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GBA Scout Day: Takeaways

March 20, 2025
Prep Baseball Illinois Staff

On Sunday, February 23rd, the Prep Baseball Illinois team traveled down to the Sports Barn East in Wood River, IL and hosted the GBA Scout Day. The event was for all high school classes (2026-2028), serving as an opportunity for our staff to see the talent from the southern part of the state, as well as some Missouri prospects.

More than 80 players made their way to the Sports Barn East and participated in a pro-style workout, gathering unrivaled access to data through our state-of-the-art tech partners, as well as in-depth scouting analysis from our Prep Baseball Illinois staff.

Today, we are taking a look at a number of the standouts, broken down by position and state, from the event with scouting reports and videos, below.

TAKEAWAYS

POSITION PLAYERS

ILLINOIS

C/INF Braden Fournie (Belleville West, 2026) was amongst the day’s biggest winners. Uncommitted, and standing at a noticeably strong 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Fournie grabbed our attention with how he caught ‘pens to start the day; showing to be an advanced receiver and a grinder behind the plate with his blocking and overall willingness to work hard for each pitcher he caught. The advanced actions during ‘pens translated over to the defensive portion of the workout where he posted an event-high 1.80 pop time, paired with a strong arm out of the chute reaching 81 mph. He completed his day with a loud batting practice showing; utilizing a simple, flat path he posted the second-best average distance (267 ft.) and max distance (366 ft.), while posting an average EV of 87.7 mph (T97.7). Fournie is a must-follow backstop in the southern part of the state for college coaches to monitor.

The Seipp brothers; C/1B Keegan and Kannon, both 2027s at Triad HS, continue to trend in the right direction. Keegan is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound, physical left-handed hitting catcher who worked out behind the plate and at first base. Left-handed bat is his calling card. Simple, quiet look in the box and highly repeatable swing with above-average pull-side thump off the barrel. Routinely elevated hard and loud contact to the pull-side throughout his round. T100.3 mph, averaged 88.3 during his round of BP with a max distance of 343’. Kannon continues to trim down his 60 time, now running a 7.33 and stays wide and repeatable at the plate with quick hands and controlled intent throughout. Peaked at 88.5 mph off the bat.

OF Omar Avalos (Father McGivney) is no stranger to Prep Baseball events and continues to show well every time we get our eyes on him. During BP there was more rhythm and fluidity in his hands pre-pitch while still showing the strong, repeatable swing that was on the barrel throughout his round. Avols worked back up the middle of the field during BP, peaked at 96.9 mph, averaged 89.1 and launched his furthest batted ball 335’. Defensively, he is a natural in the outfield and can profile at all three spots while topping at 86 mph.

C/OF Asher Cantu (O’Fallon, 2026) is a physical left-handed hitting catcher that continues to see his tools and skillset tick up across the board. Listed at 6-foot-3, 210-pounds, Cantu fills out the uniform and made a bunch of loud, hard contact during BP. His path is more direct to the ball than we have seen in the past and he peaked at 100.9 mph off the bat, launching a ball 351’. Plenty of raw power and physicality in the box. Behind the plate, worked hard during bullpens presenting a low target, presenting pitches in the zone while being a willing blocker. Topped at 79 mph from behind the crouch with a low pop time of 2.02. Name to know that continues to trend in the right direction.

OF Cale Dugger (Staunton, 2028) emerged as a name to follow in the state’s freshman class. Standing with an upside frame at 5-foot-11, 145-pounds, Dugger had a quality showing with the bat. A right-handed hitter, he had some rhythm throughout his operation and showed the ability to generate easy elevated contact to the pull-side, while reaching a max EV of 88 mph at the event.

MIF Carson Bauer (O’Fallon, 2026) is an upside left-handed hitting infielder whose best days are yet to come. Listed at 5-foot-11, 153-pounds, there is plenty more strength to come down the road and he is a loose overall mover. Defensively, he has seen a big uptick in velocity, now up to 85 mph across the diamond with fluid overall actions. He plays from the ground up and works through the ball clean and with purpose. Soft hands should help profile him up the middle of the diamond at the next level. Offensively, he has a simple overall approach, looking to control the barrel, stay inside the baseball and use the whole field. 7.28 runner, T89 mph off the bat in BP. Name to watch in the coming year’s.

OF Aidan Bennett (Edwardsville, 2027) found himself towards the top of a couple of statistical categories on the day. In the outfield he played with pace, working behind the baseball and topped at 90 mph. He also ran a 7.19 60 and took a consistent round of BP where he stays compact, on-plane and lifted contact to the middle/pull-side of the field; peaked at 93 mph, averaged 89.3 and launched his furthest batted ball 324’. Strong showing from the sophomore outfielder.

OF Carson Parrill (Collinsville, 2026) is an uncommitted right-handed bat from the event who was on the barrel throughout his round. Presenting a sturdy frame at 5-foot-9, 162-pounds with present strength throughout, he averaged 85.5 mph off the bat (T91.5), while flashing power with a max distance of 343 feet - which was towards the top for the event.

Pleasant Plains has two freshmen they should be excited about for years to come in MIF Landon Maisenbacher and Andrew Potthoff.

Maisenbacher has long been known for advanced defensive actions and ability up the middle of the field defensively. He only continues to tick up defensively with improved foot speed; 7.43 runner and arm strength up to 77 mph now. Offensively, he has a fluid right handed swing works direct to the zone and looks to control the barrel.

Potthoff is an advanced left-handed hitter who ran a 7.36 60. He is ultra calm and comfortable in the box for his age. He has controlled fluid pre-pitch movements, repeats well and was all over the barrel with a polished whole-field approach during BP.; peaked at 91.6 mph during BO. His bat should only continue to tick up as he matures and adds quality strength to his frame.

OF Gage Homann (Edwardsville), C Nolan Goetten (Jersey), OF Chase Juenger (Freeburg) and 1B Braden Reich (Gillespie) are four freshmen who swung noteworthy bats and should be 2028s to follow moving forward.

MISSOURI

OF Kolt Hopper (St. Dominic, 2026) had one of the louder showings on the day. Uncommitted, standing at a noticeably strong 5-foot-11, 185-pounds. He led the event in the 60-yard dash with a 6.82, while recording a top speed of 20.4 mph - which was third-fastest for the event. Offensively, Hopper was producing loud contact throughout his round, evidenced by his average EV of 90.4 mph (T97.6). His bat speed metrics per Blast were strong as well, averaging 74 mph, while peaking at 78.1.

MIF Jack Bogard (Francis Howell, 2028) is an athletic freshman to follow from the day. He started the event by running a 7.12 60 - though he’s been as fast as a 7.03 before. A right-handed hitter, he had some looseness in his hands, while swinging with intent. He averaged 85.7 mph for his exit velocity (T91), with hard contact to the pull-side at times. Bogard also had one of the better defensive rounds on the day; playing with athletic feet, paired with a clean two-hand funnel, and a strong arm (86 mph).

INF Carson Twellman (Troy Buchanan, 2026) is an uncommitted prospect who was an all-around winner from the event. He ran the second-fastest 60 time on the day at 6.83 seconds and the second fastest run speed for the event at 20.5 mph. Offensively, he had a loud round, evidenced by his 90.4 mph average EV (T95.3), while spraying line drives to all fields. He led the event in infield velocity, reaching up to 90 mph from across the diamond. Twellman presents the glove early and showed confident actions throughout his round, playing through the ball with quick transfers, while his arm could play from multiple slots.

INF Adler Flinn (Jackson, 2026) took a noteworthy round of BP and stands out with some present physicality in the box, thanks to his 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame that has strength thruoghout. He hits with balanced rhythm and loose strong hands that work to stay through the zone a long time and inside the baseball as well. Comfortable using the whole field and peaked at 88.3 mph off the bat. Also ran a 7.33 60 and topped at 78 mph across the infield.

OF Dominic Blackstun (Fort Zumwalt West, 2026) is a 6-foot, 140-pound, long-levered, left-handed hitter who is still a long ways away from his ultimate ceiling. He has seen all of his tools continue to tick up since our last look. At the plate, he is relaxed and comfortable in the box, lets the ball travel and stays short and simple while looking to control the barrel. Loose hands, fluidity throughout and whole field approach. Added strength should only continue to add intrigue to his offensive profile. Fluid, athletic mover in the outfield, works behind the baseball, steady hands and a loose arm that played up to 87 mph. 7.35 runner in the 60.

OF Chase Cradick (Francis Howell) is another 2026 who is steadily on the rise and keeps getting better in every look. The left-handed hitter is now running a 7.12 60, was 90 mph from the outfield and peaked at 93 mph during BP. Offensively, he has a short, compact swing with natural lift and stayed up the middle of the field throughout his round; Averaged 86.7 mph and sent his furthest batted ball 329’. In the outfield, steady defender with a short arm that played true with life out of the hand. One to watch in the 2026 class.

OF Fred Hilliard (Ladue Horton Watkins) is a 2027 bat that looks to just be scratching the surface of his ceiling. Results were mixed throughout BP but he is calm and athletic in the box with a clean swing that stays direct to the ball and balanced throughout. He is an athletic and fluid mover in the outfield as well with a loose arm that topped at 86 mph.

Freshman infielders Miles Friedrichs (Liberty Wentzville) and Griffin Parsons (Jackson) are two names that ran sub 7.4s and should be right-handed hitters to follow in that 2028 Missouri class.

TWO WAY PROSPECTS

ILLINOIS

OF/LHP Trey Hrasky (O’Fallon, 2028) stood out both with the bat and on the mound on this day. Starting on the mound, he is an athletic mover at 5-foot-9, 160-pounds paired with a quick arm. Working primarily out of the stretch; he worked his fastball up to 80 mph with some life out of the hand and playing with occasional sink. Hrasky then went to a low 60s curveball that had feel for the zone and played with 12/6 big break. He rounded out his mix with a 67-70 mph changeup that flashed tumbling action. The same athleticism is present as a left/left outfielder. Ran a 7.08 60, topped at 81 mph from the outfield and worked up to 88 mph off the barrel during BP. Handled pitches all over the zone and showed a polished approach lifting hard contact to all fields.

RHP/C Aiden Saracco (Staunton, 2028) made his Prep Baseball event debut this winter and came away a winner. A 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame with noticeable strength, Saracco’s fastball was up to 78 mph in the look with clean action out of the hand. He then showed an upper-60s change-up with fade at times, and a slider with sharp, 11/5 shape, sitting 68-70 mph. Offensively, he was one of the more intriguing freshman bats on the day. Ran a 7.23 60, and has a simple, balanced right-handed swing with some natural lift throughout. 90 mph peak exit velocity and was 73 mph from the crouch.

LHP/OF Anthony Perez (O’Fallon, 2026) is an uncommitted upside prospect who showed well in all facets at the event. At 6-foot-1, 172-pound frame, Perez initially impressed with a fastball that had life out of the hand, sitting 84-86 mph with run, while playing in the zone 67% of the time. His changeup was his best offspeed pitch on the day, sitting 77-79 mph with fade and slight dive. Perez would also flash a 73-76 mph slider that had short, lateral action. Offensively, he has a impactful left-handed swing where he creates leverage to the pull-side of the field. There is natural lift in the swing and was all over the barrel throughout, averaging 92.5 mph off the bat, T97.4. His furthest batted ball traveled 357’ and topped at 89 mph from the outfield.

RHP/SS Hunter Baugh (Edwardsville, 2026) remains an uncommitted two-way prospect from the Team Illinois’ Future Games roster this past summer. Offensively, he continues to show a loose, athletic swing with feel for the barrel and repeatability throughout. He balanced and confident in the box while staying within himself and topping at 93.2 mph off the bat. Defensively, Baugh showcased one of the best rounds of the day. He has fluid footwork and athletic actions with confident hands, quality range, and a strong arm across the diamond (T87 mph) that plays accurate. On the mound, Baugh is a loose, athletic mover with a long, quick arm. His fastball sat 84-85 mph, topping out at 86 with mostly straight actions through the zone. He was confident in his 76-77 mph change-up that played with heavy fade and depth, showing late action through the zone. He rounded out his mix with a low-70s slider that played with sharp, 11/5 shape, averaging -8.7 inches of IVB and 9.9 inches of HM.

RHP/C Matt Morris (Triad, 2028) emerged as a big winner in his event debut this winter. He stands in an upside, 6-foot, 160-pound frame with a high waist and long levers. On the mound, he’s a loose mover with athletic action and a quick arm, showcasing a fastball up to 81 mph. His slider sat 70-71 mph with short, horizontal actions, looking like an out-pitch potential type. He finished his ‘pen with a low-70s change-up that he threw with intent and confidence, working it down in-and-below the zone with quality actions. Offensively, he is one to watch as well with a loose, easy right-handed swing that is tailored for elevated contact while staying up the middle of the field.

LHP/OF Ben Sink (Father McGivney, 2026) made some significant improvements metrically since we last saw him at the Illinois State Games. He’s a simple mover on the mound, and showed a fastball in the mid-80s, topping out at 86. 1 mph. He spun his low-70s slider well, averaging 2555 rpm, with 11/5 shape and throwing it for strikes 100% of the time. Sink rounded out his arsenal with a change-up that sat 79-80 mph with fade, showing confidence to throw it. He’s an uncommitted arm-to-know in the state. His arm strength also showed up in the outfield where he topped at 90 mph, showing steady actions and a clean release. Offensively, the left-handed hitter has a simple strong swing and looked to lift the baseball; averaged 87.3 mph off the bat.

SS/RHP Miller Dunnill (Edwardsville, 2027) was another sophomore arm that impressed. A lean and well-proportioned 6-foot, 175-pounds, Dunnill sat in the low 80s with his fastball (T83 mph). He was also able to throw both of his secondary pitches for strikes; with his slider sitting 69-71 mph with short bite, while his changeup played with fade and tumble at 73-75 mph. He also ran a 7.06 60, peaked at 95 mph off the bat and has loose, strong hands at the plate.

MISSOURI

RHP Donovan Douglas (Fort Zumwalt West, 2028) stands in a wiry frame with plenty of projection at 5-foot-11, 125-pounds. He’s a loose, easy mover with a long arm path that works out of a low ¾ slot. His fastball played with some arm-side run, peaking at 78 mph, and he showed an above-average slider for his age that played with 10/4, sweeping shape. He threw his change-up hard, playing in the same velo range as his fastball with heavy fade (17.3 inches of HM). Offensively, he stays balanced and looks to keep the ball on a line while using the whole field with a rhythmic swing.

RHP Drew Parsons (Jackson, 2026; Southeast Missouri State commit) owns an athletic frame with some present strength at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. He’s currently ranked No. 53 in Missouri’s sophomore class, and showed a fastball that sat 86-88 mph with mostly straight actions. He threw a change-up that played down and with heavy fade, sitting in the upper-80s. Parson’s curveball played with sharp, downer action and high spin, averaging 2513 rpm. His slider spun at an average of 2406 rpm with more horizontal action than his curveball, and played sharp at times. Parsons continued to show well during batting practice; where he had a loose, handsy swing that generated hard contact (96 mph max EV) to the pull-side. Defensively, he posted one of the better pop times for the event at 1.82 seconds paired with the second-strongest arm for the event at 80 mph from the chute.

RHP/C Dominic Pandolfo (Fort Zumwalt East, 2027) was a big winner on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he had a loud showing with four pitches; headlined by his 88-89 mph fastball that played with ride and occasional run, while also showing above-average spin (avg. 2319 rpm). He spun both his curveball and slider well; with his curveball (avg. 2452 rpm) sat 74-75 mph with over -16” of HM and over -6” of IVB on average, while his slider (avg. 2464 rpm) sat 76-80 mph with over -11” HM on average. He completed his mix with a heavy-fading (avg. 17.1” HM) changeup at 84-85 mph. Pandolfo also had one of the louder rounds of batting practice on the day, averaging 91 mph off the bat, while topping out at 99 mph - which was good for sixth-best for the event, paired with a max distance of 341 feet. He continued his impressive day on defense, where he had a 1.86 pop time while reaching 78 mph from the chute.

RHP/CIF Jathan Spain (Cape Central, 2026) was another two-way prospect who had a loud showing across the board. Displaying a physically imposing frame at 6-foot-5, 220-pounds, the former Prep Baseball Future Games participant started his loud day on the mound. He had a lively fastball at 87-89 mph, playing in the zone 67% of the time. Spain would then show two breaking balls; his 75-77 mph slider was in the zone 75% of the time with shorter action, while his curveball sat 69-70 mph with hard downer action. Spain would also mix in a 77-78 mph changeup with fading action (avg. 17.6” HM). Offensively, the right-handed hitter was the event leader in max exit velocity (103.3 mph), average EV (94.7 mph), as well as max distance (378 ft.). Spain is a sure-fire two-way uncommitted name to know.

RHP/INF Michael Wolff (Fort Zumwalt West, 2027) stands in an athletic frame at 5-foot-10, 172-pounds. He moved well on the mound with clean action and a quick arm action out of a ¾ slot. His fastball sat 85-86 mph, topping out at 87 mph with life through the zone. He turned to a curveball with 11/5 shape, spinning at an average of 2272 rpm, and throwing it for strikes 75% of the time. He rounded out his mix with an upper-70s change-up that played with fade. Ranked No. 17 in Missouri’s sophomore class, Wolff is a name-to-know. Defensively, he stood out as one of the top infield defenders on the day. He has clean, athletic footwork with quick, sure hands and a feel for the infield. Offensively, he has a compact strong swing with loose hands that resulted in a lot of hard contact right back up the middle of the field. Launched a ball 340’ during BP. Also ran a 6.90 60, one of the best on the day.

PITCHERS

ILLINOIS

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.

We got an updated look at RHP Darren Klein (Mascoutah, 2027) and he did not disappoint. An easy and athletic mover down the hill at 6-foot-1, 165-pounds, Klein had feel for all three pitches within his arsenal. His fastball sat 85-86 mph with run, while being consistently around the zone from a true ¾ slot. He had a high feel for the zone (80% strikes) with his slider that worked 73-75 mph with sharp 10/4 action. Klein would round things out with a 79-81 mph changeup that had tumble and fade to it, making for a potent third offering. Klein will be the No. 2 arm for Mascoutah this spring.

RHP Anthony Eberlin (Edwardsville, 2026; Texas Christian commit) had one of the livelier fastballs on the day, sitting 89-90 mph with ride through the zone (avg. 18.1” IVB). Eberlin also tossed in a slider and a changeup to go as his secondary offerings; with his slider sitting 77-80 mph, and his changeup sitting 78-80 mph with occasional fade.

We got another look at RHP Cy Craft (Du Quoin, 2027) after last seeing him at our Super Sophomore Games, last August. Craft has put on noticeable strength into his 5-foot-10, 166-pound frame, specifically in the lower-half. His fastball has also ticked up, sitting 86-88 mph (T89) now, with sinking action. He had quality feel for the zone with his slider on this day, throwing it for a strike every single time at 78-80 mph with late dart. Craft completed his mix with an 81-82 mph changeup that played with fade and tumble. Look for Craft to have a big spring in 2025.

RHP Sam McCollum (O’Fallon, 2026) was another one of many O’Fallon arms who showed well over the weekend. The strong 5-foot-11, 177-pound right-hander was running his fastball at 86-88 mph with carry through the zone, and occasional armside run. He showed to have above-average spin on his slider at times (avg. 2316 rpm) with short lateral action. McCollum finished things out with a 79-81 mph changeup that played with slight sink.

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.

RHP Kaleb Weber (O’Fallon, 2026) is an upside uncommitted arm that stands in a 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame with seemingly more strength to come. He worked out of a stretch-only delivery, showcasing a fastball up to 84 mph, but sitting 82-83 throughout. He mixed in a mid-70s change-up with some fade, working it low and to the arm-side throughout. Weber rounded out his ‘pen with a curveball that played with 11/5 shape, averaging -7.7 inches of IVB and -13.7 inches of HM.

RHP Tyson Wampler (Edwardsville, 2028) gave an intriguing look on the mound at 6-foot-1, 145-pounds with room for projection. His repertoire had some deception to it, in-part thanks to a short/compact arm slot that hid the ball well throughout his ‘pen. His fastball worked up to 80 mph, while he threw his 70-72 mph changeup for strikes with late-fading action, and mixed in a 64-66 mph curveball that had gradual 11/5 action.

LHP Lavin Tull (O’Fallon, 2028) is an upside arm from the event, standing in a 5-foot-10, 140-pound frame with plenty of room for physical development. He moved well on the mound with a long, quicker arm path out of a ¾ slot. His fastball sat in the upper-70s throughout with heavy arm-side run at times. He threw his curveball with fastball intent, playing with 11/5 shape and shorter actions. He showed confidence with his change-up that played with fade and depth at times. Tull is an arm-to-follow in the state’s freshmen class.

MISSOURI

RHP Brody Simily (West County, 2027) is currently ranked No. 32 in Missouri’s sophomore class. He worked out of a stretch-only delivery with minimal effort down the mound. His fastball sat in the upper-80s, topping out at 88.3 mph mostly straight actions. He showed feel for a change-up that played with heavy fade and some depth at times, sitting 79-81 mph. Simily rounded out his four-pitch mix with two breaking balls. A curveball with sharp, 11/5 actions, spinning at an average of 2412 rpm, and a slider with shorter, horizontal actions, averaging 2532 rpm.

RHP Liam Atkinson (Francis Howell, 2027) stands in a long, wiry 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame with plenty of upside. He’s a simple mover on the mound with a quick arm, showing a fastball up to 81 mph with mostly straight actions. He mixed in a low-70s slider with short, 11/5 shape, and a change-up with fade and depth at 74 mph.

RHP Parker Sansone (Timberland, 2027) is an upside name to continue to follow in Missouri. He has a projectable frame at 6-foot,l 180-pounds, and showed a four-pitch mix on this day. His fastball played with carry at 88-89 mph (T90) while flashing above-average spin (T2372 rpm). His best secondary offering was an 83-86 mph cutter that was in the zone 75% of the time. Sansone would also mix in a 72-75 mph curveball that played with depth, while also going to an 83-84 mph changeup with late fade (avg. 15” HM).

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