Class of 2029 Rankings Update
June 17, 2026
After a long and eventful spring, we are updating the class of 2029 rankings as we head into the summer circuit. There’s a bit of movement throughout, along with a handful of new names added.
Continue reading below for a look at the notable movement throughout the update.
For a look at the current Top-40 2029 prospects in Illinois, CLICK HERE.
The Top-10
+ SS/RHP Paris Head (Lane Tech) is holding down our top position after an impressive freshman campaign for the Champions, helping guide them to a Super Sectional appearance. Head is a highly intriguing athlete that profiles to stick at shortstop long-term, and the bat played well this past spring against much older competition, indicating that the hit-tool will be prevalent for him long-term as well. He arguably received more attention on the mound, showcasing electric arm-speed and a fastball nearing 90 mph.
+ C Terrell Hampton Hall (De La Salle) is rising one spot to No. 2 in this update, and he’s one of the top catching prospects in all of the midwest for his age. There is real physicality in his 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame with real power upside to pair, along with bat-speed and feel to hit that should make him a threat in the box for years to come. He’s also an advanced receiver of the baseball with a well above-average arm, reaching as low as 1.90 for his pop-times in past looks.
+ C Chase Estrada (New Trier) is another high-level catcher in the state, and he’s rising a spot to No. 4 in this update. A mainstay at the top of New Trier’s lineup this past spring, he possesses one of the more threatening bats in the state similar to Hampton Hall, pairing present strength with feel for the barrel and a swing that will play at a high level. He’s also an advanced defender with steady hands and a sub-2.00 pop-time.
+ OF/RHP Cylis Rainey (Mount Carmel) is coming off a productive varsity campaign, and he’s rising one spot to No. 5. At a well put-together 6-foot, 180-pounds, there is present strength with still more to come, along with a strong right-handed swing with loud results off the barrel. He’s also intriguing on the mound with a fastball into the upper-80s - and his 91 mph peak from the outfield indicates jumps on the mound in the near future.
+ One of the bigger risers is RHP Easton Pickrel (Galesburg), jumping into the top-10 to No. 6. He’s highly projectable at 6-foot, 160-pounds, and his future on the mound is easy to get excited about. The movement patterns are clean with projection and his fastball is already working into the upper-80s, pairing with a big-sweeping slider. He’s also an above-average athlete with a 6.94 in the 60, indicating more jumps to be made to his tools.
+ SS Chase Boykin (Marian) is one of the top athletes in the entire state, and he’s another one that made a big impact for his varsity club - starting at shortstop and hitting at the top of the lineup for most of the year. He’s a 6.69 runner with twitch and athleticism, making him easy to bet on. He’s also an advanced defender with a twitchy right-handed swing.
+ Making his rankings debut at No. 10, RHP Tommy Cavaliere (Lyons Township) is a must-know name with a power arm. The fastball is already up to 90 mph, and the movement patterns are how you draw it up. The arm is also quick and clean, pairing with the fact he is 6-foot-3, 200-pounds - makes him one of the higher ceiling names in this update.
Outside the Top-10
+ SS Madden Williams (Glenbrook North) is rising four spots to No. 17, and he looks like the next big shortstop to come out of GBN. He’s a savvy, natural defender with the actions and glove to stick on the dirt long-term. The swing is clean and balanced, already showing flashes of his upside while playing on his varsity club and performing.
+ SS Cruz Cook (Harlem) is another name making their debut in this update, as he’s sliding in at No. 27. He’s an above-average athlete with a 6.95 in the 60, and his left-handed swing also shows present bat-speed and athleticism.
+ INF Kaleb Gossett (Yorkville) is sliding in at No. 31 in his debut, seeing a notable amount of time on varsity this past spring. The actions stand out on the dirt with crisp movement patterns and a confident glove. There’s some twitch and strength in the right-handed swing to pair, helping to boost his infield profile.
+ Making their debut at No. 35, RHP/C Ben Bartlett (Normal University) is an exciting arm to follow. He’s projectable in his 6-foot frame with long levers, and he moves incredibly well for his age. The arm is loose and quick, already producing a fastball in the low/mid-80s with more to come.
+ OF Mason Hess (Pekin) is making his ranking debut at No. 39 in this update, and he’s another varsity impact freshman. We got our eyes on Hess in Rantoul a couple weeks ago and he easily stood out as a high-follow outfield prospect. There’s present athleticism to his overall game as an outfielder, also showing a strong arm. The swing is clean and balanced with a mature approach and hand-speed, also showing bat-to-ball abilities at the top of his club’s lineup.
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE 2029 RANKINGS
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