Indiana Rankings Update : Class of 2027
September 11, 2024
Our staff has diligently scouted the 2027 class throughout the state of Indiana to this point, identifying a class with exceptional talent - especially on the position player side. This position player group features numerous middle of the diamond athletes that combine with several high-floor performers to create a quality unit. On the pitching side of things - the class has a few arms that are beginning to emerge above the rest, while plenty of arm actions' and frames to excite provide strong depth to the list.
To find the full list, click here, and continue to follow to learn about some risers that gained traction with our staff throughout the summer - with some fresh faces entering the rankings during this update - and a peek at the some position specific rankings as this class begins their sophomore season.
+ The top three players in the class remain unchanged from our previous update. CF Drake McClurg (Center Grove) remains atop the list, a blue chip athlete that offers elite foot speed to pair with hands that show electricity from both sides of the dish. SS Parker Robinson (Lake Central) provides the look of a high-end prospect with a lanky, 6-foot-4 frame and quality defensive actions to pair with arm strength across. The frame will easily pack on muscle which will only elevate his already present bat speed, allowing for future power projections. 1B/OF Grady Nelson (Warsaw) rounds out this talented trio of bats, offering the most usable in-gamer power in the class, pairing nicely with a short, flicky stroke that he repeats. The 6-foot-4, 230 pound left-handed hitter put his talents on full display at this year's Prep Baseball Midwest Super Sophomore Games - walking away as one of, if not the best, overall hitter at the event.
+ RHP Cole Cheatham (Union County) stands at No. 4 in this update with RHP Gavin Markus (Greenfield Central) following at No. 5, the top arms in the class at the moment, both of whom are also young for their grade. Cheatham leads, offering elite arm talent in a 6-foot-3 frame with untapped physicality, and has reached into the low-90's (T 92) on his fastball, while showing a power breaking ball with hard, late depth to add excitement. Markus' wiry, 6-foot-3 frame is full of athleticism, evident in a well-sequenced delivery with quick & squeaky clean arm action. His present abilty to command three quality offerings looks the part of a starters' profile, highlighted by a swing-and-miss slider that plays with sweeper properties, and a mid-80's (T 86) carry heater that will tick.
Risers
Three position players rising into the top 10
Isaiah Snavely SS / R Nelson Snider High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 2
+ Snavely rises to the No. 6 spot in this update after showing exciting growth on the summer circuit. Built with wiry athleticism in a 6-foot-1 frame, there is a quality toolset that comes with a premier profile that warrants a jump. Snavely turned in a 6.68 60-yard dash this summer, while also showing that his athletic actions and arm strength across will keep him as a left-side infielder. The left-handed stroke is mechanically sound, with an efficient barrel turn, and his fast hands deliver a whippy barrel that is impactful. |
Cooper Collins C / Lincoln High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 1
+ Collins debuts in the top 10 during this update. A legitamite game-changer when suited up behind the dish, Coop shows off the most advanced defensive skillset that I've seen out of a catcher at the age. Firing low-80's strikes from the crouch that equate to pops that reach into the high-1.7's in a showcase setting, Collins shows off a quick, athletic release with instincts and feel, adding to special receiving abilities that feature athletic hips and soft hands + strong wrists. The right-handed swing is short and works on an upward plane, with present bat to ball abilities and budding gap power. |
Brayden Ring SS / Zionsville Community High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 4
+ Ring's performance at the Midwest Super Sophomore Games elevates him into the top 10 during this update. Tabbed as the unofficial MVP of Team Indiana, Ring showed off strength gains in his right-handed swing that led to multiple extra-base hits, including the eventual walk-off winner versus Ohio, and a 94 mph missile that banged off the wall at IU for a double. The frame is lengthy and athletic at 6-foot, 170 pounds and the dual sport standout is beginning to elevate himself as a runner, turning in a 6.9 60 this summer. Ring is as sure-handed as they come at the age, showing reliable hands and playing with an athletic pace on the dirt. |
Arms Going 🆙
Davis Moore LHP / Zionsville Community High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 1
+ I am super bullish on Davis during this update, as he has cemented himself as the classes' top lefty to this point. A wiry, high-waisted look at 6-foot, 160 pounds - Moore reaches into the mid-80's on a running heater, consistently holding 82-84 with more in the tank. There are quality properties to both offspeed offerings, highlighted by a sweeping breaking ball that spins north of 2400 and consistently plays w/ 12-plus inches of sweep. His changeup averages over 20" off armside run, as well. An excellent mover than gains significant extension in the delivery, the arm works quickly to a 3/4 release point with athletic, whippy arm action. |
Elijah Hall RHP / Noblesville, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 6
+ Hall showed off velo gains in the summer of 2024, along with some maturation in the body, as he now stands at 6-foot-2 and looks the part of a starter. Riding out the back hip to allow for proper sequencing, Hall uses a higher front side, creating deception, and his longer, full arm swing follows to a more over-the-top slot. The fastball works in the mid-80's (T 87) and his tight, mid-to-upper 70's sweeper tunnels off of it. Hall shows an upper-70's change as a usable third pitch, as well. A strike-thrower that saw time for highly-ranked Noblesville as a freshman - look for Hall to continue to make jumps as he has now established himself amongst the top arms in the class. |
Carter Strole RHP / Fishers , IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 7
+ Strole gained helium with our staff through summer looks and a strong weekend with Team Indiana, with plenty of traits indicative of future success littered throughout his card. More athletic than the lanky, 6-foot-4, 185 pound frame suggests - Strole offers a low-to-mid 80's fastball (T 87) to pair with a firm, upper 70's splitter and a mid 70's slider. A clean takeaway allows the arm to work uninterrupted on the back side on a shorter path, and he fills the zone at an above average clip presently. The heater is his best pitch at the moment, playing with carry properties that should elevate as the velocity loudens. Strole stills holds upside as a two-way prospect, showing projectable bat strength with an exit velocity that reaches 95 mph, and sure-handed actions at the hot-corner. While there are still things to refine overall, there is undeniable upside across many parts of his game that make for an exciting follow. |
On the Rise
Six upside arms, paired with a couple projectable, left-handed bats, that certainly warrant a serious follow...
Clark Bucher OF / Hamilton Southeastern High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 25 / POS: 5
+ Athletic mover with ultra-projectable, 6-foot-1, 150 pounds. Switch hits, but is more advanced from the left. Hit again & again on the summer circuit. I love the left-handed swing and think he will continue to hit velocity and evantually hit for extra bases. Strength gains will pay dividends, but a breakout sophomore campaign is looming... |
Destin Billings RHP / Washington Twp Middle/High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 30 / POS: 10 + An athletic arm that is certainly a "pick-to-click". Billings shows off electric arm action, with the arm working swing working full to a lower slot - one of my favorite looking operations in the entire class. The low-to-mid 80's fastball reaches 86, and he pairs it with a 68-70 mph slider. |
Lucas Haas RHP / Valparaiso, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 32 / POS: 13 + Another upside arm to dream on, Haas shows a polished delivery with a high-waisted, 6-foot-3 frame to pair. The arm works freely to an over-the-top slot to creates downhill angle on a fastball up to 85 mph, while showing the ability to command the strike zone with a low ease of operation. |
Mark Neels OF / Carmel High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 35 / POS: 9 + Neels boasts a strong toolset with the profile to match. Standing at 6-foot, 175 pounds and burning the 60 at a 6.72 - Neels shows an upward path from the left-side to create a potential LHH speed/power profile, with exit velocities already reaching near mid-90's. |
Carson Cauley RHP / Pendleton Heights High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 40 / POS: 15 + An upside play, Cauley is one of the more physical arms in the class with a 6-foot-6 frame that holds upside. The arm works clean, and his mid 80's fastball has a chance to seriously tick, while also showing quality breaking ball shape. |
Riley Ackerman LHP / Crown Point High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 41 / POS: 4 + I loved what I saw from Ackerman during a summer look, a projectable, 6-foot-1 strike-thrower with polish. Hiding the ball behind the ball in a balanced delivery, the arm works in a compact fashion and he offers a starters' mix & upside, highlighted by a low 80's fastball and feel for a sweeping slider and fading change. |
Sam Tokar RHP / Yorktown High School, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 43 / POS: 16 + Tokar is another young arm with immense upside. Young for the class, Tokar showcases a fastball that works in the mid-80's (T 87) with serious jump out the hand and riding properties. The overall feel & off-speed have to make a jump, but the arm talent and 6-foot-2 frame creates undeniable upside. |
Andrew Broshears RHP / Evansville Memorial, IN / 2027Rankings StateRank: 45 / POS: 17
+ Broshears sees a rise after showcasing my favorite arm action of any prospect at our Underclass Games in June. An athletic thrower with a loose whip to the arm, Broshears does not show super loud stuff to this point, but he spins the ball well with a strike-throwers' feel and the arm action plus athleticism to suggest that the arsenal will louden. |
Poll Position
It remains early in the evaluation process but as the class begins the school year - below are the current standings at each position/profile group.
- Middle Infielders
- Parker Robinson (Lake Central)
- Isaiah Snavely (Fort Wayne Snider)🔼
- Liam Delp (Mooresville)
- Brayden Ring (Zionsville)🔼
- Grady Grant (Center Grove)
- Crewe Hasenour (Gibson Southern)
- Logan Drake (Castle)
- Chase Nelson (Andrean)
- Connor Christiansen (Cathedral HS)
- Cam Gates (Bedford North Lawrence)
- Right Handed Pitchers
- Cole Cheatham (Union County)🔼
- Gavin Markus (Greenfield-Central)
- Jaylen Wells-Henderson (New Albany)
- Mason Gomez (Franklin Community)
- Carter Lowe (Zionsville)
- Eli Hall (Noblesville)🔼
- Carter Strole (Fishers)🔼
- Guerin Boshears (Beech Grove)
- Connor Christiansen (Cathedral)
- Destin Billings (Washington Township)🆕
- Lucas Haas (Valparaiso)🆕
- Charlie Conyers (Floyd Central)
- Griffin Snider (Noblesville)
- Connor Kenjic (Hobart)🔼
- Carson Cauley (Pendleton Heights)🆕
- Outfielders
- Drake McClurg (Center Grove)
- Mason Meyer (Mt. Vernon)
- Lincoln Hoffman (Westfield)🔼
- Colin Axel-Adams (Pendleton Heights)
- Clark Bucher (Hamilton Southeastern)🔼
- Jackson Sorgi (Tri-West)
- Jaxson Cripe (Lapel)
- Aden Baggett (Evansville North)🔼
- Mark Neels (Carmel)🆕
- Amari Moore (Cathedral)
- Catchers
- Cooper Collins (Vincennes Lincoln) 🔼
- Mason Meyer (Mt. Vernon)
- Luke Brown (Evansville Memorial)
- Jackson Harris (Carmel)
- Brayden Dean (Terre Haute North)
- Caden Hackett (Chesterton)🔼
- Carson Kail (Guerin Catholic)🔼
- Connor Kenjic (Hobart)
- Corner Bats
- Grady Nelson (Warsaw)
- Camden Moore (Zionsville)
- Carter Strole (Fishers)🔼
- Jackson Dinnsen (North Central)
- Brayden Campbell (Gibson Southern)
- Left Handed Pitchers
- Davis Moore (Zionsville)🔼
- Preston Seidl (Evansville Memorial)
- Gunner Wade (Franklin Community)
- Riley Ackerman (Crown Point)🆕
- Aden Baggett (Evansville North)
- Connor Parker (Bloomington South)
- Will Countryman (Guerin Catholic) 🆕
- Tyler Jaynes (North Central)
- Jaiden McNulty (Western) 🆕
- Austin Conley (Fishers)