With the IHSA season underway, the ScoutConnect scouting staff will be out and about in full force throughout the spring, providing quality coverage to high school athletes on a game-to-game basis. Aside from the social media aspect of our scouting, we’ll release our ‘Scout Notes’ the day after each game, which will provide a more detailed analysis of some players that stood out to our staff on that given day.

Continue reading below to learn more about a few names that impressed on Friday, March 21st, in a non-conference matchup between Sacred-Heart Griffin and Williamsville. 

SACRED-HEART GRIFFIN CYCLONES 

Andy Antonacci, RHP, 2025, Heartland CC commit
Strong, compact frame that’s added notable strength throughout the off-season. Took the start for the Cyclones in a winning effort, punching out 10 over four innings of work with three hits, an earned run, and one walk. Athletic stretch-only delivery, consistently keeps his direction to the plate and throws with high intent through footstrike. Compact arm stroke with some reach on the backside, finishes out of a high ¾ window. Fastball sat 91-92 mph through the first two innings of his start, touching 93 mph once, with late life and real jump out the hand. Settled at 88-90 mph in the third and fourth innings. Strikes often with it, able to run it up in the zone or bury it to the arm-side corner of the plate. Spun a short wrinkle slider at 80-83 mph, flashed feel for strikes with it but still developing consistency. Also hit in the three-hole for the Cyclones and showed bat strength from the left side, doubling and homering in this look, both of which went to the opposite field. Figures to be a force and the center piece of a Sacred-Heart Griffins’ club that has one of the higher ceilings in 2A. 

Drew Ward, OF/RHP, 2026, Uncommitted
Athletic frame with lean strength and room for more. Hit leadoff and started in right field, entering the game in relief as well. Did not record a hit in this look but did get off some quality swings at the plate. Short, direct path, stays level through the zone with easy hand speed. Patient, understands the strike zone and didn’t expand out of what he was trying to do, walked twice. Punched out four across two perfect innings out of the ‘pen, which may have been the biggest takeaway in this look. Simple, clean, and athletic delivery, repeats in rhythm and finishes through the baseball at footstrike. Fluid, continuous arm path that finishes from an over-the-top slot. Fastball touched 86, pitching at 83-85 mph, and strikes on both corners of the plate. Showed premium touch and feel for a fading changeup, front doored it to left-handed hitters at 76-77 mph. Landed a few 72-73 mph curveballs with big arch and depth for strikes to right-handed hitters. An athletic two-way follow from the Springfield area. 

Carson Butler, INF, 2026, Uncommitted
Athletic, well-proportioned that holds present strength and room for more, really looks the part. Started at shortstop and hit in the three-hole for the Cyclones. Loose athletic hands, short and level bat path to contact with jump off the barrel. Squared up a loud triple to straightaway center field for his lone hit of the contest. Looked the part at shortstop, ranged to his backhand, cleanly picked a ball and threw a runner out at first base. Has also shown well behind the plate and on the mound in the past. 

Ty Springer, OF, 2026, Uncommitted
Strong, compact right-handed hitter, started in center field and hit second for Sacred-Heart Griffin in this look. Strong athletic hands with a short, compact stroke. Stayed back on a breaking ball in his second at-bat and flicked it to right field for a single. Figures to be a key piece for the Cyclones’ lineup this spring and beyond. 

Austin Rutter, INF, 2027, Uncommitted
Lean, athletic frame that’s far from finished from a physical maturity standpoint. Started at second base and hit in the five hole. Totaled two hits with a walk in this look, including a loud triple that banged off the right-center field wall in his first at-bat. Loose fluid hands that work slightly uphill to contact, ball jumps off the barrel and will only continue to add more consistent impact as he gets stronger. Off to a strong start to his varsity career; has doubled twice, tripled twice, and homered in four games. 

WILLIAMSVILLE BULLETS

Brayden Saling, INF, 2025, Uncommitted
Lean frame with athleticism throughout, easy mover. Left-handed hitter that led off and started at shortstop for the Bullets. Jumped on a 91 mph fastball and drove it the other way for a double to start off his day, followed that up with a loud pull-side triple in his next trip to the plate. Fast athletic hands, covers the plate with a short uphill path to contact, ball jumps off the barrel. Athleticism shows on the infield as well, fluid mover that’s free on his feet and able to move around in rhythm, would have no problem transitioning to center field at the next level if needed. 

Easton Blankenship, RHP, 2025, Kankakee CC commit
Strong, broad-shouldered frame, started on the mound for the Bullets in a matchup against Sacred-Heart Griffin. Allowed two runs on two hits in two innings of work, walking one with a pair of punchouts. Fastball touched 85 mph in the first inning, pitched at 81-84 mph. Spun a mid-70s breaking ball with big depth and shape to it, flashed feel to land it for strikes. 

Collin Grosenheider, RHP, 2027, Uncommitted
Lean, wiry frame with athleticism. Came out of the ‘pen for Williamsville and provided an upside look. Throws with effort and high intent. Long and loose arm action finishes out of a high ¾ slot with arm speed out front. Fastball touched 85 mph, pitched in the low-80s, easy out the hand and should continue to climb as he tacks on strength. Spun a low-70s breaking ball with short depth and action to it, developing feel for strikes. An upside arm to know that’s still polishing his full arsenal. 

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Author: Diego