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2026 Northern Indiana Preseason ID: Quick Hits

February 26, 2026
Cooper Trinkle
Scouting Director

Our 2026 Preseason ID tour featured a trip to South Bend for Week #3. Our Northern Indiana Preseason ID, held in Mishawaka, featured 75+ prospects from the surrounding areas and provided not only several enticing underclass prospects, but also strong contigent of college-level 2027s. Find the top prospects, notes on recruitable talents, and more underclassmen that we feel bullish on leaving this event, below...

Find the full event statistics, at this link. 

Top Prospects

Rogan Bailey SS / RHP / Warsaw Community High School, IN / 2028

+ Bailey continues to trend in a positive fashion while looking more-and-more like a Division I level prospect with each look. The 6.65 60 he burned to begin the days reaffirms the quality run times he turned in last summer, and speaks to the athleticism that the wiry, projectable, 6-foot-3 frame holds. I liked him best on the bump in this look, though it is a true 2way follow to the stage. It is a simple, methodical-paced delivery where he shows easy effort throughout. The arm stroke works with looseness in a clean fashion and speeds to the front with abv avg arm speed. FB played at 84-85 w/ bore and set the tunnel for an abv avg CH at 72-74 to play off. He spun the SL at 68-72; a pitch with upside but needs to firm/sharpen still. On the infield, his light-footed movements look the part of a next-level infielder and the arm translates across. The glove is ahead of the bat, but Bailey shows capable swings from both sides that play more towards the slash-and-dash offensive profile we saw last summer. Super interesting follow w/ plenty of jumps to be had in all parts of his game. 

Caleb Tugmon OF / Penn High School, IN / 2029

+ Tugmon came in with high praise and showed as a real name-to-know for the freshman class while looking the part of the next left-handed slugger from Penn HS in a long line in recent years. It is an athletic, 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame with some strength already present. The left-handed hitter shows present bat speed on a more-direct path while using the ground well. The strength produced exits up to 95 mph with some ability to impact to his pullside. The 6.97 60 he turned in is a well-above average time and leaves speed/power upside on the table. Hard to get too bullish on one showcase look, but the speed/power profile from the left-side is highly-valued and we leave with high expectations moving forward. 

Colin Hamel SS / RHP / John Glenn, IN / 2028

+ The trends have been steady for Hamel over the course of our follows and the jumps he showed on the mound at this event left us highly-intrigued. Projection remains in the 6-foot, 160-pound frame as does the 2way potential that he presents. He sequences well within the delivery w/ downhill, in-line shoulders, with a well-timed hand break as the hips power a quick arm through a 3/4 slot. There is a unique look to the lower slot fastball that induces true arm-side run on an 84-85 mph heater. There are two quality secondaries that he showed; 78-80 CH w FB look out the hand & arm-side fade + mid-70s SL at 2200+. On the offenside side, Hamel showed as a sure-handed shortstop with an above average run tool (7.04). The right-handed swing works on a more direct plane and reached a peak exit of 91.6. With upside in the frame and above average athleticism, Hamel continues to trend as expected looking the part of one of the top sophomores in the region. 

Amari Moore OF / Lawrence North High School, IN / 2027

+ One of the top defensive centerfielders in the state, Moore continues to refine his baseball skills while showing best-in-class feet again and again. He burned a 6.7 to begin the day and showcased quick, crisp footwork in the outfield while getting into an 89 mph arm quickly. Offensively, both swings have refined for a short, quick, inside-the-ball type swing. The base is strong and he uses a short, rhthymic takeaway as he gets to his launch position. While power isn't the carrying trait of his game, he easily produced 94 mph exit velos at this event. Moore enters his junior season touted as a top uncommitted outfielder in his class. 

Aveary Johnson LHP / Northridge High School, IN / 2027

+ Lean, athletic, 6-foot, 155-pounder. Simple/athletic lift to the top of balance point, holds torso over his back leg as the hips uncoil to power a loose/quick arm. Showed above average control for four shapes and two distinct fastballs that played at 82-86.5; 4S w/ 16" of lift and 2S w/ -16" HZ. Two distinct breaking balls, as well, with a firm 76-78 mph cutter-like slider and two-plane, low-70s CB. Controlled all of his pitches at an above average clip. Some rawness in total but plenty of athleticism to like. Development of a CH could pay dividends. Strong follow as one of the top uncommitted junior lefties in the state. 

Brody Bienz 3B / RHP / Constantine High School, MI / 2029

+ Freshman out of Michigan who looks the part of a future follow on both sides. 7.2 runner with a projectable, athletic, 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame. On the offensive side, works behind the ball well with a simple, repeatable launch that he gets to consistently. Works uphill with strength; 93 off the bat at this event and 97 at a previous event. Holds power potential. Chance to stick on the left-side with an 83 mph arm across; also translated to the bump. Athletic on the mound while sinking/running a heater up to 83. 

More Recruitable Talent

+ 2027 C Tanner Rachels, Niles (MI): 5-foot-11, 180-pound backstop who showed a well-above average arm from the crouch. Reached 79 there for pops that reached sub-2. Offensively, set up in a taller, relaxed stance before unleashing quick hands on a more direct path. Tends to get steep at times, but when synced has the ability to play out-front with backspun contact elevated to the pullside. Reached a peak exit of 94-plus, likely matures into more. Strong follow, upside as a C1 at the next level. 

+ 2027 MIF Giovanni Naccarato, New Prairie: Muscular look compacted into a 5-foot-8, 155-pound frame. Coils into a consistent launch position, uncoils w/ quickness as the hands work on a shorter path to present the barrel. Some ability to match plane for low-90s exits. Best tool is the feet; 6.71 runner and it translates to the infield - showed an 84 mph arm across there. Definite college-level abilities. Good follow in the area. 

+ 2027 OF John Gutierrez, Penn: Well-rounded tools with an athletic, lean, 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame and intriguing profile. Best present tool is his arm; unleashed throws up to 89 mph from the OF. Switch-hitter w/ more polish from the right-side, though the left-handed swing appears usable and if he can repeat the BP swings he showed here, the profile elevates. Works behind the ball from both sides with more strength from the right, where he peaked at 92 off the bat. 6.81 runner. Strong junior follow for Penn. 

+ 2027 RHP Mason O'Malley, Warsaw: Athletic, undersized 5-foot-6, 150-pounder. Burned a 6.93 60. Is efficient within the delivery; maximizes frame with a clean arm stroke on the backside to produce a fastball playing at 83-85. Some bite to a 70-72 SL; also showed a mid-70s CH. Delivery allows for quiet eyes resulting in well-abv avg control. Also reached 89 from the OF. Clear college-level pitchability with the stuff to match. 

+ 2027 LHP Preston Lane, Penn: A standout who made a +7 mph jump compared to his showing at this event last year. Physical, sturdy frame at 6-foot-4, 230-pounds. Simple delivery works in-line with a loose arm that flows to a high 3/4 slot. 82-83 FB touched 84 and played w/ arm-side run. Showed feel for a 75-77 mph CH with a fastball look out the hand. Swept the breaking ball at 69-71 mph, looser shape w/ some upside remaining for that pitch. Good follow, chance for more jumps. 

Rising Underclassmen

+ 2028 LHP Noah Ladra, Morgan Township: Highly-projectable 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame. Showed strong velocity jumps, has been valued previous for his ability to command the baseball and the projections that the frame holds, which are starting to come to fruition. Clean/quick arm stroke produced 79-82 mph heater; 72-74 CH played well off of it. CB played w/ depth at 68-70. Should continue to make jumps, good follow in the class. 

+ 2028 MIF Quinn Knepp, Northridge: Stood out in all facets with a noticeably more physical look compared to the summer. Athletic frame at 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Works within a tight space as he sets up in a wider stance and gains minimal ground forward. Tight turn blends into an upward path, exits peaked at 92.5 and he showed bat-to-ball feel. 7.11 runner; stood out with some of the top infield actions at the event with an 84 mph arm across to pair. Good follow in the region; one of the top players at his position in the area for the sophomore class. 

+ 2028 OF Maddox Donat, Penn: Fluid, athletic mover who stood out throughout the day with quality movement patterns. 7.18 runner; smooth-paced left-handed stroke works level through the hitting zone & reached low-90s exits. 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame holds plenty of future projections. Arm works clean, average to above strength for now. 

+ 2028 C/OF Christian Cruz-Mahler, Plymouth: Intriguing follow, best tool is the feet at this stage; burned a 6.79 60 to begin the day. Average arm strength for now, up to 75 from the crouch and 78 from the OF. 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame holds some present physicality. Some present barrel strength with a shorter, strong-wristed swing. Exits peaked at 93.2 mph. 

+ 2028 OF Jaxon Miller, Goshen: Tall, narrow setup at the dish w short stride to simple launch. Flat bat thru the hitting zone with strength at impact, reached a peak exit of 93 mph. Low/hard contact prevelant which we've seen him do in-game, as well. Run/throw tools still developing; are playable at least to this point. Strong, stocky, 5-foot-9, 185-pound frame. 

+ 2028 C Vinny Gruber, Marian: 5-foot-10, 165-pounder. Stood out most in batting practice while using the ground well to create some bat speed on a more-level plane. Exits reached 95-plus, plenty more to come as he matures into future strength, frame should hold at least 20 more pounds of muscle. Receives well, with an average to better arm from the crouch (76 mph) that produced 2.10-2.22 pops. 

+ 2028 RHP/IF Tanner Tropp, John Glenn: 6-foot-1, 190-pounder with a clean, balanced delivery. Smooth pace throughout; lifts to a repeatable balance point and the eyes remain quiet as he strides in-line and downhill for a square landing. 3 distinct shapes; FB 79-81, CB 71-72, CH 73-75 - all for strikes. Showed some two-way potential and bat strength with an exit velocity that reached 95 mph. Strong gains in his overall abilities. 

+ 2029 3B Will Criniti, SB Saint Joseph: Strong-framed, 6-foot-1, 185-pounder. Future physical look. Plenty of future strength to be added; present above average athleticism as he turned in a 7.16. Starts narrow w/ a slight hinge/crouch. Controlled step flows into a simple swing that matches plane well. Exits peaked at 90+. Should be able to stick on the dirt w/ abv avg actions & arm strength there. Good follow for the class. 

+ 2029 SS Cole Cosey, SB Saint Joseph: Athletic, 5-foot-8, 140-pounder. Quick feet and arm stand out as best present attributes. Runs a 7.1 60; was 83 across the infield. Looks the part of a long-term MIF prospect with actions, feet, and arm strength. Hits from a tall, athletic stance w/ rhythmic barrel tip. Holds angles well in the upper body as he gets to heel-strike. Turns uphill & on-plane. Strength/maturity will pay dividends. Good follow. 

+ 2029 RHP/C James Brock, Hudsonville (MI): Intriguing follow from Michigan. Chance to throw hard. 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame projects very well. Remedial delivery, but the arm works on a short/compact path and is conducive for future jumps. Up to 82 for now, landed a mid-60s CB, and showed a developing CH. Good follow. 

Follow List

+ 2027 SS Braden Bienz, Constantine (MI)
+ 2027 SS Raymond Campos, Oregon Clay (OH)
+ 2027 C Carter Crouse, Lakeland
+ 2027 1B Cam Derda, Marian
+ 2027 OF Bryce Zache, Niles (MI)
+ 2028 MIF Lucas Demitruk, SB Saint Joseph
+ 2028 RHP Aaron Demott, Goshen
+ 2028 RHP Camden McMichael, Lakeshore (MI)
+ 2029 SS Leland Garcia, Penn
+ 2029 1B Luke Koons, East Noble
+ 2029 SS Chase Rerick, Penn
+ 2030 C Owen O'Leary, Penn