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2026 Preseason All-State Underclass: 2028 Cheat Sheet

March 12, 2026
Cooper Trinkle
Scouting Director

To begin our post-event coverage of the Underclass edition of the Preseason All-State, our staff tabs winners from Sunday. While the full extent of the coverage will come out continously in the next few days, this article serves as a Cheat Sheet for recruiters with some of the top 2028 talent that we saw this weekend... 

Stay tuned for full notebooks to come on pitchers and position players from this event...

Winners

While this event was filled with talent, both Storey and Schiff emerged as winners, though in different manners. For Storey, the toolset has gotten to a point where it is impossible to ignore. For Schiff, he showed best-in-class skill in nearly every facet of the workout...

Braylon Storey RHP / OF / Center Grove, IN / 2028

+ The advancements on the offensive side for Storey were on full display as one of the most impressive prospects at this event. The athlete wows you; a 6.4 runner who produced 105 mph peak exits with a fastball that runs into the low-90s already. There is premier projections to the explosive, 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame that already holds unteachable twitch. The run time was one of the top marks of the day and he coupled that tool with 77 mph bat speed on average. He is more grounded in the swing than ever before, coiling the upper body as he hinges into a strong launch position. The uncoil is explosive as the barrel works more-uphill and he drove the ball with authority to the big part of the field. On the mound, the arm talent is just as impressive and he rotates in a similiar fashion from a coiled setup in a stretch-only look. It is a shorter arm action that produced 89-91 mph fastballs from a higher slot. The fastball explodes thru the zone with life. The 79-82 change is a touch ahead of the spin as he is able to create some arm-side tumble with it. He spun a slurvey 76-78 mph breaking ball that grades as average for now. The overall control is fringy to this point. In total, the defensive profile on paper looks like a slam-dunk CF, though he has minimal outfield time as he is transitioning there now. The control on the mound must be monitored, as well, but there is no doubt that the unteachable blend of speed and power that he brings warrants a follow from P4 programs and he has plenty of time to polish the rawer parts of his game. 

Spencer Schiff C / RHP / 3B / Mater Dei, IN / 2028

+ There may not have been a more-skilled prospect in attendance as Schiff not only impressed on the mound, but turned in a quality run time (6.9 60), had the best throwing metrics of any catcher in attendance (81 from crouch, sub-2 pops), looked the part on the infield, and may have took the most polished round of batting practice as any. The athletic, 6-foot, 185-pounder toed the rubber to start and pitched at 86-88, touching 89 with one of the cleanest/easiest operations of the day. The fastball is heavy with abv avg life and he spun a quality breaking ball at 72-73 off of it. He also showed a cut-change in the mid-70s that was controlled. The batting practice round was outstanding for Schiff as he set up with high hands in a strong base and hinged into a strong, repeatable launch position. The swing works connected off the back shoulder with proper spacing to allow for all-fields impacts, and he easily got to a 97 mph peak while averaging 90-plus throughout. The jury is still out on what the exact future profile is, but Schiff has real two-way projections for now, and is one of the top right-handers, catchers, corner infielders, and pure hitters in this group undoubtedly. 

Middle of the Diamond Must-Knows

Seven of the best position players in attendance. All are middle of the diamond athletes who bring multiple tools to the table. Listed with shortstops first, then centerfielders, then our lone catcher recognized in this mix.

SS Jack Whaley, Columbus North
One of the top blends of hit/power in the class, Whaley's well-rounded performance at this event reaffirmed his prospect status. Standing at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds with equal athleticism and projection, Whaley whipped the barrel head through with fast hands and an accurate barrel. The exits peaked at 99, averaged 91, and he produced the top max distance of the day amongst all 2028 grads. A 6.80 runner, Whaley showed actions that project him to stick on the dirt long-term, with an 87 mph arm across that he got to in a playable fashion. A must-know Midwest shortstop that has done nothing but hit in our follows, Whaley's combination of athleticism, size, and hit-ability will be coveted come August. 

SS Callum Birdzell, Cathedral
The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder continues to look like a premier prospect for the class with the toolset trending nicely at this event. He has elevated his athleticism/strength in a noteworthy fashion, now a 6.70 runner reaching a peak exit of 96.4 mph. The strength was noticeable in the bat speed created during a familiar, smooth-paced right-handed swing that works short-to with leverage ability. He pranced around the infield with polished actions and reached 84 across the diamond while looking the part of a next-level shortstop. He reminds me a lot of Matt Mansbery at the age, an Ohio 2026 who has been a buzzy name in the past year. 

CF Mason Biernacki, Penn
Continuing to show the dynamic all-around abilities that our staff has come to expect, Biernacki was easily one of the top offensive prospects at this event. Uber-athletic and explosive at 6-foot, 180-pounds, Biernacki turned the barrel tight for a familiar look from the right-side with as much or more barrel feel than any in attendance. Peaked at 102.4 and averaging 95 throughout, the combination of launch quickness and length through the zone calls from premier hit/power projections that are elevated by a 6.71 run time. For good measure, Biernacki concluded his performance with an event-best 93 mph OF arm. 

CF Canyon Koonce, Brownsburg
Looking the part in the box with as sweet of a swing as any, Koonce has added quality strength to a 6-foot, 160-pound frame since the early part of the offseason. The left-handed stroke worked in a familiar manner for louder impacts, up to 96.4, with exceptional length out-front that produced middle-of-the-field bullets. A 6.6 runner, the impact metrics taking a step up reaffirms his status as a must-know bat in the class, especially considering the plate discipline and in-game contact rates he's shown in the past - the most valued traits in his game offensively. He is a lock to stick in center, and providing in-game power while maintaining the hit-ability he's shown previous during his sophomore season should make him highly-regarded amongst recruiters from across the country come August. 

CF Andrew Noble, Westfield
Beginning the day with a blazing 6.4 60-yard dash, Noble continues to push the plus run tool he's shown us even higher as one of the top pure athletes in the class. A 3-sport standout with extreme competitiveness, Noble's batting practice swings brought a familiar, simple look with a bit more loft in the path than he showed his freshman season. The exits reached 94-plus, and the bat speed took a noticeable jump as he's added muscle to a 6-foot, 185-pound frame. Another premium centerfield athlete in this class, the hit/speed combo from the left-side will warrant serious attention this spring & summer.  

CF Hayden Zellers, Greenfield-Central
Rounding out a DEEP crop of tantalizing centerfield prospects, Zellers showed the most noticeable improvements of the group with personal-bests in each metric category. The bat speed made a 7 mph jump, now 76+ on average, and it led to impacts jumping to 96 mph off the bat. While the silky operation in the left-handed box looked familiar, the noticeable improvement in the pace in which the bat moved was encouraging. A 6.78 runner, Zellers showed some arm strength improvements, as well, reaching into the mid-80s. With still room to add strength to a 6-foot, 170-pound frame, look for a breakout spring from Zellers and I expect usable power to start to show in 2026.  

C Cooper Nichols, FW Carroll
Looking the part of a pro-style backstop at 6-foot-4, 215-pounds, Nichols was another who set personal bests in nearly every valued category after adding 25 lbs of muscle this winter. The right-handed swing has polished into a more-connected, more-fluid look. Starting in a taller, more-athletic stance than previously seen, Nichols timed a short takeaway in-conjunction with a smaller stride before quick hands whip a heavy barrel thru. Reaching triple-digit exits with ease for head-high liners through the middle, Nichols averaged 92 throughout the round while looking more-and-more like the future power bat we've projected him out to be. The arm ticked up for a +6 mph improvement from last August's Super Sophomore Games, now reaching 79 from the crouch with at least above average projections placed on that tool now. 

Frontline Arm Talent

My top 14 arms from the event, listed alphabetically, a must-know crop amongst one of the deepest groups of arms we've seen in a class at this stage...

+ RHP Darret Branson, Mater Dei
Showing steady trends and continuing to provides a starters' look, Branson attacked the zone with conviction with a polished 3-pitch mix out of a faster-paced delivery. Lifting to an even balance point and landing square to home with a quick, clean arm on the backside, Darret pitched at 87-88+ with a carry fastball while tunneling a sharp, low-70s 2400+ curveball off of it for strikes. He faded an upper-70s change below the zone that was executed at a quality clip, as well. I love the downhill nature of the delivery, especially with the way he is able to flood the zone. There is easy projections left to the athletic, square-shouldered, high-waisted frame to expect the velocity to continue to steadily trend in the right direction. 

+ RHP/C Matthew Fields, North Decatur
The upside is immense with Fields just scrathing the surface of his potential at present. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame is far from a finished product and he provided a quality look on both sides. On the bump, it is an old-school step-and-throw delivery as he finishes over the front-side with balance. It's a short, quicker arm stroke that he repeated well as he filled the zone up with fastball strikes at 86-88, touching 89. He pulled the string on a quality upper-70s change and showed an at-least average slider at 76-77. While there are room for refinements here, his ability to get to upper-80s velocities with ease and control leaves bullish projections moving forward. On the offensive side, the primary backstop showed a highly-valued profile as a LHH catcher with arm strength. There is some rigidness in the box, but he turns the barrel on-plane deep and reached a peak exit of 93 mph, while also firing it 80 mph from the crouch, good for second amongst all participants. 

+ RHP Carson Frome, Evansville North
Younger for the class with the face and frame looking as such, Frome was another that stood out with a strong combination of stuff and feel. His hips powered a well-sequenced delivery as a longer arm swing gradually built pace to a high 3/4 release. Pitching at 86-88.6, Frome carried the heater at the top for 18" of vert on average while spinning a top-down curveball off of it at 74-75, and also showing an upper-70s slider with distinct differences in the shape. He showed feel for a 76-78 straight change as well, controlling his four-pitch mix as well as any arm at the event. There is ample room to add to his 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame that should do nothing but enhance his arm speed and velocities in the future. 

+ RHP Mark Haynes, Warsaw
Sturdy-hipped and strong at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds, Haynes attacked with casual effort for an 88-90 mph fastball that was controlled for mostly strikes. He spun two distinct breakers in the 24-2500 range; a low-70s CB that he landed and an upper-70s SL that has a chance to be a wipeout. There was a 80-81 change, as well, that played with arm-side sink and should give him options to attack left-handers with. The delivery is simple and repeatable and he strides to a shorter, square landing as his inverted arm flipped-up in sync consistently. The projection is a bit limited, but the floor is set high with the better than average control, spin, and easy upper-80s velocities at present. 

+ LHP Luke Hensley, Tri-West
Looking like the highest ceiling guy of the bunch, Hensley's 6-foot-5, 185-pound frame is as premier as it gets and his bullpen reaffirmed bullish projections. Showing shades of a young Ethan Lund with a similiar tall lift and uphill shoulder plane, Hensley attacked with quality arm speed for an 86-87 mph fastball that played with boring life. He spun the breaking ball in the mid-70s, a slurvey-type offering that holds upside, and he controlled it well. There was feel for a low-80s change, as well, as he controlled the entire arsenal at an average to better clip with below-moderate effort throughout. As strength is packed on, Hensley's stuff will tick even further, but for now he holds the look of a must-know southpaw for August with starters' upside. 

+ LHP Charlie Johnson, Cathedral
A polished strike-thrower who stayed within himself and did just that, Johnson flooded it with four distinct shapes for some of the best execution of the underclass portion. It was a familiar, tight, tucked, balanced operation as he uses a short, compact takeaway and showed a quick arm to a low-release, over-the-top slot. He spun the 84-85 mph fastball true to both sides of the plate while showing immense feel to execute a slider to all parts. The slider worked 74-76 in the 23-2400 range and his ability to back-door, land, and get to what would-be the back foot of a righty was on full-display. He also spun a more-downer 72-74 curveball while his 73-75 mph change was sold with fastball arm speed, executed well, and looked the part of a future weapon. While the raw velocities and 6-foot frame don't jump out, the ability to pitch does and this look further solidified Charlie as a quality follow amongst a deep group of southpaws in the class. 

+ RHP Matthew Kulig, Andrean
Beginning to add quality mass to an athletic, 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, Kulig peppered the zone with a three-pitch mix as he stood out with quality stuff that he got to with below-moderate intent. Athletically paced as he coils the upper body and swings to square, Kulig's clean arm stroke produced an 85-87 mph heater that played with cut/ride properties. The 75-77 mph slider he showed looked like a fastball until late, taking a late, short turn to the gloveside while spinning north-of 2400 consistently. He showed feel for all three and rounded the arsenal with a tumbing change at 78-80. With a young look and the athleticism of a shortstop, look for consistent jumps throughout the year as Kulig matures into more strength. 

+ RHP Gavin McGee, Roncalli
Continuing to refine his game, McGee's bullpen was outstanding as he brought a wider arsenal, along with noticeably more strength in his 6-foot, 190-pound frame. Uncoiling from a taller lift with athleticism, McGee's quick, clean arm stroke turned in 89-90 mph heaters consistently and he reached back for an event-best 92.4 to conclude the look. The supinated arm comes through with impressive arm speed as he manipulated two distinct breaking ball shapes; a short, tight 85-86 cutter and a two-plane CB at 2500+ that flashed sharp. The circle change faded late at 80-83 and looked similiar to his 88-89 mph sinker out the hand. It is five true shapes for McGee who looked as polished as any in this look. While the control has been fringe-to-average in the past, this look was quite the opposite as he repeated well and he appears to have made very strong strides in that department. If that control is repeated this spring, look for McGee to make a move up the board amongst this uber-talented crop of arms in the 2028 class. 

+ RHP Chris Misch, Norwell
Misch's 6-foot-6, 180-pound frame holds a sky-high ceiling look and he once again flooded the zone like he did at our Northeast Preseason ID last month. There is an impressive ability to control his levers as he makes an athletic drop-and-drive while gaining big extension towards the plate. The arm works with a longer drawback before quickly getting to the front in an uninterrupted fashion. He worked 84-86 on the heater, and spun a shorter 74-77 mph slider off of it. There was a low-70s landed CB, as well, and I really liked his low-to-mid 70s split that worked with tumbling action. Far from a finished product, Misch's ability to control his body and athleticism creates an impressive floor, while the arm speed and frame leave premier projections as he exits the offseason with a chance to make a serious name for himself in 2026. 

+ RHP Bishop Moore, Beech Grove
Moore has one of the higher ceilings in the class standing at 6-foot-7, 200-pounds with impressive athleticism for the frame. A QB1 in the fall along with being regarded highly as a basketball recruit, Moore is polishing at a steady rate on the bump. Working exclusively from the stretch with fluidity to the drop-and-drive, Moore's takeaway works on a longer, downward path before using the front arm arm as a lever to create arm speed. He pitched at 88-90, and touched 91, with cut/ride properties to a heavy fastball. His mid-70s curveball flashed sharp and tunneled nicely off the heater as it played with depth. He showed a mid-70s change, as well, that was inconsistent in this look but flashed as a usable third. It is easy to project this out as a future 95+ mph arm given the arm talent and athleticism, and this look solidified his status as one of the top arms in the class. 

+ RHP Drew Morgan, Mt. Vernon
In a setting where intent tends to increase and control goes the other way, Morgan stayed within himself to show some of the most polished feel amongst right-handers of the day. Oozing upside with athleticism in the 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame, Morgan pitched at 86-87 as he averaged 86.6 with some bore to a fastball that he landed at a 71% clip, one of the top strike percentages amongst 85+ mph arms at the event. He was in the zone at a 60% clip with a 78-80 mph gyro-type slider that flashed sharp, and was also in the zone at a 67% clip with his 82-83 mph change. A 6.8 runner with immense projection, the feel to control the baseball, along with the athleticism he holds, presents a high-floor, high-ceiling look. 

+ RHP Caiden Pohler, Huntington North
A pick-to-click candidate as one of the youngest arms in the class, Pohler attacked with four distinct shapes while bringing as athletic of an operation as any. High-waisted with a young, athletic look at 6-foot, 175-pounds, Pohler uses an explosive drop-and-drive to create a unique look with an over-the-top arm coming through with plenty of arm speed as it releases at a 4-foot-7 release height. The 84-86 mph fastball plays with rise + run and sets the tunnel for a sharp, sweeping, mid-70s slider that spun north-of 2400. He showed a usable change at 78-80, along with spinning a true curveball in the low-70s that played with top-down bite. The ability to manipulate the baseball, along with the arm speed, athleticism, and feel stand out and another jump is bound to take place. 

+ RHP Bodhi Pulley, Bloomington North
As intriguing as any in the class, Pulley brought a power look with a sturdy-hipped, physical, 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame. Getting to a tall, inward turn with a methodical-paced double pump, Pulley exploded from the top of the lift while driving off the rubber with authority to a slightly open-toed land. The arm action gets deep and his hips power a loose, fast arm that produced true sink on an 89-90 mph heater. He controlled the heater well, and executed a quality change at 77-80 also. The breaking ball has a real chance to be a pro plus, spinning in the 2800s on average and into the 3000+ territory, but the execution was minimal as he backed it up consistently, a familiar miss. The stuff is some of the best in the class here, though the control is fringy at best to this point and will be monitored closely this spring and summer. 

+ RHP Finn Steiner, University
Square-shouldered and uber-projectable at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds, Steiner looked like one of the highest-upside arms in the bunch while showing a bit of a tick in his overall stuff and velocities. He gets to a tall lift with a higher hand break in an athletic fashion before a shorter stride lands with a slight open toe. It is a quicker arm that gets to a higher 3/4 slot as the 86-87+ mph fastball plays with life through the zone. The heater had borderline-average control in this look, but the breaking ball took a major step up and was executed well throughout. He spun the slider with true sweep at 25-2600 and it looked the part of a future wipeout at 76-79. The change is a quality offering and played sinker-like at 82-84. Steiner has polished at a notable rate and will remain regarded as one of the top prospects in the bunch with a chance to soar if he hones in control consistently this spring. 

10 Follows

10 position players to keep tabs on throughout the spring & summer for Division I recruiters...

+ SS Brody McGaha, Mooresville
Noticeably more physical with a much-improved run time of 6.70, McGaha made outstanding strides over the winter as he's packed on strength to a 6-foot, now 180-pound frame. Showing some of the best infield actions of the bunch while attacking the baseball with fast feet and confident hands, McGaha fired the ball across at 91 mph with actions to suggest he's got a true shot of sticking at short in college. Using slow feet and fast hands from the left-side of the dish, McGaha deployed a short, level swing that produced thru-the-middle liners that peaked at 93 mph. After hitting well-over .400 for Mooresville as a freshman and making quality strides in his athleticism this winter, look for this event to foreshadow a big sophomore campaign. 

+ SS Ty White, Plainfield
A multi-sport, hard-nosed, gamer who made excellent strides in his toolset, White continues to establish himself as a strong follow in the class. A 6.9 runner, White took to batting practice with a strong-based setup while hovering with control and working behind the ball with an explosive, on-plane, right-handed stroke. The impacts were substantial as the compact, 5-foot-10, 180-pounder peaked at 97 mph while driving the ball from gap-to-gap. He isn't flashy on the infield, but just makes routine look routine before firing the ball across with event-best infield arm strength, reaching 93 mph across. 

+ SS Donovan Craig, Munster
Another flat-gamer in the class, Craig did his best work on the offensive side with polished hit-ability. Setting up in a deep crouch from the left-side, Craig deployed an in-place leg kick stride before turning behind the ball and driving it with authority to the tune of 96 mph peak exits. He averaged 87 throughout with an on-plane stroke and exceptional rotational capabilities. On the infield, he provided a sure-handed look while firing it across at 86 mph. A 7.1 runner who has been sub-7 previously, I expect another strong season from Craig who batted north-of .400 as a freshman for Munster last spring. 

+ SS Drew Dalton, Decatur Central
Wiry & athletic at 6-foot, 175-pounds, Dalton showed a strong toolset across the border with quality athleticism to pair. He is a 6.88 runner who hits from the right-side, setting up in a balanced stance before hovering with control and working behind the ball with a whippy, uphill stroke. The exits reach 94-plus, and there is some gap-to-gap power starting to show up. On the defensive side, the footwork is a bit raw, but he fires the ball across at 90 mph already. He fits multiple defensive profiles moving forward, and has plenty of room for future strength in his athletic frame. 

+ SS Isaac Fernandez, Fishers
Looking the part of a prospect with a high-waisted, athletic, 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame, Fernandez left as one of the biggest breakouts of the day. A switch-hitter with the swing mirroring on both sides, Fernandez delivered smooth-paced swings from both sides with a clean path and projectable strength. A 7.1 runner, he worked in-control on the infield with fluid actions and average arm strength that played with carry, and he got into it with ease. Look for Isaac to be on of the biggest risers in the class in our next update, with a chance to explode as a prospect if he can crack the Fishers lineup this spring and make an impact. 

+ SS/RHP Zac Glander, Noblesville
Making quality strides in his development along with maturing at a noticeable rate, Glander showed well in all-facets. Now 5-foot-11 and 165-pounds, Glander threw a polished 'pen where he sat 84-85 with two quality secondaries, including a 2500+ slider, and showed immense feel for all three pitches. On the offensive side, he turned in a 7.1 60 to start the day, and showed a familiar, athletic-paced, level, right-handed swing with exits up to 93 mph. To conclude, he took a proper-looking round on the infield, securing the ball with soft hands, showing a playable transfer, and getting into an 86 mph across quickly. The skill here stands out and continues to elevate with maturity. 

+ OF Jacob Forystek, Lake Central
A highly-intriguing prospect for Lake Central, Forystek showed well amongst the outfield crop and a definite region-area name-to-know. A 5-foot-10, 170-pound twitchy athlete, Forystek turned in a 6.95 60 before taking to batting practice and showcasing some of the best bat speed at the event, averaging 77.5 mph throughout his round. The handset works connected a climbs a touch as he moves out of a balanced stance with a controlled-but-aggressive forward move. The barrel has some electricity as it works through the zone on an uphill path for a 96-plus peak exit. He has one of the best outfield arms in the class, as well, reaching 92 out there. I am excited to follow Forystek this spring who appears to be a major breakout candidate for the Indians, and if he can replicate the bat speed he showed at this event versus the quality arms they will face, he could soar up the board. 

+ OF Leon Torres, Andrean
Another one of the most intriguing bats in the class, Torres looked like a premier power bat in the batting practice setting. Setting up balanced in the left-handed box with a unique handset, Torres loads the hands with a slight tip-to-trigger before a positive forward move. He unleashes the barrel on a semi-uphill path with north-of 96 mph exits and in-the-air quality contact. He is an average runner, with an 87 mph arm from the outfield. The bat carries the value here and there is tons of projection to the 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame. A quality spring for the 59ers could elevate his stock further. 

+ OF Colton Shipp, Whiteland
Showing quality hit-ability from the right-side, Shipp was T5 in peak distance amongst hitters at this event while showing an efficient stroke. He setup with an athletic, slightly hinged, slightly open stance as the hovering stride worked in place with quiet hands in the load. Turning the barrel tight and working behind the ball, Shipp matched plane effectively with impacts up to 97 mph as he drove the ball with authority to the big part. While the bat provides most of the value and holds hit/power projections, the other tools took a noticeable stride as he reached 87 mph from the outfield and turned in a 7.10 60-yard dash. 

+ 1B Cooper Harmon, Guerin Catholic
While first baseman tend to get overlooked early in the recruiting process, it is hard to ignore the left-handed bat strength that Harmon showed at this event, producing the top peak exit of the day as he reached 105 mph, and led the event with an average exit of 96-plus. There is present strength in the 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame and it helped him produce hard contact with a quiet load/stride combination and usable effort. The bat speed is explosive and his hard contact worked to the middle of the field. While the bat carries the value here, he turned in a 7.2 60-yard dash and moved around the bag with some ability to control his feet. A bat we will follow closely for Guerin this spring, the left-handed barrel strength shown here was some of the more-eye opening of any 2028 at this event.