Ryan
Wilberding

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 16 in the state. Strong-bodied, 6-foot, 203-pound frame, present strength throughout. Started in left field and hit in the five-hole for the Wildcats, took multiple quality at-bats and recorded a double. Intentful swing from the right side, ready to hit, aggressive in the zone and showed discipline with limited chase, will continue to hit at a high level.

Wilberding, the current top-ranked catcher in Illinois and No. 16 prospect overall, showed his usual strong right-handed bat with a direct and short stroke, creating loud contact with ease up the middle while staying balanced throughout (T99 mph EV, 92 mph avg, T346’). Wilberding continues to improve defensively, having one of the stronger arms for the entire day at 82 mph, while posting a 1.97 pop-time.

Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-0, 200 pounds. Compact, strong frame.
Hit: RHH. Crouched, balanced setup, minimal leg lift with stride. Strong hands, stays direct and short, easy strength with balance, on the barrel up the middle with loud contact and some lift. 71.1 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 99 mph max exit velocity (92 avg.).
Arm: RH. C - 82 mph. Compact arm action, quick, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 1.97-2.21 pop time range; Flexible, soft receiver, clean and easy transfer, throws work on a line, on the bag.
Athletic Testing: 7.24 runner in the 60-yard dash; 27.40-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 70.12 Edge Score.

Ryan Wilberding (2027) looks to be the next high-follow catcher coming out of Libertyville HS. The 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitter was a presence in the varsity lineup as a sophomore and it is easy to see why with the advanced bat speed he showed during BP. Wilberding has power potential from the right-side and he averaged an impressive 91.9 mph off the bat during BP with his furthest ball traveling 359’. He also showed actions and tools to stick behind the plate long term. He was a quality receiver during the bullpen setting and then topped at 78 mph with pop times ranging from 2.01-2.03 during the defensive workout. Name to know in the 2027 class.

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 17 in the state. Started at third and hit out of the two-hole for the Wildcats, finishing the day 1-for-5 with a run scored. The right-handed hitter has a hitterish presence in the box, confident look and takes pitches out of the zone with confidence. Attacks early in the count, has a clear plan in the box. Fluid rhythm in the box and in his hands, simple and controlled load, loose hands that stay through the zone.

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Durable, proportionate frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced base, controlled stride. Loose, strong hands, flat path, looks to keep the ball on a line up the middle. mph bat speed with G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 91.5 mph. 293’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 79 mph. Short arm out of the glove into a high 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.01-2.12 pop times. Soft, subtle frames, works in-line out of the chute, gains ground, clean transfer.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60.

Wilberding displayed the ability to ramp up his velocity Sunday, as the righty sat 78-83 while topping at 85 mph. Wilberding hides the ball well on his fastball through the zone, and also features arm-side run. Athletic mover with more in the tank, especially as he learns to sync up his delivery. 

Wilberding, 6-foot, 180lbs, has an advanced frame that showed on Friday. At the plate, Wilberding connected on two balls, driving one for a double. Repeatable swing that flows easily and will continue to develop. Behind the plate, Wilberding flashed a strong arm that fired throws down to second base.  

C/RHP Ryan Wilberding and RHP/3B Brady Buenik are two 2027s that Libertyville HS should be excited about having come through the program in the next few years. Both have current arm strength with high-floors on the mound while Wilberding’s arm plays strong and clean behind the plate as well. Buenik is one of the more polished arms we have seen to date in the class and has the arm action and stuff to be highly-sought after down the road. Outside of those two, Libertyville HS was extremely well represented at the event with a number of close follows and the future looks bright for the Northern Illinois program.

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-0, 170-pounds. Strong, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, toe-tap back, creates separation.  Short to the ball with quick hands, steep path.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 87.5 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Quick, clean, strong. 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.15-2.22 pop times. Quiet receiver, works up through the baseball, quick transfer, works in-line. Smooth blocker.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Fluid, athletic tall and fall delivery, works with tempo and balance throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T86, 84-86 mph. Lively out of the hand, jumps through the zone. T2187, 2128 average rpm.
CB: 66-68 mph. Maintains arm speed, 11/5 shape, gradual action. T1756, 1659 average rpm.
CH: 71-72 mph. Plays with fade at times, flashed feel. T1889, 1791 average rpm.

Wilberding has an advanced frame for his young age, with strength throughout. Wilberding uses this strength to swing a hard, whippy bat that created hard contact throuhgout the day and he also got up to 78 mph on the mound.