On Nov. 12th, thousands of high school baseball players across the country signed to lock in their commitments to their respective schools, with hundreds of these signings hailing from Illinois.

Over the next few weeks, we will spend some time highlighting the names from Illinois that signed to play baseball at the Division I level. We’ll do so by breaking these names up by conference, continuing today with the Missouri Valley. 

Belmont

Belmont went across borders to grab INF Andrew Deegan (Jacobs), and he should be a quality addition for the Bruins. He’s a left-handed hitter with a clean swing and some feel to use the whole field, and there’s also some present strength in the barrel to work with that should continue to get better in the coming years. He’ll also have a real chance to stick on the infield moving forward with soft hands and crisp actions. 

From 2/19/25: “INF Andrew Deegan (Jacobs, 2026; Belmont commit) was one of our favorite prospects on the day. His round of BP really stood out, showing off a simple/compact swing with some strength, looking to elevate up the middle and to his pull-side with a 95.3 mph peak EV and 355’ max distance. Defensively, Deegan plays low to the ground, while getting around the ball and playing through it with intent. His arm played from multiple angles, reaching a max velocity of 91 mph.”

Bradley 

The Braves signed a trio from Illinois with a battery of two arms and a backstop.

RHP Connor McKay (Nazareth) is fresh off a big summer highlighted by a strong showing at our Senior Future Games. There’s plenty to dream on in his 6-foot-3, 179-pound frame, and he has plenty more maturing to do physically which should result in some jumps. He’s already up to 90 mph with the fastball, pairing it with a shorter bullet slider in the upper-70s. 

From 8/5/25: “RHP Connor McKay (Nazareth Academy, 2026) is a projectable, 6-foot-3, 179-pound frame who gave a solid look on the mound Wednesday night, striking out two and allowing zero hits through his two innings of work. The right-hander works from the stretch only, with a quick medium leg lift, quick down the mound. Then the arm works from a lower ¾ slot, staying loose with long extension in the back half. McKay would show a solid two-pitch mix with the fastball sitting 86-88 mph, playing with sink, 19 inches of horizontal movement. The slider was 77-79 mph, with a gyro profile, gaining positive vert with an average of 6.4 IVB. In-game, McKay was fastball-heavy, attacking low and pitching to contact outs. The slider was on point, creating bad swings.”

RHP Joe Kelly (Loyola Academy) is another talented arm heading to Peoria after his prep career, and he’s a hard-throwing right-hander that is no stranger to our staff. He’ll run his fastball into the upper-80s with an intentful delivery, attacking hitters with a three pitch mix that also includes a slider and changeup. 

From 8/5/25: “RHP Joe Kelly (Loyola Academy, 2026) is a well-built 6-foot-1, 191-pound frame, Kelly was attacking hitters with his full arsenal Wednesday afternoon. The right-hander worked from an easy rocker motion, strong lower half, drop and drive motion with a whippy arm working from the ¾ slot. The fastball was sitting 87-88 mph, with 19.3 IVB, and the slider was 73-75 mph, with sweeper shape. As Kelly got deeper into the outing, the command followed as he began to overpower bats and locate in the zone.”

The third and final addition from the Illinois prep scene is C/OF Adam Swanson (Ottawa). A former member of Team Illinois at the Future Games and Senior Future Games, Swanson is a versatile athlete that shows potential both behind the plate and in the outfield. He’s highly athletic with a 6.42 in the 60, and he has plenty of arm-strength from each defensive position (T82 mph C; T90 mph OF). He also consistently works on the barrel in front of our staff with present power, peaking at over 101 mph in-event for his EV. 

From 7/22/25: “2025 Senior Future Games: C Adam Swanson (Ottawa Township, 2026) returned to LakePoint this week as he was part of Team Illinois at last summer’s Future Games. Ranked No. 37 in the class, Swanson has some of the best tools all across the board, beginning the event running a 6.42 60 time. His round of batting practice was loud, posting a 100.1 mph max exit velocity while staying on the barrel for an average of 94.2 mph. Per Trackman, Swanson sent his furthest hit ball 389 feet. Defensively, Swanson worked out both behind the dish and in the outfield. He showed a strong arm catching, recording an 80 mph catcher velocity and a 1.81 pop time on his best bullet down to second. His strong arm translated to the outfield as well, posting 90 mph on his best throw to home.”

Illinois-Chicago

The Flames typically are a big player in their home state, and they have dominated the recruiting landscape so far with the 2026 class - inking six players from around the state. 

One, if not their top recruit is OF Dominic Battista (Oswego East). Currently ranked No. 6 in the state, Battista has long been a staff favorite, but he’s really starting to come into his own as of late. He continues to add lean strength to his 6-foot, 177-pound frame, and his tools also continue to trend in the right direction. Currently a 6.57 runner in the 60, he’s a premium defender in center field who can also run the bases at a high-level, paired with being a left-handed hitter with quality bat-to-ball skills and blossoming power. He also has premium arm-strength as he’s reached as high as 94 mph from a crowhop, helping add even more value to his defensive profile. 

From 8/5/25: “OF Dominic Battista (Oswego East, 2026; Illinois-Chicago commit) continued to stand out in all facets for our staff. A lean athlete standing at 6-foot, 157-pounds, the left-handed hitter was a big winner during the workout portion of the event; running a 6.57 60, reaching 90 mph from the outfield, and averaging 92.2 mph off the bat (T99 mph) during batting practice. He has a hitterish presence in the box, shows an advanced understanding of the strike zone, and showed minimal swing and miss in the zone. A willing and aggressive base-stealer, Battista also grabbed five bags in the three games during the event. To round out his stellar performance, Battista continued to play advanced defense in centerfield that our staff has become accustomed to seeing in the past. A high-level player who could garner pro interest next spring.” 

The Flames grabbed a duo from Stevenson high school with RHP Ryan Harris and RHP/OF Frank Costabile. 

Harris has some of the best raw arm-talent in the state, boasting a fastball that will get up to 93 mph with over 2,600 rpm. A recent Senior Future Games participant, Harris has a lively arsenal that is also complimented by a slider with wipeout potential. 

Costabile has some of the loudest tools in the state, and he has a chance to make an impact on both sides of the ball for the Flames. He’s a 6.77 runner with power in his right-handed bat (T103 mph EV), and he has one of the strongest arms in the midwest with a peak velocity of 99 mph from the outfield. His arm-strength easily translates to the mound, getting up to 94 mph from a lower release height, pairing with a firm slider and a changeup. 

From 8/5/25: “RHP/OF Frank Costabile (Stevenson, 2026) is one of the toolsiest players in the entire state. He creates loud contact from his flat and twitchy right-handed swing, peaking at 101 mph in the workout with a 96 mph average. High-level BLAST metrics with an average of 74 mph for his bat-speed and 24 mph for his hand-speed. Plus arm from the outfield, topping at 99 mph. Recorded a 6.77 in the 60, explosive first step and powerful runner. On the mound, his fastball reached 91 mph and carried life through the zone. His most impressive offering, however, was a sharp 79–81 mph slider that spun up to 2,985 RPM and generated consistent swing-and-miss results throughout his outing.”

The Flames are bolstering their catching core with Justin Canvin (Oak Lawn) and Max Heineman (Normal Community).

Canvin is a strong right-handed hitter that has shown well in recent looks. Listed at 5-foot-10, 190-pounds, there’s some present strength and twitch in his build, translating to loud results at the plate. 

From 7/17/25: “Illinois-Chicago commit. A well-built, 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame, Canvin was all over the barrel. The right-handed bat went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and two singles out of the leadoff spot. Setting up with a neutral base and small leg kick. Mature presence in the box with whole-field power, able to send an outside fastball over the right-field fence. Behind the plate, Canvin is an athletic workhorse, working well out of his stance.” 

Heineman has long been one of the more polished right-handed bats in the state, pairing approach and bat-to-ball skills with his developing power. He’s coming off a big spring which resulted in a state semi-finals appearance - also earning Second Team All-State honors from us after he hit .457 with nine doubles, four triples, four home runs, 41 RBIs and 32 runs scored. 

From 6/7/25: “Illinois-Chicago commit, currently ranked No. 27 in the state’s 2026 class. 5-foot-9, 187-pound frame, strength throughout. Started behind the plate and batted third. Went 3-for-4 with a home run, five RBI and one run scored on the day. Confident hitter at the plate with zone awareness, creates a tough out for opposing pitchers, minimal swing-and-miss. Multiple singles on the day and a two-run homer in the game, delivered in multiple clutch situations in a 4A Sectional Final. On Thursday, barreled a hard-hit ball to right field for a lineout. Continues to impress behind the plate, quality receiver, blocks it up and works hard moving side-to-side. Arm continues to get stronger, ball plays on a line on throws to second, recorded a 1.81 and 1.93 pop time between innings. Another name that continues to show well each time our staff gets a look.”

The final Illinois product headed to Chicago is MIF James Feigleson (St. Charles East). A recent standout from the Senior Future Games, Feigleson is a projectable right-handed middle infielder that should have a chance to stick on the left side of the infield at the next level - boasting natural, confident actions and plenty of arm strength (T93 mph INF). He also has a loose, upside swing from the right side that stays balanced with more power to come. 

From 7/22/25: “2025 Senior Future Games: INF James Feigleson (St. Charles East, 2026) was a name that was on the rise throughout the spring and summer circuits, and continued to look the part of a high-follow uncommitted prospect on Tuesday. Standing in an athletic and lead 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, Feigleson started his workout running a 6.76 60 time. He showed a loose and fluid right-handed swing during his round of batting practice, staying on the barrel consistently while posting a max exit velocity of 98.1 mph (93.9 mph avg.), and sending his furthest hit ball 371 feet. Defensively, he displayed confident hands and a quality arm across the diamond (T88 mph).”

Illinois State 

Another in-state school that typically finds success within its own border, the Redbirds managed to grab two of the top players from the central part of the state in RHP/C Ryan Duncheon (East Peoria) and RHP/OF Kaeden Schatsiek (Brimfield). 

Duncheon is not an unfamiliar name to Illinois State, as Ryan’s father holds numerous offensive records for the baseball program with the likes of career home runs (58), career doubles (59), career runs batted in (210), career on-base percentage (.474) and the single-season home run record (23 in 1999). It’s clearly a special place for their family, and they are getting a special two-way player that will have a chance to make an impact on both sides of the ball - coming off a spring where he earned Second-Team All-State as a utility player with a .406 average, 13 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 32 RBIs and 34 runs scored. On the other side of the ball, he posted a 6-3 record in 70.2 innings with just 38 hits allowed, 95 strikeouts, 16 walks, a 0.991 ERA and 0.764 WHIP. 

From 8/5/25: “RHP Ryan Duncheon Jr (East Peoria, 2026) is an Illinois State commit who capped off a strong summer season with an excellent showing on the mound Wednesday night. Dunecheon Jr tossed two innings, striking out three and allowing only two hits, working with tons of confidence. Showing a solidified three-pitch mix, the fastball was up to 91mph, sitting upper-80s, playing clean out of the hand with 21.7 inches of IVB. The slider was upper 70s with a sharp gyro profile, 2400 RPMs. The change-up was upper-70s, killing spin and dropping off from the fastball with arm-side run. Working out of a staggered setup, driving down the mound with intent and a quick, whippy short arm action from a ¾ slot. Dunecheon Jr worked with high intent through his outing, collecting whiffs with the fastball, showing no fear on the mound.” 

Schatsiek is another two-way prospect that will have a chance to make a name for himself on both sides of the ball. He had a meteoric summer/fall circuit, jumping 30 spots to No. 10 in our rankings as a result. He’s ultra physical, standing in at 6-foot-4, 215-pounds, and he has premium tools to match - with a 94 mph outfield velocity and peak EV of 108 mph just being a few. He is also dominant on the mound with an electric fastball in the low-90s, and he should definitely garner some pro interest from teams this coming spring. 

From 8/5/25: “RHP/OF Kaeden Schatsiek (Brimfield, 2026), the Northern Illinois commit, capped off the Illinois State games with potentially one of the lousiest performances on the mound Wednesday night. The built, 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame tossed his two innings, collecting six strikeouts and allowing one hit, in a dominant performance. The right-hander worked out of the stretch only, working quick down the hill with a high leg kick. Then the arm worked quick and easy with short arm action from a ¾ slot. Working with an electric two-pitch mix, the fastball was up to 92mph, sitting lower 90s, playing with tons of life, getting up to 23 inches of IVB. The slider was dominant, sitting lower 80s with a sharp gyro profile with 2300 RPMs. Beating hitters with ease, Schatsiek was working with tons of confidence on the mound, getting whiffs with the slider and making hitters look uncomfortable. Schatsiek also showed upside on the position-side of things throughout the event. He topped out at 94 mph from the outfield (2nd highest for the event), while leading the entire event in max EV (108.3 mph) and also posting an average EV of 95.2 mph - all with a wood bat. Schatsiek’s bat would show well in-game as well, collecting a couple hits while being on the barrel on more than one occasion.” 

Fresh off a 4A state title, the Redbirds are welcoming RHP Chase Lockwood (Libertyville) to their staff. He was a driving factor in Libertyville’s success, earning Second-Team All-State honors after going a spotless 10-0 with 59.2 innings, 39 hits allowed, 64 strikeouts against 14 walks, a 0.821 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Lockwood is extremely polished and will go after hitters with a four-pitch mix, and there’s certainly more jumps to come both physically and on the mound. 

From 6/19/25: “Currently ranked No. 51 in the state. Athletic 6-foot-1, 177-pound frame with room to add strength. Started on the mound. Lockwood was the star of the game Friday night as he threw an eight-inning complete game while striking out seven batters, allowing one unearned run. The right-hander operates from a simple delivery with a tall/fall approach. Loose, clean arm action from a high ¾ slot. His fastball sat 84-86 with life through the zone. Mixed in a curveball that sat 70-73 that had 2500-2650 RPM with a hard, late break while producing plenty of swings and misses. Also flashed a changeup that sat 78-80. Very impressive showing from the uncommitted 2026 arm.” 

Indiana State 

The Sycamores are routinely a top team in the Missouri Valley, and they are adding a couple strong names with INF Mason Netcel (St. Charles North) and RHP Josh Jones (Normal Community).

Netcel is an intriguing right-handed hitter with his best days still ahead of him. He’s listed at an athletic 6-foot, 188-pounds with more room to add strength, and he was a standout player at the 17U National Championship this past summer for his travel program. He’s also a steady defender with sure-handed actions on the infield. 

From 3/7/25: “INF Mason Netcel (St. Charles North, 2026) had a quality all-around day, initially impressing with his round of BP. The right-handed hitter used controlled intent throughout his round with some loud contact up the middle and to his pull-side, reaching up to 100 mph for his EV while averaging 90 mph throughout (T353’). On the infield, Netcel attacks the baseball with some pace and steady hands, working into a clean release, playing accurately from multiple angles (T86 mph).” 

Jones is a name that has been on the rise as of late, announcing his commitment to the Sycamores about a month ago. He has a durable 6-foot-1, 195-pound build with present strength, and he has the arm to pair with a fastball up to 92 mph - up nearly six mph from the year before. He will also go to a slider, curveball and changeup to fill out his mix and keep hitters guessing. 

From 8/8/25: “RHP Josh Jones (Normal University, 2026) had an interesting outing on the mound Wednesday night, showing a heavy reliance on a bully fastball. The right-hander was tossing with a three-pitch mix, the fastball was living upper 80s, T91 mph, life through the zone with 19 inches of IVB, the curveball was 79-81 mph, with a more gyro profile, sharp break up to 2300 RPMs, and the changeup was lower 80s, with -13.8 inches of horizontal movement dropping off from the fastball. Jones would work out of a relaxed and easy high kick motion, followed by clean, quick, arm action from a high ¾ slot. As the 6-foot-1, 188-pound frame continues to develop on the mound, Jones will be a 2026 arm to follow.”

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