This past year’s Future Games team was without a doubt one, if not the most talented we’ve ever had, and the commitments coming through directly reflect that. Since the conclusion of the event, there are already 19 players committed from Illinois - also taking into account the players we had on Team Select.

Team Illinois 

We have 11 players from Team Illinois alone headed to Power Four programs, with the event’s Most Valuable Pitcher, RHP Kaden Wasniewski (McHenry, 2027), leading that charge as he has verbally committed to Louisiana State. 

From 6/26/25: “INF Kaden Wasniewski (McHenry) is the top-ranked Illinois player in attendance, ranked No. 2 in the state, and he will be a must-see player on both sides of the ball. Listed at 6-foot, 175-pounds with lean strength, there is still more to come and dream on in the frame. He had a quality round of BP with a longer and flat swing through the zone, peaking at 93.7 mph for his EV. He’s also a premier athlete, cruising to a 6.54 in the 60. GAMEPLAY: The top ranked two-way in the Midwest stole the show in the first game with a premium look on the mound, but he also looks to be a sure-handed corner infielder with an athletic right-handed swing, pairing with quality awareness of the zone with minimal chase. PITCHING: It was pure dominance when Wasniewski took the mound, striking out four over two hitless and scoreless frames, also not allowing a walk. The fastball explodes out of his hand with over 2,700 rpm, sitting 92-95 mph with more likely on the way. He showed a tight slider to pair off the fastball with sharp bite and feel, 79-83 mph. Flashed a power changeup at 83-86 mph with arm-speed, late fade, collected whiffs.”

We have a pair of prospects headed to Kentucky from the event with C Tristan Steger (St. Laurence, 2027) and RHP Traxton Roberts (Armstrong, 2027) - who were both big winners in their own right. 

Steger was in the mix for the event’s overall MVP, finishing 6-for-7 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored - also providing elite defense from behind the dish.

From 6/26/25: “C Tristan Stegar (St. Laurence) is a physical left-handed hitter whose prospect status continues to rise with each look. He’s physically built at 6-foot-2, 188-pounds and there’s still more room to add on strength. He creates easy loud results with his left-handed swing, staying balanced through impact with loose wrists, peaking at 105.3 mph for his EV while averaging 90 mph - also lifting his furthest ball 398’. He has impressive BLAST metrics to pair, averaging 73 mph for his bat-speed and 21.5 mph for his hand-speed. Quality catch/throw behind the plate with an above-average arm to pair (T77 mph; 2.01 pop-time). GAMEPLAY: Steger was far and away one of the biggest winners at the plate for Team Illinois, finishing the week at a 6-for-7 clip with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. The approach is highly mature, using the whole field with strength while also not expanding the zone, simple operation. Quality catch/throw behind the plate, works hard in-game and is a vocal leader.”

Roberts had a lights out showing in his two shutout innings of work, allowing just one hit with one walk and four strikeouts. 

From 6/26/25: “RHP Traxton Roberts (Armstrong) was far and away one of the biggest winners on the mound for Team Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-hander has a simple and raw delivery, working with an up-tempo pace into a slightly crouched balance point, working slightly across body with his stride. He has a loose and uninterrupted arm action with a higher ¾ release, sitting 89-91 mph with the fastball with over 2,400 rpm and arm-side run. He showed a knack to spin his curveball over 2,600 rpm, showing a bigger 11/5 shape with depth, 72-74 mph. He also showed a shorter bullet slider with a distinctly different shape, playing around 79-81 mph. Lastly he went to a heavy fading changeup in the low-80s, reaching over 20” of run at times. Over his two innings of work, Roberts only allowed one hit with no runs, one walk and four strikeouts.”

CIF/RHP Brady Cunningham (Brother Rice, 2027) was another one of Team Illinois’ biggest winners, as he showed well on both sides of the ball and is now committed to Texas A&M.

From 6/26/25: “The No. 4 player in Illinois, CIF Brady Cunningham (Brother Rice) was a day one winner from the workout, and he’s one to circle for the rest of the week. Listed at 6-foot-2, 218-pounds, he’s a premium athlete especially for his size, turning in a 6.67 in the 60. The right-handed bat has shown incredibly well in-game for our staff with minimal swing/miss and loud results, and there’s easy strength in his simple swing with a peak EV of 101.6 mph (76.7 mph avg. bat-speed; 22.3 mph avg. hand-speed). He can play either corner infield position with steady hands and a strong arm. GAMEPLAY: Two of the loudest barrels of the entire week both came off the bat of Cunningham, with a 107 mph single in the first game and a 105 mph lineout in the final game. The bat-to-ball is premium with minimal swing/miss or chase, and there’s plus power likely as he continues to mature physically. Motor really stands out in-game with hard run-times down the line. PITCHING: On the mound, the physical right-hander attacked in the zone with his fastball and curveball, not allowing a run over his two innings of work. The fastball played up to 90.5 mph, sitting 88-89 mph with carry up in the zone. The curveball showed depth and over-the-top shape in the mid-70s.” 

MIF Jacsen Tucker (Oswego East, 2027) took the first night by storm, earning the game’s MVP award after he launched two home runs in gameplay, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. 

From 6/26/25: “Staying on the subject of high-ceiling infielders, INF Jacsen Tucker (Oswego East) headlines that list. He has a high-waisted frame you can easily dream on, standing in at a long-levered 6-foot-4, 180-pounds with much more room to add strength. He had one of the louder rounds of BP from the Illinois group, peaking at 101 mph with a flat, athletic stroke. He really stands out on the dirt with natural, athletic actions - showing clear feel for the position with range to either side, clean/crisp transfers and timing through the baseball. Must-see name for the Illinois group. GAMEPLAY: Few people garnered as much helium as Tucker did after the first night of gameplay, as he launched two home runs in the nightcap - one pull-side and one to the opposite field. He profiles on the left side of the infield, but he also showed the ability to move into the outfield where he stands out with athletic actions and range.” 

Team Select 

The talent in Illinois’ 2027 group was so vast this past year that we simply couldn’t fit them all on one team, having to send a handful of players over to Team Select to give them the opportunity to showcase their abilities. 

One of the bigger standouts from the Illinois crop on Team Select was LHP/1B Quinn Rooney (Benet, 2027), who has recently announced his commitment to Notre Dame and was a standout on both sides of the ball. 

From 6/26/25: “1B/LHP Quinn Rooney (Benet) is a high-ceiling name our staff became familiar with this past spring. He has a highly projectable 6-foot-5, 196-pound frame with much more room to add strength, and his levers help him create some juice at the plate, peaking at 96 mph for his EV while averaging 91 mph. GAMEPLAY: The big left-handed hitter found some success at the plate, finishing 3-for-7 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. He handled his at-bats well with minimal chase out of the zone and the ability to handle velocity, showing a loose and easy swing with the ability to work the whole field. “ 

Another standout from the event that deserves his flowers is OF Omar Avalos Jr. (Father McGivney, 2027) - who was one of the top defensive outfielders in attendance, now committed to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

From 6/26/25: “OF Omar Avalos (Father McGivney) is a sparkplug-type player to check out this week. He’s a proven in-game performer for our staff with sneaky strength in his swing, and he wore out the barrel in his round of BP, peaking at 91.5 mph with an average of 85 mph. He’s an athletic defender in the outfield with some bounce, and he’s also a 6.76 runner in the 60. GAMEPLAY: Ovalos had a quality weekend at the plate, including earning Team Select MVP honors for his 2-for-2 day with a double in Game Two. He utilized his athleticism and played strong in the field throughout the week, playing three clean games in the outfield while showing the ability to cover ground and read the ball well off the bat.” 

All other Commitments (Listed Alphabetically) 

Jimmy Benson LHP / St. Laurence, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 36 / POS: 5 Texas Christian Commit "LHP Jimmy Benson (St. Laurence) is coming off a massive spring in which he helped lead his club to a 3A State Title. There’s a ton to dream on with his 6-foot-8, 205-pound frame, and he is another arm that gives a tough, deceptive look for opposing hitters. The fastball sat comfortably in the 81-84 mph range, collecting whiffs in the zone. He showed feel for his slider with 2/8 shape and some depth, landing it around the zone and also flashing sharp action, 70-73 mph. He also went to a fading changeup at 77-79 mph to fill out his arsenal. Controls his levers well for size, messed with timing with his leg-lifts. Struck out four over his two innings of work. "

Braylen Brown RHP / 3B / Staunton, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 45 / POS: 14 Cincinnati Commit  "RHP Braylen Brown (Staunton) was the first member of Team Select’s rotation to take the mound at the Senior Future Games. Standing in at a lean 6-foot-2, 195-pounds, Brown works down the mound with ease and fluidity and throws out of a high ¾ slot. He showcased two pitches with a quality feel for spin on both his fastball and breaking ball. Brown offered his fastball in the 86-89 mph range and topped out at 90 mph, with the fastball averaging 2370 rpm. The curveball played with over 2,800 rpm, showing sharp action with 11/5 shape."

Mason Bruesch OF / RHP / Geneva, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 8 Michigan State Commit  "RHP Mason Bruesch (Geneva) is an uncomfortable at-bat for opposing hitters, working from a lower, sidearm release and some cross-fire in the delivery. His fastball plays with natural sink, 83-85 mph and topping at 87 mph. Slider showed shorter frisbee action around 71-73 mph, and he also flashed a changeup at 80 mph with a similar profile to the fastball. Fired two shutout innings with just one hit allowed, striking out three. "

Tyler Gluting LHP / OF / Metea Valley, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 204 / POS: 20 Oklahoma Commit  "OF Tyler Gluting (Metea Valley) will also be taking the mound for Team Illinois later in the week, but showed well as a position player in the workout portion. Standing in at 5-foot-11, 159-pounds, there’s still plenty of room to add strength to his lean frame in the coming years. He showed a fluid and loose lefty stroke in BP, working on the barrel up the middle of the field with a peak EV of 98.4 mph. He’s an athletic mover in the outfield with speed to pair (6.99-60), and he has plenty of arm-strength to go with it (T91 mph OF). The No. 6 ranked player in the state, Gluting will be an intriguing follow on both sides of the ball this week. GAMEPLAY: Gluting took some impressive swings throughout the week, showing looseness in his stroke with some feel for the barrel - finishing 3-for-7 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. PITCHING: He gave an extremely loud look on the mound, topping at 94.7 mph with the fastball and flashing a wipeout breaking ball around 80 mph. Though the strikes were scattered, it was an eye-opening showing of the pure arm-talent Gluting possesses. "

Liam Nash RHP / Huntley, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 39 / POS: 11 Houston Commit  "RHP Liam Nash (Huntley) offered a lively look at a three-pitch mix throughout the week. Nash worked his fastball in the 87-90 mph range and topped out at 91 on the day with up to 2335 rpm of spin. The righty also offered a slider with sharp and late horizontal movement that stayed in the 73-75 mph range, as well as a high-70s changeup with both fade and depth. Nash stands in at 6-foot-2, 200-pounds with present strength throughout his frame, and there is plenty of projection in his makeup."

Wade Ozment RHP / OF / Crystal Lake Central, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 7 Illinois Commit "RHP Wade Ozment (Crystal Lake Central) stands in at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds and offers an uncomfortable look for many hitters. He throws out of a near sidearm slot with a long but whippy arm action. He worked his fastball in the 85-86 mph range and topped at 87.2 with his primary offering. He also offered a pair of secondaries - a low 70s slider with sharp and tight 10/4 bite that average around 2300 rpm, as well as a high-70s changeup with some killed spin averaging 1420 rpm. Ozment allowed just two hits in his two innings of work with no runs coming across."

Chase Reinhart LHP / OF / Normal West, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 491 / POS: 47 Creighton Commit   "LHP Chase Reinhart (Normal West) threw it well in game one, going two shutout innings with no hits allowed, no walks and five strikeouts. He’s an athletic mover with some bounce in his delivery and finish, high leg-kick, gets into his backside down the mound, works in-line. Arm is quick and shorter from the glove, ¾ release. The fastball played in the 84-87 mph range, topping out at 88 mph with arm-side life. He went to a slider in the 69-70 mph range to change up the pace, showing depth and some two-plane break."

Andrew Talbert OF / SS / Byron, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 282 / POS: 59 North Carolina Commit  "INF/OF Andrew Talbert (Byron) had one of the loudest showings of the day. Ranked No. 12 in the state, the tools have always been loud - and he showed off one of the strongest arms of the day by hitting 97 mph from the outfield and 91 mph from the infield. The right-handed hitter has an athletic and compact swing that works to stay on top of the baseball, peaking at 96.3 mph for his EV while averaging 91 mph (T340’). He’s a swiss army knife in the field with athleticism to play both on the infield and in the outfield, showcasing fluid footwork and range in both spots with the actions to pair. Also a 6.69 runner in the 60, Talbert is a sparkplug type that will be a lot of fun to watch this week. GAMEPLAY: Talbert was a winner right out of the gate, setting the tone in our first game by taking a 93 mph fastball early in the count up the middle for a single. He also had a triple in the third game, nearly leaving the yard to left/center. There’s real versatility with the glove, showing the actions and arm to stick on the left side of the infield, and he also showed well in the outfield with quick bursts and the ability to cover ground. Consistently gave above-average run-times down the line, plays the game hard and is a well-rounded prospect with tools to pair. "

Carson Trivellini SS / 2B / Crystal Lake South, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 6 Illinois Commit  "INF Carson Trivellini (Crystal Lake South) comes in as the No. 17 ranked player in Illinois, and he’s a high-ceiling infielder to keep an eye on this week. He has a highly projectable and athletic frame, standing in at 6-foot-2, 187-pounds. The right-handed swing is simple and balanced, delivering his furthest ball 345’. He’s a fluid and natural defender with crisp/clean actions, and his arm plays athletically up to 85 mph across. GAMEPLAY: Trivellini was one of the top performers with the bat all weekend, showing the ability to handle the premium velocity with quality bat-to-ball skills, finishing 4-for-7 with an RBI, two runs scored and a walk. The actions on the infield really stand out, and he will surely be able to stick on the dirt at the next level."

Kash VanHouten SS / RHP / Canton, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 5 OverallRank: 343 / POS: 69 Illinois Commit  "INF/OF Kash Van Houten (Canton) will be a sure-fire name to follow this week, coming in as the No. 7 ranked player in Illinois. There’s some present strength and athleticism in his 6-foot-1, 181-pound frame, but there’s surely still more room to add. At the plate, he showed a flatter swing with length through the zone and a peak EV of 96.6 mph. He has plenty of arm strength to stick on the left side of the infield (T88 mph), and he has the actions to stick there moving forward as well with confident hands. He has the versatility to hop in the outfield, and the arm is even stronger from out there (T91 mph). 6.93 runner in the 60. GAMEPLAY: VanHouten was a bit unlucky at times with some barreled up outs, but he continued to look like an athletic up the middle prospect to follow. PITCHING: He gave a loud look in game two of the week, firing two scoreless innings with just one hit allowed, no runs, two strikeouts and one walk. The fastball played in the 87-90 mph range, topping at 91 mph with ride and life at the top of the zone. The slider was a quality secondary offering, spinning over 2,400 rpm while playing in the mid-70s. He also flashed feel for a fading changeup around 81-82 mph. Attacked in the zone with all three offerings."

James Wasson RHP / OF / Nazareth Academy, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 61 / POS: 20 Yale Commit  "RHP James Wasson (Nazareth) is a high-ceiling arm with some intriguing traits. Standing in at 6-foot-5, 215-pounds, he’s a well above-average athlete with a 21.3 mph peak run speed in the 60. The long-levered right-hander worked his fastball up to 90 mph, sitting more in the upper-80s with over 2,400 rpm early on in his outing. He flashed an 11/5 curveball with over 2,300 rpm, showing quality depth and bite around 68-71 mph."

Ryan Wilberding C / OF / Libertyville, IL / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 480 / POS: 49 Marshall Commit  "C Ryan Wilberding (Libertyville) is another physical right-handed bat to follow this week, and he’s currently the No. 18 ranked player in the state. He has a strong build at 6-foot, 203-pounds, boasting rounded shoulders and a developed lower-half. The hit tool is very prominent with Wilberding, and that was on full display in BP with a peak EV of 101.1 mph, averaging 91.6 mph with length through the zone and loose wrists. He has quality catch/throw from behind the plate, topping at 82 mph with a pop-time of 1.90. GAMEPLAY: Wilberding showed well defensively and should be a backstop to follow moving forward. He works to present pitches around the zone for strikes with soft hands, and the arm-strength really stands out in-game with life and carry. Though he didn’t have much to show for it this week, the bat has long been a performer in-game with extra-base power. "

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