On Saturday, March 1st, we hosted our Preseason All-State: Underclass event, perennially our most exclusive and talented event on our winter calendar for rising freshman and sophomores. This past year we saw over 150 of the top players from around the state, giving us one final look before the spring season kicked off. 

Today, we are beginning our post-event rollout with a look at every single catcher from the day, along with a ranking of who our staff thought showed the best on the day.

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Shane Torres, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10, 187.8 pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: SH. Wide stance, open stance, coil load with no stride. On the barrel with some lift up the middle, worked the ball on a line the other way at times, strong. 71.1 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (79.6 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Quick, compact arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.10 pop time range; Flexible, soft receiver, glove works low-to-high, clean, quick transfer, works in-line, accurate throws. Soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.13 runner in the 60-yard dash; 27.30-inch max vertical jump. 

2. Tristan Steger, St. Laurence (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2, 195 pounds. Lean frame with present strength.
Hit: LHH. Tall, narrow stance, small leg lift with long stride. Athletic hands, controls his levers well, balanced, uphill path through the zone, up the middle/pull-side approach. 72.6 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 mph max exit velocity (91.7 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Easy, clean path, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.88-2.01 pop time range; Flexible, clean receiver, clean, transfer, works in-line on throws. Accurate throws, soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.15 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 67.84 Edge Score.

3. Ryan Wilberding, Libertyville (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 200 pounds. Compact, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, balanced setup, minimal leg lift with stride. Strong hands, stays direct and short, easy strength with balance, on the barrel up the middle with loud contact and some lift. 71.1 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (92 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Compact arm action, quick, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.97-2.21 pop time range; Flexible, soft receiver, clean and easy transfer, throws work on a line, on the bag.
Athletic Testing: 7.24 runner in the 60-yard dash; 27.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.12 Edge Score.

4. Isaiah Wolter, Oswego East (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 182 pounds. Stronger frame, well-balanced.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight crouch, small leg lift and stride. Long, flat path, creates some length through the zone, looks to stay up the middle. 69.6 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 mph max exit velocity (86.6 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Quick, short arm path, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.91-2.02 pop time range; Flexible, glove works low-to-high. Works quick, clean and quick transfer.
Athletic Testing: 6.95 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.00-inch max vertical jump. 

5. Weston Wyzukovicz, Libertyville (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-8, 170 pounds. Strong frame, athlete.
Hit: RHH. Wider, balanced setup, medium leg lift, shorter stride. Strong hands, easy with some flick in the barrel, flat path, balanced swing through impact. 72.4 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (80.6 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Compact arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.07-2.16 pop time range; Soft receiver, glove works low-to-high, clean transfer, works in-line, one-hop throws. Soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.05 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 68.77 Edge Score.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Kayden Adams, Mount Carmel (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 185 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Taller, narrow stance, minimal leg lift and stride. Easy and simple with some strength, slightly uphill, pull-side. 66.7 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (86.3 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Clean, easy arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.89-2.13 pop time range; One-knee down, soft receiver, clean transfer, works in-line.
Athletic Testing: 7.81 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.70-inch max vertical jump. 

Monty Chalabi, Notre Dame College Prep (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 185 pounds. Lean frame, well-proportioned
Hit: RHH. Wide, open stance, leg lift back to even. Flat swing with intent to lift at times, aggressive with control, all fields. 70.4 mph bat speed with 18g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (81 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short arm path, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.27 pop time range; Glove works low-to-high, clean transfer, body works in-line to target.
Athletic Testing: 7.62 runner in the 60-yard dash; -inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 65.62 Edge Score.

Brady Dunnett, Oswego (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-7, 160 pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, small leg lift with minimal stride. Stays balanced and controlled. Compact and easy swing, controls the barrel with feel to hit, polished, balanced. 68.5 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 mph max exit velocity (81.1 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. INF - 82 mph. INF: Compact, quick arm action, plays from multiple angles. C: Compact arm path, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.02-2.22 pop time range; INF: Two-hand gather into body, plays through the ball, confident glove, athletic actions. C: Flexible, glove works high-to-low, soft hands. Clean transfer, works quick, works in-line.
Athletic Testing: 7.67 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 76.75 Edge Score.

Gavin Dworak, Geneva (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 175 pounds. Projectable frame, athlete.
Hit: RHH. Taller, balanced setup, small leg lift into long stride. Repeatable, direct path, flat through the zone, controlled and balanced through. 67.9 mph bat speed with 21g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 mph max exit velocity (84.8 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Ball to ear, compact, higher slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.09 pop time range; One-knee down, athlete, steady receiver, clean transfer, body works in-line.
Athletic Testing: 7.39 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 52.27 Edge Score.

Connor Eydenberg, Plainfield North (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9, 180 pounds.
Hit: LHH. Crouched setup, weight starts on back foot, open stance, high leg lift back to even. Easy, balanced and under control, slightly uphill, works the middle of the field. 65.4 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 mph max exit velocity (82.5 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Longer arm path, over the top slot.
Defense: 1.94-2.02 pop time range; Works low-to-high, steady receiver, quick first step, body, works in-line with plate, throws to bag. Steady blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.48 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.00-inch max vertical jump. 

Evan Gomez, South Elgin (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/C
Body: 5-11, 160 pounds.
Hit: LHH. Wide stance, crouched setup, slightly open, small leg lift back to even. Coils the upper-half and works into a steep path, intent to work on top of the baseball, matches plane at the top of the zone. 67.5 mph bat speed with 4g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (84.7 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.25 pop time range; One-knee receiver, soft hands, clean transfer, one-hops to the bag. Soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 8.41 runner in the 60-yard dash; 16.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.81 Edge Score.

Jack Kaplan, Loyola Academy (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 174 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched setup, balanced, even, small leg lift with short stride. Aggressive swing, uphill path, showed a pull-side approach. 66.3 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (86.8 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm to the ear, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.03-2.14 pop time range; Soft receiver, clean transfer, throws on/near the bag.
Athletic Testing: 7.87 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 73.95 Edge Score.

Gunnar Larner, Maroa-Forsyth (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-9, 175 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with crouched, controlled leg lift with medium stride. Intent to lift pull-side and up the middle, uphill path. 68.9 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (86.4 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm path, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.96-2.14 pop time range; Flexible, steady receiver, clean transfer, works in-line. Soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.83 runner in the 60-yard dash; -inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 68.14 Edge Score.

Christian Lovingfoss, Lincoln-Way Central (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 210 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with crouch, slightly open stance, small leg lift, long stride at times. Long and flat through the zone with some extension through impact, middle/opposite field approach. 68.9 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (80.8 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Compact arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.27 pop time range; Glove works low-to-high, clean transfer, body works in-line. Steady blocker.
Athletic Testing: 8.26 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.80-inch max vertical jump. 

Brody Pilosi, Providence Catholic (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-11, 180 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, balanced setup, minimal leg lift with medium stride. Easy effort, hands work direct, slightly uphill path, opposite field approach. 58 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 mph max exit velocity (75.2 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. INF - 79 mph. INF: Easy arm action, compact, plays from multiple slots. C: Short arm path, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.03-2.19 pop time range; INF: Two-hand gather into body, shuffles through to target, moves well up the middle. C: Steady hands, clean and quick transfer.
Athletic Testing: 7.65 runner in the 60-yard dash; 18.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 65.54 Edge Score.

John Rose, Latin School of Chicago (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-9, 145 pounds.
Hit: LHH. Crouched, balanced setup, slightly open stance, small leg lift back to even. Loose hands with a flat path, balanced finish, creates some length through the zone, line-drive approach. 63.7 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (76.8 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. Compact arm action, over the top slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.15 pop time range; Flexible, soft hands, clean transfer, body works in-line, accurate. Soft/clean blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.76 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 60.65 Edge Score.

Lucas Sloan, Olympia (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 165 pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow setup, bigger leg lift with minimal stride. Longer path, works uphill at times, some length through the zone, balanced finish, all fields. 73.3 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (83.9 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Clean arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.02-2.19 pop time range; Flexible, athlete, glove works high-to-low, clean and easy transfer, one-hops to the bag. Soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.64 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.52 Edge Score.

Julian Stump, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-11, 160 pounds. Wiry, high waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, balanced setup, toe-tap trigger, short stride. Short and direct to the baseball, slightly uphill, pull-side/middle approach.  65.8 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 mph max exit velocity (80.6 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.96-2.13 pop time range; Steady hands, clean and quick transfer, works in-line, one-hops on throws. Soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.65 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.67 Edge Score.

Wes Thompson, Normal University (IL), 2028
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 164.7 pounds. Athletic frame, well-proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with slight crouch, small leg lift with minimal stride. Balanced operation, polished swing, direct to the ball, uphill path, all fields approach. 67 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 mph max exit velocity (76.7 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Quick arm action, lower slot.
Defense: 1.99-2.08 pop time range; Steady receiver, works quick, body works in-line, one-hop throws to bag.
Athletic Testing: 7.23 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.50-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.12 Edge Score.

John Timmons, Champaign Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-11, 148 pounds. Tall, wiry, frame, well-proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Taller, balanced setup, minimal leg lift and stride. Compact, athletic swing, balanced, polished with feel for the barrel, creates length through the zone at times. 67.1 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (85.7 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 72 mph. Compact, quick arm, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.15 pop time range; Glove works low-to-high, quick first step, clean/quick transfer, works in-line.
Athletic Testing: 7.23 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 75.1 Edge Score.

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