Illinois State Games: 2028 Top Overall Prospects

1. Dodger Friedrich RHP / OF / Lane Tech, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-5, 216.3-pounds. Long-levered, projectable frame.
Delivery: Big rocker step, up tempo, athletic, high leg lift with coil, drop and drive, slight cross fire.
Arm Action: RH. Full arm circle low 3/4 slot.
FB: T91, 88-90 mph. flat with some sink at times. T2282, 2067 average rpm.
SL: 78-80 mph. sweep with some depth T2657, 2117 average rpm.

2. Collin Lawlor LHP / OF / Marist, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 173.9-pounds. Athletic, projectable build.
Delivery: Up-tempo, quick lift into a medium balance point, light cross-fire with deception, hides it well on the backside.
Arm Action: LH. Extends arm on back swing, some whip, low 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. Keeps low with some run. T1903, 1808 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. Gradual 1/7 break with some feel. T2097, 1875 average rpm.
CH: 77-78 mph. Fading action, similar to fastball. T1813, 1716 average rpm.

Hit: LHH. Narrow setup, smooth and fluid load, medium stride. Controlled forward movement, loose hands and wrists, flat path, works the whole field.  65 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (84.8 avg.); 327-foot max batted distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Full arm action, easy with arm speed, plays with life and accuracy.
Defense: Athletic routes, fluid hips with easy range.
Athletic Testing: 7.58 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.50-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74.8 Edge Score. 

3. Nicholas Chiarodo SS / RHP / Edwardsville, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9.4, 142.4-pounds. Twitchy, high-waisted frame with present athleticism.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, short leg kick stride, linear lower half. Athletic and balanced swing, line-drive approach that stayed mostly pull-side. 67.1 mph bat speed with 17g of rotational acceleration. Finished game play 4-for-4 with three doubles and three walks.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (85.6 avg.); 323-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. 3/4 slot, short, compact arm action.
Defense: Plays with some bounce, clean two hand gather, works around the ball, natural actions, steady glove.
Athletic Testing: 6.88 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.20-inch max vertical jump.

Delivery: Fluid, athletic delivery, works on-line down the mound, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Short, clean arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Plays clean out of the hand, around the zone, works mostly straight. T2047, 1919 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. Above-average feel, late horizontal action. T2263, 2209 average rpm.
SL: 69-71 mph. Slightly tighter action than the curveball, hard, late sweeping action. T2298, 2095 average rpm.

4. Ryan Pipkins OF / RHP / Champaign Central, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0.4, 173.9-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame with room for additional strength.
Hit: LHH. Wider balanced setup, controlled, short stride.  Works on top of the baseball with strength, barrel creates length through the zone, loose, handsy swing. 68.9 mph bat speed with 18g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 mph max exit velocity (81 avg.); 352-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Full arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, efficient routes, plays through the baseball.
Athletic Testing: 6.79 runner in the 60-yard dash; 26.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.42 Edge Score.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Simple, repeatable, high leg lift with some coil, drop and drive, directional.
Arm Action: RH. Short, compact, high 3/4 arm action.
FB: T84, 81-83 mph. Comes out smooth, straight with some carry. T2131, 1884 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. Sweeper action. T2236, 2125 average rpm.
CH: 72-72 mph. Fades. T1514, 1514 average rpm.

5. Austin Leipart 3B / RHP / Providence Catholic, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 145.7-pounds. Lean, long-levered frame with plenty of time to add strenth.
Delivery: Controlled delivery, athletic mover, high leg lift, drop and drive, directional.
Arm Action: RH. Smooth, clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Carry through the zone. T2139, 2067 average rpm.
CB: 71-72 mph. Cut shape. T1957, 1912 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Narrow and open setup, long stride, gains ground.  Long and fluid path through the zone, line-drive approach up the middle. 61.5 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (84.5 avg.); 340-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Low 3/4 slot, loose arm action.
Defense: Two hand gather into body, works around, natural actions, steady glove.
Athletic Testing: 7.59 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.9 Edge Score.

6. Brady Jones 3B / RHP / Metamora, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-4.8, 195.8-pounds. Projectable, long-levered frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open setup, works back to even with short lift/place stride. Easy strength, balanced, loose hands, direct path, creates lift at times, on the barrel to the middle/pull-side. 64.9 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (92.2 avg.); 348-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Low 3/4 slot, easy, loose arm action.
Defense: Steady two hand gather, works around, smooth actions.
Athletic Testing: 7.28 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.31 Edge Score.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Deliberate windup, high leg tuck, slight cross-fire finish, holds bend in the back knee down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Short and compact action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T86, 82-85 mph. Straight actions with some rise. T1979, 1850 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. Shows depth near the plate. T1867, 1774 average rpm.
CH: 75-75 mph. Flashed, killed spin. T1109, 1109 average rpm. 

7. Jack Postma RHP / 1B / Barrington, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 186-pounds. Tall, projectable frame with present strength throughout.
Delivery: Controlled delivery, high leg lift with tuck, tall/fall down the mound, gets extension.
Arm Action: RH. Full circle, easy, whippy 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-84 mph. Jumps out of the hand, some life through the zone. T2159, 1939 average rpm.
CB: 69-72 mph. Sweeping action. T1930, 1827 average rpm.
CH: 73-75 mph. Arm-side fade. T1778, 1692 average rpm.

8. Ryder Rennette SS / 2B / Dunlap, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 144.4-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame with more fill coming soon.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, higher leg-kick stride.  Flat swing with length through the zone, works on top of the baseball with line drives. 66.3 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (81.9 avg.); 328-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Low 3/4 slot, short, compact arm action.
Defense: Works around, clean footwork, natural feel for the position, showed range to both sides, steady glove round.
Athletic Testing: 7.29 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 41.5 Edge Score.

9. Kanon Baxley SS / RHP / Kaneland, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9.5, 161.5-pounds. Projectable, well-proportioned frame with more to come.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open setup, short stride. Twitchy, flatter path, line drive oriented to the middle/pull-side, simple. 72.8 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (92 avg.); 339-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Short, quick 3/4 arm action.
Defense: Steady two hand gather into body, works around, natural actions, moves well laterally.
Athletic Testing: 7.13 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 85.38 Edge Score.

T10. Isaiah Wolter C / RHP / Oswego East High School, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9.5, 174.8-pounds. Athletic, mature frame.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, displays pre-pitch rhythm in hands, medium leg lift stride. Line drive approach, intentful swing, flat path, easy jump off the barrel. 73.9 mph bat speed with 18g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 105 mph max exit velocity (91.7 avg.); 339-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Compact 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 1.96-2.09 pop time range; One-knee receiver, clean transfers, quickly replaces feet towards second, active, reliable blocker.
Athletic Testing: 6.83 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 47.76 Edge Score.

T10. Josh Ouimette LHP / OF / Carmel Catholic, IL / 2028

Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-9, 192.2-pounds. Wiry, projectable build with more strength to come.
Delivery: Controlled, smooth, athletic delivery, medium leg lift, tall and fall.
Arm Action: LH. Short, high 3/4 arm action.
FB: T84, 81-83 mph. Plays with some carry. T2016, 1948 average rpm.
CB: 66-68 mph. 11/5 shape with depth, gradual. T2252, 2070 average rpm.
CH: 68-70 mph. Dives at plate, kills spin. T1300, 1249 average rpm.

Positional Profile: OF
Hit: LHH. Medium base, simple lift/place stride. Loose and athletic, fluid swing, slight uphill path with intent to lift at times, whole field approach. 69.1 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (86.9 avg.); 369-foot max batted distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 88 mph. Full arm action, clean, 3/4 slot, plays true with life and backspin.
Defense: Quick jumps, proper routes, works through the baseball, some range.
Athletic Testing: 7.33 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74.66 Edge Score.