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 …

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15TH

No. 17 Lyons Township vs. Hanover Central

By: Peter Hamot
Assistant Scouting Director, Illinois/Wisconsin

Jack Slightom, RHP, Lyons Township, 2026
Cincinnati commit, currently ranked No. 4 in the state, No. 77 nationally. 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame, long-levered with ample projection, young look. Started on the mound and was dominant over his 5.1 innings of work, scattering two hits with no earned runs, two walks and 10 strikeouts. Hybrid delivery from the windup, subtle side-step before working into a shorter balance point, gets momentum moving down the mound and works in-line, gradual drop/drive from balance point, shoulders work downhill, closed landing foot. Medium arm circle, quick and uninterrupted into a ¾ release, loose and whippy. The fastball played in the 94-95 mph range, topping at 96 mph early a couple times, glove-side misses early on but control cleaned up as he went, settling into the 93-94 mph range, carry up in the zone for whiffs, intent to work glove-side often. Slider showed sweeping shape in the 77-79 mph range, control wavered early but found it later on and was able to land it under the zone for whiffs. Changeup was the real separator, threw to both RH and LH hitters with confidence, strikes and late dive under the zone for whiffs, sells with arm-speed - seemed to help sync up his release and improve overall control for his arsenal when he started throwing it more. High-ceiling arm with starter upside, will be one to follow as he continues to gain MLB Draft helium.