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Indiana Rankings Update : Class of 2026

September 4, 2024
Cooper Trinkle
Indiana Scouting Director

Our staff has been well-documented in saying that this class has all the makings of being one of the deepest and most talented we've seen come through the state in recent years. In similiar fashion to the 2025 class - the current juniors have immense arm talent at the top of the class, but the '26 position group has even more offensive firepower than their peers in the class above at this time.

Recruiting has opened back up for this class and the top of the list is receiving attention from top 25 programs from across the country, with quality depth littered throughout the list to suggest this will be another class with 60 to 70 plus Division I recruits. 

Find the full updated list, HERE, expanded to 225 prospects. Read along to learn about the shakeup within the Top 10, along with notable risers that made a name for themselves on the summer circuit, and you can expect more coverage on the top uncommitted '26 prospects by position to be released later in the week. 

Fab 5

It is a close race currently at the top of the class, all five prospects are held in high regards nationally, with the reigning Future Games MVP taking over as the new No. 1...

Rob Czarniecki OF / Chesterton, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1

+ Czarniecki jumps to No. 1 after stealing the show at the Prep Baseball Future Games and walking away with MVP honors. The physical, right-handed hitting CF owns five tool upside, with a strong track record of in-game production, to go along with the mental makeup required to play this game at a high level. The toolset he offers is outstanding, highlighted by a 6.6 60-yard dash, exit velocities that routinely eclipse 100 mph, and plus arm strength that is a weapon in CF. Czarniecki was one of only two sophomores to earn 4A First Team All-State honors in 2024, clubbing 7 homers with 10 doubles, 5 triples, along with maintaining a .489 batting average and a 1.540 OPS. While the tools and in-game statistics speak for themselves, the leadership and infectious energy that Rob brings to a dugout seperates him from the other talented prospects on this list and allows for an ultra-high floor with a ceiling that still remains uncapped. 

Beckett Doane LHP / Noblesville, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1

+ Doane takes over as the top-ranked arm in the class after a huge year in total. Doane showed off velo jumps at the All-State in March, a precursor to a strong spring where he made a substantial impact for one of the top programs in the state as a sophomore. Doane remained consistent with quality looks on the summer circuit before a monsterous performance at the Prep Baseball Future Games. Standing at 6-foot-6 with a frame that oozes projection, Doane toes the rubber with immense presence and offers a tough look with arms and legs flying all over to add deception to the delivery. The funk within the delivery doesn't take away from the pitch ability that he has to offer, as he syncs well with feel for three. His fastball (T 90) works with significant arm side life and is a right-now swing-and-miss offering, pairing with feel for a diving splitter and firmer slider that tunnels. 

Hudson DeVaughan RHP / Mooresville, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 

+ Devaughan remains near the top of the list - a power-armed righty with a fastball that rivals any '26 prospect in the nation. A projectable RHP standing at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds - the frame holds ample room for growth and makes further velocity projections very safe. Attacking from over the top, the Alabama recruit routinely works in the low-to-mid 90's (T95) on a lively fastball that he is able to bully hitters with at the high school level. His slider is also a plus, a 78-82 mph offering with sweeper properties (-18 to -21" HZ) spinning north of 2600. While his overall feel and lack of a third pitch draw question marks at this time, Devaughan has a chance to reach near triple digits on his heater during his high school career and his ceiling is arguably the highest in the class. 

Dylan Bowen SS / Hanover Central, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 1

+ Bowen is another high floor bat with a history of in-game production. The 6-foot, 185 pound shortstop offers game-changing athleticism with a strong toolset that only adds to the "gamer" tag that he has earned. His 6.6 speed shows up on the bases and in the dirt, and he will be able to remain on the left-side, firing balls across the diamond up to 93 mph. While the bat-to-ball + foot speed profiles best at the top of the order, Bowen shows sneaky gap power that will only elevate as he continues to add strength to his athletic frame. A dual-sport standout that plays with a quiet, confident swagger - Bowen is one of the highest rated shortstops to come out of Indiana in quite some time and shows all the makings of an immediate impact player to whatever program lands this five star recruit. 

Sean Dunlap C / Crown Point, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 1

+ Dunlap's rise to fame has been well-documented by our staff - a pro-bodied backstop that shined at the Prep Baseball Future Games and has catupluted himself into conversations as one of the top '26 catchers in the country. The catch-and-throw abilities are elite, firing 82 mph bullets from the crouch with pop times in the low-1.8's in a showcase setting. These abilities were on full display across an array of summer looks as he is unafraid to show it off and looks for outs. Dunlap is a quality receiver, as well, with instincts present behind the dish. Offensively - the 6-foot-3, 205 pounder offers premier raw power with exit velocities nearing 103 mph. There is immense bat speed in the rotational operation, and he shows the ability to shorten late in-counts to create production. Dunlap is arguably the best backstop to come out of Indiana in the last decade and will represent Indiana at the Prep Baseball All-American Game later this month. 

Next In Line 

Three high-end arms that are nipping at the heels of the group above...

Aiden Smith RHP / Shelbyville, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 2

+ Smith is arguably the highest floor arm on this list - thanks to an array of above-average to plus pitches, outstanding movement patterns, and a profile that screams future starter. While the floor is extremely high, the ceiling remains uncapped when considering his wiry, athletic, 6-foot-3 frame that remains far from a finished product. Smith delivers in a drop-and-drive fashion with some uniqueness to his over-the-top, low release height. His fastball generally works in the 88-91 range, but has been up to 93 and all indictations show this number will continue to climb. He flashes to ability to both carry and sink the fastball, occasionally cutting it as well, adding to his ability to get through an order multiple times. His best offering is his tightly-spun, low-80's slider, a pitch he is able to generate chase with that tunnels. Smith also offers a mid 70's curveball and an upper 70's change. A five pitch mix for strikes, paired with clean movements and an arm that works uninterrupted on the backside, creates a no-doubt starter profile and the competitive makeup he brings to the mound is an asset, as well. 

Gannon Grant RHP / SS / Center Grove, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 3 

+ Grant enjoyed a breakout summer on the mound, culminating in a massive performance at the Future Games that has elevated him into a tier amongst the top arms in the class. Moving with athleticism and body control, Grant's stuff grades as some of the best in the class, with three plus offerings currently, all of which he shows immense feel for. His lively fastball routinely works in the low 90's (T93) and is complimented by a wipeout breaking ball that works in the upper 70's, spinning north of 2900 and playing with devastating late break. His changeup may be his best offering, one of the best in the class, pulling the string in the upper-70's and coming out with a similiar look to the fastball. While there is some reliever risk, the arsenal and pitch ability are eye-opening, and the athleticism makes it easy to dream on further jumps. Grant also doubles as a slick-fielding shortstop with gap power and he holds upside in that department, as well. 

Sammy Swank RHP / McCutcheon, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 4

+ Swank rounds out this talented group of arms with plenty of present traits to like, along with a 6-foot-4 frame that looks the part of a future workhorse starter. The Kentucky recruit brings a plus fastball to the table with two usable off-speed offerings to pair, along with attacking the zone at an above average clip. Swank routinely works in the 88-92 mph range on his heater, topping at 94 during a look this spring. The arm works long and deep with acceleration to a 3/4 release point, and the slot allows his mid 70's breaking ball to play with sweeping shape. Swank shows a usable change in the upper 70's, primarily to LHH. On top of quality stuff and a frame to dream on, Swank takes the hill with unwavering confidence and the presence of a front-line arm. 

Summer Risers

Top 35 players jumping 10 spots or more from our last update...

Desmond Francis OF / Park Tudor, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 2

+ Carrying Metrics/Traits :

  • 6.40 60
  • 99.8 mph exit velocity

 + Analysis :

  • Ultra-athletic CF w/ big bat speed and more impact than the 5-foot-9, 160 pound frame suggest. Offers pull-side juice with a simple, repeatable swing. Foot speed is a weapon that shows in all facets.

 + Video : 

Matthew Cook RHP / Hanover Central , IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 8

Carrying Metrics/Traits : 

  • Fastball up to 89 mph w/ 16"+ of HZB
  • 3'9" release height

+ Analysis :

  • A durably built, 6-foot-4, 195 pounder - Cook offers a unique release point, working from a 3/4 slot from a low release height. The delivery works in a drop-and-drive fashion with a slight hesitation as he moves out to disrupt timing and allow for control. Consistent strike-thrower with a sweeping (76-79) breaking ball that plays off of his mid-to-upper 80's heater. Starter potential, very young for the class, will turn 18 near/after graduation. 

 + Video :

Beckett Suh SS / University, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 18 / POS: 3

+ Carrying Metrics/Traits :

  • 96.2 mph exit velocity
  • Switch hitting MIF

+ Analysis :

  • Suh became famous after blasting a no-doubt, grand slam homer on opening night of the Future Games. A 5-foot-11 shortstop with body control - Suh grades well across the board with a strong hit tool (from both sides), gap-to-gap power, strong defensive actions, and comes with instincts and a high IQ. The bat is certainly the carrying tool here, but Suh offers several other traits to like & continues to gain strength/athleticism. 

 + Video :

Ryan Murphy LHP / Brownsburg High School, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 26 / POS: 2

+ Carrying Metrics/Traits :

  • High spin breaking ball, 2600+ CB, 2900+ SL
  • Mid-80s fastball with ride/run properties

+ Analysis :

Rising to the No. 2 ranked southpaw in the class, Murphy offers a starter profile w/ quality stuff to pair. The 6-foot, 170 pounder repeats well within a slightly crossfired delivery, offering prisitine arm action on the backside with quality scap retraction and sequencing well throughout. A tough, competitive kid - Murphy fills the zone at an above average clip with four pitches, highlighted by swing-and-miss spin and a ride/run fastball that plays up. 

+ Video :

Owen Lukac LHP / Fishers High School, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 3

+ Carrying Metrics/Traits :

  • Lower slot fastball that has touched 89 mph, consistently 83-86
  • 2600+ breaking ball with sweeper properties

+ Analysis :

  • Lukac is an athletic, 6-foot-1 southpaw with plenty of room to pack on strength. Attacking from a L 3/4 slot, Lukac shows three usable offerings, including a running, mid 80's fastball and a high-spin sweeper that he is able to get chase with. Traits (athletic, lanky, & one of the younger players in the class) to suggest that fastball will continue to louden, which will only enhance his offspeed pitches. 

+ Video :

Reis Bellar OF / Peru, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 5

+ Carrying Metrics/Traits :

  • 6-foot-3, 170 pounds (LHH)
  • 6.87 60

+ Analysis :

  • Bellar is an upside left-handed bat to dream on. A lengthy, projectable frame will fill out into physicality, which will only elevate the overall impact that he brings to the table. Presently, shows pull-side power with quick, twitchy hands. An above-average runner now, strength gains should reduce the 60 time and will also allow his present above average arm strength ot improve, as well. 

 + Video :

Trey Deckman SS / Columbia City High School, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 34 / POS: 7

+ Carrying Metrics/Traits :

  • Projectable, high-waisted, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds
  • 94.4 mph exit velocity

+ Analysis :

  • Deckman is another upside player seeing a significant bump within this update. The long-limbed frame will mature into physicality and the right-handed swing works on-plane throughout with whip in the barrel. Deckman offers sneaky gap power and will grow into more. Likely profiles best as a 3B of Corner OF, but the high school SS shows feel on the dirt with soft hands and above average arm strength. Young for the class, best days are ahead. 

 + Video :

Nathan Sutherlin SS / Greencastle, IN / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 35 / POS: 8

+ Carrying Tools/Metrics :

  • 97.7 mph exit velocity
  • Projectable, athletic, 6-foot-3 frame

+ Analysis :

  • A quality mover in the box with bat speed, Sutherlin is able to create leverage at the front of the zone with a well-sequenced, right-handed stroke. The bat is the carrying tool, and will louden as he adds strength to his lengthy, wiry frame. Will likely land as a 2B/3B or Corner OF at the next level, but offers above average arm strength and foot speed (6.93) presently. 

 + Video :

More Noteworthy Risers