On Sunday, October 6th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff hosted the annual Unsigned Senior Showcase at The MAX in McCook, IL. This was one of the deepest rosters we've had in recent memory, with a couple players already coming off the board following the event, and plenty more still looking for a future home. 

Today, we will be taking a look at every single pitcher from the day, as well as breaking down who our staff deemed as the top arms with a Top-5 ranking, below. 

A couple arms to note from the day are RHPs Matthew Purta (Fenwick) and Gabriel Lunardini (Waubonsie Valley). 

Purta, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-hander, worked his fastball in the low-80s while creating tilt through the zone. He flashed a sharp bullet curveball at times, averaging over 2,300 rpm.

Lunardini provides a deceptive look for opposing hitters with his low release. He hides the ball well on the back side and slings in his sinking fastball around the 80 mph mark (T2350 rpm; 12.1” HM avg.)

Top Pitching Prospects 

1. Tadgh Callaghan, Brother Rice (IL), 2025, St. Xavier commit
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 200-pounds. Strong, mature frame.
Delivery: Staggered start, controlled tempo, early hand separation, medium leg kick into balance point, slight drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm action, 3/4 slot with acceleration out front.
FB: T86, 84-86 mph. Plays with arm-side run, has life out of the hand. T2156, 2092 average rpm.
SL: 73-75 mph. Short 10/4 action, strikes. T2106, 2035 average rpm.
CH: 76-79 mph. Plays with arm-side fade and sink. Flashes out-pitch potential. T1254, 1231 average rpm.
CUT: 79-80 mph. Shorter action, developing.

2. Luke Hickey, Fenwick (IL), 2025, Benedictine University commit
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-2, 160.3-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with projection. Long levers.
Delivery: Stretch only, starts with feet staggered, up-tempo into a medium balance point, rides pre-bend in back knee down the mound, stays in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm circle, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Plays with natural sinking action through the zone. T2199, 2127 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. Sharp 1/7 action with depth, feel under the zone. T2330, 2193 average rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Similar to the fastball out of the hand, kept under the zone. T1400, 1349 average rpm.
CUT: 72-74 mph. Short, lateral action.

3. Spencer Drummond, Harry D Jacobs High School  (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. High-waisted frame.
Delivery: Up-tempo delivery, medium balance point, rides pre-bend in back knee down the mound, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Quick, athletic arm, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Gets life and finish through the zone. T2222, 2102 average rpm.
CB: 70-74 mph. 11/5 shape, flashed sharp action and depth. T2127, 1980 average rpm.
CH: 77-79 mph. Comes out of the hand clean, runs to the arm-side, feel for the zone. T1810, 1705 average rpm.

4. Danny Mackey III, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-5, 175.1-pounds. Long, athletic, loose-bodied, projectable build.
Delivery: Long levered, easy mover, works in-line with a tall/fall operation, balanced finish, syncs well for size.
Arm Action: RH. Medium, clean arm circle, high 3/4 release.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Easy out of the hand with life, plays mostly straight. T2261, 2190 average rpm.
CB: 69-71 mph. 11/5 shape with depth, developing spin. T2018, 1961 average rpm.
CH: 76-77 mph. Clean out of the hand, sells with arm-speed, feel for the zone. T1706, 1543 average rpm.

T5. Nolan Canfield, Manteno (IL), 2025, Aurora University commit 
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-8, 157-pounds. Athletic frame with some present strength.
Delivery: Athletic mover, controlled tempo into a high leg lift, gets into his lower-half, leads with his hip down the mound, drop/drive lower-half, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Clean arm circle, high 3/4 release.
FB: T81, 79-81 mph. Plays with life through the zone, four seam has carry and sinker plays with more run. T2233, 2143 average rpm.
SL: 74-76 mph. Short, tight 10/4 shape, has feel down in the zone, can also land for strikes. T2105, 2025 average rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Runs to the arm-side, flashed feel for the zone. T1909, 1782 average rpm.

T5. Alexander Kvasnicka, Marian Catholic (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 205-pounds. Well-proportioned, sturdy frame.
Delivery: Simple, controlled delivery; medium leg kick into coiled balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arm circle, loose, 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays with run to the arm-side consistently. T2093, 2024 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. Gradual 10/4 action, lands. T,  average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Circle-change, occasional fade to the arm-side, developing. T1793, 1726 average rpm.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically) 

Alex Alonzo, Hampshire (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 185-pounds. Sturdy build.
Delivery: Stretch only, tall setup, medium leg-lift into balance point, tall/fall down the mound with an in-line stride.
Arm Action: RH. Longer reach in the back out of the glove, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 71-72 mph. Plays with sinking action through the zone, four seam has straighter action. T1618, 1575 average rpm.
CB: 60-63 mph. Gradual 11/5 shape. T1656, 1597 average rpm.
CH: 64-66 mph. Similar out of the hand to the fastball, showed some fade to the arm-side. T1368, 1303 average rpm.

Ryan Bannon, Willowbrook (IL), 2025, St. Francis commit
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. High-waisted frame with some present muscle throughout.
Delivery: Stretch-only; controlled medium leg lift into balance point, slight drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Compact, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. Some life out of the hand, mostly straight actions with occasional sink. T1749, 1624 average rpm.
CB: 67-70 mph. Short 10/4 break, developing. T1994, 1926 average rpm.

Monroe  Evans, Morgan Park (IL), 2025, Dillard University commit
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-11, 183.4-pounds. Defined build.
Delivery: Up-tempo, compact delivery, short leg lift into balance point, drop/drive lower-half, stays in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Medium arm circle, higher 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 78-83 mph. Plays with cutting action at times. T2309, 2093 average rpm.
CB: 63-66 mph. Gradual, downer 11/5 shape. T1976, 1901 average rpm.

Daniel Gross, J Sterling Morton West (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room to fill out.
Delivery: Hybrid delivery, controlled tempo, high leg kick into slightly coiled balance point, tall/fall lower-half.
Arm Action: LH. Loose, clean arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 72-73 mph. Mostly straight actions. T2284, 2196 average rpm.
CB: 65-67 mph. 1/7 action, plays at the bottom of the zone, occasional depth. Best of the offspeed offerings. T2295, 2039 average rpm.
CH: 68-69 mph. Plays with arm-side fade, has some tumble to it. T1635, 1492 average rpm.

Andrew Jones, Providence Catholic (IL), 2025, St. Ambrose college commit
Positional Profile: 2B/RHP
Body: 5-7, 155-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Controlled delivery, medium and balanced leg-lift, tall/fall, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm swing, high 3/4 release.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Plays with run to the arm-side. T1881, 1780 average rpm.
CB: 64-67 mph. Gradual, downer 11/5 shape. T1795, 1744 average rpm.
CH: 68-70 mph. Thrown with fastball intent, runs to the arm-side. T1542, 1502 average rpm.

Tyler Kirk, Lyons Township (IL), 2025, St. Norbert College commit
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-2, 182-pounds. Trim frame with room to fill out.
Delivery: Simple rocker step, controlled delivery, high leg kick into balance point, tall/fall lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm loop, high 3/4 slot, loose.
FB: T79, 77-79 mph. Has arm-side run and carry to it. T1969, 1918 average rpm.
CB: 69-71 mph. Short 11/5 action, lands. T2002, 1943 average rpm.
CH: 74-76 mph. Similar profile to the fastball, developing. Flashes out-pitch potential. T1974, 1861 average rpm.

Eric Lowrie, Glenbard West (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 175-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with projection.
Delivery: Stretch-only; medium leg kick into coiled balance point, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, long, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. 4S: Mostly straight actions, clean out of the hand. 2S: Plays with sink and arm-side run. T2140, 2017 average rpm.
CB: 63-66 mph. Big break, varies between 10/4 & 11/5 action. T2483, 2357 average rpm.

Gabriel Lunardini, Waubonsie Valley (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/RHP
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room to fill out.
Delivery: Stretch-only; medium leg kick into balance point, tall/fall lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Compact, quick, releases by ear.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays with run and heavy sink. T2350, 2269 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. Short 10/4 action, has feel for the zone. T2356, 2290 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Plays with heavy tumble, occasional arm-side fade. T1496, 1433 average rpm.

Matthew Purta, Fenwick (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 215-pounds. Tall, high-waisted frame, imposing.
Delivery: Simple, controlled tempo, high leg kick into balance point, coils back leg, drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 80-81 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays with heavy sink. Plays at the bottom of the zone. T2261, 2193 average rpm.
CB: 70-72 mph. Short wrinkle, flashes depth. 11/5 shape. T2352, 2302 average rpm.
CH: 78-78 mph. Mostly straight actions, occasional sink. T1517, 1442 average rpm.

Aidan Stumpf, Jacobs (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Trim, high-waisted frame with room to fill out.
Delivery: Controlled mover, medium leg-lift, slight drop/drive lower-half, works in-line.
Arm Action: LH. Long, loose arm swing, high 3/4 release.
FB: T78, 74-77 mph. Four seam plays mostly straight. Two-seam has more sinking action and run to the arm-side. T2087, 1952 average rpm.
CB: 65-65 mph. Downer shape, over the top action with depth. T1696, 1645 average rpm.
SL: 66-69 mph. 2/8 shape, flashed sharp bite. T2012, 1936 average rpm.
CH: 67-68 mph. Plays with slight fade to the arm-side. T1387, 1305 average rpm.

Diego Tafolla, Fenwick (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Sturdy frame.
Delivery:
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Clean out of the hand, with substantial carry through the zone at times, strikes. T1844, 1734 average rpm.
CB: 65-69 mph. Flashes depth, 11/5 action, developing. T2082, 1999 average rpm.
CH: 73-74 mph. Plays with arm side fade and sink, plays at the bottom of the zone, kills spin. T1436, 1325 average rpm.

Jayden Vega, J Sterling Morton West (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-10, 215-pounds. Sturdy frame.
Delivery: Simple, controlled delivery, medium leg kick into coiled balance point, slight drop/drive lower-half.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 75-78 mph. Plays with arm-side run and sink, lands at the bottom of the zone. T1879, 1826 average rpm.
SL: 68-70 mph. Gradual 9/3 shape, drops slot slightly. Lands consistently to the glove side. T1849, 1744 average rpm.
SPLT: 69-72 mph. Play with heavy sinking action and tumble at the bottom of the zone.

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