The Illinois Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the Prep Baseball Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the Illinois Scout Blog is loaded with information…

Saturday, May 24

No. 3 Libertyville vs. Glenbrook North

By: Peter Hamot
Assistant Director, Illinois/Wisconsin

Quinn Schambow, C, Libertyville, 2025
Oklahoma State commit, currently ranked No. 7 in the state and No. 136 nationally. 6-foot, 209-pound frame, rounded and broad shoulders with present strength throughout, durable yet athletic build. Started behind the plate and hit out of the two-hole for the Wildcats, showing his usual premium defense and strong right-handed bat. The right-handed hitter continues to show an advanced knowledge of the strike zone, not chasing a single pitch out of it in this look. He is able to create length through the zone with easy bat-strength, leaving the yard to the opposite field for a solo home run. Advanced receiver, steals numerous strikes throughout the game, premium glove-to-hand and arm-strength to pair, flicks the ball with ease to his target with true carry, led the Super 60 in catcher’s velocity this past winter (T86 mph). Continues to look the part as an MLB Draft follow. 

Brady Buenik, RHP, Libertyville, 2027
Uncommitted, currently the No. 1 ranked player in Illinois and No. 51 nationally. 6-foot-3, 205-pounds, present strength and durability but is extremely projectable, still holds room for more physicality. Gave a brief look in one inning of work, not allowing a hit or run while striking out one against one walk. Up-tempo and compact delivery into his leg-lift and balance point, holds pre-bend in the back knee and works quickly downhill, slight cross-fire stride, closed landing foot. Clean and uninterrupted arm circle, loose and free-flowing, ¾ slot. Fastball sat right around 91-93 mph with arm-side run, topping out at 94 mph, occasionally pulled it hard to the glove-side. Slider looks like an out-pitch, showing depth and sharp bite off a 10/4 plane around 80 mph. Splitter also flashed out-pitch potential, mimicking the fastball out of the hand and diving late to the bottom of the zone with depth, 80 mph. High-ceiling starter profile with a ton more to tap into, also a QB on the football field. 

Nico Harper, LHP, Libertyville, 2026
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 131 in the state. 5-foot-10, 165-pounds, trim and athletic build. Gave a brief look out of the ‘pen, striking out two in a 1-2-3 inning of work. Simple and athletic delivery, high leg-lift into a coiled balance point, reaches with the front leg down the mound and works in-line. Long arm action out of the glove, smooth into release, ¾ slot, easy effort. The fastball played in the 83-83 mph range with late arm-side sink, showing the ability to keep it to the arm-side and also collect swing/miss in the zone. The curveball showed a shorter and gradual 1/7 shape at 65-67 mph, and the changeup played similar to the fastball at 77-79 mph. 

Ethan Bass, SS, Glenbrook North, 2026
Wake Forest commit, currently ranked No. 2 in Illinois and No. 33 in the country. 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame, lean with twitch and more room to add strength, highly athletic. Started at shortstop and hit out of the two-hole, finishing the day 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. The right-handed hitter has notable present bat-speed in his swing with athletic hands, staying back on spin and seeing it deep to drive it the other way for a double. Gave plus run-times throughout the day with a 4.19 down the line and 4.63 on a turn. Shortstop profile at the next level, confident hands with rhythm and timing, fluid feet with easy range to both sides of the glove, crisp glove-to-hand and transfers, makes double-play turns look easy to all angles. Arm can play on the move and from different slots, plays with easy strength and is quick to release. High-profile middle infield prospect, extremely versatile athlete that can impact the game in multiple ways, will be a draft follow this coming year. 

Chase Petersen, OF, Glenbrook North, 2025
Heartland commit, currently ranked No. 53 in the state. 5-foot-8, 187-pound frame, round shoulders with proportionate strength throughout, athletic. Started in center and hit out of the three-hole for the Spartans, finishing the day 1-for-3 with a triple. The right-handed hitter creates easy bat-speed with extension through the ball, finding a hard barrel to center for his triple. Limited chase or swing/miss, also gave a 4.30 down the line. Looks the part in center with athletic actions and quick feet, reads the ball well off the bat and covers ground well. High-follow outfielder that has long hit for our staff.