Prep Baseball Report

Max Clark Holiday Slugfest : Scout Notes


Cooper Trinkle
Indiana Scouting Director

We were able to team up with Max Clark to round up some of the top hitters in the state of Indiana, creating an event where players competed in simulated games to show off their abilities in the batters' box. In total, there were 27 high school players at the event currently committed to Division I programs, along with several nationally ranked sophomores, and nearly a dozen current professional/college players competing alongside. Read along as I unpack my notes from this event, focusing on the high school talent in attendance.


🌟Impact 8🌟

8 bats that made the biggest positive impact

Isaiah Snavely SS / R Nelson Snider High School, IN / 2027

+ "Isaiah Snavely" - I kept hearing it over and over throughout the event. Between high praises from older players, to scouts/evaluators asking "who is that kid?" - the name was buzzy. Recently elevating himself on our board and within the national rankings, Snavely really looks the part of a high-end prospect with a wiry, 6-foot-2, 180 pound frame. His hand speed stands out and allows his left-handed swing to work on-plane throughout, getting to a "Griffey-esque" full finish on occasion. I love the way he is able to ride out the back hip as he makes his forward move, allowing for adjustability within the swing. His exit velocities peaked at 99.7 mph and he was able to work from gap-to-gap, getting his "A swing" off while maintaining good direction. Snavely's stock is rising fast and if this weekend's performance was any indication, it isn't slowing down anytime soon. 

JD Stein SS / Carmel High School, IN / 2025

+ Stein showed off the most accurate barrel of any prospect, in my opinion. Every time he stepped to the plate, it seemed as though he produced a firm liner to the back of the cage, or a well-spun liner to his pull-side gap. I love the pace of the operation, making an athletic forward move with a synced-up loading pattern. He turns high with his hands & the lower half works in a super efficient manner. Stein's barrel accuracy, combined with above average impact, allows him to be one of the best hitters in the state. 

*Stein produced a peak exit velocity of 99.8 mph at this event. 

Mason Barth SS / Andrean , IN / 2025

+ We only recorded peak exit velocities, though if averages were kept, I believe Barth would've had the highest average exit velocity of any HS prospect at this event. Simply put - everything he hit, he hit hard. The Notre Dame recruit provided a more athletic looking body than I have seen of his recently, while still showing the same short, accurate stroke that we have seen traditionally. Barth peaked at 105 mph with a direct hand path that allowed him to backspin the baseball routinely. Barth presently has one of, if not the highest, hit tool grade of any '25 grad in the state. 

Grady Nelson OF / 1B / Warsaw Community High School, IN / 2027

+ Nelson, for his age, was the best power bat at the event. His 6-foot-4, physical build made it hard to believe he was one of the younger prospects in attendance, same with his exit velocity that peaked at 104 mph. I love the combination of simplicity and explosive strength within his swing, producing triple digit exit velocities with repeatable patterns and accurate hands. His swing is geared towards line drive, backspun contact from gap-to-gap, though he showed flashes of easy pull-side lift throughout the day. His box presence and profile reminds me of one of my favorite hitters in the '26 class, Dominic Santarelli of Wisconsin, though I think Nelson is bigger, and may end up more athletic than Santarelli with similar run-producing traits. 

Dylan Bowen SS / Hanover Central, IN / 2026

+ While some hitters got out of their approach with the hype surrounding this event and all eyes on them - Bowen did not. Bowen casually stepped to the plate and delivered barrel-after-barrel with the lowest perceived effort level of any hitter at the event. Bowen still peaked at 102 mph, showing impact even with an easy effort swing, and I loved how he was able to attack the inside-top of the baseball to create consistent line drive ball flight - with tons of accuracy. From the handful of 2026-2028 grads in attendance - Bowen was the best overall hitter at the event. 

Cal Gates OF / Bedford North Lawrence, IN / 2025

+ Another '25 hitter that has a long standing reputation of performing - Gates showed off his usual barrel accuracy at this event, a trait that makes him one of the best in-game hitters in Indiana's 2025 class. I love the way Gates is able to coil into his back hip, uncoiling with a controlled aggression that allows him to impact the baseball at an above average clip. The Indiana recruit reached a peak exit velocity of 102 mph, with a shorter hand path that optimizes hard contact. 

Noah Drake OF / Castle High School, IN / 2025

+ There is serious electricity in the way that Drake delivers the barrel. Another Indiana recruit in attendance, Noah creates tons of bat speed with lightning quick hands that produced an exit velocity peaking at 104 mph. The swing has been simplfied since the fall, with similiar moves done in a smaller fashion than we have seen traditionally. 

Desmond Francis OF / SS / Park Tudor, IN / 2026

+ Francis has made adjustments to his swing since the fall that paid dividends for him at this event. His hands are higher than I have traditionally seen, allowing for better attack angles as his barrel enters the hitting zone. Dez, a Notre Dame recruit, still offers the same twitch at go that helped him have a breakout 2024, but is now creating better ball flights to the middle of the field and his pull-side, which should allow his extra-base hit totals to shoot up next spring, especially considering he appears to have gained strength. 

🌟Prospect Look🌟

Sean Dunlap C / OF / Crown Point, IN / 2026

+ Out of all the high school prospects at this event, Dunlap created the most bat speed, easily. Simply put - the Tennessee recruit can flat out move the baseball bat. Dunlap showed off big pull-side strength with exit velocities peaking at 105 mph, though there is still room for mechanical/direction refinements that will allow him to create even more energy into the baseball. Regardless, there is a real chance Dunlap develops usable game power that will only further enhance his stock, considering the immense bat speed he creates.

Peyton Dickens OF / RHP / Whiteland Community, IN / 2025

+ Dickens was a huge winner from this event, helping his team to win the simulated tournament and creating some buzz around his name. It is a professional-looking frame at 6-foot-6, 180 pounds and he has swapped his traditional wide-stanced approach for a more athletic forward move. These changes appear to pay dividends, as he showed the ability to leverage the ball in the air to his pull-side with exit velocities reaching 101 mph. As strength gains are made big power could be developed to his lengthy, athletic frame.

Jake Winger 3B / McCutcheon, IN / 2026

+ The professional-looking, 6-foot-5, 215 pound frame really stands out with Winger. There is real juice beginning to blossom, peaking at 103 mph at this event. He worked from right-center to centerfield with an upward path that works behind the ball. He is very athletic for his size with significant room for strength gains to still be made, making it easy to bet on big power potential in the long run.

 

 

Peyton Gray SS / RHP / Hertige Hills , IN / 2026

+ Athlete - Gray showed up and competed at this event in the morning, having to depart early to play in his basketball game that night, where he hit the game-winning three. All of this after just helping his football team to a state championship as a wide receiver. Those athletic traits were shown in the box, where the 6-foot-3 right-handed hitter showed a simple stroke that played with leverage and exit velocities reaching 99 mph. Gray has continued to polish with maturity and has a chance to make even more jumps. 

Wyatt Pennington RHP / SS / Avon, IN / 2025

+ Pennington brought a controlled violence to the box with a tall and fall stride that is athletic and adjustable. The Evansville recruit can really rotate, indicative of his 105.8 mph exit velocity, and the 92 mph fastball he has shown from the mound. His hands/arms remain loose throughout the swing and works behind the ball with exceptional natural sequencing. Looks to ambush to the front of the hitting zone, does not get cheated. Exceptional overall mover with a chance to elevate on the mound and at the plate. 


🌟Super Sophomores🌟

Sebastian Wilson OF / RHP / Lane Tech, IL / 2027

+ "Sushi" - Illinois' No. 1 ranked player in the '27 class, showed off a smooth, well-paced left-handed stroke with easy barrel strength throughout the day. Already verbaled to Tennessee, it was easy to see why he is one of the top ranked prospects in his class nationally, reaching a peak exit velocity of 101 mph. I really like how he is able to decel his body as his front foot gets into the ground, allowing him to work behind the ball as his barrel whips through the hitting zone. His hands are exceptionally quick and he showed the ability to damage to multiple parts of the field. 

Drake McClurg OF / Center Grove High School, IN / 2027

+ McClurg, for his age, was likely the best athlete in attendance, and is really beginning to turn physical. Though he does he best work with his elite foot speed on the diamond, with a recorded 6.5 60-time, he still stood out at this event nonetheless. The Indiana recruit is a silky mover, creating rotational strength and bat speed with minimal effort. He reached a peak exit velocity of 99 mph with a well-sequenced swing and direct hand path that creates jump off the barrel. With the body trends, I think it is reasonable to project he could end up being similiar to Dante Nori, recent 2024 draft out of Michigan. 

Liam Delp SS / CF / Mooresville, IN / 2027

+ Delp is seriously trending in the right direction, about 15 pounds heavier than we saw him at the Midwest Super Sophomore Games in August, and his right-handed bat is loudening in a hurry. Delp may have been the twitchiest mover of the day as just a sophomore, reaching a peak exit velocity of 99.9 mph. The hand speed, along with his ability to turn on a dime, allows for much more jump than his undersized frame suggests. Delp will be a really interesting follow in 2025 as he continues to gain strength because he is one of the better runners, and defenders, that this class has to offer. 

Mason Meyer 3B / OF / Mt Vernon, IN / 2027

+ Meyer has one of my favorite swings in the class. Short-levered and super efficient, Meyer is developing into strength, peaking at 101 mph, that enhances one of the classes' more accurate barrels. The forward move is athletic and under control, allowing for adjustability. I love how his hands set, making it easy for him to turn a whippy, on-plane barrel. Meyer reminded me of Mason Barth at the same age in some ways, making it easy to predict that he will remain amongst the classes' best bats moving forward, especially with the aforementioned mechanical advantages he has in the swing. 

Carson Leuthauser C / 3B / Eureka, MO / 2027

+ I have been following Carson on the travel circuit the past couple of years and I really like what he brings as a player. He is a hard-nosed, quiet, confident kid that can really hit - reminds me of Hogan Denny at the age in a lot of ways. I really like the simplicity of his moves and his ability to adjust his load when needed - consistently on time.  Leuthauser is the top ranked '27 backstop out of Missouri and showed off his usual loose, accurate swing that produced a peak exit velocity of 102 mph. 

Lincoln Hoffman OF / Westfield, IN / 2027

+ Hoffman was another '27 bat I was super impressed with. He is in more of an athletic looking stance versus the fall, bringing a bit more impact, but still showing the same efficient barrel turn. He showed adjustability and barrel control, staying sound with firm liners up the middle while also showing the ability to open up to the pull-side. Hoffman reached a peak exit of 99 mph - clear breakout candidate for 2025 with a chance to further solidify himself as one of the best hitters in the class. 

Jackson Harris C / 1B / Carmel High School, IN / 2027

+ Harris showed off a silky left handed stroke with exits reaching 95 mph. The L/R Catcher profile and 6'1 athletic frame paired with budding offensive abilities makes Harris a priority follow in 2025. Very good mover with a handsy approach to the ball. 


Committed Standouts

Lannon Nicoloff SS / William Henry Harrison High School, IN / 2026

+ Appearing more physical than I have seen of him before, Nicoloff impressed me with his barrel accuracy and louder impact than I have seen previously. Reaching a peak exit velocity of 103 mph on his best ball, what stuck in my mind more was the consistent mid-90s line drives he peppered through the middle, one of the more accurate barrels of the 26-28 grads in attendance. 

Calen Schembra OF / 1B / Center Grove High School, IN / 2025

+ Easy, controlled mover with really solid hand eye. Schembra boasts a knack for the barrel that allowed him to shine in 2024. At this event, he showed budding strength with exits north of 100 mph, allowing his hand eye to play with impact. A "late-bloomer" that continues to trend right - could be a breakout candidate for another loaded CG roster looking to make a run in 2025.  

Beckett Suh SS / RHP / University, IN / 2026

+ Suh showcased the same silky left-handed stroke that made him famous at this years' Prep Baseball Future Games. It is a short, energetic swing that works behind a firm lead leg to whip the barrel through the hitting zone. Suh showed off his ability to lift the ball to his pull-side with a max distance of 389'.

Aidan Creasbaum 3B / Hanover Central High School, IN / 2026

+ Big fall performer, was the best position guy at our Fall State Games from the 2026 class. Creasbaum showed off the same offensive abilities with innate feel to lift the ball to his pull-side, reaching a 102 mph exit velocity. Barrel works on an upward path, very good strength in the lower half. 

Matt Drozlek 1B / RHP / Westfield, IN / 2025

+ Looks more and more athletic with maturity - all of 6-foot-6. He is able to get into the ground with his lower body allowing for loud exit velocities, peaking at 100-plus and a max distance of 400-plus feet. I really liked the way he moved, more direct bat path with heavy barrel. 


Uncommitted '26 Names to Know

Ian Taylor OF / OF / Guerin Catholic , IN / 2026

+ Ian Taylor can flat out rotate, producing big bat speed with an adjustable move and well above average impact (104 mph). The right-handed hitter sets up in a strong base before a bigger leg kick stride that he shows good control of. The hands turn high with a flatter barrel coming through the zone with heaviness to it. Uncommitted for now, Taylor should be a priority watch for recruiters next spring in need of a '26 bat.

Reed Robinson C / OF / New Prairie, IN / 2026

+ The bat really plays - it is an efficient, repeatable move into the baseball that combines with a deep barrel turn and plenty of bat speed. He did his best work to the pull-side with exit velocities reaching over 102 mph. 

Liam Smith 3B / OF / Bloomington North, IN / 2026

+ The 6-foot-4, 190 pound frame is athletic, physical, and projectable and when coupled with exits reaching 104.8 mph, Smith is one of the more interesting uncommitted prospects in the state. He looked the part amongst a talented crowd, and brings above average foot speed and arm strength to the table, along with some intriguing whippyness to the barrel that may bring big power numbers in the spring. 

Gavin Jackson 3B / 1B / Our Lady of Providence, IN / 2026

+ Showcased much of the same bat strength we've grown accustomed to seeing with exits peaking at 102.5 mph. Standing at 6-foot, 200 pounds, he had a more-athletic looking build than I have seen previously. I love the way he is able to store energy in the lower half, swings a heavy barrel with a direct hand path. 

Caden Matusak SS / RHP / crown point high school in, IN / 2026

Uncommitted '26 that showed well. Long-levered, wiry, 6-foot-3, 190 pound frame stands out. Uses a tall and fall lower half with direct hand path, flashes gap power with exits up to 99 mph. Interesting profile when coupled with a 90 mph arm across the diamond. Could be a breakout candidate next spring, priority follow.