2026 Rankings Update: Uncommitted Names
April 22, 2025
Last week we made a much needed update to the Illinois 2026 Rankings after a long winter of preseason events and some early spring looks. With this update, there were plenty of notable changes with prospects rising in the rankings or entering for the first time.
With that, our staff wanted to take a look at some uncommitted prospects within the Top-50 of this recent update. There's plenty more uncommitted names to know within the 2026 rankings which can be found by taking a look at the complete 2026 rankings, found here, or click HERE to see the overall Prep Baseball 2026 Rankings.
UNCOMMITTED NAMES
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Jack Slightom RHP / C / Lyons Township, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 2
From 3/06/25: RHP Jack Slightom (Lyons Township, 2026) has continued to show to be a must-know name in the state’s junior class. He possesses an imposing and durable frame at 6-foot-3, 193-pounds. Slightom is a clean and controlled mover down the mound with a loose/clean arm action. His fastball has made a jump since we last saw him at the State Games, now sitting 90-91 mph (T92) with the pitch. His cutter played off his fastball well at 81-84 mph with an average of 4.7” of cut with some spin-feel (avg. 2293 rpm). He would then go to an 80-81 mph changeup that played with heavy fading action (avg. 17.6” HM). Slightom rounded out his arsenal with a 74-75 mph curveball with late vertical action. Slightom will be a name to continue to follow throughout the upcoming spring. |
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Keaton Reinke RHP / OF / St. Charles North, IL / 2026From 3/28/25: RHP Keaton Reinke, St. Charles North, 2026 Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 12 in the state and No. 396 nationally. High-level wide receiver recruit in football as well. Got the ball to start for the North Stars and continues to look the part of a high-follow arm in the region. Lean and projectable 6-foot-4, 206-pound frame. Controlled and athletic mover down the mound, long/loose arm action, high ¾ slot. His fastball played clean out of the hand with life through the zone; sitting 87-90 mph (T91) early, before settling in at 86-88 mph. His go-to secondary was a sharp 75-78 mph curveball that reached over 2500 rpm at times, playing at the bottom of the zone with hard vertical break. Reinke also flashed a changeup at 82 mph. Punched out four over his two innings of work. |
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Dylan Huff RHP / OF / Glenwood, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 5
From 3/20/25: RHP Dylan Huff (Glenwood, 2026) continues to cement himself as one of the top remaining uncommitted arms in the state. A Prep Baseball Future Games participant last summer, Huff continues to get better with each watch for our staff. A lean and athletic 6-foot-3, 180-pound righty who also stars on the gridiron in the fall, was running his fastball up to an easy 89 mph (sitting 87-88) while being around the zone consistently. He can spin both breaking balls; he had stronger feel for the slider on this day for 75% strikes and over -17” of HM on average, while his curveball played vertically with 11/5 shape and over -1” IVB on average. Huff was also able to show a changeup that could be a potent tertiary offering, sitting 81-82 mph for 60% strikes, playing sinking action. Huff will be a key arm for what should be a really high-quality Glenwood team in the spring. |
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Frank Costabile OF / RHP / Stevenson, IL / 2026From 3/07/25: RHP/OF Frank Costabile (Stevenson, 2026) is one of the more dynamic prospects in the region, and perhaps the country. Starting with what he was able to do on the mound, the strong 5-foot-7, 175-pound right-hander featured a lively 90-93 mph (T94) fastball that played with sinking action for 83% strikes. His slider had high-spin (avg. 2625 rpm) from a 10/4 shape, with some feel for the zone. Costabile would complete his arsenal with a 79-83 mph changeup that had hard diving action (avg. -1.5” IVB). At the plate, Costabile took a loud round of BP from the right side, showing some feel to use the whole field with a flatter path and strength at impact (T103 mph EV; 94 mph avg; T388’). |
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Brandon Thomsen C / 3B / St. Viator, IL / 2026From 3/07/25: C Brandon Thomsen (St. Viator, 2026) was a standout winner from the Future Games this past summer and he’s still an uncommitted name to know from the day. He looks to have added even more strength to his 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, and it has clearly paid off with a 102 mph peak EV, averaging 93 mph. The right-handed hitter took a polished round with strength on the barrel and some feel to lift to the whole field. He continues to look to be a high-level defender behind the plate with advanced actions and a natural ability to present pitches around the zone. He has a clean/quick glove-to-hand, creating a pop-time down to 1.76 (T81 mph). |
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Chase Milburn RHP / 3B / Edwardsville, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 23 / POS: 6
From 3/20/25: RHP Chase Milburn (Edwardsville, 2026) is an uncommitted arm that was a part of Team Illinois at the Future Games this past summer. He stands in a strong 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame, and moves well down the mound with loose action. In this look, his fastball was up to 86 mph with slight run, and his slider sat in the upper-60s to low-70s with sharp, horizontal action, while throwing the pitch for strikes 100% of the time, per Trackman. He rounded out his mix with a low-70s change-up that played with fade, and he showed the ability to work it low at times. A must-know uncommitted prospect in the state that’s been a proven in-game performer. |
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Chase Rhodes RHP / OF / Tremont, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 29 / POS: 9
From 3/07/25: RHP Chase Rhodes (Tremont, 2026) had a loud showing with one of the bigger fastballs of the day. The 6-foot-4, 192-pound right-hander has a strong, workhorse frame, and he is able to repeat his delivery well with some ease. His fastball played in the 91-92 mph range with quality feel for the zone, showing natural arm-side run with easy life out of the hand. He showed two different breaking balls - the first being a curveball with 12/6 shape and depth at 71-73 mph, and the second being a shorter lateral slider with good separation, 78 mph. His final offering was a changeup with above-average sinking action and feel for the zone, 77-79 mph. |
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Luke Blackwell RHP / 3B / Valmeyer, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 31 / POS: 10
From 3/07/25: RHP Luke Blackwell (Valmeyer, 2026) is a must-know uncommitted arm from the day. There’s some present strength in his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, creating a downhill delivery down the mound with a longer arm action into a ¾ window. His fastball sat comfortably in the 89-90 mph range throughout, playing mostly straight and setting up a bullet slider at 76-78 mph. His final offering was a changeup he could land in the zone with hard run, 81-83 mph. |
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Hunter Baugh SS / RHP / Edwardsville, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 32 / POS: 10
From 4/01/25: Hunter Baugh, RHP/INF, Edwardsville, 2026 Uncommitted, ranked No. 28 in the state’s sophomore class. Started on the mound and batted leadoff for the top-ranked Tigers. Athlete with plenty of room for added strength in the frame. A right-handed hitter at the plate, Baugh was a tough-out, showed advanced zone awareness with minimal swing-and-miss. Direct and easy bat path with a slightly uphill path, collected two hits on the day with an RBI, two runs and one walk. On the mound he’s a competitor that attacks the zone with his repertoire. Small leg lift with slight tuck, tall and fall delivery down the mound that works in-line, minimal effort, clean arm path out of a ¾ slot. Fastball sat in the mid-80s in this look and topped out at 86 mph. Also mixed in low-70s slider with confidence that he threw for strikes and garnered swing-and-miss. Threw 39 pitches with 25 of them being strikes - tossed three innings, struck out two, walked none and allowed no runs, while only allowing two hits. |
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Ryan Harris OF / RHP / Stevenson, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 33 / POS: 4
From 8/22/24: RHP Ryan Harris (Stevenson) gave arguably the loudest look in the entire event. His fastball exploded out of his hand in the 87-91 mph range, topping out at 92-93 mph early with nearly 2,500 rpm on it, playing with finish and carry through the zone. He throws his slider with fastball intent at 73-77 mph, flashing sharp 10/4 action at times. Some of the best raw arm-strength in the state, high-level 2026. |
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Tyler Townsend RHP / OF / Sycamore, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 37 / POS: 11
From 3/07/25: Our staff got an updated look at RHP Tyler Townsend (Sycamore, 2026) over the weekend. The former Future Gamer has made noticeable strides since we last saw him, now standing at a physical and presently strong 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. Townsend started his pen sitting 90-92 mph (T93) with his fastball that showed carry at times. He had a strong feel for the zone (80% strikes) with his 77-79 mph slider that played sharp, spinning at an average of 2391 rpm. Townsend also pounded the zone (80% strikes) with an 81-84 mph changeup that played with sinking action, located at the bottom of the zone. |
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Daniel Coyle 3B / OF / St. Laurence, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 39 / POS: 3
From 3/07/25: INF Daniel Coyle (St. Laurence, 2026) is a proven in-game performer, and he has a lot to like in his right-handed swing. Throughout his round, he showed the ability to manipulate the barrel and use the whole field, giving a polished look while consistently working on the barrel (T95 mph EV; 89 mph avg. EV). On the infield, Coyle showed active footwork through the baseball to pair with steady hands and a clean transfer. His arm showed clear life with effort across the diamond, topping out at 88 mph. |
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Anthony Chavez 1B / OF / Mount Carmel, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 41 / POS: 2
From 3/07/25: One of the best rounds of BP on the day came from 1B Anthony Chavez (Mount Carmel, 2026). Standing in at 6-foot-2, 207-pounds, the left-handed hitter has a simple and compact swing that gets extension through impact, using his levers well to create easy jump off the bat with a 107 mph peak EV (second-best of the day) while averaging 95 mph - also leading the event with a 404’ max distance. He’s a smooth mover around the bag at first base with a soft two-hand gather and fluid footwork. 7.08 runner in the 60. |
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Samuel Chin LHP / LHP / St. Laurence, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 42 / POS: 4
From 4/01/25: Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 39 in the state. Trim, high-waisted 6-foot, 155-pound frame with room to fill out in the future. Got the ball to start for the Vikings and battled throughout his five innings of work. A loose and easy mover down the hill, Chin attacked hitters with his fastball, especially in the first inning where he worked a one-two-three inning with two punchouts - exclusively using his armside running fastball that sat 85-86 mph, T87 in the first, before settling in at 83-86 mph later in the game. Chin would also show a sweeping curveball at 72-73 mph for his go-to secondary offering. Despite having to work through trouble in the early innings, Chin showed a very calm and mature composure on the mound and was able to limit the damage most of the time with runners on base. Line: W, 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 8 K. Chin is one of the top remaining uncommitted arms in the state, and will be one to continue to follow. |
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Brett Tucker SS / RHP / Lemont, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 43 / POS: 12
From 8/22/24: MIF Brett Tucker (Lemont) is an upside prospect in Illinois that’s coming off a State Runner-Up run this past spring. A wiry athlete in a 6-foot-1, 177-pound frame, Tucker is a strong defender up the middle with soft hands, range and a strong arm on throws across the diamond (T88 mph). His footspeed continues to improve, running a 7.10 60 time at this event, which is a big jump since his last 60 time with us (7.60). A right-handed hitter at the plate, Tucker has an athletic and easy swing, recording a max exit velocity of 95.3 mph. He finished gameplay 2-for-5 with three runs, two walks and three stolen bases. An uncommitted name-to-know, ranked No. 58 in Illinois’ 2026 ranked. |
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Caleb Cox RHP / 1B / Springfield Lutheran, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 44 / POS: 12
From 2/19/25: One of the biggest and most impressive takeaways from this event is RHP Caleb Cox (Lutheran HS, 2026). The right-hander displayed a lengthy 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame with a ton of projectability. On the mound, he topped 91 mph while averaging 89 mph. He complimented his firm fastball with a slider that shows heavy horizontal movement and a fading changeup that he has a feel for. He utilizes his long levers down the mound, showing looseness and athleticism throughout. Cox is definitely a name to watch this year, and we only expect his stock to rise moving forward. |
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Jailen Veliz SS / 2B / Yorkville, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 45 / POS: 13
From 4/01/25: Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 58 in the state. Lean and trim 5-foot-11, 161-pound frame, holds room to add strength. Started at shortstop and hit out of the leadoff spot for the Foxes, finishing the day 1-for-4 with a double. The right-handed hitter has a whippy swing with athletic hands that are able to cover the entire plate, going up and getting a fastball at the top of the zone and driving it to the right/center gap for a double, swing and power should only get better as he continues to develop physically. High motor defender on the infield, easy range and comfortable on the move with confident hands, also showed off his athleticism in the outfield before the game - making numerous diving catches in an outfield drill before the other team showed up. High follow name still on the market, extremely versatile, can change the game on the basepaths. |
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Alec Novotney RHP / SS / Marquette Academy, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 46 / POS: 13
From 3/12/25: Novotney continued to solidify himself as a two-way follow after showing well on the mound the prior day at the Preseason All-State. Novotney is a natural, fundamentally sound middle infielder and he topped at 88 mph across the diamond. He also looked to control the barrel throughout his round of BP while topping at 90.1 mph. Name to know in the 2026 class who has been a key varsity contributor since his freshman year. |
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Chase Lockwood RHP / 3B / Libertyville, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 47 / POS: 14
From 3/07/25: RHP Chase Lockwood (Libertyville, 2026) is a highly clean mover that looks to have made a jump in velocity. He has a lean, athletic build with more room to add strength, standing at 6-foot-1, 176-pounds. His arm is loose and whippy, playing from a higher ¾ slot and creating a fastball at 85-86 mph with carry traits. His curveball has out-pitch potential, playing with sharp 11/5 shape and depth, spinning over 2,600 routinely at 70-72 mph. His slider has a completely different profile than the curveball, showing true horizontal break and depth with over 2,400 rpm at times, landing it for strikes consistently at 78-79 mph. His final offering was a changeup at 78-79 mph, showing hard dive at times. |
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Cole Latimer OF / RHP / DeKalb, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 48 / POS: 5
From 3/07/25: OF Cole Latimer (DeKalb, 2026) had one of the louder rounds of BP on the day. The 6-foot-3, 187-pound right-handed hitter works with a flatter path through the zone with length and strong hands, creating a max EV of 104 mph, averaging 92 mph with a max distance of 350’. He looks to be a quality defender in the outfield with long, easy strides and athletic actions, reaching up to 92 mph from a crow hop. |
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Drew Borkowski III RHP / OF / Huntley, IL / 2026Rankings StateRank: 49 / POS: 15
From 2/19/25: RHP/OF Drew Borkowski (Huntley, 2026) was a big winner all-around from the event. The athletic 6-foot-1, 179-pound prospect still has room to fill out the frame, and has certainly made big strides since we last saw him at the State Games in the summer. At the plate, the right-handed hitter took one of the loudest rounds of the day, reaching up to 102 mph for his EV with controlled intent and a repeatable swing that works flat through the zone, working with intent to stay up the middle of the field. On the bump, he is a loose and athletic mover down the hill. His fastball sat 87-88 mph with 2-seam characteristics (avg. 11.5” HM) filling the zone 80% of the time, which was the second-highest clip for that pitch for the event. He showed both a slider and a curveball in his ‘pen, where each seemed to have firmer action than when we last saw him. His curveball was thrown at 79-80 mph for strikes (67%) with late break to it, playing well off his fastball. The slider flashed at 78-80 mph with short, late downer action. His changeup remains to be perhaps his most polished offering, thrown with intent and confidence at 80-82 mph with fade and sink, for a 60% strike percentage. |
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