On Friday, February 28th, our staff hosted the Preseason All-State: Upperclass event at The Max in McCook, IL. This event was loaded with talent from the 2027 group, with nearly 150 of the top players in Illinois. 

Today, we are taking a look at every single catching prospect from the day, with a top-5 ranking of who stood out the most, below. 

TOP CATCHING PROSPECTS

1. Tristan Steger, St. Laurence (IL), 2027 Kentucky
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-2.2, 196.2-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, short/simple stride, linear lower-half. Balanced, loose, bat speed, repeats, uphill path, evident jump off the barrel to all fields. 76.5 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 106 mph max exit velocity (97.9 avg.); 401-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Strong, quick 3/4 release, throws play with some carry.
Defense: 1.78-1.88 pop time range; Soft glove, quick glove-to-hand transfer, natural actions, steady blocker.
Athletic Testing: 6.84 runner in the 60-yard dash; 28.50-inch max vertical jump. 

2. Lucas Beaty, Normal Community (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-11.7, 205.5-pounds. Strong build with broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, rhythmic load/stride, utilizes strong lower-half. Easy bat-speed, on the barrel up the middle, controlled aggression, loud round with big power.  68.9 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (91.9 avg.); 348-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Short arm action, quick 3/4 release, throws play with carry.
Defense: 1.88-1.94 pop time range; Steady receiver, clean transfers, active blocker, quick out of crouch.
Athletic Testing: 7.13 runner in the 60-yard dash; 28.50-inch max vertical jump. 

3. Shane Torres, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2027 Oakland
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10.3, 192-pounds. Strong, athletic build, broad shoulders.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly open setup, rhythmic hand load, stride works back to even, utilizes lower-half. Easy bat-speed with whip in the barrel, consistent line-drive feel up the middle, flashed lift pull-side.  72.4 mph bat speed with 17g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 103 mph max exit velocity (96.8 avg.); 383-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Compact 3/4 arm action, throws play with carry.
Defense: 1.88-1.97 pop time range; Natural receiver, quick out of the crouch, clean transfers, athletic footwork, soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 6.87 runner in the 60-yard dash; 27.00-inch max vertical jump. 

4. Rocco Triolo, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-11.7, 191.1-pounds. Proportionate with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, long gliding stride.  Controls the barrel, loud results middle and pull-side with elevated contact.  72.1 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 mph max exit velocity (95.9 avg.); 375-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Strong, compact 3/4 release, throws play with carry.
Defense: 1.87-2.09 pop time range; Quick out of the crouch, athletic footwork, quick transfers.
Athletic Testing: 7.35 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.30-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 78.21 Edge Score.

5. Beau Breyman, Freeburg (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-10, 182.3-pounds. Proportional frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, upright setup, short leg kick stride, utilizes lower-half. Strong hands, uphill path with intent to drive the ball, uses the whole field, flashes backspin ability. 67.7 mph bat speed with 20g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 mph max exit velocity (91.4 avg.); 365-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Short arm action, quick 3/4 release, throws play with run and carry.
Defense: 1.94-1.96 pop time range; Steady receiver, quick transfers, athletic footwork, soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.04 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.2 Edge Score.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Luca Agne, Brother Rice (IL), 2027 Boston College
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-7.1, 165.8-pounds. Athletic build, proportionate.
Hit: SH. RH: Balanced base, loads onto backside, short leg kick stride, utilizes lower-half. LH: Balanced base, loads onto backside, short leg kick stride, utilizes lower-half. RH: Works on top of the baseball with athletic hands, natural loft in the swing, pull-side and middle approach. LH: Loose wrists, intentful and on the barrel, loud round with line-drives up the middle.  74.5 mph bat speed with 24g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 101 mph max exit velocity (90 avg.); 325-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 85 mph. High 3/4 slot, can throw from all angles, half arm circle.
Defense: 1.88-1.91 pop time range; INF: Clean footwork, sure-handed, moves well up the middle, clean double play turn. C: Athletic mover, quick out of the crouch, smooth hands, looks the part, steady blocker.
Athletic Testing: 6.83 runner in the 60-yard dash; 28.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 78.66 Edge Score.

Beckett Breseman, Prairie Ridge (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10.6, 170-pounds. Lean frame with strength.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, upright setup, slight rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, short leg kick stride, utilizes lower-half. Loose, easy swing, works uphill, takes the ball where it is pitched, uses the whole field. 64.4 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (90.6 avg.); 326-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Compact 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 2.03-2.09 pop time range; Quick first step, steady hands, clean transfers, reliable blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.27 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 84.5 Edge Score.

Myles Broome, Brother Rice (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-9.2, 180-pounds. Athletic frame with twitch.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, static pre-pitch, short stride, linear lower-half. Strong, quick hands, controls the barrel, line-drives up the middle with some lift. 68.4 mph bat speed with 20g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 mph max exit velocity (93.6 avg.); 355-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Quick, compact 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 1.94-2.06 pop time range; Quick first step, athletic mover, clean glove-to-hand transfer, works in-line, soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.08 runner in the 60-yard dash; 30.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 69.98 Edge Score.

Frank Covelli Jr, Lockport (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0.1, 185-pounds. Trim, athletic build, proportionate with room to add.
Hit: RHH. Upright setup, pre-pitch rhythm throughout, stride gains ground, linear lower-half. Works on top of the baseball with a flat path, strong hands, intentful. 71.5 mph bat speed with 5g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 mph max exit velocity (89.1 avg.); 328-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.03-2.10 pop time range; Steady receiver, quick out of the crouch, reliable blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.82 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 83.57 Edge Score.

Nick Dreves-Hunt, Lyons Township (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10.6, 174.6-pounds. Proportionate with some strength.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, slight load onto backside, stride works to closed, utilizes lower-half. Easy swing with some lift pull-side, works slightly uphill. 70.3 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (87 avg.); 337-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Loose 3/4 arm action, throws play with run and carry.
Defense: 1.94-2.03 pop time range; Quick out of crouch, soft receiver, clean transfers, athletic footwork.
Athletic Testing: 7.04 runner in the 60-yard dash; 26.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 64.01 Edge Score.

Brady Dunnett, Oswego (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/C
Body: 5-7.7, 180.8-pounds. Compact frame with strength in the lower-half.
Hit: LHH. Wider base, slightly open setup, rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, stride gains ground and works back to even, utilizes lower-half. Athletic hands with control of the barrel, longer, uphill path. 70 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 mph max exit velocity (87.9 avg.); 363-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. INF - 90 mph. Compact, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.88-2.00 pop time range; INF: Confident hands out front, moves well to both sides, clean double play turn. C: Soft hands, quick glove-to-hand transfers, athletic footwork, active blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.25 runner in the 60-yard dash; 25.40-inch max vertical jump. 

Tyler Ebel, Minooka (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0.8, 195-pounds. Long-levered frame with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, upright setup, short leg kick stride, aggressive lower-half. Uphill intent with leverage to the middle of the field, loose hands, works into lower-half. 71.1 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 mph max exit velocity (92.1 avg.); 368-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Compact, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.06-2.22 pop time range; One-knee receiver, soft hands, clean transfers, works in-line, steady blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.35 runner in the 60-yard dash; 23.90-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 79.31 Edge Score.

Luke Flaskamp, Jacobs (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-8.3, 172-pounds. Compact frame with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, some rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, short step-back stride, linear lower-half. Easy and balanced, natural lift up the middle.  69.2 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (92.8 avg.); 348-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short, loose 3/4 release.
Defense: 1.91-2.00 pop time range; Athletic actions, steady hands, clean transfers, quick out of the crouch, works in-line.
Athletic Testing: 7.12 runner in the 60-yard dash; 25.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 79.85 Edge Score.

Hudson Lovell, Morton (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10.5, 195.3-pounds. Durable build with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, short stride, rhythmic hand load, linear lower-half. Easy strength, intent to lift, noticeable jump off the barrel, uphill path. 73 mph bat speed with 11g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 mph max exit velocity (90 avg.); 359-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Short, high 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 1.97-2.03 pop time range; Steady glove-to-hand transfer, works in-line to second, natural actions.
Athletic Testing: 7.53 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.90-inch max vertical jump. 

Dylan Manna, Glenbard West (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-7.7, 176.2-pounds. Compact, athletic build, some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open setup, short stride works back to even, linear lower-half. Compact swing with balance, works on top of the baseball with a steep path, flashed lift up the middle.  63.8 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (80.2 avg.); 302-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 2.03-2.22 pop time range; Quick first step, smooth hands, clean transfers, reliable blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.41 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 78.18 Edge Score.

Sam McCully, Normal West (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11.6, 183.4-pounds. Trim, lean build, athletic.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open setup, active hands pre-pitch, toe-tap stride, gains ground, utilizes lower-half. Loose wrists, controls the barrel with feel to use the middle parts of the field. 67.2 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (87.2 avg.); 344-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Compact 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 2.12-2.22 pop time range; Athletic mover, quick transfers, works in-line, active blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.44 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.30-inch max vertical jump. 

Liam Schultz, Burlington Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-10.4, 212.5-pounds. Durable, strong build, room to add.
Hit: LHH. Narrow, slightly open setup, rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, stride works back to even, utilizes aggressive lower-half. Flat swing with strength, loft at times up the middle.  68 mph bat speed with 23g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 mph max exit velocity (93.4 avg.); 378-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short, compact 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 2.06-2.25 pop time range; Quick out of the crouch, clean transfers, steady blocker
Athletic Testing: 7.49 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 77.96 Edge Score.

Michael Thompson, Loyola Academy (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-2.7, 201-pounds. Physical, strong build with more room to add.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, loads onto backside, short leg kick stride, utilizes lower-half. Intent to lift up the middle and pull-side, uphill path. 72.1 mph bat speed with 17g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 98 mph max exit velocity (89.9 avg.); 367-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Shorter draw out of the glove, whippy 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 2.16-2.28 pop time range; Quick out of the crouch, athletic footwork, quick transfers, works in-line.
Athletic Testing: 7.91 runner in the 60-yard dash; 21.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 81.85 Edge Score.

John Timmons, Champaign Central (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-11.7, 163.6-pounds. Athletic build, some present strength in the lower-half.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, bigger hand load, short stride, linear lower-half.  Strong with balance, pull-side results and middle of the field.  70.4 mph bat speed with 16g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (95.1 avg.); 351-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Shorter, compact 3/4 arm action.
Defense: 1.94-2.19 pop time range; Steady hands, clean transfers, replaces feet to second.
Athletic Testing: 7.07 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 76.65 Edge Score.

Luke Tyrakowski, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-10.6, 204.8-pounds. Durable frame with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide, open base, toe-taps into stride.  Intent to lift to the big parts of the field, strong hands, flatter path. 63.4 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (71.4 avg.); 353-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release.
Defense: 2.08-2.19 pop time range; Steady glove-to-hand transfer, works in-line to second, soft blocker.
Athletic Testing: 7.52 runner in the 60-yard dash; -inch max vertical jump. 

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