Rankings season is upon us once again as we hit the refresh button on our class of 2028 after an eventful spring. There was quite a bit of movement in this update, with risers and newcomers alike. 

Continue reading below for some of the notable movement in the top-50. 

For a look at the complete updated rankings, click HERE.

The Top-10

+ RHP Anderson Kaufmann (Alton) is rising one spot to No. 2 as he continues to establish himself as one of the more polished arms in the midwest. He’s an athletic and bouncy mover that can throw three pitches for strikes whenever he wants, and the fastball comfortably reaches into the low-90s. His feel to spin the breaking ball paired with his sheer athleticism screams starter upside all day. 

+ LHP Collin Lawlor (Marist) is rising two spots to No. 4 in this update, and he remains the top-ranked southpaw in the state. Lawlor is a high-floor prospect who routinely dominates in front of our staff, and he has the present stuff to match with a fastball into the upper-80s, a sharp curveball and dancing changeup - even flashing a cutter in our recent look. Another arm with starter upside, Lawlor is primed for a big summer ahead. 

+ Up one spot to No. 8, RHP Connor Basinski (Columbia) boasts some of the biggest upside in the Illinois 2028 class, standing in at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds with a fastball already reaching into the low-90s. The levers and movement patterns stand out with seemingly much more in the tank, and we expect significant jumps from him sooner than later. 

+ INF Peter Pignatiello (Benet) is seeing a significant rise to No. 10 in this update, up 10 spots from his previous ranking. The bat is really trending in the right direction as he continues to add strength to his 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame, though his best days are still ahead. He’s also a strong defender with foot-speed that should allow him to stick on the dirt long-term. 

The Top-50

+ 1B Brady Jones (Metamora) is a physical, 6-foot-5 left-handed hitter rising five spots to No. 11 in this update. He has immense power upside with a clean, athletic swing. He’s also one of the top basketball players in the state, adding to his prospect status. 

+ Rising four spots, INF Kameron Cox (Montini) now sits at No. 17 in the state. He’s a premium defender with crisp actions, bouncy footwork, range and arm-strength, looking to profile up the middle long-term. He’s shown some blossoming in-game power as of late, helping add another layer to his already intriguing profile. 

+ INF/RHP Keegan Crabtree (Lincoln-Way East) is a high-follow on both sides of the ball, and he’s rising 13 spots to No. 20 in this update. He’s easy to dream on at 6-foot-1, 162-pounds, and he played a massive role in East’s success this past season. He’s a smooth, athletic defender with a clean right-handed swing and his best days still ahead, showing an extremely high ceiling as a position player. He’s also intriguing on the mound with a fastball up to 89 mph to go along with a sharp curveball. 

+ RHP Henry Murphy (Maine South) is rising 15 spots in this update to No. 22 after a velocity jump in our recent looks. He’s long been projectable and polished with the ability to land multiple pitches in the zone, but with the fastball reaching as high as 89 mph in a recent outing, his prospect status has taken a step forward. 

+ RHP Blake Harris (El Paso-Gridley) is another right-handed pitcher making a jump, as he’s rising 11 spots to No. 30 in this update. Listed at 6-foot-6, 225-pounds, he’s a physical specimen with a power arm and fastball into the upper-80s, pairing with a sharp, downer curveball. 

+ INF Mason Almazan (Providence Catholic) is rising a significant amount in this update, up 13 spots to No. 31. He’s an athletic right-handed hitter with a clean, flat swing with a line-drive profile. The glove is where he really stands out, showing athletic actions and range with a natural look and feel for the position. 

+ 1B Will Steffens (Barrington) is one of the biggest risers in this update, jumping 36 spots to No. 48. He’s a physical left-handed hitter with easy power, and he’s been one of the more productive hitters in the state this year with double-digit home runs. There’s still more strength to come in his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame, giving him tremendous power upside. 

+ OF MJ Castelloni (Fremd) is another big riser, moving up 15 spots to No. 49. He’s a bouncy, confident defender in the outfield with a upside left-handed swing at the plate, showing a clean operation with loose wrists and control of the barrel. 

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