Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Lockport Preseason ID: Takeaways

February 24, 2026
Illinois Scouting Staff

On Monday, February 16th, our staff hosted the Lockport Preseason ID at Bo Jackson's Elite Sports in Lockport, IL. This event was host to nearly 150 players from around the state, and gave our staff an in-depth look at some of the area's top talent before the spring season fully kicks off.

Today, we are taking the time to spotlight some of the standouts from the day with scouting reports and video, below. 

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

POSITION PLAYERS

+ OF Oliver Gibson (Downers Grove North, 2027) took the loudest round of the event, compact strength to the frame standing at 5-foot-7, 173-pounds with strength and more room to add. At the plate, the right-handed hitter swung a violent and strong barrel throughout his round with some feel to consistently drive the baseball to the pullside. Loud contact throughout from a flat path with feel to drive the ball on a line and in the air reaching a peak EV of 106.8 mph throughout his round with multiple 100+ mph EVs to pair with bat speed averaging 73.3 mph throughout the round. Defensively the outfielder is a steady mover with feel to field the ball cleanly with an accurate arm. 6.74 runner in the 60. 

+ OF Michael Kalkowski (Lemont, 2027) athletic right-handed hitting outfielder that had a quality showing at the event. Standing at a proportional 5-foot-9, 172-pounds with strength to the frame. At the plate the right-handed hitter took an easy round of batting practice with feel to consistently work in sync and repeat during the round. The ball jumped off the barrel throughout the round and the overall barrel accuracy stood out to pair, reaching a peak EV of 95.6 mph with an average of 91.2 mph during the round. Ticking up considerably from last winter both in EVs and bat speed from the same low effort and simple swing. Defensively in the outfield showing steady actions and routes with feel to field the ball cleanly with arm strength up to 83 mph.

+ OF Caden Gabryel (St. Charles North, 2028) took without a doubt one of the loudest rounds of the day. The left-handed hitter showed an intentful swing with length through the zone, creating natural lift with a peak EV of 103 mph, averaging 93 mph throughout with a max distance of 404'. Strong swing, gets into his legs with uphill intent, pull-side approach throughout the round with lifted contact. 

+ OF Kyle Iott (South Elgin, 2027) had a strong showing throughout the event, strong 5-foot-7, 187-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with twitch. Started the day running a 6.83 60-yard dash with a 1.60 10-yard split before taking a quality round of batting practice. Consistently driving the baseball to the opposite field throughout the round from an athletic, strong and quick left-handed swing reaching a peak EV of 96.7 mph throughout the round. Defensively the outfielder is a clean mover with range to both sides with feel to field the ball cleanly and an accurate arm up to 87 mph.

+ OF Seamus O’Meara (Nazareth Academy, 2027) stands at a strong 5-foot-11, 192-pound frame with strength throughout the frame. At the plate the right-handed hitter took a loud round of batting practice, flashing feel for the barrel reaching a peak EV of 101.2 mph during the round while driving the baseball through the middle of the field. Defensively the outfielder plays with steady actions with feel to field the ball cleanly with an accurate arm up to 83 mph. 

+ OF Malcolm Donaldson (Lincoln Way East, 2028) was one of the top athletes in attendance regardless of class at the event. Standing in at a compact and athletic 5-foot-10, 156-pound frame with twitchy strength to the frame. Started the day by running the top 60-yard dash of the day at 6.52 with a 1.64 10-yard split, also testing near the top of the event in max jump height. At the plate the right-handed hitter swung a quick and upside bat, twitchy bat speed and the ball jumps when barreled, reaching a peak EV of 90.5 mph throughout the round. Defensively, the outfielder showed athletic actions and easy range with feel to field the ball cleanly, arm works over the top with accuracy working up to 82 mph.

+ OF Matthew Ritter (Lincoln Way East, 2028) is an athletic left-handed hitting outfielder that stood out during the position player workout. Standing at a projectable 6-foot, 178-pound frame with lean strength and room to continue to fill into. Simple left-handed swing with feel to drive the ball on a line through the middle of the field, reached a peak EV of 90.8 mph throughout the round with more impact on the way as he fills into the frame. Defensively the actions stood out in the outfield, smooth and clean routes with fluid feet and range to either side and feel to field the ball cleanly on the move. The arm works clean and athletic with easy arm strength up to 87 mph.

+ INF Alec Gilsinn (Marmion Academy, 2027) put together one of the better all-around performances at the event. A lean 6-foot-1, 173-pound right handed hitter, he began the event by running a 6.85 60 - good for eighth best at the event. He has an athletic swing with a flatter path that generated easy jump off the barrel; averaging 90.6 mph off the bat (T100.3) paired with a 348-foot max batted distance. Defensively, he showed athleticism, soft hands, fluid actions and an accurate arm that reached up to 83 mph.

+ INF Aiden Winston (Marion Catholic, 2029) was an impressive freshman bat in attendance. A left-handed hitter, his bat path works uphill, showing some intent to lift at times, while driving the ball to the middle/pull-side, flashing easy juice off the barrel - topping out at 93 mph off the bat, while additionally reaching a max batted distance of 357 feet.

+ INF Preston Morel (Aurora Christian, 2027) showed to be one of the better right-handed bats in attendance. Standing at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds with some present strength in the frame, he showed line drive intent with a flatter path, paired with easy jump off the barrel; averaging 93.5 mph off the bat - good for second-best for the event (T97 mph), and also putting up an average batted distance of 292 feet - also good for second-best for the event (T374 feet).

+ INF Vinny Stubitsch (St. Rita, 2027) was on the barrel from the right side during his round. Working with a longer, slightly uphill swing, he averaged 90.2 mph off the bat (T95.8) and also averaged 239 feet on his batted balls (T353’). 

+ INF Lucas Kulaga (Naperville Central, 2029) is an upside left-handed bat to follow for the coming years. At 6-foot, 163-pounds, he flashed jump off the barrel at times to the pull-side (T88 mph EV) with an uphill path, utilizing his levers well. 

Some other infielders who had strong showings that deserve a mention include Miguel Ibarra Cantu (Glenbard North, 2027), Bryce Ramos (Providence Catholic, 2029), and Grant Liebing (Lemont, 2027).

TWO-WAYS

+ OF Jackson Smith (Alleman, 2028) is an athletic sophomore that had a quality performance at the event. Standing at an athletic 6-foot-1, 187-pound frame with a strong lower half and additional room for added physicality. Athletically was one of the top ‘28s in attendance as well running a 6.89 60-yard dash with a 1.65 10-yard split in addition to jumping 27.2 inches on the vertical. At the plate the right-handed hitter swung an athletic and accurate barrel with feel to consistently driving the ball through the middle of the field, reaching a peak EV of 96.6 mph with an average of 91.3 mph. Defensively the outfielder worked around the baseball with some range with an accurate arm up to 84 mph. On the mound the right-hander tossed an intriguing ‘pen showing feel to repeat a simple and easy delivery with a clean and quick arm action. Three pitch mix, the fastball cruised in the low-80s (T83.3 mph) with life, showed feel to turn over a running changeup in the zone while flashing a breaking ball with 11/5 action. 

+ INF/RHP Everett Smith (Alleman Catholic, 2029) was a freshman right-handed hitter who was on the barrel to all fields with backspin during his round of BP. His swing works loose and slightly uphill while working the ball to the middle/pull-side. He would top out at 92.4 mph off the bat. Smith also gave an upside look on the mound; he sat 75-77 mph with his fastball, while tossing in a 64-67 mph curveball for strikes 67% of the time, and rounding out his mix with a 69-73 mph changeup. 

+ INF/RHP Drew Mandros (Lockport, 2029) is another upside two-way prospect to know from the event. Standing at 6-foot, 175-pounds, he swung it well from the right side of the dish; he showed a direct path that works on top of the baseball with strong hands, while topping out at 90 mph off the bat. His Blast metrics were impressive for his age; posting an average bat speed of 73.3 mph, as well as an average hand speed of 21.7 mph. On the mound, he worked up to 81 mph with his fastball, sitting in the 78-80 mph range. He also showed a 62-64 mph curveball and a 69-71 mph changeup on this day.

+ INF/RHP Antonio Britton (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2029) was a big winner all-around coming off the event. The athletic 5-foot-9, 157-pound R/R prospect began his day with a 7.01 60 time. He then swung it well during batting practice; showing line drive intent with a flatter path, working to the middle/pull-side with some jump off the barrel (T90 mph EV). Defensively, he showed advanced actions for his age up the middle, playing with athletic feet and a quick release, working up to 83 mph from across the infield. On the bump, he showed a long, minimal effort arm path that produced a fastball at 79-81 mph, working up to 83 mph with significant carry (avg. 22.7” IVB - led the event). He showed a change-up that sat 72-75 mph, and a slider that played with short 10/4 shape at 70-72 mph. 

+ RHP/INF Colton Carli (Providence Catholic, 2027) showed athletic and quick actions on the mound with a full arm circle that produced a fastball at 88-89 mph, topping out at 89.7 mph. He showed feel at times for a quality change-up in the mid-70s that played with sinking action, and a curveball that sat 72-75 mph with 11/5 shape, landing it in and around the bottom part of the zone. There’s strength and athleticism in his 5-foot-9, 169-pound frame, and he’s an arm to monitor this spring. Carli also showed advanced, confident actions on the infield, with the necessary tools to stick up the middle at the next level.

+ RHP/INF Ian Crabb (Harrisburg, 2027) is an uncommitted two-way prospect to know from the event. A physical 5-foot-9, 178-pound prospect, the right-handed hitter flashed some easy juice off the barrel from the right side and also showed to be a reliable defender up the middle. On the mound, he had a loud showing; with his fastball working up to 87 mph with above-average spin (avg. 2486 rpm) while also showing carry (avg. 20” IVB - second-best for event). He had high-feel for his offspeed during the ‘pen as well; showing sharp depth on his 76-77 mph curveball and also throwing a firm changeup at 80-81 mph for strikes 60% of the time.

PITCHER ONLYS

+ RHP Gavin Shimizu (Yorkville, 2028) attended his first Prep Baseball event and emerged as one of the biggest winners from the event. Starting with the frame, Shimizu stands in a 6-foot-1, 183-pound frame with clean athleticism and projection. He moved quick down the mound with loose, athletic actions, paired with clean, quick, and loose arm path that worked out of a high ¾ slot. In this look, his fastball sat 85-87 mph and played clean out of the hand with clear life through the zone. He turned to a curveball that sat 72-74 mph with heavy spin (avg. 2567), throwing it hard with sharp, 12/6 bite that he could locate low in the zone. Shimizu also threw a slider at 73-77 mph with sharp, horizontal bite, averaging 2574 rpm and -16 inches of horizontal movement. He rounded out his four-pitch arsenal with a change-up that played with slight fade at 78-80 mph. The athleticism, current polish, and frame make Shimizu a high-follow prospect heading into the spring and forward.

+ LHP AJ Minderman (Geneva, 2028) stands in a long-levered, wiry frame with plenty of projection still to come at 6-foot, 126-pounds. There’s minimal wasted movement from Minderman on the mound, it’s loose and repeatable with clear arm speed, showcasing a fastball up to 80 mph with arm-side action at times. He maintained arm speed with his change-up that sat 71-73 mph with slight fade and depth, and he showed feel for a curveball at 65-67 mph with 1/7 shape that played with depth low in the zone. Minderman emerged as a follow arm in the state’s sophomore class after his showing in Lockport.

+ RHP Mike Shea (Oswego East, 2027) stands in a 6-foot-2, 188-pound frame with clear strength throughout. He’s a simple mover on the mound with a long arm action that works out of a ¾ slot. His fastball comes out of the hand clean and plays with life through the zone, sitting 86-87 mph. Shea mixed in a curveball at 74-76 mph with an average of -12.3 inches of horizontal movement and an average of -5.6 inches induced vertical break. He rounded out his three-pitch mix with a change-up that he threw with fastball intent and it played with slight fade at 80-81 mph. Uncommitted heading into the spring, Shea is an arm to know.

+ RHP Andrew Evans (St. Charles East, 2027) stands in a lean 6-foot-1, 168-pound frame with room for added strength. On the mound, he’s a simple mover with a compact arm path. His fastball sat in the low-80s and reached up to 84.8 mph with four-seam actions through the zone. He turned to a slider that played with short 10/4 shape at 74-75 mph and a change-up with sinking action at 76-78 mph. Evans also mixed in a sinker that worked up to 81.5 mph with similar traits to his four-seam fastball. He’s an uncommitted follow moving forward.

+ RHP Sully Rosner (Benet Academy, 2029) is a name that continues to make strides in front of our staff. Rosner stands in an athletic, wiry frame at 6-foot, 152-pounds with plenty of physical development still to come. On the mound he’s a loose and easy mover, with a long and clean arm path that worked out of a ¾ slot. His fastball sat 80-81 mph while topping out at 81.9 mph with arm-side run at times. He turned to a change-up that played with fade and depth, sitting at 70-71 mph, and a curveball at 64-67 mph with 11/5 shape. He showed feel for his three-pitch mix, and looks like he will continue to be a high-follow arm in the class.

+ LHP Veer Jiyani (St. Charles East, 2028) impressed during his ‘pen, starting with his athletic frame with seemingly more strength to come. He’s a loose and athletic mover on the mound with a full arm circle that has clear acceleration out front, showcasing a low-80s fastball that worked up to 82.7 mph with arm-side run. Jiyani turned to a change-up with his next offering, sitting 61-64 mph with sinking action, and he showed feel to land a curveball for strikes which sat 62-67 mph with 1/7 shape.

+ RHP Cooper Chapple (Waubonsie Valley, 2027) is an uncommitted arm to continue to follow after the event. Presenting a wiry frame at 6-foot-3, 165-pounds with room to mature physically in the coming years, he showed an intriguing three-pitch mix. His fastball sat 85-87 mph with arm-side run (avg. 16.4” HM). He tossed in a 70-74 mph curveball with above-average spin (avg. 2379 rpm), and rounded things out with a 73-76 mph changeup that displayed significant fade (avg. 17.6” HM). Chapple will be a name to watch this spring. 

+ RHP Christian Walania (Lyons Township, 2027) is an intriguing 6-foot-4, 185-pound prospect to know coming off the event. He had high strike-feel for his fastball/curveball combo; with his fastball sitting 83-85 mph with sink (avg. 5.5” IVB) - thrown in the zone 83% of the time, while his curveball played in the 70-72 mph range with sweeping action (avg. -15.2” IVB) - thrown for strikes 60% of the time. Walania also mixed in a changeup at 80-82 mph. Another arm to watch in the Chicagoland area this spring.

Related Content