Gavin
Swartz

RHP, Gavin Swartz, Normal Community, 2026 Indiana commit, currently ranked No. 20 in the state. Lean, long-levered 6-foot-2, 166-pound frame, more strength to come. The right-hander did not get the results he wanted from a final line standpoint, but he still looked to be an incredibly talented young arm in the 2026 class. He has a bigger leg swing with a coil and tuck into his balance point, creating a slight bend in his back knee before riding it down the mound in-line. His arm is loose throughout its’ path, creating notable layback before firing through with a ¾ release. His fastball sat around 89-91 mph with some slight arm-side run, and there looks to be plenty more velocity to come. His curveball got some ugly swings while showing sharp downer break, 76-78 mph. High-follow right-hander with his best days still ahead.

Our staff was excited to get an updated look at the 6-foot-2 167-pound RHP Gavin Swartz (Normal Community, 2026; Indiana commit). Swartz is an athletic mover on the mound paired with a long, quick arm that works out of a ¾ slot. His fastball velocity made significant strides since we saw him last spring - sitting 92-93 mph with an average spin of 2341 rpm. He showed feel for an 84-86 mph changeup that played with heavy fade and depth. He rounded out his three-pitch mix with a curveball that played with sharp, 11/5 shape at times. Now at Normal Community, Swartz will likely play a big role for the Ironmen this spring.

6-foot-2, 175 pounds, Indiana commit. Although committed to Indiana for his arm, Swartz launched a home run to dead-center on Thursday afternoon. The left-handed hitter featured a smooth, inside-out swing that lifted a ball to add two runs. Swartz eventually gave our staff a look out of the ‘pen Monday, and it was well worth the wait. The right-hander worked his fastball up to 87 mph, cruising around 85-86 mph with easy life through the zone.

Indiana commit. Currently ranked No. 11 in the state and No. 264 nationally. Stands in an athletic frame with room for added strength at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Threw one inning in relief with one strikeout, one walk and one hit allowed. Simple and easy delivery with minimal effort, controlled throughout. High left lift with tuck into a tall and fall delivery down the mound, working in-line throughout. Loose, clean arm path out of a ¾ slot, some acceleration out front. Fastball sat 86-88 mph with arm-side run at times, plays easy out of the hand. Mixed in a curveball that sat 75-76 mph with sharp 11/5 shape, and a change-up at 81-82 mph with slight fade.

Indiana commit. 6-foot-2, 155-pounds, with a lanky, athletic build that shows projectability. The former member of Team Illinois at the PBR Junior Future Games impressed in this look. Showed above-average confidence and poise on the mound for a freshman. Threw two innings in relief, allowed no hits or runs, walked two, and struck out two, earning the win. Threw 31 pitches with 22 of them being strikes (71%). Fastball sat 84-86 mph, touching 87 mph. Curveball sat 72-73 mph with a sharp, 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes. Swartz has a chance to be a high-level arm in the class.

RHP Gavin Swartz (Normal University, 2026) is a 6-foot-2, 155-pound prospect with arm speed and strength that stands to blossom as he matures, similar to his brother Jake, who’s now a freshman at Illinois. Jake trended up throughout his prep career, finishing as the No. 15-ranked player in the 2022 class. Gavin’s already around the same size as his older brother, and his arm action resembles Jake’s too. From a high ¾ slot, the younger Swartz is quick out front on a steep, heavy fastball that reached an 84.3 mph high at this event. Swartz uses a knuckle-grip curveball that flashed sharp action off an 11/5 plane. The Normal U-High freshman is a follow inside this class, with an interesting ceiling.

RHP Gavin Swartz (Normal University, 2026) is a 6-foot-2, 155-pound prospect with arm speed and strength that stands to blossom as he matures, similar to his brother Jake, who’s now a freshman at Illinois. Jake trended up throughout his prep career, finishing as the No. 15-ranked player in the 2022 class. Gavin’s already around the same size as his older brother, and his arm action resembles Jake’s too. From a high ¾ slot, the younger Swartz is quick out front on a steep, heavy fastball that reached an 84.3 mph high at this event. Swartz uses a knuckle-grip curveball that flashed sharp action off an 11/5 plane. The Normal U-High freshman is a follow inside this class, with an interesting ceiling.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 155-pounds. 
Delivery: Tall/fall delivery, works in-line, simple with minimal perceived effort, projects.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, whippy over the top slot.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Plays with some tilt through the zone. T1829, 1647 average rpm.
CB: 70-71 mph. Knuckle-grip; flashed some bite off an 11/5 plane. T1900, 1716 average rpm.
CH: 77-79 mph. Firm, thrown near fastball velo; some run/fade. T1443, 1316 average rpm.

Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Tall/fall delivery, works in-line, simple with minimal perceived effort, projects.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, whippy over the top slot.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Plays with some tilt through the zone. T1829, 1647 average rpm.
CB: 70-71 mph. Knuckle-grip; flashed some bite off an 11/5 plane. T1900, 1716 average rpm.
CH: 77-79 mph. Firm, thrown near fastball velo; some run/fade. T1443, 1316 average rpm.

Junior Futures Games: RHP/1B Gavin Swartz (Normal University, 2026) got the nod for Team Illinois and was impressive throughout his start, working his fastball in the 78-81 mph range with a loose and quick arm action. To pair off his fastball, Swartz went to a sharp 11/5 breaking ball at 65-66 mph and a changeup at 73-74 mph

Making it into the semi-finals, Team Illinois faced off against a talented Team Michigan roster. In the first half of the game Illinois took a commanding 13-1 lead. While running low on arms RHP Gavin Stanislawski threw three critical innings keeping the talented Michigan team to only one run. Throughout his outing Stanislawski showed his ability to control all three of his pitches: a 74-77 mph fastball, a 64-66 mph curveball, and a 69-71 changeup.