The Illinois Preseason Procase has long served as a proving ground for Midwest talent, consistently featuring high-end prospects with multiple alumni getting selected in the MLB Draft. A number of prospects have even earned invitations to the Super 60 based on their performances, and this year’s Wisconsin contingent offers some of the more exciting profiles of the event. Seven Wisconsin-based prospects are set to make the trip south, representing a state that continues to produce high-end talent, and each has an opportunity to leave Illinois as one of the event’s biggest winners.

More information regarding the event will be released in the upcoming days.

FOLLOW BATS

Jimmy Angle OF / Kettle Moraine, WI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 5 Eastern Illinois recruit: Strong, built at 6-foot, 195-pounds with room to mature and add strength to his frame. The right-handed hitter has consistently performed as one of the top right-handed bats in the class, consistently finding the barrel across our looks with loud results to pair when elevated. There is the makings of a reliable hit tool and the raw and in game power numbers and results have steadily improved over the course of his prep career. Defensively looks the part at either corner with reliable routes and arm strength, could be a capable defender in center field with added foot speed.

Ian Kawczynski SS / Catholic Memorial, WI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 5 Wisconsin-Milwaukee recruit: 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitter has seen his tools steadily tick up throughout his prep career. Defensively there’s a real chance Kawczynski can stick at shortstop long-term, with an improving run tool that was already a part of his game. At the plate the right-handed hitter swings an upside bat that has shown well over the course of his prep career.

Trey Kerkhoff 3B / Burlington, WI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 1 Purdue recruit: Twitchy and explosive athlete standing at 6-foot-1, 194-pounds swinging an upside bat while also being a capable defender at multiple positions in the dirt. Always known for making an impact at the plate, that has also steadily increased over the course of his prep career, but also the bat-to-ball has seen improvements as well while consistently performing against velocity this past summer. The athlete and twitch already stood out with some reports of even more improvement in that department.

Caleb Liggon SS / Vel Phillips Memorial, WI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 4 Bradley recruit: Truly one of the top athletes in the country, standing at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds with lean strength and room to continue to add to his frame. At the plate the right-handed hitter produced consistent loud and elevated contact, even against velo over the course of the summer circuit, there's some easy bat speed to the swing and the power seems to come easy as well. Defensively a reliable defender with range and arm strength that plays at a number of positions across the diamond.

Chance Ruby SS / Wilmot, WI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 247 / POS: 62 Illinois-Chicago recruit: Is the top Wisconsin prospect making his way down to Illinois, one of the top athletes in the state with a history of performing dating back to his freshman year. The athleticism translates in the field, showing enough range to with arm strength at both shortstop and even center field in brief looks long term. At the plate, the bat-to-ball has long stood out with some history of hitting high-end arms in front of our staff. The in-game power ticked up in a big way over the summer hitting a number of home runs and started to noticeably impact the ball in the air on a consistent basis.

ARMS TO KNOW

Vincent Bitter RHP / Brookfield Central, WI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 6 Illinois State recruit: Is a quick armed right-hander at 6-foot-2, 220-pounds with feel for multiple pitches and improving feel to locate in the zone. The fastball ticked up this past fall, routinely playing into the 88-91 range, plays heavy and has produced a number of ground balls in the past. The offspeed pitches separate the arsenal, the changeup has a chance to stand out and be a weapon against both handed batters, heavy tumbling action averaging -3.2 IVB, upwards of 16” of IVB off of the fastball and shown feel to locate when used. The slider is firm with tight action and feel for the zone and has been his go-to secondary for sometime.

Mason Schmidt RHP / Somerset, WI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 22 / POS: 7 Wisconsin-Milwaukee recruit: Physically, Schmidt stands out, strong yet still projectable frame standing at 6-foot-5, 210-pounds with more to come as he matures into his frame. The stuff has a chance to stand out with improved velocity, the fastball is showing carry traits and has consistently topped out in the low-90s in the past, also developing feel to consistently kill IVB on a sinker that he throws near the same velo bucket as the four-seam. The slider plays with sharp two-plane break and is his go-to secondary and has feel to locate both in and out of the zone, sits more in the mid-70s and maintained shape when thrown at 77/78 mph. The changeup is thrown hard with heavy running action in the low-80s.

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