Prep Baseball Report

Indiana State Games: 14U-16U Scout Blog


Indiana Scouting Staff

A running Scout Blog from the Indiana State Games taking place in Bloomington, IN June 6-9. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more...

16U

AKADEMA EXPOS 16U

Ian Scott, RHP, Plainfield HS, 2021
6/6/19: Lanky 6-foot-5, 185 pound frame with plenty of room to fill out. Short arm action, ¾ slot. Average arm speed, fairly clean. Fastball ranged from 75-78, topping out at 79. The arm works and with added strength and more intent on the mound should see a significant velocity increase. Threw a lot of strikes in his 5IP allowing just three hits, one walk, one run while striking out six.

Tommy O’Connor, LHP, Mooresville HS, 2021
6/7/19: Cincinnati commit stands 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and is a presence when standing on the hill. The lefty is big and strong with a strong lower half that is used well to generate an 82-86 fastball with some run action. Curveball was not great today and thrown with a bit of a stiff wrist but keep hitters off balance 74-76. Probably will develop into an effective slider and we saw better this winter. Throws from a quick ¾ arm angle with average balance and normal effort. Some rhythm and a decent finish. Still very raw mechanically but there is a lot to like. A high follow over the summer and the next two years.

 

INDIANA BULLS 16U

Cole Elkins, LHP, Concordia Lutheran, 2021
6/6/19: 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, 78-81 FB, topping out at 82-83.  Loopy 67-69 CB. Long arm swing, average arm speed. CG, 6H, 2R, 0ER, 1BB, 9K.

Bryce Martens, RHP, John Adams HS, 2021
6/7/19: 5-foot-11, 160 pound RHP was 84-87 and showed good stamina. High ¾ quick loose arm with some balance and regular effort. Shoulders up through the delivery with a square landing. Falls off 1B side a bit. Breaking ball had slight late break with 11/5 shape and thrown with FB arm speed for strikes 73-76. Flattened out and elevated later in the game.  

JD Rogers, OF, Carmel HS, 2021

6/7/19: 5-foot-9, 180 pound high intensity player. Outfield showed decent range and read on balls to both sides. Plays with obvious passion. Popped up in the INF and was 4.26 down the line on the turn. Was standing on second when the 3B caught the ball. At the plate starts wide with a slight stride. Likely will be a gap-gap line drive hitter with plus speed that can stretch doubles.

Braxton Wilson, SS/RHP, Martinsville HS, 2021
6/7/19: Stands about 6-foot-2, 170 pounds with a high waistline and athleticism on the mound. Big high leg kick and a long loose arm generates a fastball 82-83 with more probably in the tank. Arm looks quick. Figures to be a MIF at the next level, but could develop into an effective arm with a bump in velocity as he fills out. Was the DH on the day with several level line drive type swings.

 

INDIANA ELITE 16U

Jose Guzman, RHP, Ben Davis HS, 2021
6/7/19: Cincinnati commit stands 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and pitches with good pace and confidence. Righty throws out of a high ¾ slot with a short arm swing and regular effort. Shoulders uphill in the slide. Lands square and in line. Fastball tends up with a heavy, riding path to the plate but can be erratic at times. Thrown at 87-89 topping out at 91. Curveball is slow at 66-68 with gradual action as the arm slows. Slider is thrown more firm with more depth. Mechanically very raw but can be cleaned up. A thrower at the moment who could see big time gains with increased understanding and pitchability.

 

Garrett Harker, MIF, Lebanon HS, 2021

6/6-7/19: Cincinnati commit. 5-foot-11, 180 pounder. Thursday sat 85-87, with a mid-70’s breaking ball. Arm speed is quick, simple, repeatable delivery. Offensivley, Harker has the ability to spray line drives to either side of the infield and stretch extra bases regularly. Level swing plane, average to above average bat speed, and some swagger. Defensively is clean with a good arm and the ability to throw from a couple different angles.

INDIANA MUSTANGS 16U

Jay Dill, RHP, The Baylor School (TN), 2021
6/6/19: Projectable 6-foot-4, 212 pound right-hander pitches from a high 3/4 slot with good angle on fastball. Fastball was up to 91, sitting 87-89 in the first; settled in at 84-86, bumping 88-89 on occasion. Compliments the fastball with a 76-79 mph slider. Slider has the makings of a potential out pitch. Uncommitted. 6IP, 9H, 7R, 4ER, 3BB, 10K.

Cam Jordan, OF, Carmel HS, 2021
6/7/19: Advanced athlete who shows the ability to stay in CF throughout his career. The RHH got down the line on an INF groundout at 4.15 with some hesitation half way down. Twitchy and aggressive runner took second and third in the first inning. Has range in the OF including balls hit deep over his head. Defensive arm is unknown, but looks to have some carry. At the plate sets up tall and athletic. Hands drop a bit but finishes high. Would like to see more leverage. Average to slightly above average bat speed that will produce doubles and triples in the gap. Jordan may be one of the top OF prospects in the state in the 2021 class. If he hits, the talent is undeniable.

Luke Leverton, RHP, Seton Catholic HS, 2021

6/7/19: Workhorse frame with a strong lower half takes the mound at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds. The states No. 24 overall prospect in the 2021 class, Leverton used a heavily favored fastball that had some run action at 82-85. Was able to fill up the zone in the first two innings before losing a bit of command as the game progressed. Breaking ball had some difficulty staying consistent but it may be a good pitch down the road. ¾ quick arm with good balance and effort. Some rhythm in the delivery, but lost it a bit towards the end of his day. Lands square with an upright finish.

 

INDIANA NITRO 16U GOLD

Nick Fry, LHP/1B, Benton Central HS, 2021
6/7/19: 6-foot-2, 190 pound day two starter with an average pitcher frame. High ¾ delivery with average arm speed and regular effort. Fastball was 75-77 throughout with slight action and thrown for strikes. Breaking ball had 1/7 shape with gradual break and thrown at near fastball arm speed 64-67. Did have some command issues during the game but delivery was consistent and repeatable.

 

Jackson Micheels, 1B/RHP, Carmel HS, 2021
6/7/19: Tall 6-foot-5, 220 pound offensive player with a big swing and power potential. Strong lower half with upward swing plane that could translate into homerun power when the barrel finds the ball. Does not run well enough to stretch too many doubles, but factors to be a first basemen with size and swing.

Hayden Enas, RHP/OF, Lawrence North HS, 2021
6/7/19: Very athletic 6-foot-2, 190 pound righty with a quick arm and some projectable velocity. Hayden came on in relief and looked the part. Quick arm, good balance, and an easy deliver from the stretch that is a repeatable drop and drive type. Fastball comes from a loose ¾ slot and was 83-85 that touched 86 and 87 in the first frame. Showed the ability to throw strikes consistently to both sides of the plate. Was able to elevate fastball effectively. Velocity held 82-83 through the next three innings of work. Looked hesitant to throw the slider, but when he did it was 74-78 with some flashy sharp break. This pitch could develop into a swing and miss pitch. Unsure if the future is starting or out of the bullpen, but showed enough today to be an intriguing pitcher to watch the rest of the summer.

IRONMEN 16U

Bryce Franklin, SS/RHP, South Ripley HS, 2021
6/6/19: Projectable 6-foot-3, 165 pound frame with room to fill out. Long, loose high ¾ arm action. Showed a velocity increase since the last time we saw him back in February. Sat 84-85 with a 71-74 mph breaking ball, 11/5 shape with depth. Athletic prospect should continue to be a strong follow throughout the summer.

Brandon Juarez, RHP, Evansville Christian HS, 2022
6/6/19: Physical 6-foot-1, 185 pound frame. Long high ¾ arm action with above average arm speed. Ran his fastball up to 86 twice, sitting 84-85 in his first inning of work, settled in at 82-84. Breaking ball started off at 67-70, with gradual shape; started throwing it harder at 74 which had better shape with more depth. 

Gavin Knust, LHP/OF, Forest Park HS, 2021
6/7/19: 6-foot, 175 pound strong upper-bodied frame with some projectability and athleticism. Easy effort on the mound from a high ¾ slot and average arm speed. Good balance with some rhythm that can get choppy at times. Had some velocity in the first inning with the fastball sitting 80-82 with slight run/sink action. Curveball was 64-66 with gradual 1/7 shape.

 

Evan Waggoner, C/1B, Bedford North Lawrence HS, 2021
6/7/19: Backstop stands 6-foot-2, 180 pounds with an athletic, lean frame that shows some size projection. Behind the plate has above average receiving ability with a flexible setup and quick lateral movement. Pop times between innings were 2.05-2.15 with room for additional arm strength as the body continues to develop.

LEGENDS SUN DEVILS 16U

Andrew Snider, RHP, Charlestown HS, 2020
6/6/19: 5-foot-10, 175 pounds righty pitches form a short high ¾ arm action with some arm speed. Fastball sat 82-84, T-85 throughout his four innings of work. Threw his breaking ball at 75-78, flashing depth with tight spin. Able to throw the breaking ball for strikes and swing & miss. 4IP, 7H, 0BB, 7K

Will Koger, RHP, Bardstown HS (KY), 2021
6/7/19: University of Louisville commit. High level pitching prospect from the Commonwealth of Kentucky got the start against a good hitting Indiana Bulls Black team and held the team to just four hits. The lean righty has a lot of room for physical development which should increase already solid velocity numbers. On the mound the 6-foot-2, 170 pound righty has a quick high ¾ swing with good balance and effort. Smooth through the delivery lands in line and athletic. Got off the mound well. Fastball was down and hard to RHH’s 87-90 in the first and 87-88 in the third and fourth. Breaking ball had some tilt with near FB arm speed and thrown for strikes at 75-77. Straight change could use some fade and consistency. Was thrown 73-75. Should be more velocity to come for the young arm.

MIDWEST CANES 16U

Chris Gallagher, SS/RHP, Cathedral HS, 2021
6/7/19: True submarine delivery reliever with an effective two pitch mix from the right side. Gallagher is a two-way player but may find a future on the mound with an extremely deceptive release point and more velocity than one would expect. We saw it over the winter and it was interesting then. The velocity has ticked up a notch. Fastball was 79-81 with heavy sink riding in on the knees of RHHs. Gallagher was able to control this pitch well and used it often in on the hands of hitters. The slider showed some tilt in warmup and with decent action in game. This is a pitch that could continue to improve, but does have frisbee movement at times which can be hit. It is not often we write about side arm deliveries that actually work, but this does and could be a path for the player.

 

Gabe Wright, OF, Brebeuf HS, 2020
6/6/19: 5-foot-9, 165 pounds, ultra athletic with twitch. Simple approach at the plate with bat speed. Doubled to leadoff the game for the Canes, athletic runner on the bases and in the field. Looks the like the arm continues to get better as he threw out a runner at 3B from CF on a line with carry. One of the top uncommitted 2020 prospects in the area.

Josh Pyne, IF/RHP, Linton Stockton HS, 2021
6/7/19: Indiana commit. Athletic infielder type with a strong arm. On the mound the righty showed some slight run action on an 85-89 MPH fastball that has been up to 91 in the past. Some control issues today and would like to see him challenge hitters in more often. Missed outside a lot. Breaking ball has a chance to be above average, but still needs to be crafted. Quick ¾ delivery with good balance and some effort. Shoulders stay level and lands square with an athletic finish.

 

15U

CANES MIDWEST 15U

Tucker Biven, SS, New Albany HS, 2022
6/6/19: Louisville Baseball commit. Strong frame. Present bat speed shows pull side power. Defensively plenty of arm strength. Soft hands. Footwork is only question mark. Arm and hands will keep him at SS. Foot speed could move him to third. Was up to 89 on the mound last week. Had two hits in first game.

Ty Rumsey, OF,  Evansville North, 2021

6/6/19: Rumsey is left handed hitting outfielder. Glides on the bases with a little bit of bounce. Ran a 4.25. Several 4.4s on turns and under a 4 on a drag bunt. Tendency to get under the ball. Hits with a high leg kick, and plenty of hand strength. Good pitch awareness, good setup. Defensively, average defender in center at the next level. Could easily see him being pushed into LF at the next level.

Ethan Lyke, LHP, Evansville Central 2021

6/6/19: Lyke is a high pitch ability left handed pitcher. Fastball velocity is 78-80 with arm side run. Had control on the outer third with fastball. Breaking ball was 65-70. When 70 it had depth. It was inconsistent because he’s young. Athleticism is good. He is a follow. Will add velocity with maturity.

INDIANA BULLS BLACK

Tyler Cerny, SS, Center Grove 2022
6/6/19: Smooth fielding infielder. Has a chance to be an above average defender at the next leve. Think he sats at SS at the next level. Line Drive approach. Lives in the middle of the field. One of the best available 2022 infielders. Went 2-4 with 2RBI in first game.

Parker Dean RHP, Western, 2022
Dean is a physical 6-4 RHP. Dean was consistently 80-82 topping out at 83. Dean shows physical tools with size and some athleticism.Dean showed control with his fastball to the gloveside. Parker struck out 11 in four innings, giving up 0 hits and walking one.

INDIANA BULLS WHITE

Solomon Williams, OF, Carmel HS, 2022
6/6/19: Fluid movements throughout. Glides in CF. Had 3 hard hit balls in Thursday’s games. Athletic setup in the box. On time with bat speed. First glance is Williams is an athletic player with bat speed that will be an interesting follow throughout the weekend.

INDIANA NITRO GOLD

Luke Willman C, Wapahani, 2022
6/6/19: Luke is a right handed hitting catcher. Willman is consistently on the barrel. He has an athletic setup with a simple compact swing. He starts open with slight leg trigger. Has shown a tendency with slower pitches to get around the baseball. Seen 4-5 games recently and he has consistently made hard contact. Hope to see him catch later this weekend. 

14U

MIDLAND WARHAWKS

Carter Sunderman, SS, Williamsburg HS (OH), 2023
6/8/19: Athletic middle infield type that currently has the arm to stay at SS in his age group. The athleticism and understanding of the game stands out first, but the defense is clean with some swagger. Arm is a longish ¾ with an easy exchange. Footwork is quick, fluid and inline. Made an advanced double play pivot and strong throw to first in the middle of the game. Looks like a two hole hitter at the plate but takes a high-risk/high-reward aggressive swing and approach that may favor as a six or seven hole guy. Athletic setup with a minor leg kick. Level swing with a high finish. Likes to swing the bat. Sunderman looks to maintain the athleticism and passionate approach to the game. SS worth a follow for his defense and projectable offense down the road.

Mason Steinker, RHP/3B, West Clermont HS (OH), 2022
6/8/19: Tall, leggy righty from Ohio picked up the Day 3 start and showed some pitchability after a slow and sloppy first inning. Steinker starts with a wide base and rocks into his delivery. Long, stiff ¾ delivery that will loosen over time. Had good balance and effort with level shoulders, the body stays in line through the finish. Fastball was thrown for strikes as he settled sitting 70-73 throughout the game. Pitch had slight run action but was thrown effectively at the knees to hitters on both sides of the plate. Finished the morning giving up no hits and striking out eight in just under five innings of work. Body should continue to develop with more length projected. Expect to see continued velocity gains, and would like to see a breaking ball develop.

Reagan Burch, OF, Blanchester HS (OH), 2022
6/8/19: Left handed leadoff hitter with some bat speed and lift that produced several hard hit balls on the day. Looks to be primarily a pull side guy. Starts square and tall with a confident approach. Two part swing and early departure but ball has some carry when he stays with the pitch. Good runner with a 4.0 drag bunt. Active in the field and on the bases, with improved arm strength can continue to patrol centerfield.

LEGENDS SUN DEVILS 2023

Luke Diekman, OF/RHP, Homeschool, 2022
6/8/19: Tall righty looks like he will continue to grow and should fill out an already athletic body. Good move to first which he used occasionally. Starts closed in the stretch. High ¾ arm that is stiff at times but comes through quick. Average balance and some effort in the delivery. Rhythm can get rushed. Level shoulders and finishes with good direction. Fastball was straight and up at 69-73. Like many 14U players there is a rawness that if cleaned up will produce more consistency in the zone and the potential for better velocity.

David Edwards, LHP/1B, New Washington HS, 2023
6/8/19: 5-foot-10, 160 pounds came on in relief and looked really good. The lefty pitches from a simply stretch with all movement in line towards the plate. Delivery speed was inconsistent which may have provided some disruption to the hitter, but also seemed to effect command from time to time. Short, high ¾ slot with some stiffness. Fastball sat 75-77 with slight ASR. Did not feature many breaking balls. Proved to have some swing and miss stuff striking out 10 in four innings.

INDIANA BULLS BLACK

Connor Schmiedlin, LHP, 2023
6/8/19: A lot of movement in the delivery. Lands closed. Short ¾ arm with average to above average arm speed. Good LHP move towards first, but could sell it with a pronounced lift. Fastball was 73-76 in the first and 71-75 in the next three innings. Straight at the moment but will probably have some ASR later. Gradual breaking ball with slider shape but throws with a stiff wrist currently. Breaking ball velocity 64-66. Schmiedlin is a raw talent that shows a quicker arm when throwing to first than he does when coming to the plate. That should change with time on the mound. A lot of arm in his throws now, but could be an above average SP if the bottom half starts to work.

Max Bond, C/MIF, Zionsville HS, 2023
6/8/19: Energetic backstop with a good catchers frame and strong accurate throws to second. Bond plays with a lot of interest in the game. Receives fine but will need to improve actions behind the plate to stay in the position. Between inning pop times of 2.21-2.25 with quick pivot and decent enough arm strength for the age. At the plate he employs a toe tap and longer stride to generate some surprising power for a player his size. Bat gets through fluid on an uphill plane. Standing just 5-foot-4 and 130 pounds, Bond showed some opposite field gap power. Not sure if he ends up behind the plate, but there is enough arm strength and ability to warrant a continued look.

Nick Pandoff, OF, Fort Wayne Northrop HS, 2023
6/8/19: Pandoff is a strong young hitter who will be one of the better power hitters in the state in the 2023 class. From a tall, narrow stance he has an explosive lower half with plenty of pull side power for his age.

Easton Moore, 2B, Zionsville HS, 2023
6/8/19: Smaller build but has good plate discipline, a well-balanced stance and some surprising twitch at the plate. Can produce the occasional pull side pop. Hands drop causing some fly outs. Needs to get stronger, but understands the game and can maintain at second base. In the field is able to move laterally and has a clean exchange.

Charlie Schebler, MIF, Oldenberg Academy, 2023
6/8/19: 6-foot 155 pound middle infielder was 4.45 to 4.6 home to first from the LHH batter’s box. Hits from an open start and short stride. Low swing finish produces some ground outs but has an easy average to above average bat speed with more to come.

INDIANA BULLS WHITE

Andrew Wiggins, OF/RHP, North Central HS, 2023
6/8/19: Advanced, strong athletic body stands 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. Center field currently but may move to a corner outfield spot. In the field shows some range with easy movement. Arm is a low ¾ that produces some unwanted tail on throws to the infield. Ball has some carry for the age. At the plate is where he produces. From the left hand batters box has explosive bat speed with current pull side power. Power potential is very much there. Very high follow in the 2023 class.

Reece Bellin, OF/C, Carmel HS, 2023

6/8/19: 

Alex Romack, MIF/RHP, Westfield HS, 2023
6/8/19: Wirey righty stands 5-foot-10 and about 125 pounds. Repeatable delivery from a high ¾ slot with average arm speed with good balance and effort. Some rhythm in the long delivery. Fastball was straight at 69-72 touching 73 a time or two and thrown for strikes. Showed some stamina and was able to stay on the mound. Raw mechanically but projection is there. Looks to have a starter’s future.

Bradyn Douglas, OF, Frankton HS, 2023
6/8/19: Compact outfielder barreled up a few balls and showcased some athleticism as a two-way player. Good runner was 4.68 down the line and 13.3 to third on a long triple down the right field line. Short, balanced swing with good bat speed for his size. Should continue to grow and may find himself hitting leadoff or in the two hole as he continues to develop.

INDIANA BULLS GREY

Christian Pownall, LHP/OF, Western HS, 2023
6/8/19: Two way athlete who could factor on the mound. Stands 5-foot-10 and a wirey strong 125 pounds. Delivery has some effort. Arm is high ¾ with above average quickness. Will get off balance with a slight back lean at the lift. Lands square and falls towards third. Fastball was straight and thrown 75-76 for most of the outing. At the plate has a toe drag that may throw timing off a bit. Balanced start with a bat that gets to extension. Average to above average bat speed that can hit liners to either gap. See him as a two-way player for the foreseeable future.

Kyuss Gargett, 2B, Pendleton Heights HS, 2023
6/8/19: 5-foot-6, 125 pound small bodied second basemen with above average defensive skill set at second base. Gargett figures to stay at second. Passionate team leader, Gargett was always in the game. Short ¾ arm with average arm speed and soft hands. Fluid footwork and a clean exchange, the middle infielder plays through the ball and works well around the bag. Switch hitter that hits fine from both sides. Young, but some strength needed to continue hitting line drives in the outfield. Open stance, high leg kick and average bat speed with a high finish. Was a 7.88 runner this winter. Infectious athlete with some follow projection.

IRONMEN PRIME 14U

Landon Tiesing, RHP/3B, New Albany HS, 2023
6/8/19: Lean frame, good athleticism on the mound. Two way player who has more projection on the mound at the moment. There he stands tall with a good base and quick rhythm that may be rushed. Uses a high leg kick and a high ¾ delivery with a stab in the back. Arm is quick and will produce more velocity as he gets stronger. Fastball was 73-75 touching 76 in the first inning. Curveball was used, but is not yet firm and can get rolly due to a slow arm. Would like to see him throw it with more esteem and did a few times later in the game. At the plate the RHH starts open with a body drop and a long stride that brings the front foot back parallel. Line drive swing with a good finish.

Bishop Letson, RHP/3B, Floyd Central HS, 2023
6/9/19: Lean two-way player has a strong arm across the diamond. Can get long requiring an extra unnecessary step. At the plate Letson starts open with good rhythm. Toe tap complicates the swing. Would like to see more tilt in the trigger. Level bat with average bat speed. Can produce line drives and medium depth gap shots at the moment. Will need to continue to get stronger and loosen up in the box. Has enough to continue playing 3B, but might transition to a corner outfield spot in the future.

Phillip Gill, OF, New Albany HS, 2023
6/9/19: Gill is listed as a OF with C/MIF backup, but is best suited as a rangy CF. Has a short, strong build and likes to run. Compact swing with line drive power. Leadoff hitter with 4.2 speed from the righty box. Starts open with a minor toe tap and short stride. Top hand wraps and the bat flattens. Likely more bat speed than currently using. Works opposite field a lot with a few pop outs.

INDIANA ELITE 14U

Ben Orrill, 3B/RHP, Madison HS, 2023
6/8/19: Orrill is a physical righty who should see time at 3B/1B and on the mound during his high school career. Delivery was both tall/fall and drop/drive in his five innings of work.  Average to above average quickness in a high ¾ arm that had a slight slab in the back. Generates most of his velocity from the upper body at the moment. Fastball had some ASR and was 72-75 T76 which held through the long outing.  Good curveball for 14U but stills misses the zone a bit which is to be expected. With some development and command could have some projectability.

Caden Tackett, 3B/RHP, Shelbyville HS, 2023
6/8/19: Uncommitted corner infielder with some pull side power and a large uphill swing. Good balance and decent lower half should only improve over the next few years. Projects to hit in the middle of the lineup at the high school level. At third has a clean glove exchange, some lateral movement and an arm that will play at 3B. Tackett went 2 for 3 with a big double to the LCF gap.

Gavin Haines, C/MIF, Lebanon HS, 2023
6/8/19: Young, defensive catcher with good receiving and a quick arm. Pop times between innings was 2.18-2.25 and an in game throw to second at 2.28. Still needs to refine parts of the swing, but at just 5-foot-2 and 110 pounds some will come with physical development. With room to grow unsure of what the defense will look like in the next year or two, but would like to see how the skills translate behind the plate.

INDIANA LANDSHARKS

Sam Russo, LHP/OF, Elkhart Central HS, 2023
6/8/19: Russo is a young left-handed pitcher. On the mound stands tall, balanced and with a good base. High ¾ slot with average arm speed and some stiffness. Lands closed, inline with an athletic finish. Looks to keep runners in check often. Fastball was 68-71 with some fade. Breaking ball is still developing. At the plate starts with high hands a smooth load and a short stride. Will need to add some strength and more bat tilt, but could project into as a good hitter.