On Monday, January 19th, we kicked off our winter ID circuit with the Aurora Preseason ID, held at the Sports Zone in Aurora, IL. This event was host to roughly 50 players from around the state and allowed all in attendance to showcase their off-season gains in a pro-style workout. 

Today, we continue our post-event content with a look at every single pitcher from the day, including a top-3 ranking of who our staff thought showed the best on the day.

RHP Zachary Westerberg (Lincoln-Way East, 2027) showed one of the firmest fastballs on the day, peaking at 87 mph with a curveball and slider to pair off it. 

An intriguing southpaw to keep tabs on is LHP Nick Cali (Marmion, 2027). From a wiry, wide-shouldered 6-foot, 167-pound frame, Cali showed a fastball in the low-80s with a quick, clean arm to pair. He also showed a slider, sinker and knuckleball to fill out his repertoire. 

One of the more intriguing pens on the day belonged to RHP Matthew Castaneda (Prospect, 2027). Listed at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, he has a wiry, projectable frame with plenty of room to add on strength. The fastball was up to 79 mph, but played up thanks to his notable extension down the mound, reaching consistently over seven feet on the fastball. 

Top Pitching Prospects 

1. Eastin McBroom, Newark CHSD 18 (IL), 2028 |
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted build.
Delivery: Simple action, high leg lift with tuck and coil, drop/drive down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm path, 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 79-81 mph. Clean out of the hand, arm-side run.  T2240, 2159 average rpm.
CB: 73-75 mph. Short, 11/5 shape, tight action. T2439, 2097 average rpm.
SL: 74-74 mph. Tight, short action, throws it hard. T2389, 2389 average rpm.
CH: 73-75 mph. Plays with fading action, feel for the pitch. T1734, 1655 average rpm.
SPLT: 69-70 mph. Kills spin, downer action.

2. Nick Lozano, Geneva, IL (IL), 2028 |
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Trim frame with room to fill in the future. Long, loose-levered.
Delivery: Stretch-only, high leg lift with tuck, drop/drive down the mound, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, easy arm path, 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays straight. T1814, 1743 average rpm.
CB: 66-69 mph. 12/6 shape, heavy downer at times. T1718, 1610 average rpm.
SL: 68-70 mph. 10/4 shape, sweeping action. T1475, 1433 average rpm.
CH: 76-79 mph. Mostly straight, maintains arm speed. T1225, 1153 average rpm.

3. Colin Ogden, Plainfield North (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-3, 205-pounds. Strong, physical build.
Delivery: Stretch-only, high leg lift with tuck, tall/fall down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, quick arm, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T86, 83-86 mph. Clean out of the hand, life through the zone. T2285, 2176 average rpm.
CB: 73-76 mph. Tight, short break, 11/5 shape. T2181, 2103 average rpm.
SL: 69-72 mph. Short, horizontal break. T2039, 2003 average rpm.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY) 

Anthony Albano, Rockford Boylan Catholic (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Simple, controlled delivery, higher leg kick into balance point, tall/fall lower-half, effort in the finish.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arm circle, 3/4 slot. Arm speed out front.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Mostly straight actions, flashes ability to throw for strikes. T2368, 2173 average rpm.
CB: 62-65 mph. Similar shape to slider, developing. T1812, 1686 average rpm.
SL: 64-66 mph. Tight, short action, 10/4 shape. T2056, 1953 average rpm.
SPLT: 69-73 mph. Plays with run and sink, maintains arm speed.

Beau Bush, Plainfield North (IL), 2028 |
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Proportional frame.
Delivery: Stretch-only, small leg lift, tall/fall down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, over the top slot.
FB: T62, 60-62 mph. Mostly straight action. T1424, 1335 average rpm.
CB: 52-53 mph. Gradual 12/6 shape. T1283, 1226 average rpm.
CH: 55-58 mph. Plays with slight fade. T1168, 1067 average rpm. 

Nick Cali, Marmion Academy (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: LHP/LHP
Body: 6-0, 172-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room to fill.
Delivery: Clean, high leg-kick, slight drop/drive, works in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Loose arm swing, clean 3/4 release.
FB: T81, 80-81 mph. 4S: Carry and life, high spin. SNK: Plays with sink and some arm-side run.  T2313, 2219 average rpm.
SL: 66-69 mph. Sharp, deceptive action.  T2011, 1984 average rpm.
KN: 67-68 mph. Unpredictable action. 

Matthew Castaneda, Prospect (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with upside.
Delivery: Up-tempo, loose and athletic mover, gets down the mound very well with plus extension, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm swing, higher 3/4 release.
FB: T79, 76-78 mph. Carry through the zone, plays with life and finish, plays up.  T1866, 1784 average rpm.
CB: 65-70 mph. Short, 10/4 shape. T1932, 1879 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Slight arm-side run, maintains armspeed, thrown hard, feel for the zone. T1858, 1723 average rpm.
CUT: 74-75 mph. Short, plays with some carry.

Ryan Cooling, Joliet Central (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Sturdy, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Stretch-only, controlled leg-lift into a coiled balance point, slight drop/drive lower-half, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arm path, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 78-79 mph. 4S: Mostly straight actions. SNK: Flashes run to the arm-side. T1965, 1810 average rpm.
CB: 67-69 mph. Hard downer action, 12/6 shape. T1975, 1935 average rpm.
SL: 69-71 mph. Short bite, plays more vertically. T1982, 1909 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Mostly straight actions, developing. T1449, 1308 average rpm. 

Giulio dEscoto, Kaneland (IL), 2028 |
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 205-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with some strength.
Delivery: Stretch-only, medium leg kick into balance point, tall/fall lower-half, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 73-75 mph. 4S: Mostly straight actions, flashes run. SNK: Sinking action at times, plays at the bottom of the zone. T1919, 1837 average rpm.
CB: 62-64 mph. Gradual vertical action, 11/5 shape. T1747, 1699 average rpm.
CH: 67-69 mph. Mostly straight actions, flashes run. T1484, 1402 average rpm. 

Brody Dryden, Yorkville (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room to fill.
Delivery: Athletic mover, up-tempo, slight drop/drive, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Clean arm swing, 3/4 slot with looseness.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Clean out of the hand, slight arm-side run.  T2051, 2029 average rpm.
SL: 64-67 mph. Sharp, 10/4 break with late bite, whippy arm speed.  T2577, 2466 average rpm.
CH: 72-73 mph. Late dive to the arm-side.  T1884, 1821 average rpm.

Paxton Floros, Plainfield North (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: LHP/LHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds. Compact frame.
Delivery: Up-tempo, high leg lift, drop/drive down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot, acceleration out front.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Plays with slight carry, feel for the zone. T1678, 1509 average rpm.
CB: 68-69 mph. Sweeping action, 2/8 shape. T1862, 1843 average rpm.
SL: 68-69 mph. Short, lateral break. T1833, 1732 average rpm.
CH: 72-73 mph. Throws it hard, fade. T1791, 1753 average rpm. 

Evan Francisco, Huntley (IL), 2028 |
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Athletic, compact frame.
Delivery: Up-tempo, high leg-kick, drop/drive, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm path, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 71-72 mph. Some arm-side run, flashed cutting action on the two-seam.  T1554, 1413 average rpm.
CB: 55-59 mph. Big over the top action and gradual break, some feel.  T1390, 1330 average rpm.
SL: 64-67 mph. Short lateral break.  T1687, 1620 average rpm. 

Trevor Hinton, Oswego (IL), 2029 |
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Compact frame.
Delivery: Stretch-only, clean and simple delivery, medium balance point, tall/fall, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm swing, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T69, 67-69 mph. Four-seam shows some straight action and carry. Two-seam plays more arm-side.  T1711, 1679 average rpm.
CB: 58-60 mph. Flashed sharp bite, 11/5 shape.  T2041, 2002 average rpm.
CH: 64-65 mph. Sells with arm-speed, plays with fade, feel around zone.  T1338, 1287 average rpm. 

Drew Kirby, Paris (IL), 2028 |
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Athletic, trim build, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Simple mover, small leg lift into tall/fall delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Easy, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-77 mph. Plays straight out of the hand. T2077, 1829 average rpm.
CB: 64-68 mph. Downer action, 12/6 shape. T2126, 1908 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Plays mostly straight, slight fade at times. T1986, 1947 average rpm. 

Jason Lach, Fremd (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Trim, athletic frame.
Delivery: Simple mover, high leg lift, tall/fall down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 77-78 mph. Plays with life out of the hand. T2016, 1941 average rpm.
CB: 69-70 mph. 11/5 shape, tight, flashes downer action. T2166, 2152 average rpm.
SL: 70-74 mph. 10/4 shape, sweeping action. T2301, 2180 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Slight fade, throws it hard. T1605, 1546 average rpm. 

Ryan Nierman, Marmion Academy (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Long-levered, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Loose and athletic, clean mover with balance, controlled leg-lift, drop/drive, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm path, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 70-73 mph. Mostly straight actions, flashes feel for the zone. T1821, 1734 average rpm.
CB: 56-58 mph. Big break, 12/6 shape, strikes. T1603, 1573 average rpm.
CH: 63-64 mph. Plays mostly straight, strikes. T1618, 1505 average rpm.
CUT: 61-64 mph. Short wrinkle, some feel around zone. 

Joshua Wesby, Oswego East (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-9, 230-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, small leg lift, works in-line down the mound.
Arm Action: LH. Compact action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Mostly straight, plays with run at times. T1782, 1596 average rpm.
CB: 67-73 mph. 1/7 shape, sweeping action. T1851, 1679 average rpm.
CH: 76-77 mph. Slight cut action. T1396, 1284 average rpm.

Zachary Westerberg, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2027 |
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 187-pounds. Lean frame with some physicality.
Delivery: Up-tempo, high leg lift with tuck, tall/fall down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Long, quick arm action, over the top slot.
FB: T87, 83-86 mph. Firm out of the hand, mostly straight. T2091, 2009 average rpm.
CB: 72-73 mph. 12/6 shape, short action. T2144, 2010 average rpm.
SL: 73-74 mph. Short, horizontal break, tight spin. T2186, 2110 average rpm. 

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