Uncommitted Senior Spotlight : 2026 Catchers
August 21, 2025
The fall nears, a vital 'last' look for recruiters before signing day comes in early November. The 2026 class currently has 71 committed players per our database, with 45 of those commitments being to Division I programs. This class is deep and there still remains plenty of quality talent on the board. Our 2026 rankings are due for an update at the end of this month and to tease the list before it comes out, here are the top 12 catchers that remain uncommitted in the order that they're set to update in. Stay tuned for similiar lists on other position groups to come...
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Riley Matlock C / Southport High School, IN / 2026+ (From 3/18/25) - A physical-framed, 6-foot backstop, Matlock's RH bat leads the profile with power potential evident in the upper-90s exits he produces. He works behind the ball and creates loft with an uphill path that is delivered by fast hands. A 6.9 runner - Matlock moves well behind the dish and is an above average receiver. His arm is up to 77 from the crouch, and he brings abv avg catch-and-throw, as well. + (From 17u National Championships) - Uncommitted. It was clear to see that Matlock was locked in at the dish from his first at-bat on Thursday afternoon. The uncommitted backstop would proceed to compile a monster performance for Canes Midwest National. On-base in all 5 plate appearances and would go 3-for-3 with a 2-run Home-Run (98 EV/ 358 Ft.), 2 singles, 2 runs, 2 RBI, and 2 BB. Matlock, a powder-keg of an athlete, stands a physical 5-foot-11, 200-pounds with immense strength throughout. Innate barrel feel stands out with easy bat speed through the zone and impact in the barrel to match. The RHH stays well leveraged through the zone with real strength in the lower half. Matlock shows a keen eye for the zone with excellent pitch recognition in an advanced all-fields approach to match. Loud tools litter the profile with plenty more to project upon for the incoming senior. |
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Max Shreiner C / Elkhart High School, IN / 2026+ Big riser from our spring update after leading 4A in homers for Elkhart. Physical framed backstop with athleticism and some arm strength. |
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Tristan Yerman C / Center Grove, IN / 2026+ From (3/18/25) - A showcase setting isn't necessarily where defense-first catchers standout, but Yerman put together a solid day in total with the bat strength taking a tick up compared to his results at the same event last year. It is an athletic operation in the right-handed box with a short, on-plane swing & exits at 95 mph. His catch-and-throw is solid with pops reaching 2.01 - but to get a full glimpse of his game you have to watch him receive in a real game. |
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Joel Tracy C / Center Grove, IN / 2026+ (From 2025 TPG) - I thought Tracy was the best defensive backstop at the event - he can flat out receive. Built like a fullback in a 5-foot-11, 190 pound frame, he receives with soft hands and strong wrists with a high motor present. His catch-and-throw is fueled more by glove-to-hand than it is arm strength, but the arm is above average (77 mph). Offensively, it is a rotational, short, occasionally steep, right-handed swing that plays with strength to the pull-side.
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David Pina C / Fishers High School, IN / 2026+ Advanced receiver with a smooth, rhythmic, right-handed swing. Above average thrower, as well. Strong, stocky frame. |
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Ryan Rodman C / Western High School, IN / 2026Committed to Eastern Illinois. + From (3/18/25) - Athletic backstop. Bat-first with athletic RH swing, rotates well. Has fast hands with on-plane swing that produced 99-plus exits, and averaged 92.5 throughout. Very solid catch-and-throw skills with an 81 mph arm from the crouch and pops into the 1.9s. 7.10 runner that could likely double as a corner OF to get the bat in the lineup. |
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Jake McCammon C / 1B / Bloomington South, IN / 2026+ (From 2025 TPG) - A 6-foot-3, 205 pound backstop with real projection to the frame. Some strength already present in the frame, took one of the most consistent batting practice rounds with exits peaking north of 98 mph on the top-end. Slight barrel tip to trigger, moves forward with some control, and torques the handle to produce an on-plane stroke that plays with above-average bat speed. Quality receiver with soft hands, above-average glove-to-hand with a 76 mph arm from the crouch. Trending very well with strength gains likely to further enhance the overall toolset. Strength over speed athlete. |
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Parker Osteen C / Hamilton Southeastern HS, IN / 2026+ (From 3/1/25) - Strong, stocky 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame. A switch-hitter with real power from both sides, Osteen’s barrel plays heavy and his strength shows consistently in the box — posting a 101 mph max exit velocity (91.3 avg) with a 383’ peak distance. He’s an average defender behind the dish with pop times ranging 2.04–2.19 and a 77 mph arm. A 7.33 runner, Osteen’s value is driven by his bat — a physical hitter who impacts the baseball with authority and could profile as a middle-of-the-order presence at the next level. |
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Matthew Berry C / 3B / Frankfort, IN / 2026+ (From 3/1/25) - Compact 5-foot-9, 155-pound frame and strong feel for the game on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he features a short, handsy swing with a stable lower half that keeps his head quiet, allowing his hand-eye coordination and barrel accuracy to shine. He posted a 94 mph max exit velocity (80.7 avg) with a 354’ peak distance, and his bat-to-ball skillset plays well in-game. Defensively, Berry stands out as a receiver with a quiet setup and sure hands. He shows a quick, clean transfer and a short, strong 79 mph arm behind the plate, leading to 2.00–2.13 pop times. Solid all-around catcher with a reliable toolset and advanced instincts. |
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Brayden Mahoney C / Franklin Central High School, IN / 2026+ Well-rounded player with a compact, 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame. Short, direct swing proved to be accurate with pull-side strength across multiple looks. Solid average receiving abilities pair with above average catch and throw skills.
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Mekyel Almond C / SS / McCutcheon , IN / 2026+ (From 3/1/25) - C/SS with an undersized 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame that packs compact strength and twitch. He hits from a balanced setup with a small hand waggle, and the barrel works on-plane with some length on the backside. There’s twitch and explosion at launch, flashing bat speed and generating a 94 mph max exit velocity (84.4 avg). Behind the plate, Almond is one of the top defenders in the class with an electric 85 mph arm from the crouch and advanced pop times in the 1.87–1.95 range. His quick transfer and arm strength stand out, and his receiving is clean with the tools to stick. Also a 7.05 runner |
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Gunner Alexander C / Gibson Southern, IN / 2026+ (From 2025 Spring Scout Blog) - + Defense-first backstop that possesses a big arm from behind the plate. Cut down a runner and made SB attempts closer than they should’ve been on a couple occasions. Bat speed is still developing but stocky frame could lead to power down the road.
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