Russell
Hengels

6-foot-4, 214-pounds, projectable frame with long-levers and room to add more strength. Hengels continues to make jumps, up four mph from the last time we saw him and now topping out at 92 mph while cruising 91 mph in his ‘pen. His curveball looks like a true weapon at 77-79 mph, spinning over 2,400 rpm at times with sweeping action and feel around the zone. The changeup is a real third pitch for him, averaging -0.3” IVB with over 12” of run at times. 83-85 mph. He’s a loose and fluid mover with more in the tank, and it’s no surprise to see the velocity jump the way it did.

RHP Russell Hengels (Maine South, 2027) is a lean 6-foot-4, 208-pound frame. Hengels showed an interesting profile on the mound Wednesday afternoon. Through his outing, the right-hander struck out two and allowed zero hits. Working with a high pace on the mound from a stretch only drop and drive motion, with an arm working long, clean, and quick from a lower ¾ slot. Hengels showed confidence in his two-pitch mix, able to go after hitters earlier with his slider. The fastball was sitting 85-88 mph, with a max of 20.5 IVB, and the slider was sitting 76-78 mph, sharp gyro profile with slight sweep. In-game, Hengels was not afraid to attack with the slider with a heavy reliance on it, able to mix in the fastball, freezing hitters.

Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-3, 208.1-pounds. Long-levered, projectable frame.
Delivery: Stretch-only, high leg kick, high pace, drop and drive.
Arm Action: RH. Long extension, clean quick, lower 3/4 arm action.
FB: T88, 85-87 mph. Ride through the zone with slight arm-side run. T2244, 2084 average rpm.
SL: 76-78 mph. Sharp gyro shape with slight sweep. T2205, 2025 average rpm.

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 66 in the state. Long-levered 6-foot-3, 212-pound frame. Came out of the ‘pen for the Hawks and threw the ball well. Attacked hitters with a low 80’s fastball (T83) and then went to a 71-72 mph breaking ball to put hitters away. He has a quick/compact arm action, throwing from a ¾ slot. Line: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 R, 2 K.

RHP Russell Hengels (Maine South, 2027) stands in an intriguing 6-foot-3, 213-pound frame with strength throughout. He worked from a stretch-only delivery with a slight drop and drive, landing square to his target. Hengels showed a long arm action with a loose whip, producing a fastball that sat 86-88 mph, topping out at 89 mph, showing arm-side action through the zone. He paired it with a curveball in the 75-77 mph range, averaging 2325 rpm with an 11/5 shape and quality depth. Hengels also mixed in a changeup at 82-85 mph, showing above-average horizontal action. With his size and pitch mix, Hengels emerged as a high-follow name in Illinois’ 2027 class.

Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-4, 215-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Stretch only delivery, slight drop and drive, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, loose whip from 3/4 slot.
FB: T88, 86-88 mph. Arm side action. T2040, 2026 average rpm.
CB: 75-77 mph. 11/5 shape, gets depth. T2410, 2325 average rpm.
CH: 82-84 mph. Above average horizontal action. T1970, 1821 average rpm.

RHP Russel Hengels (Maine South, 2027) gave an upside look over the weekend. Listed at 6-foot-2, 160-pounds with a lean and wiry build. The right-hander cruised in the mid-70s, topping out at 77 mph with some life through the zone. To pair off the fastball he went to an upper-60s curveball with 11/5 shape.