On Saturday, February 22nd, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled to Chicago, IL for the Chicago Preseason ID held at the Pullman Community Center. This event is a great opportunity for our staff to get a look at players from the central part of the state, as well as the surrounding areas.

Today we are beginning our post-event rollout with a look at all the catchers from the day, along with a ranking of who our staff deemed as the top catching prospects.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Zolan Wyatt, Lane Tech (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-3, 195 pounds. Projectable, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, long stride. Strong hands, works through the baseball with leverage and strength, present bat speed, repeats. 73.6 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 103 mph max exit velocity (89 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 83 mph. Over the top slot.
Defense: 1.88-2.02 pop time range; Quick glove-to-hand release, works in line, intent.
Athletic Testing: 7.27 runner in the 60-yard dash; 25.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 68.64 Edge Score.

2. Ethan Carpenter, Evanston (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 180 pounds. Compact, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, minimal wasted movement, small stride. Direct, repeatable, balanced swing. Strong hands, up the middle approach. 70.3 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 mph max exit velocity (87.4 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Over the top slot.
Defense: 1.99-2.05 pop time range; Athletic out of the crouch, active blocker, one knee receiver, works in line.
Athletic Testing: 7.78 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 83.39 Edge Score.

3. John Bazula, Prospect (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-3, 185 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, open setup, sits backside, short stride. Some feel to elevate, pullside approach with leverage. 69.7 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 mph max exit velocity (85.2 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Over the top slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.23 pop time range; Traditional stance, steady hands and transfer, works in-line.
Athletic Testing: 6.87 runner in the 60-yard dash; 28.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 82.49 Edge Score.

4. Nick Dreves-Hunt, Lyons Township (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 162 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, fluid load with leg-lift timing trigger. Pullside approach with leverage, some feel for the barrel, strong hands. 61.9 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 mph max exit velocity (70.3 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 1.93-2.08 pop time range; Clean transfer, quick glove to hand, traditional receiver.
Athletic Testing: 7.50 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 60.38 Edge Score.

5. Hayven Gamboa, Mount Carmel (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF/INF
Body: 5-8, 135 pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, rhythmic hands and load. Flat path, controlled finish, opposite field approach. 60.7 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 77 mph max exit velocity (73.3 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 73 mph. OF - 79 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot. INF: Full arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.11-2.22 pop time range; Versatile defender who worked out at multiple spots on the day. Athletic and quality actions at all spots. Soft hands and body control. Quick release behind the plate.
Athletic Testing: 7.42 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 73.36 Edge Score.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Alexander Arteaga, Taft (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 156 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, quiet hands, minimal stride. Handsy, slightly uphill path, flashed feel for the barrel, up the middle approach. 62.5 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 mph max exit velocity (74.5 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.27 pop time range; One knee receiver, works in line. Clean glove-to-hand and transfer.
Athletic Testing: 8.14 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 75.16 Edge Score.

Jadier Castillo, Mather High School (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 160 pounds.
Hit: SH. RH: Balanced setup, some bend in knee, toe-tap finish. LH: Balanced setup, toe taps into minimum stride. Slightly uphill path, loose hands, backside approach. 56.4 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 mph max exit velocity (71.7 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot
Defense: 2.00-2.18 pop time range; One hand gather, quick shuffle, clean transfer, works in-line.
Athletic Testing: 7.83 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.00-inch max vertical jump.

Christian Clark, Mount Carmel (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/C
Body: 5-10, 200 pounds. Strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, quiet hands, fluid load. Simple, flat path with extension past contact, feel to elevate. 75.8 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (85.8 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.25 pop time range; Traditional stance, works in line, clean glove-to-hand.
Athletic Testing: 7.37 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 75.29 Edge Score.

Rogelio Dominguez, Von Steuben Metro Science HS (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-7, 170 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, sits into legs, knee knock trigger. Up the middle approach with leverage, some feel for the barrel, slightly uphill path. 62.7 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (73 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.12-2.39 pop time range; One hand gather, shuffles to throw, clean transfer, works in-line.
Athletic Testing: 8.59 runner in the 60-yard dash; 13.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 55.59 Edge Score.

Ash Marcel, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 165.4 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, works back to even. Direct path, handsy, some feel for the barrel. 67.6 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (79.4 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. High 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.04-2.15 pop time range; One knee receiver, works in line from the chute, steady hands.
Athletic Testing: 7.27 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 81.62 Edge Score.

Liam Moroney, Oak Park-River Forest (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 175 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, high rhythmic hands, stride gains ground. Flat path, long through the zone. 70.3 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (83.9 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Over the top slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.23 pop time range; One knee receiver, quick shuffle into throw, works in-line and gains ground to second.
Athletic Testing: 7.41 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.96 Edge Score.

Ajay Peterson, Bishop Noll (IN), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-1, 170 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, slightly open, relaxed hands. Short, direct path, extension past contact, line drives with feel for the barrel. 64.6 mph bat speed with 24g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 mph max exit velocity (83.1 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Over the top slot.
Defense: 2.29-2.36 pop time range; Traditional stance, works in line from the chute, gains ground.
Athletic Testing: 7.52 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 45.14 Edge Score.

David Richardson, Brooks College Prep Academy HS (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 160 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, sits backside. Flashed feel for the barrel, flat path, some feel to backspin. 64 mph bat speed with 20g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 83 mph max exit velocity (66.3 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. OF - 76 mph. Full arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.50 pop time range; OF: One hand gather, sure hands, shuffle to throw. C: One knee receiver, works in-line from the chute, steady hands.
Athletic Testing: 7.98 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.50-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.52 Edge Score.

Eric Talbert Jr., Thornton Fractional South (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 150 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Even stance, sits into legs, up and down leg lift. Flat path, extension past contact, quick hands. 60.9 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (74.9 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. High 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.52-2.75 pop time range; One knee receiver, shuffle to throw and gains ground to second, clean transfers.
Athletic Testing: 7.42 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 51.62 Edge Score.

Sebastian Urbanowski, Loyola Academy (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 196 pounds. Muscular frame.
Hit: RHH. Even stance, closed, short stride. Strong hands, compact swing, drives the ball with leverage. 65.9 mph bat speed with 17g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 mph max exit velocity (77.2 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. High 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.05-2.23 pop time range; One knee receiver, works in line from the chute, works to present pitches around the zone.
Athletic Testing: 7.68 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 75.06 Edge Score.

Ryan Urbina, Taft (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 190 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance, toe tap stride, repeats. Some feel for the barrel, up the middle approach with leverage. 67.8 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (80.7 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.22 pop time range; One knee receiver, works in line from the chute, works to present pitches around the zone.
Athletic Testing: 7.66 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 64.97 Edge Score.

Adam Vogt, Marmion Academy (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 200 pounds. Well-proportioned
Hit: RHH. Sits backside, lower half coil into leg lift. Strong hands, ball jumps, leverage. 66.3 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (82 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Over the top slot.
Defense: 1.94-2.19 pop time range; One knee receiver, intent to work under the baseball and present pitches around the zone for strikes.
Athletic Testing: 7.80 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 64.33 Edge Score.

Rahjon Williams, Brooks College Prep Academy HS (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-8, 185 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Stock stance, quick stride. Flat path, strong hands, pullside approach. 63 mph bat speed with 4g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 mph max exit velocity (76.3 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.19-2.38 pop time range; One knee receiver, clean transfer and glove-to-hand, steady actions.
Athletic Testing: 8.50 runner in the 60-yard dash; -inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74 Edge Score.

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