With the 2025 Junior Future Games behind us, our staff is taking a look at all of the names from the Team Illinois roster, and highlighting their performances at the event.

Team Illinois finished the week 4-1, ending their run in the final four, the furthest any Illinois JFG team has ever made it in bracket play. We've already released game recaps and statistical analysis stories from the event, which can be found below:

• Statistical Analysis
• Game Recaps

Within this Takeaways piece, our staff made mention of each player's workout day, along with their in-game performance.

POSITION PLAYERS

+ INF/RHP Cody Busch (Joliet Catholic, 2029) was a sparkplug for Team Illinois’ offense throughout the tournament. Busch has developing showcase tools but is a true gamer. In gameplay, Busch had five hits out of the leadoff spot, finishing the week 5-for-11 with four runs and four RBIs. There is true bat to ball skills and feel for the barrel present already for Busch, a top of the lineup bat with more room to add strength. In the first game of bracket play, Busch was given the start on the mound and didn't disappoint. The 5-foot-9 right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out eight, allowing just one hit and one walk. This was true dominance on the mound for Busch, the gamer mentality and intensity that he pitches with really stood out and was a large reason for his success on the hill. Busch is a name to circle as he enters his high school career at JCA.

+ INF Andrew Jones (Marist, 2029) had an impressive week all around. During the showcase, Jones tossed 79 mph across the infield and had a standout BP round, with a max EV of 84 mph. Jones has previously impressed in front of our staff at the IL Rising Stars Games. In gameplay at LakePoint, Jones tallied two base hits (2-for-5), and in 11 plate appearances was hit by a pitch four times, and walked twice (.727 OBP) Also, swiped six bags in five games. Jones worked the whole field when at the plate, and plays smooth and quick on the infield. A name to follow as one of the top prospects in the IL 2029 class.

+ SS Todd Dulaney Jr. (Nazareth Academy, 2029) is a projectable 5-foot-10, 150-pound infielder with lean strength that had an eye opening performance at the Junior Future Games. Dulaney Jr. is one of the most athletic prospects to come out of this event from IL and it showed in the showcase as well as in gameplay. At the showcase, Dulaney Jr. had a max EV of 93 mph with an avg. of 83 mph and tossed 77 mph across the infield with soft hands and athletic actions. In his first at bat in gameplay, Dulaney Jr. sent one over the wall in left for a homer, and added two more hits throughout the weekend. Dunaley Jr. had an intriguing build and play style that is to be followed as he enters high school at powerhouse Nazareth Academy.

+ C/OF Jacob Kaspar (Brother Rice, 2029) flashed athleticism throughout the week. Kaspar is predominantly a catcher but has the ability to track down balls in the outfield. In the showcase, Kaspar peaked at 82 mph EV, tossed 71 mph from the chute, and flashed pop times as low as 1.94. In gameplay, reached base in four of his 11 at bats, and tallied a stolen base. Kaspar’s tools will continue to tick up as he gains more strength and becomes more physical throughout his high school career. An impressive performance defensively for the backstop.

+ OF Charlie Kohman (Downers Grove North, 2029) had arguably the most eye opening performances of the week for Team Illinois. In the showcase, Kohman reached 87 mph EVs, working line drives from gap-to-gap throughout the round and tossed 77 mph from the outfield. In gameplay, the bat to ball skills and true hit tool stood out. Kohman was 5-for-10 on the week with three RBIs and four runs. Played a smooth outfield and showed off the arm, throwing a runner out at home in the quarterfinals. Kohman is a name that will continue to tick up in the IL 2029 class.

+ C Mason Carlson (Joliet Catholic, 2029) really impressed behind the plate with his receiving and blocking ability, Carlson stole many strikes for our pitcher and saved a number of runs with his ability to block and hold runners on. Carlson broke out at the event with multiple clutch hits as well. In the showcase, Carlson had a max EV of 92 mph with an average of 85 mph and max distance of 339’. In gameplay, had two extra base hits, and drove in four runs in ten at bats. Carlson is a physical 5-foot-7, 192-pound backstop that showed mature catching ability. Carlson is a name to follow for JCA.

+ OF/RHP Tyler Lanzi (Providence Catholic, 2029) had one of the most intriguing performances at the showcase. Lanzi ran a 7.10 60-yard dash, tossed 80 mph from the outfield, and had a max EV of 92 mph, while working line drives throughout. Lanzi continued his success in gameplay as he tallied five hits in 11 ABs, two RBIs, three runs, and six stolen bases. Lanzi is quick and athletic on the bases and can be on third in two pitches every time he reaches base. Lanzi was important to our offense, aggressive, athletic, and smart on the bases. The tools are there for Lanzi and will continue to get better as he gets stronger. A defiant follow.

+ RHP Hector Valdez (Nazareth Academy, 2029) was given the ball in the first game of pool play and was effective. In three innings of work, allowed just two hits, two walks, and struck out four. Valdez worked a three pitch mix with his fastball at 77-80 T83 mph, a slider at 69-72 mph, and a changeup at 70 mph. Valdez was in control and got out to a hot start striking out the side in the first inning. Valdez’ velocity and spin rates will tick up with time, his ability to control the game was a tool that stood out.

+ 3B/RHP Jake Pisano (Providence Catholic, 2029) saved a number of runs with his defensive play at third base. Pisano made multiple diving/sliding plays throughout the weekend and made every play look easy. Pisano was on the barrel throughout the weekend though only one found the grass. The left-hander has a smooth swing with a lanky 6-foot-2, 160-pound frame. On the mound Pisano was up to 80 mph w/ sink on his fastball and showed a higher spinning curveball at 67-69 mph. An interesting prospect heading to Providence Catholic.

+ OF/RHP Paulie Hobbs (Marist, 2029) a physical 6-foot-1, 188-pound prospect that flashed all sorts of strength throughout the event. In the showcase, Hobbs sent his last two balls in BP over the wall in left center with a max distance of 379’ and a max EV of 98 mph (90 mph avg.) The outfielder also threw 85 mph from his respective position. In gameplay, Hobbs continued his success barreling balls left and right, finishing the week with 5-for-10 with a triple to right center, two RBIs, three runs, and three stolen bases. Hobbs also got the ball on the mound in the quarterfinal game against Mississippi and tossed three innings allowing two hits and struck out three. Hobbs’ fastball was 79-81 T83 mph with 17.4 in of avg. IVB, slider was low to mid 70s, and threw a changeup in the mid 70s. Hobbs has strength throughout and uses his physicality to his advantage. A prospect to follow coming out of the event.

+ OF/RHP Mason Koth (Jacobs, 2029) is another physical prospect standing 6-foot-2, 169-pounds, Koth impressed as an arm and a bat. Koth ran a 7.17 60-yard dash and tossed 80 mph from the outfield. During his round of BP, the right-hander reached 94 mph EVs with a max distance of 350’. In gameplay, Koth was 4-for-10 on the week with two doubles, drove in two and scored three times. On the mound, the right-hander was in relief and tossed two innings, allowing one hit and no runs. Koth is a name to follow heading into his freshman year for the Golden Eagles.

+ 1B/RHP Dempsey Steinmetz (Marist, 2029) showed some strength in both the showcase as well as gameplay. In the showcase portion, Steinmetz flashed a 95 mph max EV with a max distance of 360’. Also, threw 79 mph across the infield from first base. In gameplay, Steinmetz lined a ball over the wall in the first game of pool play for a homer, finished the week with three hits including two XBH, three RBIs, and three runs. On the mound, the right-hander worked a fastball up to 78 mph, a curveball in the high 60s, and a change in the low 70s. Steinmetz was a winner from the event, flashing some in-game juice and bat to ball skill.

+ RHP/CIF Leo Kelly (Loyola Academy, 2029) may have had the loudest showing on the mound of the week. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-hander got the start against Georgia and didn't disappoint. In four innings of work, Kelly allowed two hits and struck out one. Kelly’s fastball reached 84 mph, sitting 79-82 mph, the slider was in the low 70s, and a changeup in the mid to upper 70s. At the plate, Kelly was on the barrel throughout the tournament, finishing with a couple hits and loud out, including a double in the first game of bracket play. Kelly has the build and the tools to be a serious prospect, the velocity will continue to tick up and he will continue to be a tough at bat for hitters. A solid get for Loyola Academy.

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