Peoria Preseason ID: Takeaways

February 26, 2026
Illinois Scouting Staff

On Wednesday, February 18th, our staff traveled down to the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria, IL for the Peoria Preseason ID. This event was host to around 60 players from the central/southern parts of the state, and helped our staff get a quality look at a number of players from the area before the IHSA season gets into swing.

Today, we are spotlighting some of our favorites from the day with this takeaways piece, with scouting reports and video found below.

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

POSITION PLAYERS

+ INF Jake Weeks (Dunlap, 2027) will be a name to follow in the coming years, looking like an upside left-handed hitter with athletic actions on the infield. At the plate, he has a fluid and handsy swing with feel to use the whole field with some spray to the gaps. On the infield, he’s a natural and athletic mover with soft hands, moving well to both sides of his glove with crisp transfers and a strong arm to pair (T85 mph).

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 INF Jake Weeks (Dunlap, 2027) 5-11 | 165 lbs Upside athletic LH swing, M2C physically. Natural defender on the dirt with a strong arm (T85 mph). 👤: <a href="https://t.co/VeXu99fNxY">https://t.co/VeXu99fNxY</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hygent1Oe9">pic.twitter.com/Hygent1Oe9</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026824689004277764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ INF Braxton Hightower (Dunlap, 2028) looked to be one of the more polished bats on the day, showing easy strength at impact with a flat, fluid swing. There was some flick in the barrel with minimal effort, peaking at 93.4 mph for his EV with a peak bat-speed of 71 mph. Hitterish look that should likely translate into gameplay.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 CIF Braxton Hightower (Dunlap, 2028) 🔺93.4 mph peak EV 🔺T343' max distance 👤: <a href="https://t.co/NOj93NZz90">https://t.co/NOj93NZz90</a> <a href="https://t.co/IR4TZJFQVd">pic.twitter.com/IR4TZJFQVd</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026835951108985238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ OF Quentin Hale (Glenwood, 2027) is another upside right-handed hitter from the day, taking a loud round with a peak EV of 98 mph. He has a fluid, rhythmic swing that stays on-time, working on top of the baseball with an accurate barrel. He’s made some notable strides to his 60-time, cutting down from a 7.31 in 2025 to a 7.03. Steady actions in the outfield with soft hands, arm plays with some life to his target (T85 mph).

+ INF Bradley Jones (Mahomet-Seymour, 2028) will be a name to follow closely in the coming years. A constant in-game performer for our staff, Jones took one of the more impressive rounds of BP with a 97.6 mph peak EV, averaging 91 mph throughout his round. The right-handed hitter has a strong, uphill swing with the ability to match plane, covering the entire plate and zone with ease while staying on-time and on the barrel. Defensively, he showed easy and athletic movements with sure-handed actions, paired with clean transfers.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 INF Bradley Jones (Mahomet-Seymour, 2028) 5-10 | 184 lbs 🔺97.6 mph peak EV 🔺91.6 mph avg. EV 🔺7.07 runner 👤: <a href="https://t.co/NTuwkptDBI">https://t.co/NTuwkptDBI</a> <a href="https://t.co/LDZeC4TLAI">pic.twitter.com/LDZeC4TLAI</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026839762749825097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ INF/OF Caleb Zellers (Heyworth, 2028) emerged as a must-follow left-handed hitter from the day. Arguably the best all-around round of BP, Zellers wore out the middle of the field with line-drives and some lifted contact, backspinning the ball naturally with a peak EV of 98 mph - averaging 94 mph with a max distance of 365’. It’s a simple and strong swing with bat-speed, staying balanced through impact and repeating barrel accuracy with ease. Steady defender with serviceable actions both in the infield and outfield. Arm has sufficient strength with more to come, topping at 81 mph on the infield and 80 from the outfield.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 OF Caleb Zellers (Heyworth, 2028) 5-8 | 181 lbs 🔺98.4 mph peak EV 🔺94.2 mph avg. EV 🔺T365' max distance 👤: <a href="https://t.co/enM9Fidw07">https://t.co/enM9Fidw07</a> <a href="https://t.co/hZJmXg3ZzT">pic.twitter.com/hZJmXg3ZzT</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026832192244941046?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ INF Carter Reiners and OF Collin Kearfott are a couple Normal Community juniors that showed well on the day.

Reiners, a 6-foot, 211-pound strong right-handed hitter, showed a flat swing with length through the zone and bat-speed, peaking at 97 mph for his EV while averaging 90 mph. He also showed impressive bat-speed, averaging nearly 71 mph throughout his round.

Kearfott is a compact left-handed hitter with a clean, simple swing, looking to keep the ball on a line with some lift at times. The power will continue to come as he matures but there is definitely some present strength in his frame.

+ INF Wade Naylor (Springfield Lutheran, 2026) is an uncommitted junior to follow from the day. Listed at 5-foot-10, 217-pounds, there’s some present strength in the frame with some real power potential. The left-handed hitter has a simple swing that gets spread out and uses the ground, looking to elevate the baseball to the whole field with an uphill path, peaking at 94 mph for his EV.

INF Maxwell Virgil (Washington, 2028), 1B Aaron VanOpdorp (Normal Community, 2028) and OF Hunter Barber (Pawnee, 2027) are a trio of bats that deserve a mention from the day.

Virgil has a clean, upside left-handed swing with balance, showing easy and relaxed hands with whip in the barrel. The power will continue to come as he adds to his projectable 6-foot, 174-pound frame - he’s also an above-average runner with a 7.08 in the 60 and 1.68 for the 10-yard split.

VanOpdorp took one of the louder rounds on the day, averaging 90 mph while peaking at 99 mph in his round. The right-handed hitter has a simple, flat swing with obvious strength, and there’s also some present bat-speed (70 mph avg.) while working on-plane.

Barber looks to be a toolsy prospect to make note of, pairing a 6.82 in the 60 with strength in his right-handed bat - peaking at 95 mph for his EV with a pull-side approach and natural lift, also showing clear bat-speed (70 mph avg.).

TWO-WAYS

+ INF/RHP Collin Crumrine (Normal Community, 2028) was far and away one of the day’s biggest winners at the plate, launching balls over 100 mph routinely. The right-handed hitter showed a natural ability to work on top of the baseball with strong hands and some length through the zone, creating natural lift at times up the middle of the field, peaking at 102 mph for his EV while averaging 98 mph (T388’). Crumrine is an upside arm to follow as well. His fastball played clean out of the hand, working up to 82 mph while flashing carry (avg. 16.3” IVB), thrown for strikes 67% of the time. He then showed a tight slider at 67-68 mph, showing feel for the bottom part of the zone. Crumrine then rounded out his mix with a 70-73 mph changeup that flashed sink (avg. 8.9” IVB).

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 INF Collin Crumrine (Normal Community, 2028) 5-11 | 183 lbs 🔺102 mph peak EV 🔺98.2 mph avg. EV 🔺T388' max distance 🔺72.3 mph avg. bat-speed 🔺7.12 runner 👤: <a href="https://t.co/4T3eix5t3T">https://t.co/4T3eix5t3T</a> <a href="https://t.co/T58tpDY7jL">pic.twitter.com/T58tpDY7jL</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026828401596571802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ RHP/INF Camden Vescogni (Washington, 2027) emerged as a name to follow coming off the event. A workhorse frame at 6-foot-2, 220-pounds, he had one fo the louder ‘pens for the entire event. His fastball had some explosion out of the hand at 85-88 mph (T89) flashing big carry at times (T19.5” IVB). Playing off his fastball was a top-to-bottom curve at 71-72 mph, thrown in the zone 100% of the time. He rounded out his arsenal by flashing a fading changeup at 73-75 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter was all over the barrel with a 101 mph peak EV, averaging 95 mph (T377’). The bat-speed (71 mph avg.) and hand-speed (21.6 mph avg.) stand out with a flat swing and little perceived effort.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 CIF Camden Vescogni (Washington, 2027) 6-2 | 220 lbs 🔺101 mph peak EV; 95 mph avg. 🔺71.4 mph avg. bat-speed 🔺T87 mph INF 🔺FB: 85-88 mph 🔺CB: 70-72 mph (100% zone) 👤: <a href="https://t.co/o7X7Xd85NP">https://t.co/o7X7Xd85NP</a> <a href="https://t.co/DjxWkt2hja">pic.twitter.com/DjxWkt2hja</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026847328435314859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ LHP/OF Lavin Tull (O’Fallon, 2028) stands in a high-waisted, athletic 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame with seemingly added strength since our last look. On the mound, he’s an easy and athletic mover that repeats well, with a long and clean arm path with minimal effort. His fastball sat in the low-80s in this look, working up to 82.3 mp with arm-side action at times. He showed a curveball that played with 12/6 shape at 67-70 mph, and a change-up at 67-70 mph with slight fade. At the plate, the left-handed hitter has an upside swing to dream on, lifting the ball naturally to the whole field with a loose and balanced swing (T92 mph EV). He’s also a clean defender in the outfield with fluid actions and a clean, strong arm (T86 mph). 7.13 runner in the 60 that should only get better in the coming years.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 LHP/OF Lavin Tull (O'Fallon, 2028) 5-10 | 160 lbs 🔺92.2 mph peak EV 🔺T86 mph OF 🔺FB: 80-82 mph 🔺CB: 67-70 mph 🔺CH: 68-72 mph 👤: <a href="https://t.co/CpphfU8FR5">https://t.co/CpphfU8FR5</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Ea7hIAQ5a">pic.twitter.com/6Ea7hIAQ5a</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026843519495680387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ RHP/INF Ty Bachman (Normal West, 2028) is an upside two-way prospect to continue to follow in the central part of the state. A high-waisted and long-levered frame at 6-foot-3, 193-pounds he is an athletic mover down the mound with some intent to his finish. Headlining his arsenal is an 83-84 mph fastball that plays clean out of the hand, flashing carry (T20.3” IVB), and showing feel for the zone. Playing off his fastball was a 70-71 mph slider that has tight, lateral action with above-average spin (avg. 2419 rpm) for strikes 80% of the time. Bachman also showed advanced feel for a 72-73 mph downer changeup (avg. 3.6” IVB) that was effective at the bottom of the zone. On the other side of the ball, Bachman is an upside right-handed hitter with a swing you can dream on, staying balanced through impact with an easy, flat swing and length through the zone - peaking at 98 mph for his EV while averaging 95 mph (T372’). He was all over the barrel over his round, with every single ball registering over 90 mph. Also a 6.91 runner in the 60, Bachman has an intriguing power/speed combination.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 INF Ty Bachman (Normal West, 2028) 6-3 | 193 lbs 🔺98 mph peak EV 🔺95 mph avg. EV 🔺6.91 runner 👤: <a href="https://t.co/iYQeJA9uS7">https://t.co/iYQeJA9uS7</a> <a href="https://t.co/6YCoiarDcz">pic.twitter.com/6YCoiarDcz</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026851068169097602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ RHP/INF Jackson Knickerbocker (Yorkville, 2027) is a physical 6-foot-3, 207-pound two-way to know. On the mound, he had a dynamic showing with his three-pitch mix; his fastball played 86-87 mph with significant carry (avg. 20.5” IVB - second-best for the event) and flashing above-average spin (T2333 rpm). He then was able to throw both his curveball and changeup for strikes 75% of the time; his curveball sat 72-75 mph with firm 12/6 action, while his changeup sat 75-77 mph. On the other side of the ball, the right-handed hitter showed easy strength with a flat swing through the zone, peaking at 99 mph for his EV while averaging 90 mph.

PITCHER-ONLYS

+ RHP Hunter Long (Limestone, 2027) was perhaps the biggest winner on the mound from the event. An upside frame at 6-foot-6, 190-pounds he showed a dynamic three-pitch mix for strikes. His sinker sat 81-84 mph with hard action, consistently at the bottom of the zone (71% strikes). He then turned to an advanced changeup at 74-76 mph with firm downer action (avg. 0.9” IVB) for 60% strikes. Rounding out his arsenal was a 69-73 mph curveball that had firm 11/5 shape, also thrown for strikes 60% of the time. An uncommitted name to follow closely this spring.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 RHP Hunter Long (Limestone, 2027) 6-6 | 190 lbs 🔺FB: 81-84 mph (T18" HM) 🔺CB: 69-73 mph 🔺CH: 74-76 mph 🔺SNK: 81-84 mph (T7" IVB; T18" HM) 👤: <a href="https://t.co/EsZdckOuYd">https://t.co/EsZdckOuYd</a> <a href="https://t.co/PXNdvnEI7A">pic.twitter.com/PXNdvnEI7A</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026858619900174706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ RHP Dean Marchand (Dunlap, 2028) came away from the Peoria Preseason ID as one of the event's biggest winners for the second year in a row. Marchand continues to show the loose and easy movement patterns on the mound, but the velocity and overall polish has only ticked up. His fastball sat 82-84 mph, while topping out at 85 mph coming out of the hand clean and playing mostly straight. He showed feel for two different breaking balls – his curveball showing 11/5 shape with an average of -2.0 inches of induced vertical break and -13.8 inches of horizontal movement. Marchand’s slider showed a distinguished shape from the curveball, working more horizontal with sweeping actions and averaging -17.1 inches of horizontal break and -1.3 inches of induced vertical break. He rounded out his arsenal with a change-up that sat 77-79 mph with fade at times. Marchand continues to be a follow arm in Illinois’ sophomore class.

+ LHP Carson Mitchell (Morton, 2027) continues to impress our staff, standing in an athletic 5-foot-9, 164-pound frame. He’s a simple mover on the mound that repeats, and he has a compact arm action with quickness out front. His fastball worked in the low-80s, while peaking at 85.1 mph with arm-side life. Mitchell’s slider showed 1/7 shape with shorter action, throwing it for strikes 67% of the time, per Trackman. He threw his change-up with fastball intent at 77-78 mph with noticeable fade (avg. -15” horizontal movement). Heading into his junior spring, Mitchell is an uncommitted name to see in-game.

+ RHP Callan Rykhus (Maroa-Forsyth, 2029) is a freshman with upside to monitor following his ‘pen. He is a loose mover, paired with a clean arm at a 5-foot-11, 154-pound frame with room to mature physically in the coming years. His fastball worked 81-82 mph (T83), playing clean out of the hand with some life through the zone. He would then turn to a 12/6 curveball with some big break to it at 61-63 mph with feel for the zone (60% strikes). Rykhus completed his arsenal with a 69-70 mph changeup showing downer fade (avg. 9.2” IVB), while flashing feel for the zone.

+ RHP Grayson Buckley (Mt. Zion, 2029) stands in a strong-bodied 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, and looks like an upside follow on the mound. Buckley is a simple mover on the mound, with minimal effort and wasted movement. His fastball worked up to 81.6 mph in this look with quality spin (avg. 2315 rpm), and he showed a change-up at 70-74 mph with fade and downer action. His slider looked like his best off-speed offering, sitting 65-69 mph with 11/5 shape, averaging -15.6 inches of horizontal movement and -9.9 inches of induced vertical break. Buckley emerged as a name to follow throughout his prep career.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ℙ𝕖𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕒 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕀𝔻: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔦 RHP Grayson Buckley (Mt. Zion, 2029) 6-2 | 200 lbs 🔺FB: 78-81 mph (T2451 rpm) 🔺SL: 65-69 mph (T2343 rpm) 🔺CH: 70-73 mph 👤: <a href="https://t.co/R6YMuzX9rC">https://t.co/R6YMuzX9rC</a> <a href="https://t.co/9XCO3mqCjN">pic.twitter.com/9XCO3mqCjN</a>— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2026854872637726955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

RHP Carter Cappellin (Taylorville, 2028) is a sophomore to know with upside following his ‘pen in Peoria. Cappellin stands in a 6-foot-1, 167-pound frame, and he showed loose and repeatable actions with a compact arm out of a ¾ slot. His fastball worked up to 82.7 mph, and he threw a two-seam fastball with heavy arm-side action. Cappellin threw both a curveball and a slider, his slider showing more 10/4, sweeping shape. He rounded out his four-pitch mix with a change-up at 71-74 mph. Cappellin is a name to continue to monitor in the state’s sophomore class.

+ RHP Reid Martin (Washington, 2028) is an upside arm to continue to keep an eye on throughout his prep career. It’s a 6-foot-3, 164-pound frame, and he worked his fastball up to 81.9 mph, sitting 80-81 mph throughout. Martin’s change-up looked like his best off-speed offering, playing with fade and depth at 75-77 mph. He showed both a curveball and a slider, with his curveball showing more 12/6, vertical shape.

+ RHP Carsten Carruthers (Alleman, 2027) emerged as an uncommitted follow arm. He stands in an upside 6-foot-1, 159-pound frame with seemingly more strength to come. He’s an athletic mover on the mound that repeats, and he showed a compact, quick arm. His fastball sat in the low-80s with natural arm-side action. He mixed in a change-up at 69-70 mph with short, 12/6 shape, and a slider at 76-78 mph with 11/5 shape. He rounded out his mix with a mid-70s change-up that plays with fade and depth. The polish and upside of Carruthers arsenal stood out, and he’ll be a name to monitor this spring.

+ RHP Creighton Weigler (Mt. Zion, 2028) was an intriguing arm from the event, standing in an upside 6-foot-2, 177-pound frame. His fastball worked up to 81 mph in this look, and he showed both a curveball and a splitter.

Peoria Preseason ID: Takeaways

POSITION PLAYERS

TWO-WAYS

PITCHER-ONLYS

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