Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Crowell & Braun - Back on the Board

August 14, 2023
Cooper Trinkle
Lead Scout

 

Within the past two weeks, we have seen two of the top five players within our 2025 class decommit from Power 5 programs and reopen their recruiting processes. ‘25 LHP Caden Crowell (Valparaiso HS) and ‘25 OF/1B Mason Braun (New Prairie HS) are back on the board and will surely garner the attention of schools across the nation after they both had strong performances on the summer circuit, with both being selected to attend the Area Code Underclass Games. Today, we take a deeper look at the top two uncommitted players in Indiana’s 2025 class.

 

Caden Crowell LHP / Valparaiso, IN / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 118 / POS: 16

One of the premier arms in Indiana's 2025 class - Crowell toes the rubber with unwavering confidence & his left-arm has the electricity to match. The 6-foot-2, 190 pounder's athleticism stands out in his delivery as he moves down the slope with a combination of quickness & balance. The number one ranked southpaw in Indiana's '25 class has a loose and athletic arm stroke that comes from a 3/4 slot and produced a fastball up to 90 mph this summer. While the fastball is advanced for the class, Crowell has confidence to throw his off-speed pitches at any time, highlighted by a late-breaking, sweeping slider at 77-79 mph. Crowell also shows the ability to kill spin on his mid-to-upper 70s, late-fading changeup that he throws with fastball arm speed. An athletic, strike-throwing southpaw with a fastball up to 90 mph - expect schools to flock to see Crowell's starts this fall. 

 

 

 

 

Mason Braun 1B / OF / New Prairie, IN / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 116 / POS: 4

Braun is arguably the best hitter in Indiana's 2025 class, along with one of the most dangerous. Braun currently holds the best exit velocity (103.8 mph) that we have seen in Indiana's '25 class due to a well-sequenced swing, advanced physical strength, and eye-opening bat speed. The best way to sum up Braun's approach at the dish - controlled violence in a tight window. Braun's barrel explodes through the hitting zone with the path working in a slightly upward fashion, allowing for power and true ball flight from foul pole to foul pole. The 6-foot, 190 pounder offers defensive versatility - showing prowess at both 1B & in the outfield, with quick lateral movements and arm strength. Braun is sure-to-be a hot-name throughout the fall now that he is back on the board.

 

 

 

 

2023 Highlights on Crowell & Braun