On Sunday, February 1st, our staff hosted the annual Unsigned Senior Showcase at The Max in McCook, IL. This event is historically a success, with dozens of players each year eventually going on to commit to schools at the next level. This year was ultimately a success with another talented crop, and there will surely be some commitments coming in the near future.

We continue our post-event rollout today with a look at every single catcher from the day, including a top-3 ranking of who our staff thought showed the best on the day. 

For a look at the entire event page, click HERE. 

Top Catching Prospects 

1. Asher Cantu, O'Fallon (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-4, 223 pounds. High-waisted frame with some physicality throughout, broad shoulders.
Hit: LHH. Wider base, quiet hand load, short stride, utilizes lower-half. Short path, works on top of the ball, balanced with strength at impact, middle and pull-side approach with loud results.  73.5 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 108 mph max exit velocity (97.7 avg.); 383-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Medium arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.13-2.20 pop time range; Clean glove to hand, gains ground easily from the chute, clean actions, easy block, deadens the ball out front.
Athletic Testing: 7.28 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 60.7 Edge Score.

2. Noah Gaietto, Amundsen (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 6-0, 171.3 pounds. Lean build with some present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, short leg kick stride, linear lower-half. Easy with uphill intent, easy strength, pull-side approach, jumps off the barrel.  72.9 mph bat speed with 8g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (90.6 avg.); 388-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. INF - 83 mph. C: Short and clean arm circle, high 3/4 slot. INF: Loose, whippy arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.00-2.15 pop time range; C: Clean glove to hand with steady transfers, clean footwork from the chute, works in-line, soft and athletic block. INF: Sure-handed gather out front, steady transfers.
Athletic Testing: 7.21 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 63.1 Edge Score.

3. Jack Thompson, III, Johnsburg (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/2B
Body: 5-10, 180 pounds. Proportional frame with some present strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, slight rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, short stride, utilizes lower-half. Short to the ball, long through the zone with a flat path, balanced and clean swing, line-drive intent up the middle of the field.  65.3 mph bat speed with 12g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (81.2 avg.); 318-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 77 mph. Shorter arm action, 3/4 slot, loose.
Defense: 2.06-2.13 pop time range; Gains ground from the chute, works in-line, clean and steady glove to hand, soft and easy block.
Athletic Testing: 7.37 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.82 Edge Score.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY) 

Jordan Cochon, Warren Township (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-7, 160 pounds. Athletic, proportional build.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slight rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, minimal stride, linear lower-half. Easy and balanced, works on top of the baseball, some feel to use the middle of the field.  66.7 mph bat speed with 20g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (83.4 avg.); 312-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Consistent throws on the bag, clean release, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.19-2.27 pop time range; Clean glove to hand, works in-line from the chute, works to deaden the ball out front.
Athletic Testing: 7.48 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.80-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 55.72 Edge Score.

Peyton Mulligan, Prospect (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 5-11, 175 pounds. Lean, proportional frame.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open setup, short stride gains ground, quiet hand load, linear lower-half. Works on top of the baseball, used the whole field with lifted contact.  72.1 mph bat speed with 10g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (86.7 avg.); 305-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Short and quick arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.06-2.19 pop time range; Sure-handed, works in-line from the chute, clean transfers, fluid, soft block.
Athletic Testing: 7.38 runner in the 60-yard dash; 25.60-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 65.05 Edge Score.

Ethan Murchek, Hobart (IN), 2026
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 160 pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Balanced base, rhythm in the hands pre-pitch, short knee-knock stride, linear lower-half. Short and handsy, level to slightly uphill swing, middle and pull-side approach.  60.3 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (78.3 avg.); 303-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. INF - 74 mph. C: Longer arm circle, high 3/4 slot. INF: Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.22-2.38 pop time range; C: Steady hands, deliberate transfer, gains ground and works in-line. INF: Active footwork, plays with timing and some feel, sure-handed actions.
Athletic Testing: 7.08 runner in the 60-yard dash; 17.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 62.51 Edge Score.

Blake Penzkofer, Lockport (IL), 2026
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-2, 225 pounds. Sturdy, proportional frame with some present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Wider base, quiet hands pre-pitch, minimal stride, linear lower-half. Short to the ball, uphill intent, strong with power upside, lifted up the middle and pull-side.  59.9 mph bat speed with 13g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 mph max exit velocity (83.7 avg.); 328-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Medium arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.20 pop time range; Deliberate transfer, feet work in-line and gain ground from the chute, steady hands.
Athletic Testing: 7.80 runner in the 60-yard dash; 19.00-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 74.22 Edge Score.

Related Content