Over 200 college coaches across all levels, along with a handful of professional scouts, 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. Earlier in the week, our staff went in-depth on uncommitted talent from the Hoosier State that performed throughout the weekend. Today, we shift our focus to the top prospects at the event - and there was no shortage of talent from this group.

 

Potential Prep Drafts 

Jayce Lee OF / Saint Joseph High School, IN / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 95 / POS: 17 The ceiling remains uncapped as Lee holds the highest upside of any ‘24 position player in the Hoosier State. The Notre Dame recruit continues to look more-and-more the part of a prep draft each time I get eyes on him, a graceful athlete with five-tool potential standing at 6-foot-4, 185 pounds. The frame should hold significantly more strength in the coming years, allowing for Lee to blossom into a future-power hitting outfielder with a rare combination of power and speed. Jayce walks with a confident swagger to the dish and turns a quick, uphill barrel. I was impressed with his ability to hit the ball with authority to all parts of the diamond this weekend against quality arms. Lee will represent Indiana at the inaugural PBR All American Game in Milwaukee on September 23rd.

 

 

 

Ethan Lund LHP / Hamilton Southeastern High School, IN / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 175 / POS: 23 Lund is easy to dream with a long-legged, 6-foot-5, 205 pound frame that looks the part of a future frontline starter. One of the premier uncommitted senior arms in the country - Lund is currently tabbed as the second-highest ranked uncommitted southpaw at the national level. Lund breezed through four perfect frames this weekend, overpowering hitters with a fastball at 87-90 mph. While the fastball is a quality pitch, Lund’s ability to spin a power breaking ball is what separates himself and draws interest from power programs and professional scouts alike. The breaking ball is a devastating offering, spinning in the 2700-2800 range at 77-81 mph and breaks with sweep & depth. Lund will flash a low-80s change on occasion, development of this pitch will sure up any question marks on Lund’s ability to be a starter long-term.

 

 

Nash Wagner RHP / Zionsville, IN / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 7 OverallRank: 475 / POS: 161 The 6-foot-5, 210 pound physical specimen toed the rubber with the intent to overpower the opposition, and he set the tone early by attacking with a bowling ball fastball that worked predominantly in the 90-92 mph range, touching 93 mph in the first. The Alabama recruit dominated a lineup full of Power 5 recruits, punching out 9 in 3 ⅔ innings without allowing a hit. The power-armed righty showed confidence in a late-breaking, 76-81 mph slider that he was able to get chase & swing-and-miss on, while also running it in on the hands to left-handed hitters. The fastball/slider combination was the go-to for Wagner on this day, however he also showed a bigger, low-70s curveball and a straight change at 84-86 mph. Wagner competed with fire and bullied the opposition from pitch one with his powerful arsenal.

 

 

Cameron Sullivan RHP / Mt Vernon, IN / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 134 / POS: 49 While Sullivan didn’t have his best stuff in this look, it's easy to see why the Notre Dame recruit is one of the more well-known draft prospects in the class. Sullivan came out ripping fastballs at 90-92 mph, however after a handful of glove-side misses, he turned to a low-to-mid 80s slider to get himself out of trouble. Sullivan possesses one of, if not the best, right-handed sliders in the class and he spun it with conviction at spin rates north of 2800. The slider breaks late with sharp sweep and generated one swing-and-miss after another throughout his three innings of work. His fastball settled into the 88-92 mph range, athleticism and arm speed stand out for the 6-foot-1, 180 pounder.

 

 

Next-in-line '25s

Parker Rhodes RHP / Greenfield Central, IN / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 229 / POS: 62 Rhodes provided an electric look at the Midwest Fall Championship and has solidified himself amongst the more premier arms in Indiana’s ‘25 class. The wiry, athletic 6-foot-1, 175 pounder attacked the zone in the first with a running fastball at 91-92 mph, settling into the outing at 88-92 mph. There is real whip in the arm and he accelerates to a ¾ release point. A Xavier recruit, Rhodes used a sweeping, 76-79 mph slider as an out-pitch; it shows the makings of a future-plus offering. The quick-armed righty also flashed the ability to subtract with a more sinker-esque fastball in the 87-89 mph range. With continued development, do not be surprised if Rhodes asserts himself as a potential prep draft arm as scouts shift their focus to ‘25s next summer following the 2024 MLB Draft.

 

 

JD Stein SS / Carmel, IN / 2025 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 227 / POS: 57 A consummate gamer that is always fun to watch, Stein bounced around the diamond with energy and had no problem standing out amongst older competition. Stein was all over the barrel in my looks this weekend, hitting out of a based-out stance with rhythm and an efficient lower-half. The simplicity allows his bat-to-ball skills to shine and despite his undersized frame, Stein was able to impact the baseball for multiple extra-base hits while swinging wood. The Louisville recruit has outstanding footwork on the dirt that allows him to float through the baseball and his infield arm (93 mph across the diamond) is second-to-none in terms of Indiana ‘25s.

 

 

 

Helium '24s

Reid Howard SS / Forest Park, IN / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 2 A Future Games standout from 2022 - Howard fits the mold of a ballplayer-type middle infielder that can just flat-out play the game. While his tools do not jump out as a big-time prospect, Howard’s play does. The Western Kentucky recruit takes care of the baseball with sure hands and fluid feet in the middle infield and consistently grinds-out AB’s in the right-handed batter’s box. The lanky, athletic 6-foot-1, 170 pounder had multiple loud barrels on Day 2 of Midwest Fall Championships and was one of the most impactful bats amongst a lineup full of talent.

 

 

 

Cole Decker OF / Evansville North, IN / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 334 / POS: 51 The Cincinnati recruit is a catalyst atop every lineup he hits in and showed his dynamic capabilities this weekend. Setting up in a relaxed setup with waggle in the hands from the left-side of the dish, Decker’s bat-to-ball prowess stands out along with quickness in his hands. Decker turned around multiple line drives to the middle of the diamond in my looks this weekend and I was impressed with his ability to work short to the baseball. The 5-foot-11, 180 pounder uses elite foot-speed (6.6 runner) to roam centerfield and apply pressure to the defense.

 

 

Brendin Oliver RHP / Mooresville High School, IN / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 11 Oliver provided one of the better outings I’ve seen of him in recent years on Day 2 of the Midwest Fall Championships. An athletic, 6-foot-3, 185 pounder - Oliver attacked the opposition with the ability to compete to both sides of the dish. The Cincinnati recruit was able to run & sink his fastball to his arm-side at 87-90 mph, working exclusively 89-90 early in the outing. The running fastball paired well with a sharp, 78-81 mph slider (spun up to 2770) that he was able to locate to his glove-side. There is still ample room for strength within the frame and Oliver looked the part of a potential-power sinker/slider guy on this night.