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 begin our post-event content today with our quick hits from the event, highlighting some of the notable players from the day and their numbers. 

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

Position Players 

+ One of the day’s biggest winners was C Asher Cantu (O’Fallon) and he is a must-know name still on the market. 6-foot-4, 223-pound frame, proportionate strength with room to continue to add. The left-handed hitter put together easily the loudest round of the day during BP, averaging 98 mph while peaking at 108 mph (T383’). From a wider base, Cantu uses a quiet hand load and short stride before working into a direct path - staying on top of the baseball with a middle and pull-side approach, staying balanced throughout. He took a quality round of defense to pair, showcasing a clean glove to hand transition with steady actions, gaining ground in-line with his target from the chute while pairing with a strong, accurate arm (2.13 pop-time; T79 mph). One of the top power bats still on the market in the state and likely the Midwest. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔎 <br><br>C Asher Cantu (O&#39;Fallon, 2026)<br><br>🔺 6-4 | 222 lbs<br>🔺107.8 mph peak EV (97.7 mph avg)<br>🔺73.5 mph avg. bat-speed (T79 mph) <a href="https://t.co/W1kHzqCpvB">pic.twitter.com/W1kHzqCpvB</a></p>&mdash; Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2018859663492550963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ OF Evan Bradford (Homewood-Flossmoor) came away a winner from Sunday’s event. There’s a ton to dream on in his 6-foot-5, 180-pound frame, and he’s also an exciting athlete with a 6.78 in the 60. The right-hander hitter showed a loose and twitchy swing with a flat path in his round, staying on-plane with some feel to lift up the middle and pull-side (T97.7 mph EV; 90 mph avg). He’s a loose mover in the outfield with free-flowing actions, pairing with steady hands and a strong arm up to 88 mph. High-ceiling prospect with some rawness to his game, but plenty of upside to dream on. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔎 <br><br>OF Evan Bradford (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2026)<br><br>6-5 | 180 lbs<br><br>🔺6.78 60-time<br>🔺97.7 mph peak EV (91 mph avg)<br>🔺T88 mph OF <a href="https://t.co/sncWFaxXrA">pic.twitter.com/sncWFaxXrA</a></p>&mdash; Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2018863416576758025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ C/INF Noah Gaietto (Amundsen) had an all-around strong showing this past Sunday. He took a couple strong rounds of defense, starting behind the plate where he worked down to 2.00 for his pop-time with a clean glove to hand transfer and steady footwork. On the infield, he looks to have sure-handed actions with a steady gather out front, pairing with a serviceable arm across the diamond (T83 mph). At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed an easy, uphill swing with little perceived effort, creating some jump off the barrel to his pull-side with ease (T99 mph EV; 90 mph avg; T388’). Versatile athlete still on the market that can fill in around the diamond. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔎 <br><br>C/INF Noah Gaietto (Amundsen, 2026)<br><br>6-0 | 187 lbs<br><br>🔺99 mph peak EV (90.6 mph avg)<br>🔺388&#39; max distance <br>🔺2.00 pop-time, T77 mph <a href="https://t.co/mXlsa3nk95">pic.twitter.com/mXlsa3nk95</a></p>&mdash; Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2018867220709879956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ OF Terry Smith (Brother Rice) was one of the toolsier prospects in attendance. There’s no shortage of strength in his 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame with rounded shoulders and a developed lower-half. He’s a quality athlete with a 6.90 in the 60, and he showed well in the defensive portion with steady actions through the baseball. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed notable twitch and bat-speed with intent to lift up the middle, creating natural loft in the swing with loud results (T97 mph EV; 90 mph avg; T382’). 

+ INF Greg Rueda (DePaul College Prep) is an athletic infield prospect to follow from the day. He's a premium athlete with a 6.67 in the 60, and his trim 5-foot-10, 171-pound build should only continue to get more physical in the coming years. The right-handed swing is loose and handsy, staying balanced with a fluid operation. There was some natural ability to lift the baseball pull-side, and you can expect the power to only continue to trend up in the coming years (T96 mph EV; T379’). On the infield, he showed soft hands with athletic and fluid footwork, playing with rhythm and timing throughout his round. The arm has sufficient strength (T82 mph), playing from multiple angles. Upside infield prospect that should be able to stick on the dirt longterm. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔍 <br><br>INF Greg Rueda (DePaul College Prep, 2026)<br><br>🔺6.67 60-time, 28.5&quot; vertical<br>🔺96 mph peak EV (T379&#39;)<br>🔺87.92 Vizual Edge score <a href="https://t.co/h0yfgwac9n">pic.twitter.com/h0yfgwac9n</a></p>&mdash; Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2018874752723558556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ OF Amaad Garrett (Judge Barefoot Sanders) is a physical prospect to know from the workout. There’s plenty of present strength in his 5-foot-10, 181-pound frame, and it easily translates into his swing at the plate. The right-handed hitter showed clear intent to lift the baseball throughout his round with an uphill swing, creating some loud results with a peak EV of 96 mph, averaging 89 mph. He’s a steady mover in the outfield with a sufficient arm, peaking at 81 mph. 

+ INF Gavin Wilburn (Alleman) is one to follow from the day. Listed at 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, he has an athletic and proportionate frame with room to add strength. The right-handed hitter showed a swing that works flat and on-plane, showing the ability to lift up the middle and to his pull-side (T92 mph EV). Defensively, he plays through the baseball with a two-hand gather out front, shuffling through to his target with athletic footwork. 

+ INF Zach Wojtas (St. Edward) had one of the louder all-around showings on the day. Listed at 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, he’s trim and athletically put-together with room for added muscle in the coming years. At the plate, the right-handed hitter showed a flat path with athletic hands, creating extension through the zone and through impact. He used the whole field throughout his round with line-drives and some lift, peaking at 95 mph for his EV. On the infield, he showed sure-handed actions and a clean glove to hand, also appearing comfortable going on the move. His arm is plenty strong, peaking at 88 mph across with strong, accurate throws. 

+ C Jack Thompson III (Johnsburg) stood out in his workout, taking both a strong round of BP and an impressive round of defense. The right-handed hitter utilizes a short, direct swing with length through the zone and through impact, staying balanced throughout with a line-drive approach to the middle of the field (T94.7 mph EV). Defensively, he gains ground out of the crouch to his target with steady footwork and a clean glove to hand transition, creating a pop-time down to 2.03 seconds (T77 mph). 

+ OF Calvin Stuckey Jr. (Homewood-Flossmoor) looked to be one of the more athletic prospects in attendance. He started his day by running a 6.61 in the 60, the best at the event. The athleticism showed no issues translating to the outfield, fielding the ball cleanly off his front foot with fluid actions. The right-handed hitter showed a clean, athletic swing with a flat path, controlling the barrel with a middle of the field approach (T92.2 mph EV). Upside athlete to follow. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔍 <br><br>OF Calvin Stuckey Jr. (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2026)<br><br>🔺6.61 60-time<br>🔺92 mph peak EV<br>🔺T85 mph OF <a href="https://t.co/RsM0z1PEW0">pic.twitter.com/RsM0z1PEW0</a></p>&mdash; Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2018870967288647978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ INF Mick Crowley (St. Ignatius) is another impressive athlete from the day, running the fifth-best 60 in attendance with a 6.82. The right-handed swing is clean with a flat path, working on top of the baseball with line-drives. He stayed mostly middle of the field and pull-side throughout his round, peaking at 95.5 mph for his EV while averaging 89 mph. On the infield, he showed sure-handed actions with clean transfers, pairing with a serviceable arm across the diamond (T81 mph).

Two-Ways 

+ RHP/1B Gavin Fuscone (St. Charles East) was far and away the biggest winner on the mound, and he also showed some intrigue with the bat. Listed at 6-foot-5, 203-pounds, the big right-hander uses his levers to his advantage in his delivery to get down the mound, staying in-line and delivering his arsenal from a long, loose arm swing and high ¾ slot. The fastball sat 91 mph throughout the duration of his ‘pen, peaking at 92 mph with over 2,400 rpm at times. This set up a wipeout slider with over 20” of horizontal sweep, playing with sharp action over 2,400 rpm as well, 77-79 mph. At the plate, he peaked at 95 mph for his EV with a strong uphill swing and pull-side approach, also flashing line-drives up the middle. One of the more intriguing uncommitted arms left in the Midwest. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔎 <br><br>RHP Gavin Fuscone (St. Charles East, 2026)<br><br>6-5 | 203 lbs<br><br>FB: 91-91.8 mph (T2400 rpm)<br>SL: 75-79 mph (T2477 rpm) <br>CH: 80-83 mph (T15.9&quot; HM) <a href="https://t.co/VRFqVzZXww">pic.twitter.com/VRFqVzZXww</a></p>&mdash; Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2018852139913580579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ 1B/RHP Andrew Schroeder (Lisle) took one of the loudest rounds of BP on the day. The right-handed hitter showed easy power with natural lift pull-side, consistently working on the barrel with loud results (T100 mph EV; 93.7 mph avg). On the mound, he showed immense feel for a 66-67 mph curveball that played with short 12/6 bite and depth at times, and located consistently at the bottom of the zone. He also ran his fastball up to 82 mph, and threw all four of his offerings for strikes during his ‘pen.

Pitching 

+ RHP Cormac Saunders (Homewood-Flossmoor) is a durable 6-foot, 200-pound prospect who showed potential starter upside at the next level. Having strike-feel for all four of his pitches, while showing two above-average offspeed pitches, Saunders left the event as one of the bigger winners. His fastball sat 84-86 mph, playing heavy through the zone with sinking action, a pitch that should miss bats come spring-time. His better breaking ball on the day was a 71-72 mph 12/6-shaped curveball that had high spin (avg. 2579 rpm) and played well at the bottom of the zone. His changeup also showed potential to be a potent out-pitch, working at 78 mph, killing spin (avg. 966 rpm) and playing with significant sinking action (avg. -5.1” IVB). Saunders also flashed a fourth pitch as well, a 75 mph slider that had shorter bite to it, while also showing above-average spin (avg. 2363 rpm). A name due for another big spring sitting toward the top of the Vikings’ pitching staff in 2026.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 🔎 <br><br>RHP Cormac Saunders (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2026)<br><br>FB: 84-86 mph (T17.4&quot; IVB)<br>CB: 70-72 mph (T2671 rpm)<br>SL: 75-76 mph (T2432 rpm)<br>CH: 76-78 mph (T16.8&quot; HM) <a href="https://t.co/WacSRM8dqX">pic.twitter.com/WacSRM8dqX</a></p>&mdash; Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballIL/status/2018855904108544282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

+ LHP Luke Arroyo (St. Laurence) is an upside southpaw to follow after the event. Standing at a trim, high-waisted, and long-levered 6-foot-2, 180-pounds, he showed feel for his entire three-pitch mix. His fastball played 80-82 mph with some late life through the zone, likely in part to his delivery where he hides the ball well and releases from a tough slot - especially for left-handed hitters. His breaking ball sat 69-70 mph with some sweeping action to it, while showing above-average spin (avg. 2483 rpm) and landing in the zone 100% of the time. Arroyo would round out his mix with a 75-78 mph changeup that played with heavy fade (avg. -17.5” HM) - making for another potential swing and miss offering.

+ RHP Lincoln Park (Wheaton Academy) put together one of the more polished ‘pens on the day. He has a durable build, listed at 6-foot, 215-pounds with some present strength throughout. The right-hander works with an explosive operation, dropping into his legs while staying in-line and landing square. The arm is clean and flexible, playing with a full circle out of the glove into a ¾ slot. The fastball played in the low-80s, peaking at 83 mph with over 19.5” IVB at times. His curveball looks like his go-to secondary offering, playing with sharp 11/5 shape and feel around the zone with nearly 2,400 rpm at times, 71-76 mph. His final offering was a changeup with similar shape to the fastball, 74-76 mph. 

+ LHP Ryan Koven (Yorkville) has made some notable jumps as of late, now boasting a fastball up to 85 mph from the left side with heavy arm-side run. To pair off the fastball, he went to a curveball with an average of -6.8 IVB and 10” HM, playing at 68-69 mph. He also featured a running changeup that he killed spin on, 75-78 mph. 

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