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2028 Rankings Update: Fall of 2025

September 12, 2025
Cooper Trinkle
Scouting Director

The 2028 class will begin to be put under the microscope as early as this fall, with sights set on August 1st of 2026 - the official start date for recruiting in this class. Our staff dug in on 2028s this summer, expanding our knowledge and buliding our follow list, which now stands at 175 prospects to date. The top of this class has begun to create some separation, with some big time talent blossoming there, but beyond this the list stands as more of an identification list to highlight players who we project to develop into college prospects in the next few years.

While the list will certainly evolve and expand over the next two year, we are excited to announce a follow list of 175 of our early favorites in Indiana's 2028 class. 

+ 175 names for 2028 Found Here + 

 New Look TOP-10

Rank
Player
Pos.
School
1 Dylan Murphy SS/3B North Posey
2 Cole Breeden RHP Evansville Mater Dei
3  Canyon Koonce CF Brownsburg
4 Ty Pohl LHP Evansville North
5 Mason Biernacki CF Penn
6 Billy Miller SS/RHP Kouts
7 Jack Whaley SS Columbus North
8 Luke Hensley LHP Tri-West
9 Bishop Moore RHP Beech Grove
10 Andrew Noble CF Westfield

+ This update features a few shifts in the top ten, however, SS/3B Dylan Murphy continues to hold the top spot as he has since we released our initial rankings for this class nearly one year ago. Murphy has built a reputation in his young career as one of the top power bats in the Midwest, with a polished hit/power profile that is elevated by an athletic, chiseled, 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame and an advanced run tool to go on top (6.72). He is chased by RHP Cole Breeden, the top arm in the class who now elevates one spot in this update. Breeden offers a safe floor as a strike-throwing right-hander up to 89 mph (clip), but the ceiling is ultimately why we are so bullish. Breeden still holds projection in an athletic, 6-foot-5, 195-pound frame and his silky-smooth operation and feel will only get enhanced by velo gains that are sure to come. Rounding out the top 3, we have CF Canyon Koonce, a spring riser that saw big time success in the HCC as a freshman. Koonce burned a 6.5 at Scout Day this summer to go with 96+ exits at the Super Sophomore Games, strong toolset trends from a prospect that we value for low swing-and-miss rates and polished defensive skills in center. 

+ Our first significant riser in this update is our top-ranked southpaw, Ty Pohl, who is also amongst three Evansville-area natives housed currently in our top 4. Pohl stands at 6-foot-3 with the look of a prospect, moving efficiently in a polished delivery with a clean, compact arm that brings an elevator fastball up to 87, and real feel for a change that has future-plus projections. The breaking ball is commanded for strikes, though behind his other two offerings, but the ability to pitch from the left-side with three distinct offerings for strikes is advanced in itself for the class at such a young age. Looking the part of a slam dunk starter, Pohl rises into the top 5 in this update. 

+ Three mainstays in the top ten since the initial rankings were released find themselves in a row at the number 5 through 7 slots in: CF Mason Biernacki, SS/RHP Billy Miller, and SS Jack Whaley. Biernacki (clip) sees a one spot bump after a summer circuit where he did nothing but perform. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder boasts one of the loudest toolset of the bunch with a recorded 6.61 60-yard dash, showcase exits that eclipse 100 mph, and the best outfield arm in the class (92 mph). Even though he falls a spot here, Miller is far from demoted in our eyes, offering one of the highest floors amongst all prospects in the class. In short, Billy does everything well on the diamond - a strong defender at short that shines with advanced barrel feel at the dish to go with a 6.7 60-yard dash. On top of the offensive prowess, Billy also stars as one of the classes' best arms, flooding the zone with a quality two-pitch mix that includes a fastball up to 90 mph and feel to land a low-to-mid 70's breaking ball. Rounding out this group of prospects is Columbus native, Jack Whaley, one of the best power bats on this list. Standing at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds, Whaley offers a run-producers' look with present gap-to-gap power and athleticism to pair with it, providing as good of a track record as any in this 28 bunch in terms of offensive production. 

+ LHP Luke Hensley sees the most significant rise amongst players in the top ten, rising from No. 25 overall to No. 8 in this update. Hensley (clip) checks just about every box we value at the age with his 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame, clean arm, and ability to compete with multiple above average pitches in the zone. The upside is immense here, with a chance to start long-term, and velocity gains feeling like the safest of bets. RHP Bishop Moore fits the same mold and is tiered one spot below Hensley on our overall board at No. 9. Moore, another that has been in this top tier since we initially released this classes' rankings, stands at 6-foot-6 with immense upside that starts with a bullying fastball that already reaches 90 mph.

+ Our final new face in the top ten debuts at No. 10 - CF Andrew Noble - after establishing himself as one of the premier athletes (and left-handed hitters) in this bunch. He rises two spots in the overall rankings and is another prospect we have a strong track record with. A multi-sport athlete who plays hard at all times, Noble's 6.5 60-time has been what we've valued most, but his left-handed bat really took a step up this summer and was praised by multiple memebers of our scouting staff. 

Summer ⭐'s

12 Risers within this update that see a significant rise in this update, whether it be on the overall list or climbing positionally

+ #14 (#2 C) Cooper Nichols - was #35 overall
Nichols won me over in my first look at him of the summer, showing immense offensive growth compared to our look at the Northeast ID last winter, and continued to find helium as one of the biggest winners of the summer. It is a future pro-bodied backstop's frame at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds with the look of a run-producer in the right-handed batters' box. He hit on every stop of the circuit, backspinning bullets from gap-to-gap with clear advanced strength, and more of that will likely come after a winter of attacking the weightroom. He is a solid above average defender behind the dish, with catch-and-throw abilities that are highlighted by quality glove-to-hand.

+ #15 (#4 SS) Callum Birdzell - was #37 overall
From Midwest Super Sophomore Games - Team Indiana Takeaways: Birdzell may have had the biggest impact on the position side of things, establishing himself amongst the best shortstops in the class. Few have the pristine frame and projection that the 6-foot-3, 175-pound, shortstop exhibits on the diamond. Able to slow the game down with graceful ease, Birdzell flowed well at shortstop throughout the week where he showed confident hands that led to his ability to make every play. He has 6.8 speed that shows in the form of above average range at short, and though the arm only played at 82 in workouts, it carries across with a higher look. There is some ridigness to the right-handed stroke, but the ability to work inside the ball and flush contact to the big part of the field will only continue to elevate as he learns to consistently catch the ball out front and adds strength. Although, Birdzell was uber-productive on the weekend with (4) hits in total, including a pair of 3B and two 95+ in game exits. Continued polish and physical strength could push Callum even higher next spring/summer...

+ #17 (#5 RHP) Gavin McGee - was #19 overall
McGee, though not making a massive rise in the overall list, does make a substantial rise in our eyes on the pitching side of things within the class. Slated as the No. 13 overall arm in the class at the conclusion of the spring, McGee's strong summer elevates him to the No. 8 overall arm on our board. The movement patterns are silky with the arm working in the same fashion, offering an upper-80s heater (T89) that pairs well with sharp spin. One of the youngest prospects within our Top 25 (18.3 at draft, tied with LHP Ian Funk for youngest), McGee will look to continue his ascent with further polish. 

+ #24 (#11 RHP) Matthew Kulig, Andrean - was #46 overall
Kulig was a riser in our spring update after earning key time for an Andrean varsity club that came away with another state championship while finishing as a top 50 team in the country. He rose in the spring because of his offensive abilities, but the two-way upside continues his ascent here.

His report from the Midwest Super Sophomore Games : Kulig came out with a louder look in his first inning of work, pumping 86-87 mph fastballs before settling at 83-86 in his second frame. An above average athlete with body control in a 6-foot-1, 175 pound young-looking frame with room for growth, Kulig uses a shorter-stride with a coiled upper-half that helps him hide the ball well before it comes out of its over-the-top slot. The slot, combined with the velocities and carry (17" IVB; 21.6" top), helped Kulig ride his fastball above bats for swings-and-misses. He tunneled a low-to-mid 70s slider off of it, a pitch that flashed bite and spun north of 2400 on occasion for a couple ugly punchouts. 

+ #25 (#12 RHP) Finn Steiner, University - was #59 overall
Prototypical pitcher's build at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds with upside apparent. Uses a more methodical-paced, tucked lift with a short, controlled stride down the slope. Repeats compact arm stroke well. Pitches at 82-85 mph with above average ride to the fastball to miss bats and induce weak fly ball contact. Best pitch shown was a tighter, 70-71 mph slider that he was able to land. Several boxes are checked here with Steiner showing some of the biggest upside of any right-hander in the top 25. 

+ #28 (#14 RHP) Carson Frome, Evansville North - was #48 overall
Yet another Evansville native we have ranked highly in this class, Frome enjoyed a velocity jump to go with the smooth-natured delivery we have become familiar with to earn an invite to our Super Sophomore Games this past August. The 6-foot, 155-pounder flooded the zone in my looks this summer, topping at 85 mph with ride and a clean-armed look, while spinning one of the better breaking balls I've seen in the class. The CB plays in the low-70s with true, 12/6 shape and bite, looking the part of a potential plus offering down the road. 

+ #35 (#6 LHP) Austin Semmler, Terre Haute North - was #56 overall
A bit of a gut-feel here, but Semmler has been a favorite of multiple members of our staff to this point. He is not one that jumps off the page from a velo perspective, pitching at 78-80 mph to date, but there is almost a throwback ease to the way Semmler commands the baseball and pitches off misses. The fastball plays up a bit from a cross-fired delivery and wider, 3/4 slot, and he has immense feel for a potential plus breaker that spins in the upper-60s to low-70s. With plenty of projection in a 6-foot, 150-pound frame, Semmler feels like an arm that could skyrocket this list if the stuff catches up to the feel that he has presently. 

+ #42 (#7 OF) Caleb Wilson, Crown Point - was #54 overall
Wilson shined in multiple strong looks this summer, including in-game success at multiple Prep Baseball Tournaments events at Grand Park, along with being highlighted as one of the top prospects at our annual Underclass Games at IU this summer.

His report from the Underclass Games: I love the left-handed hacks that Wilson gets off - another All-State standout that continues to elevate with maturity. He turned in a 7.07 60-yard dash and showed solid actions in the middle, but the hit tool is the biggest reason he rises in my mind. He holds his hands well throughout an aggressive forward move to allow for abv-avg bat speed to be shown. He translated one of the days' best batting practice rounds to gameplay by juicing a well-struck liner through the middle (clip below). Crown Point is churning out prospects at an outlandish rate right now and Wilson appears next up. 

+ #45 (#10 SS) Quinn Lewis, Northview - was #69 overall
A super intriuging position player that jumped on our radar this summer, Lewis holds a premier look with wiry strength in a 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame. The twitch translates to the box where he shows some wrist strength that leads to impact flick when combined with his long-levered frame. There is power potenital, undoubtedly, with athleticism that translates to the baseball diamond and as a standout on the gridiron. 

+ #47 (#17 RHP) Dom Loveless, Penn - was #108 overall
From the 2025 Underclass Games at IU: Loveless concluded the event with a bang, producing the loudest fastball velocity of the day (T 86). He sat 82-85 with above higher-effort, swing-and-miss filled outing. The fastball plays with heavy arm-side run and tunnels with a slider that flashed wipeout potential, especially when thrown firm. The slider reached up to 75 mph with late 2/8 break, sitting 71-75. There is some projection to the 6-foot-1, 185 pound frame to suggest that his velocity should continue to climb, but for flashes at this event he showed a very promising two-pitch combo that caused an uncomfortable at-bat for opposing hitters. 

+ #67 (#1 1B) Slade Hodges, Noblesville - was #84 overall
Hodges climbs nearly 20 spots in this update after an ultra-productive summer where he showed one of the more consistent hit tools amongst Grand Park-regulars. The tools continue to elevate as he has matured into a physical, 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame that still holds room for strength gains. A 7.2 runner who has made significant strides in that department, Hodges left-handed bat carries the profile with some hit/power upside in a direct stroke. 

+ #73 (#13 LHP) Andrew Rathbun, Leo - was #118 overall
Rathbun was one of my favorite young arms from our Summer Championships in Kokomo last summer, a lanky, 5-foot-11ish lefty from Fort Wayne who floods the zone with an easy look. The fastball plays in the 78-82 range from a higher left-handed slot, and is elevated by his ability to land a top-down breaking ball in the upper-60s. While our staff will look for the stuff to make a jump in the next 12 months, Rathbun shows the traits to make those gains with productive pitchability present. 

New Faces Debuting

Ten players entering the rankings for the first time in this update, all inside the top 100

Leon Torres OF / Andrean, IN / 2028

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 6

+ From Indy Summer ID Quick Hits: Torres has asserted himself as a name-to-know left-handed bat in this 2028 class this summer across multiple positive showings. It is a premier frame at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds with a high-waisted, projectable look and plenty of room to fill out the frame. Added strength will only amplify the heaviness that his barrel delivers at impact, with exits already reaching 95+ for the rising sophomore. Beginning upright with some rhythm in the hands, Torres counters a controlled forward move with an exaggerated barrel tip-to-trigger, a bigger move that when synced allows for serious whip to the barrel head. He stays behind the ball well throughout, which helps him to keep the ball in the air to the big part, though there is a tendency for some sync issues with the moving parts that the operation consists of now. Strength will likely bring more consistency, but Torres shows every ingredient of a future high-level bat. The run tool is developing (7.37) and he shows above average arm strength for the class (84 mph). 

Mark Haynes RHP / Wawasee High School, IN / 2028

Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 12

+ From Midwest Super Sophomore Games - Team Indiana Takeaways: Sturdy-strong, 6-foot-2, 195 pounder. Turned in a scoreless pair of frames. Uses a tight, tucked, in-line delivery that he repeats well. Controlled the zone at an above average clip. Looser takeaway, keeps the ball moving well before he gets to a wider, 3/4 arm slot that produced an 83-85 mph fastball. Was a touch higher with slot on a 66-70 mph curveball. The CB played with sharp two-plane break at 66-70 mph, spinning north of 2500 on average and into the 2600s. Went to CB for ugly S/M late and he could land it as well. Adjustments need to be made to tighten up the slot, but plenty of high floor traits are apparent here with feel for multiple pitches and above average stuff present.

Matthew Fields C / RHP North Decatur Jr-Sr High School, IN / 2028

Rankings  StateRank: 37 / POS: 3

+ A talented sophomore two-way who earned 1A 1st Team All-State honors as a freshman, Fields caught our eye throughout the summer amongst a talented Indiana Mustangs group, looking the part of one of the top backstops in the class with a smooth-left handed stroke produced by a frame 6-foot, 162-pound frame that has a chance to back muscle on in a hurry. He stood out most offensively, but does hold upside with enough arm strength on the bump to reach 85 mph. 

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

Rankings  StateRank: 40 / POS: 16

+ Matiya shined at multiple Prep Baseball Tournaments events this summer with a fastball up to 84 mph, clean movement patterns, and the ability to throw three pitches over the plate. In one of my looks this summer, Matiya quieted a very talented lineup to earn a big win. That outing left a lasting impression in my brain, with the overall body of work throughout the summer also carrying enough value to jump him inside the top 40 in this update. I love the look on the bump, but there is some two-way upside here as well. Regardless, Matiya hails from a Columbia City program that has churned out Division 1 arms in each of the last two signing classes, and Matiya certainly has a shot to extend that here soon. 

Kingston Galentine SS / Heritage Jr/Sr High School, IN / 2028

Rankings  StateRank: 51 / POS: 11

+ Galentine showed off one of the silkier strokes in the class on the circuit, arguably my most intriguing follow of the summer that kept me coming back to catch more-and-more at-bats. Young for the class and oozing projection at 6-foot-2ish, 155-pounds, Kingston makes the game look easy at all times while deploying a patient approach that landed him on-base often in my follows. The swing is short with a more line-drive oriented game, and he looks the part of a lock to stick on the dirt with sweet actions and enough arm strength for me to project him to stick on the left-side. 

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

Rankings  StateRank: 52 / POS: 12

+ Another high-upside shortstop I became fond of this summer, Bailey's lean, athletic, 6-foot-3, 160-pound frame jumps out immediately amongst his peers. The offensive approach is slappy at times from the left-side, though he gets down the line at a well-above average clip for the age and there is real feel to drag from the left. A switch-hitter, I only got a handful of right-handed at-bats from him this summer, but it is the natural side for him. Regardless, the feet, frame, and intrigue as a switch-hitter brings the immediate value. He has a chance to stick on the dirt, though he profiles well in CF too, and there is real two-way upside with a clean look on the bump that comes with a low-80s fastball and secondary feel. 

Kyler Wood LHP / Westminster Christian, IN / 2028

Rankings  StateRank: 64 / POS: 11

+ This Fort Wayne crop feels like a good one, and Wood throws his name into the hat as another strong follow from the area. An athletic delivery at 6-foot, 160-pounds with a similiar look to recent Dayton commit, Lucas Collins, a lefty who found big success in the Fort Wayne area in his high school career. Regardless, Wood fits the same mold, an athletic lefty with feel for multiple pitches and arm speed/ arm action that stands out most. I watched Wood throw a no-hitter (1 walk away from perfect) this summer where he sat 79-82 on his fastball, though his ability to spin the baseball (& manipulate for two breaking ball shapes) is what I left most bullish on. 

Dane Burton RHP / Roncalli High School, IN / 2028

Rankings  StateRank: 87 / POS: 25

+ An upside right-hander looking the part of a strong follow, Burton is a 6-foot-4, 185-pound righty that attacks from a high, over-the-top arm slot that produces a low-80s (T 83) fastball that comes out with a steep look. In my look, I saw quality feel for a mid-70s changeup, and a 69-71 breaking ball that played with slurvey shape. Not a finished product, Burton jumps into the top 100 with a chance to move higher as this class ages with further polish. 

Ariah Cross OF / St. Joseph, IN / 2028

Rankings  StateRank: 88 / POS: 18

+ From (Conner Madding) - Landsharks Scout Day Quick Hits: + 6-foot frame with room for much more as he continues to develop. Loose, left-handed stroke that produced exit velocities up to 89.6 mph. Not a standout runner at present, but the look in the box stood out with easy, athletic actions and looseness to the swing. Sweet, loose-wristed stroke that creates natural leverage, and strength gains should allow the bat to grow into future power. Bat brings the value and merits high-follow status.

Landon Ball RHP / Brownsburg High School, IN / 2028

Rankings  StateRank: 89 / POS: 26

+ From Summer ID Games Quick Hits:  Wiry, 6-foot, 165 pounder. Quirky delivery/arm action, but present stuff stands out with fastball that played at 81-83.6 mph. Best present trait is his feel to spin a 68-71 mph SL. Was able to get true sweep from a mid-3/4 arm slot. Tougher slot created deception, intiriguing young follow.