On Monday, February 16th, our staff traveled to Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports in Lockport, IL for the Lockport Preseason ID. Historically one of our largest and more talented events, this year proved to be no different with roughly 150 players from around the state in attendance showing off their off-season gains. 

Today, we are continuing our post-event rollout with a look at every single catcher from the day, found below. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Austin Baranak, Joliet West (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9.3, 175-pounds. Proportional frame with room to add.
Hit: RHH. Even, balanced setup leg lift trigger. Handsy and direct path, works on top of the baseball, flashed feel to backspin the baseball in the air. 68.1 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (82.8 avg.); 333-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.16 pop time range; Squared setup and minimal wasted movement. Steady hands.
Athletic Testing: 7.49 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.50-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 56.14 Edge Score.

Austin Bielski, Lockport (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-7, 185-pounds. Compact frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Narrow upright setup, leg lift trigger. Direct and handsy path, up the middle approach, strong hands with feel for the barrel. 68.4 mph bat speed with 19g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (84.2 avg.); 328-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69 mph. Short arm action, plays over-the-top.
Defense: 2.39-2.44 pop time range; Low setup, flexible hips, works to present pitches.
Athletic Testing: 7.61 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 80.25 Edge Score.

Andrew Ceko, Minooka (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-3.4, 120-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, easy, short load. Level swing, controls the barrel, middle of the field approach. 60.9 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 mph max exit velocity (75.2 avg.); 298-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 63 mph. INF - 69 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.32-2.69 pop time range; INF: Steady feet, two hand gather into body, glove-pat transfer, deliberate actions. C: Active receiver, steady hands.
Athletic Testing: 7.92 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 67.54 Edge Score.

Dayne Darnall, Lane Tech (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 190-pounds.
Hit: SH. RH: Wide base, leg lift trigger, balanced.  LH- Wide stance, minimal stride, slightly crouched Direct path, with feel to elevate the ball in the air, works on plane. Controlled aggression. 66 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (79.6 avg.); 317-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.44-2.57 pop time range; Quiet receiver, presents pitches, soft glove hand. Flexible hips, low target.
Athletic Testing: 7.89 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 65.76 Edge Score.

Marc DeCarlo, Providence Catholic (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8.3, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed ,upright setup, short stride. Above-average bat speed, simple, short swing, and hard off the barrel at times 74.7 mph bat speed with 17g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 mph max exit velocity (76.7 avg.); 293-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 68 mph. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.16-2.19 pop time range; INF: Soft hand gather into body, comfortable on the move, glove-pat transfer, steady actions. C: Soft hands, works to present pitches at the bottom of the zone. Directional out of the crouch.
Athletic Testing: 8.22 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 49.68 Edge Score.

Ryan Dopke, Lockport (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-6.5, 140-pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced and wide setup, leg lift trigger, hands separate into load. Direct path, works on top of the baseball, pull side approach. 70 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 mph max exit velocity (77.4 avg.); 292-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 63 mph. INF - 62 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.44-2.60 pop time range; INF: Attacks the ball, two hand gather into body, short shuffle step to target, steady actions. C: Squared setup, steady hands.
Athletic Testing: 7.32 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 80.48 Edge Score.

Nate Druktenis, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-4.5, 130-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, fluid load and leg-kick trigger. Controls barrel, level path, spray approach. 63.3 mph bat speed with 16g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 80 mph max exit velocity (75.1 avg.); 210-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.36 pop time range; Low setup, flexible hips, works to present pitches. Clean release out of the crouch.
Athletic Testing: 8.19 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 53.89 Edge Score.

Andrew Glass, Plainfield North (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9.5, 180-pounds. Athletic frame, with a strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, knee knock trigger, repeats with rhythm. Direct path, handsy with extension through contact, pull side approach. 66.9 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (77.6 avg.); 192-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.20-2.35 pop time range; Sure-handed, sticks pitches in and around the zone; quality receiver. Clean out of the crouch.
Athletic Testing: 7.83 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 64.1 Edge Score.

Ethan Gonzalez, Fenwick (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8.8, 164-pounds. Compact frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide balanced setup, smooth load. Loose hands, controlled aggression, natural lift and pull-side tendencies. 67.9 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (89.5 avg.); 356-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. INF - 85 mph. C: Short, high 3/4 arm action, around the bag. INF: Short draw out of the glove, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.08 pop time range; INF: Two hand gather into body, gates around the ball, short shuffle step to target, athletic actions, feel for the position. Behind the plate, clean and repeatable out of the crouch, soft block.
Athletic Testing: 7.63 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 89.74 Edge Score.

Aiden Kandell, Lockport (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-6.9, 180-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, slightly crouched setup, short stride. Strong hands, pull-side approach, hard line drive contact at times. 64.3 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 mph max exit velocity (75.3 avg.); 248-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 66 mph. Easy arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.25-2.33 pop time range; One knee receiver, steady hands.
Athletic Testing: 8.75 runner in the 60-yard dash; 12.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 67.37 Edge Score.

Charlie Koridek, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-5.3, 120-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, minimal load and short stride. Loose hands, barrel control, line-drive, pull-side approach. 61.4 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (72.6 avg.); 218-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.21-2.34 pop time range; Soft hands, works to present pitches at the bottom of the zone, clean glove-to-hand release.
Athletic Testing: 8.32 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 71.3 Edge Score.

Casey McCleary, Stillman Valley (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0.7, 180-pounds. Athletic, long frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, early load, heel lift stride. Simple swing, long path, lifted approach, creates leverage. 70.9 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (86.9 avg.); 351-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.05-2.18 pop time range; Works to present pitches, quiet, soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.35 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.00-inch max vertical jump. 

Cal Miller, Batavia (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-7.3, 170-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, stride works to even, Stong hands, level through the zone, pull-side tendencies. 71.8 mph bat speed with 18g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (82.8 avg.); 318-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Short arm action, plays over-the-top.
Defense: 2.02-2.09 pop time range; Sticks pitches in and around the zone, strong wrists, quality presentation. Quick release.
Athletic Testing: 7.61 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 56.23 Edge Score.

Brady Moore, Lockport (IL), 2029
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-5, 145-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow setup, short stride. Simple swing, high hand set, whole field appraoch. 55.9 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 80 mph max exit velocity (72.5 avg.); 244-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.18-2.40 pop time range; Quick glove-to-hand release at times, replaces feet.
Athletic Testing: 8.01 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 75.14 Edge Score.

Tyler Phillips, St. Charles East (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic frame, lean with strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, leg lift trigger that works back to even. Direct path, feel to elevate through the middle of the field, uphill plane. 69.1 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (85.4 avg.); 303-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.14 pop time range; Loose, easy actions behind the plate. Clean and upright out of the crouch. Repeats.
Athletic Testing: 6.81 runner in the 60-yard dash; 26.90-inch max vertical jump. 

Nathan Pritchard, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-10.3, 180-pounds. Strong, long levered frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched open setup, short stride. Uphill path, pull side approach, strong hands, balanced finish. 69.4 mph bat speed with 19g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (87 avg.); 339-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.08-2.19 pop time range; One knee receiver, steady hands; directional out of the crouch, repeats.
Athletic Testing: 7.51 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.65 Edge Score.

Joseph Straub, Lockport (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-10.6, 174.6-pounds. Proportional frame, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, minimal load and no stride. Direct path, stays inside, level in the zone. 76.5 mph bat speed with 21g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (90.7 avg.); 333-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Loose arm action, low slot.
Defense: 2.10-2.27 pop time range; Sure-handed, clean release, directional.
Athletic Testing: 7.68 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.50-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 79.47 Edge Score.

Rahjon Williams, Rich Township High School (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-9, 205-pounds. Strong, compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, balanced setup, minimal load and short stride. Simple swing, strong hands, easy jump off the barrel. 67.2 mph bat speed with 4g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (81.5 avg.); 310-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 74 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.05-2.13 pop time range; Low setup, soft hands, present pitches and soft block. Quick glove-to-hand transfer.
Athletic Testing: 7.98 runner in the 60-yard dash; 15.50-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 67.83 Edge Score.

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