The Prep Baseball Illinois staff was down in Rantoul, IL hosting the PBT Illinois Summer Championships from 7/9-7/12. This invite-only tournament was host to some of the top talent in the area, including surrounding states. 

Today, we are highlighting some of the standouts from the event in this takeaways piece, found below. 

15U

AI9 Baseball Black

Lucas Rennels, RHP/1B, Yorkville, 2029
Projectable 6-foot-3, 208-pound frame. Right-handed pitcher who came out of the bullpen and tossed two scoreless, no-hit innings while striking out three. Attacked hitters with a heavy dosage of fastballs at 81-84 mph, topping out at 85 mph. Mixed in a breaking ball at 72-75 mph to keep hitters off balance and generated consistent swing-and-miss throughout his outing. The left-handed hitter also showcased some feel for the barrel throughout the tournament, finishing 4-for-8 on the week with a home run, a double, five RBIs, two runs, two walks, and three stolen bases. Two-way rising sophomore to follow. 

Ben Wojdyla, 2B, Naperville Central, 2029
Compact, high-waisted 5-foot-9, 145-pound frame with more room to fill in strength. Wojdyla had a strong day at the plate in Friday’s 10-0 win, launching a ball over the left field fence for a three-run home run. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showcased a loose, handsy swing with a feel to lift to the pull-side. 

Jayden Gamble, C, Naperville Central, 2029
Strong, durable 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame with some strength present throughout. Gamble was all over the barrel in Friday morning’s 10-0 win, finishing 2-for-2 with a pull-side three-run home run, four RBIs, a run scored, and a walk. The right-hander displayed a balanced setup, toe-tapping into a longer stride with strong hands and a feel to lift the ball to the pull-side. Impressive performance from the rising sophomore catcher.

Caleb Abraham, OF, Waubonsie Valley, 2029
Wiry 5-foot-10, 135-pound frame with room to add on strength. Abraham showed well at the plate in Friday’s 10-0 win, maneuvering the barrel inside for a pull-side triple. The left-hander showed a balanced, simple setup in the box, utilizing a short lift/ place stride with loose hands and barrel control. Abraham would go on to finish 2-for-2 with a triple, a walk, and three runs scored. 

Trenton Simonek, RHP, Andrew, 2029
Trim, wiry 5-foot-10, 130-pound frame with plenty of room to fill in strength. Simonek was highly effective in Friday’s 10-0 win, earning a four-inning perfect game with seven strikeouts. The right-hander consistently kept hitters off-balance with his three-pitch arsenal. His fastball sat 70-74 mph, pairing well with a curveball at 59-62 mph, and a changeup at 61-62 mph. Dominant performance from the rising sophomore.

Angels

Curtis Tingley, CF, St. Anthony, 2029
5-foot-8, 145-pound frame. Left-handed hitter who batted leadoff and started in center field. Showed well in the opening game of the weekend, finishing 1-for-3 with a pull-side double and a run scored. Displayed quality bat speed and the ability to impact the baseball. Continued his strong weekend by adding two home runs later on in the weekend.

Canes Central IL 15u

Callan Rykhus, RHP/INF, Maroa-Forsyth, 2029
Athletic, high-waisted 6-foot-1, 154-pound frame. Rykhus provided a strong two-way look during Friday’s 5-2 win, earning the victory on the mound and finishing a perfect 2-for-2 on the day with two RBIs. On the mound, the right-hander worked out of an athletic drop/drive delivery, landing slightly cross-fire with a loose ¾ release. Rykhus went hitters with an effective three-pitch mix, earning four strikeouts in a four inning complete game. His fastball sat 78-82 mph with life out of the hand. He complimented it with an 11/5 curveball at 62-64 mph that played with depth, and a heavy fading changeup at 67-70 mph. At the plate, the right-hander showed a wider base, with loose, rhythmic hands, looking to stay on top of the ball. Intriguing two-way rising sophomore to keep an eye on. 

Edoardo Arnett, RHP, Princeville, 2028
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 199-pound frame. Right-handed pitcher. Worked exclusively from the stretch with a simple tall-and-fall delivery. Utilized a compact arm action from a 3/4 slot. Flashed upside on the mound, missing plenty of bats despite scattered command. Fastball worked 81-83 mph, topping at 85 mph. Mixed in a curveball at 68-70 mph. Struck out two over two innings of work. 

Jacob Dunn, CF, Illini Bluffs, 2029
Left-handed hitter who batted leadoff and started in center field. Reached base three times in Game one, finishing 0-for-1 with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Showed a disciplined approach, working deep counts and consistently finding ways to get on base. Also got the bat head out on a few swings despite not having the results to show for it. Smooth, compact left-handed swing with feel for the strike zone.

Cangelosi Sparks North - White 2029

Austin Beckman, SS, Notre Dame College Prep, 2029
5-foot-8, 132-pound frame. Beckman displayed a present feel to hit in Friday’s 17-0 win, consistently putting together quality at-bats for a 3-for-3 day with a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored. The left-handed hitter showed loose hands with present bat-to-ball skills, consistently spraying the entire field with line-drive contact. Defensively, Beckman showed clean actions up the middle in-game with a steady glove and accurate throws to first. Strong overall day for the rising sophomore middle infielder. 

Liam Campbell, 1B, York, 2029
Projectable 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame with more room to fill in strength. Campbell displayed some easy jump off the barrel in Friday’s 17-0 win, launching a ball to deep left field for a two-run home run. The right-hander possessed strong hands with a feel to create hard contact to the pull-side. He would go on to finish 2-for-2 on the day with three RBIs and two runs scored. A physical right-handed bat to keep an eye on.

Emmett Thompson, 3B, York, 2029
Athletic, high-waisted 6-foot-2, 150-pound build with more fill to come. Thompson was all over the barrel in Friday’s 17-0 win, finishing 2-for-3 on the day with a home run, a double, four RBIs, and two runs scored. He showcased loose, strong hands with a feel to lift the ball up the middle. An overall impressive day offensively for the rising sophomore. 

Elliot Buchner, RHP, Oak Park-River Forest, 2029
Athletic 6-foot, 160-pound frame. Buchner intrigued our staff in his brief start during Friday’s 17-0 win, attacking hitters with an effective four-pitch arsenal that didn’t allow a single hit through two innings. His fastball sat 77-80 mph, topping 81 mph with life out of the hand. He complimented that with a curveball at 62-63 mph, a slider at 71-72 mph, and flashed a changeup at 66 mph. He would go on to be a part of a three-inning no-hitter in the victory. 

Luke Mattia, C, Lyons Township, 2029
Well-proportioned 6-foot, 185-pound frame with some strength present. The left-handed hitter displayed some loud contact in Thursday’s 8-0 win, ending the game on a deep shot to right-center field for a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth. Mattia presents an intriguing left-handed hitting profile with competent actions behind the dish. 

Chicago Elite Royal 2029

Finn Cavanaugh, RHP, Normal Community, 2029
At 6-foot-2, 145-pounds with long levers, Cavanaugh is a very projectable arm. Cavanaugh showed a smooth delivery with advanced mechanics for his age. Delivering out of a low ¾ slot Cavanaugh’s 78-82 mph FB had ride and run at the top of the zone and run and sink at the bottom. Paired with a 68-71 mph SL, Cavanaugh gave hitters a tough time this weekend

Keigan Felton, CF/RHP, Normal Community, 2029
6-foot, 158-pound frame. Right-handed hitter who batted third and started in center field in Thursday's game. Finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a triple, showing athleticism and the ability to impact the baseball. Later in the weekend, came out of the bullpen and tossed three innings, allowing one unearned run on no hits while striking out two. Attacked hitters with a fastball at 76-79 mph and mixed in a slider at 68 mph. Worked from a low three-quarter slot with a short, quick arm action, showing confidence on the mound despite scattered command

Inevitable A's 15U Select

Asher Tustin, C, Park West, 2029
5-foot-11, 175-pound frame. Right-handed hitter who batted fifth and got the start behind the plate. Finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, one RBI, and a walk. Consistently found the barrel throughout the game, showing a quality approach at the plate while reaching base in all four plate appearances. 

Milton Elite

Michael Aguiar, 1B, Ontario, 2029
6-foot-1, 200-pound frame. Right-handed hitter who started at first base and hit out of the three-hole. Finished a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI and one run scored. Delivered the biggest swing of the game with a three-run home run to left field in the third inning, helping secure a 4-2 win. 

Rantoul Rush

Avery McMorris, RHP/3B, Rantoul, 2029
5-foot-10, 164-pound frame. Right-handed pitcher who got the start on Thursday, tossing 2.1 innings while allowing one run and striking out three. Attacked hitters with a fastball at 75-77 mph and mixed in a breaking ball at 61-62 mph. Also hit out of the three-hole, finishing 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored. 

Rawlings Tigers HOI

Mason Pickering, RHP/C, St. Teresa, 2029
5-foot-9, 165-pound frame. Right-handed hitter who batted cleanup in Thursday's game. Finished 3-for-3 with a double, three RBI, one walk, and one run scored, consistently finding the barrel in the middle of the order. Got the start on the mound Friday, working 4.2 innings while allowing three runs and striking out five. Showed upside on the mound with an athletic operation, repeating a smooth delivery and working from a compact three-quarter arm slot. Attacked with a fastball at 80-83 mph and mixed in a curveball at 69-71 mph. 

Carson Uden, OF, Monticello, 2029
Trim, athletic 6-foot, 150-pound frame. Uden provided a major offensive boost to the lineup from the eight-hole in Friday’s pool play game, finishing 2-for-3 on the day with a pull-side solo home run and two RBIs and a run scored. The left-hander displayed loose, strong hands at the plate with the ability to produce hard contact to all fields. Strong overall day for the rising sophomore.

Rhino CI 15u Scorno

Will Ritter, RHP, Normal Community, 2029
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound righty showed a smooth delivery for his age with a high ¾ arm. The FB sat 77-79 mph with some ride and run, and he paired it up with a 68 mph CB that got plenty of swing and miss.

White Sox Elite 15U Black

Evan Westendorf, RHP, Downers Grove South, 2029
5-foot-10, 160-pound frame. Right-handed pitcher who got the start on the mound, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing two hits, issuing no walks, and striking out three. Showed a three-pitch mix, attacking with a fastball at 75-77 mph with arm-side run. Mixed in a curveball at 65-67 mph and a changeup at 68 mph. Worked from a compact lower three-quarter arm slot and consistently attacked the strike zone.

White Sox Elite 15U Silver

Grayson Cerocke, OF, Benet, 2029
Athletic build with plenty of room to fill in strength as he develops. Cerocke showed some strong bat-to-ball skills throughout the tournament, finishing 6-for-9 on the week with two doubles, two RBIs, five runs scored and a walk. The left-handed hitter possessed a slightly open setup in the box, working back to even with a short stride, displaying loose hands with a feel for the barrel. He showed a whole-field approach at the plate, spraying the entire field consistently with the ability to adjust well to off-speed. Stellar weekend for the rising sophomore. 

Jack McKenna, INF, Glenbard South, 2029
Athletic, developing build with additional room to build on strength. McKenna was all over the barrel during Saturday’s 5-3 win, breaking the game open in the top of the seventh with a solo home run to center field. The right-handed hitter would go on to finish 2-for-2 on the day with an RBI, a run scored, and a walk.

White Sox Elite 15U White

Jack Taylor, CF, Oak Lawn, 2029
5-foot-8 frame. Hit out of the two-hole and started in center field in Thursday’s game. Finished 3-for-4 with three doubles, consistently finding the barrel and driving the ball for extra bases.

Yard Goats Black

Hunter Cler, RHP, St. Joseph-Ogden, 2028
High-waisted 5-foot-11, 145-pound frame with plenty of room to add on strength. Cler looked like a bulldog on the mound for Yard Goats Black in Friday’s 3-2 win, tossing a complete game in a tight pitcher’s duel. The right-hander displayed a controlled drop/drive delivery, utilizing a medium leg lift with coil, landing in-line with a loose ¾ release. His fastball sat 79-82 mph throughout the game with arm-side run at times, pairing well with an 11/5 curveball at 68-71 mph that kept hitters off-balance. Strong performance from the rising junior right-hander, who continues to perform in front of our staff.

Kale Yonkha, SS, Monticello, 2029
Yonkha continues to be a name that has impressed our staff this summer, finding multiple barrels in Friday’s 3-2 win for a 2-for-4 day with a double and an RBI single. The right-handed hitter displayed a hitterish feel at the plate with loose hands and a feel for the barrel. Strong day for the rising sophomore who presents notable upside at the plate.

Landon Benner, CF, Mahomet, 2029
5-foot-8, 170-pound frame. Left-handed hitter who batted leadoff and started in center field. Set the tone at the top of the lineup in Thursday’s game, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI, and one run scored. Showed an aggressive, line-drive approach throughout the game, consistently finding the barrel and driving the ball into the gaps.

16U

Bandits 16U- Miller

Elliott Toth, SS, El Paso-Gridley, 2028
Compact, athletic 5-foot-7, 147-pound frame. Toth showcased loose, rhythmic hands into an uphill path at the plate. The right-hander finished 1-for-3 at the plate in Thursday’s 8-6 win, drilling a ball down the left field line for a double.

Andrew Haas, 1B, Bloomington Central Catholic, 2028
Strong, sturdy 6-foot, 190-pound frame with some strength present throughout. Haas was all over the barrel in multiple looks across the week, finishing 5-for-7 on the week with a home run, two doubles, three RBIs, two runs scored, and two hit by pitches. An impressive overall week for the rising junior. 

Chicago Elite Royal 2028

Aden Brummel, P, Pontiac, 2028
Developed, mature, and tall frame that moves down the mound with ease and efficiency.  Brummel threw six innings with nine strikeouts and only one run. His pitch mix consisted of a fastball at 83-85 mph, T86, a curve at 69-71 mph, and a changeup at 76-78 mph. The change up is an advanced pitch with sharp downward movement and cuts hard at times. Used all pitches in the zone to keep hitters off balance. 

Evan Lefevour, SS, Lincoln-Way East, 2028
Tall mature build that moves light on his feet, moves around the infield with ease, throws on the move with accuracy, backing up a clean developed glove. At the plate, left-handed hitter with a compact and strong swing. 

Matthew Ritter, OF, Lincoln-way east, 2028
Ritter is an athletic, projectable player that has a long powerful swing from the left side of the plate. His swing is clean and stays through the zone, blending power with present feel to hit. In the field, Ritter is an above average defender in the outfield.

Jonah Sloane, RHP, St. Laurence, 2028
The right-hander was up to 87 mph on the mound while averaging around 83-85 mph. His slider was 71-73 mph and curve played at 75-76 mph - fired four innings with four strikeouts. 

Nathan Zdenovec, LHP, Lemont, 2028
Clean, athletic mover, simple leg-lift with a deliberate drop and drive lower-half, works in-line. Arm is long and loose with a ¾ release, working the fastball in the 82-84 mph range while topping at 85 mph. Curveball is a weapon at 71-74 mph with 2/8 shape, collecting swing and miss with feel to land it around the zone. Also showed a changeup he could throw for strikes in the 72-74 mph range, playing with fade.

CI Canes

Sam McCall, OF, Richwoods, 2028
Thin, athletic body that hits from the left side of the plate. McCall was 4-for-8 on the weekend with a double. His projectable body has room to develop and gain muscle and grow into power, McCall’s bat to ball skills is the start of a raw hit tool. Has an above average ability in the outfield that is aided by his athleticism.

Mahomet Diamond Dogs

Camden Beedy, RHP, Mahomet-Seymour, 2028
Mature, tall and developed upper body that moves athletically down the mound. Beedy threw four innings with seven strikeouts with a backwards pitching style of mainly curveballs at 67 mph and changeups at 71 mph, then finishing off hitters with a fastball at 82-84 mph, up to 86 mph. 

Jackson Kursell, 3B, Judah Christian, 2028
Strong, well-proportioned 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame with some strength present throughout. Kursell showed some easy power at the plate in Friday’s pool play game, finding a loud barrel to deep center field for a solo home run to finish 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. 

Brennan Bailey, C, Mahomet-Seymour, 2028
Athletic, compact 5-foot-8, 160-pound frame with some strength present throughout. The left-hander had a strong day in Thursday’s 9-4 win, pulling a ball over the right field fence for a first-pitch solo home run in the first inning. Defensively,  Bailey displayed athletic actions behind the dish throughout the week, proving to be a consistent worker with a quick catch-and-throw that caught a runner stealing in Saturday’s pool play game. 

MBC Aces 16U

Davis Hart, P, Cascade, 2028
Hart has a thin, tall athletic build that can develop into an advanced arm. He threw six innings, striking out five with a fastball that was 80-83 mph with a slider at 68-73 mph. Hart mixed his pitches effectively by changing speeds of the fastball and shape of the slider. The slider was a sharper 10/5 when thrown harder, and a slower 12/6. Maintained velo through all six innings and was confident in both pitches throwing both for strikes consistently.

Simon Borem, 2B, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, 2028
Compact athletic frame that comes with an advanced hit tool packing both average and power. Borem’s swing is short and quick to the ball. His best day at the plate was 3-for-4 with a double away from the cycle. In the field he plays up the middle with a clean glove and accurate throws to first.

Ontario Royals

Niko Porco, INF, St. Mary CHS, 2028
Strong, developed frame with mature lower half, athletic on the field as well as in the box. Hit leadoff and stole several bases along with a double on the weekend. Shows promise at the plate with a developed frame, fields with a clean glove. Played second base clean and showed range as a raw defender.

Ryan Drong, 3B, Ancaster, 2028
Uncommitted. Sturdy 5-foot-8, 180-pound frame with some strength present throughout. Drong showed some easy power at the plate in Friday’s 7-2 win, sending a ball the other way to deep right-canter field for a three-run home run. The right-handed hitter displayed a balanced setup, hanging his foot into a medium stride with strong hands and a feel to lift the ball. He would go on to finish 1-for-2 on the day with three RBIs and one run scored.

Yard Goats Navy

Alex Musto, OF, Champaign Central, 2028
Trim, athletic 6-foot, 160-pound frame. Musto lived on the barrel in Thursday’s pool play game, finishing 2-for-2 on the day with a triple and two RBIs. The right-handed hitter displayed loose hands into a slightly uphill path with a feel to use the entire field. 

17U 

Athletes HQ DuPage Miller

Andrew Miller, INF, Conant, 2027
Tall, athletic, mature body that will develop more power at the plate. Went 7-for-13 on the weekend and showed advanced bat to ball skills with a compact lefty swing. In the field, Miller played second base with a clean glove and accurate throws across the diamond.

Central Illinois Revolution 17U

Kyle Glass, 2B, Normal Community, 2027
Glass is a tall, thin, athletic player that is an advanced fielder at second base and displayed his range and glove all weekend by making many high-level plays. He makes accurate throws and moves across the diamond with ease. He hits from the left side, and his swing is quick and smooth, while he hits mainly singles with no raw power, he gets on base consistently.

CRB 2027

Christophe de Wijkerslooth, RHP, Jones College Prep, 2027
Uncommitted. Athletic, well-proportioned 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame. Wijkerslooth provided an intriguing look in his brief outing during Thursday’s 2-2 tie, going at hitters with an effective three-pitch arsenal. His fastball sat 83-86 mph, topping 87 mph with arm-side run. He complimented it with a tight curveball at 74-75 mph, and a changeup at 76-77 mph that played with late fade. A projectable right-handed arm to follow. 

Nathan Wong, CF, Lane Tech, 2027
Uncommitted. 5-foot-8, 150 pounds. Started in centerfield and batted second in the lineup. Showed a highly repeatable swing with a low leg lift. Generated consistently hard contact in multiple looks over the weekend. 

Alex Vale, SS, Maine South, 2027
Uncommitted. Went a perfect 4-for-4 Saturday morning with two doubles. Athletic right-handed swing with the ability to control the barrel and use the whole field, line-drive approach with spray. Athletic actions on the infield with range to both sides of the glove. 

Jimmy Haas, C, St. Patricks, 2027
Steady defender behind the plate with an accurate arm, worked down to a 2.05 pop-time between innings. Left-handed hitter with a clean swing, some leverage in the swing, projects with more power to come. 

Decatur Commodores 17U

Russell Applegate, OF/RHP, Charleston, 2027
Uncommitted. Applegate is tall and thin, with an advanced hit tool and hits for both power and average. He moves with ease and shows raw athleticism. His swing from the left side is compact, and he is disciplined at the plate. In the field he is an above-average outfielder and on the mound is up to 89 mph.

Evan Howley, 1B, Mt. Zion, 2027
Uncommitted. Big, developed, and mature player with power from the right side of the plate with a simple, compact powerful swing. All his hits this weekend were for extra bases including a homerun. At first base, Howley is a quality defender that made every play his way. 

Chase Roberts, C, Mt. Pulaski, 2028
Uncommitted. Lean, athletic 5-foot-10, 145-pound frame. Roberts looked the part hitting in the two-hole for the Decatur Commodores in Thursday’s pool play win, lining a ball into the outfield for a two-run single. He would later follow it up with a strong day at the plate on Sunday, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs. 

ESP 17u White 2027s (Kelliher)

Vince Scorsone, 3B, Plainfield East, 2027
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. Started at third base and hit seventh in the lineup. Went 4-for-6 in two looks with three singles, a double, two runs, two RBI and a stolen base. Consistently generated hard contact on the day showcasing a simple, repeatable swing. Played with high energy, intensity. 

Colton Perkins, RHP, Plainfield South, 2027
Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 168 pounds. Started on the mound going five innings with four strikeouts. Showed two pitches in the game. Fastball topped at 81 mph, sat 78-80 mph. Curveball topped at 64 mph, sat 61-63 mph with 12-6 shape and sharp bite. 

Michael Holmes, SS, Plainfield South, 2027
Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 132 pounds. Started at second base and hit second in the lineup. Showed a simple, repeatable swing with a small, controlled leg lift. Found the barrel for hard contact double down the left field line late in the ball game.

MVP Elite Bruins Select 17u - Kempema

Ben Merdalo, C, Stevenson, 2027
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 180 pounds with a strong, athletic frame. Started behind the plate and batted third in the lineup. Offensively consistently generated hard contact going 3-for-3 with a double down the left field line, a single through the five-six hole and another single up the middle. Defensively showed a 1.98 on bag pop time in between innings that carried over into gameplay with a runner thrown out at second on a steal attempt in the bottom of the first. 

Owen Hong, SS, Palatine, 2027
Uncommitted. 6-foot-0, 193 pounds with a lean, athletic frame. Started at shortstop and batted fourth in the lineup. Went 3-for-3 on the day with a three run home run and two singles. Was on the barrel twice in game showcasing a swing that generated quality power without overswinging. 

Miller Rastrelli, LF, Mundelein, 2027
Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 155 pounds with a lean, athletic frame. Started in left field and hit sixth in the lineup. Was consistently on the barrel in two looks on the day. Five of his eight at-bats resulted in balls that were hard contact line drives. Finished the day with a double to left field and a single up the middle, lined out in three other at bats on the day. In game one showed a quality compete level by running hard out of the box on a jam shot to first base and almost beating the ball out.

Ontario Royals

Logan Walker, 3B, Calvary Christian, 2027
Uncommitted. Tall mature build that has a developed lower half that provides power and the ability to hit for average. Walker has a compact swing and athletic set-up in the box. On the field, Walker has an arm that provides accurate throws across the diamond and a fielding ability that compliments it. Reliable and consistent at the plate and on the field.

Evan Shewfelt, RHP, Blessed Trinity, 2027
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 37 in the province. Athletic 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame. Shewfelt showcased some notable arm talent in Thursday’s pool play game. The right-hander utilized a medium leg lift with tuck into a tall/fall lower half, employing a loose, compact ¾ arm action. Shewfelt attacked hitters with a fastball-heavy arsenal throughout the outing, flashing some upside with his off-speed. His fastball was 89-91 mph in the first inning, settling at 86-90 mph with life out of the hand. He also flashed a sharp slider at 79-80 mph, and a fading changeup at 81-84 mph. The right-hander will be representing Team Canada at the Senior Future Games coming up. 

Brody Rozen, SS, Bill Crothers, 2027
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 230 in the province. Athletic 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. Rozen found a loud shot into the right-center field gap for a two-run double. The right-handed hitter displayed a wider setup with a short toe-tap stride, showing loose hands into a slightly uphill path. He went on to finish 1-for-3 on the day with two RBIs.

Hunter Brady, OF, Waterdown District, 2027
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 139 in the province. Tall, wiry 6-foot-6, 170-pound frame with plenty of room to add on strength. The left-handed hitter showed some easy pull-side power at the plate in Thursday’s pool play game, finding a loud barrel over the right field fence for a first-pitch solo home run. He went on to finish 1-for-2 on the day with one RBI, one run scored, and two hit-by-pitches. A projectable left-handed bat to keep an eye on.

Sluggers Baseball Academy - McCloskey 17U

JP Rydz, OF, St. Ignatius, 2027
Uncommitted. Lean, athletic 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame. Rydz showed some quality bat-to-ball skills in Thursday’s 12-6 win, spraying the entire field for a 2-for-2 day with a double, two RBIs, three runs scored, and three walks. The left-handed hitter possessed a slightly open setup, working back to even with a medium stride, displaying loose hands into a whole field approach. He went on to follow it up in Friday’s 19-4 win for a 2-for-3 day with a triple, three runs scored, and a walk. Strong overall performance from the uncommitted left-handed outfielder. 

Oscar Molloy, OF, St. Ignatius, 2027
Uncommitted. Wiry, athletic 6-foot, 155-pound frame. Molloy showcased a hitterish feel at the plate against high-velocity in Thursday’s 12-6 win, finishing 3-for-4 with a triple on an upper-80s fastball, three RBIs, and two runs scored. The right-hander showed a loose, handsy swing at the plate with a feel to use the entire field. An intriguing uncommitted R/R outfielder to follow. 

White Sox Elite 17U

Blake Snyder, SS, Wheaton Warrenville south, 2027
Uncommitted. Snyder is a tall athletic player with broad shoulders that level room for his upper half to develop. He hits from the left side of the plate and is characterized by a wide stance and quick swing. He hits for both average and power.  In the field, Snyder fields with a clean glove and accurate arm that allows him to move and show range at shortstop.

Josh Manriquez, OF/RHP, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2027
Uncommitted. Athletic, compact 5-foot-8, 150-pound frame. Manriquez provided a strong two-way look throughout the tournament, finding multiple barrels across multiple looks while also showing some upside on the mound in relief. The right-handed hitter began the week with a 1-for-3 day that included a line-drive into left-center field for an RBI double. Defensively, he showed a quick first step in the outfield with competent routes and range to all sides. On the mound, the right-hander displayed an intriguing four-pitch mix that produced some swing-and-miss in his five innings of work on Friday. His fastball sat 80-82 mph, pairing well with a 12/6 curveball at 64-66 mph that induced swing-and-miss, a horizontal slider at 68-70 mph, and a changeup at 72-74 mph. Impressive overall week for the uncommitted two-way.

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