Uncommitted Spotlight: 2026 Shortstops

Caden Matusak SS / RHP / Crown Point / 2026

From (3/18/25)

Profile - 6-foot-3, 195 pound left-side infielder with younger look & projection left. 18.2 @ '26 draft. Really intriguing toolset is as follows: 95 mph arm across, 104-plus exits, & 6.87 60-yard dash. Present abv avg bat speed (74 mph avg). Upside on the mound, as well, the arm is the best tool presently with several to dream on. Actions - Offense: Starts tall w heavy backshift load as stiffer arms hold angles as the knob climbs slightly to counter a heavy forward move. Linear operation w fast hands delivering a vertical bat. Present strength with more to come. Defense: Fluid actions. Feet play on-time with the catch, soft glove actions with quality glove-to-hand. Real shot to stick at short. Arm is a plus - short, loose, and quick. Summation: Matusak was the biggest winner of the event and will see a significant rise in our next rankings update. RC's should be planning trips to go see Matusak this spring and the tools & frame are that of a pro follow moving forward. The forward move in the swing is big and needs to be evaluated further in-game, but you bet on the athlete to make that adjustment especially considering the present abv avg bat speed that likely ticks further with maturation. He can really catch the baseball and the arm is a plus tool to set a safe floor on the dirt, with the arm leaving intriguing upside on the bump...

 From (4/15/25)

+ I was able to get a look at Matusak in a relief stint on Friday night, I was eager to see him in a game setting after seeing him in a bullpen a month ago at the Powerhouse ProCase. A primary SS with loud tools and his arm being the best one, Matusak is just beginning to put more time into pitching. The 6-foot-3, 195 pounder hopped on the bump versus McCutcheon and offered an ultra-intriguing look. He worked the fastball to both sides of the plate at 90-91 mph, touching 92 one time. He landed a short, 78-80 mph slider for strikes and flashed a mid 70s curveball with some depth. The junior lifts to a moderate balance point before an athletic move down the slope and a clean, fast arm follows behind. The Crown Point product punched two of the four batters he faced and allowed one hit. The arm talent and athleticism stood out most for the uncommitted junior. The delivery and overall feel to pitch is still developing as Caden has only pitched a hand full of times this year which only adds to the intrigue.

Karson Smith SS / 2B / ST THEODORE GUERIN / 2026

From (3/18/25)

Profile: Athletic, 6-foot, 170 pounder. Toolset has elevated with 6.60 60-yard dash being his best tool at the moment aside from the glove, though followed closely by the 91 infield arm shown at the All-State. He has the footspeed, actions, and arm strength to profile as a next-level shortstop. The right-handed bat works with present above average bat speed (74 mph) and his exit peaked at 100 mph. There is at least average raw power developed, along with some barrel feel with fast, accurate hands. Actions - Offense: Starts in taller, athletic stance w barrel set perpendicular to shoulder plane. Subtle sink as barrel lifts to counter a small stride. Loose swing plane works short & on-top with line drive ball flights through the middle. Balanced & athletic throughout. Defense: Plays fast. Attacks with aggressive feet & fundamental actions to pair. Soft hands w very good glove2hand. Loose, whippy arm works from multiple slots with future plus strength. Summation: Smith added quality strength to an athletic frame this offseason & it paid serious dividends at this event with one of the louder overall toolsets of any infielder in the class. He has a real shot to stick at short & that is what I have always liked him for. There is an aggressive but confident nature he takes to the middle infield and the arm ticking up reaffirms those projections. The strength has paid off most within the offensive profile. The used-to-be light bat has developed present average power now with above average projections seeming safe. There is hand-eye and zone control in my track record on this prospect that will be elevated by a now plus run time, and as even more strength gets added to the still-lean frame.

Trey Deckman SS / RHP / Columbia City / 2026

From (4/25/25)

Deckman is one of the more projectable uncommitted prospects I've seen this spring with an athletic, lean, 6-foot-3, 170 pound frame that has plenty of room to continue to evolve. He is high-waisted as can be and got the start at short in this look - showing athletic actions with plenty of arm strength across. Offensively, he sets up in a tall, athletic stance and hits from balance at heel-strike with a handsy, level swing. There is some hints of impact offensively that more strength will likely bring out. He brought a super interesting look to the bump to finish this game, sitting 85-87 and touching 88 with an athletic, natural delivery. He showed a low-70s breaking ball that is in the development stages - but I walk away bullish with projecting what he could be on the mound based upon the arm action, athleticism, and frame. 

Jerron Miles SS / Silver Creek High School, IN / 2026

From (4/15/25)

 + The 6-foot-3, 185 pound athlete showed good actions during I/O at SS with a loose arm that played with carry across. He DH’d in this look hitting out of the Silver Creek three hole, didn’t do any real damage but reached base via BB. Very projectable body and can dream about power potential. High follow. 

Nathan Sutherlin SS / RHP / Greencastle, IN / 2026

From (3/18/25)

Sutherlin is an interesting uncommited infielder with a premier, 6-foot-3, 190 pound frame. He uses a big leg kick stride and counters with a handsy, barrel-tip load. He matches plane w above average strength and exits peaking at 96-plus. He moves well for his size evident in the 6.99 60-yard dash that he turned in. On the dirt, he profiles as a 3B/2B with sure-handed glove actions and an 88 mph arm across.

Nolan Ratcliff SS / 2B / Guerin Catholic, IN / 2026

From (3/18/25)

Profile - 5-foot-9, 165 pound twitchy, athletic frame. Event-best 60-yard dash, 6.45, sets a safer floor with present plus run tool. S/R. Much more impactful from natural (RH) side with exits up to 98 there, 91 off the bat from the left-side. 72 mph avg bat speed is a tick abv avg. 88 infield arm is an abv avg raw tool. Profiles best as 2B/CF. Actions - Offense: (RH) - Starts balanced w slight pre-coil and active hand load. Short leg lift stride w minimal forward move. Twitchy, rotational swing. (LH) - Starts tall w high hands & slight pre-coil. Leg lifts into short stride. Torso retracts to create handsy, uphill path. Defense: Feet are best infield attribute. Tremendous quickness forward & laterally. Presents glove late, glove pat for rhythm. Lengthy exchange, takes time to get into arm strength. Slingy 3/4 arm action. Summation: The feet are the best tool here and they play in-game with plus H-1st times taken last summer. The twitch shows up all over the diamond. The right-handed swing works w present twitch, the arm is twitchy, and the aforementioned feet. The left-handed swing is still a work in progress but if it can get ironed out the feet really play from that box to apply pressure. He can really cover ground in the middle of the diamond though the actions are raw with effort present to suggest his future home ends up in either CF or at 2B, where he has the arm strength to turn the double play.

Levi Lester 2B / SS / Barr Reeve Middle/High School, IN / 2026

From (3/19/25)

+ I was really impressed with my first look at '26 MIF Levi Lester (Barr-Reeve). He feels like a throwback prospect in some ways, a legion kid who has shined for the 2024 1A State Champions in his first two varsity springs, including a 1A All-State selection as a SS in his sophomore campaign. He showed well in batting practice with a short, simple, repeatable left-handed stroke that features very little movement throughout. The swing is geared towards LD contact with exit reaching 102-plus. He is a fringy runner with a broad-shouldered, 6-foot, 190 lb frame and average arm strength in total. His actions on the dirt are strong and the glove is his next-best tool behind the left-handed bat.

Nate Millington SS / OF / Terre Haute North Vigo High School, IN / 2026

Vince Painter SS / RHP / Brownsburg, IN / 2026

From (10/19/24)

+ There are plenty of traits to like with '26 SS Vince Painter (Brownsburg). A wiry athlete beginning to pack muscle onto a 6-foot-1, 170 pound frame - Painter showed off some twitch in his right-handed swing with a direct path. He is able to leverage the ball pull-side with some strength, reaching a peak exit velocity of 95.3 mph. He is a solid runner underway (6.87) with enough arm strength to be a college left-side defender. The infield actions are solid, as well. There is a pretty solid track record of in-game success that adds to a toolset that is beginning to louden. He also hopped on the mound to provide a 3/4 sinker/slider look, pitching at 83-84 with arm-side run and two above average secondaries.

Brooks Carroll SS / 2B / North, IN / 2026

From (5/9/25)

+ Carroll was all over the barrel in my look and has added noticeable strength to his 5-foot-8 frame coming out of the offseason. His feet and hands really work and he showed a quick release and average arm strength in I/O. Offensively, he starts tall before an early hip coil and slight hinge that gets him into a repeatable spot to time the baseball. He turns a tight barrel that produced hard contact through the middle in all four trips on this night, and I have seen him hit premier velocity in the past that further validates the hit tool. It is an actions over tools profile that gets elevated with instincts, and he is turning in better run times this spring, as well. Carroll is also one of the youngest SS on our '26 board, another trait to suggest further development. Overall, the actions, instincts, motor, and big league bloodlines are what I value most in Carroll's game and that combination establishes a safe floor moving forward. 

Tyler Hughes 2B / OF / Zionsville Community High School, IN / 2026

Dennis (DJ) Malloy SS / RHP / Valparaiso, IN / 2026

From (3/01/25)

Malloy is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound SS/RHP and true gamer with a well-rounded profile. He’s a glove-first defender with athletic, confident actions and an 86 mph arm across the diamond. Offensively, Malloy’s short, athletic swing shows sneaky juice and feel to hit — recording a 95 mph max exit velocity and averaging 82.7 mph off the bat. On the mound, he’s a strike-thrower with a fastball up to 86 mph and a tight, feel-for spin slider that pairs well with a changeup and curveball. Malloy plays with energy and polish, and his two-way versatility makes him an interesting follow in the class.

Kye Jacobs SS / OF / Clinton Prairie / 2026

From (3/20/25)

+ Kye Jacobs, SS/OF/RHP, Clinton Prairie: An undersized athlete with a wide range of skills that can be summed up best in one word - Ballplayer. He is a really solid runner, into the 6.6s and he turned in a 6.75 at this event. The arm is a solid tool, into the upper-80s across the diamond, 90 from the outfield, and up to 87 on the mound with a twitcy, athletic operation shown there. He is a versatile defender with sure-handed glove actions to fit an up-the-middle profile. The bat continues to develop, up to 97-plus off the bat with a short, handsy stroke from the right-side. He shows some switch hit feel, but the left-side is still in the development stages.

Victor Villegas SS / RHP / Lake Central, IN / 2026

From (3/01/25)

Victor Villegas is a 2026 SS with advanced defensive ability and a lean, wiry 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame that should benefit from added strength. He plays with excellent tempo and body control, showing efficient feet, soft hands, and the ability to make plays on the move. His loose, clean arm (up to 86 mph) can operate from multiple slots. A 7.15 runner, Villegas swings it from the right side with a loose, athletic operation and flashes of twitchy strength, peaking at 93 mph exit velocity. There's some impact in the bat, and as he fills out, his well-rounded game should continue trending up.

Aiden Phillips SS / 2B / Homestead Senior High School, IN / 2026

From (3/20/25)

+ Aiden Phillips, SS, Homestead: Homestead continues to churn out prospects and Phillips is the latest 'pop-up' to come from that program. It is a premier frame at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds with a solid set of tools including: a 101.1 mph exit velocity max, an 86 arm across the infield, and a 7.09 60-time. This swing is aggressive and rotational with pull-side intent and he averaged 90-plus throughout his round. The hands are soft on the infield with above average actions in total and he will be followed closely this spring for the #9 ranked Spartans.

Alex Jackson SS / OF / HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, IN / 2026

From (3/01/25)

Jackson is an uncommitted SS with a lean, wiry 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame and athletic projection still ahead. Offensively, the right-handed hitter starts from a taller stance and creates a dynamic move into the back hip, riding it with a heavier forward move. The barrel works on-plane as the front heel plants, producing a 95 mph max exit velocity (89.5 avg) and 324’ peak distance. Defensively, Jackson has the actions to stick on the dirt with smooth pace and sure hands, though he also showed capable in the outfield with matching 84 mph arm strength from both spots. A solid all-around follow with the chance to grow into impact tools as strength develops.

Jet Dutton SS / 2B / Andrean, IN / 2026

From (2/27/25)

'26 MIF Jet Dutton (Andrean) burned a 6.89 60-yard dash with acceleration out the gate to the tune of a 1.60 10-yard split. Offensively, he shows a quick, accurate, handsy stroke that reached exit at 95-plus. His foot quickness plays in the middle of the diamond with sure hands and an 83 mph arm across

Braden Brewer SS / 3B / New Albany Senior High School, IN / 2026

From (3/01/25)

Braden Brewer is a 2026 SS/3B with a long, loose 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame that projects well. He shows athletic feet and the ability to glove it on the dirt, profiling as a steady defender. Offensively, the right-handed hitter starts in a wider setup with a short hover stride and hits against a firm lead leg, producing a direct path through the zone. He posted a 94 mph max exit velocity and averaged 79.7, showing flashes of impact. The arm (79 mph) is currently fringy but playable. A 7.38 runner, Brewer’s wiry athleticism and frame make him a follow with future gains likely.

Reid Turner SS / 2B / Yorktown High School, IN / 2026

From (3/1/25)

A 2026 SS with advanced defensive actions and standout footwork that immediately catch the eye. The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder has soft hands, an instinctive first step, and a loose, athletic arm capable of throwing from multiple slots (up to 86 mph). At the plate, Turner profiles as a contact-first right-handed hitter with a short swing and light bat, peaking at 86 mph exit velocity. A 7.34 runner, Turner’s glove leads the way. 

Camden Novak SS / 2B / Lapel Sr High School, IN / 2026

From (3/01/25)

Camden Novak is a glove-first shortstop with outstanding hands and feet and instinctual feel on the dirt. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder has a short, linear swing geared toward contact and profiles as a top-of-the-order type bat. He reached a 91 mph max exit velocity with an 80.9 mph average and 270’ max distance. His 83 mph arm across the diamond pairs with his smooth, fundamental defensive skill set. An athletic mover, Novak posted a 7.17 60-yard dash and a 25.4” vertical.