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Illinois Class of 2028 Rankings Update

March 11, 2026
Illinois Scouting Staff

After another busy winter with a number of Preseason ID events across the state taking place, along with the Preseason All-State: Underclass, the 2028 rankings in Illinois were in dire need of a revamp. There were a number of players who made jumps over the winter, and we will be taking a look at a number of them today. 

Continue reading for a look at some of the notable risers in this update. 

The Top-10

The top two remains intact with OF Carver Cohn (McHenry) and RHP Dodger Friedrich (Lane Tech), while RHP Anderson Kaufmann (Alton) is rising a spot to No. 3 after his eye-opening showing at All-State.

The movement patterns are advanced with premium feel for his entire arsenal, boasting a fastball that sat 90-92 mph with a sharp swing/miss slider and diving changeup to pair. He's long been an in-game performer, and his recent up-ticks only elevate his prospect status. 

+ Rising 10 spots to No. 5, RHP/INF Nicholas Chiarodo (Edwardsville) came away as one of the biggest winners from our preseason circuit. The 6-foot, 152-pound two-way standout has long been an upside mover, and the tools are really starting to tick up - opening some eyes with a fastball up to 90 mph and ultra clean movement patterns to go along with a handful of advanced off-speed pitches. The power is starting to trend up as well with upper-90s exit velocities, and he has a 92 mph arm across the infield with a 6.70 in the 60 to pair. 

+ LHP Collin Lawlor (Marist) is making a subtle jump to No. 6 after his strong showing at All-State. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound southpaw has long been a performer in-game, and he’s primed for a big year ahead with some strides he’s made on the mound. He creates a deceptive look with an invisible fastball, getting carry traits from his lower slot, now working up to 85 mph with advanced feel for his slider and changeup to match. 

+ RHP Connor Basinski (Columbia) is jumping nine spots to No. 9, boasting one of the more electric arms in the state. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander is an athletic mover with a quick arm, still looking to have plenty of room for refinement in the operation and overall arsenal. The fastball was up to 91 mph in recent looks, and we fully expect that number to only increase in the near future. 

Connor Basinski - (03/10/2026) (1)

Notable Risers 

+ LHP/OF Luke Crowder (Benet) is making a splash up to No. 12 in this update, looking to be one of the more high-ceiling two-way prospects in the state. There’s plenty of arm-strength on the mound with a clean arm and delivery, peaking at 89 mph with the fastball with a handful of promising off-speeds. He also provides intrigue with the bat, pairing a clean left-handed swing with his aforementioned upside, as well as a 6.85 in the 60 and 88 mph peak from the outfield. 

+ C/OF Weston Wyzukovicz (Libertyville) is rising eight spots to No. 19 as he continues to look like one of the premier right-handed bats in the state. The bat-to-ball is well above-average, pairing with a simple, compact swing and premium power (T103 mph EV; 95 mph avg). He’s also a 6.67 runner in the 60 with the versatility to play the outfield if he’s not behind the plate. 

+ INF Peter Pignatiello (Benet) is up eight spots to No. 20 in this update, and he’s an upside left-handed hitting middle infielder with his best days still ahead. The actions are advanced and will allow him to stick on the dirt long-term, and his speed continues to trend in the right direction with a 6.87 in the 60. The left-handed swing is clean and athletic, with the power starting to develop and become more prevalent (97 mph peak EV). 

+ C Isaiah Wolter (Oswego East) is one of the toolsier prospects in the state, and he’s jumping 15 spots to No. 26. There’s twitch and strength in his right-handed swing, having one of the loudest rounds of the day at All-State with a peak exit velocity of 103 mph, averaging 95 mph. He’s also an advanced defender behind the plate with a high motor and quality receiving actions - pairing with a strong arm (T80 mph; 1.88 pop-time). On top of all of that, he’s also a 6.77 runner in the 60. 

+ C/1B Drew Whitney (Barrington) is another one rising 15 spots, now sitting at No. 28 in the state. He’s a physical 6-foot-2, 194-pound left-handed hitter with power upside, employing a loose and strong swing with a peak exit velocity of 100 mph, averaging 92 mph in his round at All-State with feel to control the barrel. 

+ RHP/INF Keegan Crabtree (Lincoln-Way East) is seeing a significant jump in the rankings up to No. 33 after some notable gains in the off-season. The fastball is up nearly seven mph, now topping at 88 mph to pair with a clean, projectable delivery and upside frame. He’s also an intriguing player on the other side of the ball with natural, fluid actions on the infield and an upside right-handed swing (T94 mph EV). 

+ LHP/OF JD Farkas (Hersey) is seeing a slight rise to No. 34 after a strong pre-season. The feel to pitch has always been there, and the stuff is taking a step forward as well with the fastball now reaching up to 86 mph with his patented off-speeds still looking like true weapons. He’s a talented outfielder as well with a strong, balanced left-handed swing and fluid actions defensively, pairing with his aforementioned arm-strength (T88 mph OF). 

JD Farkas - (03/04/2026) (1)

+ INF Alex Govoni (Loyola) is another one seeing a slight jump after a strong off-season, now sitting at No. 42 in the state. The right-handed hitter has clearly added some strength to his 6-foot, 187-pound frame and it is apparent in the swing, now working up to 99 mph for his EV. Also a 6.77 runner with the arm and actions to stick on the left side of the infield, Govoni will be a fun one to follow throughout the spring. 

Alex Govoni - (03/03/2026)

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