On Sunday, February 15th, our staff traveled over to MVP Sports in Lake Zurich, IL for the Lake Zurich Preseason ID. This year was the first time our staff has run this event, and it proved to be an event our staff hopes to continue to run on an annual basis. 

Today, we continue our post-event rollout by taking a look at the scouting reports for all catchers in attendance as well as a Top-3 ranking of the day's top performers at that position. 

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

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Sebastian Urbanowski, Loyola Academy (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 190-pounds. Lean, present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, step-back stride, aggressive lower-half. Strong hands, uphill path with intent to lift, uses the middle of the field, hands work on top of the ball at times. 76.3 mph bat speed with 23g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 mph max exit velocity (87.6 avg.); 370-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot, aggressive.
Defense: 2.12-2.16 pop time range; Plays through the ball, feet work inline, quick transfers. Receiving: Comfortable one-knee setup, flashes large target pre-pitch, works up through the baseball, works to present pitches.
Athletic Testing: 7.33 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.50-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 68.29 Edge Score.

2. Maddux Heilman, Palatine (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Trim, wiry frame with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, quiet pre-pitch setup, short leg kick stride, linear lower-half. Loose swing, longer flat path, works uphill at times, uses the middle of the field, athletic, line drive approach. 69.5 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (84.4 avg.); 265-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 76 mph. INF: Short arm action, throws from multiple slots. C: Compact, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.16-2.31 pop time range; INF: Clean actions, moves well, quick transfer, clean double play, athletic. C: Quick feet, directional, clean transfers. Receiving: Relaxed one-knee setup, presents large target pre-pitch, comfortable receiving actions.
Athletic Testing: 7.25 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 64.85 Edge Score.

T3. Alex Rodriguez, Willowbrook (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10.5, 195-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, feet point inward, slight rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, short stride, linear lower-half. Strong hands, flatter path, tight turn, generates jump off the barrel, works middle/pull-side with hard line drives. mph bat speed with g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 mph max exit velocity (89.3 avg.); 329-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short, whippy, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.11 pop time range; Clean transfers, quality actions, smooth, has feel for the position. Receiving: Square setup, flashes target pre-pitch, works up through the baseball, willing blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.52 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74.13 Edge Score.

T3. Boedi Newsom, Crystal Lake Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9.5, 150-pounds. Proportional frame with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, short leg kick stride, utilizes lower-half. Longer path with flatness through the zone, hands work on top of the ball, middle of the field approach. 65.6 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (75.2 avg.); 207-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short, whippy, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.10 pop time range; Steady actions, quick transfers, feet work inline. Receiving: One-knee setup, flashes target pre-pitch, steady receiver.
Athletic Testing: 7.24 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 76.52 Edge Score.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Ben Cortez, Schaumburg Christian School (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-2, 203-pounds. Mature, proportional frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, short leg kick stride gains ground, aggressive lower-half. Strong, uphill path, pull-side intent, hard elevated contact at times. 70.6 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (85.5 avg.); 334-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.21-2.38 pop time range; Works through the ball, clean footwork, works inline, steady transfers. Receiving: Comfortable one-knee setup, presents target pre-pitch, steady receiver.
Athletic Testing: 7.52 runner in the 60-yard dash; -inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 59.99 Edge Score.

Kieran Crothers, Grayslake Central (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Proportional frame with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, toe-tap stride works back to even, utilizes lower-half. Strong hands, slightly uphill path, generates natural loft at times, hard elevated contact middle/pull-side. 61 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 mph max exit velocity (80.4 avg.); 311-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. Short, whippy, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.37-2.41 pop time range; Steady transfers, feet work inline, flashes athleticism out of the crouch. Receiving: One-knee setup, flashes target pre-pitch, steady receiver.
Athletic Testing: 7.91 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 64.45 Edge Score.

Brady Fischer, New Trier Township (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1.5, 175-pounds. High-waisted build with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, short stride, aggressive lower-half. Levers, uphill path, intent to lift, works primarily to the middle of the field. 66.3 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (78.8 avg.); 241-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.09-2.15 pop time range; Steady transfers, feet work inline, steady actions. Receiving: One-knee setup, presents large target pre-pitch, steady receiver.
Athletic Testing: 7.58 runner in the 60-yard dash; 25.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 64.26 Edge Score.

Devon Fuller, Glenbrook North (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-6, 145-pounds. Compact build.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, open setup, short stride works back to even, utilizes lower-half. Uphill path, longer swing, intent to lift, middle/oppo approach. 59.8 mph bat speed with 17g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 81 mph max exit velocity (74.6 avg.); 253-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.33 pop time range; Plays through the ball, clean transfers out of the chute, directional, feel for the position. Receiving: Comfortable one-knee setup, presents large target pre-pitch, works up through the baseball, comfortable receiver.
Athletic Testing: 8.19 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 63.27 Edge Score.

Blake Ides, Genoa-Kingston (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9.5, 148-pounds. Trim, wiry frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, step-back stride, utilizes lower-half. Longer swing, works slightly uphill, hands work on top of the ball at times, some intent to lift, middle of the field approach. 62.1 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 mph max exit velocity (83.5 avg.); 287-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. OF - 80 mph. OF: Half circle, 3/4 slot. C: Compact, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.27-2.39 pop time range; OF: Easy mover, one hand gather off front foot. C: Steady transfers, feet work inline. Receiving: Comfortable one-knee setup, presents large target pre-pitch, works up through the baseball, works to present pitches.
Athletic Testing: 7.30 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 58.19 Edge Score.

Ash Marcel, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds. Proportional frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, short leg kick stride works back to even, linear lower-half. Strong hands, flatter path with some length through the zone, flashes barrel strength. 65.4 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (87.5 avg.); 327-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot, aggressive.
Defense: 2.13-2.22 pop time range; Plays through the ball, smooth transfers, directional, clean actions. Receiving: Flexible one-knee setup, flashes target pre-pitch, works up through the baseball, loose-wristed, works to present pitches.
Athletic Testing: 7.00 runner in the 60-yard dash; 26.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 77.29 Edge Score.

Cooper Olmstead, Huntley (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Proportional frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, some pre-pitch rhythm throughout, short stride, aggressive lower-half. Longer path, line drive oriented, hands work on top of the ball, shows the ability to go the other way with it. 62.7 mph bat speed with 18g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 mph max exit velocity (75.8 avg.); 253-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.21-2.40 pop time range; Deliberate actions, steady transfers, feet work inline. Receiving: Square setup, presents large target pre-pitch, steady receiver.
Athletic Testing: 7.76 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 65.44 Edge Score.

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