Prep Baseball Indiana is excited to announce its Indiana Player of the Year Award after the 2025 season generated some incredible individual moments and performances throughout the state. As the spring high school season comes to a close, Prep Baseball is excited to announce one player who emerged ahead of the competition at all levels. This player has been selected not only for their outstanding statistical numbers, but also for their overall effect on their high school program.

CADEN CROWELL

The No. 2 ranked player in Indiana’s 2025 class — and one of the top 50 prospects in the country — turned in a dominant senior campaign on both sides of the ball. The Notre Dame recruit was nearly untouchable on the mound, giving up just 2 earned runs over 55 innings while racking up 97 strikeouts to just 11 walks. He posted a perfect 6-0 record, an absurd 0.53 WHIP, didn't allow an extra-base-hit or any stolen bases the entire spring, and held opponents to a .098 batting average. At the plate, Crowell hit .375 with 14 extra-base hits, including 3 home runs, 3 triples, and 8 doubles — capping off an ultra-impressive senior season.

Crowell's all-around performance, as well as helping Valparaiso win their first ever Class 4A State Championship, has earned him the 2025 Prep Baseball Indiana Player of the Year honors.

Crowell has been selected unanimously by the staff of Prep Baseball Indiana. The team of Prep Baseball area scouts who covered the high school baseball season throughout the spring selected Crowell amongst a strong group of candidates from across the state. The Prep Baseball Indiana staff has been diligently scouting and covering games at diamonds across the state this spring to bring parents, athletes and fans the most comprehensive coverage of amateur baseball across the United States. The dedication and coverage allow Prep Baseball a credible way to identify the top athletes each year who best represent the state of Indiana.

 

INDIANA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Name: Caden Crowell

High School: Valparaiso

Position: LHP

Size: 6-foot-3, 205 pounds

Commitment: Notre Dame

Pitching Stats: 6-0, 55 IP, 2 ER, 97 K, 11 BB, 0.25 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, .098 OBA, .127 OBP, 0 XBH, 18 H

Hitting Stats: .375 BA, 33 hits, 32-R, 33-RBI, 8-2B, 3-3B, 3-HR, .636 SLG, .482 OBP

 

PAST INDIANA PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNERS

2024 - Hogan Denny, C, Mooresville HS, 2024
2023 – Max Clark, OF, Franklin HS, 2023
2022 - Max Clark, OF, Franklin HS, 2023
2021 – Carter Mathison, OF, Homestead HS, 2021
2019 – Michael Doolin, RHP, Andrean HS, 2019
2018 – Nicholas Schnell, OF, Roncalli HS, 2018
2017 – Drey Jameson, OF/RHP, Greenfield Central HS 2017 
2016 – Nick Prather, RHP, Zionsville HS, 2016
2015 – Skylar Szynski, RHP, Penn HS, 2016