Team Indiana : Pitcher Preview

The premier scouting event of the summer, the Futures Games, is set to take place from July 26 through July 29th at LakePoint in Emerson, GA. The Futures Games will feature some of the top uncommitted talent from all over the country, specifically from the class of 2025 with a select group of 2026 prospects.  

Team Indiana is always known for having plenty of high-end pitchers, and this year is no different, with the roster featuring four arms that have been clocked at 90 mph or better, multiple national-level 2026 prospects, and a group of arms that have a chance to breakout in a big way.

Must-Watch 2025s

Team Indiana will feature three of my favorite uncommitted 2025 right-handers in Will Jaisle (Batesville), Trent Kulig (Andrean), and Xavier Carrera (Boone Grove). Jaisle is sure to be a favorite, offering one of the best breaking balls in the 2025 class - a sharp, 75-77 mph slider that has spun above 3000 RPMs on multiple occasions. To go along with a wipeout slider, the 6-foot-1, 205 pounder will sit in the mid-to-upper 80s (T 90.6) on a fastball with unique properties - showing both ride (2600 - 2800 RPM) and cutting action. Kulig looks the part of a potential next-level starter standing at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds and has the stuff to match. Kulig has run his fastball up to 90 mph and also offers a mid-to-upper 70s slider that flashes sharp bite, along with a cut-change at 82-84 mph. Carrera has the potential to really “tick” in Atlanta. A two-way standout, Carrera has also been up to 90 mph on his fastball thanks to a loose & quick right-arm that comes from a ¾ slot. The 6-foot-3, 190 pounder is sure to excite with tons of potential on both sides of the ball. 

2026s to Know

Indiana’s 2026 class may be young, but the class as a whole is shaping up to be a very deep & talented group within the state of Indiana. Team Indiana’s pitching staff will feature five 2026 grads that are undoubtedly going to gain national-level recognition for their talents. RHP Aiden Smith (Shelbyville) headlines the talented group - a polished, 6-foot-3, 160 pound righty with an immense ceiling. Smith possesses tons of body control that helps him move down the mound with athleticism and control, allowing him to fill the zone with a four-pitch mix. The wiry, athletic to-be-sophomore has been up to 88 mph on a fastball with significant ASR and tunnels a tight, mid-70s slider off his fastball, along with feel for a bigger curveball and sinking changeup. RHP Kobe Cherry (Center Grove) is an imposing presence at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. Also a standout on the gridiron - Cherry offers one of the top fastballs in the class, up to 90 mph, and had tons of success for 4A powerhouse Center Grove during his freshman campaign. Gannon Grant (Center Grove) also made an impact for the Trojans as a freshman and will be a two-way contributor for Team Indiana. Grant, an athletic 6-foot-1, 170 pound SS/RHP, has been up to 89 mph on his fastball this summer thanks to easy body control and a quick right-arm. RHP Jaxon Lueken (Forest Park) and LHP Beckett Doane (Noblesville) have been two major risers in the 2026 class this summer that will look to establish themselves amongst the top arms in the class at the Futures Games. Lueken is an athletic mover with arm speed that pitches with confidence and has major upside on the mound. The 6-foot-2, 175 pounder features a fastball that has been up to 88 mph w/ ride (18-22” IVB), along with a 75-77 mph slider that flashes sharp downward bite. Doane has all the makings of a potential star - an uber-projectable, 6-foot-5, 175 pound frame, a loose & clean arm, along with the ability to command the strike-zone with four pitches. Doane’s fastball currently sits in the low-to-mid 80s (T 85) with the potential to gain substantial velocity before it is all said and done. Doane will flash two different breaking balls with quality command along with a splitter that he throws with fastball arm speed. 

Potential Breakout Candidates

There seems to always be a “breakout” arm on the Team Indiana roster every year at the Futures Games. Last year, we saw Cameron Sullivan do just that at LakePoint, showing very impressive stuff along with a fastball up to 91 mph that led to his commitment to Notre Dame. We have five 2025 arms on this year's roster that have the potential to breakout. RHP Logan Cotton (Crown Point) is a projectable, 6-foot-4, 200 pound righty with a big ceiling. Cotton has the ability to command the strike-zone with three pitches, including a quality mid-70s curveball with depth and a fastball that we have seen into the upper-80s. LHP Jaxon Sparks (Fort Wayne Carroll) is a physical, 6-foot-1, 200 pound southpaw with intriguing athleticism (also a 6.7 runner) and command for a three-pitch mix, along with a fastball that we have seen up to 87 mph. RHP Ethan Dorsey (Cathedral) is another arm on Team Indiana with real feel for the strike-zone. The 6-foot-2, 190 pound right-hander has been up to 87 mph on the fastball, along with offering a sharp, mid-70s breaking ball and a tumbling, mid-70s splitter. RHP Kellen English (Evansville North) is sure to spark the interest of pitching coaches at LakePoint, starting with his 6-foot-8, 205 pound frame. The projectable right-hander has been up to 86 mph on a fastball with significant velocity in the tank due to his long & uninterrupted arm action and low-effort delivery. LHP/1B/OF Davian Carrera (Boone Grove) is sure to impress with his left-handed swing, but will also see some time on the mound for Team Indiana. A well-built, 6-foot-3, 195 pound southpaw - Carrera has raw arm talent that will produce a fastball into the upper-80s (T 87) along with showing intriguing upside on a sweeping, mid-70s slider.