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Indiana Scout Blog : Uncommitted Juniors

April 1, 2024
Indiana Staff
PBR Indiana

Our staff has prioritized looks at uncommitted juniors as the high school season has begun. Read along for notes and video on some of our favorites that we have seen thus far.

By : Cooper Trinkle

JD Stein, SS, 2025, Carmel

Stein has received attention from some of the top programs in the country, recently decommitting from Louisville. He was outstanding in all facets in my look, and was able to show off one of the loudest toolsets in the state. Easily one of the top defenders at the shortstop position in the state, Stein moves around the infield with efficient routes and his feet routinely work in-sync. His hands are soft, with outstanding glove-to-hand, and he fires the ball across with plus-plus arm strength. He made a play in my look - going downhill on a soft groundball that he fielded behind the mound and fired off one foot for the out - that he made look rather routine. At the dish, Stein hits in the leadoff spot for Carmel and fits the mold of a table-setter as he advances levels. He has very solid strike zone awareness and stays centered & in his legs throughout a balanced forward move. The barrel works level through the zone, and his hands are quick. He went 2 for 3 in my look, turning a fastball back up the middle for a single, and going to the opposite gap on a 2 strike offspeed pitch for extra bases. JD turned in a 4.18 H-1st on an E5, a present 60-grade runner. 

Gabe Mathison, OF, 2025, Carmel

Mathison is an uncommitted junior outfielder to see for schools with a need in that area. A twitchy, athletic, switch-hitting, 6-foot-1, 175 pounder - Gabe showed some pull-side juice in batting practice from the left-side, appearing to be his more natural side, with twitchy bat speed. He is more simple from the right-side with a level, rotational swing. Mathison showed above average arm strength from the outfield and turned in a 4.21 from the right-side on a groundout. 

Johnnie Ankenbruck, C, 2025, Homestead

Ankenbruck is one of the better options behind the dish in Indiana's junior class, and I was able to see him in three games during opening week. A projectable, 6-foot-2, 175 pounder with wiry strength, Ankenbruck is sure-handed behind the dish, an above average receiver that moves very well laterally. He was tasked with catching with RISP often, with some members of his pitching staff struggling to command it early in the season, and he saved multiple runs on spiked fastballs and pulled breaking balls. At the dish, Ankenbruck looks to ambush early in-counts with a loose, level swing that has some strength at impact. He shows the ability to use the whole field, hitting a couple middle of the field to pull-side gap liners, and hitting a backside double in the three games I saw of him. Ankenbruck has fringy arm strength with a quick transfer, and is not afraid to back pick. 

Braden Perry, RHP, 2025, Evansville North

Perry spins a really sharp breaking ball that is a present out-pitch. An athletic, 6-foot-3, 185 pound junior with some projection still left to the frame, Perry came out of the bullpen in my look this week. I loved the competitive demeanor that he showed, appearing to want the ball in a big situation and pitching with some moxie. The breaking ball spun at 74-77 mph with two-plane shape, and he leaned on it. He can command it for the most part, but did have times where his arm was late and he'd leave it arm-side. When it is commanded to the glove-side, it's a wipeout offering. Perry sat 82-85 mph on his fastball, which had cutting action. Perry is an athletic mover that pitches with intent, and his arm action works with length to a high 3/4 slot.

Carson Bush, 3B, 2025, Center Grove

I liked Bush in showcase this winter and he had a huge day in my look this week. A 6-foot-3, 195 pounder with present physicality and some room to add more, Bush was all over the barrel with five hits, including three doubles, in a doubleheader - with two hits coming off division one caliber recruits. A taller setup in the box, Bush has a well-timed gather, a low, athletic leg kick that works on-time with a shorter hand load to create stretch and balance at heel-strike. The barrel turns tight off the back shoulder in an upward, rotational swing. Bush sinks into his legs and holds his hands back on offspeed. Defensively, Bush shows some lateral quickness at the hot corner with above average arm strength across. 

Aiden Kerr, C/RHP, 2025, Perry Meridian

Kerr had an outstanding start to his junior season - and he hit the hardest ball that I have seen hit thus far. Kerr turned around a low-90s fastball in his first at-bat for a no-doubt home run to CF, easily leaving the bat at 105+. The sturdy, 6-foot-1, 220 pound backstop proceeded to sit on a breaking ball his next AB for a pull-side double. The swing works with significant bat speed and there is tons of strength at impact. It is encouraging to see Kerr on-time with high velocity early in the season. There is serious raw power in his game, however, he is a below average runner at this time. Defensively, Kerr is a sturdy target behind the dish with above average hands. His arm is a solid tool, showing strength behind the dish, and holding two-way upside as a reliever with an upper-80s fastball. 

By : Conner Madding

Jaxon Sparks, OF/1B, 2025, Fort Wayne Carroll

Sparks is the top uncommitted left-handed bat in Indiana’s 2025 class and was impressive in my three looks this week. The 6-foot-2, 215 pounder has added some strength to an already physical frame and it has translated to explosive bat speed at the dish. The 2023 Future Gamer sets up in a tall stance and makes a simple forward move with a shorter hand load before turning the barrel on a level plane with plenty of strength at impact. Sparks had multiple firm barrels through the middle of the field and showed solid strike zone awareness. The junior played CF for the Chargers, showing plenty of foot-speed (6.63 60) and athleticism, but likely transitions to a corner at the next level. The arm strength from Sparks was also apparent in pre-game IO and on the bump (T 88). Recruiters in need of a left-handed bat need to prioritize looks at Sparks the rest of the spring. 

Grayson Bradberry, RHP, 2025, Columbia City

Bradberry is an interesting junior arm and offered a very solid look in cold conditions. A recent riser in our 2025 rankings after a breakout performance at Preseason All-State, the 5-foot-11, 170 pounder still has room to add strength to his athletic, lanky frame. Bradberry gets to an athletic position at balance point before an athletic move down the slope. The arm works quick with whip to a ¾ slot. His fastball worked at 86-89 while touching 90 mph. The fastball command was sporadic at times throughout the outing but showed life when synced. Bradberry induced some whiffs on a tight, 76-78 mph slider. The right-hander also featured a 70-72 curveball with two-plane break at times. Bradberry finished with 8 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched. 

Jaxon Craker, RHP, 2025, Fort Wayne Carroll

Craker was a solid watch in his start. An athletic 6-foot-1,180 pound right-hander that was in complete control of the strike zone. Craker uses a stretch-only delivery, lifting to a tall balance point before a simple move down the slope. The arm works quick and uninterrupted from a ¾ slot. The junior grew more confident in a tight, 76-78 mph slider as the outing went on - showing the ability to land it for strikes and induce swing-and-miss. The fastball worked at 84-87 mph, touching 88 mph with some slight cutting action. The velocity has been trending up for the strike-thrower and he will be an interesting watch the rest of the spring/summer.