On July 7th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff hosted the Rake City Scout Day at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL. 50 players participated in a pro-style workout, gathering unrivaled access to data through our state-of-the-art tech partners, as well as in-depth scouting analysis from our Prep Baseball Illinois staff.

Today, we will be looking at the prospects that stood out to our staff within this Takeaways story.

POSITION PLAYERS

OF Nico Caputo (Riverside Brookfield, 2027) flashed some athleticism during the event. Caputo is listed at an athletic 5-foot-6, 155-pound frame with room to add strength. The right-handed hitter operates from a wide stance while showing quick hands with some loose bat speed. He had an average exit velocity of 81.1 mph (89.9 mph max EV) and an average batted ball distance of 181 feet (327 ft. max). Caputo had an average hand speed of 20.6 mph (22.1 mph max) and an average bat speed of 68.7 mph (75 mph max). Caputo ran a 6.99 60, which was the fastest 60 time of the event.

INF Liam Creighton (Benet, 2027) flashed upside during his BP round. Creighton clocks in at an athletic 6-foot, 160-pound frame with room to add strength. The right-handed hitter is a wiry, loose hitter that showed upside the further he got into his BP round. He had an average batted ball distance of 155 feet (323 ft. max) and a max exit velocity of 89.7 mph. An interesting 2027 name to keep an eye on.

1B Owen Cypress (Lyons Township, 2027) utilized his physical frame to connect on some of the loudest power of the event. Cypress clocks in with a strong 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame. The right-handed hitter generated pop with max effort while being on the barrel throughout his BP round. Cypress had an average exit velocity of 86.7 mph (96.8 mph max EV) and an average batted ball distance of 190 feet (333ft. max). He had an average hand speed of 19.4 mph (20.1 mph max) and an average bat speed of 68.3 mph (70.5 mph max).

OF Nick Baca (Riverside Brookfield, 2027) was one of the standout performers of the event. Baca has a strong 6-foot, 200-pound frame. The left-handed hitter operates from an open stance with a compact, quick swing with a pull-side approach. Baca had an average exit velocity of 86.8 mph (96.6 mph max EV) and an average batted ball distance of 150 feet (352 ft. max). He had an average bat speed of 70.7 mph (73 mph max) and an average hand speed of 20.4 mph (20.8 mph max).

OF Alex Fotos (Hinsdale Central, 2027) displayed a strong and easy swing during his BP round. Fotos clocks in with a strong 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame. The right-handed hitter was all over the barrel while making firm contact with pull-side power. Fotos had an average batted ball distance of 242 feet (331 ft. max) and an average exit velocity of 85.1 mph (94 mph max EV) with a 60% sweet spot percentage.

INF Tanner Fridrych (Lyons Township, 2026) comes in with a plus frame with easy movements. Fridrych is listed with an athletic 6-foot-1, 171-pound strong frame. The right-handed hitter sits into his backside with an easy swing. Fridrych had an average batted ball distance of 212 feet (357 ft. max) and an average exit velocity of 85.2 mph (93.8 mph max EV) with a 64% sweet spot percentage. He had an average hand speed of 21.3 mph (22.9 mph max). Defensively, the infielder has soft hands while utilizing his long levers to post an 83 mph infield velocity.

INF Alejandro Guzman (Morton East, 2026) showed well at the plate and in the field. Guzman is listed with a strong 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame. The right-handed hitter has controlled intent with a gap-to-gap approach while barreling balls to his pull-side. Guzman had an average batted ball distance of 278 feet (366 ft. max) and an average exit velocity of 88.1 mph (93.8 mph max EV) with a 70% sweet spot percentage. Defensively, the infielder was graded out as a plus defender while posting an infield velocity of 82 mph.

OF Robert Kolovitz (Oak Park-River Forest, 2027) had one of the most balanced BP rounds of the event. Kolovitz has a strong 5-foot-8, 185-pound frame. The right-handed hitter was all over the barrel while showcasing pull-side power while having a balanced swing that repeats. Kolovitz had an average exit velocity of 88.5 mph (96.2 mph max EV) and an average batted ball distance of 171 feet (346 ft. max). He had an average bat speed of 71.3 mph (76.3 mph max) and an average hand speed of 20.3 mph (21.3 mph max). Defensively, the outfielder moved with ease and quick feet while posting an outfield velocity of 81 mph.

TWO-WAYS

INF/RHP Owen Thiede (Lyons Township, 2028) showed some two-way potential during the event. Thiede is listed at an athletic 6-foot-1, 150-pound frame with room to add strength. The right-handed hitter utilized a whole field approach while allowing his long levers to stay on the barrel. Thiede had an average batted ball distance of 169 feet (315 ft. max) with a max exit velocity of 88.1 mph while having a 60% sweet spot percentage. On the mound, the right-hander operates from a stretch-only delivery with a high leg lift. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball sat 73-77 mph with arm-side run. He mixed in a curveball that sat 65-66 mph with downer action. Thiede rounded out his pitch-mix with a splitter that sat 67-69 mph that kills spin while having an average horizontal movement of 9 inches (12.1 inches max).

C/RHP Aidan Webster (Lyons Township, 2027) had the top two-way showing of the event. Webster has a strong 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame. The switch hitter operates with a big, physical swing with gap power while showing more pop from the right-side. Webster had an average batted ball distance of 210 feet (359 ft. max) and an average exit velocity of 80.4 mph (93.3 mph max EV). He had an average hand speed of 21.6 mph (23.4 mph max) with a max bat speed of 73.7 mph. On the mound, the right-handed pitcher operates from a simple, controlled delivery with a high leg lift while utilizing the mound for plane. Short, quick arm action from a ¾ arm slot. His fastball sat 80-82 mph with straight actions. Webster mixed in a curveball that sat in the mid-70s with 11/5 shape with late bite while having an average horizontal movement of 6.4 inches. He also showed a slider that sat 74-77 mph with 10/4 shape and sharp actions. Webster rounded out his four-pitch mix with a changeup that sat 76-78 mph with sinking action while having an average horizontal movement of 7.3 inches (11.8 inches max).

PITCHERS

RHP Nicholas Kois (Montini, 2026) had one of the top showing on the mound during the event. Kois has a strong 6-foot, 195-pound frame. The right-hander operates from a simple, easy delivery with a high leg lift with coil while having a drop/drive approach. Clean, full, quick arm action from a ¾ arm slot. His fastball sat 83-85 mph while topping out at 86 mph with arm-side run. The curveball sat 71-72 mph with 11/5 shape and sharp action. Kois rounded out his three-pitch mix with a changeup that sat 76-78 mph with fade while having an average horizontal movement of 13.3 inches (15.7 inches max). Interesting uncommitted 2026 name to keep an eye on.

RHP Gio Calandriello (Benet, 2026) impressed during his first Prep Baseball showcase. Calandriello is listed with a strong 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame. The right-handed pitcher operates from a stretch-only delivery with a high leg lift while having a tall/fall approach. Clean, long, easy arm action from a ¾ arm slot. His fastball and sinker each sat 82-84 mph with sinking action. His changeup sat 74-75 mph while keeping it low. The pitch had an average horizontal movement of 12 inches (13.5 inches max). Calandriello rounded out his pitch mix with a curveball that sat 70-72 mph with 11/5 shape while having a sharp, late break. The pitch showed depth while having an average horizontal movement of -11.3 inches (-15.7 inches max) and an average induced vertical break of -1.4 inches (-7.1 inches max).

RHP Tyler Rizzatto (Romeoville, 2026) showed the top pitch-mix of the event. Rizzatto clocks in with a strong 5-foot-7, 175-pound frame. The right-hander operates from a simple, controlled delivery with a small leg lift while having a tall/fall approach. Short, quick arm action from a ¾ arm slot. His fastball sat 81-83 mph with arm-side run while having a max induced vertical break of 17.4 inches. His slider sat 74-76 mph with late break while having an average horizontal movement of -18.7 inches (-20.7 inches max). Rizzatto rounded out his pitch-mix with a splitter that sat 70-74 mph while keeping it low.

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