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2026 Spring Rankings: Class of 2028

March 25, 2026
Cooper Trinkle
Scouting Director

Sophomore Spring Update

Our staff has updated the 2028 class rankings ahead of their sophomore season. We see minimal movement at the top of the board as we stand firm in our evaluations to this point. Evansville Mater Dei teammates in SS Dylan Murphy and RHP Cole Breeden remain atop the board, as they have since our first edition of this list was released. CF Canyon Koonce, LHP Ty Pohl, CF Mason Biernacki, SS/RHP Billy Miller, and SS Jack Whaley remain in the order listed from 3 through 7 on our board - all primed for big sophomore seasons. LHP Luke Hensley and RHP Bishop Moore remain as two of our favorite arms when projecting these guys out long term and remain as our #8 & #9 prospects, respectively. 

Entering the top ten in this update is SS Callum Birdzell (clip below). While Birdzell is still a bit of a projection take to this point, the frame, position value, and present toolset (6.70 runner; 96.4 peak EV) allows our staff to make a bit of a statement with this move with the bullish future outlook we have on Callum. Following Birdzell, we have three mainstays in this group that present value in different ways. At #11, UTL/RHP Spencer Schiff (Mater Dei) is one of the top performers in the class. The floor is incredibly high with Schiff and he could easily push Birdzell and others with continued  performance. TWP Braylon Storey follows at #12 with the best toolset in the class. It is hard to ignore the 6-foot-3 frame, 6.4 speed, 90+ arm from both the outfield and mound, and exit velocities up to 105 mph. With that being said, he will be monitored closer than just about anyone on this list this spring, and if he shows improvements in translating these tools to gameplay - he truly has the capabilities to force us to rethink the top ten. Finally, CF Andrew Noble rounds out this group at #13. A 6.4 runner who hits left-handed, Noble provides a high-floor offensive look with quality barrel control that allows him to use the whole field and use his feet to take extra bases. Like the rest of this group, a strong spring at the varsity level could elevate his stock as a prospect. 

RHP Darret Branson is yet another Mater Dei sophomore that we remain high on, and his Preseason All-State bullpen warrants a 3-spot jump to #15 on the overall. He trails RHP Drew Morgan, another high-upside right-hander who lands at #14 in this update, and is followed closely by RHP Gavin McGee who remains at #16 overall. This trio of arms will be monitored closely this spring, as will the two position players following them at #17 C Cooper Nichols and #18 OF Hayden Zellers. A pair of right-handers with power upside round out the top twenty in #19 RHP Bodhi Pulley and #20 RHP Finn Steiner, two members of Team Indiana at the Super Sophomore Games last summer that showed improvements this winter. 

Subtle Shifts in the Top 50

While there are changes in this update, it is hard to completely forget the in-game evaluations we've made on these players just because some showed a toolset jump this winter. With that being said, those that did make a significant improvement in toolset, stuff, etc. do see reward with small jumps in this update. Ultimately, how they translate those tools to game this spring/summer will either push them further, or solidify previous evaluations.

Amongst top fifty players, we have four that make a subtle rise and continue to push up the board. The trend is clear here with all four players who are rising in this group. They are all pitchers, who we have had zero questions about control with, that made a jump in velocity/stuff. While stuff is what gets measured - the ability to throw the ball over the plate separates, and this group has shown that ability to this point. RHP Carson Frome (Evansville North) reached 89 mph this winter with a familiar easy delivery and has a quality breaking ball to pair, landing at #21 in this update (clip below). RHP/C Matthew Fields (North Decatur) rises 10 spots to #24 overall. A projectable, 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, Fields made a similiar jump - up 5 mph since last summer to 89 mph on the fastball, and doubles with intriguing upside as a LHH catcher. RHP Mark Haynes (Warsaw) jumps ten spots to #28, a sturdy, 6-foot-2 righty who touched 90 mph at our Preseason All-State while providing a similiar strike-thrower's look to his performance for Team Indiana at the Super Sophomore Games last August. Finally, RHP/IF Logan Matiya (Columbia City) is another 10-spot riser. Like the rest of the group, we've seen nothing but quality control from Matiya to this point and his stuff/velo jumps moves him to the #31 overall spot on our board.

To reiterate, we took notice of tool jumps from showcase this winter, but will ultimately wait for massive changes until these improvements are shown between the lines. With that being said, some jumps were impossible to ignore, and those who made substantial improvements do see substantial jumps. Those players are highlighted below, along with a couple newcomer to the list, as 10 'Winter Winners' for this update. While many new prospects were identified through our extensive winter showcase season, our list remains at 200 for now. 

Find our NEW TOP 200 for the 2028 class at this link. 

Winter Winners

Jack Baumgardner LHP / Valparaiso, IN / 2028

+ 30 spots: Now the #4 lefty in the class, and #23 overall, Baumgardner showed quality advancements in his velocity this winter at the Great Lakes Preseason ID. The frame is as premier as it gets, and there is some two-way potential as the 6-foot-5 left-handed slugger can also reach triple digit exits along with a fastball that reached 88 this winter. 

From the Great Lakes Preseason ID:  "Light-but-right" candidate from last year showing big jumps. One of the bigger breakout prospects from this winter's showcase circuit as projections are beginning to come to fruition. Massive, 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame has packed on noticeable strength. Showcased as a two-way and showed intriguing bat strength with triple-digit exits at peak, but I leave more bullish on the upside on the mound. Stretch-only look. Shorter inward turn lift w/ controlled drop-and-drive; lands square w/ balanced finish. Short, compact arm circle shows clear acceleration to the front. First fastball touched 87.9, proceeded to pitch at 83-85 from there on out. Fastball showed some arm-side run. Low-70s SL played with sweep and flashed an above average look, sunk a CH at 72-75. I am excited to get eyes on Baumgardner this spring to see if he can translate the stuff he showed in this 'pen to a game setting, but he established himself as one of the higher ceiling southpaws in the class at this event. 

 

Quinn Lewis SS / Northview High School, IN / 2028

+ 21 spots: Holding one of the higher ceilings amongst shortstops in the class, Lewis is a premier athlete with a 6-foot-5 frame to match and lands at #27 (#7 SS). The climb could continue with further evals; rawer actions at present but a ton of upside with the frame, 6.7 speed, and power potential at the dish. 

From the Terre Haute Preseason ID: Lewis is a name that I've followed for a good part of a year and I was excited to see his name on this roster coming into the event. He didn't disappoint as his 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame jumped out during check-in and he followed it up by turning in an event-best 6.79 60-yard dash. The athletic traits excite, moving his massive frame well in both a straight line, and during infield evaluations where he showed as one of the top defenders in attendance. He moves well laterally with clean movement patterns and raw-but-athletic footwork. The arm works clean and there is some glove-to-hand feel apparent. Lewis reached 85 across the diamond, and that number likely ticks further once he is fully entrenched in baseball (in the middle of basketball now; currently averaging 16 PPG for 14-4 Northview). Offensively, he covers the box with a wide, closed setup with high hands to start. He takes a short load before a heavier forward move leads a direct, steep-at-times path. He was able to create some backspun contact while rotating very well (21+ rot. acceleration avg) and flashing big bat speed (77.7 mph max). His exits peaked at 96.2 mph, and I think there are fixable mechanics that could unlock even more power and consistency moving forward. In total, there is some rawness to the game now, but Lewis is a high-level athlete with a pristine frame and solid tools across the board. High follow that I will be seeing early & often in 2026; chance to end up as one of the top infield prospects in this 2028 class if tools/athleticism continues to trend and polishing occurs.

 

Chris Misch RHP / Norwell High School, IN / 2028

+ 74 spots: Misch has one of the higher ceilings of the class; a 6-foot-6, athletic right-hander up to 86 now with well above average control shown in four looks between his freshman summer and sophomore winter. Misch enters the top 30 at #29 with a real chance to 📈.

From the Preseason All-State: 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.  

 

Cooper Harmon 1B / OF / St Theodore Guerin High School, IN / 2028

+ 49 spots: The heavy handed LHH moves to #50 as our top first baseman in the class. The bat provides value and and there is present strength in a 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame to produce the best peak exit velocity we've seen in the class to this point at 105 mph. A sneaky athlete than runs a 7.2 and plays QB, he could solidify himself as a left-handed hitter to know in the class with a strong spring.

 

Ben Aho LHP / St Theodore Guerin High School, IN / 2028

🆕 : Amongst a deep crop of lefties, Aho enters the rankings at #54 and ranked as the #11 LHP in the class. His bullpen at the Indy ID featured a fastball up to 86, along with feel for a change and aptitude to spin a breaking ball from a low slot. A riser who made big jumps this winter, Aho will be followed closely in 2026. 

 

Max Warner RHP / Blackhawk Christian School, IN / 2028

+ 56 spots: Warner's All-State 'pen warrants a rise after making a +5 jump to 86 since last summer and maintaing playable ease within the operation. The fastball metrics are that of a pitch that he'll be able to compete with consistently, and there is feel for multiple secondaries. #55 in the class; T25 RHP. 

 

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

🆕 : 6-foot-1 stronger-bodied righty up to 86.4 this winter amongst a four pitch mix. Clean look; saw significant innings for 4A Huntington North as a freshman. Enters the rankings at #56 overall. 

 

Isaac Fernandez SS / Fishers, IN / 2028

+ 125 spots: The biggest riser in this update, Fernandez has a premier switch-hitting SS profile and showed flashes of a big ceiling at the Preseason All-State. While not fully developed athletically, there is still significant upside for the 6-foot-1 Fishers product. Moving the #63 overall and the #12 SS, the movement patterns are outstanding, and if he adds strength/twitch - he could 📈 further.

 

Rhett Hostetler RHP / Noblesville High School, IN / 2028

+ 49 spots: Another talented up-and-comer from the Noblesville pitching factory, Hostetler is another who showed quality jumps and looked clean in doing so. With a projectable 6-foot-3 frame and a fastball that got up to 86, I think there's real starter projections here, and Hostetler climbs to #66 overall. 

 

Landry Russell SS / Southridge High School, IN / 2028

+ 84 spots: Russell was the lean 6-foot-1 ish freshman SS who lacked strength, but showed flashes of the actions necessary to be prospect. He no longer lacks strength after a huge offseason, now 185 pounds, and impact tools are starting to come (6.87 60, 87 IF arm, 95+ EVs). Yet another interesting southwest IN sophomore SS emerging, Russell lands at #77 overall and the #16 SS.