As we close 2024 and set our sights on 2025 - our 2025 player rankings is due for an update. Although much of the list remains unchanged since our last update, we do have a few risers who performed well enough on the fall circuit to merit a bump. Along those lines, we highlight a crop of Hoosier State natives with draft buzz surrounding their name heading into the spring. 

Find the full list, with 50-plus division one college commits, HERE.

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Hoosier State Draft Analysis

Headliners

+ The race for No. 1 has been a back and forth affair between two arms from opposite ends of the state - RHP Matthew Fisher (Evansville Memorial) and LHP Caden Crowell (Valparaiso). In our final rendition of our draft board for this season, we give Fisher the slight edge as he holds the top spot heading into the spring. Crowell follows close behind at No. 2 - setting the stage for an exciting spring where both have the opportunity to catapult themselves into Day 1 contention. There is so much to like about both arms moving forward, both holding starters' tabs with athletic, low-effort deliveries, present stuff, and plenty of projection left. 

Buzzy Names

+ Though the top two names have established themselves in our eyes, four more prospects stood out in our looks, along with our talks with area scouts, as must-follow draft names heading into the spring. Those names are as followed : CF Brandon Logan, LHP Alex Barr, RHP Joshua Flores, and RHP Xavier Carrera. Logan has been a consistent name near the top of our board since the class rankings were initially posted, an uber-athletic, dual-sport commit to Notre Dame with game changing defensive abilities in CF to go along with a run-tool that is unmatched by his peers, and a mental makeup that we received raving reviews on from the East Coast Pro showcase.

Barr may be the "buzziest" name on the list, with reports of him reaching 95 mph this fall along with his off-speed offerings suring up. There are question marks in some areas for Barr, though I would not be surprised to see him wow scouts in the spring to push his name even further up the board.

Power right-handers are always prevelant in the Hoosier State from the prep-draft side, with Flores and Carrera fitting that mold in this class. Flores boasts a fastball up to 96 to pair with elite spin properties, while Carrera holds a professional-looking frame with premier athleticism to pair and a fastball that has reached 97 mph. 

Gamer Bats

+ Two of our favorite "gamers" appear next on the list, SS JD Stein and 1B/OF Mason Braun. Stein, a spark-plug type, has won over a majority of area guys with his high-end contact skills, sure-handed actions on the dirt that pairs with plus arm strength, along with his motor that doesn't stop. Stein has a real shot to stick at short in the long run that should only elevate a very consistent offensive profile. Braun hangs his hat on his abilities in the left-handed batters' box, as the LSU recruit shows some of the loudest bat speed in the class along with the most raw power, the traits he will look to show off to scouts this spring.

OF Cal Gates & SS Mason Barth also fit this category. Both strong, athletic bats that have built a reputation of performing while offering above average toolsets, as well. 

Darkhorse Candidates

+ Four more arms have the ability to seriously tick next spring to jump into draft consideration, and we will monitor their growth closely throughout the spring. The first two, RHP Parker Rhodes, and RHP Blane Metz, standout with fastballs that can reach up to 95 mph, with Rhodes' arm speed being his best attribute, while Metz has the frame of a real power arm with the present stuff to match.

LHP Will Coleman is one of my personal favorite arms in the class, a Kentucky recruit with plus command and an ever-improving arsenal that is headlined by a plus changeup and fastball up to 90 mph.

RHP Austin McNabb is another arm we will follow closely through the spring - an uber-projectable right-hander with outlier release metrics and arm action that can be bet on. 

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Unsigned Seniors

+ Our top 50 features seven seniors who have yet to make a commitment to play at the next level, find all seven highlighted below, with video and reports. 

Jaxon Sparks OF / LHP / Carroll Fort Wayne , IN / 2025 H/W : 6-foot-2, 220 pounds Measurables : 6.63 60, 92 OF Velocity, 100 mph exit velocity Quick Analysis : True two-way prospect with physical, broad-shouldered frame. On the mound, the southpaw commands a three pitch mix with a balanced delivery and short, compact arm action. His fastball works in the upper-80s consistently, though did touch 91 this spring, and both offspeed offerings are above average. Offensively, Sparks is a strong left-handed hitter with a flatter swing that creates consistent hard contact. He is a plus runner underway with enough arm strength to man RF at the collegiate level, though he has shown the ability to play all three outfield spots plus 1B. Video :

Joe Glander RHP / Noblesville, IN / 2025 H/W : 6-foot-2, 185 pounds Quick Analysis : Glander offers projectable arm action with a frame that holds room for strength gains. The arm is loose & whippy, producing a sinking fastball that plays in the 87-90 mph range. He throws a true sweeper in the low-80s, along with a low vert, high horizontal change that also plays in the low-80s. There is starter upside, though he has shown the ability to pitch out of the 'pen in leverage situations for Noblesville.  Video :

Lucas Collins LHP / Bishop Dwenger, IN / 2025 H/W : 6-foot, 180 pounds Quick Analysis : Collins is an athletic southpaw with his best attributes being his ability to move, along with his fast, uninterrupted arm action. He has reached 89 on a ride/run heater, consistently working in the upper-80s. During the 2024 fall, Collins showed a firm, 77-82 mph slider that plays with short, tight break. I like his changeup as his best secondary, a fading, mid-70s offering that he shows feel for.  Video :

Caiden Verrett C / Hanover Central High School, IN / 2025 H/W : 6-foot, 200 pounds Measurables : 6.74 60, 1.88-2.06 pops, 80 mph C velocity, 94.2 mph exit velocity Quick Analysis : A strong, explosive athlete that doubles as a football recruit as well. His compact, broad-shouldered frame is athletic and he is an above average receiver. Verrett's best tool is his arm, firing low-80s bullets from the crouch with pops that reach into the 1.8s in a showcase setting. Offensively, his left-handed barrel is accurate, while his 6.7 60-time helps to elevate his offensive profile.  Video :

Andrew Krupa OF / Center Grove High School, IN / 2025 H/W : 6-foot-4, 185 pounds Measurables : 6.75 60, 94.2 mph exit velocity, 84 mph OF Velocity Quick Analysis : A long, lanky athlete with plenty to dream on. Krupa has a chance to pack strength onto his 6'4" frame that will add impact to his left-handed bat. He is a plus runner underway, flashes gap power, and hits with a simple, flat swing.  Video :

Brad Rohde RHP / Hanover Central, IN / 2025 H/W : 6-foot-5, 225 pounds Quick Analysis : Rohde is a physically imposing right-hander with power traits, attacking from a 3/4 slot with a slightly crossfired delivery. His fastball reaches 91, sitting in the upper-80s routinely, and is elevated by his ability to get extended (6-foot-8 fastball extension). The fastball plays with sink, and is complimented by a slurvey, low-to-mid 70s breaking ball.  Video :

Trent Kulig RHP / Andrean, IN / 2025 H/W : 6-foot-4, 220 pounds Quick Analysis : Kulig is a big-bodied right-hander who enjoyed a strong fall campaign in 2024. Working from a high, over-the-top slot - Kulig has reached into the low-90s (T 91), sitting more in the upper-80s with steep shape and some ride. His breaking ball has taken strides over the course of the past year, now a 76-78 mph offering with bite, playing with true curveball shape and depth.  Video :