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 stood out to our staff in a non-conference matchup between O’Fallon and Highland.
O’FALLON PANTHERS
Connor Blue, RHP/1B, 2025, Cincinnati commit
Strong, well-proportioned frame that holds strength throughout. Started at first base and hit third for the Panthers, has been a key part of their offense each of the past few seasons Entered yesterday’s game with two home runs and 10 RBI in four games. Added to his strong offensive start by finishing 2-for-2 with a run scored, four RBI, a walk, and a hit by pitch. Strong hands with a compact right-handed swing that works slightly uphill out front to leverage the baseball. Ball carries off the barrel, hammered a loud double deep to left-center field, and singled. Also one of the top arms in the area, climbing into the low-90s with his fastball while showing above-average feel for a slider/changeup mix.
Carson Bauer, MIF, 2026, Uncommitted
Lean, wiry left-handed hitter, started at second base and hit second in this look. Finished 1-for-3 with a run scored, drew a walk. Simple, direct swing that works on top of the baseball, sprayed two balls the other way, including a single. Will continue to add impact as he tacks on strength, starting to turn the barrel with more authority to the pull-side as well. Clean, fluid actions on the infield, able to cover ground and stay in rhythm with his lower half – showed well in I/O and gameplay. A high-academic, uncommitted junior that does a lot of things right at the moment and is far away from his ceiling.
Asher Cantu, C/1B, 2026, Uncommitted
Highly physical 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame with square shoulders, a wide back, and strength throughout. Started behind the plate and hit fifth for O’Fallon. Strong hands, some length through the hitting zone with leverage out front. Took some of the day’s biggest hacks, was all over a handful of upper-80s fastballs in his first at-bat, jumped on one early for a loud first pitch double deep into the right-center gap his next trip to the plate. Notable raw power that way, will certainly run into loud, elevated contact to right field as the season rolls on. Defensively, arm plays short and out of an over-the-top slot, was around the bag in between innings.
Sam McCollum, RHP/OF, 2026, Uncommitted
Strong, muscle-bound frame that fills out the uniform throughout. Hit sixth and started in left field for O’Fallon, went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Slapped a single through the left side of the infield, also put down a bunt for a hit, 4.01 home-to-first. Athleticism shows in the outfield, fluid mover with a quick first step that covers ground. Also upper-80s on the mound with one of the area’s better breaking balls when it’s right.
Cole Becker, CIF, 2026, Uncommitted
Proportionally strong right-handed hitter that DH’d and hit out of the seven hole for the Panthers. Jumped all over a pitch in his third at-bat and launched it over the left field wall for a solo home run. Strong, simple swing, worked slightly uphill to contact and looked to elevate the baseball. A junior with bat strength to follow.
Brayden Robertson, OF/RHP, 2026, Uncommitted
Lean, athletic right-handed hitter that started in center field and hit ninth. Went 1-for-3 with two RBI, squeezing a two-run single down the left field line in his final at-bat of the day. Easy mover in the outfield, covers ground to both gaps. Showed arm strength in I/O from a clean, loose, and athletic arm slot, was up to 88 mph from the outfield at the ScoutConnect Winter Showcase in February.
Kaleb Weber, RHP, 2026, Uncommitted
Long, lean-limbed 6-foot-3, 185-pounds. Threw four strong innings in a start for O’Fallon, allowing two unearned runs on three hits with two walks and three punchouts. Some deception in the delivery, works across his body and tilts his torso back to hide the baseball on the backside prior to release. Arm draws back out of the hand, travels on a continuous path to finish out of an over-the-top slot. Fastball sat 81-83 mph, favored the glove side and cut it at times. Showed feel to land a 67-69 mph curveball with depth for strikes.
Liam Decker, RHP/INF, 2027, Uncommitted
Thin, wiry frame with long, lean levers. Came out of the ‘pen and threw three strong innings to secure a 10-4 win for O’Fallon, allowing two runs on four hits with no walks and four punchouts. Loose, clean arm, simple in-line delivery. Fastball touched 80 mph, pitching in the upper-70s, and showed feel for both sides of the plate. Spun a 65-68 mph curveball with high-arching, gradual spin that he was able to flip in for strikes. Really looked the part defensively in I/O, took reps at shortstop where he comfortably played on the move, especially up the middle. Soft hands, fluid feet that work around the baseball, gathers out front and plays through release. An upside sophomore to keep follow on both sides of the ball.
HIGHLAND BULLDOGS
Braxdon Decker, RHP, 2025, Eastern Illinois commit
Lean, long-limbed frame with loose, fluid levers and a multi-sport (basketball) background. Drew the start for the Bulldogs and turned in a highly impressive look, scattering two hits and an earned run over four innings, walking one while striking out six. Simple, low-effort delivery, keeps a still head and stays balanced throughout, works in-line to the plate. Was in control more and repeated with more consistency than we’d seen from him in the past. Arm plays with some length and reach on the backside, comes out of a loose, easy, and athletic ¾ slot. Fastball touched 91 mph in the first inning, sat 87-90 mph as he went on with jump out the hand and late, hard sink at times. Worked mostly to the glove-side corner in this look, has the potential to be really effective once he’s able to consistently bury it arm-side to right-handed hitters. Spun a slurvy 72-74 mph breaking ball with some sweep. An upside arm that’s still coming into his own on the mound and is far from a finished product.
Chase Knebel, LHP/1B, 2025, SWIC commit
Strong, athletic, well-proportioned frame, started at first base and hit third for Highland. Simple, direct left-handed swing that keeps his barrel through the hitting zone on flat path, backspin feel. Jumped on a pitch early in his second at-bat and sent a line drive over the right field wall for a two-run home run, the first of his varsity career. A key piece to the Bulldogs’ offense that’s even more integral on the mound – coming off a season, as a junior, where he pitched to a 0.65 ERA over 75 ⅓ innings, striking out 68 and walking only seven.
Garrin Stone, 1B, 2025, Quincy commit
Highly physical, hard-to-miss 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame. Started at first base and hit fourth for the Bulldogs. Easy hand and barrel strength, works with some length to contact on an uphill path. Showed some feel to hit in this look, flicking a two strike curveball off-balance to left field for a single in his second at-bat of the day.
Carter Holthaus, OF, 2025, Uncommitted
Strong, athletic right-handed hitter, hit second and started in center field. Was on the barrel multiple times in this look from a short, compact right-handed swing. Barreled a ball right back up the middle that sprung off the pitcher for a single in his first at-bat. Hit another hard ground ball to shortstop and reached on an error in his next at-bat, finished his day by sending a line drive straight over the left field wall for a solo home run.
