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65 high school baseball players to watch in Southwestern Indiana in 2024

Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press
·8 min read

High school baseball is back.

Southwestern Indiana is no stranger to success in the sport – three teams advanced beyond the regional last year – and seemingly has multiple Division I prospects every spring. The current group continues the trend, particularly on the mound.

Our spring sports preseason coverage continues with 65 high school baseball players to watch in SW Indiana. As a reminder, the best of the best are included, and those who are vital to a team's success or could break out.

More: 10 high school softball teams to watch across Southwestern Indiana in 2024

Hudson Allen, Southridge

The senior infielder batted .411 with 11 doubles and 18 RBIs while not striking out in 102 plate appearances. Second Team All-PAC selection.

Jacob Allen, South Knox

The senior infielder went 5-2 with a 2.16 ERA and 79 strikeouts. Also batted .344 with 14 RBIs. All-Blue Chip Conference selection.

Zach Allen, South Knox

The senior catcher batted .338 with 21 RBIs and a .446 on-base percentage. All-Blue Chip Conference selection.

Colby Angel, North Posey

The junior infielder batted .379 with nine extra-base hits and 12 RBIs. Honorable Mention All-PAC selection.

Tyler Atkins, Jasper

The senior infielder batted .315 with 16 RBIs and likely starts at catcher this spring for the Wildcats.

Kaiden Bard, Harrison

The senior outfielder batted .341 with five home runs, 20 RBIs and stole 28 bases. First Team All-SIAC selection.

Harrison's Kaiden Bard (23) hauls in a deep fly ball during their sectional semifinal game against Castle at Bosse Field Friday evening, May 26, 2023.
Harrison's Kaiden Bard (23) hauls in a deep fly ball during their sectional semifinal game against Castle at Bosse Field Friday evening, May 26, 2023.

Raden Benson, Vincennes Lincoln

The senior infielder was 6-2 with a 2.32 ERA and 73 strikeouts. Also batted .324 with 17 RBIs.

Ty Brown, South Spencer

The junior was an Honorable Mention All-PAC selection last spring for the Rebels.

Joel Bueltel, Forest Park

The senior went 5-1 with a 0.95 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Also batted .325 with 18 RBIs. First Team All-PAC selection.

Quinn Bush, Princeton

The junior outfielder batted .333 with 14 RBIs and 10 stolen bases for the Tigers.

Central's Jaiden Clark (9) hauls in a long fly ball during their sectional game against Castle at Bosse Field Friday evening, May 27, 2022.
Central's Jaiden Clark (9) hauls in a long fly ball during their sectional game against Castle at Bosse Field Friday evening, May 27, 2022.

JJ Clark, Central

The senior outfielder batted .360 with 12 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Second Team All-SIAC selection.

Jaron Clutter, Princeton

The sophomore infielder batted .296 with four triples and 14 RBIs. Also posted a 2.60 ERA with 35 strikeouts.

Will Coleman, Castle

The junior infielder went 4-2 with a 1.39 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings. Also batted .337 with 11 RBIs for the regional champions. First Team All-SIAC selection. Committed to Missouri.

Castle’s Will Coleman (17) pitches as the Castle Knights play the Jeffersonville Red Devils in the 2023 IHSAA Class 4A Baseball Regional championship at Braun Stadium in Evansville, Ind., Saturday, June 3, 2023.
Castle’s Will Coleman (17) pitches as the Castle Knights play the Jeffersonville Red Devils in the 2023 IHSAA Class 4A Baseball Regional championship at Braun Stadium in Evansville, Ind., Saturday, June 3, 2023.

Bailey Collins, Memorial

The senior infielder batted .344 with five extra-base hits and 11 RBIs. Signed with Frontier College.

Chris Cranick, North

The senior infielder batted .345 with six doubles and 19 RBIs. Also went 2-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 46 strikeouts. First Team All-SIAC selection. Signed with Olney Central.

North's Cole Decker (5) heads to third base against Memorial during their game at North High School's Husky Field Thursday evening, April 13, 2023.
North's Cole Decker (5) heads to third base against Memorial during their game at North High School's Husky Field Thursday evening, April 13, 2023.

Cole Decker, North

The senior outfielder batted .404 with 12 extra-base hits, 19 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. First Team All-SIAC selection. Signed with Indiana.

Seth Deom, Heritage Hills

The senior batted .375 with six doubles and 17 RBIs for the Patriots.

Noah Drake, Castle

The junior outfielder is a breakout candidate for the Knights. Committed to Indiana.

Josiah Dunham, Evansville Christian

The senior infielder batted .404 with six extra-base hits, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases for the sectional champions.

Tecumseh’s DJ Dupont (11) throws to first as the Tecumseh Braves play the Shakamak Lakers in the 2022 Class A semi-state game at Alvin C. Ruxer Field in Jasper, Ind., Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Tecumseh’s DJ Dupont (11) throws to first as the Tecumseh Braves play the Shakamak Lakers in the 2022 Class A semi-state game at Alvin C. Ruxer Field in Jasper, Ind., Saturday, June 11, 2022.

DJ DuPont, Tecumseh

The senior infielder batted .368 with eight doubles, 19 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Also went 6-2 with a 2.98 ERA.

Kellen English, North

The 6-10 junior pitcher is a prime breakout candidate after an injury and depth on staff last year. Committed to Indiana.

Josh Ferguson, Central

The senior infielder went 5-3 with a 2.39 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 44 innings. Also batted .338 with nine extra-base hits and 13 RBIs. First Team All-SIAC selection. Signed with Marshall.

Memorial’s Matthew Fisher (2) pitches the ball against the Castle Knights during the final SIAC game of the season at N.J. Stone Field in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday afternoon, May 9, 2023. Castle defeated Memorial 1-0 to win a share of the SIAC baseball championship.
Memorial’s Matthew Fisher (2) pitches the ball against the Castle Knights during the final SIAC game of the season at N.J. Stone Field in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday afternoon, May 9, 2023. Castle defeated Memorial 1-0 to win a share of the SIAC baseball championship.

Matthew Fisher, Memorial

The junior infielder went 5-3 with a 1.51 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings. Also batted .324 with 14 RBIs for the regional champions. First Team All-SIAC selection. Committed to Indiana.

Clay Fuhrman, Northeast Dubois

The senior batted .383 with 30 RBIs and went 5-1 with a 2.37 ERA and 30 strikeouts. All-Blue Chip Conference selection.

Brayden Giesler, Jasper

The junior outfielder batted .318 with five doubles and scored 22 runs for the Wildcats.

Ethan Goodin, Mater Dei

The senior infielder batted .292 with 16 RBIs and had a 4.47 ERA with 33 strikeouts.

Ethan Graber, Barr-Reeve

The senior outfielder batted .449 with nine extra-base hits and 22 RBIs. All-Blue Chip Conference selection.

Peyton Gray, Heritage Hills

The sophomore infielder batted .364 with 10 extra-base hits and 18 RBIs. Also struck out 33 on the mound. Second Team All-PAC selection. Committed to Western Kentucky.

Memorial's Clark Gries (28) fields a Jasper single at Memorial's Stone Field Monday afternoon, May 2, 2022.
Memorial's Clark Gries (28) fields a Jasper single at Memorial's Stone Field Monday afternoon, May 2, 2022.

Clark Gries, Memorial

The senior outfielder batted .388 with 10 extra-base hits and 17 RBIs. Second Team All-SIAC selection. Signed with Oakland City.

Drew Hambrick, Vincennes Lincoln

The senior infielder batted .303 last spring and will provide the Alices a veteran presence in the lineup.

Central's Jaxon Henke (8) is safe at second base after a double against Castle during their sectional game at Bosse Field Friday evening, May 27, 2022.
Central's Jaxon Henke (8) is safe at second base after a double against Castle during their sectional game at Bosse Field Friday evening, May 27, 2022.

Jaxon Henke, Central

The senior outfielder batted .377 with 18 RBIs and went 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA.

Reid Howard, Forest Park

The senior infielder batted .372 with 17 extra-base hits and 31 RBIs. First Team All-PAC selection. Signed with Western Kentucky.

Brayden Huebner, North

The senior infielder batted .263 with six extra-base hits and 16 RBIs. Signed with Ball State.

North's Brayden Huebner (2) makes the throw to first base to get the Memorial runner out during their game at North High School's Husky Field Thursday evening, April 13, 2023.
North's Brayden Huebner (2) makes the throw to first base to get the Memorial runner out during their game at North High School's Husky Field Thursday evening, April 13, 2023.

Wyatt Huddleston, Tecumseh

The junior batted .337 with six extra-base hits and 23 RBIs for the Braves.

Jarrett Kinder, Princeton

The junior infielder .405 with six doubles and 19 RBIs. First Team All-PAC selection.

Olsen Kroeger, Washington

The senior infielder batted .344 with eight extra-base hits and 19 RBIs. Second Team All-PAC selection.

Luke Krzykowski, Heritage Hills

The junior infielder batted .322 with three triples and 18 RBIs. Also went 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA.

Kai Kunz, Jasper

The junior infielder batted .408 with nine extra-base hits and 25 RBIs for the Wildcats.

Jaxon Leuken, Forest Park

The junior batted .290 with 11 RBIs. Also posted a 0.70 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.

Easton Luigs, North Posey

The senior infielder batted .485 with 15 doubles and 34 RBIs. First Team All-PAC selection.

Thomas Lynch, Memorial

The senior infielder batted .354 with 19 RBIs. Signed with Purdue.

Ethan Mansfield, North Posey

The junior outfielder batter .315 with three homers and 28 RBIs. Also went 6-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 40 strikeouts. Second Team All-PAC selection.

More: 70 high school softball players to watch in Southwestern Indiana in 2024

Luke Mayer, Mater Dei

The senior batted .361 with 15 RBIs and went 2-4 with a 1.85 ERA with 36 strikeouts. Second Team All-SIAC selection. Signed with Wabash.

Evan McClain, Southridge

The senior was 6-1 with a 1.80 ERA and 36 strikeouts. Also batted .269 with eight RBIs.

Bryce Minton, North

The senior pitcher went 8-1 with a 1.05 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 40 innings. Second Team All-SIAC selection. Signed with Rend Lake College.

North's Bryce Minton (25) delivers a pitch to a Memorial batter during their game at North High School's Husky Field Thursday evening, April 13, 2023.
North's Bryce Minton (25) delivers a pitch to a Memorial batter during their game at North High School's Husky Field Thursday evening, April 13, 2023.

Isaac Mitsdarffer, Castle

The junior was 4-1 with a 1.01 ERA, two saves and 18 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings.

Xavier Monroe, Central

The junior infielder/pitcher was 4-2 with a 2.00 ERA with 37 strikeouts. Also batted .250 with 14 RBIs.

Wil Morton, Wood Memorial

The senior was the Trojans' top hitter with a .438 average through early May last year. All-Blue Chip Conference selection.

Andrew Noblitt, Jasper

The senior infielder is one of the top pitchers in the area. First Team All-SIAC selection.

Seth Parsons, Gibson Southern

The junior outfielder batted .338 with nine extra-base hits, 17 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Second Team All-PAC selection.

Jake Pauw, Boonville

The junior infielder batted .398 with three homers and 29 RBIs. All-Blue Chip Conference selection.

Tyler Rinehart, Boonville

The junior outfielder batted .392 with eight doubles, five home runs, 25 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. First Team All-PAC selection.

Memorial's Simon Schulz (9) waits for the moment to advance to second base as the Tigers play the Castle Knights during the final SIAC game of the season at N.J. Stone Field in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday afternoon, May 9, 2023. Castle defeated Memorial 1-0 to win a share of the SIAC baseball championship.
Memorial's Simon Schulz (9) waits for the moment to advance to second base as the Tigers play the Castle Knights during the final SIAC game of the season at N.J. Stone Field in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday afternoon, May 9, 2023. Castle defeated Memorial 1-0 to win a share of the SIAC baseball championship.

Simon Schulz, Memorial

The junior infielder batted .338 with five doubles and 15 RBIs. Committed to Evansville.

Logan Simmons, North Posey

The senior infielder batted .312 with 11 extra-base hits and 29 RBIs. Honorable Mention All-PAC selection.

Blake Taylor, Southridge

The junior infielder batted .364 with 10 RBIs. Honorable Mention All-PAC selection.

Harrison's Levi Thomas (10) delivers a pitch to a Castle batter during their sectional semifinal game at Bosse Field Friday evening, May 26, 2023.
Harrison's Levi Thomas (10) delivers a pitch to a Castle batter during their sectional semifinal game at Bosse Field Friday evening, May 26, 2023.

Levi Thomas, Harrison

The senior infielder batted .333 with two home runs and 21 RBIs. Also the Warriors' top pitcher. Second Team All-SIAC selection. Signed with Olney Central.

Tyler Thomas, Castle

The sophomore infielder batted .278 with 17 RBIs for the regional champions.

Seth Wagler, Barr-Reeve

The junior batted .417 with 11 extra-base hits and 29 RBIs. Also went 8-2 with a 0.83 ERA and 74 strikeouts. All-Blue Chip Conference selection.

Will Wallace, Jasper

The senior batted .317 with seven doubles and 23 RBIs. Also went 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA. Second Team All-SIAC selection. Committed to Wabash.

Rolan Whitehead, Southridge

The junior batted .328 with six extra-base hits, 17 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.

Tate Whitehead, Southridge

The junior batted .354 with 11 RBIs and a .448 OBP for the sectional champions.

Ryne Wilhite, Princeton

The junior infielder batted .366 with nine doubles and 18 RBIs. Also had a 1.11 ERA with 45 strikeouts. Second Team All-PAC selection.

Memorial's Ryan Pietruszkiewicz (8) is tagged out at the plate by North's Gabe Wilke (8) during their game at North High School's Husky Field Thursday evening, April 13, 2023.
Memorial's Ryan Pietruszkiewicz (8) is tagged out at the plate by North's Gabe Wilke (8) during their game at North High School's Husky Field Thursday evening, April 13, 2023.

Gabe Wilke, North

The senior catcher batted .276 with seven extra-base hits and 11 RBIs. Signed with Lincoln Trail College.

Seth Williams, Boonville

The senior infielder batted .323 with three doubles and 11 RBIs. Also struck out 12 in 26 1/3 innings.

Ty Wilzbacher, Reitz

The senior was 4-0 with a 3.16 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. Also batted .306 with six RBIs. Committed to Rend Lake College.

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: 65 high school baseball players to watch the Evansville area in 2024