Anderson
Kaufmann

Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 77 nationally. Coming in at a well-proportioned 5-foot-11, 172-pound frame with room to add strength. Kaufmann started at second for the Redbirds and closed the game to earn them a 2-0 victory. The right-handed hitter showed clean actions in the infield, making all of his plays and showcasing the ability to stick wherever he is put in the field. At the plate, he helped the Redbirds score their only runs of the game. His hit tool was on full display all game, showing quality barrel control throughout the contest. In his first at-bat, he worked a seven pitch walk after spoiling a tough two-strike offering. In his next at-bat, he sent a single up the middle for Alton’s only hit of the game, later resulting in two runs scoring. He also hopped up on the bump to record the last out of the game, sitting 85-86 mph with his fastball to produce a flyout for the save. Overall, Kaufmann continues to make a name for himself as one of the state’s top freshman prospects.

Uncommitted, Anderson pitched five innings of shutout baseball in this week's Southwestern Conference matchup with Belleville (East) for his 2nd SWC win, moving to 5-0 on the season. The right-hander allowed no runs, three hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts.

Uncommitted, currently the No. 2 ranked player in Illinois’ 2028 group. Started on the mound for the Redbirds in a conference matchup and though the line might not show it, threw the ball extremely well. He’s an athletic mover that syncs up his delivery well, works into a toe-tap side-saddle type delivery, quick pace, medium balance point, works in-line with some pre-bend in the back knee, athletic and bouncy finish. Clean arm with layback at footstrike, ¾ window. The fastball played in the 85-87 mph range early on before settling into the mid-80s, showing the ability to sink the ball on command and also get more carry/backspin on it. Confident in his curveball, throwing it the first pitch of the game, 11/5 shape, flashed sharp action, was able to shorten it up and get more slider shape on it, strikes, 72-76 mph. Changeup is a quality third offering, played with gradual fade and running action, got under it at times but was able to throw it in the zone. High-level arm with advanced pitchability, mature beyond his years, also able to hold runners on and varied his looks.

The uncommitted freshman settled in after allowing three runs in the first-inning, Kaufmann settled in with four shutout innings in the big Southwestern Conference win for the Redbirds against O'Fallon. The right hander tossed five innings and struck out five.

C/RHP Anderson Kaufmann (Alton, 2028) continues to solidify as one of the top names to know in the freshman class. Kaufmann provided one of the more polished bullpens of the event, and one of the more polished of the entire Illinois Preseason ID schedule as well. He displayed confidence on the mound in all of his pitches, working with pace throughout. His fastball sat 84-86 mph and topped out at 87.1 mph, throwing it for strikes 100% of the time, per Trackman. He threw both a slider and a curveball - his slider having the slight edge in this look with sharp, horizontal bite. His change-up sat 76-79 mph with heavy fade (avg. 18.7” of HM), looking like an out-potential type of pitch. The 5-foot-11, 172-pound backstop still continues to look like one of the top defensive catchers in the state as well. He topped at 79 mph from the crouch playing clean and repeatable out of the crouch while mixing in a low pop time of 1.89. Name to circle in the 2028 Illinois class.

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 163.6 pounds. Compact frame with broad shoulders and room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall, quiet setup with a toe-tap trigger. Simple, repeatable actions with balance throughout. Loose, compact swing with a slight uphill path; worked up the middle. 68.5 mph bat speed with 7g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 mph max exit velocity (82.6 avg.); 334-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short, loose arm action from a ¾ slot; throws stay on a line.
Defense: 1.89–2.01 pop time range; Mature receiver with strong wrists and smooth, agile actions out of the crouch.
Athletic Testing: 7.23 runner in the 60-yard dash; 20.80-inch max vertical jump.

Positional Profile C/RHP
Body: 5-10, 163.6 pounds. Compact frame with broad shoulders, room for added strength.
Delivery: High-tempo delivery, athletic mover down the mound. High leg lift with tuck and coil, drives off the rubber with a hard follow-through and stays balanced.
Arm Action: RH. Whippy arm out of a 3/4 slot; repeatable and effortless.
FB: T87, 85-86 mph. High-spin fastball that flashes ride; fills up the zone, comes out clean. T2235, 2147 average rpm.
CB: 68-71 mph. 11/5 bite with some sweep at times; stays around the zone. T2023, 2015 average rpm. SL: 72-74 mph. Tight, horizontal movement with late bite. T1917, 1891 average rpm.
CH: 77-79 mph. Harder changeup with depth; some horizontal action arm-side. T1692, 1587 average rpm.

UTIL Anderson Kaufmann (Alton) had a productive week in multiple aspects. He led the team in hits throughout the week, going 4-for-6 with three RBIs and three runs scored; showing a whippy barrel and the ability to use the whole field. He’s a confident receiver with the ability to limit the run game with his strong arm (T76 mph) and quick glove-to-hand, producing a pop-time as low as 1.94 seconds. He threw the ball extremely well when he took the ball in the playoffs, going three shutout innings with just two hits allowed, no walks and three strikeouts - working consistently in the upper-70s (T80 mph), though we’ve seen him up to 84 mph in the past.

The only 2028 prospect in attendance, RHP/C Anderson Kaufmann (Alton) appears to be a budding name from the Metro East in his class. Kaufmann has athleticism and present strength in a 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame that’s likely to continue to bolster his physicality as he continues to mature. On the mound, his delivery is plenty easy, touching 84 mph on his fastball, but sitting mostly 81-83 mph. He threw a tight-spinning curveball in the upper-60s and a mid-70s change-up with an average of 17 inches of run. He displayed all kinds of ease and rhythm at the plate, sending his hardest hit ball 88.4 mph and 316 feet. Behind the plate he showed bounce and flexibility, recording his lowest pop time of 2.00 while recording his hardest bullet down to second at 76 mph. Kaufmann is a sure-fire name-to-know in the 2028 class.

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with lean strength.
Hit: RHH. Quiet start, really looks the part. Tall stance, narrow base, loads in rhythm and strides short with balance through contact. Extension through contact, uphill path, intent to lift the ball, middle of the field approach. 65.1 mph bat speed with 12 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 83.8 mph. 316’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short quick arm stroke, high 3/4 finish with intent.
Defense: 2.00-2.03 pop times. Athletic feet, quick out the crouch, keeps his direction to the bag. Square blocker.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Well-proportioned frame with lean strength.
Delivery: Simple, athletic delivery, repeats. Tall/fall delivery, works in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Long, clean arm path with quickness out front, 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 81-84 mph. Plays clean out of the hand, locates low. T2137, 2046 average rpm.
CB: 67-69 mph. 11/5 shape, feel to land. T1956, 1882 average rpm.
CH: 74-76 mph. Downer action with some fade, maintains T1853, 1765 average rpm.