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Prep Baseball Illinois Player of the Week: Brady Cunningham

April 15, 2025
By: Peter Hamot
Assistant Scouting Director, Illinois & Wisconsin

Brother Rice is one of the more dominant teams in the state from an offensive standpoint, outscoring their opponents by an eye-opening 134-45 margin. They went a perfect 5-0 this past week and now sit at 12-1 on the year, along with No. 3 in our Power 25 rankings. They did not make it easy on us this week when picking who would win this award, as Gavin Triezenberg (2025; Arizona) had himself a tremendous campaign at the plate going 7-for-19 with four doubles, a home run, eight RBIs, nine runs scored and five stolen bases. We decided however to go with Brady Cunningham (2027) as this week’s Player of the Week after he went 7-for-13 with five walks, four doubles, a triple, home run, six RBIs and 10 runs scored - also swiping two bags.

Cunningham got his week going in a 22-2 win over Leo on Monday, as he went a perfect 2-for-2 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. 

He kept things rolling into Wednesday, going 1-for-1 with an RBI, three runs scored and three walks in a 15-7 win over Fenwick. 

The following day the Crusaders took down a strong Lyons Township club 6-1 as Cunningham went 2-for-4 with a home run, RBI and two runs scored.

He concluded his dominant week with a 2-for-3 performance in a 15-3 win over St. Francis on Friday - recording two doubles, an RBI, two runs scored and two walks. 

On top of his dominance at the plate, Cunningham also fired two innings in the win over Lyons, allowing just one hit and no runs with five strikeouts. 

Currently ranked No. 9 in the state, Cunningham is one of the top two-way prospects in all of Illinois. He has a physical 6-foot-2, 222-pound frame with present strength throughout, and he’s an ultra-impressive athlete with a 6.76 in the 60. There’s all sorts of power in his right-handed bat as we’ve seen his exit velocity up to 105 mph this past winter, and there’s also polish with feel to hit, making him a major threat in the middle of their lineup. On the year, Cunningham currently boasts a .514 batting average with a 1.638 OPS, eight doubles, one triple, two home runs, 11 RBIs, 18 runs scored and more walks than strikeouts. The big right-hander also has a power arm with a fastball in the low-90s that pairs with both a curveball and a changeup that he can land for strikes - sporting a 3.41 ERA with 22 strikeouts against five walks in 14.1 innings pitched so far. 

Scouting Report

3/28/25

Brady Cunningham, RHP, Brother Rice, 2027 Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 9 in the state. Strong-bodied, 6-foot-2, 222-pound frame, broad shoulders with proportionate strength throughout. Started on the mound and hit out of the three-hole for the Crusaders, firing a five inning no-hitter with just one walk and eight strikeouts - also going 1-for-2 with an RBI double and a walk. The right-hander has a powerful delivery that works in-line with the plate, creating some uphill tilt with the shoulders before coming over top with a higher ¾ to over the top slot, tight deceptive window. His fastball jumped through the zone at 86-88 mph, collecting swing and miss, especially in the upper quadrants of the zone. He also collected swing and miss on his curveball which played in the mid-70s with gradual 11/5 shape, could land it consistently for strikes. The right-handed hitter has a patient and controlled approach, showing the ability to cover the plate with authority, taking a pitch low and away to his pull-side gap for a loud double, strong hands with control of the barrel. High-follow two-way prospect with his best days still ahead.

We're thankful for the POTW submissions we received from the coaches across the state. The players who garnered POTW consideration will earn a place within tomorrow's Diamond Notes story, so be on the lookout for that.

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