Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Joliet Preseason ID: Takeaways

March 12, 2026
By: Illinois Scouting Staff

On Sunday, March 1st, our staff traveled to Rhino Baseball Academy in Shorewood, IL for the Joliet Preseason ID. This event was host to over 110 players, and helped our staff get a quality look at a number of players from the area before the IHSA season gets into swing.

Today, we are spotlighting some of our favorites from the day with this takeaways piece, with scouting reports and video found below.

For a look at the entire event page, click HERE.

Position Players

OF Quinn Champion (Lyons Township, 2028) is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound, right-handed hitting infielder who started his day running a 6.91 60. He then proceeded to take a consistent round of BP, showing a repeatable swing that was on the barrel with lifted hard contact to the pull-side; 72.4 mph average bat speed, 90.3 average exit velocity, topped at 96.2 mph and his max batted ball traveled 363’. Also topped at 85 mph from the outfield with steady actions.

C Sebastian Urbanowski (Loyola, 2027) is a 5-foot-9, 198-pound, strong-bodied, right-handed hitting catcher. Right-handed hitter, compact swing that has some fluidity throughout and bat strength through contact; T98.7 mph exit velocity, averaged 88.5 with a 339’ max batted ball. Also, showed clean and repeatable actions coming out of the crouch and was consistently around the bag with a low pop time of 2.00, topping at 78 mph.

Triton JC commit, INF Javoris Bohannon (Rich Township, 2026), just continues to trend in the right direction every time we see him. In his strongest showing yet, the 6-foot, 180-pound, athletically-built, right-handed hitter took an impactful, repeatable round of BP with loud contact throughout; averaging 94.1 mph off the bat during BP, peaking at 99.4 mph. He also launched his furthest batted ball 377’, good for fifth-best on the day. Bohannon is also a middle infielder who should stick on the infield long term with athletic actions and his arm played with carry at 82 mph. 6.91 runner in the 60.

OF Beckham Francis (Oswego) had one of the more projectable swings in attendance, especially when looking at 2028 right-handed hitters. It's a longer loose swing with whippy hands, stays through the zone and has easy effort throughout with much more strength and impact to come down the road. HIs furthest batted ball traveled 366’ while averaging 92.2 mph off the bat, T96.4 mph. Topped at 83 mph from the outfield with sure-handed actions.

INF Liam Precht (Warrenville South, 2027) was another right-handed hitter whose best days are yet to come. Listed at 6-foot, 141-pounds, he has an athletic, lean build with upside to the frame. He ran a 7.00 60 and has a loose, athletic swing that stays balanced and is easy to believe there is much more impact to come off the barrel down the road; T93 mph exit velocity. He also showed steady actions on the infield and topped at 79 mph.

2027 INF Gavin Lustig is another right-handed hitter to follow from Oswego HS. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound, athletically-built, junior also average over 90 mph during BP (91.5 mph) while topping at 98.2 mph. Lustig has a compact, repeatable swing with minimal wasted movement throughout. Also ran a 6.91 60.

2027 infielders Kyle Rodak and Joey Rutz are two names to know from Minooka HS. Rodak has a 6-foot-2, 181-pound, long-levered frame with all kinds of projection throughout his game. He ran a 7.24 60 and has a loose, easy swing with easy jump off the barrel; T98 mph exit velocity. Rutz, listed at 6-foot-1, 164-pounds, was one of the top infield defenders with smooth actions, 81 mph arm across and was on time and on the barrel in BP.

INF/OF Bryce Gilmore (Homewood-Floosmoor, 2027) put together arguably the most impressive round of BP on the day. Gilmore, a 5-foot-11, 176-pound, right-handed hitter, stays balanced throughout, was consistently on the barrel and on-plane while routinely hammering baseballs to the middle/ pull-side of the diamond with authority. Gilmore registered a 90% hard hit percentage, averaged 94.4 mph off the bat and peaked at 97.4 mph. Polished, loud round of BP.

OF Tyson Arbour (Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2028) has the look of a top of the order type of the profile. Arbour is a 5-foot-8, 160-pound, left-handed hitter who ran a 6.92 60 and controls the barrel offensively, while staying within himself and balanced throughout. Topped at 90 mph during BP and showed off an 86 mph arm from the outfield.

C/INF Diego A. Gutierrez (Metea Valley, 2027) made the most of his Prep Baseball debut, standing out behind the plate and on the infield; one of the top overall defenders on the day. On the infield he flashed above-average actions and a big arm, topping at 88 mph. He also topped at 79 mph from the crouch while pop times ranged from 1.94-2.04. Offensively, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound, right-handed hitter has an easy, flat swing and used the middle of the field. Peaked at 97.4 mph, averaged 89 mph off the bat.

OF Mark Jackson (Wheaton Academy, 2027) stood out immediately thanks to his event-best 6.54 60 time. The 6-foot, 194-pound, right-handed hitter then took an intentful round of BP where he swings with controlled aggression and lifted approach; Peaked at 96 mph off the bat and topped at 85 mph from the outfield.

INF Quentin Santoria (Plano, 2027) put together one of the loudest rounds of BP of the event. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound, physical, right-handed bat has some rawness throughout but the bat strength is undeniable. Santoria launched the second-furthest batted ball of the event at 394’. He also averaged 93 mph, T100.6 mph. He takes consistent, aggressive swings with a lifted, pull-side approach throughout. Also topped at 82 mph across the infield and 86 mph on the mound.

INF Griffin Yates (Marmion) is a projectable left-handed hitter in the 2029 class. The 6-foot, 138-pound, freshman has a loose, level swing, hands work on top of the baseball with a line-drive approach. He also showed to have a future on the infield with steady actions and topped at 76 mph.

INF Eric Kaspar Jr. (St. Laurence, 2028) took one of the more on the barrel, loud rounds on the day when it comes to 2028 prospects. The compact, strong, 5-foot-8, 193-pound, right-handed hitter, he was routinely on time with strong hands, present bat strength resulting in an average of 95.5 mph off the bat, T99.5 mph and max batted ball distance of 359’. Also, showed above-average bat speed; 72.8 mph average. Impressive on the barrel round of BP.

C Gavin Sauter (Downers Grove South, 2027) was another noteworthy left-handed hitter from the event. Listed at 6-foot-3, 217-pounds, he stands out with his physical, well-proportioned frame. He stays simple and repeatable in BP with strong hands and direct swing that works uphill. Sauter peaked at 92.6 mph off the bat and also registered a low pop time of 2.01 while topping at 76 mph from the crouch.

2027 Gustav Crane (Highland Park) and 2028 Bryce Baxa (Yorkville) were two catchers who took loud rounds of BP and showed off above-average bat strength. Both registered low pop times of 2.01 as well. Crane averaged 91.2 mph off the bat, T96.9 mph and launched his furthest batted ball 361’. Baxa had the second-highest peak exit velocity at 102.4 mph, averaged 93.2 mph and his furthest batted ball traveled 356’.

MORE BATS

There were also a number of other noteworthy bats at the event.

+ 2027s: Nathan Franks (Plainfield Central), Matt Griffin (St. Francis), Jules Hoecker (St. Francis), Ben Johnson (Batavia), Ryan Pall (Naperville Central), Travis Skole (Joliet West), Michael Stephan (South Elgin) and Andrew Wegrzyn (Glenbard North).

+ 2028s: Camren Campbell (Plainfield South), Michael Hartmuller (Glenbrook South) and Ryan Shroff (Wheaton North).

+ 2029s: Sean Amsden (Marist), Ian Behl (Pleasant Plains), Luke Labuz (Lake Zurich), Josiah Sykes (West Chicago) and Briggs McNab (Brother Rice).

Defenders

INF Michael Johnson (Marquette; 2028), C Daniel Chopp (Oak Forest; 2026), INF Ryan Koltz (Cary-Grove; 2027), INF Casey Westin (Andrew; 2028) and INF Noah Zappia (Aurora Christian; 2028) were some of the better defenders on the day.

Two-ways

OF/RHP Michael McCloud (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2028) made his Prep Baseball showcase debut at the Joliet Preseason ID, and came out of the event as a sophomore to follow as a two-way prospect. The right-hander tossed an impressive bullpen, standing 5-foot-10, 191-pounds with strength throughout the frame, working a four pitch mix. The fastball worked out of a higher ¾ slot in the low-80s, topping 82 mph with armside run and sink with higher spin numbers, averaging 2253 rpm. The curveball was thrown in the low-70s with tight spin and a sweeping shape. Flashed feel for a slider in the mid 70s and displayed a splitter that killed spin with an average of 18 in. of IVB. The 7.13 runner also showed well with his right-handed bat, peaking at 100 mph during BP while staying simple and strong through contact. Also topped at 87 mph from the outfield.

RHP/INF Colin Sims (Saint Ignatius, 2027) is an uncommitted name to know in the 2027 class. He stands in a strong 6-foot-3, 207-pound frame and operates out of a clean, simple, and repeatable delivery with a long, clean arm path. Sims showed a four-pitch mix throughout his 'pen, featuring a fastball that sat 83-84 mph and came out of the hand clean with life, pairing it with a sinker that showed arm-side run. He mixed in a curveball at 71-72 mph with 11/5 shape and heavy depth, and a changeup at 74-75 mph with heavy fade thrown with fastball armspeed. Sims rounded out his arsenal with a cutter at 78-79 mph with slight cutting action. He also took a simple, repeatable round of BP with easy jump off the barrel, averaging 96 mph off the bat, T100.5 mph. Strong showing for the uncommitted two-way.

RHP/INF Josh Repmann (Neuqua Valley, 2027) stands in a 6-foot-3, 191-pound frame and operates out of an up-tempo delivery with a longer arm path. Repmann showed a three-pitch mix throughout his 'pen, featuring a fastball that sat 81-83 mph with a four-seam that played straight and clean out of the hand, pairing it with a sinker with natural arm-side action. He also mixed in a slider at 71-75 mph with short, 10/4 shape, and a changeup at 73-75 mph thrown with hard intent and some fade. The right-handed hitter also showed a loose swing with a lifted approach while using the middle of the field; T90.3 mph exit velocity.

RHP/INF Alex Syska (Plainfield Central, 2027) had one of the better two-way showings on the day. Offensively, he took one of the more polished rounds of BP. The 5-foot-11, 176-pound, right-handed hitter has a direct, on-plane swing. He was on time and on the barrel, uses the whole field; 93.2 mph average exit velocity, T99 and sent his furthest batted ball 351’. Defensively, he showed steady actions, topped at 82 mph across the infield and has a chance to stick on the dirt moving forward. On the mound he operates out of a clean, hybrid delivery with a long, loose arm path from a ¾ slot. Syska showed a three-pitch mix throughout his ‘pen, featuring a fastball that sat 81-83 mph (T84) with arm-side run. He mixed in a curveball at 67-70 mph, and rounded out his arsenal with a changeup at 72-73 mph that killed spin with fade and depth (avg. 15.4" HM).

Pitchers

RHP Keegan Schwarting (Joliet West, 2027) is an uncommitted and projectable arm to know in the 2027 class standing in a long-levered 6-foot-5, 182-pound frame with room to add strength. Schwarting operates out of an athletic, repeatable delivery, and showed a quick arm action out of a ¾ slot. He showed feel for all four pitches throughout his outing with his fastball sitting 85-86 mph with carry at times and quality spin (avg. 2,363 rpm). He showed two breaking balls; a curveball that played with a 11/5 shaped at 69-71 mph with depth and feel to land in the zone, and a slider at 73-74 mph with high spin (avg. 2529 rpm) and swing-and-miss potential, averaging -18.8 inches of horizontal movement. He rounded out his arsenal with a changeup at 78-80 mph with heavy fade and depth (avg. 15.9 inches of horizontal movement). Schwarting emerged as an uncommitted arm to follow.

LHP Landon Ludwig (Ridgeview, 2028) is a high-upside, projectable arm to know in the state's rising sophomore class. He stands in a long-levered, high-waisted 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame with plenty of room to add strength. Ludwig controls his long levers well, operating out of a quick, up-tempo delivery with a compact arm action from a ¾ slot. He showed a four-pitch mix throughout his bullpen featuring a fastball that sat 83-87 mph (T87.8) with life out of the hand and arm-side run. He mixed in a curveball at 71-73 mph with short, horizontal break, and a changeup at 71-72 mph with fade and depth in the lower half (avg. -17.1" HM). Ludwig rounded out his arsenal with cutter at 77-78 mph with short horizontal bite. The upside and current stuff makes Ludwig a follow arm in the class.

RHP Griffin Dobberstein (Marquette, 2027) is an uncommitted arm to know in the 2027 class. He stands in an athletic 5-foot-11, 174-pound frame, and operates out of a clean, athletic delivery with a long, loose arm path out of a high ¾ slot. He showed a three-pitch mix throughout his bullpen, featuring a fastball that sat 85-86 mph and came out of the hand clean. He mixed in an curveball at 73-75 mph that played with short, 11/5 shape (avg. 2,305 rpm, avg. -9.4" HM), and he rounded out his arsenal with a changeup at 80-82 mph thrown with hard intent and fade. Dobberstein also backs up his stuff with a strong track record on the mound, going 8-1 with a 1.12 ERA, 67 strikeouts, and 32 hits allowed over 50 innings pitched last spring. Dobberstein is a must-follow arm in Illinois.

RHP Luke Torrance (Aurora Central Catholic, 2028) is a name to know in the state's rising sophomore class. He stands in a strong, well-proportioned 6-foot, 191-pound frame and operates out of a hybrid delivery with a long and loose arm path. Torrance featured a fastball that sat 83-85 mph with arm-side action at times. He mixed in a curveball at 71-72 mph with sweeping 10/4 shape (avg. -18.6" HM, avg. -6.1" IVB), and a slider at 73-74 mph with 11/5 shape and depth at times. He also showed a changeup at 72-73 mph with clear fade and depth working low in the zone, and rounded out his arsenal with a true knuckleball at 68-69 mph that moved in multiple directions and killed spin. His ability to show a five-pitch mix was intriguing for a prospect at his age.

LHP Jake Swan (Providence Catholic, 2029) measures a durable 6-foot-1, 200-pounds and left the event as a young southpaw to keep an eye on. Swan showed a clean and repeatable delivery with a lower ¾ slot with some feel for a three pitch mix. The fastball sat in the lower 80s, topping 82 mph, played with sink and worked around the zone. The left-hander showed two offspeeds, the curveball sweeps across the plate, landing around the zone in the mid-60s with an average of 14 inches of horizontal movement. His slider sat in the low 70s with tight spin. Swan will be an arm to follow in the freshman class as he matures throughout his high school career.

RHP Aidric Arndt (Burlington Central, 2027) stands in a long-levered and upside 6-foot-6, 195-pound frame. He operates out of a stretch-only delivery with a full arm circle, and he showed a three-pitch mix throughout his 'pen. Andt's fastball sat 85-87 mph came out clean with natural arm-side action, and he mixed in a curveball at 74-75 mph with short, 11/5 shape and feel to land. He rounded out his arsenal with a changeup at 77-79 mph that played straight and worked low in the zone, landing for strikes 100% of the time, per TrackMan. Andt emerged as a follow uncommitted arm in the class.

RHP Koen Lynes (Joliet Catholic, 2027) stands in a 6-foot, 169-pound frame and operates out of a simple, repeatable delivery with a full arm circle. Lynes showed a four-pitch mix throughout his 'pen, featuring a fastball that sat 86-87 mph with carry tendencies. He mixed in a curveball at 69-71 mph with 12/6 shape and depth, a slider at 75-77 mph with shorter, 11/5 shape, and rounded out his arsenal with a changeup at 78-79 mph thrown with hard intent and heavy fade. Lynes also topped at 87 mph from the outfield and ran a 7.36 60.

RHP Luke Stoner (Lincoln-Way West, 2028) is a name to know in the state's sophomore class. He stands in a 5-foot-11, 158-pound frame and operates out of a simple, quiet delivery with a shorter arm action. Stoner showed a three-pitch mix throughout his 'pen, featuring a fastball that sat 83-84 mph and came out clean with mostly straight actions. He mixed in a curveball at 71-72 mph with sharp, 11/5 shape and feel to land (avg. -9.8" IVB, avg. -9.8" HM), and rounded out his arsenal with a changeup at 78-79 mph with fade and sink. A name to follow in the 2028 class.

LHP Adam Redmond (Lincoln-Way West, 2028) is a name to know in the sophomore class. He stands in a wiry, high-waisted 5-foot-11, 156-pound frame with room for more to come. Redmond operates out of a simple, repeatable delivery with a compact arm path from an over-the-top slot. He showed a three-pitch mix throughout his 'pen, featuring a fastball that sat 82-84 mph with mostly straight action and some sink. He mixed in a curveball at 70-72 mph with sharp, 1/7 shape and depth (avg. 2,556 rpm, avg. -10" IVB), and rounded out his arsenal with a changeup at 75-78 mph with heavy fade and downer action (avg. -16" HM). A name to follow in the 2028 class.

RHP Evan Monaco (Plainfield North, 2028) is a 6-foot, 203-pound right-hander that tossed an eye-opening bullpen at the event. Monaco had some tempo in his delivery, displaying a compact arm out of a true ¾ slot. The four seamer works armside with some run and sink in the mid-80s, topping at 86.3 mph (18.2” IVB). Monaco’s slider has tight spin in the mid 70s (2065 rpm), and the changeup sat 79-80 mph, kill spin with some feel and armside run (16.4” IVB, 11.1” HM). A name to follow this upcoming spring season.

RHP Declan Boyce (Naperville Central, 2027) is yet another arm to know from the day. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound right-hander has some present strength in his frame, and he pairs it with a simple delivery and lower ¾ arm slot. The fastball sat 83-85 mph with heavy run arm-side, pairing with a slider and a changeup that he flashed around the zone.

RELATED CONTENT