Over 200 college coaches across all levels flocked to Grand Park for the PBR Tournaments - Midwest Fall Championships this past weekend to see some of the top high school prospects in the Midwest, along with top junior colleges as the Puma Classic ran in conjunction with the high school event. While juco prospects and recruitable high school prospects were the priority for college coaches, our staff followed underclassmen from the Hoosier State to identify prospects that are next-in-line to be recruited. Today, we highlight ten underclassmen to follow in the 2026 & 2027 classes.

By: Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Lead Scout

Coaches searching for an impact bat in the ‘26 class need to prioritize looks at OF/C Rob Czarniecki (Chesterton HS) next summer as the muscular, 6-foot-2, 195 pounder delivers barrel-after-barrel each time I get eyes on him. Czarniecki has some rhythm in the box and connects the bat to his back shoulder to deliver a heavy barrel on a level plane through the hitting zone. Above average straight-line speed (6.90 runner) adds excitement to the offensive profile and instincts on the base-paths show up between the lines. Czarniecki offers an interesting defensive profile - a primary catcher with arm strength that also has the athleticism to roam the outfield. 

 

Each time I see ‘26 LHP Beckett Doane (Noblesville HS) I become more-and-more of a fan. The long-levered, 6-foot-5 southpaw provides all kinds of deception with his high leg kick lift and low ¾ slot that comes from the far left-side of the rubber - attacking hitters from an offset look. Doane is able to repeat a full arm circle that allows him to compete in the strike-zone and his 82-85 mph fastball gets on top of hitters due to his out-front release point. Doane shows a sweeping, mid-70s slider that he can back-foot to RHHs and freeze LHHs with, and he also commands a 75-77 mph splitter to allow for starter upside. Beckett teased coaches at this year’s PBR Future Games and will be one of the premier uncommitted arms coming out of the Hoosier State as August 1st approaches next year.

 

‘26 2-way Colt Dehart (Indian Creek HS) competes with a quiet confidence in all that he does on the diamond and provides a unique profile as a quality right-handed arm and a potential middle-of-the-order bat. A left-handed hitter with a presence in the box, standing at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Colt flashed his power-potential this weekend by miss-hitting a triple to the LCF gap that easily jumped off the barrel at nearly 90 mph. Dehart’s upside as a right-handed arm is immense - toeing the rubber this weekend and showing the easiest mid-80s fastball (T 85 mph) I saw of an up-and-coming arm this weekend. Dehart repeats the delivery and floods the zone with a three-pitch mix, fading a mid-70s changeup and spinning a get-me-over breaking ball at 71-75 mph. A true two-way guy with athleticism and immense upside, expect Dehart to be a hot-name on the circuit next summer. 

 

 

 

I loved what I saw from ‘26 RHP Kellen Thomson (Center Grove HS) in an early morning look this weekend and he has the traits to become a big-time prospect as coaches begin to identify ‘26 grads. A 6-foot-4, 190 pound strike-thrower - Thomson did nothing but fill the zone in my look, racking up nine strikeouts in four innings of work with just one base-on-balls. The projectable right-hander runs his fastball at 82-84 mph while spinning a firm, 74-77 mph slider that induced chase. His ability to spin a firm slider, with effortless arm speed, suggests a velocity jump is sure-to-come in the near future. Thomson flashes a mid-70s changeup, a potential quality offering, that allows for starter projections.

 

 

I wrote briefly about ‘27 2-way Jaylen Wells-Henderson after last week’s performance at the Bullpen Fall Classic, but the 6-foot-3, 165 pound athlete confirmed his two-way abilities this weekend. Last week, Wells-Henderson shined with an easy, 81-84 mph fastball and immense upside in the overall operation on the mound. Jaylen impressed with the bat earlier this summer - posting some of the loudest raw exit velocities we’ve seen in Indiana’s ‘27 class at 93.5 mph, showing obvious power potential. Affirming that power potential, Wells-Henderson blasted a grand slam with wood this week - a tall task for a ‘27 prospect. The raw athleticism in this prospect is special as he is also an advanced runner (6.83 60) and even though it is too early to tell - Wells-Henderson flashes five-tool potential to match his sky-high upside as a right-handed arm. 

 

 

‘27 SS/CF Liam Delp (Mooresville HS) provided impact foot-speed for Team Indiana’s Championship-winning Junior Future Games squad in August and the tool showed up again at this weekend’s Midwest Fall Championship. The foot-quickness Delp possesses stands out compared to his class and shows up on the base-paths & defensively. While Delp is undersized at this point, he shows tons of quick-twitch that will allow for offensive impact as he matures & he projects to turn into a catalyst-type bat at the top of the order.

 

By: Conner Madding, Indiana Operations/Multimedia

 

‘26 1B/OF Blake Cope (Zionsville HS) was my favorite ‘26 bat this weekend. Playing up against older competition, Cope did not look out of place, if anything - Cope was one of the more physical bats on every diamond he walked on. The strong, 6-foot-2, 190 pound left-handed hitter has a physical frame that allows him to swing a very heavy barrel. Cope starts in a wide stance with a controlled load of the hands - getting to a strong position to launch at heel strike. The Zionsville left-handed hitter showed encouraging improvements in his swing compared to looks in the summer with more fluidity in the overall operation. Despite the physical frame - Cope is a very good runner for the class, turning in a 6.83 60-time this summer. 

 

 

‘26 3B Gavin Jackson (Providence HS) is one of the best pure hitters in the 2026 class and showed that once again at the Midwest Fall Championships. A standout performer at the Indiana Underclass Games this summer, Jackson was on the barrel in my looks this weekend. A strong, 5-foot-11, 190 pounder that turns a tight, uphill barrel - Gavin generates advanced bat speed for the class with lower-perceived effort in the swing. The Providence third-basemen is a consistent in-game performer that consistently impresses our staff.

 

 

‘26 RHP Jackson Trueblood (Trinity Lutheran HS) provided an upside look this weekend. There is plenty to like with the projectable, 6-foot-3, 175 pounder. Trueblood uses a long, loose arm swing with a slight cross-fire delivery to attack opposing hitters. Trueblood showed improvements with his overall command in this look, an encouraging sign for the young right-hander with raw arm talent. The Trinity Lutheran product worked the fastball in the low 80’s (T84) with some life and also showed a sharp 69-72 mph curveball that flashes out-pitch potential. Trueblood is just scratching the surface of his overall potential and we will keep close tabs on his development. 

 

‘26 3B Bennett Hartford (Penn HS) had some loud at-bats in a late-night look on Day 1 of Midwest Fall Championships. A strong, 6-foot-1, 185 third basemen - Hartford starts in a balanced stance with a controlled load of the hands. Hartford is able to produce bat speed in the swing and has an athletic, high leg kick stride. The swing works slightly uphill with some strength in the barrel. The Penn product also showed some fluid actions defensively. Hartford is a ‘26 prospect that I am excited to see some more of.