By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

The 6th annual Preseason All-State took place on Sunday, February 19th at Grand Park in Westfield, IN.  The invite-only event featured 88 players from Indiana's class of 2018. 

We began the roll-out of the event a few weeks ago taking a look at the Stat Story and then the outfielders analysis and corner infielders analysis. 

Today we continue the analysis with the middle infielders in attendance. 

Top 10

Craig Yoho, SS, Fishers HS, 2018 

Athletic 6-foot-3, 185 pound frame. Offensively, athletic setup, short stride, good use of the lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing.  Showcased fast bat speed, long/uphill swing path, lifts the baseball.  Present gap power, registered a high exit velocity of 87 at the event.  Defensively, plays through the baseball, soft hands, fluid feet, good feel for the position.  Long, high ¾ arm action, throws topped out at 88 mph across the infield.  Ran a 7.10 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.  Houston commit.

Langston Ginder, SS, Carroll HS, 2018 

5-foot-11, 175 pounds. Offensively the LHH hits from an athletic setup, loads back, long stride, average use of the lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing.  Above average bat speed, level swing path, gets to extension.  Barreled up the baseball during BP producing hard hit line drives.  Registered a high exit velocity of 83 mph.  Defensively, showcased above average glove work with fluid feet and a clean exchange.  Short, high ¾ arm action with carry and accuracy.  Throws topped at 90 mph (an event high). Ran a 7.15 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.   

Jacob Daftari, 2B, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2018

5-foot-9, 160 pound MIF.  Offensively, athletic/crouch setup, smooth load, short stride.  Good balance throughout the swing.  Quick hand speed, pull type hitter with the ability to drive the left-center gap.  Overall good approach at the plate.  Registered a high exit velocity of 86 mph.  Defensively, soft hands, fluid feet, clean exchange.  High ¾ arm action with average carry.  Throws topped out at 83 mph.  Ran a 7.27 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Tyler Finke, SS, Columbus North HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 150 pound MIF. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load. Dives during the stride.  Average bat speed, level swing plane, line drive approach, fluid rhytm.  Registered a high exit velocity of 79 mph.  Defensively, quick fluid footwork,  above average hands, clean exchange.  Plays through with some athleticism.  Throws topped out at 74 across the INF.  Ran a 6.83 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. Snead State commit. 

Bobby Nowak, SS/RHP, Hanover Central HS, 2018

Athletic, lean frame at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds.  Offensively, hits from an athletic setup.  Loads back, short stride, over rotation with the lower half. Average bat speed, short- level swing path.  Line drive approach.  High exit velocity of 84 mph.  Defensively, showcased a long/over the top arm action.  Throws topped out at 86 with accuracy and carry.  Solid glove work, soft hands, clean exchange.  Plays through with some athleticism.  Ran a 7.16 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.   

Mark Goudy, 2B/OF, Noblesville HS, 2018 

5-foot-9, 160 pound MIF/OF. Offensively, hits from an athletic setup.  Loads back, long stride.  Good use of the lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing.  Possesses quick bat speed.  Level to slightly uphill swing plane, gets to extension. Showcased to the ability to lift the baseball. Fluid rhythm.  Consistent hard contact during his BP.  Line drive hitter.  Registered a high exit velocity of 86 mph. Defensively in the INF showcased fluid footwork, sure hands, clean exchange. Across the infield throws topped out at 87 mph with carry. Ran a 7.03 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.

Tyler Knepley, SS/RHP, Western HS, 2018

Strong frame at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds.  Offensively, balanced setup, loads back, toe tap timing trigger.  Short, uphill swing path, pull-side hitter.  Registered a high exit velocity of 85 mph.  Defensively, sure hands,  fluid footwork, plays through, packs during the exchange. Across the infield throws topped out at 76 mph.  Ran a 6.93 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Tyler Owens, 2B/OF, Noblesville HS, 2018 

5-foot-10, 155 pound MIF/OF.  Offensively, hits from a balanced setup, loads back, small leg trigger, short stride.  Average lower half, good balance.  Average bat speed, level swing plane, line drive type hitter. Recorded a high exit velocity of 75 mph.  Defensively in the INF showcased above average hands with fluid footwork, clean exchange.  Plays through the baseball. ¾ arm action across the diamond with accuracy, above average arm strength.  Throws from the INF topped at 84 mph. Ran a 6.98 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Chandler Wise, SS/RHP, Wapahani HS, 2018

6-foot-1, 175 pounds. Offensively, slight crouch/balanced setup, loads back, short stride. 2-part swing.  Average use of the lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing.  Average bat speed, level path, line drive approach . Registered a high exit velocity of 84 mph.  Defensively, long , high ¾ arm action.  Throws topped out at 87 mph with carry.  Showcased sure hands, plays through, fluid feet.  Soild defender.  Ran a 7.39 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Matthew Meyer, SS/RHP, Westfield HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 157 pound MIF. Offensively, balanced setup, small leg kick timing trigger, over rotation with the lower half.  Above average bat speed, level swing plane, line drive approach.  Rhythm is choppy.  Good barrel control during his BP.  Registered a high exit velocity of 86.  Defensively, sure hands, packs during the exchange.  Flat feet.  Short high ¾ arm action with accuracy at 82 mph.  Ran a 7.10 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.  

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jacob DeFries, SS, Crown Point HS, 2018

6-foot-1, 165 pound MIF.  LHH Hits from a wide/crouch setup.  Minimal load back, short stride, over rotation with the lower half. Average bat speed, long/uphill swing path, gets to extension.  Showed some pop during his BP round.  Finishes wide.  Registered a high exit velocity of 81 mph.  Defensively, sure hands, fluid feet, plays through the baseball. Clean exchange.  High ¾ arm action, throws topped out at 79 across the INF.  Ran a 7.31 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Riley Hershberger, RHP/SS, 2018

5-foot-11, 185 pounds.  Offensively, open setup, short stride that lands closed, average lower half, average balance throughout the swing.  Overall fair approach at the plate, average bat speed, long/level swing plane.  Registered a high exit velocity of 78 mph.  Defensively, short-high ¾ arm action with some accuracy, throws topped out at 80 mph.  Average hands, fields it out front, heavy footwork, clean exchange.  Ran a 7.18 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Noah Hurlock, 2B/RHP, Kokomo HS, 2018

5-foot-10, 185 pound MIF.  Offensively, crouch setup, minimal load, short stride.  Over rotation with the lower half.  Fair balance.  Average bat speed, level swing path, showed the ability to get to extension.  Registered a high exit velocity of 85 mph.  Defensively, hard hands, slow footwork, plays on his heels.  Short ¾ arm action, throws topped out at 76 across the diamond.  Ran a 7.31 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Carlos Lopez, SS, Morton HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 170 pound MIF. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger,  Average bat speed, long/uphill path.  Registered a high exit velocity of 81 mph.  Defensively, short high ¾ arm action with average carry, throws topped out at 81 mph.  Showcased soft hands defensively with fluid footwork.  Exchange is clean but slow.  Ran a 7.47 laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Colin Mack, 2B, Morgan Township HS, 2018

5-foot-10, 145 pound MIF.  Offensively, hits form a balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Compact swing, line drive approach, recorded a high exit velocity of 76 mph.  Defensively, over the top arm action with some accuracy, throws topped out at 81 mph.  Fields the ball deep, clean exchange.  Ran a 7.07 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Alec MacLennan, C/2B, Franklin HS, 2018

5-foot-8, 165 pounds.  Offensively, balanced setup, loads back, short stride, average lower half, average balance.  Long/level swing plane. Line drive type hitter. Registered a high exit velocity of 78 mph.  Defensively, short arm action, throws topped out at 75 mph.  Average hands, fluid feet, long exchange.  Ran a 7.71 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Cale Mattingly, SS/3B/OF, Castle HS, 2018

5-foot-10, 170 INF.  Offensively, hits from an athletic, open setup, smooth load, short stride.  Average lower half, maintains balance throughout his swing.  Above average bat speed, short path, line drive approach.  Hard contact to his pull-side. Registered a high exit velocity of 85 mph.  Defensively in the INF, above average hands, fields the ball out front, clean exchange. Fluid, but heavy footwork. Throws across the INF topped at 72 mph. Ran a 7.67 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Cade McCoin, OF/2B, Mississinewa HS, 2018

6-foot-1, 175 pound outfielder/MIF.  Offensively, balanced setup, loads back, short stride.  2-part swing.  Above average bat speed with a fair approach.  Short, uphill swing path, choppy rhythm.  Line drive approach.  Registered a high exit velocity of 89 mph.  Defensively in the INF possesses average hands, packs during the exchange. Moves well, feet get flat at times. Ran a 7.14 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Jackson Mitchell, 2B, Plainfield HS, 2018

5-foot-9, 160 pound MIF.  Offensively, narrow/open setup, loads back, lg kick timing trigger. Average bat speed, long/uphill swing path. Registered a high exit velocity of 82 mph.  Defensively, soft hands, moves well/fluid feet, clean exchange. Short high ¾ arm action with accuracy, throws topped out at 77 mph.  Ran a 7.2 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Will Richter, 2B/RHP, Carmel HS, 2018                          

5-foot-10, 155 pound MIF.  Offensively, LHH hits from a balanced setup, small leg kick timing trigger.  Maintains balance throughout the swing.  Line drive approach, fluid rhythm.  Registered a high exit velocity of 81 mph.  Defensively, average glove work, slow feet, slow exchange, tendency to field on his heels.  Across the infield throws topped out at 75 mph.  Ran a 7.18 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Griffin Scaggs, OF/SS, Castle HS, 2018

5-foot-11, 165 pound outfielder.  Offensively, open setup, smooth load, short stride, average lower half.  Maintains balance throughout the swing.  Showcased an advanced approach.  Gets good separation with barrel control.  Level swing path, line drive approach.  Registered a high exit velocity of 81 mph.  Defensively at SS solid glove work, fluid feet, quick/clean exchange.  Short arm action, ¾ slot, throws topped out at 74 mph. Ran a 7.52 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.  

Luke Shayotovich, 2B/3B, Avon HS, 2018

5-foot-9, 160 pound INF.  Offensively the LHH hits from a balanced setup, short stride, partial lower half, maintains balance throughout the swing. Compact swing, average bat speed, short path, fluid rhythm.  Line drive type hitter.  Registered a high exit velocity of 79 mph.  Defensively, ¾ arm action with some accuracy, throws topped out at 70 mph. Possesses average glove work, fluid feet, quick exchange. Ran a 7.05 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Cole Stigleman, SS, Jay County HS, 2018

6-foot, 170 pound MIF.  Offensively, hits from a slightly open setup, loads back, front arm bar, small  leg kick timing trigger. Maintains balance through the swing.  Possesses average bat speed, uphill swing plane.  Registered a high exit velocity of 80 mph.  Defensively, showcased above average hands, fluid footwork and a clean exchange.  Plays through the baseball. Short, high ¾ arm action with accuracy, topped out at 81 across the INF.  Ran a 6.96 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash.  

Stephen Vickery, 2B, Wapahani HS, 2018

5-foot-9, 145 pound MIF.  Offensively, balanced setup, 2 part swing.  Bat drags through the zone, long uphill swing path.  Fluid rhythm.  Defensively, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange.  Short ¾ arm action with some accuracy, throws topped out at 76.  Ran a 7.60 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

Micah White, SS, Brebeuf HS, 2018

6-foot, 170 pound MIF. Offensively, balanced setup, loads back, short stride.  Maintains balance throughout his swing.  Average bat speed, level swing plane. Overall fair approach at the plate.  Registered a high exit velocity of 80 mph.  Defensively, soft hands, fluid feet, packs during the exchange.  ¾ arm action with accuracy, throws topped out at 74 mph.  Ran a 7.10 in the laser-timed 60 yard dash. 

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