Southern Illinois Preseason ID: Preview Story
February 21, 2025
This Saturday, February 22nd the Prep Baseball Illinois team is hosting the Southern Illinois Preseason ID at Sports Barn - East in Wood RIver, IL. This is an open event for all high school classes (2025-28), and gives our staff an ample look at the area's top players.
For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click HERE. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking HERE.
EVENT HISTORY
We've been hosting this event for the past 2 years, and it's consistently provided us a look at prominent players who've later gone on to receive invitations to select events, like the Prep Baseball Future Games and Illinois State Games. Among the players in attendance at this event in 2024, there are already 15 commitments among them.
RHP Austin Borries (Teutopolis, 2026; Lindenwood) was in attendance at last year's event where he had an intriguing bullpen. Borries showed off a three pitch mix of a fastball, curveball, changeup. His fastball was 83-85 T86 mph with an avg. spin rate of 2088. The curveball was 68-70 mph with 17.1 in. of total movement, and finally his changeup was 74-75 mph with 18.5 in of horizontal movement.
MIF Bo Gomric (Althoff Catholic, 2025; Southwestern Illinois JC) impressed at last year's Southern Illinois Preseason ID. At the plate, Gomric had a peak EV of 96.1 mph while averaging 90 mph, also had a max distance of 347’. Defensively, the infielder threw 82 mph across and ran a 6.95 60-yard dash.
RHP Tommy Kramkowski (Belleville East, 2025; Missouri State) is the 25th ranked prospect in Illinois 2025 class and was a participant in last year's event. The right hander was 87-88 T89 mph with an avg. spin rate of 2354 rpm. He threw his curveball 73-74 mph while averaging over 2400 rpm. The slider was 76-77 mph with a max spin rate of 2556. Finally, his changeup was thrown at 78-79 mph.
C Chase Niemeyer (Marion, 2025; John A. Logan JC) showed well behind the plate at his appearance at the Southern Illinois Preseason ID. Flashed a pop time of 1.96-2.01 with a 77 mph velocity from the chute. At the plate, Niemeyer had a 91.2 peak EV and a max bat speed of 82.6 mph.
We're looking forward to checking in on the next crop of talent from this event to earn next-level attention in the coming weeks, months, and years.
2025 ROSTER
This year's roster is already shaping up nicely, just like in years past.
LHP/OF Mathew Crownhart (Homeschool, 2027) is currently ranked No. 46 in the states 2027 class, Crownhart stands at 6 '0”, 168 lbs. And has a peak EV of 91 mph and a peak distance of 333’. On the mound, the southpaw has been up to 81.3 mph with his fastball, flashed a changeup at 71-74 mph, finally a slider at 67-69 mph. Crownhart is bound to break out this weekend.
INF Ty Etcheson (Father McGivney, 2026) a former Illinois State Gamer, is a name to follow going into this weekend's event. The 6 ’0”, 150 lbs. prospect has shown his athleticism in previous events, running a 7.08 60-yard dash and throwing 86 mph across the infield. Previously has peaked his EV at 88.2 mph and a max distance of 305’.
OF/RHP Tyson Filyaw (O’Fallon, 2026) is currently ranked No. 141 in the state’s 2026 class and is another former Illinois State Gamer. Filyaw has an intriguing frame at 6 '3”, 188 lbs. On the mound, the right-hander has been up to 86 mph while sitting 83-85 mph, also mixed in a slider and a changeup at 70-72 mph and 74-75 mph respectively. The high spin righty is a name to watch on Saturday.
C/RHP Anderson Kaufman (Alton, 2028) The third ranked prospect in the Illinois 2028 class stands at 5’10, 163 lbs. An all-around athlete to keep an eye on. Offensively, Kaufman had impressed in front of our staff in the past with a 93 mph max EV and a max distance of 321’ The freshman is a sound defender flashing a 1.88-2.03 pop time and throwing 76 mph from the crouch. Kaufman has been up to 85 mph in previous bullpens while mixing in a curveball, slider, and a changeup with above average movement.
Perusing the event roster, we’re set to meet a majority of players who’ve not yet attended a Prep Baseball showcase, and we’re eager to add more names to our follow lists.
EVENT CHECK-IN PROCESS
Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Saturday’s event, it is imperative that you read our adjusted showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.
Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their PB profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.
ITINERARY
ATTENTION: Due to facility space, parents are not allowed to stay during the event. We also want to remind players that molded cleats are NOT ALLOWED in the facility, and we ask that you bring turfs/sneakers.
+ Check-in times:
- All position players: 9:00 AM
- All pitchers: 11:30 AM
- Catchers will stay and catch bullpens
MORE EVENT DETAILS
Click HERE to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Vizual Edge, and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.
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