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Articles by Drew Locascio
2025 All-American Game Preview: Illinois & Wisconsin
September in South Beach is the site of the nation’s top amateur baseball game again. After a successful 2024 edition, the Prep Baseball All-American Game is set to return to Miami in 2025. The third annual event is headed back to loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, with the country’s top high school juniors and seniors facing off in the premier scouting showcases across amateur baseball. The game itself will take place on Saturday, Sept.
Vincennces JC Scout Day: Takeaways
On Thursday, October 17th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled down to Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, IL for the Lincoln Trail & Vincennes Scout Day. After the event, we posted the Vincennes Statistical & Data Analysis highlighting the stat leaders from the day. There were numerous players that showed well for themselves on the day, and you can find scouting reports plus videos on these standouts, below.
Lincoln Trail Scout Day: Takeaways
On Thursday, October 17th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled down to Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, IL for the Lincoln Trail & Vincennes Scout Day. Last week, we posted the Lincoln Trail Statistical and Data Analysis, highlighting the stat leaders from the day. There were numerous players that showed well for themselves on the day, and you can find scouting reports plus videos on these standouts, below.
Unsigned Senior Showcase: Takeaways
On Oct. 6th, Prep Baseball Illinois hosted the fall’s Unsigned Senior Showcase, as it does each and every fall, at The MAX complex in McCook, Ill., where over 30 prospects participated. These Class of 2025 athletes remain uncommitted headed into the final offseason of their prep careers, and this group that performed at The MAX last weekend underscored the unsigned talent still remaining in Illinois. Today, we’ll begin breaking down the event’s highlights inside of this Takeaways post.
Illinois 2025 Rankings: Update
The 2025 rankings update in Illinois are long overdue after a long summer season which featured the end of the IHSA season, a number of Prep Baseball Tournaments, showcases, as well as big invite-only events, most notably the Illinois State Games, which featured close to 400 of the best players in Illinois across all classes. As the 2025 class enters their senior season a number of prospects continue to climb the board and elevate their games.
Slammers Scout Day: Takeaways
On Monday, June 3rd, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled to Mundelein High School to host the Slammers Scout Day, where 50 players from the Slammers program participated in a pro-style workout in front of our staff. To see a full list of players that attended, click HERE. For all the statistics collected at this event, click HERE. POSITION PLAYERS + C Quinn Schambow (Libertyville; Oklahoma State) is the top ranked catcher in the state and continued to show why.
Illinois 2027 Rankings: Updated
With the spring season coming to a close, our staff has updated the Class of 2027 rankings as the summer circuit is set to start shortly. It’s a modest update, as we’ve briefly expanded our list as we continue to gather more and more information on the state’s 2027 class as a whole. Below you will learn more about some movement within our top-10 prospects, as well as a handful of name-to-know soon-to-be sophomores that are on the rise.
Illinois 2026 Rankings: Updated
With the spring season coming to a close, our staff has updated the Class of 2026 rankings as the summer circuit is set to start shortly. It’s a modest update, as we’ve briefly expanded our list as we continue to gather more and more information on the state’s 2026 class as a whole. Below you will learn more about some movement within our top-10 prospects, as well as a handful of name-to-know soon-to-be juniors that are on the rise.
Illinois 2025 Rankings: Updated
As the spring is winding down we have had the luxury of scouting games and prospects all spring long during the IHSA Season. With the playoffs underway and the summer right around the corner, the time has come to update the list once again. It has expanded by 25 players, with the top 225 players in the 2025 class now ranked. THE TOP-10 For the first time in a long while we have a new No. 1 prospect in LHP Cameron Appenzeller (Glenwood).
Illinois 2027 Rankings Updated
With the winter season behind us and the high school season in full gear, it's time for an update of the Illinois 2027 rankings. Taking into account performances from the winter, and the beginning of the spring, we gave the class of 2027 an update and small expansion.
Illinois Power 25: Early Look
The IHSA season officially kicked off on Monday, March 11th across the state. With the weather cooperating over the first week, there were a number of teams who were able to get their season underway and play multiple games. There are also still teams who have not kicked off their season, and even the ones who have, played three to four games.
Illinois 2024 Rankings: Preseason Update
This update to the class of 2024 comes after a busy winter with a couple of high-level events to cap it off before their final spring season. THis shakeup to the class will be also one of the final updates to the 2024 class. The top of the class remains concrete with two high-level prospects, RHP Ryan Sloan (York; Wake Forest) and SS Tyler Bell (Lincoln-Way East; Kentucky).
Chicago Preseason ID: Quick Hits
On Feb. 18, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled to the Pullman Community Center in Chicago to host the Chicago Preseason ID. This event provided us an ample opportunity to check in on some of the area’s top high school prospects and identify several new names to know as we prepare for the IHSA season, as well as future invite-only events on the Prep Baseball Illinois calendar.
Illinois & Wisconsin: Super 60 Recap
The Prep Baseball staff hosted the 23rd annual Super 60 in Chicago, IL on February 4th at The MAX. Throughout the lifespan of the event, it has provided MLB Scouts and decision makers the opportunity to get a first-hand look at some of the top high school prospects throughout the country. To get a look at all of the stats and metrics recorded at the event, click here. Below, we broke down the nine prospects from Illinois & Wisconsin that attended the nation's premier pre-draft showcase.
Southwest Chicago Preseason ID: Quick Hits
On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff hosted the first-ever Southwest Chicago Open at Go Pro Sports Dome in Minooka. This event was host to just under 30 players and served as a chance for our staff to see some of the talent in the surrounding area and beyond before the spring season kicks off.ย Stay tuned for more post-event content throughout the week and beyond, but for now let's dive into some of the standout players from Saturdayโs showcase.
Preseason ProCase: Player Analysis
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, our Illinois/Wisconsin staff traveled to Rhino Sports Academy in Shorewood, Illinois to host the third annual Preseason ProCase. The event was made up of 20 high-level prospects from Illinois and Wisconsin, and are players we believe MLB teams should know about heading into the spring season. The event was an overall success, with a number of the prospects showing well for themselves in front of nearly 20 MLB scouts, and even one player earning an invite to the Super 60.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
On Oct. 1, PBR Illinois hosted the fall’s Unsigned Senior Showcase, as it does each and every fall, at The MAX complex in McCook, Ill., where over 50 prospects participated. These Class of 2024 athletes remain uncommitted headed into the final offseason of their prep careers, and this group that performed at The MAX last weekend underscored the unsigned talent still remaining in Illinois. Today, we’ll begin breaking down the event’s highlights inside of this Quick Hits post.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
A lot has happened since we last updated the 2025 Illinois class back in April. A number of talented prospects emerged down the stretch of the IHSA season as well as throughout a busy summer which featured a number of high-profile events, showcases and tournaments. On top of that, the PBR Future Games Team Illinois (roster full of 2025 prospects) squad was as talented, top-to-bottom, as in any previous year.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
From Wednesday, July 26th, through Saturday, July 29th, the Prep Baseball Report Future Games will take place at the LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Georgia. This event will feature select uncommitted 2025 and 2026 prospects from our 40-plus state coverage area and Canada. For more information about the event, click HERE.
CHICAGOLAND OPEN: QUICK HITS
By BVMSports Team By Drew Locascio, John Rosner and Gavin Smith via prepbaseballreport.com, On Tuesday, June 13th the PBR Illinois team hosted the Chicagoland Open at Triton College in River Grove, IL. This open event was for all high school classes (2024-27), and gave our staff a chance to get a look at 30+ uncommitted prospects before the summer gets into full swing. Read more on Publisher's website
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
With the conclusion of this past weekend’s State Tournaments, we’ve compiled our Illinois Power 25 Final Team Rankings. It’s important to note that our rankings are not necessarily a final reflection of what happened during the playoffs, but rather take into account the entire season, including conference races. The team that sits atop our final rankings this season, is the same team that began the year at No. 1 in our Preseason Power 25, the back-to-back Class 4A State Champions, Edwardsville.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
On Sunday, Feb. 12, the PBR Illinois staff traveled to the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Dome in Bensenville, Ill., to host the O'Hare Preseason ID - one of the largest showcases on our winter calendar. This event provided us an ample opportunity to check-in on some of the area’s high school prospects and identify several names as we prepared for the IHSA season, as well as future invite-only events on the PBR Illinois calendar.
Prep Baseball Report > PBR PLUS
The Illinois Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Thu March 10, 2022 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 14, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next two weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2022 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Sat July 31, 2021 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director Team Illinois finished the 2021 Future Games with a 4-3 loss against Team Minnesota/Iowa/Nebraska. Team Illinois, which ended up 3-0 on the week, had all seven pitchers that threw an inning on Thursday, come back to throw an inning a piece once again on Saturday. LHP Tore Indomenico (St. Ignatius, 2023) once again showed high-end stuff throughout his one-inning of work.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Fri July 30, 2021 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director In game two of the PBR Future Games, Team Illinois fell to Team Wisconsin by a score of 6-2. Team Wisconsin took a 4-0 lead after two innings and never looked back. The tide started to turn for Team Illinois in the third inning when RHP Ryan Anderson (Minooka, 2024) took the mound. Anderson put up two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Thu July 29, 2021 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director Team Illinois matched up against Team Indiana at 10:15 AM on Thursday, the first day of game play at the 2021 PBR Future Games. Team Indiana rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to come away with a 6-4 win. Illinois jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after SS Jaden Correa (De La Salle, 2023) barreled a two-run home run to deep left-center field.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Mon July 26, 2021 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director On July 28, PBR will bring to you the summer’s premier scouting event: The Future Games. Taking place at the state-of-the-art LakePoint sports complex in Emerson, GA, this four-day event will pit some of the country’s top 2023 and 2024 prospects against one another in front of hundreds of college and professional scouts. On Wednesday, Team Illinois - along with every other represented state - will participate in a workout day.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Wed May 12, 2021 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director Glenbrook South hosted New Trier in game two of their Chicago Suburban League conference series on Wednesday afternoon. The Trevians of New Trier scored three runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back, ultimately holding off a late Glenbrook South rally to win 8-7. The Titans of Glenbrook South (12-8-1) mounted a charge in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Tue March 16, 2021 By Steve Nielsen & Drew Locascio Illinois Staff On March 13, the PBR Illinois team hosted the first annual O'Hare Preseason I.D. at the new Bo Jackson Dome in Bensenville, Ill. The event featured approximately 130 players from high school graduates in classes 2021-24, from across the Chicagoland area. Our staff collaborated in the days that followed to highlight the biggest takeaways and highlights from Saturday’s showcase, and we’re publishing them within this Quick Hits piece.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Wed April 29, 2020 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director On Sunday, February 23, the PBR Illinois team hosted its first-ever Libertyville Preseason I.D. showcase at the Libertyville Sports Complex where over 70 prospects participated in this open event. Shortly after the event’s conclusion we posted an early analysis of the event with our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis pieces. We jump started our position-by-position breakdown by taking a dive into the catchers.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Tue March 31, 2020 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 16, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2020 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Wed March 18, 2020 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 16, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2020 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Thu March 5, 2020 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director On Jan. 26, the PBR Illinois team made its way back to McHenry, Ill., to host its annual McHenry Preseason I.D. event. This was the fifth year the team has made the trip up to host the showcase at Pro Player Academy. Every year, we uncover more and more prospects from this event to add to our watch lists and the same can be said about this year, too.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Mon June 10, 2019 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director With the conclusion of this past weekend’s Class 3A and 4A State Tournament, we’ve compiled our Illinois Power 25 Final Team Rankings. It’s important to note that our rankings are not necessarily a final reflection of what happened during the playoffs, but rather take into account the entire season, including conference races. That being said, winning a state title can take precedence.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Mon April 29, 2019 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director Today marks the fifth Power 25 update of the season after yet another loaded week of games. St. Laurence, remains at the top despite splitting with No. 5 St. Rita, in a tightly contested two-game Chicago Catholic-Blue series. Both games were decided by one run, the first being an 8-7 St. Rita victory in eight innings. No teams had weeks, warranting a fall out of the Power 25.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Mon March 4, 2019 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 11, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2019 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
Fri March 1, 2019 By Drew Locascio Illinois Scouting Director The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 11, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2019 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report
We purposely waited two weeks to release our initial Power 25 Team Rankings due to the finicky spring weather and wanting to allow more teams to get games under their belts. It’s still really early, and thus hard to say an undefeated team is truly better than a team with one or two losses that has played a quality schedule. The good thing about several of our teams in the Power 25 is that most of the debates will be settled on the field at some point this spring.
Prep Baseball Report > Illinois > News
The Illinois 2016 Prep Baseball Report First Team All-State squad features a talented group of prospects that helped their respective teams to successful seasons. Our All-State teams pull from the entire state, all classifications. The players below, we believed, were the most dominant at their respective positions. Some positions were more loaded than others, especially pitchers and outfielders this year.
Prep Baseball Report > Illinois > News
We began rolling out our analysis of the final Unsigned Senior Showcase for 2016 graduates last week. The event which featured over 75 unsigned seniors and over 40 college coaches in attendance was held at The MAX on January 24th. Today we take a look at the top infielders who participated in the event. The event brought out plenty of senior infielders who could help a program at the next level. Jack Lombardi (Loyola HS) led the way mainly due to his offensive capabilities.
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