Columbia, 2028:
6/09/26: RHP/OF Connor Basinski (Columbia, 2028) continues to solidify his status as one of the premier young talents in Illinois, showing across-the-board gains in this latest look. Now standing at 6-foot-3, 179 pounds, Basinski showed noticeable strength gains, resulting in a 9 mph jump in exit velocity—peaking at 99.5 mph and launching his furthest ball 354 feet during BP. He later hopped on the mound and worked in the mid-80s with his fastball, topping at 86.3 mph, while confidently filling the zone with a 69–71 mph curveball and a 70–73 mph slider. With two-way upside, physical projection, and tools that continue trending up, Basinski is a must-see name in Illinois’ 2028 class.

+ RHP Xavier Voegele, Columbia, 2028:
2/22/25: INF/RHP Xavier Voegele (Columbia, 2028) left his Prep Baseball showcase debut a big winner this past weekend in Wood River. The younger brother of 2024 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Dominic Voegele, Xavier’s pitchability stood out on the mound. It’s a loose and easy operation paired with a long, clean arm action with quickness out front. His fastball was up to 80 mph in this look, playing straight and clean out of the hand. He mixed in a change-up with some fade and depth action, working it low in the zone at times. He rounded out his three-pitch mix with a curveball that played with 11/5 shape, showing feel to land it in the lower-half of the zone. A right-handed hitter with feel for the barrel, Voegele showed to be an upside follow with the bat as well. He swung with a flat path, paired with a line drive approach that uses the whole field.

+ INF Ryder Rennette, Dunlap, 2028:
7/24/25: Athletic 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame with room to add strength. Rennette had quite the weekend at the plate and on the mound. At the plate, Rennette constantly found a way on base. The left-hander hitter has advanced bat-to-ball abilities from a compact swing that is direct to the ball. A top-of-the-order type bat that can set up the heart of the order. On the mound, Rennette struck out ten batters through seven innings across two appearances. The right-hander operates from a simple, controlled delivery with a high leg lift and a tall/fall approach. Long, loose, easy arm action from a ¾ slot. His fastball sat 80-83 with arm-side run. He mixed in a sharp curveball that sat in the mid to upper 60s.

+ LHP Carter Braddy, Effingham, 2027:

+ C Beau Breyman, Freeburg, 2027:
3/28/25: C, Beau Breyman, Freeburg, 2027 Breyman worked well defensively, showing good mobility and quickness. Breyman was 100% on the day on throwing runners out on the bases going 2-for-2. The young catcher from Freeburg, IL has room to fill out still in his 5-foot-10, 177-pound frame, and he’ll be one for us to follow in the coming years.

+ RHP Dylan Huff, Glenwood, 2026: Toledo commit
8/05/25: RHP Dylan Huff (Glenwood, 2026) is an uncommitted, ranked No. 15 overall in the Illinois class of 2026, and a Future game alum. Huff gave one of the best looks on the mound on Wednesday afternoon. The lean and athletic, 6-foot-1, 177-pound frame had complete control of a three-pitch mix, keeping hitters off-balanced and collecting four strikeouts through two innings. The fastball was sitting 86-88 mph, with slight cutting action and 18.4 IVB. The slider was 74-77 mph, with a gyro profile and 2200 RPMs. The changeup was 77-79 mph with arm-side run. In-game, Huff was attacking the zone, able to generate soft contact outs while getting whiffs with the slider and working with a high pace on the mound. The right-hander works out of a controlled, staggered setup, drop and drive, working down the mound. The arm works clean, easy from the ¾ slot. A must-know arm in the Illinois class of 2026.

+ LHP Tyler Mehrtens, Highland, 2028:
10/08/25: LHP/OF Tyler Mehrtens (Highland, 2028) impressed our staff both on the mound and as a position player at this event. He’s a projectable athlete with long, wiry levers at 5-foot-10, 146-pounds. It’s a quick operation on the mound, working his fastball up to 81 mph with some arm-side action. His slider looked like his best off-speed offering, sitting in the mid-to-upper-60s with 1/7 shape and averaging 18.3 inches of horizontal movement. To round out his three-pitch mix, Mehrtens mixed in a change-up in the mid-70s with clear fade. Mehrtens started off the event posting a 6.86 60-yd time. At the plate, the left-handed hitter operates from a tall stance with a small stride. Compact swing with a gap-to-gap approach. Mehrtens posted a max batted ball distance of 348 feet, while having a max exit velocity of 92.6 mph. Mehrtens is a name to know in the ‘28 class.

+ INF Andrew Deegan, Jacobs, 2026: Belmont commit

+ OF Jace Koth, Jacobs, 2027:
2/14/26: OF Jace Koth (Jacobs, 2027) is one of the top remaining uncommitted prospects in the state, and has made noticeable strides in his game since we last saw him. At the plate the left-handed hitter took one of the best rounds of the day, showing consistent feel for the barrel from an easy and natural swing recording a peak EV of 94.8 mph with an average of 87.7 mph. Defensively, he’s long been known as a prospect that can cover ground with ease in centerfield, however on this day he was now showing to be a more dynamic athlete; playing with athletic feet, natural actions and feel for the position, while also having the second-strongest arm for the entire event, reaching 92 mph.

+ INF Ryan Tucker, Jacobs, 2027:
2/14/26: INF Ryan Tucker (Jacobs, 2027) is an uncommitted junior who has made noticeable strides in his overall game. Offensively, it was arguably the best round of BP we have seen him take. It was extremely repeatable while staying on balance and all over the barrel with hard, loud barrels to the pull-side gap. He peaked at 101 mph off the bat while registering a number of 95+ batted balls throughout his round, averaging 94.9 mph. On the infield, Tucker played with clean footwork and athleticism, playing through the ball with an overall fluid operation. His arm strength has ticked up across the diamond since we last saw him as well, now peaking at 89 mph.

+ LHP Rocco Szambelan, Joliet Catholic, 2026: Butler commit
1/27/26: LHP Rocco Szambelan (Joliet Catholic; Butler commit) was the lone southpaw of the event, and he showed well for himself throughout his ‘pen. He has an athletic build with room to add more strength in the coming years, measuring in at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds. He has a compact, repeatable delivery with a shorter leg-lift into balance point, staying in-line down the mound while holding a slight bend in the back leg. Full arm action out of the glove that plays into a ¾ slot. The fastball played in the 88-89 mph range with heavy arm-side run and some life through the zone. Slider showed short bite in the 73-75 mph range, flashing out-pitch potential. His changeup played at the bottom of the zone at 79-81 mph, maintaining arm-speed and showing slight arm-side fade.

+ RHP Ian Campbell, Joliet Catholic, 2026: Navy Football commit
5/07/25: Currently ranked No. 52 in the state. 6-foot-3, 235-pounds, present strength throughout, durable build. Started on the mound for the Hill and dominated over his 4.1 innings of work, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out seven against five walks. Campbell, also a high-level edge/OLB on the gridiron, moves well for his size down the mound with an in-line delivery and drop/drive lower-half, loose arm plays from a high ¾ window. It was a heavy dose of fastballs from Campbell, going right after hitters while sitting 90-92 mph, still grabbing 92 in the second inning out of the stretch, overpowering hitters in the zone and getting a plethora of late swings. The slider is still developing a bit with gradual 10/4 shape, but he throws it firm around 80 mph. He also flashed a changeup in the low-80s that he sells with arm-speed, showing slight arm-side run at times, though he really didn’t need either offspeed because the fastball was so dominant. Extremely impressive look from the two-sport standout.

+ RHP Nolan Lebert, Mascoutah, 2026: Olivet Nazarene commit
5/07/25: Athletic 5-foot-8, 167-pound frame with room to add strength. Lebert got the start on the mound, and batted leadoff during Wednesday’s contest. The right-hander possessed a controlled leg lift, into a tall and fall delivery. His fastball sat 83-86 mph, topping 87 mph in his first inning of work. His curveball was 67-69 mph with an 11/5 shape that produced weak contact. At the plate Lebert displayed a wider base with loose, rhythmic hands, and a minimal stride. He had a strong day for the Indians at the dish, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI to help his cause.

+ RHP Darren Klein, Mascoutah, 2027:
3/28/25: RHP, Darren Klein, Mascoutah, 2027 Uncommitted. Durable yet projectable 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame, still more room to add strength. The right-hander got the start on the mound for Mascoutah and gave an extremely polished look for his age. He has a repeatable delivery with an athletic leg-lift into a coiled balance point, keeping some bend in his back knee throughout, working in-line down the mound with intent, controlled and balanced. His arm plays from a lower window, clean arm swing and ¾ release. He was able to work his fastball to both sides of the plate, especially his glove-side, also showing the ability to work it up and down in the zone at 82-85 mph. His curveball showed gradual 11/5 shape with the ability to land it for strikes, 71-73 mph. Also featured a changeup in the mid 70s with slight deceleration, playing with fade to his arm-side. Highly polished arm with a bright future ahead.

+ INF Sage Lelm, Morton, 2028:
8/05/25: 3B Sage Lelm (Morton, 2028) is a physical right-handed hitter that connected on a couple hits throughout the two-day event. Lelm is listed with a strong 5-foot-10, 192-pound frame. The third baseman finished his event with a double back up the middle. During the workout portion of the event, Lelm had an average exit velocity of 90.9 mph with a max exit velocity of 98.2 mph with an average bat speed of 76.1 mph with a max of 79.1 mph. The third baseman posted an 84 mph infield velocity while having a 7.08 60 time and a vertical jump of 28.7 inches. Lelm is an interesting name to keep an eye on going into his sophomore year.

+ RHP/INF Trevor McClure, Mount Vernon, 2027:
1/24/25: The rising sophomore is primed for a big spring, coming off a year in which he set the single season stolen base record for his school (30) as only a freshman. He’s one of the top two-way players in the state, and we expect him to put up video-game type numbers on both sides of the ball.

+ RHP Maxwell Nowak, Mount Vernon, 2028:

+ 1B Quincy Fulton, Newton, 2028:
8/05/25: 1B Quincy Fulton (Newton, 2028) measured in 6-foot-1, 211-pounds and came in as one of the top 2028’s in the state. Fulton is as physical as it gets for a 2028. Fulton finished the week 3-for-6 with a walk and a run. Also, impressed in the showcase with a top EV of 101, averaging 91 mph and ran a 6.82 60-yard dash. Fulton has all the tools and is currently the fifth ranked 2028 in the state, No. 122 nationally.

+ OF Cole Brent, Normal University, 2027: Illinois commit
8/05/25: OF Cole Brent (Normal University, 2027) would continue to cement himself as a must-follow left-handed bat within the state’s rising junior class. Presenting a narrow, athletic with a short & simple stride, Brent would show athletic hands and a present for the barrel. Took a quality round of batting practice, produced a max exit velocity of 102.1 mph and an average of 95.2 mph. Also showed athletic tools that consistently showed well throughout the event. Produced a 6.67-second 60-yard dash and a 28 inch vertical jump. Athletic 5-foot-11, 183-pound frame.

+ INF Parker Roop, Normal University, 2027: Belmont commit
8/05/25: SS Parker Roop (Normal University, 2027) has been one of the biggest risers and performers for our staff all summer long. There’s plenty of upside in his 6-foot, 158-pound frame with lean and wiry levers, and the left-handed swing continues to trend in the right direction, finding multiple barrels for home runs on the weekend.

+ C/RHP Wes Thompson, Normal University, 2028:
8/05/25: RHP Wes Thompson (Normal University, 2028) features a strong, athletic 5-foot-10, 168-pound frame. He commanded an 86 mph fastball from a high release point, consistently keeping it low in the zone. Thompson mixed in a sweeping curveball and a 76–77 mph changeup with arm-side fade, both playing well off his fastball. His easy delivery and ability to hide the ball on the backswing add to his effectiveness. With his present stuff and clean mechanics, Thompson has a high ceiling and is a name to watch in the coming years.

+ C/INF Brady Dunnett, Oswego, 2027:
10/13/25: Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 77 in the state. Compact 5-foot-8, 166-pound frame, rounded shoulders with a strong lower-half. Continues to look the part as one of the more polished left-handed bats in the state with defensive versatility. Simple and easy swing, short stride with direct hands to the ball, repeats well with feel for the barrel and a line-drive oriented swing, balanced throughout, worked mostly pull-side and middle of the field in this look, some feel to take it the other way on the outer-half, 94 mph peak EV, 344’ max distance. Advanced defensive actions on the infield, quick and agile feet through the baseball with a confident glove, soft hands and funnel into the body, crisp transfers, arm can play on the move and from multiple angles, T85 mph. Clean actions from behind the plate, controlled actions, stays low and in-line from the chute, quick glove-to-hand, throws played on the bag (T75 mph, 2.00 pop-time).

+ LHP Samuel Finn, Plainfield North, 2026: Kentucky commit

+ INF Landon Maisenbacher, Pleasant Plains, 2028:
3/28/25: INF Landon Maisenbacher, Pleasant Plains, 2028 Batted ninth and started at short for the Cardinals. He impressed with his mature and advanced actions defensively. He has a quick first step and plays through the baseball, while showing the ability to play on time and accurately from multiple arm slots.

+ C Sam Ferris, Rochester, 2027:
5/20/25: Uncommitted. Strong 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame. Started behind the plate and hit out of the five-hole. Ferris continues to produce for the Rockets as he connected on their lone hit of the game on Tuesday. The right-handed hitter operates from an open, balanced stance with a small leg lift. Twitchy pre-pitch movement. Loose, fluid hands from a pure swing with a slight uphill bat path. Quality bat-to-ball abilities. Connected on a single into right field in the fourth inning. Showed his patient approach as he worked a walk in the top of the seventh. Smooth receiver behind the plate.

+ RHP Charley Spour, St. Anthony, 2027:
8/05/25: RHP Charley Spour (St. Anthony, 2027) is a must-know right-handed pitcher in the 2027 class who continues to show well. Spour punched out three in just over an inning of action. A long-levered 6-foot-3, 188-pound frame with more room to fill out. Athletic mover who operates only out of the stretch, starting slightly closed off with a high leg lift into a directional, tall-and-fall delivery. Long, loose arm-action out of a ¾ slot. Utilized a quality two pitch mix. Fastball sat 88-90 mph topping out at 91.1 mph with life out of the hand. Slider sat 76-79 mph with sweep.

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