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2026 Northeast Indiana Preseason ID: Quick Hits

February 17, 2026
Cooper Trinkle
Scouting Director

Our 2026 Preseason ID tour featured two talent-filled events during Week #2. Our first stop for this week took us to Huntington University, held in their state-of-the-art indoor facility, and there were 60 prospects from the area who showcased their abilities. The arm talent at this event stood out in a major fashion and several are highlighted below, along with a handful of bats that caught our attention. Read along to find reports on the top performers, along with a follow list that we took away from the event. 

Find the full event statistics, at this link. 

Arm Talent

Logan Matiya RHP / 3B / Columbia City High School, IN / 2028

+ Showing excellent strides in his development since last season, Matiya is trending exactly how we projected after he shot up into the T50 in the class after his freshman season. There is equal projection to athleticism in his 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame that has added noticeable strength over the winter. The delivery is polished with clean, balanced patterns to go along with a loose, compact arm that flips up on-time to a high 3/4 arm slot. He is able to control the fastball at an advanced rate for an underclassman, pitching at 83-86 in this look while reaching back for 86-87 when he got some intent behind it. He executed a slurvey, 71-73 mph breaking ball at will and his 74-77 mph change played with heavy fade, though he dropped slot in order to do so. It is easy to project more velocity in the future, and he even holds upside as a two-way after reaching 98+ exits while looking the part of a college-bound 3B recruit. I believe the ceiling is higher on the bump and walk away from this look reaffirmed with my bullish outlook on his future. 

Chris Misch RHP / Norwell High School, IN / 2028

+ After following Misch on the circuit last summer, I was excited to see his name on the roster for this event and he did nothing but elevate his stock. It is a premier frame at 6-foot-6, 180-pounds with about as easy as projections can get for more to come. He lifts to a tall balance point before using his athleticism to drop-and-drive down the mound for big extension. It is a loose, quick arm stroke that gets to a higher OTT slot as he pitched at 82-84 early and reached back for 84-86s at the conclusion of the look. There is late life to the heater and a real chance it ticks further sooner-rather than later. The slider has a chance, though lower spin now, but it flashed some lateral bite and some gyro-depth in the low-70s with the makings of an out-getter. He also killed spin on a low-70s split that has a chance. In total, this raw-but-athletic right-hander holds some of the classes' biggest upside and leaves this event as a priority follow for our staff leading up to the 8/1 recruiting window. 

Eli Pohler RHP / Huntington North High School, IN / 2028

+ My first in-person look at Pohler was solid after hearing his name consistently from sources in the area. It is a broader-shouldered, 6-foot-1 ish, 190-pounder with equal athleticism and arm strength. It is a simple operation as he keeps the back leg anchored in a hybrid-type stretch/windup delivery. The hips coil/uncoil well as a longer arm stroke syncs with some quickness to the front. There is a slight open-gate to the way the front-side works, but in total there is a lot to like. He pitched at 85-86 consistently with some life on a fastball that tunneled well with a firm, 75-78 SL and 80-82 CT that both played to the gloveside. Both pitches flashed above average looks and the SL has a chance to be a real out-pitch down the road. He rounded the arsenal with a tumbling change at 79-81 mph that looks the part of a usable offering and even has out-pitch upside as well. In total, I like the athlete, arm strength, and pitch shapes with Pohler who will see quite the rise in our next 2028 rankings update. 

Kyler Wood LHP / Blackhawk Christian School, IN / 2028

+ I liked what I saw of Wood on the circuit last summer and his performance on the bump at this event showed solid trends. He pitched at 80-83 mph from an athletic, loose-armed operation that came from a lower slot. The fastball was controlled at an above average rate and his 73-76 mph change was his best secondary in this look with a fastball look out the hand. He spun two breaking balls, both with sweep, a tighter 72-74 mph version paired with a big 65-67 shape, and I preferred the firmer breaking ball. He was around the zone with all offerings and pitched here in the midst of basketball, with another velo jump likely to take form as the arm gets deeper into baseball shape. Remains a quality follow in the class. 

Miles Brockhouse LHP / DeKalb High School, IN / 2027

+ Sturdy-framed southpaw at 6-foot-2, 230-pounds. Worked from a simple delivery with a methodical lift and keeps the ball moving within uninterrupted arm action. The 83-85+ fastball is powered by arm strength as he rotates in one piece. He spins the ball very well, averaging 2350 on a heavy heater and 2500+ on a 75-77 mph slider that is his best present offering. The SL looked more like a chase-pitch in this look, but there is some bite to the action that should play off the heater for S/M. He rounded the arsenal with an upper-70s change that fit his pitch mix and appears usable. The control was average and he has had success at the varsity level for Dekalb. Good follow in the class. 

Sam Marquell LHP / Homestead Senior High School, IN / 2027

+ Strong, 6-foot-0, 205-pound southpaw who showed off velo jumps at this event. Shorter, quick arm stroke as the front-side clears. 2S/SL tunnel was his best mix; showed 5 grips. 2S worked at 84-86 with heavy arm-side life while the SL played at 74-76 with 2300+ spin. Cut a change at 79-80 mph; also showed a CT at 79-80. Overall, some things to like with the overall arm strength coming from the left-side, but his bullpen at this event lacked feel. Good follow in the class. 

Liam Seiler RHP / Homestead Senior High School, IN / 2029

+ Big follow in the freshman class with a real chance to develop into a high level arm. 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame projects extremely well, also turned in a 7.07 60-time to show some athleticism. The delivery is deliberate and a bit robotic at this stage, but as he learns to sync his long levers in a faster-paced operation the overall velocity could tick quickly. Some inversion to the arm action for now creating some timing issues. Fastball worked 81-82 and up to 83 at peak. Showed five pitches; at this stage only showed control for the FB and a big mid-60s CB with depth. 

Standouts on the Offensive Side

JP Rohwer SS / Fort Wayne Canterbury, IN / 2027

+ Solid all-around player who showed great trends at this event. Wiry, athletic, 6-foot, 160-pounder. Burned a 6.83 60 to begin the day. Foot quickness translated to the infield where he played light on his feet with solid glove-to-hand abilities that flowed seamlessly into a quick, 87 mph infield arm. He looks the parts of next-level shortstop with the body control, quickness, and skills to stay there. In the box, he showed similiar bat-to-ball feel that we've seen previous with a short/direct path, though the strength has ticked up with his exits peaking at a rounded 96 mph at this event. The accuracy allowed him to average 90-plus throughout his round of batting practice with his contact coming mostly on line drive contact through the middle. Skill over tools type profile but the tools have developed at a notable rate. 

Axton Beste C / Bluffton High School, IN / 2027

+ Beste has a quality showing throughout the day and continues to establish himself as a prospect to know for schools in need of a 2027 backstop. It is a physical, 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame with well-proportioned muscle and quality athleticism for the position. He turned in a 7.05 60 and controlled his frame well in both offensive and defensive evaluations. The ability to throw stood out to me as he put balls on the bag with low 2.00 pops and a 77 mph arm from the crouch. Offensively, he hits from a balanced setup with simple moves throughout. Beste turns the barrel high across the chest for a shorter path, getting to extension well, with gap-to-gap impacts at 95-plus. 

Aiden Corzine OF / Carroll High School, IN / 2026

+ An unsigned senior, Corzine had a great showing with the bat at this event with clear college-level abilities shining. There is projection to the long-limbed, 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame that also includes impactful twitch. He set up with an open-stanced lower half and made a short stride to even while holding upper body angles with quiet hands into the launch. Peppering line drives from gap-to-gap, Corzine reached a 101-plus mph peak exit velocity while showing quick bat speed and control of the barrel head. To pair with a quality offensive showing, Corzine turned in a 6.90 60-yard dash to pair with an 80 mph OF arm. 

Owen McNally OF / Northrop, IN / 2028

+ McNally had a great showing as one of the top sophomore position players in attendance. A 7.09 runner with wiry athleticism in a 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame, McNally unleashed one aggressive hack after another during batting practice from an ultra-wide setup. The path works uphill post-contact with the intent to lift the baseball to the pull-side gap obvious, and he had the strength to do it with a peak exit velocity of 97.2 mph. The arm is an above average tool, as well, reaching 84 mph from the OF. McNally saw a good chunk of time for Northrop's varsity squad as a freshman and leaves this event as a quality follow in the area for the 2028 class. 

Joe Geesaman 1B / Jay County Jr/Sr High School, IN / 2027

+ Strong-framed with length in his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame, Geesaman had the top exit velocity of the day, reaching 102.5 mph at peak. The RHH 1B showed a simple swing with bat speed on a downward path that reduced in low ball flights throughout the round. He did not have his most consistent showing, topping the ball on his miss, but the strength at impact is clear and the direct nature of the swing should lead to the ability to make contact in game. Clear college-level potential with standout strength is what I walk away with. Ran a 7.28 with an 80 mph infield arm. 

Forest Dorsman 1B / Homestead Senior High School, IN / 2027

+ Dorsman continues to elevate his toolset while really looking the part in the left-handed batter's box. Checking in at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds, Dorsman continues to add quality strength and it shows up in the form of impact. He showed a +4 mph exit velocity improvement since last December, reaching 96.9 mph at peak with a level, out-front path from a balanced base. Also, his 60-yard dash improved by .15 in the same time frame to a 7.25. The frame and left-handed bat stand out most; good follow with a chance for further improvements. 

Quick Hits

*in-event highlights linked into player's name if not shown below*

+ RHP Nate Bowman, 2027, Huntington North: Strong, 6-foot-3, 220 pound sturdy build. Stands out most on the mound with the highest ceiling appearing to be there. Simple delivery with quicker arm stroke. Downhill shoulders, shorter stride. Riding life to a low-to-mid 80s (T85) fastball; complimented it three secondaries working off the top of the zone tunnel. Short 80-81 cutter is a quality addition to the arsenal. Best secondary was a 2450+ mid-70s CB with depth. 76-78 CH appears usable. I like the riding 4S/CB combo and he threw strikes with both pitches and the CT as well. Solid jumps vs fall look.  

+ RHP Max Warner, 2027, Homestead: Upside arm in the area with slender, projectable, 6-foot-2+, 165-pound frame. Excellent mover with a clean arm on the backside. Velocity continues to trend upwards; pitched at +3 compared the the fall. SNK played 81-82.4 with solid control. Change is best offering; 71-73 with big fade and a fastball look out the hand. Shorter SL at 73-74 that averaged 2200+ spin. Good follow w/ a chance for more velo as strength is added. 

+ RHP Brayden Gearhart, 2027, Huntington North: Proportional, 5-foot-11, 185-pounder with some strength. Executed well throughout his bullpen showing a repeatable delivery and loose, low 3/4 arm angle. Lower effort throughout; pitched at 82-83 mph with a sinking fastball. Spun the breaking ball with gloveside sweep in the mid-70s and executed it, also showed an upper-70s change that came out the hand with a fastball look. 

+ SS/RHP Rhett Swoverland, 2027, Fort Wayne Carroll: Quality frame (6'1 175) & showed well throughout the day. 7.2 runner, but 1.68 10-yard split shows first step quickness. Stood out most on the infield with solid actions and an 84 mph infield arm, also reached that number in rounded form in his bullpen while showing the ability to control four pitches from a balanced delivery. Left-handed hitting MIF; shorter stroke with contact-over-impact. Exits peaked at 90 mph. College-level player with a chance to do it on both sides. 

+ 1B Koleson Abbott, 2027, Leo: Has made outstanding strides in his development. Huge improvements from the last time he attended an event in January of 2025. Now 6-foot-3 and 225-pounds, grew 3 inches and added 40 pounds in the past year while improving his 60 from a 8.03 to a 7.41. Showed a short, simple, right-handed swing that works from a strong base. Exits reached 97.2 mph while averaging 90.5; peak exit a year ago was 91.7. Also improved his infield arm by +6 mph - now 82 mph. In total, has transformed himself into a college-level player with a run-producer's profile. 

+ RHP Colton Breden, 2027, Penn: Durable, 6-foot-1, 215-pound righty who filled the zone in his 'pen. Pitched in the low-80s with a FB he controlled. Tight, 73-74 SL for strikes along with feel for a mid-70s change. Clean operation/arm that presents future upside, easy to project him getting into the mid/upper 80s at some point while providing a solid floor with the present ability to command the baseball. Chance to make an impact for Penn this spring. 

+ 3B/RHP Kaigan Lee, 2027, Bellmont: Very physical, 6-foot, 215-pound frame. Power stood out in batting practice, reached a peak exit of 102 mph with a short/tight swing with strength-derived impacts. Power shown to the pull-side. Listed as a primary RHP, up to 82 mph there. 

+ C Haiden McWhirt, 2027, Wabash: 5-foot-11, 220-pound sturdy strong frame. Continues to improve his game in each event he attends. Strong base at the dish with explosive, on-plane swing that produced near triple digit exits. Has some power and continues to trend towards college-level abilities. Arm strength stood out, as well, reaching 77 mph from the crouch. 

+ SS Sheperd Merica, 2027, Homeschool: Proportional, 6-foot, 185-pounder who posted solid metrics across the board. 7.24 runner; strength at the plate appeared as the most notable tool. Drifty forward move with some ambush to it, but connected for near triple digit exits when synced. Bat works on a more level plane. Also showed some arm strength across the infield with capable actions with the glove, reached 83 mph across. 

+ C Brendyn Mugford, 2027, Manchester: 6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitter. Stood out most with the bat. Flashed explosive bat speed with on-plane stroke and exits that reached 95 mph. Uses rhythm and it flows well through his toe tap stride; strong position to hit at launch. 74 mph arm from the crouch with 2.18-2.2 pops. 

+ SS Drew Brita, 2028, Leo: Solid follow in the 2028 class with strong base of fundamentals in his game. Athletic, 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. Turned in a 7.11 60-yard dash which was a 0.3 improvement compared to last summer. Actions stood out on the infield, soft hands while working under control with proper footwork; can catch the baseball. Offensively, gets the front foot down early and uses a high, handsy turn with quick hands and more impact than the frame suggests. Exits reached 93 mph; obvious barrel feel with a line drive approach. 

+ LHP Trey Ward, 2028, Homestead: Athletic, quick-paced delivery. Shorter stride matches short takeaway for compact arm action. Lower release height due to drop-and-drive + 5-foot-9 frame; creates unique look. 80-83 bore-type heater should play higher from the slot. Mixed with a shorter 74-77 SL and sinker-type change. Good follow. 

+ SS LJ Whitford, 2028, Lafayette Central Catholic: Skill over tools type prospect with a compact 5-foot-9, 185-pound frame. Hit from both sides of the dish with more strength coming from the right side. Contact-oriented hacks, works short and to the inside top, exits up to 90.6 mph from the right side. Left-handed swing was more raw, still a work in progress. Showed best defensively with proper footwork and a sure-handed nature. Showed average arm strength across the diamond with feet playing quicker on the infield than in the 60. 

Follow List

+ 2027 OF Adrian Brooks (Huntington North)
+ 2027 OF Parker Daugherty (Huntington North)
+ 2027 RHP Aiden Stephan (Fort Wayne Carroll)
+ 2028 C Grayson Crowder (Bluffton)
+ 2028 C Bryson Enyeart (Manchester)
+ 2028 C Colin Haupert (Dekalb)
+ 2028 C/OF Brady James (Fort Wayne Carroll)
+ 2028 1B/RHP Mackey Sorg (Wabash)
+ 2028 OF Drew Teixeira (Homestead)
+ 2028 3B Mason Utermark (Jefferson)
+ 2028 RHP Owen Watts (Westfield)