Ole Miss Commit Cooper Johnson Impressive at “The MAX”
On Sunday December 7, the Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryout tour rolled through Northern Illinois with a stop at the McCook Athletic & Exposition Center (The MAX).
At 125,000 square feet, the MAX incorporates 79,000 square feet of turf, making it an ideal venue for our winter visit to the Chicagoland area.
Top Runners
| Time | Player | Position | Class/School | Hometown |
| 6.65 | Tommy Duddleston | SS | 2016, De La Salle | Chicago, IL |
| 6.78 | Jason Cast | OF | 2017, Lake Forest HS | Lake Forest, IL |
| 6.85 | Kevin Johnson | SS | 2015, Oak Forest HS | Midlothian, IL |
| 6.87 | Jason Croci | OF | 2015, Geneva HS | Geneva, IL |
| 6.87 | Thomas Farrell | 1B | 2017, St. Laurence | Chicago, IL |
| 6.90 | Nicholas Torres | 2B | 2016, Plainfield East HS | Bolingbrook, IL |
| 6.91 | Brett Bagus | OF | 2017, Brother Rice HS | Oak Lawn, IL |
| 6.98 | Bryce Dooley | SS | 2016, Le Roy HS | Le Roy, IL |
As is often the case at synthetic surface events, the running times were good. Eight players posted sub-seven 60 yard dashes, led by 2016 SS Tommy Duddleston (De La Salle Institute – Chicago, IL) at 6.65.
Several players boasted impressive combinations of tools, led by 2016 C Cooper Johnson (Carmel Catholic HS – Mundelein, IL). An Ole Miss commit, Johnson featured standout catch and throw skills – as evidenced by 90 mph raw velocity and a low pop time of 1.84, easily good enough for tops in each category on the day.
The next best pop time came from 2016 C Anthony Rios (St. Laurence – Lemont, IL) at 2.03, while the 86 mph raw velocity shown by 2015 switch-hitting catcher Julius Roman (De La Salle – Chicago, IL) was good for second place in that category.
A trio of left-handed hitters each showed a unique two-tool combination. 2015 OF Charlie Harrigan (Lyons Township HS – Lagrange, IL) combined left-handed raw power with 84 mph raw velocity.
2017 1B Thomas Farrell added 83 mph raw velocity to his previously noted 6.87 60 yard dash, while L/R 2015 SS Kevin Johnson proved to be a slick fielding infielder in addition to a strong runner (he posted 6.85 in the 60 yard dash).
Ryan Pfutzenreuter topped at 89 mph and spun a sharp 76 mph slider.
Among right handers, 6-foot-2, 285 pound 2017 RHP/1B Chris Brown (Evanston Township HS – Skokie, IL) showed an 86 mph fastball along with potential standout raw power at the plate. With a top bolt of 89 mph, 6-foot-1 2016 RHP Ryan Pfutzenreuter (Deerfield HS, IL) turned in the top fastball on the day. His sharp 76 mph slider was among the better breaking pitches as well.
Other top fastballs included projectable 2017 3B/RHP Barek McCann (Gwendolin Brooks College Prep – Matteson, IL) at 86, 6-foot-4 210 pound 2017 RHP Jake Pomykalski (Lincoln Way East HS – Frankfort, IL) at 84, and 6-foot-3 2016 left-hander Clayton Willis (Olympia HS – Hopedale, IL) at 84 mph.
The Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryout Tour is rolling through all 50 states. Tryouts are held for players ages 12-14 and 14-18. Don’t miss your opportunity to Be Discovered.
Find an Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryout near you and register online or call (800) 641-4487.
