On Saturday, March 1st, we hosted our Preseason All-State: Upperclass event, perennially our most exclusive and talented event on our winter calendar for rising juniors. This past year we saw nearly 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. Brandon Thomsen, St. Viator (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-1, 200-pounds. Strong, proportional frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Upright slightly open setup, pre-pitch rhythm, short stride, strong lower-half. Strong, on the barrel with some lift to the whole field, uphill path, stays on-plane, generates bat speed. 74.1 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 102 mph max exit velocity (93 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Short, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot. Strong.
Defense: 1.76-1.96 pop time range; Flexible one-knee receiver, works up through the baseball, loose-wristed, soft glove, advanced actions. Athletic out of the crouch, quick/clean transfers, feet work in-line.
Athletic Testing: 6.96 runner in the 60-yard dash; 29.40-inch max vertical jump. 

2. Dylan Kassab, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2026; Indiana
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 205 pounds. Sturdy frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Upright open setup, some pre-pitch rhythm, tow-tap stride, linear lower-half. Easy strength, creates length through the zone with extension through impact, on the barrel with lift up the middle. 78.9 mph bat speed with 21g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 103 mph max exit velocity (98.2 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot, whippy finish. Accurate.
Defense: 1.78-2.00 pop time range; Quick/clean transfers, steady glove, feet work in-line, soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.15 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.50-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 79.89 Edge Score.

3. Max Heineman, Normal Community (IL), 2026; Illinois-Chicago
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 188 pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, short/simple stride, linear lower-half. Easy and fluid swing, balanced, strength at impact, some length through the zone while working on top of the baseball. 73.4 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (92.7 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Quick, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot. Accurate, throws have carry.
Defense: 1.89-2.02 pop time range; One-knee receiver, works to present pitches. Quick/clean transfers, athletic out of the chute.
Athletic Testing: 6.96 runner in the 60-yard dash; 27.60-inch max vertical jump. 

4. Adam Swanson, Ottawa Township (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 191-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Upright, quiet pre-pitch setup, short leg kick stride, strong lower-half. Easy lift with strength to the pull-side, compact and balanced, uphill path, stays on-plane. 74.2 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (92.8 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Strong, accurate throws.
Defense: 1.81-1.96 pop time range; One-knee receiver, works up through the baseball, loose-wristed, willing blocker, presents the pitch. Quick/clean transfers, feet work in-line, soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 6.70 runner in the 60-yard dash; 30.40-inch max vertical jump. 

5. Addison Latko, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2026; Illinois
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 175 pounds. Strong, compact frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Open setup, leg kick stride works back to even, utilizes lower-half. Strong hands, creates bat-speed, intent to lift up the middle and pull-side, controlled aggression. 75.3 mph bat speed with 16g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (91.5 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot, strong.
Defense: 1.89-2.01 pop time range; One-knee receiver, works up through the baseball, willing soft blocker. Quick transfers, feet work inline toward the bag.
Athletic Testing: 7.03 runner in the 60-yard dash; 28.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 83.17 Edge Score.

6. Maxx Grieme, Taylorville (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 199.3 pounds. Strong, proportional frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, short leg kick stride, utilizes strong lower-half. Strong, works on top of the baseball, intent to lift up the middle and the other way, generates bat speed. 74 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 mph max exit velocity (89.7 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Compact, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.83-2.07 pop time range; Flexible one-knee receiver, works to present the pitch, loose-wristed. Steady transfers, feet work in-line.
Athletic Testing: 7.27 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 84.26 Edge Score.

7. Drew Stevens, Normal Community (IL), 2026; Valparaiso
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 183 pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Upright slightly open setup, short/simple leg kick stride, utilizes lower-half. Controls his levers well, on the barrel up the middle of the field, flashed feel the other way, can use the whole field. 80.1 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 102 mph max exit velocity (96.4 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot. Accurate.
Defense: 2.02-2.08 pop time range; One-knee receiver, works up through the baseball, works to present the pitch. Clean transfers, athleticism out of the crouch.
Athletic Testing: 7.46 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.80-inch max vertical jump. 

8. Andrew Satunas, Lockport (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-9, 178 pounds. Sturdy, well-proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Stock setup, short leg lift trigger, utilizes lower-half. Strong and compact, balanced through impact, bat-speed with a flat path, on the barrel pull-side.  77.6 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (89.1 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Quick, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot. Accurate.
Defense: 1.85-2.08 pop time range; One-knee receiver, loose-wristed, works to present pitches. Quick transfers, athletic out of the chute.
Athletic Testing: 7.65 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74.24 Edge Score.

9. Asher Cantu, O'Fallon (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-4, 215 pounds. Large, strong frame, continues to add quality muscle.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, fluid lower half load and minimal stride. Short and direct with a flat path, loud round, creates leverage and natural lift to the pull-side. 77.9 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 mph max exit velocity (85.1 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Over-the-top slot.
Defense: 2.02-2.12 pop time range; Plays low despite large frame, directional out of the crouch.
Athletic Testing: 7.33 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 53.44 Edge Score.

T10. Jacob Szpiganowicz, Conant (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 179.7 pounds. Well-proportioned frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Upright slightly open setup, short leg kick stride gains ground, aggressive lower-half. Strong hands, works on top of the baseball, slightly uphill path, swings with intent. 72.3 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 102 mph max exit velocity (91.9 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Longer draw out of the glove, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.09-2.13 pop time range; One-knee receiver, loose-wristed. Steady transfers.
Athletic Testing: 7.01 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 79.56 Edge Score.

T10. Caleb Hornbrook, Normal University (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 193 pounds. Lean frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, leg kick stride, aggressive lower-half. Strong with controlled aggression, pull-side intent while keeping the ball on a line, strong hands, noticeable bat speed. 73.5 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 mph max exit velocity (92.1 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Short/compact arm action, high 3/4 slot, intentful.
Defense: 1.90-2.02 pop time range; One-knee receiver, works up through the baseball, loose-wristed. Quick/clean transfers, feet work inline, athletic out of the crouch.
Athletic Testing: 7.38 runner in the 60-yard dash; 25.00-inch max vertical jump. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Peter Corthinos, Maine South (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-7, 157 pounds. Compact frame, strong lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup. Intent to lift pull-side and up the middle, twitch and bat speed, uphill tendencies. 73.6 mph bat speed with 20g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (83.1 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short, quick arm, plays over the top.
Defense: 1.81-2.01 pop time range; Active defender, quick feet and glove-to-hand, active blocker.
Athletic Testing: 25.00-inch max vertical jump. 

Tim Flanagan, St. Patrick (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 200 pounds. Durable lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with flowing pre-pitch rhythm. Length in swing, works on top of the baseball, intent to lift up the middle of the field. 71.7 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 mph max exit velocity (84.6 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Arm plays short and from a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.10 pop time range; Quiet, one-knee receiver, looks to present pitches, reliable hands.
Athletic Testing: 7.92 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 80.26 Edge Score.

Nolan Kendall, Andrew (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 175 pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, minimal load, creates separation. Flat path, quick hands with some whip in the barrel. stays through the zone, on the barrel to all fields. 67.3 mph bat speed with 24g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (88.3 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.94-2.20 pop time range; Quick release, steady hands and quiet soft block.
Athletic Testing: 7.29 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 78 Edge Score.

Brady Klepfer, Huntley (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 192 pounds. Strength in lower half.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, fluid load and leg-lift timing trigger. Intent to lift pull-side, on the barrel with intent, loose hands, fluid. 78.2 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (87.3 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 81 mph. Short, quick arm action, over-the-top release.
Defense: 1.90-2.02 pop time range; One-knee receiver, easy actions, steady hands. Clean and tall through exchange.
Athletic Testing: 7.12 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.30-inch max vertical jump. 

Jacob Newman, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 180 pounds. Athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, minimal pre-pitch movement and short stride. Works through the zone with a longer and flat path, works the whole field. 70.4 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (85.8 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. Short, over-the-top arm action.
Defense: 1.88-2.08 pop time range; Athletic defender, natural actions, soft hands and quality receiver. Clean and easy out of the crouch.
Athletic Testing: 7.17 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 80.59 Edge Score.

Alexi Phillips, DePaul College Prep (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10, 160 pounds. Lean, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched setup, pre-pitch fluidity. Easy swing, works uphill with intent to lift up the middle. 67.8 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (83.4 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Loose arm plays from an over-the-top slot.
Defense: 1.96-2.13 pop time range; Clean actions behind the plate, steady hands, works to present pitches.
Athletic Testing: 7.87 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 80.42 Edge Score.

Nick Sichel, New Trier (IL), 2026 Richmond
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-11, 185 pounds. Lean frame with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, relaxed setup, short stride, linear lower-half. On the barrel with lift up the middle. Works on plane with gap-to-gap strength. 74.4 mph bat speed with 20g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 mph max exit velocity (87 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Short arm action, plays over-the-top.
Defense: 1.87-1.91 pop time range; Natural catcher actions, flexible hips, active receiver and works to get underneath the pitch at the bottom of the zone. Directional and clean out of the crouch. Repeats.
Athletic Testing: 7.52 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.20-inch max vertical jump. 

Sam Webb, Providence Catholic (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2, 206 pounds. Physical with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, short leg kick stride, linear lower-half. Creates lift at times to the pull-side with strength, works on top of the baseball, repeats, balanced. 68 mph bat speed with 6g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (87.5 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Compact arm action with some whip, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.96-2.22 pop time range; Flexible one-knee receiver, works to present pitches. Quick/reliable transfers, flashes athleticism out of the crouch.
Athletic Testing: 7.54 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 63.5 Edge Score.

Trey Webster, Brother Rice (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-8, 194.9 pounds. Durable lower half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, quiet setup, easy load. Easy and compact, simple, flashed some lift up the middle 69.5 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 mph max exit velocity (83.1 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.16 pop time range; Low, flexible target, works to frame and present. Soft hands, natural actions.
Athletic Testing: 7.17 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.40-inch max vertical jump. 

Parker Zasada, Reavis (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-10, 198 pounds. Strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wide, slightly closed setup, short stride. Compact with strength, short, direct and on top of the baseball. Finishes balanced. 66.9 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (84.1 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.94-2.00 pop time range; Quick release, replaces feet, repeats.
Athletic Testing: 21.70-inch max vertical jump. 

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