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 an Apollo Conference matchup between No. 6 Mt. Zion and Effingham. The Braves took game one 4-1, and Effingham would earn a series split with a 10-8 victory in game two.
NO. 6 MT ZION BRAVES
Sam Driscoll, LHP/1B, 2025, Lindenwood commit
Athletic frame that holds well-proportioned strength throughout. Drew the start on the mound for Mt. Zion in game one, started at first base in game two, and hit leadoff in both games. Athletic, up-tempo delivery, repeats with a clean, continuous arm path that draws back out the glove. Fastball touched 89 multiple times in the first inning, pitched at 84-88 mph in a five inning start on a cold, 45-degree day. Separator was a 73-76 mph curveball that had sharp, late break with depth off an 11/5 plane that he was able to land for strikes, as well as get some really uncomfortable swings-and-misses. Struck out seven and scattered three hits over five innings, allowing just one run. Had four hits across both games, and drew three walks, scoring three times. Swings a clean, polished left-handed barrel that covers the whole plate with confidence, is more than comfortable working middle/away. Does a lot of the little things right; runs hard out of the box, takes the extra base when given to him, and is a really polished baserunner. An all-around contributor that figures to lead this Mt. Zion club on both sides of the ball throughout the spring.
Aiden Weaver, 2B, 2025, Milliken commit
Strong, compact frame, started at second base and hit out of the two-hole for Mt. Zion. Totaled four hits in this two game look, including a three-hit performance for Mt. Zion in game two. Short, direct right-handed swing that gets on top of the baseball and doesn’t try to do too much. Showed feel for the barrel and the ability to manipulate it to match planes on the outer-half. A polished right-handed hitter that is going to be a key piece for this offense as the season rolls on.
Jackson Beiler, SS/RHP, 2025, Black Hawk JC commit
Athletic, well-proportioned frame with lean strength that’s plenty capable of adding more strength as he continues to mature physically. Took the ball for the Braves in game two of this conference double-header. Fastball played at 82-84, touching 85 mph in the first, and spinning a 72-74 mph breaking ball off it for strikes at times. Started at shortstop and hit third in game one of this series, was on the barrel with authority once to the opposite field, and drove a run in on a sacrifice fly to center field in game two.
Evan Hamrick, CIF, 2025, Uncommitted
Athletic frame with lean strength, particularly in the lower half. Started at first base in game one, and third base in game two, hitting cleanup in both. Has some hand strength with an uphill right-handed swing that looks to elevate the baseball. Went the other way to bring in a run in his first at-bat of game one, plated another run in game two and was on the barrel for a loud out to center field in that game as well.
Jaxson Nickell, RHP, 2026, Uncommitted
6-foot-1, 190-pounds. Came out of the ‘pen and fired two strong innings to secure a 4-1 win for Mt. Zion in game one of this conference double-header, allowing one hit, with one walk and two strikeouts. Touched 82 with the fastball, pitching at 80-81 mph with sink, relied on it heavily and kept it on the arm-side corner of the plate.
EFFINGHAM HEARTS
Colton Webb, 1B, 2025, Kaskaskia CC
Physical left-handed hitter that hits third for the Hearts and started at first base in both games. Did not have a hit in game one, went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI in the second game of this double-header. Kicked things off for the Hearts’ offense early, driving a double deep into the right-center gap in the first inning to get them on the board. Strong hands with a short, uphill, and connected left-handed swing that flashed carry off the barrel.
Andrew Wagoner, INF, 2026, Uncommitted
Athletic frame with lean strength, multi-sport (soccer) background. Set the table from the top spot of the Hearts’ lineup, starting at shortstop in game one, and third base in game two. Consistently put together the most competitive and qualitative at-bats of the day, working deep counts while making for a tough out. Has an approach and sticks to it, doesn’t try to do too much and is just looking to put the ball in play. Drew two walks and was hit by a pitch in game one, had two hits with a walk in game two. Above-average runner and athlete that should be a top-of-the-order bat for Effingham throughout the spring season.
Max Flack, C, 2026, Uncommitted
Large, physical frame with strength throughout, football background. Hit sixth and started both games behind the plate. Immediately stood out for his effort and willingness to work defensively, threw his body at several balls in the dirt and was consistently chesting up the baseball. Has above-average arm strength for age too, ball carries out the hand and plays true. Knows when to use his arm but isn’t afraid to do so, controlled aggressively with it and backpicked a runner at second base. Strong hands at the plate with a short, slightly uphill path to contact, drove a double deep to right field in game one and sprayed an RBI single through the left side early in game two.
Carter Braddy, OF/LHP, 2027, Uncommitted
Loose, athletic, highly projectable frame with all sorts of physical upside. Hit out of the two-hole and started in center field in the Hearts’ first game, was Effingham’s starting pitcher in game two. Had two hits in the first game – slapped a two strike single the other way, doubled deep to right-center later in that same game. Loose, fluid left-handed swing with hand speed, ball carries off the barrel some and will continue to add more impact as he further fills out his frame. Also had a hit in game two. On the mound, has one of the higher ceilings we’ve seen to date in the Illinois’ 2027 class. Athletic delivery with tempo and rhythm, needs to continue to repeat it better, though that will come as he gets more reps on the mound and continues to mature physically. Long and loose arm action, finishes out of a high ¾ window. Fastball touched 84 in the first, pitched at 80-83 mph, played best on the arm-side corner. Flashed advanced feel for both of his secondaries; a sweeping breaking ball at 72-74 mph and a tumbling 74-75 mph changeup that, when right, is one of the best overall pitches we’ve seen from a sophomore arm this winter/spring. A must-follow arm for the remainder of the spring, as well as into the summer, that has a chance to be the next big-ticket name out of Effingham.
Jude Traub, INF/RHP, 2027, Uncommitted
Athletic, muscled-up frame with physicality throughout. Hit fourth for the Hearts in both games, starting on the mound in game one, and drawing the nod at shortstop in game two. Had an impressive offensive showing in game two, finishing 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI. Hammered a loud double off the barrel over the left fielder’s head to kick things off in that game, would follow that up with another double later in the game. Strong hands, simple all-around operation, doesn’t try to do too much and stays short to contact with a level barrel through the hitting zone. Allowed two earned runs over 3 ⅔ innings on the mound in his game one start, striking out four, with three walks. Fastball played in the low-80s and spun a 66-68 mph breaking ball with some lateral action off it. A sophomore to follow for the Hearts.
