Meet the top 72 baseball players in Greater Lafayette for the 2024 season
LAFAYETTE — It's time to dust off the lawn chairs and crack the hand and toe warmers with baseball season underway in Indiana.
The Lafayette area is home to some of Indiana's top baseball programs and prospects. Harrison, McCutcheon and Lafayette Jeff will contend for the 4A Sectional Championship after the Raiders took last season's title.
The reigning 3A Sectional and Regional Champions from Frankfort swept West Lafayette in its first series last Saturday and return a solid core of players.
More: Lafayette-based baseball player Jonathon LaGuire-Cruz reinvents himself as a pitcher
Delphi competes in a highly competitive 2A class with Carroll, Benton Central and Seeger while Central Catholic looks to make another run as it holds the record for most state titles in Indiana.
With another memorable year on the diamond underway, it's time to rank the top 72 baseball players from the Lafayette Area in 2024. The list includes a preseason starting rotation for big schools 4A-3A and small 2A-1A.
Big school players to watch
1. Logan Marsell
▶ School: McCutcheon
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: SS/P
▶ 2023 stats: Batted ..444 with three home runs, two triples, seven doubles and 28 RBI. Pitched
▶ Scouting report: Marsell is the returning J&C Big Schools Player of the Year from 2023. Marsell brings all the tools with his power hitting and skilled glove. Marsell has committed to Wabash Community College, a program that made it to the NJCAA Division I World Series in 2023.
2. Aiden Schwartz
▶ School: Harrison
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: P
▶ 2023 stats: None
▶ Scouting report: You're probably thinking, why is a player who hardly played last season so high on this list? Schwartz before his arm injury was and still is one of the best pitching prospects in the Greater Lafayette Area. A fastball that sits low 90s and has firm command of his off-speed pitches. He threw for the Indiana Bulls and has signed a scholarship to the University of Alabama-Birmingham in November.
3. Garrett Rainey
▶ School: Lafayette Jeff
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .351 with a .450 on base percentage and .478 slugging percentage. Hit 19 triples and drove 19 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Rainey fills many needs as a returner who helped Lafayette Jeff finish 17-13 in 2023. Rainey splits gaps with his bat as a right-hander and can play first base, second base, third base and shortstop effectively. His ability to play a multitude of roles has allowed Rainey to accept a scholarship to Indiana Tech.
4. Carlos Lopez
▶ School: Frankfort
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: SS/P
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .319, a triple, four doubles and five RBI. Made five appearances and struck out six.
▶ Scouting report: While Frankfort might be known for Case Arena and a basketball gym mecca, baseball is where the Hot Dogs have reigned as kings lately. Lopez has a scholarship to Indiana Tech after leading Frankfort to a Class 3A sectional championship and first regional title since 1968 last season. Greater Lafayette is full of sure-handed fielders and Lopez is no exception.
5. Drew McTagertt
▶ School: Harrison
▶ Class: Junior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .390 with three home runs, 22 stolen bases, 28 RBI, two triples.
▶ Summary: McTagertt provided a massive boost to Harrison's offense leading the team in home runs and RBI last season. McTagertt's plate approach and eye is elite and will be receiving more college offers this season.
6. Jack Shaeffer
▶ School: West Lafayette
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .386 with five home runs, two triples, six doubles and 34 RBI. Made seven pitching appearances.
▶ Scouting report: Shaeffer is shaping to be the Red Devils' pitching ace after a strong season at the plate in 2023. His power and consistency at the plate mixed with a strong arm have allowed Shaeffer to receive an offer to play at Wabash Valley College.
7. Riley Sands
▶ School: McCutcheon
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: OF/P
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .369 with a home run, a triple, a double, 14 RBI. Threw 19 innings with 25 strikeouts and 14 walks.
▶ Scouting report: Elite speed and glove, Sands is the energizer on the basepaths and field that keeps the opposition on their toes. Sands is committed to Indiana Wesleyan.
8. Benjamin Pickering
▶ School: Lafayette Jeff
▶ Class: Sophomore
▶ Position: C
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .342, hit a home run, four doubles, six RBI and led the Bronchos with a .490 on-base percentage, .526 slugging percentage and 1.016 OPS.
▶ Scouting report: Pickering has the capability of becoming a special player. Already showing signs of a power bat and his glove at catcher is college-ready. Quick feet, soft hands and he makes quick and composed throws across the diamond. Was named North Central Conference 2nd team as a freshman.
9. Sammy Swank
▶ School: McCutcheon
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: P
▶ 2023 stats: Pitched 34.2 innings and threw 45 strikeouts with 15 walks and an 3.43 ERA.
▶ Scouting report: The upside is huge for this 6-foot-3 flame-throwing right-hander who is committed to Kentucky. Swank took the winter and focused on improving his command working with Indiana Bulls rather than playing basketball where he would've been a starter. Swank has topped at 94 mph. With improved command, Swank will be able to establish himself as one of the elite arms in the Hoosier state.
10. Sage Adams
▶ School: McCutcheon
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: C/INF
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .345 with a triple, eight doubles, 15 RBI and 20 stolen bases.
▶ Scouting report: Adams is the emotional foundation in the clubhouse that keeps the Mavericks moving ahead after it won the IHSAA Class 4A Sectional Championship in Kokomo last season. A reliable defensive player, Adams has an offer to Purdue-Fort Wayne.
11. Wyatt Motz
▶ School: Crawfordsville
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .455 with two triples, seven doubles and 23 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Motz fills a multitude of needs as a gap-slicing outfielder, is a diverse infielder and can enter games as a reliever. A key returner for Crawfordsville that finished 20-9 in 2023.
12. Aiden Marcus
▶ School: Lafayette Jeff
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: P/OF
▶ 2023 stats: Made 15 appearances and pitched 48.1 innings with a 2.15 ERA and 38 strikeouts.
▶ Scouting report: Marcus is the ace of the Bronchos' pitching staff and had a stellar 2023. Commands his fastball and a consistent 12-6 curveball. Was an NCC first team member last season and will have college offers. Led Lafayette Jeff with five sacrifice hits. Marcus keeps his team focused and locked in on the mound and the clubhouse.
13. Matthew Berry
▶ School: Frankfort
▶ Class: Sophomore
▶ Position: C
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .390 with three home runs, a double and 17 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Berry became a powerful and unexpected catalyst for the historic Hot Dogs of 2023. Berry's abilities as a hitter and defensive catcher exceeded expectations.
14. Jack Dowell
▶ School: Harrison
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: C/1B
▶ 2023 stats: Batted .347 with two home runs, seven doubles and 23 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Dowell proved he could deliver in major moments as a left-handed hitter in 2023. Now he'll be the senior statesman guiding the Raiders as a vocal leader at catcher and as a three- or four-spot hitter.
15. Jarrod Kirsch
▶ School: North Montgomery
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: P/OF
▶ 2023 stats: Made nine appearances and finished with a 1.17 ERA, 88 strikeouts and 23 walks. Batted .378 with a triple, nine doubles and 17 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: The left-handed throwing Kirsch stood out in a myriad of ways to earn J&C first-team honors. Kirsch pounded the zone as a pitcher and then roped line drives as a hitter. Another talented athlete who contributes across the diamond.
16. Brayson Johns
▶ School: Rensselaer Central
▶ Class: Sophomore
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ Stats: Batted .465 with an .569 on-base percentage, hit three home runs, six doubles, two triples and 25 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Johns scored the ball for the Bombers in 2023 and is also his team's top pitcher. Now he returns to help Rensselaer Central since 2021.
17. Tristan Robertson
▶ School: Twin Lakes
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: OF
▶ Stats: Batted .453 with three triples, five doubles, stole 35 bases and 26 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Robertson hammered the ball to right and left field in 2023 while displaying outstanding defensive skill in the outfield. Had a perfect fielding percentage in center field and leads Twin Lakes who finished 16-12 last season.
Journal & Courier Big Schools Second Team
Owen Smith | McCutcheon | P | Senior | Key returning starting pitcher for the Mavericks
Jake Winger | McCutcheon | P/INF | Sophomore | Batted .260 with 17 RBI, went 2-1 and earned two saves in 2023.
Miles Williams | Lafayette Jeff | LHP/OF | Senior | Pitched 29.2 innings, went 4-2 in 17 appearances, 2.60 ERA and struck out 43 hitters. Committed to Wabash College.
Leyton Corbin | Lafayette Jeff | INF/C | Junior | Batted .218 with a home run, a triple and led the Bronchos with 17 walks.
Jackson Gwin | Harrison | P/INF | Senior | Batted .258 with a home run, a triple, four doubles and 10 RBI. Recorded two saves.
Aidan Lowry | Harrison | OF | Senior | Batted .290 with two triples, six doubles and nine RBI.
Aiden Riser | McCutcheon | OF/RHP | Junior | Went 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA in 22 innings. Batted .263 with a triple, three doubles and nine RBI.
Ben Werth | West Lafayette | OF/P | Sophomore | Batted .349 with 16 RBI and scored 21 runs.
Chase Taylor | West Lafayette | P | Senior | Made 11 appearances, 4.59 ERA, 25 Ks.
Kale Wemer | Crawfordsville | P/INF | Senior | Batted .350 with a home run, eight doubles and 26 RBI. Made 11 appearances and pitched 42.2 innings, 61 Ks and 3.12 ERA. Has a preferred walk-on spot at Purdue.
Cade Cole | North Montgomery | P/INF | Junior | Batted .294 with two doubles and 12 RBI. Made 10 appearances and threw 48.1 innings, 42 Ks and walked 20.
Alex Lopez-Alanis | Frankfort | P/INF | Sophomore | Batted .327 with three doubles and eight RBI. Made five relief appearances and recorded a save.
Oscar Lopez-Alanis | Frankfort | 1B/P | Senior | Pitched 18.1 innings with 12 Ks and posted a 1.91 ERA.
Carson Wagner | Twin Lakes | INF/P | Sophomore | Batted .341 with one home run, seven doubles and 22 RBI.
CJ Brummett | Twin Lakes | INF/P | Senior | Batted .422 with two triples, nine doubles and 27 RBI.
Danny Marlow | Rensselaer Central | INF/P | Senior | Made 11 appearances and threw 42 innings and 35 strikeouts.
Colton Metzger | Rensselaer Central | P/INF | Senior | Batted .317 with 17 RBI.
Small school players to watch
1. Matthew Ford
▶ School: Rossville
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: OF/P
▶ 2023 Stats: Batted .289 with a double, two triples, 14 RBI. Pitched to a 6-6 record with a 3.23 ERA, 69 Ks and made three saves.
▶ Scouting report: Ford returns to lead the Hornets after reaching the Class 1A Sectional Championships against Central Catholic. Ford commands the zone well as a pitcher and as a hitter, works counts and drives in runs.
2. Tyler Klemme
▶ School: Benton Central
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ 2023 Stats: Batted .430 and sliced eight doubles, three triples, 16 RBI and stole 11 bases.
▶ Scouting report: Klemme gets his hands through the ball and looks to generate even more power for Benton Central, which finished 12-14 last season. Klemme returns with three seniors who look to make a run at the 2A sectional title.
3. Eli Harshbarger
▶ School: Carroll
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: OF/P
▶ 2023 Stats: Batted .432 with an .500 on base percentage. Harshbarger hit eight doubles, stole 21 bases and drove 16 RBI. Threw 38.1 innings with 55 Ks.
▶ Scouting report: One of the area's top returning bats, Harshbarger guided Carroll to an appearance in the IHSAA Class 2A Sectional Championship game against Delphi. Harshbarger squares his hands firmly through the ball, he'll also be used as a relief pitcher.
4. Jaxon Hixson
▶ School: Delphi
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: OF
▶ Stats: Batted .390 with one home run, 14 doubles, a .482 on-base percentage and 32 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Hixon is the returning bat that powered the Oracles to the IHSAA class 2A regional championship over Bremen and made the semistate semifinals against Winchester.
5. Chase Alamger
▶ School: Delphi
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: INF/P
▶ Stats: Batted .376 with a home run, a triple, 10 doubles and 20 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Alamger's glove at shortstop and third base along with his timely hitting helped propel the Oracles' lineup with Hixson. Delphi returns plenty of seniors from last season's regional title team. Now the goal is to win state.
6. Gavin Boutelle
▶ School: Central Catholic
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ 2023 Stats: N/A
▶ Scouting report: One of the Knights' top returning hitters is off to a fast start going 5-for-8 to begin the 2024 campaign. Central Catholic won its state-leading ninth state championship after it finished 25-11.
7. Kye Jacobs
▶ School: Clinton Prairie
▶ Class: Sophomore
▶ Position: P/SS
▶ 2023 Stats: Batted .392 with a .489 on-base percentage, eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 19 RBI and 16 stolen bases. Went 3-2, with a 2.54 earned run average, 69 Ks with 11 walks in 41 1/3 innings.
▶ Scouting report: The MLB draft could be calling Jacobs's name in the coming years after a razor-sharp start to his career. He was the best pitcher, the best hitter and top base stealer for the Gophers.
8. Luke Davison
▶ School: Clinton Central
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ 2023 Stats: Batted .321 with a home run, nine doubles, 17 RBI and 13 stolen bases. Threw 37.2 innings, 50 Ks, 18 walks and 2.04 ERA.
▶ Scouting report: Davison is the ultimate utility man who should have the Bulldogs looking upwards in 2024. Keeps his approach simple, draws walks and can give throw strikes in a pinch as a reliever.
9. Chanz McCutchen
▶ School: North White
▶ Class: Junior
▶ Position: P/3B/SS
▶ 2023 Stats: Batted .415 with a .556 on-base percentage, hit two home runs, four triples, five doubles and 16 RBI. Led North White with 66 strikeouts including 41.2 innings pitched,
▶ Scouting report: Had a breakout 2023 despite his team finishing 6-17. Tons of hype surrounding McCutchen who proved he could lead a team despite being a sophomore. The mature vocal leader of the Vikings, McCutchen steps up in key moments and can pound the zone.
10. Braden McKay
▶ School: West Central
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ Stats: Batted 431 with a .505 on-base percentage, nine doubles, one triple and two home runs. He also stole 16 bases and had 31 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: McKay is West Central's returning leader in home runs and doubles. Versatile and quick, the Trojans went 15-10 last season.
11. Brinn Robbins
▶ School: Central Catholic
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ Stats: N/A
▶ Scouting report: Robbins excelled as a football player this season but is equally effective on the diamond. Robbins keeps a level head and plays catcher. He also gives the Knights depth as a quality relief pitcher and plays catcher.
12. Adrian Torres
▶ School: Benton Central
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ Stats: Batted hit .462 with a .553 on base percentage. Torres clubbed six doubles with one home run and had 36 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Versatile pitcher and a clutch hitter, Torres hopes to complete the Bison turnaround on the diamond after improving from 9-16 in 2022 to 12-14 in 2023.
13. Keaton Brooks
▶ School: Central Catholic
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: P
▶ Stats: N/A
▶ Scouting report: Brooks carries a nasty arsenal of pitches. A fastball he commands with effectiveness with a changeup and curve that he can control to drop in and out of the zone. One of the aces for the Knights' staff looking to add their 10th state title.
14. Noah Stephen
▶ School: Seeger
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: INF
▶ Stats: Batted .411 with nine doubles and 34 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Stephen who started at quarterback for the Patriots is also one of their most valuable hitters after a strong year from the plate in 2023. Seeger finished 18-9 but lost in extra innings to Carroll in last season's IHSAA Class 2A first-round sectionals.
15. Tyler Burns
▶ School: Tri-County
▶ Class: Sophomore
▶ Position: UTIL
▶ Stats: Batted .443 with a home run, four doubles and 20 RBI.
▶ Scouting report: Burns was another underclassman who burst onto the high school scene and showed impressive power for his youth. Burns looks to build on a season that saw Tri-County finish 14-11 before getting ousted in the sectional semifinals against Rossville.
16. Patrick Barry
▶ School: North Newton
▶ Class: Senior
▶ Position: INF/P
▶ Stats: Batted .442 with a home run, four triples, six doubles and 32 RBI. Pitched 39 innings, 67 Ks and 20 walks.
▶ Scouting report: An incredibly efficient player, Barry can locate his fastball effectively and turn around to swing for power and drive in runs for the Spartans. North Newton finished 17-9 but ran into a buzz saw during sectionals, losing to eventual 2A state champion Illiana Christian.
17. Zac Wainscott
▶ School: Rossville
▶ Class: Sophomore
▶ Position: INF/P
▶ Stats: Batted .333 with a home run, five doubles and 14 RBI. Pitched 11.1 innings with 12 Ks.
▶ Scouting report: Another strong right-handed arm for the Hornets that is only expected to improve and become one of the aces of his staff. Wainscott also displayed impressive power for his age and could become an even greater force for Rossville in 2024.
Journal & Courier Small Schools Second Team
Colin Frier | Faith Christian | P/INF | Senior | Batted .352 with a home run, a triple, five doubles and 14 RBI. Threw a team-high 45 strikeouts.
Boston Pritchett | Benton Central | UTIL | Senior | Batted .356 with a triple, six doubles and 22 RBI. Made six appearances and threw 10 strikeouts.
Seth Miller | Attica | UTIL | Senior | Batted .348 with a triple, five doubles and 22 RBI.
Landon Walker | Seeger | OF/P | Senior | Batted .360 with a home run, a triple and four doubles and 19 RBI.
Coy Lytle | Carroll | INF/C | Junior | Batted .148 with two doubles and five RBI.
Peyton Reynolds | Seeger | UTIL | Senior | Batted .361 with three doubles and 23 RBI.
Owen Zinn | Carroll | UTIL | Junior | Batted .222 with two doubles and 11 RBI. Threw 17 innings with 14 Ks and 11 walks.
Koby Bahler | Tri-County | UTIL | Senior | Batted .361 with six doubles and 22 RBI.
Trent Metzger | Carroll | INF/P | Senior | Batted .246 with a triple, two doubles and 11 RBI.
Dylan Walters | Seeger | OF | Senior | Batted .292 with five doubles and 13 RBI.
Owen Acton | Fountain Central | UTIL | Senior | Batted .364 with a home run, a triple, five doubles and 19 RBI.
Cian Moore | Covington | UTIL | Junior | Batted .365 with a home run, a triple, seven doubles and 15 RBI. Pitched 23 innings with 39 strikeouts and 19 walks.
Cayden Martin | South Newton | UTIL | Junior | Stats N/A
Michael Dewing | South Newton | OF/P | Junior | Stats N/A
Eli Quasebarth | North White | SS/P | Senior | Batted .433 with three triples, eight doubles and 19 RBI. Threw 40.1 innings with 38 Ks.
Quynten Saylor | Rossville | OF | Senior | Batted .311 with four RBI.
Josiah Rodriguez | West Central | P/SS | Senior | Batted .323 with a triple, two doubles and 19 RBI. Threw 46.1 innings with 65 Ks and a 1.51 ERA.
Gunnar Shirk | Southmont | UTIL | Sophomore | Batted .283 with three doubles and four RBI. Made 12 appearances with 24 Ks.
Blake Sorensen | Frontier | UTIL | Sophomore | Batted .329 with four triples, four doubles and 20 RBI.
Evan Gagnon | North Newton | INF/P | Senior | Batted .465 with a home run, six triples, seven doubles and 21 RBI. Made eight appearances, threw 40.2 innings with 63 Ks.
Grayson Schneider | Tri County | P/OF | Junior | Batted .299 with a triple, seven doubles, 15 RBI. Made eight appearances, threw 42.1 innings with 72 strikeouts.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Meet the top 72 baseball players in the Greater Lafayette for 2024
