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Preseason All-State: Underclass Bats

March 12, 2025
Cooper Trinkle
Scouting Director

This position group in the 2027 class is intriguing with some of the best top-end position talent we've had in a class starting to separate themselves. Those players are highlighted first & will likely be coveted recruits as we near August 1st. Another group is highlighted after, the Spring Follows, a group that myself, and college recruiters alike, need to get eyes on early & often this spring and summer. To conclude, fifteen more position players are highlighted in Quick Hit style after performing well at this event to boost their stock heading into the vital sophomore season. 

Find a similiar article that highlights the blossoming arm talent shown at this event, at this link. 

Find the full statistical analysis on the position players from our Underclass All-State, at this link. 

Top of the Class⭐

Position players pulling ahead of their peers

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

Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 69 / POS: 19

Tools & Frame: Athletic, 5-foot-11, 185 pounder with present twitch and some physicality. Plus runner (6.5) with future plus arm to carry with him to CF (93 now), where he is a premier defender. Average to a tick above bat strength (97-plus) and bat speed (70 mph avg) at the present moment, bat-to-ball skills are advanced and fits more of his style of play now. Switch-hitter profiles as a top of the order CF with above average power potential.

Summation: Drake is a special athlete that provides a mix of present tools with future upside and an ultra-competitive in-game player. His tools were on display at this event as the athletic, 5-foot-11, 185 pounder burned a 6.59 60-yard dash before he reached an event-best outfield velocity of 93 mph. The feet, arm, and glove are all tools present that can be bet on and he provides a silky look from both sides of the dish. McClurg is a switch-hitter with dynamic movement patterns - there is some loft to a pure, left-handed stroke with a bit more raw power while the right-handed swing is short & playable. The Indiana recruit & our only committed player in the class reached 97-plus off the bat with projections of above average power developing, which will only add to the dynamic skillset present. 

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

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 71 / POS: 19

Frame & Tools: 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, wiry with some physicality blossoming and room for more strength. Future plus runner (6.67), with plus raw arm strength (94 mph), present above average bat speed (75 mph), and above average bat strength (101 exit). Will stick on the dirt with a chance to blossom into a dynamic power/speed profile. 

Summation: Snavely keeps grabbing helium and turned in another off-the-charts performance at the All-State. The toolset jumps out at you now that he's starting to add strength and fill out his lengthy frame. Offensively the hands are electric and are his biggest present day strength, and he is developing power in his left-handed stroke that could end up being another tool for the 6-foot-3, 190 pounder when it is all said and done. On the dirt he has the hands and athleticism to stick there with the aforementioned loud raw arm strength allowing for left-side projections. There is an aggressive nature that Snavely brings to the game that plays the tools even higher on the diamond, and there is elite level upside as he continues to polish.  

Parker Robinson SS / Lake Central, IN / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 116 / POS: 31
Frame & Tools: 6-foot-4, 200 pounds w a still young-looking appearance. Arm is a future-plus, clean look across - up to 88 w carry & can use multiple slots. Feet have really elevated, now a 6.73 runner, with a chance for the tool to tick into a plus, too. Best tool may be the glove, super sure-handed w as good as a shot of anyone in the class to stay at SS long term. Bat has come along with added strength. Shows above average bat speed now with the frame allowing for future power projections, 97-plus off the bat at this event.
Summation: Robinson commands a presence with one of the more elite-looking frames at the event, and he pairs a quality toolset & real shot to stick at short with it. I am in on the defensive actions - he has feel & looks to play downhill while showing confidence with one-hand, and the arm really works across the diamond. Offensively, he continues to polish with a more-physical look and his handsy, upward stroke has middle-of-the-order potential as he adds more impact. Robinson continues to establish himself as a premier '27 SS in the Midwest & will look to help lead Lake Central back to Victory Field this spring before he gets put under the microscope of college recruiters this summer. 

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

Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 117 / POS: 28

Frame & Tools: 6-foot-4, 240 pound frame is more athletic than appears. Multi-sport kid with body control. Frame still has some immaturity to it, still produces 104-plus exits and could end up with 60-70 raw power when the body meets full maturation. He has present above average bat speed (75 mph) with easier intent & is a fine runner (7.19) with versatility to fit at 1B or a corner OF spot while holding a run-producers' profile. 

Summation: Nelson was the most impactful hitter of the entire weekend with special traits in the left-handed box. He is ultra-physical at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds with an average to better run time for the class now. He is just scratching the surface of his huge power potential with exits already reach 104-plus, an event-best for the Underclass portion. The swing is short, accurate, and he can use the entire field with a strong, grounded lower-half in the swing. The ball just comes off the bat different with this prospect & Nelson will be one of the more-coveted sluggers in the country once recruiting opens for this class on August 1st. 

Liam Delp SS / Mooresville, IN / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 248 / POS: 67

+ Frame & Tools : Athletic, 5-foot-10, 160 pounder packed w twitch. Toolset continues to elevate to louden a gamer profile. One of the best runners in the class, and it shows in-game, with the 60 time now entering plus territory as he turned in a 6.56 at this event. The glove is a tool & his feet are ultra quick - with the arm now elevating to 91 across the diamond. There is present bat-to-ball in the short, twitchy stroke with exits now reaching 98-plus with projections of at least a tick abv average power developing. 

+ Summation: Delp is an absolute gamer that continues to elevate his prospects status with tools beginning to blossom. The feet are some of the most impactful in the class & the bat adding strength this offseason is super encouraging. Delp offers a higher floor with the feet & glove - but the bat helps to separate him now that at least gap-power has been developed to pair with elite bat-to-ball for the age. He has a real shot to stick at short, and will easily stick up the middle, whether at SS, 2B, or patrolling CF. Regardless, this is a high-end athlete with 5 above average tools for the age, and a chance to develop 2-3 future-plus tools when it is all said and done with all tools projecting to be above averge. 

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

Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 1

+ Frame & Tools : Athletic, strong, 5-foot-10, 170 pounder. Best tool is the bat, short swing delivers a heavy barrel with 102-plus exits and present above average bat speed. There is tons of barrel feel with projections of future above average power feeling safe. The feet are a future tool, as well, as he turned in a 6.76 60, also showing the best force plate measures of the day with a 28" standing vert. Arm is an above average tool, 89 from the OF, and 82 from the crouch. He is a versatile defender with his best profile being as an offensive catcher, but the foot speed leaves a CF profile on the table. 

+ Summation: Guys who can really hit are at a premium and Meyer's bat continues to seperate him from his peers. I love the operation in the right-handed box & feel comfortable saying Mason was the best RH hitter at this event, and in the class. I've got a track record with him & have seen him hit premier arms to back that statement. He is a really good athlete for the frame, also a QB for his high school, and the plug-and-play defensive versatility should be an asset to him in the recruiting process. Aside from the physical tools - I am really in on the tough, hard-nosed makeup he brings to the table. 

Spring Follows

Priority position players for our staff to see this spring & summer

- Colin Axel-Adams, OF, Pendleton Heights : Axel-Adams is an intriguing left-handed hitter in the class. He sets up with a relaxed presence before a small, handsy tip and ambush forward move. When synced, the barrel comes through with some electricity and whip with 97-plus exits and feel to lift the ball pull-side. There is present twitch in the swing with a 6.81 60-time leaving power/speed upside. I need to see the forward move play this spring & determine if he stays in CF, but the present left-handed twitch & ability to get the ball in the air with projection left in the 6-foot, 170 pound athletic frame is what I like here. 

- Luke Brown, C, Evansville Memorial : I really like the upside in this projectable, 6-foot-4, 185 pound backstop from Evansville. He put together a solid round of batting practice with a handsy, upward stroke that is starting to polish and produced 95-plus exits while averaging 90 mph on balls in play. I think there is big power potential here but need to get more at-bats on him as he shows just average bat-to-ball in my looks & at this event. The arm plays with strength and carry at 81 mph and is his best present tool. Brown will be catching Matthew Fisher this spring - so I'll get plenty of at-bats on Brown while evaluating him catching a premier arm. If projections come to full fruition & more strength is added Brown has a chance to boom prior to Aug. 1. 

- Clark Bucher, OF, Hamilton Southeastern : Bucher is a pick-to-click amongst this group with a high-waisted, athletic, 6-foot-2, 180 pound look. He switch hits with a pure lefty stroke that has some natural lift to the path, while the right-handed swing works more short & flatter. He shows some bat speed with power projections as he fills out his frame & exits already at 96-plus. His arm is a solid tool (87) as is the run time (6.99). Walking away - Bucher was one of my favorites of the event & a bat I will see early and often this spring/summer. 

- Ben Canada, INF, Guerin Catholic : Canada is a bat I am super bulish on coming out of this event. He is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds with projection still left in the frame and a loose, whippy, left-handed stroke. There is some barrel feel with some bat speed & has a chance to grow into at least average to better power with present exits reaching 94-plus. He is sure-handed on the dirt with solid actions in total and I really like how the arm works across, up to 87 mph. He is a below-average runner for now, though the feet play quicker on the dirt, and likely gets faster with added strength/maturity. Huston Dunn offered several similiar traits at the age & is the current comp on Canada. 

- Logan Drake, INF, Castle : Drake is a bit of a gut-feel guy because the metrics don't really jump out. The exits are only into the low-90s with bat speed still developing as his wiry, 5-foot-11, 160 pound frame adds strength. He is an average runner (7.16) - but I really liked the left-handed swings he took. He's got a knack for the barrel & can cover the zone with feel to match plane. There is twitch & present launch quickness in the swing that is super intriguing. He posted a quality stat line at 4A Castle as a freshman and has hit each time I get eyes on. I need to get in-game evals this spring/summer to find his best future defensive position, but how the body/athleticism trends likely plays a large role in determining that, with added strength/speed likely paying massive dividends. 

- Grady Grant, SS/RHP, Center Grove : Grant was highlighted as a pitcher in our uncommitted arms article, but finds his name on this list with a real chance to play up the middle at the next level. He's 5-foot-11, 175 pounds with body control and an average run tool (7.14). He owns a short left-handed swing with developing bat speed that produced an exit up to 93.7 mph. He can really pick it with soft hands and real glove-to-hand, with a future-plus arm across that plays at 87 currently. He needs to develop more strength to add impact, but there is real MIF/RHP upside with a frame that is still growing. 

- Jackson Harris, C, Carmel : Harris returned after the fall with a more physical-looking, 6-foot-2, 190 pound frame that look the part of a high-end backstop w run-producer traits. He showed more control with the lower half in this look with his usual whippy left-handed swing offering more impact now with exits at 97-plus. His arm has now elevated into a promising tool, 83 from the crouch, & I need to get early evals on this and the receiving abilities this spring. Harris has a chance to really blossom prior to Aug. 1 with high-end traits & a frame that continues to develop. 

- Lincoln Hoffman, OF, Westfield : Hoffman offers a silky left-handed swing at the dish that produced upper-90s exits. He flashed bat speed with an on-plane barrel and repeatable moves. He works in the ground with barrel feel & I think he is one of the classes' best hitters. I was impressed with his foot speed taking a step up, now a 6.70 runner. I need to get early evals on Hoffman in the spring to see if it's' translated to his defense - if so, he starts to have a potential CF profile with the aforementioned offensive prowess. Hoffman has a chance to breakout offensively for Westfield this spring, and the run tool elevating reaffirms a promising prospect status. 

- Mark Neels, OF, Carmel : Neels offers a really interesting profile being 6-foot, 185 pounds, athletic, hitting from the left-side, and running an event-best 6.54 60-yard dash. The swing features a big hovering stride on the back leg with tight, pre-loaded arms. He flashes bat speed when synced but the forward move is inconsistent. There is present strength in the frame with room for more and his exits reached 94-plus. The foot speed is elite & the defensive skills need to be evaluated in game. If he can really play defense he offers a high floor look, while the bat has a chance to polish with further development.

- Jack Sorgi, OF, Tri-West : At times, Sorgi flashes immense tools and his athletic, 6-foot-4, 200 pound frame is equally, if not more impressive. He has a muscular build and ran a 6.83 60-yard dash while also showing arm strength with an 88 mph OF arm. Offensively, he sets up in a wider stance with a rythmic hand pump that he syncs inconsistently. There is some power developing with 97-plus exits & he shows solid bat speed within an aggresive, leveraged swing. There is some inconsistencies in the bat now that need to be followed thoroughly, because Sorgi is one of the best athletes in the class and he shows flashes of the high ceiling he holds. 

- Carter Strole, INF/RHP, Fishers : Strole is a physical, long-levered infielder with room for growth in the 6-foot-4, 195 pound frame. The swing features a quicker toe tap and barrel tip that, when synced, bring a heavy barrel through. The moves are bigger & need to be evaluated further in-game but the power potential is present along with solid bat speeds for the class. He is sure handed on the dirt with a left-side future, likely 3B the home as he adds mass, and he has the arm strength to do it. He has plenty of upside as a RHP, as well, pitching at 85-86 at this event with a loose-arm, casual intent bullpen. He throws fastball strikes, along with having feel for an upper-70s split & mid-70s slider.

Quick Hits

*event highlights embedded into the players' name if not shown*

+ This position player group goes pretty deep with several others standing out at this event. One position in particular that is deeper than we see traditionally in each class is the catcher position. Three backstops were highlighted above, but three more are worth noting, in C/OF Brayden Dean (Terre Haute North), SS/C Cam Gates (Bedford North Lawrence), and C Caden Hackett (Chesterton). Hackett saw time as a freshman for Chesterton, while his tools have continued to elevate during multiple looks this winter. There is some physicality to the 6-foot-1, 185 pound frame that helps produce 97-plus exits. The swing is short with a firm front leg & scissor-style lower half moves. Hackett reached 79 from the crouch with pops into the 1.9s with an above average run tool present (6.99). Gates is a versatile SS/C w arm strength and aggressive actions in total. His right-handed hacks play with some feel & aggression with exits reaching 93-plus from an athletic operation. The arm is an above average tool, working 87 across, and allowing for above-average catch and throw skills with an average run time showing now (7.15). Dean rounds this group out, and I am a big fan of the ultra-competitive, 5-foot-10, 165 pounder. He is an above average runner (6.88) with a short, playable, on-plane swing that produces line drive contact & exits near 94 mph. The arm is an above average tool, as well, 88 from the OF and 80 from the crouch to allow for present above-average catch-and-throw. The tools are trending in the right direction & I am all in on the hard-nosed, high-motor makeup, with upside in the fact that he is one of the youngest position players currently ranked in our Top 75. 

+ This class features an athletic group of primary shortstops & several were on display at this event, including SS Gio Ardizzone (Roncalli), SS Chase Nelson (Andrean), SS Kasen Jessup (Westfield), and SS Carsten Bland (Franklin). Bland is a reliable gamer with the actions playing above the toolset. He is undersized at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds with an average run-tool (7.05) and a short, playable right-handed swing that is geared towards high-contact. He can really catch the ball on the dirt with an 87 mph arm across the could keep him at short. Nelson offers a similiar, actions over tools profile. The 5-foot-8, 165 pound stocky MIF from the region offers the best bat of this group, swinging with aggression from the left-side with a knack for the barrel and exits over 94 mph. He continues to develop strength with future average to better power, but the bat-to-ball & ability to have an at-bat are the traits I like best here. He is fundamental on the dirt with solid arm strength, and has a developing run-tool (7.25).

- Jessup is a fun prospect with swagger and moxie + a twitchy, undersized, 5-foot-8, 165 pounder. He is another super young prospect for the class that allows for some upside. The bat is what I like best here. He turns the barrel with twitch and produces 98-plus exits with an on-plane barrel and natural feel to lift. There is present gap2gap power with a 6.80 60-time elevating the offensive profile. A primary SS for now, I think Jessup profiles best in CF, and he should be able to seamlessly transition to 2B as well with the range to cover ground in the middle. Ardizzone is a super interesting athlete that burned a 6.69 60 at this event. The feet are some of the best in the class and he has an above average offensive profile. The swing is short and athletic with twitch in a more linear operation. He is rangy up the middle, likely fitting best at 2B at the next level, but he has a chance to be offensive and continues to elevate himself as a prospect w linear development. 

+ Five more outfielders to highlight amongst the position player crowd includes: Shane Bardwell (Homestead), Brody Langhans (Crown Point), Ben Schaeffer (Mt. Vernon), Micah Toler (Heritage Hills), and Charles Ranek (University). Ranek has made big strides since his appearance at the Underclass Games last summer, specifically in his physical development. He brought a more physical-looking, 6-foot, 185 pound frame to the PAS that paid dividends for him with a 6.97 60-yard dash and 98-plus exits. There is some bat speed in the short, upward right-handed stroke with a fringy outfield arm (83 mph) to pair. Bardwell also brought a more-physical looking frame and continues to trend as one of the strongest hitters in the class. There is intriguing upside in the 5-foot-11, 190 pounders' profile. He hits from the left-side with exits reaching 99-plus and an above average run time to pair (6.86). The swing features a heavy, ambush-style forward move with the hands creating some stretch as they load to a lower launch. There is power potential in the operation, but the overall feel to hit needs to continue to polish.

- Toler is an upside OF from Southern Indiana with the look of a prospect. He holds a high-waisted, younger-looking, 6-foot, 165 pound frame with above average tools across the board. He turned in an above average run time with a 6.84, with the arm grading out at a tick above average (84 mph). The right-handed swing is longer-levered with a tighter barrel turn shown that matches plane. Toler holds at least average power projections when it is all said and done as he fills out his frame. Langhans was a push for us after the Fall State Games and continues to cement himself as an athlete to follow in the class. The feet are the best tool and leave a CF profile open with a 6.74 60-time shown from the strong, stocky, 6-foot, 180 pounder. The swing is launched from a tight, compact, lower handset and he turns the barrel on an upward plane with 94-plus exits. The arm is a non-tool now that needs refined, but he shows at least 2 above average tools for the class w a future-plus next to the feet. 

- Ben Schaeffer was a breakout at this event, following the trend of late-bloomers beginning to really shine. He is undersized and lean at 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, but his pure left-handed stroke packs a punch with exits over 97 and present above average bat speed. The swing works on-plane throughout with one of the cleaner paths in the class and he has a real chance to hit with further physical development. The arm and feet have elevated with maturity, as well, now 87 from the outfield with an above average run time to pair (6.93). 

+ Three more bats with profiles still in question, but traits to like undoubtedly, include: INF/OF Gideon Rice (Evansville North), SS/3B Eli Neuhouser (Fort Wayne Carroll), and 1B/OF Jaxson Cripe (Lapel). Rice looks the part with an athletic, high-waisted, 6-foot, 185 pound frame that is beginning to pack on strength. The feet are the best tool here (6.73 60) leading me to believe his best profile is in CF. He shows serviceable actions on the dirt, but his quick feet are his best trait, with the arm being a non-tool at this point. The right-handed swing is short and playable with a flatter path and twitch flashing. Neuhouser will be a close follow this spring with a massive frame that is more athletic than appears. He is country strong, and is all of 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. He is athletic for the frame with body comp improvements likely ticking the presenty 7.11 60-yard dash into the sub-7 range. I like him best on the dirt, with actions that hold upside to stick at short, but the frame likely outgrowing the position and stretching him to 3B, & his arm plays clean with enough strength to stay on the left-side. The swing is developing, a rotational, handsy operation with some strength present. He should be able to grow into at least average to better power when it is all said and done with further refinements in the box, but the large frame & the ability to catch the baseball is what I like best here. 

- Jaxson Cripe rounds out this group & he brought one of the more premier-looking frames to the event. Cripe is a multi-sport kid with a projectable, 6-foot-3, 205 pound frame that has at leasty 20 more pounds of strength to be added. He is a tick above average runner (7.00) with projectable bat strength in a handsy swing. He is a loose mover in everything he does, but there is still rawness to all parts of his game with the arm being a non-tool at this point. His development will be monitored closely with a frame (& the athleticism) to allow the tools to boom at some point.