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Indiana Spring Scout Blog: Underclass Scout Blog

April 16, 2026
Prep Baseball Indiana
Indiana Staff

Our staff has been busy traveling across the state to get looks on players of all grad classes. Through two weeks of the spring, we release our Underclass Scout Blog, a blog focused on 2028/2029 prospects that show well in our follows. Look for this blog to continously update throughout the spring, giving recruiters a cheat sheet for August, and allowing readers a quick look at some of Indiana's next-up prospects. 

Stay up to date with all scout blog content at the links below:

+ The Scoop: Indiana Senior Scout Blog

+ 2026 Indiana Uncommitted Junior Scout Blog

First Update

By: Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Scouting Director

+ Dylan Murphy, 2028, SS, Evansville Mater Dei: Murphy was on barrel in 3-of-8 at-bats that I got on him in a double-header look. The frame jumps out at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds with lean muscle throughout the athletic frame. He turned around a low-90s fastball for a triple off the LCF wall to highlight the look; also got into a deep L7 and hammered a 2k single to his pull-side. At the dish, he repeats his load consistently and the moves are repeatable. He showed a bit of a tendency to get handsy/cut in this look that caused an over-spin pop out and some foul contact straight back. He was also a bit passive as he got himself into some bad counts. The swing decisions were not poor, he was just not as aggressive in-zone as I would've like to see. With that being said, the bat speed is easy to identify and he caught up to premier velocity and showed the high-end bat strength that he holds. He turned in a 4.6 on a turn and I have him projected as a future above average runner with plus potential and a well-above average runner compared to his underclass peers now. He played third in this look and showed sure-handed actions with average arm strength across.

+ Spencer Schiff, 2028, C/IF/RHP, Evansville Mater Dei: I got a full look on Schiff across a doubleheader and it was one of the more impressive I've gotten on a sophomore this spring. Athletic, 6-footer who is starting to fill out. He DH'd in game one, collecting 2 hits in that one, and also took a low-90s heater to RCF for extra-bases in the night cap. He starts wide in a strong base before a small hinging load as the barrel gets to launch. He gets off above average bat speed and the barrel works on-plane in an impressive manner. There was some occasional chases on spin down, but for the most part he made quality swing decisions. He showed as a tick above average runner, and gave me a 2.05 pop b/w innings in G2. He concluded my look with three innings of work on the mound where he sat 84-87 after catching the first part of the game. The fastball was controlled well and played to both sides with average properties. He got hit early in the outing, but settled in and retired 9 of the last 10 he faced - 5 via punchout. The breaking ball varied in velocity enough to make me believe he was trying to throw two different ones, but the shapes were similiar as the velocity ranged from 70-75 on a sweepy-shaped pitch that he controlled and got S/M with. He flashed a couple mid-70s change that showed at least average. I think Schiff is a slam dunk early recruit, especially with my track record on him, as he performs consistently and brings above average tools and a wide range of skills. 

+ Billy Miller, 2028, SS/RHP, Kouts: Fresh out of basketball season, I got a decent look on Miller in total who we have ranked as the top two-way in the class currently. He is wiry and athletic at 6-foot-1, 165-pounds with thinner hips and some room to pack on strength. Outside of a leadoff triple that turned into his only earned run, he was excellent on the mound, turning in a final line of: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K's, and 70-plus % strikes. Pitching in near-frigid temps, Miller got to 86-88 with easier effort and will likely tick into the low-90s this summer. His breaking ball is more slurvey at 72-74 and flashed tighter break; showed feel to land and was able to induce chase after setting it up with fastball strikes down in the zone. Showed a 70 mph change, as well. The control, athleticism, and where I project the stuff to get to is what I like best with Billy. It was not his best offensive showing as he left with an off-time hit and a deeper L7, but I expect the bat to get back up to speed as he gets more reps this spring. I leave with a similiar feeling that I've had on him to this point - he is a high-floor prospect on both sides of the ball that I expect to be an early recruit. 

+ Braylon Storey, 2028, OF/RHP, Center Grove: To this point, I have seen two at-bats on Storey and two seperate outings on the mound. Storey is one of the more intriguing prospects in the class, arguably owning the loudest toolset in the entire class (6.4 runner, 105 exits, 91+ arm). In the two at-bats I have seen, he has gone backside for a double, and hit a game-tying grand slam that left the bat at 100 mph and went over 400 feet. The rawness shows at times in the form of some stiffness and questionable swing decisions vs. spin, but the flashes of brilliance are hard to ignore. On the mound, he has been consistently in the mid-to-upper 80s with a handful of 88s on a fastball that played north-of 20" of IVB consistently per the IU stadium trackman unit. He pairs the carry fastball with a low2mid 70s slider that he has shown feel to land, and an upper70s change that flashed as a swing-and-miss pitch. While he has made advancements in his ability to control the strike zone, it is still more control than command. I look forward to continuing to follow and think he has a chance to be one of the highest valued recruits in the class come August. 

+ Darret Branson, 2028, RHP, Evansville Mater Dei: Though I have not seen all of the talented 2028 arms in the state to this point in the spring, Branson has given me one of the best looks of any. He is high-waisted with a projectable, 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame that still has room for growth. He turned in four innings, scattered 5 hits, walked zero, and struck out 7. He got tagged for 2 early earned runs before settling in for three straight zeros. He pitched at 84-86 mostly, and reached back for 87s when needed and held that into the fourth, and also grabbed a couple 88s and an 89 late in-counts. The fastball plays with carry life at the top. His breaking ball flashed bite, but was mostly a 68-71 mph offering that he flipped for strikes to change pace. He showed a a mid-70s change that he went to sparingly. The upside and control is what I like best with Branson; filled the zone at a 70-plus % clip in my look. 

+ Bishop Moore, 2028, RHP, Beech Grove: The upside in Moore is clear as he stands at 6-foot-7, 215-pounds and he is as athletic as a sophomore can be for that size. While the control was fringy at best in my look, the temps were frigid and he did a great job of working around traffic allowing zero earned despite five walks in three innings. He is working in-line better this spring than what I saw last year, though still lands soft on the front leg and tends to spin around it at times leading to misses. He pitched at 85-87 mostly in my look; grabbed 89 once, 88 a handful of times, and ticked down to more of an 83-86 look from the stretch. The fastball is heavy and he got S/Ms with it, especially when commanded at the top of the zone. He landed a 73-76 CB that played with big depth at times, though the control was inconsistent, and the same could be said for his 73-75 change. The change is a serviceable third and flashed better at times. With the potential that the stuff has, along with the projection in the frame, I expect Bishop to be a coveted recruit come August. 

+ Drew Morgan, 2028, RHP, Mt. Vernon: I saw Morgan in a start this week where he struck out 5 in 4 innings of work and threw strikes at a 65% clip. The frame is extremely projectable at 6-foot-4, 170-pounds and he is very athletic as a two-way shortstop. On the mound, it is a raw operation as he works down the slope using a simple dropNdrive with uphill shoulders. He lands square with a quick, inverted arm working to a consistent slot. He pitched at 83-85 most. I had him living 84-85 from the windup early with a couple 86s and an 87 on his second pitch of the game, and he fell to more of an 82-85 look out of the stretch & stayed there as the game went on. His best pitch is a firm, upper-70s (T80) slider that plays with lateral glove-side break. He got S/M and soft contact with the SL and controlled it well. Also turned to a 78-79 CH against LHH/RHHs; is a usable third with fade. With Morgan, I like the athleticism/upside and his ability to control the strike zone. 

+ Callum Birdzell, 2028, SS/UT, Cathedral: I saw Birdzell in scrimmage and for 3 at-bats in Kokomo. Our #4 ranked shortstop in the sophomore class, he performs nearly every time I get eyes on him and for that fact I am very bullish. His 6-foot-3 frame is athletic and he has ample room to add to it in the future. A 6.7 runner in the 60, I did not get a straight H-1st time on him, but got a 4.50 on a turn when he legged out a backside triple. I project him out to be at least an above average runner in the future, if not plus. I saw two hits in my looks; one pullside single and one backside XBH. He has split time between 1B, SS, and LF in my looks on him this spring. I have him profiled to stay in the middle, but he's been moved off of those positions for Cathedral as they have two seniors playing SS/2B. 

+ Cooper Nichols, 2028, C, Fort Wayne Carroll: Nichols jumps out immediately with a 6-foot-4, 215-pound pro-style frame. I did not get much on him offensively as the bat stayed on his shoulder for 2 walks, but I did see him keep his hands back on a breaking ball for a firmer lineout to short in his first trip. I got a good look on the defensive side, however, where I thought he showed well-above average lateral range when blocking and he absorbed well while doing so. The hands have gotten better and I think he ends up as an above average receiver. While the arm is just average, he is accurate with his throws and gets the ball out quickly. I got a 2.12 pop (twice) between innings. I see Nichols as an early recruit; clearly one of the most advanced catchers in Indiana's sophomore class and he brings value on both sides. 

+ Hayden Zellers, 2028, OF, Greenfield-Central: I saw Zellers for ~8 at-bats in Kokomo and he looked the part of a name-to-know for August as one of my favorite LHH's in the class. He is starting to add muscle to a 6-foot, 170-pound frame and turned in a 4.3 home-to-first on a groundout & 4.51 on a turn; I project him out as a future above average runner and he is well-above average for the grade now. He is more of an average runner out the box, but may end up being a plus runner underway. He grabbed three hits in my looks as he took two fastballs back to the middle of the field and went pull-side on spin. He can cover the zone from back to front with some length on the back, but it is on-plane throughout with natural lag and quality length out front. I think future strength will clean up the length on the back. He reminds me of OF's 2025 Cal Gates and 2024 Cole Decker in a lot ways. 

+ Brody McGaha, 2028, SS, Mooresville: I saw McGaha in a game where his team won 21-0, but he performed to my expectations with a 2-for-2 performance. He did not get action during the game at short, either. I got in early to see Brody during BP and his defensive actions on fungoed groundballs were exceptional. He has a clear feel to catch the baseball on the infield and got into above average arm strength across the diamond during in/out with abv avg carry from a mid 3/4 slot. A 6.7 runner who hits left-handed, the floor is high and he got into some gap power during my look on him in batting practice. He gathers during an early toe-tap before deploying a handsier, direct swing that works to the inside-top. 

+ Ty White, 2028, SS, Plainfield: I got about ~6 at-bats on White in Kokomo including a full-game look vs. Hanover Central. He is stocky with an abundance of twitch in the undersized, compact frame. The athleticism and run tool plays higher in-game than the 6.9 he posted in showcase; went 4.25 H-1st at best which is a present above average time on the pro scale, also went 4.35 which is a fringy pro grade. I think he has a chance to be a plus runner down the road; well above-average runner compared to his underclass peers now. He is sure-handed on the infield with left-side arm strength from a slingy arm action. Offensively, the swing is level and works across the zone at times, but he has present twitch and gets the barrel up to speed quickly. Gamer type, plays hard at all times. 

+ Charlie Johnson, 2028, LHP, Cathedral: We've gotten a pair of in-game looks on Johnson and he has showed well in both. He is an athletic 6-footer with some projection remaining. He is more floor-over-ceiling, pounding the zone with a four pitch mix while living in the low-to-mid 80s and touching 86. It is a short, compact arm action that he repeats well. He can locate the FB to all quads, shows a pair of breaking balls that include a tighter, 73-75 SL that he has feel to land glove-side + get to RHH back foot & a bigger 69-70 offering that plays with two-plane shape, and he turns over a quality mid-70s change with fade. Johnson gives me some shades of 2026 Purdue recruit Troy Barrett and continues to cement himself as one of the better lefties in the class. 

+ Logan Matiya, 2028, RHP/UT, Columbia City: Intriguing look vs. FW Carroll; skated out of trouble on multiple occasions with his final line being 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, and 3 K's. He was up to 87 in showcase this winter, but pitched at 82-83 mostly in this look, touching 84 once, and ticking down below 82 out of the stretch. The operation is natural and athletic as he shows the ability to use multiple slots with the fastball. His secondaries came out of a mid 3/4 slot and included a 71-73 change that he controlled well and a low-70s sweeper. I think there is a ton left in his 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame and wouldn't be surprised if he got back to his showcase velocities during looks later in the year. 

+ Jacob Forystek, 2028, OF, Lake Central: I got a quick look on Forystek in a rain-shortened game; saw 3 at-bats and I/O where he showed potential future plus arm strength from the outfield. Twitchy, athletic, 5-foot-10, 170-pounder who I expect to profile as a LHH CF. He flashed impressive bat speed in the left-handed box but wasn't accurate with it in this small sample size. His 4.05 H-1st on a jailbreak swing is a plus time on the pro scale, but he was 4.2 on a full swing which is an average grade for the same scale. I think there is a chance for future plus foot speed considering the present times and twitch in the frame. The bat-to-ball is solid as he was able to shorten and put the ball in play with 2-strikes. Forystek is one of the more intriguing position players in this group and I look forward to more looks on him this spring/summer. 

+ Nathan Sheets, 2028, 2B/SS, Crown Point: Sheets caught my eye on the winter circuit and left the winter as one of the bigger risers in our sophomore rankings. He has shown no signs of slowing down to this point in the spring and was impressive in my look. Thru nine games from Crown Point, Sheets is hitting .333 with 2 homers. He doubled in my look while leading off for the #2 Bulldogs. He hits from an athletic stance and turns the barrel with twitch as it works on-plane throughout. An undersized athlete who ran a 6.7 60 in showcase, Sheets has the twitch to profile in the middle of the diamond and brings a hit/speed profile with more power than the frame suggests. 

+ Jacob Caldemeyer, 2028, SS, Evansville Mater Dei: Caldemeyer showed well in my looks as a skill over tool type prospect. Starting at SS for #1 Mater Dei, I left most impressed with the defensive actions at short. He plays forward and quick releases very well, with average arm strength that the transfer plays higher. At the dish, the RHH deploys a handsy swing with at least average bat-to-ball shown. The run tool is still developing as he turned in 4.5-4.6 H-1st in my look. If that tool trends up, it will pay dividends to his prospect status. 

+ Nick Collins, 2028, C, Evansville Mater Dei: Across two games I caught Collins playing LF and C. He is serviceable at both positions with above an average run tool for the age, going 4.4-4.5 down the line on GB outs. He got into a 3-run homer to his pull-side in G1; repeatable, on-plane RH stroke. I had the pops in the 2.2s at his best b/w innings. Proportional, 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame with a younger look. Good follow in the class with clear college level potential. 

+ Cooper Gear, 2029, OF, Valparaiso: I saw Gear versus quality arms and he had no problem accelerating the barrel to catch up as just a freshman. There is clear feel to hit; hands get a bit deep and the barrel gets a bit wrapped but he is able to get out of those positions well. I had him at a 4.51 on a turn on a backside double and I leave plus foot speed on the table to this point; is an exceptional runner compared to his peers at this stage. Our top-ranked bat in the 2029 class played LF for Valpo as the only freshman on the diamond for them, and I feel good about the bullish outlook we had on him in early evals leaving this look.

+ Paulie Hobbs, 2029, OF/RHP, Hanover Central: Hobbs was excellent in my look on him; collected the win on the mound and also went 3-for-4 at the dish. It is hard to put a concrete future profile on him now, I'd lean towards the offensive side long-term, but ultimately I value the skill he has, the advanced strength he holds, and his in-game abilities that I've seen to this point. He does not look like a freshman standing at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. In my look, he was on the barrel vs a low2mid 90s fastball, deploying a quick, level stroke as he holds angles well to present an on-plane barrel. On the mound, Hobbs worked 85-87 with a riding fastball from a unique, over-the-top, low release height slot. His fastball beat older hitters and he mixed with a firm 74-77 slider. The slider shape is still developing, playing with looser/short sweep now, but it was effective in this look as a change of pace pitch. Hobbs reaffirmed status in this look as one of the most advanced freshman in the state and is currently the #5 overall prospect in the class. 

By: Conner Madding, (Indiana Area Scout & Director of Operations/Content)

+ Quinn Lewis, 2028, SS, Northview: I saw Lewis on a Saturday morning versus Greencastle, and he turned in an impressive early-season look. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame is athletic and highly projectable, and he looks the part in every sense. Lewis went 3-for-3 with a triple to left-center and two singles to the pull-side. He hits from a balanced stance with quiet hands and a simple forward move. The path is direct with present bat speed, though it can get steep at times. There’s some rawness to the operation in total, but the upside is evident with clear power potential from the right-side. Defensively, he showed athletic, easy actions at shortstop with a clean arm and above-average arm strength for the age. Overall, Lewis is a premier athlete with a super high ceiling and a name to know in the 2028 class moving forward.

+ Rhett Hostetler, 2028, RHP, Noblesville: Hostetler is a sophomore arm who continues to impress our staff early in 2026 and I caught him in a brief scrimmage outing. At 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, there is plenty of room to project added strength. The delivery is balanced, he lifts to a taller balance point before a simple move down the slope. He repeats the operation well, the arm is compact and quick to a higher slot. His fastball worked at 84-86 mph and touched 87 mph once, he showed good control of it. The breaking ball was 68-71 mph and a showed some depth, an upside offering that I expect to continue to improve. He also flashed a 78 mph changeup that looks the part of a useable offering. With the traits to make a significant jump up our 2028 board, Hostetler will be monitored very closely the rest of the year.

+ Zac Glander, 2028, SS/RHP, Noblesville: I got a quality two-way look at Glander during a scrimmage against Westfield. He stands at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with plenty of room to add strength. He doubled to right field in one of his first at-bats; the swing works loose on a level plane with present feel for the barrel. Defensively, he looked the part at shortstop with on-time actions, soft hands, and solid body control. Glander also took the mound late in the scrimmage, working 83–84 mph and reaching back for 86 once. He mixed in a 68–70 mph two-plane breaking ball and an upper-70s changeup, showing the ability to throw all three for strikes. The arm works clean, and he showed solid feel for his arsenal in a positive look on the mound.

+ Dylan Chism, 2028, RHP, Norwell: Chism was excellent in his first start of the year versus Warsaw in Kokomo, working five and a third shut-out innings while allowing just two hits, no walks, and striking out eight. The proportional, 6-foot, 180 pounder provides a tough look for righties with a big inward turn before releasing from a wide, ¾ slot. The arm action shows some stab early but accelerates as he turns it over. He was able to locate an 84-87 mph fastball to both sides of the plate. He landed a 70-73 mph slurvey breaking ball at will and he used a more firmer slider as more of a chase pitch, it had a touch more sweep. The changeup was a quality pitch at 76-79 mph, it showed late sink and he used to mostly left-handed hitters.  Chism provides an uncomfortable look and fills the zone at an above average clip with four solid offerings. High-floor follow in the sophomore class.

+ Ben Finney, 2028, SS/OF, Kouts: I got a couple at-bats on Finney during our annual Bullpen x Prep Baseball Indiana series in Kokomo. He’s a wiry, athletic 5-foot-10, 145-pounder who has consistently performed in-game in front of our staff over the past couple years. He hits from a wider stance, loading heavily into the backside before quick hands deliver the barrel on a level plane. The barrel works with accuracy, and added strength should significantly increase the impact. Defensively, Finney showed athletic, fluid actions on the dirt and has the versatility to fit in center field as well. The arm works clean with above-average strength. Solid sophomore follow from the region.

+ Brayden Greathouse, 2028, SS Brownsburg: I saw Greathouse for two at-bats in Brownsburg’s opener, he went 1-for-2 with a double and sac-fly.  He's an athletic middle-infielder who provided a positive early season look.  Greathouse got the start at SS after playing there everyday as a freshman. He has confident defensive actions with quick feet and a solid arm across. The swing is handsy and simple with present twitch from the right-side. A more contact oriented approach from Greathouse who looks to have a big sophomore season for the Bulldogs. Good follow in the 2028 class.

+ Aidan Toler, 2028, OF, Jeffersonville: Toler went 2-for-3 against Center Grove, with both hits being to his pull side. The athletic left-handed hitter, now listed at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds with added strength, starts from a wider, balanced stance, working through a subtle load into the back leg with a controlled move forward. The swing is short and direct with some length through extension. A more line-drive, gap-to-gap approach. Toler has shown well in multiple looks over the past couple years.