This week, the Prep Baseball Illinois team is hosting the Illinois State Games, a premier invite-only event for the state’s top prospects (2026-2029). The event will be held on Aug. 6 and 7 at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex in Rantoul, IL. This year’s roster is the biggest in the event’s four-year lifespan with over 400 players set to attend. Click here to view the full event roster, broken down by team.

Ahead of tomorrow’s event, we’re taking a look at 20 uncommitted names to know throughout the week, listed in know particular order.

Tre Cole RHP / Champaign Central, IL / 2026 From Senior Future Games: “Displaying a twitchy, long-levered 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame, Cole was a notable winner on the mound in Wednesday’s 8-6 win. The right-hander showed off some twitchy athleticism during the testing day, running a 6.66 sec 60-yard dash with a 21.1 mph max run speed. He would continue to display that athleticism on the mound, showing body control with a live arm from a high ¾ slot. His fastball possessed life out of the hand at 87.7-90.5 mph and topping out at 91.4 mph with a max spin rate of 2,485 rpm. He also flashed a 10/4 slider that topped 82 mph with a max spin rate of 2,169 rpm, and a downer changeup at 83.2 mph. Cole would go on to secure three strikeouts with only one hit and one run allowed.”

Hunter Baugh SS / RHP / Edwardsville, IL / 2026 From 5/22/25: “Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 32 in the state. Athletic 5-foot-9, 140-pound frame with room to add strength. Started on the mound and hit out of the lead-off position. On the mound, Baugh struck out four batters through five and two-thirds shutout innings, allowing five hits and one walk. The right-hander operates from a drop/drive approach with a high leg lift with tuck into his balance point. Clean, full arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 84-86 and topped out at 87 with straight actions. Mixed in a curveball that sat 71-73 with sharp actions. Produced swings and misses when located at the bottom of the zone. Also, threw a changeup that sat 77-79 with deception. At the plate, Baugh drew a walk to lead-off the first for the Tigers and would later come around to score.”

Samuel Finn LHP / Plainfield North, IL / 2026 From Senior Future Games: “Currently ranked No. 58 in Illinois' 2026 class. Presenting an imposing 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame with strength present throughout, Finn was another winner on the mound for Team Heartland. The left-hander utilized a high-spin two-pitch mix with consistent feel for the zone. His fastball played firm at 88.5-90.9 mph (T 91.4 mph), with a 2,494 rpm max spin rate and a 2,363 rpm average spin rate. He also showed a sharp 11/5 curveball at 75-78 mph with a 2,997 rpm max spin rate and a 2,799 rpm average. Finn didn’t allow a single hit or run through his two innings of work, striking out two with two walks allowed.”

Josh Jones RHP / Normal University, IL / 2026 Jones stands in an athletic 6-foot, 186-pound frame. He’s a loose mover down the mound with a clean and quick arm path. He recently was up to 92 mph at the 17 National Championships at LakePoint Sports in Georgia, and he pairs his fastball with a quality slider that sat 77-81 mph with 2300-2400 rpm. He’s a name to keep an eye on during his outing at the Illinois State Games.

Anthony Chavez 1B / OF / Mount Carmel, IL / 2026 From Senior Future Games: “Currently ranked No. 39 in Illinois’s 2026 class. Possessing a strong-bodied 6-foot-2, 216-pound frame, Chavez showed off some easy leverage at the plate throughout the showcase. The left-handed hitter had a loud round of BP, finishing with a max exit velocity of 104.8 mph, a 99 mph exit velocity average, and a 396-foot max distance. He carried that momentum over into Tuesday’s game play, finding a pull-side barrel to right field for a two-run home run that was 102.8 mph off the bat. Chavez would go on to finish 2-for-6 on the week, with a home run, three RBIs, two runs, two walks, and an on-base percentage of .500.”

Daniel Coyle 3B / OF / St. Laurence, IL / 2026 From 6/19/25: “Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 42 in the state. Athletic 5-foot-8, 153-pound frame with room to add strength. Started at third and hit out of the three-hole. Coyle shined Saturday afternoon as he went 2-for-3 at the plate. The right-handed hitter operates from a wide, bent stance with a toe-tap. Compact swing that is quick through the zone with a path direct to the ball. Has a whole field approach with quality bat-to-ball abilities. Connected on a line drive into right field for an RBI single in his first plate appearance. In his third, Coyle drove a ball over the left fielder's head for an RBI double. Made a diving stop at third base and got up with plenty of time to throw the runner out at first. Hopped on the mound and sat 83-84. An uncommitted 2026 name that can fill multiple roles.”

Alec Novotney RHP / Marquette Academy, IL / 2026 From Senior Future Games: “Currently ranked No. 49 in Illinois’s 2026 class. Coming in at a compact 5-foot-11, 183-pound frame with athleticism present, Novotney kept hitters off-balance with his four-pitch mix, consistently working each pitch around the zone. His fastball was 86-88 mph, topping 89.1 mph with a 2,195 rpm max spin rate. He also utilized a sharp 11/5 curveball at 70-73 mph with a 2,816 rpm max, a 10/4 slider at 77-78 mph with a 2,500+ rpm average, and a downer changeup at 78-79 mph with a 17.4” max horizontal movement. He finished with two strikeouts on only one earned run.”

Jake Matise RHP / Mt. Carmel, IL / 2026 From 3/7/25: “RHP Jake Matise (Mount Carmel, 2026) displayed high-feel for his entire repertoire on this day. He has a smooth and athletic operation down the mound at 6-foot, 190-pounds. He sat 86-87 mph with his fastball, showing carry (avg. 17.8” IVB) and a high-feel for the strike zone (80% strikes). His best off-speed pitch was a 72-73 mph slider that played with 10/4 shape and feel for the zone (75% strikes). His curveball showed big break (avg. -17.8” IVB) from a 12/6 shape at 67-71 mph. Rounding out Matise’s arsenal was a 76-78 mph changeup that played with fade action (avg. 16” HM). Uncommitted, Matise is a name to continue to follow this spring.”

Dean Miller RHP / Glenbrook North, IL / 2026 From 5/24/25: “Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 78 in the state. 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, long and loose limbs with more room to add strength. Got the start on the mound and showed a dynamic fastball and slider that has some potential. Deceptive delivery, long-levered, drop/drive and stays in-line, arm plays up and out of the glove quickly, whippy ¾ release. Creates natural sink on the fastball and sat 85-87 mph, touching 88 mph on his best bullet, control wavered a bit but he’s building up currently after not pitching for a while. The slider showed some sweeping action and occasionally backed up on him, but looks like a potential out-pitch when he gets it low and away to righties with depth, 77-78 mph.”

Antonio Brown Jr. RHP / Homewood-Flossmoor, IL / 2026 From 4/23/25: “Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 190 in the state. Strong, 6-foot-1, 217-pound frame. The right-handed pitcher had a gritty performance as he got the start for the Vikings, a shaky start but settled in nicely allowing just three hits and two runs after the second inning. Heavy usage of the fastball during the outing that played with arm side run, sat 89-91 mph throughout his entire outing. Playing off the fastball was a short 11/5 curveball sitting 73-75 mph.”

Nico Harper LHP / Libertyville, IL / 2026 From 3/7/25: “LHP Nico Harper (Libertyville, 2026) is a name our staff has long been fans of since first seeing him in 2022. He stands in an athletic, 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame with long levers and a high waist. He works a shorter arm path with clear quickness out front, sitting 86-87 mph in this look with mostly straight actions. He spins his slider well (avg. 2391 rpm) with tight, sharp action at times, and he rounded out his mix with a mid-70s changeup that worked with fade. Harper is an uncommitted arm to follow in the state.”

Jack Gianikos RHP / Maine South High School, IL / 2026 From 4/26/25: “Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 185 in the state. Stands at an upside 6-foot-4, 175-pound frame. Got the ball to start for the Hawks and showed to be an intriguing arm to follow in Illinois. He sat 86-88 mph (T89) with his fastball that played with life through the zone, while also going to a 71-74 mph curveball that played with 11/5 shape. Gianikos would tally three strikeouts in an inning and a third, while working back from injury. An uncommitted arm for schools to know.”

Jailen Veliz SS / 2B / Yorkville, IL / 2026 From 4/1/25: “Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 58 in the state. Lean and trim 5-foot-11, 161-pound frame, holds room to add strength. Started at shortstop and hit out of the leadoff spot for the Foxes, finishing the day 1-for-4 with a double. The right-handed hitter has a whippy swing with athletic hands that are able to cover the entire plate, going up and getting a fastball at the top of the zone and driving it to the right/center gap for a double, swing and power should only get better as he continues to develop physically. High motor defender on the infield, easy range and comfortable on the move with confident hands, also showed off his athleticism in the outfield before the game - making numerous diving catches in an outfield drill before the other team showed up. High follow name still on the market, extremely versatile, can change the game on the basepaths.”

Jack Schiek RHP / Lockport, IL / 2026 From 3/7/25: “RHP Jack Schiek (Lockport, 2026) is a young-looking 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-hander that showed well on the day. He’s a loose and easy mover with a compact and clean arm from a ¾ slot. His fastball showed some carry traits in the 85-87 mph range, setting up a curveball with shorter horizontal action at 71-73 mph, landing it consistently for strikes. His final offering was a straight changeup in the 75-77 mph range.”

Dylan Huff RHP / Glenwood, IL / 2026 From 5/7/25: “Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 13 in the state. Athletic 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame with room to add strength. Started in center field and hit out of the two-hole. Huff impressed at the plate and on the mound on Wednesday. At the plate, he went 2-for-3 with two extra-base hits while driving in three runs. The right-handed hitter operates from a wide, upright stance with a long stride. Strong hands with a compact swing from an uphill bat path. Showed a gap-to-gap approach. Showed pull-side power with a two-run home run. On the mound, Huff threw two innings in relief. The right-hander operates from a tall/fall approach with a high leg lift with tuck while using the mound for plane. Long, clean arm action with good extension from a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 87-89 with straight actions. Mixed in a slider that sat 76-78 with sharp actions.”

Andrew Satunas C / Lockport, IL / 2026 From Senior Future Games: “Currently ranked No. 71 in Illinois’s 2026 class. Showing off a well-proportioned 5-foot-9, 185-pound frame, Satunas put together a quality workout during Tuesday’s testing day. The left-handed hitter put together a strong round of BP, staying on the barrel to all fields throughout his round. He finished with a 96.7 mph max exit velocity, a 90.6 mph average exit velocity, and a 361-foot max distance. Defensively, Satunas had a 75 mph catcher velocity with a 1.93-2.06 sec pop time. He also showed well defensively in game play, catching three runners stealing in Wednesday’s 8-4 win.”

Isaac Wendler 1B / RHP / Father Mcgivney, IL / 2026 From 5/14/25: “Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 88 in the state. Strong 6-foot-1, 209-pound frame. Started on the mound and hit out of the five-hole. Wendler continues to produce in all facets of the game. On the mound, he struck out eight batters through five innings. The right-hander operates from a tall/fall approach with a high leg lift with tuck. Clean, long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 84-87 while topping out at 88 with arm-side run. Mixed in a curveball that sat 66-69 with depth. Showed a changeup that sat 73-76 with fade. Relied heavily on the changeup and curveball in the last couple innings. At the plate, Wendler went 2-for-3. Right handed hitter that operates from a wide, upright stance with no stride. Strong hands, quality barrel control, uphill bat pat. Showed a gap-to-gap approach with easy power. Stayed patient through his first plate appearance to pick up a walk. Connected on a single in his plate appearance. Followed that up with an RBI single into left field to give Father McGivney the lead. Two-way follow to keep an eye on in the 2026 class.”

Connor McKay RHP / Nazareth Academy, IL / 2026 From Senior Future Games: “Currently ranked No. 92 in Illinois’ 2026 class. Possessing a high-waisted 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, McKay attacked hitters with his two-pitch mix in Team Heartland’s 8-6 win. The right-hander worked quickly on the mound to earn two strikeouts. His fastball was 87-89 mph, topping 90 mph with a 2,123 rpm max. His 10/4 slider showed out-pitch potential at 77-79 mph with a 2,181 rpm max.”

Luke Blackwell RHP / Valmeyer, IL / 2026 From 3/7/25: “RHP Luke Blackwell (Valmeyer, 2026) is a must-know uncommitted arm from the day. There’s some present strength in his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, creating a downhill delivery down the mound with a longer arm action into a ¾ window. His fastball sat comfortably in the 89-90 mph range throughout, playing mostly straight and setting up a bullet slider at 76-78 mph. His final offering was a changeup he could land in the zone with hard run, 81-83 mph.”

Cole Latimer OF / DeKalb, IL / 2026 From 5/13/25: “Uncommitted and currently ranked No. 48 in the state. 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame with a long-levered build and plenty of room to add size. Latimer got the start in center field and hit second in the Barbs lineup. Offensively he had a hard ground ball through the left side of the infield for a single. Showed range and quality reads off the bat, arm plays well above-average with life and accuracy. High-follow uncommitted outfielder, also a QB1.”

PITCHING ROTATIONS

The page below is subject to change and will update in real-time leading up to the event, so check back to confirm when and where these pitchers are scheduled to throw.

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Schedule

Tuesday, August 5: Workout Schedule 
8:45-9:00 AM - Position Player Check-in
9:15 AM - Position Player Workout (1st pitch of BP)

Game Schedule

 

Wednesday, August 6: Game Schedule

 

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