Prep Baseball Report

Indiana Class of 2024 Rankings Update


Cooper Trinkle
Lead Scout

As we are getting towards the end of the 2023 spring season, it is time once again to update the class of 2024 player rankings. Since our last update in November, we have seen plenty of players raise their stock in showcase and game settings. CLICK HERE for the full rankings, expanded to 225 players. Today, we take a look at our top five, new faces in the top 10, as well as the top ranked uncommitted players still left on the board.

#1 Brayton Thomas, LHP, 2024, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger HS
Thomas continues to hold down the top spot in the class after a breakout sophomore season. A no-doubt starter profile at the next level, Thomas’ 6-foot-4, 220 pound frame, fastball up to 93 mph, and a legitimate three-pitch mix has already garnered the attention of professional scouts and will put him in contention to be one of the top prep southpaws in the 2024 draft class. His sharp, 76-78 mph slider projects to be a future swing-and-miss offering and his 80-81 mph changeup continues to improve. Aside from the premium stuff and frame that he possesses, scouts have raved about Thomas’ mound presence and competitive demeanor.

 

#2 Jack Brown, RHP/OF, 2024, Fishers HS
Brown moves to #2 after having a huge performance at our Preseason All-State, along with a dominant junior season for Fishers High School. An ultra-physical, 6-foot-1, 200 pounder - Brown has been up to 94 mph with considerable run on one of the top fastballs in Indiana’s 2024 class. The Louisville recruit has lightning-quick arm speed from a ¾ arm slot and shows aptitude to spin a firm and sharp, 78-80 mph slider. Our scouting staff has raved about Brown’s changeup this spring as he is confident to throw it to both right-handed and left-handed hitters. Brown showcased some of the most impressive athletic measurables in the class at our Preseason All-State, running a 6.65 60 yard dash and posting the top vertical jump at the event (37.5”). 

 

#3 Jayce Lee, OF/RHP, 2024, South Bend Saint Joseph HS
Lee is one of the most exciting prospects in Indiana’s 2024 class. The athletic, 6-foot-3, 185 pounder flashes five tool potential and possesses a rare combination of speed and power. The Notre Dame recruit produces easy bat speed with long levers and a clean, upward swing plane that projects him to be able to hit in the middle of the order at the next level. A graceful defender, Lee’s arm is a plus tool that also translates to intriguing potential on the mound, running his fastball up to 89 mph at the PBR Future Games last August. 

 

#4 Caden McCoy, LHP, 2024, Bloomington High School North
The physical, 6-foot-3, 215 pound southpaw continues to cement himself as one of the top arms in the class. At the Preseason All-State this March, McCoy sat 89-91 mph on his fastball with elite properties - showing a rare ability to ride and run the fastball simultaneously. His slider has shown vast improvements over the past 12 months, now a sharp, late breaking 78-80 mph slider that spins at 2600+ RPMs. McCoy has legitimate command for a three-pitch mix, including a quality changeup at 78-79 mph with fade to the armside. The Texas A&M recruit is an absolute bulldog on the bump with obvious competitive nature and a poised demeanor. 

 

#5 Hogan Denny, C/INF, 2024, Mooresville HS
Denny is a flat-out gamer with the best hit tool in Indiana’s 2024 class. The 6-foot, 190 pounder possesses a rare combination of barrel accuracy and strength, along with advanced bat speed. Denny walked away from this year’s Preseason All-State as the best hitter in attendance, hitting 8 of the 10 balls in his BP round over the 100 mph mark. The hit tool translates in game as Denny shows innate timing, the ability to hit velocity, and in-game power. The Indiana recruit offers intriguing defensive versatility - a primary catcher with major arm strength that can also play multiple infield positions. 

 

New Faces in the Top 10

Griffin Tobias, RHP/SS, 2024, Lake Central HS
The 6-foot, 170 pounder has added strength to his frame this offseason and it has paid major dividends, landing him as the 6th ranked prospect in Indiana’s 2024 class. Tobias has made a significant jump in velocity over the past 12 months, now consistently sitting 88-91 mph on his fastball, touching 93 mph in an early look this spring. An elite mover with impressive athleticism and easy arm speed, the Indiana recruit offers some of the best overall pitchability in the class, throwing a four-pitch mix for strikes. His best offspeed pitch is his sweeping, 73-74 mph slider that he can both land in the zone and wipeout late in counts. Tobias is also one of the state’s top defensive shortstops with elite arm strength (96 INF Velo) and fluid defensive actions. A 6.96 runner, Tobias has a well-sequenced, uphill swing that pairs well with quality bat-to-ball skills.

 

Ethan Lund, LHP, 2024, Hamilton Southeastern HS
Lund shoots up this list after a breakout performance at our Preseason All-State event in March, as he is starting to scratch the surface of his big-time potential. The 6-foot-4, 205 pound southpaw has one of the highest ceilings in the class, running his fastball up to 93 mph in March. The separator for the Purdue recruit is his ability to spin a sharp, 1/7 curveball at 76-78 mph that spins at 2700+ RPM. While the overall feel for command is still developing, the combination of a premium frame, advanced fastball velocity, and a wipeout breaking ball makes Lund an exciting prospect in the 2024 class. 

 

Top Uncommitted Prospects

Adam Buczkowski, RHP, 2024, Carmel HS
Buczkowski continues to trend in the right direction as he has gained considerable strength from the fall and now stands at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds. The high-waisted righty has an intriguing ability to pitch from multiple arm slots, running his fastball up to 90 mph with ASR from both a H ¾ and sidearm slot. Buczkowski possesses a high-level slider, spinning at 2500+ RPM at 79-81 mph and his changeup has developed into an above-average offering. The projectable right-hander still has velocity left in the tank and will be a solid addition to any program’s 2024 recruiting class. 

 

Michael Fliss, RHP, 2024, North Central HS
Fliss continues to gain helium and lands in the top 30 in this update. A projectable, 6-foot-5, 210 pounder, Fliss continues to add velocity - touching 89 mph on his fastball in a look this spring. The uncommitted right-hander shows aptitude to spin both a 69-72 mph curveball, as well as a late breaking cutter at 79-81 mph. Far from a finished product, expect Fliss to garner plenty of attention from college coaches on the travel circuit this summer. 

 

Alex Graber, RHP, 2024, Homestead HS
An athletic, 6-foot-2, 185 pound righty - Graber’s best trait is his ability to spin two distinct breaking balls that are both quality offerings. His 72-74 mph curveball shows more vertical depth, while his 75-77 mph slider is more of a sweeper-type that he’ll use to get swing-and-miss late in counts. Graber sits 86-88 T 89 mph on a fastball with cut that plays up due to his ability to pitch backwards. The quick-armed righty is a competitor on the bump, working quick and looking to attack hitters in the zone. 

 

Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe, OF/RHP, 2024, North Central HS
An uber-athletic, 6-foot-1, 175 pounder that is full of quick twitch. Rienstra-Kiracofe’s hit tool continues to improve and he is beginning to flash power potential with nearly double-digit home run numbers this spring. A 6.74 runner - Rienstra-Kiracofe possesses advanced arm strength from the OF (94 mph) that also translates to the mound, where he was up to 88 mph in a look this spring. 

 

Brayden Hibler, SS, 2024, Westfield HS
Hibler can flat out pick it as he is the top uncommitted shortstop still left on the board with the arm strength and defensive actions to stick at shortstop at the next level. The glove is a legitimate tool, but the bat has really taken a step forward this spring as he is developing more strength in the barrel. The 6-foot-2, 165 pounder has simplified his moves at the plate, showing quality bat-to-ball skills and the ability to control the strike zone.

 

CLICK HERE for the full rankings, expanded to 225 players.