We were down in Georgia at LakePoint Sports last week for the Senior Future Games, the biggest and most prestigious uncommitted event in the country. We had one team comprised of prospects from Illinois and Wisconsin for the 17U level, Team Heartland.

Today, we are combining workout notes with in-game notes, mentioning all the Illinois and Wisconsin players that were representing our region in the 17U division.

For a look at all the reports, continue reading below.

Position Players

+ 1B/RHP Derrik Beckstrand (Elkhorn Area, 2027) physically stands out inside the lines, standing at a strong and imposing 6-foot-5, 242-pounds with physical strength to the frame. Took a loud round of batting practice with a clean and repeatable left-handed swing with simple strength and leverage, averaging 91.3 mph off the bat with a max exit velocity of 97.3 mph. GAMEPLAY: Beckstrand was all over the barrel throughout the event, tallying a homer and multiple extra-base hits throughout a three-game span. An agile defender at first base to pair, he looks the part of a left-handed hitter that can stick at first base at the next level. He also hopped on the mound and ran his fastball up to 87.8 mph with over 18” of IVB, and filled the zone with all of his offerings.

+ C Ethan Miller (Slinger, 2027) is one of the top catchers regardless of class hailing from the Badger State, standing at a strong 5-foot-9, 206 pounds with lean strength throughout the frame. Looks the part of a high-level catch and throw defender with an athletic and repeatable move towards second, strong arm with accuracy consistently places the ball on the bag. Repeatable right-handed swing with feel to drive the baseball in the air reaching a max exit velocity of 99.2 mph throughout the round. GAMEPLAY: Miller is a high-motor player on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he looks the part of a high-level defender in college with a ceiling; with the ability to control the running game and receive at an above-average level. The right-handed hitter also has an aggressive and hitterish presence in the box and notched a few extra-base hits throughout gameplay.

+ Standout workout from OF Alex Michna (New Berlin Eisenhower, 2027) showing multiple “ticked up” tools throughout the day. Started the day running a 6.64 60-yard dash, improving his previous best of 6.78 from the winter. Strong and athletic left-handed swing with feel for the barrel reaching a max exit velocity of 99.1 mph. Athletic and steady defender in the outfield reaching 88 mph from the outfield. GAMEPLAY: Michna was a big all-around winner for Team Heartland. A toolsy left-handed hitter, he was on the barrel multiple times while showing well defensively with natural actions in the outfield. He also registered the hardest hit ball in the team’s final game, a 97.9 mph triple to right-center field.

+ MIF Nolan Julseth (New Glarus, 2027) is an athletic middle infielder that showed well throughout the workout. Strong 5-foot-8, 170-pound frame with lean strength throughout. Looked the part of a high level infielder with a ceiling at the next level, clear arm strength that plays from the left side at 90 mph across the diamond. Worked on the barrel throughout his round of BP, quick left-handed swing with feel for the barrel, 89.9 mph average exit velocity, 94.7 mph max exit velocity. GAMEPLAY: Julseth continued to show off his athletic profile in gameplay despite not lighting up the box score offensively. A sure-handed defender that has the glove to play anywhere in the infield, he looked very comfortable defensively throughout the event. A left-handed hitter, he also showed a twitchy swing and a disciplined approach, tallying four walks over the three games.

+ C/OF Rocco Triolo (Lincoln-Way East, 2027) has done nothing but impress with the bat over the last calender year and the workout was much of the same. The frame is lean and trim with room to add strength, standing in at 6-foot, 189-pounds. The right-handed hitter showed off easy power with a natural ability to lift the baseball pull-side, peaking at 101.3 mph for his EV with numerous homers in the round. He showed well defensively, starting behind the plate where he showed a strong arm with accuracy and carry to the bag, T80 mph, 1.83 pop-time. GAMEPLAY: Triolo was perhaps the biggest winner from the event for Team Heartland. He was on the barrel seemingly every plate appearance and showed off his defensive versatility throughout the event. The right-handed hitter tallied four hits including a double, and a homer. Triolo’s receiving ability continues to tick up in the right direction and he looks to have the tools to stick there at the next level.

+ INF Julio Ayala (Montini Catholic, 2027) did not participate in the workout portion of the event, but showed high bat-to-ball skills throughout the three-game span. He tallied three hits during the event, and flashed the leather at multiple spots on the infield. An athletic and well-proportioned 6-foot, 191-pound left-handed hitter, Ayala has continued to show well in all facets in front of our staff for multiple years now, and is a name to continue to watch closely.

+ C/INF Lucas Beaty (Normal Community, 2027) stands out at a physical 5-foot-11, 200-pounds and has the strength in his swing to match. The right-handed hitter has a clean swing with a tight turn, working uphill with lift pull-side, peaking at 98.7 mph for his EV. He’s a versatile defender that took defense both behind the plate and on the infield. Behind the plate, he showed a strong arm with directional actions from the chute, topping at 79 mph and 1.84 for his pop-time, showing life and carry to the bag. He’s a steady defender on the infield that moves well for his size, showing sure-handed actions and a strong arm (T86 mph). 7.12 runner. GAMEPLAY: Beaty’s bat really started to come on as the event came to a close. The right-handed hitter was on the barrel for three hits including two doubles in the final two games. In game two, he tallied a single at 93.8 mph off the bat and in game three his double registered at 95.1 mph off the bat.

+ OF Carson Hamblin (Lake Zurich, 2027) showed a clean and upside swing from the left side in his workout. It’s a simple move with a flat path, working on top of the baseball up the middle and pull-side with a peak EV of 94.6 mph. He showed steady hands and footwork in the outfield with a peak velocity of 83 mph from a crowhop. GAMEPLAY: Hamblin amassed two hits over the three games and took quality at-bats throughout. Additionally, he played quality defense and showed the ability to play all three spots.

+ MIF Jackson Roberts (Barrington, 2027) impressed in numerous aspects, starting his day on a high note with a 6.60 in the 60. He’s slender and projectable with a 6-foot, 158-pound frame. He showed a clean, twitchy swing with line-drive spray in his round, peaking at 96 mph for his EV. He’s a savvy defender with athletic actions and a quick first step, making his round of defense look easy. The arm is sufficient with a quick release, topping at 86 mph across. GAMEPLAY: Throughout gameplay, Roberts continued to show upside up the middle and with his right-handed bat. His 6.60 speed stands out in-game and he has the range to get to any ball on the infield.

+ OF Keaton Ariano (Geneseo, 2027) stands out at a broad shouldered 5-foot-11, 205-pounds with proportionate strength throughout. He creates strength from the ground up and works in his legs into an uphill path, creating some natural loft with a 98 mph peak EV. He moves well for his size with a 6.74 in the 60, and his actions are sure-handed in the outfield with a peak of 81 mph from a crowhop. GAMEPLAY: Ariano is an athletic left-handed hitter to continue to follow after the event. He worked a pair of walks offensively and showed steady actions in the outfield over the course of the three games.

+ CIF/RHP Johnny Louise (Montini, 2027) is a physical right-handed bat that took a loud round of BP. He showed some impressive bat-speed from the right side, working from a flat path and some lift at times pull-side, peaking at 100.6 mph for his EV. He showed a strong arm across up to 87 mph, pairing with steady hands that profile him on the corners. GAMEPLAY: Louise closed things out in game one with a heavy dose of fastballs in the 86-90 mph range, attacking the zone consistently. He also showed a slider with scattered control at 72-76 mph, and a fading changeup around 80 mph. He was one of the more efficient arms for the squad, only needing 23 pitches through his two frames while allowing just one hit and no runs.

+ CIF Zane Schneider (Lemont, 2027) really looks the part at 6-foot-3, 196-pounds, and he has some tools to match. The right-handed swing is projectable with a long-levered operation, working flat through the zone with results pull-side, peaking at 91 mph for his EV. He’s a smooth defender with a confident glove, pairing with athletic footwork and a 6.77 in the 60. GAMEPLAY: Schneider collected two hits throughout gameplay including a double, while also standing out defensively with his above-average ability to man the hot corner.

+ OF/RHP Easton DeBernardi (Marquette, 2027) showed a clean left-handed swing in his round, peaking at 101 mph for his EV with results up the middle and pull-side. Athletic and proportionate 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. The swing is athletic with a direct path that works on top of the baseball, flashing lift at times pull-side. Athletic defender in the outfield, 6.98 runner with a quick first step, arm is plenty strong with a 91 mph peak from a crowhop. GAMEPLAY: DeBernardi showed a dynamic ability to spin both of his offerings in the final game. His fastball sat 88-92 mph (2600+ rpm), while he tossed in a high-spin slider (2900+ rpm) at 74-76 mph to complete his mix.

+ OF Anthony Cartolano (Brother Rice, 2027) had one of the toolsier showings of the group, and he’s a must-follow name throughout the week. Strong, broad shouldered 5-foot-8, 195-pound frame. He’s a 6.69 runner in the 60 and the speed really plays up in the outfield with a quick first step and confident actions. Twitchy right-handed swing that is short to the ball and long through the zone with a flat path, 98.1 mph peak EV. GAMEPLAY: Cartolano continued to show to be perhaps the top uncommitted player left on the market in Illinois over the three-game span. His speed and aggressiveness stands out in each phase of the game. He stole numerous bases and in most cases would steal both second and third base when he reached. Cartolano continues to play defense at a high level and has all of the tolls necessary to stick in centerfield at the next level.

+ CIF/OF Gavin Stanislawski (Brother Rice, 2027) showed some of the biggest power out of the group, peaking at 102 mph for his EV with numerous home runs pull-side. He’s a physical presence at 6-foot-2, 225-pounds and he has the strength in the swing to match. The swing is balanced with intent through impact, showing a flat path with natural lift. Steady defender at third with actions that profile on the corners, arm is strong with an 85 mph peak across. GAMEPLAY: Stanislawski was on the barrel multiple times during the event, despite not always getting rewarded for it in the stat sheet. In game two, he hit a lineout at 106 mph off the bat, which was by far the firmest hit ball in Team Heartland’s three games. Overall, he collected two hits throughout the event and remains one of the top bats still on the market in the region.

PITCHERS

+ RHP Maxwell Lubenow (Madison West, 2027) started things out on the mound for Team Heartland in game one and settled in nicely after a rocky first inning - showcasing a loud arsenal throughout. The fastball worked in the 88-90 mph range while topping out at 91 mph, peaking over 2,500 rpm for his spin. He paired a slider with 10/4 bite in the 75-78 mph range with the fastball, making for a strong two-pitch mix. Lubenow stands at a projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pounds.

+ RHP Charley Spour (St. Anthony, 2027) was arguably the brightest spot of the first game, lighting up the scoreboard with a fastball up to 96.6 mph, sitting 94-95 mph in his first inning before settling into the low-90s. Though command wavered at times, the upside and electricity in the arm is impossible to ignore, along with plenty of remaining projectability in his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. Pairing with the fastball was a slider that flashed wipeout action at 82-86 - spinning over 2,600 rpm.

+ RHP Parker Broehm (Bay Port, 2027) was lights out over his two innings of work in game one, not allowing a single run while striking out two. The fastball played up to 91 mph, sitting 88-90 mph with life and finish through the zone and over 2,500 rpm. The slider was a true weapon with over 2,800 rpm, collecting numerous whiffs while playing 75-78 mph with sharp two-plane break. He presents a high-waisted 6-foot, 157-pound frame with room to add in the future.

+ RHP Mason Rychetsky (Kennedy, 2027) is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound athletic mover on the mound, who flashed a three-pitch mix in his outing. His fastball worked 86-89 mph with carry through the zone. He flashed the ability to spin his 75-77 mph slider with over 2300 rpm, and turned over a changeup at 78-79 mph with fading actions.

+ RHP Keegan Schwarting (Joliet West, 2027) had strong feel for his breaking ball throughout his outing and committed to Kentucky afterwards to make him the first commitment for Team Heartland. A loose mover at a wiry 6-foot-5, 190-pounds, he showed above-average spin with his fastball and both breaking balls. The fastball sat 87-88 mph with over 2300 rpm, while his slider spun at over 2600 rpm at 74-76 mph, and his curveball sat 77-78 mph (2500+ rpm). Schwarting also flashed a changeup at 77-78 mph.

+ LHP Grayson Waters (Oak Park-River Forest, 2027) had perhaps the best outing in game two, closing out the final two frames. A long and loose-levered southpaw at 6-foot-5, 200-pounds, Waters had control of all of his offerings. His fastball worked 85-87 mph with sinking action, and his slider worked in the mid-70’s (2400+ rpm), while also tossing in his curveball at 75-77 mph, and completing his arsenal with a splitter at 74 mph with -12.6” of IVB.

+ RHP Trevor McClure (Mount Vernon, 2027) got the ball to start in game three and was in the zone with all of his pitches. A well-proportioned 6-foot-1, 195-pounds, his fastball sat 84-86 mph (T87.7), and he showed feel for a changeup at 80-81 mph, while rounding out his mix with a 73-77 mph breaking ball with above-average spin (2600+ rpm).

+ RHP Hunter Buchan (Muskego, 2027) was first out of the ‘pen for Team Heartland in game three and showed dynamic secondary offerings. An athletic mover at 5-foot-11, 171-pounds, his slider worked firm through the zone, spinning at an elite clip (2900+ rpm), and working in a changeup at 80-81 mph, while running his fastball up to 91.5 mph.

+ RHP Maddux Hermus (Kimberly, 2027) closed things out for Team Heartland and was efficient. At a strong and well-proportioned 5-foot-11, 194-pounds, he worked up to 89 mph with his fastball while also throwing two breaking balls and a changeup for strikes to go as his secondaries.

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