With the fall circuit fully behind us, we are hitting the refresh button on the rankings one last time as we get into the off-season. There was a bit of movement throughout, as well as some new names added that we will touch on tomorrow.

For now, take a look at some of the notable movement in this update, below. 

The Top Three

Holding down the No. 1 spot, RHP Kaden Wasniewski (McHenry; Louisiana State commit) had a dominant outing at our All-American Game this past fall with an electric fastball into the mid-90s, solidifying the top spot in the state for another update and also as one of the top players in the entire country. 

RHP Brady Buenik (Libertyville; Tennessee commit) stays in the No. 2 position, and he’s another high-profile arm on the national level with a mid-90s fastball and plenty of ceiling still left to tap into. 

Now sitting at No. 3 and also making a significant jump in the national rankings - CIF/RHP Brady Cunningham (Brother Rice; Texas A&M commit) continues to elevate himself and prove to be one of the top bats in the entire country, blending bat-to-ball skills with raw power and strength. He’s also a premium athlete for his size with a 6.67 in the 60, 22.2 mph peak run speed, and 30.3” vertical jump. 

Notable Risers 

OF Cole Brent (Normal University; Illinois commit) is seeing a significant jump to No. 17 in this update, rising 29 spots. Fresh off a commitment to the University of Illinois, Brent is an athletic left-handed hitter with sneaky strength in his bat and much more to come physically. He’s also a well above-average runner that can cover all sorts of ground in the outfield with a strong arm to pair. 

Rising six spots to No. 18 we have RHP Colin Doyle (Downers Grove North; Duke commit). Listed at 6-foot-7, 225-pounds, Doyle is an excellent athlete for his size with athletic movement patterns, and we think there is still much more to tap into. The fastball already works up to the 90 mph mark, but we expect that number to continue to climb in the very near future. 

RHP Wade Ozment (Crystal Lake Central; Illinois commit) is jumping up five spots in this update to No. 28. A standout from the Future Games and Illinois State Games, Ozment’s arsenal provides a tough look with an east/west profile. The sinker will work up to 89 mph, but the real separator for him is the arm-side run he gets to it, reaching well over 20” at times while pairing with a sweeping slider. 

RHP Charley Spour (St. Anthony) made his rankings debut last update, and he’s already rising another 12 spots to No. 29. The 6-foot-3, 188-pound right-hander has a highly projectable frame with a high waist and much more room to add strength, and his best days are very much still ahead. Already boasting a fastball up to 91 mph, Spour has an extremely high ceiling that he is only just scratching the surface of. 

Jumping five spots to No. 39, RHP Liam Nash (Huntley; Houston commit) is a talented right-hander with starter upside and a five pitch mix. The fastball will work into the low-90s, pairing with a curveball, slider, sinker and a changeup that all have different action and shape. 

One of the bigger jumps is from LHP Carter Braddy (Effingham), as he now sits at No. 46 in this update. There’s a lot to dream on with the 6-foot-1, 180-pound southpaw, and we expect him to continue to make jumps in the near future. The fastball plays in the low/mid-80s right now, but the frame paired with his athletic movement patterns indicate a jump in the near future. 

Rising 11 spots to No. 57, OF Brandon Beasley (Oak Park-River Forest; Illinois State commit) continues to make himself known as one of the top left-handed bats in the state. There's a present feel to hit and barrel control, pairing with a mature approach and a power profile that should only continue to get more physical in the coming years. He also moves well in the outfield and can supply quality defense in the corners with athletic hips and efficient reads off the bat. 

Another Oak Park-River Forest product, LHP Grayson Waters is jumping 13 spots to No. 59 after an upside look this past fall. Listed at 6-foot-4, 185-pounds with long-levers and a trim build, it's easy to dream on Waters and project much more to come physically and to his arsenal. He’s a clean and easy mover with a loose arm swing, already working into the mid/upper-80s with the fastball, and we expect that number to continue to climb very soon. 

RHP Russell Hengels (Maine South) is making a big jump up to No. 64, rising 31 spots in this update. Another highly projectable arm with his best days still ahead, the 6-foot-4, 208-pound right-hander gave an upside look this past fall with a fastball in the upper-80s. There’s no shortage of arm-strength or projection with Hengels, and the off-speed offerings continue to make strides as well. 

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