Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Indiana Nitro Scout Day: Quick Hits

June 16, 2025
Cooper Trinkle
Indiana Scouting Director

On Tuesday, June 10th - our staff hosted nearly 80+ players from the Indiana Nitro Organization for a pro-style workout at Grand Park. There was a strong crop of talent at this event, including several uncommitted 2026s, a couple of 2027s that asserted themselves as names-to-know for August 1st, and a handful of underclassmen that showed advanced skillsets. Several winners are highlighted below...

Find full event statistics, here.

Uncommitted 2026 Follows

Hayden Werner RHP / Fishers, IN / 2026

+  6-foot-2, 175-pound right-hander with an upside frame and one of the top arms available in Indiana’s 2026 class. Werner works from a loose, clean ¾ slot while able to stay behind the lower slot. His fastball sat 87–88 mph with heavy arm-side run at times, showing the ability to sink it to his arm-side while flashing some carry up. He spins a sharp, shorter, sweeping slider at 75–77 mph (T2285 rpm) with late bite, grading out as an above-average offering. Also mixes in a fading changeup at 81–82 mph with feel, rounding out a well-developed three-pitch mix. Polished strike-thrower w best days ahead...

Nathan Sutherlin SS / Greencastle, IN / 2026

+  Highly-projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound shortstop with standout athleticism and present tools. Turned in a 6.66 60 with explosive splits (1.66 / 3.74), and that athleticism shows defensively with above-average hands and an 85 mph arm across the dirt. Offensively, Sutherlin hits from a leg kick stride with a subtle hand load and short pause at the top. The swing is compact with a shorter hand path and developing strength, flashing bat speed and control. Topped 94 mph exit velocity, and could grow into real power as the frame continues to fill. Intriguing upside athlete with present feel.

Colton Watts, RHP, Harrison : Looking the part of a tough-look reliever, Watts rolled out and showcased a unique, over-the-top arm slot that helped to create ride on an 87-88.5 mph fastball. His mid-70s curveball works top-to-bottom to play off the high-ride heater and his 79-80 CH played with big arm-side tilt and run. Stretch-only, high-intent operation with some quirk to the arm action. Outlier slot and hulking, 6-foot-4, 205 lb frame stand out most. 

Chase Nickols, 3B, Cathedral : Continues to trend in the right direction as an athlete, 6-foot-2, 175 pound frame with lean muscle and quality movement patterns at the dish. Abv avg hit tool is beginning to become impactful with north-of-95 mph exits. Moves well laterally with soft hands on the dirt, average arm strength (81 mph) plays with carry. Solid all around toolset with track record of hitting. 

Jake McCammon, C, Bloomington South : Upside frame (6'3" 205) with room to pack on more muscle and strength. Tall stance with short hand load to counter controlled move out. Loose swing plane with exits approaching triple digits and present gap-to-gap strength. Quick transfer behind the dish with solid average raw arm strength (76 mph). Stood out while receiving with soft hands. Continues to trend in the right direction. Good follow on the circuit for schools in need of a '26 backstop. 

Names2Know for August 1st

Clark Bucher OF / Hamilton Southeastern High School, IN / 2027

+ One of the premier bats in the class with a toolset that continues to evolve. The 6-foot-2 frame holds premier projections and his 6.77 60-yard dash adds to it. Shines most at the dish, switch-hitter with a silky left-handed swing. Shows the ability to use all fields with budding pull-side power along with some backside gap feel. High back elbow slots to create on-plane swing (LH) with hovering, controlled stride and loose-wristed swing. Slight drift from (RH) swing, bat works on a direct path with some pull-side feel to backspin. Exits peaked at 96+ with more juice on the way as he continues to mature into more strength. Arm is an above average tool (87 OF). Plenty to dream on with present skills and tools across the board, one of my more bullish follows as we approach the recuiting period for this 27 class. 

Logan Drake SS / Castle High School, IN / 2027

+ Drake is a gamer-first SS with tools becoming louder as his athleticism begins to trend positively. His turned in a PR 60-time with a 6.90 60-yard dash before a low-intent round of batting practice where he sprayed liners with an on-plane stroke. His contact skills at the dish are the carrying attribute to this point and he offers twitchy strength behind a short barrel path with exits reaching 92.6 mph. He'll grow into more impact as his 5-foot-11, 165 pound frame adds more muscle, but the contact skills and present twitch establish a safe floor offensively. He continues to improve as a defender with athleticism gains attributing to more lateral range. His hands are above average and there is some feel for the exchange as he gets into a more-slingy arm action to carry the ball across. It is still a bat-first type prospect, but he is beginning to elevate other areas of his game with a chance for those tools to tick higher and higher. 

Mark Neels OF / Carmel, IN / 2027

+ One of the more intriguing position players in the class, Neels began the day with a bang, turning in a 6.46 60-yard dash - still the best straight-line runner in the class to date. There is strength and big twitch in the 6-foot, 185 pound frame and those attributes translate to the box. The operation becomes more fluid each time I get eyes on him, using a hovering stride paired with a tight, compact load as he gets to his launch position. He turns the barrel tight with the ability to shrink the lead arm and deliver the barrel head when needed. He still lacks the ability to repeat at times, but when everything syncs, real bat speed is flashed. The 60-time indicates a potential future at a premium defensive position (CF) and his arm plays with average strength (83 OF). 

Underclass Winners

*In-event highlights embedded into players' name*

Stathan Thompson, Mooresville, 3B, 2028 : Thompson exploded for massive metric jumps since the Preseason All-State in February and should see a rise in our next '28 rankings update. There is big twitch being developed in the 6-foot-1, 180 pound frame evident in the 6.78 60-yard dash he turned in to start the day. He uses a simple inward turn, no-stride operation at the dish before delivering a loose, whippy barrel with his best bullet coming off the bat at 95 mph. There is some feel at the hot corner with sure-handed actions and average arm strength. The twitch and frame jump out for the age and cement him as a quality follow in the class. 

Ryan Lackman, Tri-West, OF, 2028 : Lackman showed very well, especially at the dish, in my first look - with one of the more polished swings of any underclassman at this event. He toe taps with quick pace as a small barrel tip to trigger the swing is made. He turns the barrel on-plane deep in the hitting zone and gets to extension while showing the ability to use all fields. He produced near-90 mph exits despite an immature 5-foot-10, 140 pound frame. As strength is gained, I expect this bat to become impactful.

Luke Stevenson, Noblesville, OF, 2029 : Stevenson shined amongst the underclassmen and his 6.58 60-yard dash was one of the best of the day, despite the grad class. It is one of the most-advanced run tools that I have seen at the age with well-advanced twitch in the 5-foot-8, 145 pound frame. Offensively, it is an athletic operation with a short stride and handsy stroke. There is some over-rotation present that will likely refine with maturation, but the twitch in the box is extremely intriguing. He turned in an above average throwing arm for the age tool with an outfield velocity of 82 mph. 

Names to Note

*In-event highlights embedded into players' name*

Bowen Akers, Carmel, SS/C, 2029 : Quality actions all-around with maturation still to be done in the 6-foot, 160 pound frame. Hinges into backside as he toe taps, on-time separation, loose, level swing plane. Follow in the class. 

Luke Benefiel, Fishers, C, 2029 : Stocky, 5-foot-9, 165 pound frame. Polished delivery includes taller, even lift and balanced move out. Semi-stab arm action but syncs well, H 3/4 slot. 67-68 CB, 71-73 SL. True shape manipulation on spin and showed polished feel. Fishers continues to produce college-bound arms and Benefiel appears next up. 

Grant Davis, Boonville, OF, 2026 : Some strength present in the 6-foot, 185 pound frame. Hands climb in the load to offset hovering forward move w occasional ambush. Bat path works uphill to create some loft, exits reached 98+ with some explosiveness at launch. 6.73 runner speaks to the athleticism/explosive capabilities present. Some rawness, but a good follow nonetheless. 

Sean Frey, Fishers, OF, 2026 : 'Data Darling' with standout metrics in all facets. 6-foot-1, 185 pound frame holds athleticism and some present physicality. Burned a 6.69 60-yard dash before taking controlled hacks from the right-side with short, level path producing exits that peaked at 95.7 mph. Above average arm strength (85 OF), as well. 

Wes Kelley, Evansville Memorial, OF, 2026 : Lean, athletic, 6-foot, 155 pounder. Feet are best tool with recorded 6.57 60-yard dash at this event. Hits from a tall setup with short forward move and loose swing plane. Adjustability stands out with present bat-to-ball skills. Looks the part of a burner LHH that is able to impact the game with his feet. 

Dean McGaughey, Southmont, C/INF, 2027 : 6-foot-1, 175 pounder with athleticism and lean strength. Will rise in our next update after standing out on the circuit and at this event. 6.93 runner with the ability to play on the dirt and behind the dish, above average reciever, glove-to-hand is best defensive attribute and helps solid average arm strength (76 C Velo) play up. Direct swing plane with more pull-side approach and above average bat speed as well, exits peaked at 93+. 

Nico Moore, Zionsville, CINF, 2029 : Stood out as a youngster during batting practice. Wide stance with early inward turn load, minimal stride allows him to maintain strong position to hit from. Direct path works on-plane and showed the ability to get the barrel to the front of the hitting zone. Exits surpassed the 90 mph mark which is well-advanced for the age. 

Vincent Pecoraro, Fishers, INF, 2026 : Twitchy athlete that has made strong gains throughout his career while attending our events. Burned a 6.66 60-yard dash, impressive gains since Preseason Preview of March 2024 (7.5). His exits have jumped over 10 mph in the same time span, now reaching 96+. 85 infield arm is a quality tool, as well. Twitchy actions on both sides of the ball. 

Myles Poulin, Zionsville, OF/3B/RHP, 2027 : Upside athlete with a well-rounded set of tools. 6-foot-2, 180 pound frame looks the part in the uniform with still room to add strength. Strength will louden offensive impacts that presently reach exits in the low-90s. On-plane right-handed stroke with an athletic stride as he gets to launch position. 7.02 runner with an 89 OF arm, also holds two-way upside as RHP. 

Mason Shipley, Danville, RHP, 2027 : Raw operation with low, even lift and short stride. Minimal lower half usage, still carried fastballs in the 82-84 range. Shaped spin in the 67-70 mph range, some bite. Plenty of room for strength in the projectable, 6-foot-3, 180 pound frame. Jumps likely as he polishes delivery. 

Mikey Stapleton, Lafayette Central Catholic, SS, 2026 : Glove-first shortstop with outstanding actions on the dirt. Polished feet and hands with enough arm strength (87 across) to stick on the left-side in the long run. It is a skill over tools profile, but Stapleton plays a premium defensive position and takes care of the ball there. 

Sam Swaim, Terre Haute South, RHP, 2027 : Intriguing 2027 arm with big spin metrics. 6-foot-4, 205 pound frame looks the part. Drop-and-drive delivery. Long takeaway with semi-stab before bringing the ball back near his head and allowing arm to spiral to 3/4 slot. Low-70s breaking ball is best offering, spins in the 25-2600 range with two-plane shape and sharp break. 84-86 FB plays with some deception from quirky arm action. Flashed serviceable change at 78-79. Will rise in our next update with a couple quality outings on the circuit this summer. 

Grant Wolf, Fishers, RHP/OF, 2027 : Durable-framed, 6-foot-2, 200 pounder with strength present. Stood out most on the mound with 82-85 heater for strikes. 78-80 CH plays sinker-like, some manipulation to shape with low-70s spin, both offspeed offerings are thrown with feel. Some two-way upside with pull-side strength in the right-handed batters' box. Some stiffness in the hips offensively but strength and clean path stand out - produced exits reaching 96+. Abv avg runner, 6.96 60-yard dash.