We were down in Georgia at LakePoint Sports last week for the Future Games, the biggest and most prestigious uncommitted event in the country. We had two teams for the 16U level, Team Illinois and Team Select - with Select representing numerous states altogether. 

Today, we are combining workout notes with in-game notes, mentioning all the Illinois players that were representing our state in the 16U division.

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

Team Select 

Position Players 

1B Will Steffens (Barrington) was one of the top power bats in the state this past spring and summer, and the power profile is easy to see in his 6-foot-3, 200–pound frame. Though his round of BP was not his best, the swing and the way it works is still highly intriguing, generating bat-speed easily with a steep entry point into the zone, peaking at 94 mph for his EV. GAMEPLAY: The bat showed up for Steffens in gameplay as he was routinely on the barrel with loud contact, collecting a handful of barrels throughout the week. The bat-speed and simplicity makes the swing easy to like, staying on-time consistently with quality pitch recognition and zone awareness, not appearing overmatched at any point with minimal swing/miss. It’s a power profile with present bat-to-ball, and he still has more power to come in his physical frame. He showed some defensive versatility, taking reps both at first base and in the outfield, though a majority of his time was spent at first. He moves well around the bag with steady feet, and his glovework was efficient as well. 

OF Matthew Ritter (Lincoln-Way East) is a bat to follow throughout the week. He’s proven to be a versatile defender with the ability to play first base, though he showed well in the outfield portion of the workout with quality actions and a strong arm (T88 mph). He’s a left-handed hitter with a longer swing and flat path, working on top of the baseball at times with, staying mostly pull-side with a peak EV of 95 mph. GAMEPLAY: Ritter is a gamer-type player that you need to see play to really get a feel for him as a player. He grinds at-bats and battles counts, pairing with a clean swing from the left side with more strength on the way. It’s a flat swing with some length, and it’s easy to assume there will be more strength added to his 6-foot, 180-pound frame. He roamed the outfield and played quality defense with efficient routes and good reads off the bat. 

Two-Ways

INF Keegan Crantree (Lincoln-Way East) is also a talented arm that will be pitching for Team Select, but showed upside as an infielder in the workout portion. The swing is clean and direct with a steep path, pairing with athletic movement patterns and a 90 mph peak EV. The actions on the infield stand out with a natural look and fluidity, making plays look easy to both sides of his glove - topping at 85 mph across with carry. GAMEPLAY: Crabtree was one of the more dominant and intriguing arms that Team Select trotted out in gameplay, making quick work of opposing hitters over his two innings of work. He’s an athletic mover on the mound with a simple, in-line delivery that he is able to repeat, pairing with a clean and whippy arm from a high ¾ slot. The fastball worked up to 90 mph, sitting in the 86-88 mph range in his outing. He was changing the pace, often pitching backwards with a splitter in the 74-78 mph range (800 rpm) that showed some tumble. He also went to a slider with 10/4 shape and sharp action around 73-74 mph (2400 rpm). On the other side of the ball, he’s an athletic defender that profiles up the middle on the dirt long-term, pairing athletic actions with a strong arm. The swing is clean with a direct and steep path, and it will continue to gain impact as he fills out his trim frame. Certainly a lot to like with the positional profile, untapped frame and movement patterns. 

Pitchers 

INF James Sobkowiak (Downers Grove South) was one of the biggest winners for Team Select in the workout portion. There is plenty of projection remaining in his 6-foot-4 frame with lean levers and long limbs, also showing loose movement patterns that translate across his entire game. The swing is clean and loose with a flat path that stays through the zone, working hard on the barrel pull-side in his round with a peak EV of 93 mph while keeping the ball on a line. He’s a smooth defender with sure-handed actions and the arm to stick left side of the infield long-term, peaking at 88 mph across. GAMEPLAY: The right-hander gave an impressive look on the mound to close out game one. He’s a bulldog on the mound with a ‘try and hit it’ mentality, working the fastball up to 90 mph in his outing with cutting action at times. It paired well off his power curveball with hard downer action at 76-78 mph, and he also showed feel for a running changeup at 78 mph that he kept down in the zone, collecting weak contact. There’s plenty of upside in his long-levered 6-foot-4 frame, and there are still plenty more jumps to be made. 

LHP Dante Gianino (Gibault Catholic) gave a deceptive look in his outing in game two. The southpaw works from a lower release and tough slot with a fastball in the low-80s, topping at 83 mph in his outing with heavy run arm-side. The changeup was his go-to secondary, playing with heavy arm-side action as well while killing spin at 69-72 mph. 

LHP Mason Trayser (Oswego East) offered an intriguing look over his two innings of work. Standing in at 6-foot-6, 200-pounds, he moves well down the mound with his long-levered operation and slight cross-fire stride. He hides it a bit on the backside with a shorter arm circle and delivers his arsenal from a high ¾ slot. The arm works free and easy with a fastball in the 84-86 mph range, playing with some angle and life through the zone. The curveball has some clay to become a quality offering with 1/7 shape, though developing spin at the moment around 70-72 mph. He also showed a changeup in the 74-75 mph that he killed spin on, playing with natural arm-side fade. High-ceiling arm that controls his long-levered frame particularly well. 

RHP Kamden Johnston (Lincoln-Way East) settled in nicely after battling some traffic in his first inning of work, striking out the side to finish with four punchouts over his two innings. He’s a simple mover down the mound with a shorter leg-lift and repeatable delivery, working with little perceived effort to create a fastball up to 88 mph, sitting in the 85-87 mph range. He was confident in a high-spin slider with over 2,500 rpm, landing it consistently around the zone in the mid-70s. Raw, untapped arm-talent with a bit of clay to work with here. 

RHP Jimmy O’Connor (Nazareth Academy) really impressed over his two innings, creating elite extension down the mound with an impressive arsenal. The 6-foot-5 right-hander holds all sorts of projection in his frame, and the delivery is easy to project as well - working in-line down the mound with a free and easy delivery, creating over 7.5’ of extension on the fastball while topping at 90 mph, sitting 87-89 mph with over 2,500 rpm. He went to a knuckle curveball with gradual 11/5 shape and developing spin at 77 mph, as well as a changeup in the 73-74 mph range with running action arm-side. LINE: 2IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 3K. 

Team Illinois 

Catchers 

C Isaiah Wolter (Oswego East) had one of the loudest all around showings for Team Illinois. He’s a twitchy right-handed hitter with an intentful swing that was able to shoot the gaps in his round, peaking at 101 mph for his EV while averaging 92 mph. His round of defense was highly impressive with athletic actions from behind the plate, working in-line from the chute with a premium arm (T83 mph; 1.80 pop-time). He’s also a 6.78 runner in the 60 to help boost the profile. GAMEPLAY: Wolter impressed in gameplay with a few of the hardest hit balls we saw all week long from Team Illinois, including a 100 mph double in the third game. He’s a twitchy, raw athlete with a strong right-handed swing, getting his ‘A’ swing off consistently with an intentful stroke and longer path through the zone. He’s a sufficient receiver of the baseball behind the plate, but his motor and arm-strength allow his defense to play up. 

C Lucas Sloan (Olympia) is a physical right-handed hitter that also showed well from behind the plate. He was consistently on the bag with accuracy at 77 mph, getting at low as 1.88 for his pop-time. The right-handed swing is longer with a steep path, working pull-side and on top of the baseball throughout his round - peaking at 95 mph for his EV. GAMEPLAY: Sloan stood out defensively over the course of the Future Games. He is a steady receiver, who showed comfortability catching various high-level arms throughout the event, pairing with a strong arm. In the final game, he collected a single and worked a few walks on the offensive side of the ball.

Infielders 

CIF Brady Jones (Metamora) is a physical specimen at 6-foot-6, 210-pounds, and he’s a well above-average athlete to pair. He’s a long-levered left-handed hitter with huge power upside, showing a steep path with pull-side intent in his round, peaking at 98 mph for his EV while averaging 88, also peaking at 364’ for his max distance. He showed steady hands on the infield with a strong arm, seemingly playing firmer than the gun was reading (84 mph) with carry across. 6.98 runner with premier athleticism for the size, also a top basketball player in the state. GAMEPLAY: Jones looked very comfortable manning the hot corner in the final game, handling hard hit balls with ease while moving well laterally, also showing well at first base throughout the week with steady hands and feel for the position. He also tallied a base hit on the final day and worked a few walks throughout the event. The power profile is real in his long-levered frame, and there are still things to clean up in the swing that will allow him to continue to unlock power in the coming years. 

MIF Peter Pignatiello (Benet) continues to look like one of the premier infield prospects in the state with a strong showing all around. The left-handed swing is clean and athletic with a flat path that stays through the zone, showing some sneaky power pull-side with a couple home runs in his round, though mostly utilizing a line-drive oriented approach - peaking at 97 mph for his EV while averaging 93 mph. He’s a smooth and fluid defender with soft hands on the dirt, moving comfortably to both sides of his glove with athletic actions. GAMEPLAY: The left-handed hitting middle infielder surely left as one of the top follows from Team Illinois. There’s a lot to like with Pignatiello, and he took some of the better at-bats all week long. It’s a clean and balanced swing with a flat path, adjusting well and staying on-time consistently against premium arms. The glove will stick on the dirt long-term, showing rangy and athletic actions with a quick release. 

MIF Ryder Rennette (Dunlap) is a scrappy left-handed hitting infielder that has a chance to stand out during gameplay. The left-handed swing is flat and athletic, working pull-side throughout his round with a peak EV of 90 mph. He’s a quick, athletic mover on the infield with crisp actions, pairing with an arm that can change angles and play on the move. Spark plug type player. GAMEPLAY: The definition of a gamer, Rennette was one of the more fun players to watch all week long. He’s a sparkplug type that grinds out at-bats, showing a spray and line-drive approach with quality bat-to-ball skills. He’s a versatile defender that showed well at both infield spots up the middle, pairing a quick first step with a confident glove. 

MIF Kameron Cox (Montini) showed some of the best actions on the infield in the workout, impressing with bouncy footwork and a quick first step, along with a confident glove and crisp actions. The arm played with life across as well, peaking at 89 mph with some intent behind it. Right-handed hitter, simple move with a direct and short swing, flat path with line-drive intent, peaking at 96 mph for his EV with a 90 mph average - also peaking at 364’ for his max distance. 6.67 runner in the 60. GAMEPLAY: Cox is a gamer that made the most of his at-bats despite not lighting up the stat sheet, taking his walks and stealing numerous bases, proving to be a threat every time he got on. The speed plays up in the field with a quick first step and range, showing a high motor with confident hands that can play all over the field. Hard-nosed and aggressive ball player. 

MIF Gavin Jones (Bishop McNamara) will be a fun follow throughout the week. 6-foot, 180-pound athletic build with room to add strength. He has a clean left-handed swing that you can dream on, working on top of the baseball with a longer path and some lift at times pull-side, peaking at 97 mph for his EV. He moves well on the infield with range to both sides of his glove, showing confidence to either side with clean transfers and a sufficient arm (T84 mph) - also a 6.85 runner in the 60. GAMEPLAY: A vocal leader throughout the week, Jones is yet another defender that profiles to stick on the infield long-term, with the ability to play all three positions. He’s a smart player with clean actions and an accurate arm, and simply put he’s a good teammate and someone you want on your team. The swing is fluid and left-handed with a line-drive approach to the gaps, showing the ability to repeat and stay balanced. 

1B Quincy Fulton (Newton) had a strong showing with his big power on display in BP, especially from the right side of the plate. The swing is flat with some lift at times, creating power easily with a heavy barrel, peaking at 100 mph for his EV while averaging 91 mph. It’s a similar swing from both sides, with his round from the right side stealing the show. He’s a steady defender at first base with sure-handed actions, and he’s an ultra-impressive athlete for his hulking 6-foot-3, 225-pound size - recording a 6.78 in his 60. GAMEPLAY: Fulton was on the barrel a handful of times over the course of gameplay and flashed noticeable jump off the bat and tallied a 94.4 mph exit velocity on a flyout in the final game, with his better at-bats coming from the right side. He’s a true physical specimen with the overall athleticism he shows for his hulking size. 

Outfielders 

OF Carver Cohn (McHenry) is the top ranked player in the state, and he really looked the part in his round of BP with a twitchy, highly athletic move from both sides. It’s a similar look from both sides with explosive hand-speed and a flat path, showing some juice in his round with a peak EV of 102 mph while averaging 91.7 mph - peaking at just under 400’ for his max distance. He’s a bouncy, athletic mover in the outfield with rangy actions, pairing with a strong arm from a crowhop (T89 mph). GAMEPLAY: Batting through an injury, Cohn was not able to run the bases or play the outfield, though he was able to swing the bat and show why he is regarded as one of the top players in the country. A true switch-hitter, Cohn consistently showed off his electric hand-speed from both sides of the plate, mirroring his swing from both sides while also taking quality at-bats consistently. 

OF Jacob Hite (St. Laurence) had an ultra-impressive showing with loud tools across the board. The frame is easy to dream on at 6-foot-2, 180-pounds with a high waist and lean levers. He was one of the best runners on the day with a 6.59 in the 60, pairing with athletic actions in the outfield and a sufficient arm (T84 mph). He showed easy bat-speed in his round of BP, working with some lift pull-side with a projectable operation - peaking at 99 mph for his EV while averaging 92 mph. GAMEPLAY: Hite came away one of the biggest winners from Team Illinois, finishing strong on the last day of gameplay with a couple knocks. There’s raw athleticism and upside to dream on, showing bat-speed from the right side with a direct path, and there’s plenty more strength to tap into as he continues to mature. He looks like a thoroughbred athlete in the outfield with his high-waisted frame and long strides, covering ground easily to pair with his blazing 60-time mentioned above. 

OF Barrett Schifferdecker (Loyola) is a physical 6-foot-3, 205-pounds with a power profile and left-handed bat to follow throughout the week. The swing is clean and stays through the zone with a flat path, generating easy bat-speed with loft in the swing pull-side - peaking at 104.4 mph for his EV and averaging 95 mph. He moves well for his size with a 7.02 in the 60, and he’s a steady defender in the outfield with a sufficient arm (T83 mph). GAMEPLAY: A two-sport standout also on the gridiron. He moves especially well for his size in the outfield and on the basepaths - making a difficult play against the wall in-game. He took consistent quality at-bats while showing a strong and compact swing from the left-side with a flat path, also taking a handful of walks on the week while showing minimal swing/miss. He recorded a handful of quality run-times, consistently being in the 4.3 range on a line and 4.54 on a turn. 

Two-Ways

OF Ryan Pipkins (Champaign Central) blends some power and speed together to make for an intriguing profile. He’s a 6.79 runner with a heavy barrel from the left-side, peaking at 97.6 mph for his EV while averaging 90 mph. The swing is direct and strong with a flat path, and he’s long been an in-game performer for our staff. He moves around the outfield well with a sure-handed glove and fluid feet, peaking at 82 mph from a crowhop. GAMEPLAY: Pipkins showed well in the outfield with efficient routes and quality reads off the bat. Though he didn’t have much to show for it at the plate, he’s still a left-handed bat with power and a track record of performing for our staff. On the mound, Pipkins fired a clean inning to close out game one, attacking the zone with a fastball up to 87 mph while sitting 83-86 mph. He showed a knack to spin his breaking ball for strikes in the 70-72 mph range, while also flashing a running changeup in the low-70s. He’s a simple mover on the mound that repeats his delivery well, coiling into a medium balance point before working in-line down the mound. High ¾ slot with a medium arm circle on the back-side. 

MIF Nicholas Chiarodo (Edwardsville) is a must-follow name throughout the week. He is highly projectable at 6-foot, 150-pounds with a high waist and all sorts of room to add strength throughout. He’s a premium athlete with a 6.60 in the 60, translating his footspeed over to the infield with rangy actions and a quick first step.The actions and glove are highly athletic and profile him up the middle long-term, and his arm will allow him to stick at short as well (T86 mph). He has a loose, athletic swing from the right side, working on top of the baseball with a balanced swing, peaking at 98 mph for his EV with a 92.6 mph average. GAMEPLAY: Chiarodo gave one of the more intriguing two-way looks on the week, and he’s nowhere near his ceiling either. The right-handed hitter was on the barrel twice in the final game with a couple knocks, working direct to the baseball with line-drive feel, seeing it deep while also being on-time with the ability to adjust. He’s a fluid, savvy defender with athletic actions, foot-speed and range, and his arm-strength will allow him to stick at short long-term. On the mound, he impressed over his two innings of work with his usual polish and control over his arsenal. He’s a pristine mover down the mound with a clean, repeatable delivery, working with a stack over the rubber from balance point with an in-line stride, landing square with the front foot before coming through with a high ¾ release, showing an uninterrupted arm-path in the back with a medium circle. The fastball played in the 88-90 mph range, setting up a curveball at 72-74 mph that he could throw whenever he wanted with over 2,500 rpm. He also flashed a cutter/slider offering at 76-77 mph (2400 rpm), as well as a changeup at 78 mph. Starter upside with much more to tap into. LINE: 2IP, H, 0R, BB, 3K. 

MIF Kanon Baxley (Kaneland) has a chance to be one of the biggest winners for Team Illinois, showcasing well in all aspects during the workout. He started things off with a 6.71 in the 60, pairing with an athletic middle infield profile with the actions to stick there long-term - as well as the arm to stick on the left side, peaking at 85 mph with explosive life and carry. The right-handed swing works a bit steep and direct into the zone but he’s on the barrel consistently, working mostly pull-side in his round with a peak EV of 97 mph. GAMEPLAY: A recurring theme of this group is gamer, and Baxley falls into that category. He was on the barrel a couple times in gameplay with a raw, athletic swing, handling the top-end arms well. He’s an athletic defender with bounce and range, pairing with steady, confident hands and arm-strength. Plays the game hard and the right way. On the mound, the right-hander showed his usual knack to spin the breaking ball, peaking over 2,700 rpm while showing wipeout 11/5 action at 72-74 mph. The fastball jumps out of the hand in the 85-88 mph range, topping at 89 mph in this look. He also showed a changeup as a quality third offering, playing with downer action under the zone, killing spin at 77-80 mph. Athletic mover with a coil into a higher balance point, drop/drive lower-half that stays in-line, longer arm action in the back, high ¾ slot - looks like a shortstop on the mound. LINE: 2IP, 3H, R, 0BB, 3K. 

Pitchers 

RHP Anderson Kaufmann (Edwardsville) was one of the more anticipated arms for Team Illinois, and he did not disappoint. He’s a highly athletic mover down the mound with a coil into balance point before stacking over the rubber and driving downhill, striding in-line with hip/shoulder separation at footstrike. Clean arm that syncs well with his body, hides it some on the backside before coming through with a ¾ release. The fastball played with carry throughout the zone in the 87-90 mph range, setting up his slider that he went to consistently in the zone in any count, 75-79 mph. He also showed a changeup that he killed spin on with fading action, 80-82 mph. True three-pitch mix that screams starter upside, controls the game and holds runners. LINE: 2IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 5K.

LHP Collin Lawlor (Marist) toed the rubber the first night of games and showed his usual four-pitch mix with feel to land all of them in the zone. He’s a strong, durable 6-foot-1, 196-pounds with a strong lower-half, and he moves well down the mound with a cross-fire delivery that works with pace from balance point. His arm is quick with a full circle in the back, playing into a tight high ¾ window. The fastball showed carry in the 85-87 mph range, pairing well with his slider at 78-79 mph and his curveball at 69 mph. He also showed a fading changeup at 81-83 mph to complete his arsenal. Starter upside with the ability to throw any of his four pitches whenever he wants. LINE: 2IP, 3H, R, 2BB, 3K.

LHP Dayne Franks (Orion) had one of the more dominant outings of the night against Team Indiana, not allowing a single hit, run or walk over his two innings - striking out one. He has some deception in his delivery with a loose and long arm swing, creating layback at footstrike with timing downhill, playing into a ¾ release. The fastball jumped out of the hand up to 89 mph, sitting more 87-88 mph while pounding the zone. He utilized the fastball mostly in his outing, but also showed a breaking ball with 2/8 shape in the low-70s to go with it. LINE: 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K.

RHP Jack Postma (Barrington) gave an ultra-intriguing look in game two, though his outing was cut short due to rain. The long-levered 6-foot-5 right-hander gives a unique look with a 4’7” release height and over 7’ of extension. He’s a loose, flexible mover with a swimming background, which explains a bit of the elasticity in his arms and shoulders. The fastball played in the 88-92 mph with life down through the zone, pairing with a slurvy breaking ball at 77 mph and a changeup at 79-80 mph. One of the higher ceilings in the country with explosive upside. 

LHP Luke Crowder (Benet) was impressive over his two innings of work, filling up the zone with his fastball and slider. 6-foot-3, 175-pounds with a high waist and plenty more room to add - he’s an athletic mover with an intentful delivery, creating clear arm-speed into his high ¾ slot. Coils into a higher leg-lift, tall/fall lower-half, works in-line downhill. The fastball worked in the 85-88 mph range and topped at 89 mph with arm-side life - really setting up his slider that played with sharp bite and two-plane break, 74-78 mph. Pitches with some moxy and attacks in the zone. LINE: 2IP, H, 0R, 0BB, 3K

RHP Connor Basinski (Columbia) holds all sorts of upside in his 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame with long-levers. He’s a simple mover with a shorter stride and coil into his balance point, showing room for gains/jumps in the near future. The arm is quick with a compact circle on the backside, playing into a ¾ slot. The fastball played 86-88 mph with life, topping out at 89 mph for swing and miss. The curveball showed swing and miss upside with 10/4 sweeping shape, playing 74-75 mph. He rounded things out with a fading changeup at 79-80 mph. LINE: 2IP, 2H, R, BB, 3K

RHP Dodger Friedrich (Lane Tech) was a much anticipated outing for Team Illinois, and he showed off some bullying stuff in his lone inning of work. He’s a hulking 6-foot-4, 240-pounds with a durable, strong build, and he is also still only 15 years old (15.11). It’s a longer, methodical delivery with a long side step into a high coiled balance point, lifting the hands over his head in-sync with the leg-lift before working intentful downhill and in-line. The arm is compact on the backside and he hides it well before coming through with a ¾ release near the ear. The fastball jumped through the zone and collected whiffs in the 89-93 mph range, pairing with a sweeping slider that is typically his go-to, playing 78-81 mph with wipeout potential. LINE: 1IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 2K.

LHP Landon Ludwig (Ridgeview) stands in at a high-waisted 6-foot-5, 190-pounds, and though he battled through some traffic in his first inning, he still came away one of the more intriguing arms from Team Illinois. It’s a long-levered operation with a high front side down the mound, creating some angle from a high ¾ release while working in-line to the plate. The fastball played in the 86-88 mph range, topping at 90 mph with much more in the tank. He showed a bullet curveball at 75-76 mph to pair off the fastball, also flashing a cutter/slider at 79 mph with bullet shape as well. His changeup showed out-pitch potential with tumble and fade arm-side, 78-80 mph. High-ceiling arm with jumps likely in the near future. 

RHP Henry Murphy (Maine South) showed off a polished three-pitch arsenal over his two innings of work. He’s a dynamic, athletic mover, coiling into balance point with a smooth leg-lift, drop/drive lower-half that works quickly downhill while staying in-line, loose leg-swing finish while staying balanced. Clean arm path with a medium circle, high ¾ slot. Fastball played 86-88 mph with mostly straight action, setting up a curveball he could throw for strikes at 68-72 mph (2300 rpm) and a changeup that he kept around the zone, 72-73 mph. Starter upside with three real pitches and polish. LINE: 2IP, 2H, R, 0BB, K.

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