Rankings Update : Indiana's 2026 Class
March 27, 2024
Our third update during this rankings week comes for the 2026 class, the current sophomores. This class is loaded with national-level talent at the top of the list, with depth that continues to grow. Our 2026 class is a very talented one - and this update comes with a few shifts near the top. The top three remain the same with RHP Hudson Devaughan (Mooresville) at #1, SS Dylan Bowen (Hanover Central) at #2, and Aiden Smith (Shelbyville) at #3. We start to see some shifts after that, read along to learn about risers near the top of the class within this update.
Find the full list, expanded to 175, HERE.
Risers in the Top-25
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Kobe Cherry RHP / Center Grove, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 3
A 2023 Future Gamer - Cherry had one of the most impressive showings of any sophomore at the Preseason All-State, looking the part of a real next-level power arm. A massive, 6-foot-4, 230 pounder that generates all-kinds of ground force and power, Cherry holds Power 5 football offers, speaking volumes to the overall athlete that he is. Cherry produced a 92-93 mph fastball that worked downhill from an over-the-top slot, showing above average carry (16.4" avg IVB). There is fairly easy effort in the delivery, allowing for control of the zone. Kobe showed two different breaking balls, both working at 75-77 mph, with the slider behind ahead of the curveball at this time. His ability to spin two potential-plus offspeed offerings that tunnel off of a powerful fastball creates an uncomfortable at-bat for opposing hitters, and his frame + pitch-ability suggest long-term, in-game success. Kobe will be a prized recruit on the baseball diamond when August 1st hits.
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Beckett Doane LHP / Noblesville, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 1
Doane has added noticeable strength to his frame since competing at the Future Games as an underclassman in 2023. Now standing at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds - Doane showed a major tick in velocity that was ahead of schedule, now showing a fastball at 88-90 mph. Doane shows control of five distinct pitches, adding a sinker over the offseason that worked at 87-88 mph with nearly 15" of arm-side break. I like Doane's splitter as his best offspeed offering at the moment, as the 6'5" southpaw is able to kill spin on the 77-78 mph pitch, and it shows arm-side fade. Doane has firmed up his slider, now throwing it 79-83 mph, and also spinning a 75-78 mph curveball to provide multiple looks with spin. Beckett moves down the slope with a controlled aggression, and his full arm swing works to a deceptive, low 3/4 slot. The ceiling is one of the highest in the class and Beckett will be a hot-name on the summer circuit amongst recruiters.
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Colt DeHart OF / Indian Creek, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 1
Dehart holds significant upside in his 6-foot-2, 185 pound frame full-of lean strength. The bat is becoming more impactful - reaching a peak exit velocity of 96.2 mph at the All-State - and he produced high exit velocities with a low-effort swing, a trait of a future-power bat. The swing works with easy flick to optimize accuracy, and a good run tool (6.85 60) adds another layer to the profile. The arm is a tool, as well, and Dehart holds two-way upside (up to 87 mph on the bump w/ command). There is ample room for strength to be added to his projectable frame, and the run-producer's profile that he holds should garner the attention of recruiters as August 1st nears.
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Rob Czarniecki OF / Chesterton, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 2
Czarniecki has already built a reputation as one of the best game hitters in the class and continues to show well each time we see him. A muscular, 6-foot-2, 195 pounder - the toolset is one of the loudest in the class as well, holding 4 tool upside. The swing works direct with innate accuracy and the ability to leverage. There is significant barrel strength (99 mph exit velocity) that allows the ball to jump off the barrel, especially when combined with the fact that he posted some of the best bat speed numbers of the event. A 6.71 60 time adds excitement to the offensive profile, and Czarniecki profiles as a true power / speed threat the college level. The arm is a tool, as well, as the physical outfielder reached 89 mph from the outfield at the Preseason All-State.
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Kellen Thomson RHP / Center Grove, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 6
Thomson owns an athletic, projectable, 6-foot-4, 195 pound frame paired with some of the best command in the class. Kellen sat 87-88, T 89 mph on his fastball at the All-State, an encouraging tick up compared to looks in the fall. His sinker worked with 17.4" of horizontal break, on average, and pairs very well with his ability to 'pull-the-string' on an 80-81 mph changeup, a pitch that will be a real weapon against left-handed hitters. The slider is an above average offering, spinning at 75-77 mph with late bite. We prioritize starter profiles within our rankings and Thomson certaintly fits that mold with his frame, athleticism, command, and a well-rounded four-pitch mix.
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Jake Winger 3B / RHP / McCutcheon High School, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 2
Winger looks the part of a real prospect and has added significant strength to his 6-foot-3, 210 pound frame over the offseason. I love the mechanical adjustments that Winger has made this offseason - toning down his high leg kick to a now controlled, toe-tap stride. This allows Winger to be on-time with his forward move more consistently, and this showed with 60% of his swings coming off the bat at 90 mph or better during his batting practice round at the All-State. Winger turns the barrel on an ideal path, working on-plane early before the barrel works on a slightly uphill path through the hitting zone. A 7.04 runner - Winger's exit velocities peaked at 97.3 mph and he holds upside as a real power threat. WInger also provided an upside look on the mound, running his fastball up to 88 mph with easy-effort arm action that suggests even more velocity is in the tank.
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Jeremy Lowrey RHP / Harrison (West Lafayette), IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 9
Lowrey is the biggest riser in this update - and he was one of my favorite sophomore arms of the Preseason All-State weekend. A high-waisted, 6-foot-2, 180 pounder that is still maturing, Lowrey tossed a low-intent bullpen where he showed command of three-pitches, along with a running fastball that worked at 86-88, touching 89 mph. His changeup is a real weapon, thrown with fastball arm speed and showing late fading action at 78-79 mph. To round out a future-starter's mix, Lowrey spun a slurvey breaking ball at 75-77 mph. Lowrey lived in the zone during his bullpen, showing a controlled pace and easy effort within a clean arm swing that will certaintly bring a backstop of recruiters to his starts this summer.
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Eli Sinsabaugh SS / Cathedral, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 20 / POS: 3
Sinsabaugh is a real 80 grade runner, who turned in a 6.25 60 at the Preseason All-State, and actually ran twice for good measure with both times coming in at a sub-6.30. We've seen his feet impact the game in a major way during gameplay, and should see much of the same during his sophomore campaign. Sinsabaugh is a real weapon on the basepaths and his foot quickness translates to range in the middle of the infield. The feet carry him in the infield, where he shows real bounce in the feet to go along with a quick, twitchy exchange. The bat is becoming more impactful, reaching a peak exit velocity of 90.9 mph, and Sinsabaugh has added rhythm and athleticism to the swing compared to looks last season. The arm is a solid tool, as well, reaching 88 mph across the infield. One of the twitchiest movers I've seen in my time with Prep Baseball - the feet are game-changing and Sinsabaugh profiles as a table-setting MIF/CF at the collegiate level.
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Desmond Francis SS / OF / Park Tudor, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 4
Francis has really elevated his game and finds himself amongst the top uncommitted bats in the class. An ultra-athletic, twitchy, 5-foot-9, 160 pound MIF/CF - Francis has added strength over the offseason translating to more impact at the dish, posting one of the top exit velocities of any sophomore at the Preseason All-State (99.8 mph), while averaging over 90 mph throughout his batting practice round. Francis uses a hover-type stride, paired with a compact hand load, before turning the barrel on an upward plane. The run tool has never been in question, but Francis turned in one of the top 60 times in the class with his 6.40 60. His feet are extremely impactful, and he is a glider-type runner underway. Francis is a middle of the diamond defender that can play in the middle of the infield and in centerfield, and his arm strength (85 INF) is an above average tool, as well.
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Matthew Cook RHP / Hanover Central , IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 23 / POS: 11
Another uncommitted arm that showed a significant tick in velocity this offseason was Matthew Cook. It was only a matter of time before the 6-foot-3, 190 pounder made this jump, as we saw him have in-game success in multiple looks during his freshman campaign. Cook's fastball now works at 85-87 mph, flashing ride/run properties with significant arm-side run (16" avg horizontal), from a low 3/4 slot (3'9" release height). The slot creates deception, and his 80-82 mph changeup gives a fastball look out of the hand. Cook gets to the glove-side with a sweeping, 75-77 mph slider. Another starter profile, there is easy intent in the way that Cook moves and an outlier arm slot allows the stuff to play up.
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Notable Uncommitted Risers to Follow
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Gavin Lykins RHP / Plainfield, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 27 / POS: 12
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Lannon Nicoloff SS / Harrison , IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 28 / POS: 5
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Francisco Javier Martinez Uscanga RHP / Columbus North High School, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 29 / POS: 13
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Eric McAtee RHP / Center Grove High School , IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 31 / POS: 15
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Tanner Post OF / LHP / ILLIANA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 33 / POS: 5
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Gavin Jackson 3B / Our Lady of Providence, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 35 / POS: 3
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Gabe Garcia OF / Westfield, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 38 / POS: 6
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Brogan Hanna RHP / Bloomington High School North, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 39 / POS: 18
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Collin Marcum RHP / Bloomington High School South, IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 40 / POS: 19
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Jacob Morris RHP / SS / New Palestine , IN / 2026Rankings StateRank: 44 / POS: 21
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