On Wednesday, February 19th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled down to Peoria, IL for the Peoria Preseason ID held at the Louisville Slugger Dome. This event is a great opportunity for our staff to get a look at players from the central part of the state, as well as the surrounding areas.

Today we are continuing our post-event rollout with a look at all the infielders from the day, along with a ranking of who our staff deemed as the top infield prospects.

There were a plethora of underclassmen to know from the day, with names like Jameson Hanlon (Newman Central Catholic, 2028), Max Virgil (Washington, 2028), Ethan Cour (Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2027), Quentin Hale (Glenwood, 2027), Dean Marchand (Dunlap, 2028), Crayton Schnierle (Bloomington Central Catholic, 2027) and Braxton Hightower (Peoria Notre Dame, 2028) all showing well for themselves.

Camden Taylor (Morton, 2026) is an uncommitted junior to know, showing a smooth left-handed swing that stayed through the zone (T90 mph EV).

Another uncommitted junior that stood out is Quinn Scott (United Township), a physical 6-foot-4 right-handed hitter that was up to 100 mph for his EV. He showed easy strength throughout his round while working on the barrel, also reaching up to 346’ for his max distance.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

1. Kash VanHouten, Canton (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 179 pounds. Lean, athletic frame with room for added strength in the future.
Hit: RHH. Medium base, small leg lift stride that gains ground. Strong hands, flat-path, line-drive approach. 65.6 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (90 avg.); 375-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 94 mph. Medium draw out of the glove, quick arm action, ¾ slot. Explosive.
Defense: Ultra athletic movements, quick transfers, gets around the baseball, plays with rhythm.
Athletic Testing: 6.97 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.80-inch max vertical jump.

2. Evan Daxenbichler, Limestone (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 185 pounds. Lean frame.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced setup, hangs foot into short stride. Easy and balanced, some strength at impact, quick from launch with intent to lift, showed the ability to use the whole field. 68.9 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 mph max exit velocity (79.8 avg.); 325-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm release, quick arm action. Accurate.
Defense: Athletic movements, plays on the move, gets around the ball, active feet.
Athletic Testing: 7.37 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 66.79 Edge Score.

3. Parker Roop, Normal University (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 155 pounds. Trim, high-waisted build with room for added strength in the future.
Hit: LHH. Wide base, toe-taps into a long stride. Rhythm, loose hands, flat path, pull-side approach. 70 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (84.4 avg.); 319-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Quick/compact arm action, ¾ slot.
Defense: Hands work, gets around the ball, moves well laterally, athletic footwork.
Athletic Testing: 7.42 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.21 Edge Score.

4. Dominic Stottler, United Township (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 6-0, 171 pounds. Some present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base with a slight bend, upright, small stride. Intent to elevate, strong hands, long, uphill bat path, pull-side approach. 63.7 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (85.7 avg.); 344-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. OF - 79 mph. Longer arm action.
Defense: OF: Plays with leverage, gets behind the ball, one-hand gather out front. INF: Plays with some bounce, two-hand gather out front, secures into body, athletic movements.
Athletic Testing: 7.02 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 55.21 Edge Score.

T5. Camden Vescogni, Washington (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-3, 205 pounds. Lean, well-proportioned build.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, works towards the plate, small leg lift into long stride. Easy juice, strong hands, pull-side approach, uphill bat path. 76.1 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 mph max exit velocity (88.6 avg.); 342-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Longer draw out of the glove, ¾ slot. Accurate.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, secures into body, glove-pat transfer.
Athletic Testing: 7.39 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 63.9 Edge Score.

T5. Mason Phillips, Washington (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 210 pounds. Strong and sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced base, short stride. Strong, flat path, gap-to-gap approach. 74.2 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (84.6 avg.); 376-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Easy, compact arm action, high ¾ slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, easy movements, glove-pat transfer, athletic.
Athletic Testing: 7.79 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 86.41 Edge Score.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Alfred Ayala, Galesburg (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 195 pounds. Well-proportioned frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide, slightly open base, long knee-knock stride works back to even. Strong hands, looks to lift at times up the middle. 63.4 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (72.5 avg.); 307-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 79 mph. C: Compact/quick arm action, high ¾ slot. INF:
Defense: 2.10-2.18 pop time range; C: One-knee receiver, simple receiver. Quick and athletic out of the crouch, quick feet, clean exchanges. INF: Plays low to the ground, two-hand gather out front, secures into body.
Athletic Testing: 7.28 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.4 Edge Score.

Ethan Cour, Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 165 pounds. Trim build with room for added strength in the future.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, short stride. Loose and whippy, flat path, pull-side approach. 67.5 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (81 avg.); 337-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. OF - 82 mph. OF: Loose, full arm action, high ¾ slot. INF: Compact, ¾ slot.
Defense: OF: Smooth and easy athletic movements, clean one-hand gather off front foot. INF: Two-hand gather out front, reliable exchanges, athletic actions.
Athletic Testing: 7.27 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 68.65 Edge Score.

Collin Crumrine, Normal Community (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 5-10, 170 pounds. Athletic frame with a high waist.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, controlled load, creates some separation in the hands into footstrike. Simple with some strength at impact, balanced, looked to use the whole field. 76 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (87.4 avg.); 331-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. High 3/4 slot.
Defense: Moves well laterally, steady hands and transfers, deliberate actions.
Athletic Testing: 7.50 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 57.35 Edge Score.

Zach Darras, United Township (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 180 pounds. Long-levered frame, proportionate, room to add strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, medium stride, minimal and simple hand load. Works to stay on top of the baseball, longer path through the zone, pull-side approach. 74.7 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (82.3 avg.); 232-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. High 3/4 release.
Defense: Plays low, hands work out front, showed some range up the middle, clean transfers.
Athletic Testing: 7.32 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.88 Edge Score.

Tanner Dye, Rockridge (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 171 pounds. High-waisted frame with room to add strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, quick lift and place stride, loads the hands into footstrike. Longer and flat path, flashed some hard contact with lift to the pull-side. 73.8 mph bat speed with 21g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (89.9 avg.); 358-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Compact slot.
Defense: Quick feet, athletic mover, plays low and through the baseball.
Athletic Testing: 7.79 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 77.35 Edge Score.

Quinten Hale, Glenwood (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-11, 175 pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, works towards the plate with a medium stride. Stays through the zone with a long, flat path. 70.8 mph bat speed with 17g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (75.7 avg.); 298-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short/compact arm action, high ¾ slot.
Defense: Smooth hands, easy actions, active feet, secures into body.
Athletic Testing: 7.31 runner in the 60-yard dash; 25.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 56.92 Edge Score.

Jameson Hanlon, Newman Central Catholic (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 152 pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room for added strength in the future.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced base, small stride. Longer, flat path, stays through the zone with extension through impact. 67.5 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 mph max exit velocity (79.7 avg.); 305-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short, compact arm action, ¾ slot.
Defense: Plays with bounce, quick feet, athletic actions, two-hand gather out front, steady exchanges.
Athletic Testing: 7.53 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 50.08 Edge Score.

Braxton Hightower, Peoria Notre Dame (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 5-11, 225.5 pounds. Strong, sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, hangs foot into a long stride. Strong hands with bat-speed, intent to lift to the whole field. 69.4 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (84.5 avg.); 309-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Long, ¾ slot.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, secures into body, easy/simple movements.
Athletic Testing: 7.90 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 50.12 Edge Score.

Boston Katz, Heyworth (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165 pounds. Proportionate frame.
Hit: . Balanced base, toe-taps into a medium stride, some load in the hands at footstrike. Longer and flat path, on the barrel some with line-drive contact. 69.5 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (84 avg.); 302-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. High 3/4, arm has life.
Defense: Sure-handed, hands work out front, glove-tap for timing and rhythm, clean round.
Athletic Testing: 7.41 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.50-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 54.74 Edge Score.

Auggie Lohnes, East Peoria (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-0, 233.3 pounds. Mature build, present strength and physicality.
Hit: RHH. Medium base, long stride. Strong with bat-speed, works flat through the zone with some length, pull-side approach, flashed big juice to the pull-side. 77.8 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (86.5 avg.); 389-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. High 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady two-hand gather, active feet around the bag.
Athletic Testing: 7.63 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 64.2 Edge Score.

Dean Marchand, Dunlap (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-5, 135 pounds. Well-proportioned frame with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, hangs foot into long stride. Fluid hands with bat-speed, uphill path, pull-side power. 70.5 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 mph max exit velocity (79.6 avg.); 324-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Loose arm action, multiple arm slots.
Defense: Plays low to the ground, works through the ball, two-hand gather out front, palsy on the move.
Athletic Testing: 7.97 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 52.61 Edge Score.

Ben McDaniel, Champaign Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-2, 215 pounds. Present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Tall, closed setup, coils into small stride. Direct to the baseball, strong hands, on the barrel up the middle with hard line-drives. 71.1 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 mph max exit velocity (82.5 avg.); 301-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. High 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, two-hands gather works out front.
Athletic Testing: 7.60 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.9-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 71.37 Edge Score.

Nico Ojeda, Galesburg (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-11, 200 pounds. Present strength throughout.
Hit: LHH. Wide, balanced base, small leg lift in small stride. Compact and strong, intent to lift pull-side, bat-speed through the zone. 71.4 mph bat speed with 24g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (84.5 avg.); 362-foot max batted distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 76 mph. Arm plays.
Defense: Easy transfer, soft hands, one-hand gather out front, moves well around the bag.
Athletic Testing: 8.27 runner in the 60-yard dash; 12.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.05 Edge Score.

AJ Ozier, Springfield (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-3, 195 pounds. Athletic build with present strength throughout, still has room for more fill.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, coils into back hip with a toe-tap stride. Strong hands, long path through the zone, flashed hard lifted contact to the pull-side. 69.5 mph bat speed with 3g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (85.6 avg.); 340-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Fast arm action.
Defense: Works around the ball, clean round, two-hand gather that secures the ball out front.
Athletic Testing: 7.85 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 55.5 Edge Score.

Jude Parnham, Morton (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 190 pounds. Broad shoulders, present strength throughout, evenly distributed.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced base, stays in his legs. Flat path, strong hands with some whip in the barrel. 68.8 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (79.4 avg.); 249-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. High 3/4 release, arm plays.
Defense: Athletic, quick first step, moves well laterally, sure-handed actions.
Athletic Testing: 7.35 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 77.1 Edge Score.

Nico Salvati, Normal Community (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 5-10, 190 pounds. Evenly proportioned with some strength present.
Hit: RHH. Tall, medium base, small stride. Simple and easy effort, works to stay on top of the baseball. 63.5 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 mph max exit velocity (80.5 avg.); 216-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. High 3/4 release.
Defense: Two-hand gather works out front, shuffles through the baseball.
Athletic Testing: 7.80 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.89 Edge Score.

Crayton Schnierle, Bloomington Central Catholic (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-1, 165 pounds. Projectable, high-waisted build with room to add strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, athletic setup, hangs foot into a medium stride. Works direct to the baseball, stays through the zone with some extension through impact, flatter path, some whip in the barrel with athletic hands. 66.4 mph bat speed with 18g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 mph max exit velocity (83.3 avg.); 301-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. OF - 80 mph. Over the top, short on the backside, quick arm.
Defense: OF: Flows with ease, soft one-hand gather. INF- Quick feet, hands work out front, shuffles through the ball with timing.
Athletic Testing: 7.31 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 66.89 Edge Score.

Quinn Scott, United Township (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/C
Body: 6-3, 250 pounds. Strong and sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced setup, toe-taps into small stride. Easy strength to pull-side, uphill bat path, strong hands, gap-to-gap approach. 70.1 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 mph max exit velocity (86.7 avg.); 346-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Clean arm action, high ¾ slot.
Defense: Smooth, easy movements, two-hand gather into body.
Athletic Testing: 7.73 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 81.79 Edge Score.

Cole Smith, Metamora (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-3, 175 pounds. Highly projectable frame, lean with room to add strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, simple and short knee-knock stride. Direct path to the baseball, looseness in the hands. 73.5 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (80.7 avg.); 278-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. 3/4 release.
Defense: Smooth transition, easy hands that work out front, plays on the run.
Athletic Testing: 7.12 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 60.55 Edge Score.

Camden Taylor, Morton (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 170 pounds. Proportionate frame, room to fill out.
Hit: LHH. Closed, tall base, small leg lift into long stride. Fluid, stays through the zone, balanced, pull-side approach. 66.9 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 mph max exit velocity (79.4 avg.); 341-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. High 3/4.
Defense: Quick transfer, presents the glove and uses a two-hand gather out front, confident in the backhand.
Athletic Testing: 7.45 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.25 Edge Score.

Maxwell Virgil, Washington (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 150 pounds. Compact frame with some strength.
Hit: LHH. Balanced base with a slight bend, upright with a small stride. Fluid hands and swing, easy pull-side power, gap-to-gap approach, up-hill bat path that is direct to the ball. 66.9 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (77.8 avg.); 294-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Compact, whippy arm action, low ¾ slot.
Defense: Easy movements, active feet, two-hand gather out front, secures into body.
Athletic Testing: 7.55 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.62 Edge Score.

---

RELATED CONTENT