Rain put a damper on our coverage of the state during Week #3, however our staff was able to see a handful of prospects as we got better weather towards the end of the week. Read along to find video and notes on prospects we saw during this week. Stay tuned for an updated blog of draft follows later in the week, and you can find our full scout blog notes from the IHSAA season, HERE. 

---

By: Cooper Trinkle

Aiden Smith, RHP, 2026, Shelbyville

Smith is one of my favorite movers in the state and has continously made positive strides in his development dating back to our first looks on him as an 8th grader. The highly-touted, uncommitted sophomore has now matured into wiry strength within his 6-foot-3, 175 pound frame and it has translated to louder, in-game stuff. Smith worked up to 91 mph on a four-seam heater with carry, settling at 88-90 in his 2.2 inning, rain-shortened stint. He also has the ability to sink the fastball at 87-88, and will show a short, mid-80s cutter to tunnel with the sinker. Smith can manipulate shape with spin, tossing a mid-to-upper 70s curveball with depth and feel to land, to go along with a tighter, low-80s slider with later break, a pitch that he uses to get chase later in counts. Aiden also has feel for a low-80s change, to round out a no-doubt, starter's mix. It speaks volumes to the overall feel he has to be able to throw 5-6 pitches for strikes at will, as he is one of the better strike-throwers in the class. Aiden moves down the mound with an athletic, drop-and-drive delivery, and his arm works freely to a high 3/4 release point. Smith is a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect that is currently ranked as one of the top uncommitted right-handers in the sophomore class at the national level. 

Tate Troxell, RHP, 2026, Guerin Catholic

My first look at Tate in 2024 was a good one, and he seems to have made nice strides in his overall development after an offseason of work. A durable, 6-foot-4, 220 pounder, Troxell appears to have leaned up a bit compared to looks last season and his movements within his delivery are cleaner, as well. Troxell came out working 87-89 early in his outing, settling at 86-88 for the entirety of his five-inning start. The Alabama recruit turned to an 11/5 shaped, 73-76 mph curveball that he leaned on as he went through the order for the second time, and showed an upper-70s slider that he was able to get chase with. As the outing went on, Troxell used more-and-more of his sinking changeup, a pitch that he has command of, that worked at 78-81. Troxell got the win in this look, working 5 IP w/ 0 ER, striking out 7. The command + frame, to go along with present above-average stuff, allows for future-starter projections. 

Good showing from ‘26 RHP Tate Troxell (@TateTroxell2026)

6’4” 220 lb @AlabamaBSB recruit

Durable strike-thrower w/ starter’s mix. Commands 4, lots of feel for spin.

FB 86-89
SL 77-79
CB 73-76
CH 78-81 (late sink)

(W) 5 IP | 4 H | 0 R | 3 BB | 7 K@ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/eObHITsbIj

— Prep Baseball Indiana Scouting Coverage (@PrepBaseINScout) April 17, 2024

Tristan Wilson, RHP, 2025, North Central

After an injury-plagued summer & fall - it was encouraging to see Wilson get back to the form that he showed during a breakout sophomore spring. A physical, 6-foot-2, 205 pounder w/ present strength in the lower-half - Wilson worked his fastball up to 90 mph during this look, pitching at 85-88. The fastball works with sink & run and he commands it to the glove-side, unafraid to work inside to right-handed hitters. Wilson mixed with a loose, low-to-mid 70s breaking ball, a pitch with slurvey shape that he flashed feel for. He also showed an upper 70s change, sparingly. Wilson is holding above-average velocities with less intent than he has shown previously, an encouraging sign for the uncommitted righty. 

Mateo Wells, RHP, 2024, Zionsville

Wells is a senior arm that has really taken a step up this spring. A durable, projectable, 6-foot-5, 220 pounder - we have always seen Wells as a projectable strike-thrower however his stuff has ticked ahead of schedule. The High Point recruit has held 87-90 through two looks this spring, and touched 92 mph on his best bullet in my last look. The fastball works downhill from an over-the-top slot and he shows the ability to command it to both sides. Wells shows feel to land a big, 70-73 mph curveball - and he can locate the fastball / breaking ball in any count, keeping opposing hitters off balance. I also liked his 78-82 mph changeup - he used it more to LHH but flashed it to RHHs, and it works with arm-side fade. Wells has turned into the ace of a talented Zionsville staff and our staff has been extremely impressed with his progress this spring. 

Max Winders, RHP, 2024, Carmel

Winders was dominant in his start versus Dwenger, earning the win in a scoreless, six inning, two hit performance where he struck out eight. A projectable, 6-foot-5, 205 pound multi-sport high school athlete (basketball) - Winders attacked the zone with three pitches and showed present above-average stuff to go along with it. The Western Kentucky recruit gets seven feet of extension on his fastball that worked up to 90 mph, settling at 85-88. He can locate the fastball to all quadrants and his short, tight, 78-80 mph slider provides a fastball look out of the hand. Winders was able to get some swing-and-miss with the slider, but it works best to miss barrels to induce soft contact. Winder showed a low-80s change, as well. The arm circle is clean and compact, working to an over-the-top slot, and he also shows the body control to repeat his delivery on a consistent basis. Winders holds a starter's profile at the next level and the stuff should tick up further as he continues to mature. 

Lucas Collins, LHP, 2025, Fort Wayne Dwenger

Collins turned in a quality start in his first appearance as a junior, exiting with a 9-4 lead over #1 ranked Carmel. An athletic, 6-foot, 180 pound southpaw - Collins shows body control and athleticism within his delivery that allows a quick left arm to follow. The top-ranked uncommitted lefty in Indiana's junior class sat 85-88 mph on a fastball with arm-side run, a pitch that he was able to command to his arm-side. It was encouraging to see his slider firmer in this look, now working at 77-80 with short, tight break. The slider has taken a step up and he showed a fading, upper-70s change, as well. The arm stroke works with an athletic sling to a 3/4 slot, and he shows above-average command for his three-pitch mix. 

Peyton Dickens, OF, 2025, Whiteland

Dickens is one of the more interesting uncommitted prospects in the state. Standing at an athletic, projectable, 6-foot-5, 175 pound frame - the left-handed hitting outfielder has present tools to go along with tons of upside. Our staff has seen him in two looks over the past week, and he combined to go 5 for 7 with a double, and an opposite field home run. Dickens is showing more bat speed this season, with more strength at impact, and it is easy to dream on more coming with his frame having all-kinds of room to add mass. Dickens is a solid runner (6.82 60) with arm strength, and holds two-way upside (easy 86 on the bump). There is some rawness to his game, however the upside is super intriguing. Dickens sets up in an athletic stance and uses a simple toe-tap stride as he works behind the baseball with an upward path. 

By: Conner Madding

Lincoln Hoffman, OF, 2027, Westfield

Hoffman got the start for Westfield as the only freshman in the lineup. An athletic, 5-foot-10 185 pounder, Hoffman collected a triple in his first trip to the plate, turning around a two-strike pitch into deep right-center field. Hoffman would finish the game 2 for 3 with one run batted in, two runs scored, and one walk. The Westfield outfielder hits from a wide setup, using a small, simple load with an efficient lower half. The swing works on an uphill plane with above average bat speed. He played LF in this look, showing athletic actions and an average arm. A very solid runner for the class (6.95), Hoffman has some upside in CF in the long term, where he profiles best. Hoffman continues to elevate his hit tool and there is more bat strength due to off-season strength gains.

Chase Nelson, SS, 2027, Andrean

Nelson started at 2B for the 3A powerhouse Andrean 59’ers. The undersized middle infielder is a favorite amongst our staff, showing advanced swing mechanics in his left-handed stroke. The freshman collected an RBI triple to deep CF in his second trip to the plate. He worked mature at-bats throughout the day versus a quality right-handed junior. Nelson starts in a wide setup with a pre-pitch waggle in the hands. The pre-pitch bat waggle flows into his launch position and he uses a repeatable, toe tap stride. The swing works on an ideal plane with above average bat speed. In pre-game IO, Nelson showed soft hands and some body control to go along with an above average arm for the class. It will be exciting to watch the Andrean middle infielder progress throughout his high school career. 

Gavin Meyer, RHP, 2025, Illiana Christian

Meyer provided a quality start in his second outing of his junior campaign, working five innings, striking out nine versus 3A #1 Andrean. An Ohio State recruit, Meyer holds a lot of upside with a projectable, 6-foot-6, 225 pound frame. The delivery is balanced with a moderate lift, and simple move down the mound with some effort present. The arm stroke works quick to an over-the-top slot. Meyer hit 90 mph five times throughout the game, but mainy pitched at  86-89 mph. The fastball works on a downhill plane with some life, and he shows above average feel. Meyer showed a much firmer breaking ball than we have seen in the past, showing confidence in a 78-81 mph slider. He landed it multiple times for strikes to RHH and LHH. The right-hander showed a fading changeup at 80-82 mph. 

Tanner Post, LHP, 2026, Illiana Christian

Post was a very interesting watch in his start. A projectable, 6-foot-3, 195 pound southpaw with athleticism. A recent riser in our 2026 rankings, Post showed feel for multiple pitches in his outing. He worked the fastball up to 85 mph, while settling in at 81-84 mph with arm side run. Post showed a bigger breaking ball with solid shape and depth at 70-73 mph - inducing swing-and-misses with it. He flashed a firmer slider at 74-75 mph, as well. The lefty also showed some feel for a fading 74-76 mph changeup. The delivery is very low effort, suggesting there is a lot more velocity in the tank. The arm works clean to a H ¾ slot. The uncommitted sophomore also holds some two-way upside with a smooth left-handed stroke. Post will be a priority follow for our staff the rest of the spring and summer. 

Spencer Bandstra, OF, 2026, Illiana Christian

I liked the actions from Bandstra throughout the day. An athletic, 5-foot-10, 150 pounder. The sophomore hit out of the Illiana Christian leadoff spot, table setting for Virginia recruit Isaac VanderWoude. He worked 3 walks and scored 2 runs, and just missed a pull-side homer that landed foul. The outfielder has twitchy movements in the left-handed batter's box. He sets up in a tall, athletic stance, and uses a quick hand load paired with a simple stride. The swing works level through the hitting zone with above average bat speed for the class. A good runner (6.81), Banstra got the start in CF and showed quality foot-speed in pre-game IO. Added strength should translate to more bat strength for the sophomore outfielder.

Lannon Nicoloff, SS/RHP, 2026, Harrison

I really liked what I saw from Nicoloff in an early season look. The uncommitted sophomore infielder has an strong profile, an athletic 6-foot-0, 185 pound switch-hitting shortstop. The ability to defend stood out in pre-game IO. Nicoloff showed soft hands, advanced body control, and the ability to throw from multiple slots. At the dish, Nicoloff had a pull-side single from the left-side. He sets up in a balanced position with a controlled gather and then turns the barrel on a tight, slightly uphill plane. The barrel control and quick hands really stood out at the plate. Nicoloff also showed off some arm strength as he hopped on the bump and pitched at 84-86 mph for two innings. 

Jeremy Lowrey, RHP, 2026, Harrison

Lowrey made quick work in a brief, one inning relief look. A breakout performer at the Preseason All-State last month, Lowrey has a high-waisted, 6-foot-2, 180 pound frame. Lowrey worked the fastball in the zone at 86-87 mph with some arm-side run, and there is more in the tank. The right-hander flashed an above average breaking ball at 75-76 mph and showed a 78 mph changeup in warm ups with fading action. The delivery is very low effort with a moderate balance point into a controlled, efficient move down the mound. The arm swing is clean from a ¾ slot. There is a lot to like with Lowrey - arm action, strike throwing abilities, frame, and future starter's mix. 

Beckett Suh, RHP/SS, 2026, University 

Suh got the start and provided a solid look in his second outing of his sophomore campaign. Suh is a 5-foot-11, 180 pound two-way with upside on both sides of the ball. The right-hander worked 5 and ⅔ quality innings for the Trailblazers, working from a stretch only delivery, and getting to an athletic balance point with a slight inward turn before a controlled move down the slope. The arm works uninterrupted to a ¾ slot. The calling card on the mound for Suh is ability to spin the baseball. He offered a 74-75 mph slider and a 71-73 mph curveball in this look - inducing whiffs with both. The righty flashed a changeup at 73 mph. The switch-hitter showed fluid actions in the box, walking twice in four plate appearances. 

Tyson Barker, RHP, 2024, Harrison

Barker showed well in a three-inning start, striking out seven with ten swings-and-misses. An uncommitted right-hander within Indiana’s senior class, Barker stands at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, a large presence on the bump. The Harrison righty pitched at 84-87 mph while touching 88 mph in the second inning. The fastball has some life to it and Barker attacked hitters with it. He also featured a 76-79 mph breaking ball that flashed sharp action at times. Barker showed the ability to land the SL and induce swings-and-misses with it. The arm works uninterrupted to a ¾ slot, and the delivery is controlled with lower intent. Barker pitched with confidence as he threw 3 scoreless innings.

Jackson Gwin, RHP/SS, 2024, Harrison

Gwin offered an interesting look in a relief stint. He faced the minimum in a scoreless 7th inning for the Raiders. He worked the fastball up to 89 mph while pitching at 87-88 mph. He flashed a 78-79 mph breaking ball with some sweeping action. The delivery has some rawness - slight cross-fire from a tall balance point. The arm works quick and compact to a H ¾ slot. Gwin fanned two of the three batters he faced.