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Underclass Showcase: Takeaways

October 23, 2025
By: Peter Hamot & Tyler Defibaugh

On Sunday, October 19th, we wrapped up our fall showcase circuit with the Underclass Showcase at The Max in McCook, IL. This event was host to around 30 players from the classes of 2028/2029, and was pound-for-pound one of the more talented open events we hosted all year.

Today, we are taking a look at a number of the standouts with this takeaways story, including videos and more below. 

Position Players 

INF Mason Nashif (Burlington Central, 2029) displayed athletic and advanced actions for his age on both sides of the ball, making for an impressive Prep Baseball event debut. The right-handed hitter took a polished round of BP for his age; showcasing a flatter path with length through the zone, while hitting line drives to the middle/pull-side with some intent behind it. He posted a max EV of 88.2 mph with an average of 81.8 mph, while hitting one of the furthest balls for the event at 323 feet. Defensively, he plays with athletic feet while staying behind the baseball, showing soft hands and natural feel for the position, while throwing accurately from multiple angles. A name to know heading into 2026.

OF Sam Steele (Naperville North, 2028) was another winner on both sides of the ball at the event. A lean and athletic 5-foot-10, 171-pounds, Steele started the event by showing athletic actions in the outfield defensively, while topping out at 85 mph, good for third-highest for the event. He then ran the fastest 60 for the entire event at 6.92 seconds. The right-handed hitter showed the ability to create jump off the barrel, swinging with loose hands and staying balanced throughout. Steele finished the event third in max EV (96.8 mph), first in average EV (93.3 mph), second in max distance (361 feet), first in hard hit percentage (83%), fifth in max hand speed (22.9 mph), fourth in average hand speed (21.3 mph) and max bat speed (78 mph), first in average bat speed (73.3 mph), and first in max jump height (26.7 inches).

C Waylon Marko (Hononegah, 2028) looked to be one of the top backstops in attendance after a loud showing on both sides of the ball. Standing at a strong 6-foot, 183-pounds, he showed bat speed, strong hands, and jump off the barrel to the middle and opposite parts of the field from the right side. He led the event in max EV (98.9 mph), was third in average EV (89.4 mph), tied for second in hard hit percentage (72%), and tied for third in average bat speed (69.7 mph). Defensively, he posted a pop time range of 2.14-2.20 and had the strongest arm for the event with his best bullet coming in at 79 mph.

A pair of Marian Catholic sophomore infielders each had quality showings at the event in Bronx Debergh and Lacey Rogers Jr.

Debergh started at shortstop in the spring as a freshman for Marian Catholic and has made strides on both sides of the ball since we saw him earlier this year. The right-handed hitter showed a flatter path at the plate paired with a line drive approach that utilized the middle of the field while showing balance throughout his swing. Defensively, he plays through the baseball with athletic actions and shows natural feel for the position. He led the event in infield velocity at 82 mph.

Rogers Jr. also saw time on varsity this past spring for Marian Catholic, and looked to be a well-rounded corner infielder at this event. Standing at 5-foot-10, 180-pounds with some noticeable strength throughout, he showed bat speed, the ability to elevate the ball with jump off the barrel, while using the whole field. Defensively, he showed natural feel for the first base position and made accurate throws throughout his round. 

INF Carl Pederson (Hinsdale Central, 2028) continues to improve each time our staff gets eyes on him. The right-handed hitter showed a loose and balanced swing with some twitch to it, displaying a simple line drive approach to the middle of the field. Defensively, he showed to have reliable hands up the middle and a clean release, flashing natural feel for the position.

INF/OF Aden Gutierrez (St. Rita, 2028) is an athletic 5-foot-9, 150-pound prospect to follow from the event. A right-handed hitter, he showed a loose and twitchy swing that works slightly uphill with a line drive approach to all fields. He peaked at 92.6 mph off the bat while posting a max distance of 321 feet. He also finished fifth in average bat speed for the event at 68.4 mph. Defensively, he showed the ability to play either on the infield or in the outfield and looked athletic in both spots. He tied for second in infield velocity at 81 mph and tied for fourth in outfield velocity at 84 mph. 

A left-handed hitter who had a strong day metrically with the bat was INF Will Steffens (Barrington, 2028). Standing at a wiry 6-foot-3, 194-pounds with strength, he tied for sixth in max EV (94.7 mph), he was second in average distance (257 feet), and he led the event in max distance (368 feet). 

Two-Ways 

OF/RHP Jacob Hite (St. Laurence, 2028) had one of the better two-way showings on the day. He has an upside and projectable frame at 6-foot, 174-pounds with a high waist, wiry limbs and room to add strength. On the mound, he’s a smooth and silky mover with some tempo to his delivery, high leg-kick, clean lower-half with a slight bend in the back knee down the mound, works in-line, front foot lands square, shoulders work level downhill. Clean and quick arm, medium circle out of the glove, ¾ slot. Fastball plays with easy life out of the hand, showed some carry traits with feel around the zone, 79-82 mph. Showed advanced feel for his curveball with tight 11/5 shape, could land it in the zone with ease. Changeup also looks to be a quality third offering with feel for strikes, played with heavy arm-side run with efficient spin, 73-75 mph. The right-handed hitter also swung it well during BP; showing a loose and twitchy swing with line drive approach to all fields while possessing balance. He was second in max exit velocity (97 mph), average exit velocity (90.4 mph), and hard hit percentage (72%), while also finishing third in max distance (349 feet) for the event.

RHP/OF Jenner Smith (Hersey, 2028) continues to look like one of the top two-way prospects in the entire state, currently ranked No. 22 in Illinois. He’s ultra-projectable at 6-foot-2, 173-pounds with a high waist, and there is still much more physicality to come. He’s an easy mover on the mound with a projectable delivery and movement patterns - works exclusively out of the stretch, controlled leg-lift that works in-sync with his hands, pre-sets the back knee with a bend and holds it down the mound with an in-line stride, front foot lands square. Longer and loose arm swing, uninterrupted throughout its path into a slightly higher ¾ release. Fastball played up to 84 mph, sitting mostly 80-83 mph with some carry traits. Curveball and slider both have potential with developing feel - with the curveball showing tight 11/5 shape at 66-67 mph, and the slider tight 10/4 shape at 71-72 mph. Flashed feel for his changeup at 72-73 mph, played similar to the fastball, mostly straight by flashed arm-side run at times. Smith also showed well positionally at the event. A right-handed hitter with loose hands and the ability to create jump off the barrel stood out during BP as he topped out at 94.6 mph off the bat. Smith led the event in average hand speed (24.8 mph) as well. Defensively, he showed easy arm action that reached up to 85 mph with more velocity coming in the future. Smith rounded out his impressive showing by running a 6.97 60 - good for second-fastest for the event.

LHP/OF JD Farkas (Hersey, 2028) has long been a staff favorite, and he continued to impress with a strong two-way look over the weekend. There’s some present strength in his compact, 5-foot-8, 175-pound build. On the mound, he’s extremely polished with feel for four pitches, and his delivery is very repeatable and simple. He works exclusively out of the stretch with a high and controlled leg-lift into balance point, drops into his back leg and rides it down the mound in-line. Clean arm circle, ¾ slot. Showed two different fastballs - a four-seam at 80-84 mph with slight run, and a sinker with more arm-side action and feel around the zone, 77-80 mph. Showed advanced feel for his tight curveball with 1/7 shape, landing it in the zone 100% of the time per TrackMan, 66-70 mph. Also went to a fading changeup at 69-72 mph, flashed feel around the zone and plays clean out of the hand. Farkas showed to be one of the better left-handed hitters in attendance as well; showcasing a loose swing, flat path, and line drive approach that generated backspin contact to the middle of the field. He had the fourth-highest max EV (96.2 mph), fifth-highest average EV (86.5 mph), third-highest average distance (234 feet). To round out his strong performance, he tied for the second-highest outfield velocity for the event at 86 mph.

INF/RHP Keegan Crabtree (Lincoln-Way East, 2028) had one of the more impressive showings on the entire day. He has a highly projectable frame, standing in at 6-foot, 150-pounds with a high-waisted athletic build. On the mound, the right-hander has a clean operation with a medium leg-lift into a tucked balance point, tall/fall lower-half, works in-line, front foot lands square. Clean arm with a long and loose path, uninterrupted, high ¾ slot. Fastball played 79-81 mph with carry traits, setting up an 11/5 curveball at 66-69 mph. Flashed a changeup with mostly straight action, 69-72 mph. Crabtree also swung it well throughout batting practice, utilizing a line drive approach from the right side that worked baseballs to the middle and pull-side parts of the field consistently. Defensively he showed to have natural feel for the position up the middle, playing with rangy actions and a quick release, while pairing it all with a reliable glove.

OF/RHP Tyson Adrianopoli (New Trier, 2029) showed well on both sides of the ball over the weekend. He has a projectable and lean frame with wiry limbs, listed at 5-foot-11, 151-pounds. On the mound, he showed innate feel for his breaking ball, landing it in the zone at-will with depth and sharp 11/5 shape. Paired well with his fastball that he landed in the zone consistently, 74-77 mph with some arm-side run. Adrianopoli was a winner with his right-handed bat as well. Showing an intentful swing, he showcased the ability to hit line drives to the middle part of the field while also flashing some of the quicker hands for the event (T22.1 mph hand speed).

LHP/OF Colton Carpenter (Normal University, 2028) emerged as an intriguing prospect to follow from central Illinois. 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame, athletic and trim build, lean with room to add strength. On the mound, the southpaw works with a quick delivery, medium leg-lift into balance point, moves quickly downhill with a longer stride that stays in-line. Long and loose arm swing out of the glove, lower ¾ slot. Fastball played with natural run to the arm-side at 77-80 mph, flashed feel around the zone. Curveball showed quality action at times with 1/7 shape and depth, 65-67 mph. Slider played with shorter, more lateral shape, 64-67 mph. His final offering was a heavy fading changeup (T-18.7” HM), scattered command, 68-69 mph. With the bat, Carpenter displayed loose hands and an athletic, uphill path that utilized the middle of the field from the right side of the dish. He also showed to be an athletic mover in the outfield, playing with quick and confident feet. His best bullet from the outfield registered at 84 mph, good for fourth-best on the day.

Pitchers 

RHP Blake Harris (El Paso-Gridley, 2028) had easily one if not the loudest bullpens on the day. Listed at 6-foot-5, 213-pounds, the big right-hander has plenty of present strength throughout his long-levered build, but there is certainly still room for more in the coming years. He creates a tough angle for opposing hitters with a higher release, working into a high leg-lift with some pace before getting down the mound with a tall/fall operation and intent. Longer reach out of the glove with a high ¾ slot. Fastball exploded out of the hand and through the zone with some carry traits in the 84-87 mph range, topping at 88 mph. Curveball has developing shape and feel but flashed quality action at times with slurvy shape, 69-72 mph. Cutter showed a short lateral wrinkle in the low-70s, and he rounded out his arsenal with a running changeup at 76-79 mph, thrown with fastball intent and flashing feel around the zone.

RHP Ben Sutphen (New Trier, 2029) looks to be an intriguing arm coming through for the Trevians. He has a projectable frame at 6-foot-1, 171-pounds, and there’s plenty of room for added strength in the coming years. Hybrid delivery from the windup, up-tempo, short side-step into a controlled leg-lift, drop/drive while working in-line, gets moving down the mound. Medium arm circle into a ¾ release. Fastball played with natural cutting action through the zone at times, 76-80 mph, topping at 81 mph, flashed feel around the zone. Slider played around 65-69 mph with gradual 10/4 shape and developing feel. Changeup showed heavy arm-side run (T16.7” HM), 73-75 mph, flashed feel. 

RHP Ben McNair (Deerfield, 2029) is another freshman arm that looks to have a bright future. Listed at 5-foot-10, 163-pounds, he has a wiry and projectable frame that should continue to fill out in the coming years. Works exclusively out of the stretch, loose operation, high leg-lift with a slight coil into balance point, drop/drive lower-half, works in-line, athletic finish. Clean arm, short and high elbow from the glove, ¾ release. Fastball played around 77-81 mph, mostly straight action with some life through the zone, flashed feel in the zone. Showed above-average feel for a sharp slider, playing with 10/4 shape and depth at 68-71 mph, could land glove-side and as a putaway pitch. Splitter has upside as a third offering, played with fade and tumble, flashed strikes, 73-75 mph. 

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