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Indiana Fall State Games: Rising Juniors

October 17, 2025
Cooper Trinkle
Scouting Director

The Indiana Fall State Games have come to a conclusion and brought nearly 200 uncommitted prospects from around the state to Championship Park. The bulk of this years' roster came from the uncommitted 2027 crowd, rising juniors who have begun their recruiting process and looked to gain further exposure against some of the top uncommitted talent in the state. With recruiters on hand, as well as following our coverage from the comfort of their own home, several '27s picked up interests from this event, and today we go in depth on those that caught the attention of our scouting staff...

Full event statistics linked HERE

Fab Freshman linked HERE

Sophomore Standouts linked HERE 

2027 Names 2 Know ⬇️

Impact 20⭐

Not a ranking list, listed in order of impact made to each individuals prospect status...

  1. OF/1B Eli Harris (Jeffersonville)
  2. OF Ben Schaeffer (Mt. Vernon)
  3. RHP Jack Kunas (Munster)
  4. RHP Lucas Collins (Garrett)
  5. RHP Jayden Kieler (Leo)
  6. RHP Jaylen Wells-Henderson (New Albany)
  7. RHP Eli Shoppell (Homestead)
  8. RHP Carter Lowe (Zionsville)
  9. C Nolan Butcher (Leo)
  10. OF Mark Neels (Carmel)
  11. OF Jackson Graf (Noblesville)
  12. C Brayden Walls (Lake Central)
  13. OF/RHP Paxton Lukac (Andrean)
  14. RHP Isaac Gill (Mishawaka Marian)
  15. LHP Jackson Steury (Angola)
  16. OF Quinn Westerfeld (Western Boone)
  17. RHP/OF Elio Miller (Bloomington North)
  18. SS Reid Walker (Bloomington South)
  19. C Dean McGaughey (Southmont)
  20. 1B Aidan Gnatt (Andrean)

Top Prospects

+ OF/1B Eli Harris
Harris left a lasting impression in his first event since transferring into Jeffersonville from across the river, and his performance earned him the unofficial MVP honors for upperclassmen. His presence was felt quickly, first with the 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame he brought to check-in, and he then turned in a 6.67 60-yard dash to begin the day. His batting practice round was filled with hard contact to the middle of the field, leaving the yard to CF on a couple different swings to show off the heaviness that comes with his right-handed barrel. He showed as not just a 5 o'clock hitter during gameplay, collecting five (!!!) impact barrels across two games, easily surpassing his peers. Three of his five barrels went for extra-bases, and the ability to impact the baseball to all fields was evident in these passes. Harris has been a buzzy name since the conclusion of this event, receiving attention from both recruiters in attendance physically, and those following our coverage online. 

+ OF Ben Schaeffer
The top overall prospect at the event from my evaluations, Schaeffer had a 'mic drop' moment in batting practice after he clubbed a pair of balls deep into the parking lot with exits eclipsing 103 mph. The impact goes well-beyond the 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame and its largely attributed to the twitch and rotational capabilities that he brings to the left-handed batters' box. His rotational acceleration, measured by Blast Motion, came in as a top 5 mark amongst all participants at this event, and he flashed fringe-plus bat speed as well. I would put the pure bat-to-ball ability in a very exclusive club in terms of Indiana 2027s, and he showed it off at this event with several balls in play, highlighted by two warning track shots and a pair of infield singles; turning in H-1st times into the 4.1s. He runs better in bursts than at the top end, but the 6.84 60 he posted is an above average time that will likely still improve as he adds pure strength to the lower half. Schaeffer fills out the card with above average to better tools, and rounds out his toolset with CF upside, an instinctual route runner with above average arm strength. 

+ RHP Jack Kunas
Kunas is a fast-rising arm from the region who showed off big fastball jumps during a dominant outing at the State Games. There is a loose whip to the arm stroke with projections remaining in the 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, presently producing a heater that abused the opposition while playing 85-87, and touching 88 mph. There was some manipulation to the fastball, sinking it at the bottom while creating some lift up top, playing it up with big extension as his long-levers got down the mound well. There were flashes of an above average breaking ball, showing some sweep on a low-70s offering while also showing an upper-70s change. He controlled three, allowing the starters' tab to stay on, and he could really continue to elevate if the breaking ball ticks up a grade consistently. Regardless, Kunas leaves as the biggest winner amongst '27 P's, cementing himself as a 'Name-to-Know' uncommitted arm in the class. 

+ RHP Lucas Collins
Continuing to show one of the classes' best fastballs, Collins was dominant in his stint at the State Games, racking up swings-and-misses and several punchouts in his 2 innings of work. With some present physicality to the 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame - Collins pitched at 89-90, touching 91 on his best bullet, with arm-side run and sink created from a low 3/4 slot. He challenged east to west with his 75-78 SL playing off the fastball with a sweeper look, and he flashed an above average change in the mid-80s that played sinker-like. Collins outing was a perfect summation of his ceiling, a reliever who could easily find a niche as a 'one time thru the order' type arm that provides a mix of unique and power to quiet opposing lineups. 

+ RHP Jayden Kieler
Kieler came out with something to prove, and it was evident in the mound presence that he brought while looking to embarrass the opposition with his power stuff. Imposing with the build of a TE at 6-foot-5, 230-pounds, Kieler went right at hitters while pitching at 86-89, and touching 90 a couple of times in his first frame. He extended down the mound well to mitigate average heater properties, while mixing effectively with a mid-70s sweeper that kept hitters off balance. The SL could sharpen a touch, but the two-pitch mix he shows presently is more than enough to beat good hitters. The control was the best that I've seen of Kieler to date, a very positive trend, and he profiles best as a back-end bullpen piece at the next level. 

+ RHP Jaylen Wells-Henderson
In my evals, this was the highest ceiling '27 arm at the event, and he showed hints of that ceiling throughout his stint this past weekend. Easily filling the zone at 84-87 with a fastball that averaged 16" of IVB, an evaluator in attendance made the comment "this kid could throw 3 mph harder right now" - and that comment stuck with me. While the radar gun is often the measuring stick, velocity is arguably the easiest thing we can develop, and there is truly a lot left in the tank with this young-for-class prospect. Regardless, his ability to compete over the white with the heater, and the athleticism/upside in the frame is what I value most. Jaylen flashed a tight, firm, short slider at 78-81 mph that was his go-to secondary offering, also showing a gradual, low-70s CB, and a usable change at 78-79. 

+ RHP Eli Shoppell
Another arm with serious gains to be had, Shoppell brought a wiry, athletic, 6-foot, 150ish-pound frame that is filled with quick twitch fibers. The arm is loose and quick, working in a compact, full-circle fashion, producing a heater that played at 84-86 and touched 87 once. There was occasional carry to a heater that spun into the 2400s, and he tunneled a sharp, 74-76 mph slider that spun into the 2500s on a couple occasions. The SL release point was inconsistent, though when synced, may have been the best breaking ball amongst '27 at this event. His changeup was the best that I saw on the weekend, fading heavily to the arm side as it fell off the table at 78-80 with impressive movement plots (0.0" IVB avg, 17.2" HZB avg, 20.6" HZB max). There is true upside to the frame with twitch included already, and a three pitch mix he can get swings-and-misses with. 

+ RHP Carter Lowe
There is almost a throwback vibe to Lowe that I love, showing easy control always with the ability to compete with three pitches whenever he wants leaving the biggest impression as I go back through the 2027s that attended this event. He stands at 6-foot-2, 180-pounds with a high-waisted, projectable look that should help him pack on strength this winter. He remains balanced throughout the delivery while extending down the mound well, pitching at 83-86 mph on a heater that averaged 17" of IVB that he could in + out with. He flipped a gradual, 68-71 mph CB over whenever he wanted while also showing true control for a 71-74 mph CH that he killed spin on. The starters' tab feels safe here with jumps likely to come next spring. 

+ C Nolan Butcher
Butcher made a big impression in workouts while showing off impressive jumps in the toolset. Listed at 5-foot-8, 155-pounds, his 98+ mph impact in batting practice well-surpassed expectations before he showed off some of the best catch-and-throw abilities amongst uncommitted '27s in the state. He can flat out receive, with a high motor shown to pair with a commanding presence, and the glove-to-hand in the transfer led to pops as low as 1.89. A 6.9 runner - Butcher then took to gameplay to show off his hit-ability and defensive prowess. He showed no issue catching up to upper-80s velocities with a pair of extra-base hits, and also nabbed a couple of would-be base stealers during the gameplay portion while blocking up several errant pitches throughout the day. 

+ OF Mark Neels
For the third consective event he has attended with us, Neels turned in the top 60-yard dash, burning a 6.61 60-yard dash on a brisk morning. He's burned into the 6.4s, a plus runner underway with evident explosive traits. He showed some pull-side strength in batting practice with a couple of pull side homers that stuck out there, hinting at speed/power upside that he has flashed in game. Neels collected a couple off-time hits during the gameplay portion, turning the knob tight to the chest for an adjustable path, and the L/L power/speed profile he brings continues to elevate with added polish/feel.

Quick Hits

*in-event highlights embedded into the players' name if not shown below*

+ OF Jackson Graf
'Data Darling' with an impressive toolset; 99.6 mph peak exit velocity, 6.79 60-yard dash, 84 mph arm from the OF. Some sync issues, but when the barrel head is on time, there is some real thunder here. L/L profile with 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame that really stands out. High follow. 

+ C Brayden Walls
LHH catcher with raw tools and a profile that excites. 6-foot-1, 170-pounder with room for strengh. Uses a big barrel tip with an aggressive uncoil that led to pull side impact and exits at a rounded 99 mph. Showed some adjustability in-game with a couple off-time hits and a backside double into the LF corner. Good athleticism for the profile, turned in a 7.14 60. Sure-handed receiver with above average arm strength from the crouch, reaching 78 mph. 

+ OF/RHP Paxton Lukac
High-end athlete with ample twitch that participated in this event while in the midst of soccer season. Wiry, 6-foot, 170-pounder. Turned in a 6.8 60-yard dash to pair with 96-plus exits to bring speed/power upside. Barrel is presented on a flatter plane with standout rotational twitch. Also showed an athletic look on the bump with an 83-85 mph heater (has been into upper-80s) with a well-above average slider that played at 77-80 mph. CF.

+ RHP Isaac Gill
Helium candidate for 2026 who brought one of the highest-upside looks amongst his peers. 6-foot-4, 170-pounder that easily played catch at 81-83 mph. Long levers create easy arm speed, poured fastball strikes. Also showed some feel for a slurvey, low-70s slider that spun into the 2400s. M2C.

+ LHP Jackson Steury
Undersized southpaw with some moxie and obvious competitive nature. Hides the ball well with a slight stab on the backside of the arm action, before flipping it up with quickness for an 83-86 mph fastball that played above bats from a unique, over-the-top slot from a lower release height. Flashed 2500 spin on 78-80 SL that played with late break. Some inconsistencies, but undoubtedly a niche-type arm that could provide uniqueness and competitiveness out of the 'pen.

+ OF Quinn Westerfeld
Breakout candidate for 2026 that has built a reputation for performing in-game. Young-for-class with easy projections to the 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame. Left-handed swing works on-plane throughout with steady impact trends. 

+ RHP/OF Elio Miller
Physical athlete built with strength in a 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame. Provided a true two-way look at this event with the highest ceiling appearing on the hill. Cut/ride heater played at 85-87 and up to 88, showed a slower sweeping, 70-72 mph breaking ball to pair. Athletic, intentful operation. Also showed off bat strength with 98+ exit velocities in an aggressive right-handed swing. 

+ SS Reid Walker
Silky defender whose feet play on time on a consistent basis on the dirt. Infield arm plays with carry, up to 85 across, and there is feel to use multiple slots. Sure-handed nature stands out. Short, repeatable stroke with shades of impact, the bat-to-ball abilities shine most at the dish. Ran a 6.86 60. Overall, fundamental player that provides a high floor. 

+ C Dean McGaughey
Athletic backstop with several above average abilities. 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame has at least 20 pounds to pack onto, already athletic with sub-7 run time. Hits from a lower handset with the barrel presented on-plane, impacted it for 96+ exits in batting practice on the top end. Versatile defender with a chance to be a starting catcher at the next level, receives well with solid average throwing ability (77 mph from crouch), also plays 3B at solid average clip. 

+ 1B Aidan Gnatt
Physical, 6-foot-3, 210-pounder from Andrean who shined brightest during gameplay. Bottom-hand dominant swing presents the barrel on a flatter plane with some heaviness that stems from strength. Reached a rounded 96 mph peak exit in batting practice before grabbing multiple in-game barrels, two of which went for extra-base hits. Hit tool stands out most here. Good follow for next spring from a program that churns out talent again & again. 

2027s 📈

Prospects that should expect a rise in our next rankings update after showing positive development trends