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Southern Illinois Summer ID: Quick Hits

July 11, 2025
By: Dane Poe & Gavin Smith
Illinois Scouting Staff

On July 9th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff hosted the Southern Illinois Summer ID at John A. Logan JC in Carterville, IL. Over 20 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 Quick Hits story.

QUICK HITS

RHP Alex Henry (Marion, 2026) showed well at last year’s Southern Illinois Summer ID and ran it back as he flashed an improved arsenal. Henry has a physical 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame. The right-hander operates from a simple, controlled delivery while having a full, clean arm action from a ¾ slot. Henry threw the hardest max fastball velocity at 85.1 mph while sitting 82-84 mph. His fastball has a 94% spin efficiency while having an average induced vertical break of 17 inches. Henry also showed a slider that sat 68-70 mph while having an average horizontal movement of -4.8 inches and a zone percentage of 80%. His changeup showed heavy fade while having an average horizontal movement of 15.6 inches (18.6 inches max) and sitting 71-74 mph with a spin efficiency of 89%. Henry rounded out his four-pitch mix with a curveball that sat 65-67 mph with an average induced vertical break of -5.8 inches (-6.5 inches max) and an average horizontal movement of -5.6 inches (-7.4 inches max).

RHP/MIF Ian Crabb (Harrisburg, 2027) impressed in all facets of his first Prep Baseball showcase. Crabb has an athletic 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame with room to add strength. On the mound, Crabb operates from a simple, easy delivery with a long, clean arm action from a ¾ slot. His fastball sat 82-84 mph while topping out at 85 mph with an average spin rate of 2299 RPM (2387 RPM). The pitch showed plenty of ride as it had an induced vertical break of 18.4 inches (20.7 inches max) with an average horizontal movement of 11.8 inches (14.7 inches max). Crabb showed a curveball that displayed plenty of depth as it had an average induced vertical break of -7.7 inches (-10 inches max) and an average horizontal movement of -4.6 inches (-7.4 inches max) while sitting 73-75 mph. His changeup sat 75-76 mph while sitting low in the zone with an average horizontal movement of 14.1 inches.

OF Nathan Walker (Mascoutah, 2026) is an uncommitted name to know from Southern Illinois. During the spring, Walker tallied 10 extra base hits and hit to a .311 batting average. The left-handed hitter stands in a 6-foot-1, 191-pound frame and showed consistent well-hit contact throughout his round of batting practice. His max exit velocity was 93.8 mph, averaging 89.3 mph, while sending his furthest hit ball 356 feet. A 7.07 runner, Walker showed bat speed through the zone, averaging 72.9 mph with a 18.4 mph average rotational acceleration.

OF Macaibe Carter (Jackson, MO, 2026) led the event in multiple statistical categories. Hitting from the right side of the plate, Carter showed easy pull-side power producing a max exit velocity of 98.7 mph, the day’s hardest hit ball, while sending his furthest hit ball 383 feet, which also led the event. He showed above-average bat speed (71.2 mph avg), and also ran the day’s fastest 60 time (6.85). From the outfield, he showed easy actions and a quality arm on throws to home (84 mph). A Missouri product, Carter is a name-to-know.

INF Hayden Harris (Marion, 2027) showed well at our Southern Illinois preseason event and continued to do the same this summer. Harris stands in a 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame with athleticism and some present strength. His round of BP was noteworthy as he was on the barrel consistently from the right side of the plate. Averaging 87.9 mph off the bat, Harris produced a max exit velocity of 96.6 mph, while sending his furthest hit ball 359 feet (third best). He also showed above-average bat speed, averaging 71.8 mph. Defensively, he showed actions up the middle with a confident glove and range to both sides.

INF Owen Cycholl and INF Cooper Hires are a pair of 2027 right-handed bats from Richland County that showed well during batting practice.

Cycholl posted some loud metrics from the right side of the plate, peaking at 95.2 mph off the bat, but averaging 87.6 mph. His farthest hit ball went 367 feet, good for second at the event, per Trackman. He produced an average bat speed of 70.2 mph and an average rotational acceleration of 19.7 mph.

Hires got off some quality swings during his round, showing a slightly uphill path that produced a max exit velocity of 90 mph (avg 86 mph).

C Grant Reed (Father McGivney, 2028) emerged as a must-know 2028 prospect after making his Prep Baseball event debut. The right-handed hitter barreled some balls up the middle and to the pull-side during his round, posting a max exit velocity of 89.2 mph (84.6 mph avg), and send his furthest hit ball 334 feet. His swing was simple and direct to the ball with bat speed to pair (72.7 mp avg.), and an average of 19.9 mph of rotational acceleration. Reed’s handspeed sits atop the event leaderboard with an average of 23.9 mph (T24.9). During the defensible portion of the workout, he showed some easy action behind the plate with soft blocking.

1B Aidan Gusta (Carterville, 2027) stands in a strong 6-foot-4, 219-pound frame. The big right hander showed some loud stuff during his round of batting practice. He looked to elevate the baseball to the pull-side/middle of the field with some easy and controlled power, producing a max exit velocity of 94.1 mph and a max batted distance of 352 feet.

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