Rising Sophomores Shine in Summer Ball
8/15/2025 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The strength of Indiana's baseball program will be built through its rising sophomore class for years to come. After playing a lineup that featured four or five freshmen at all times in 2025, the Hoosiers can expect a sophomore-heavy group of position players in 2026.
Shortstop Cooper Malamazian and first baseman Jake Hanley were the standout names last season, but the likes of outfielder Cole Decker and catcher Brayden Ricketts broke onto the scene with fantastic summers in the Appalachian League. Outfielder/pitcher Caleb Koskie took a step forward and is expected to be a reliable two-way player for IU.
The Hoosiers were spread out over various summer leagues as their young crop of position players got valuable reps. Most of IU's returning veteran pitchers, including Jackson Yarberry and Gavin Seebold, were shut down for the summer after logging big innings in the spring.
Note: Only returning players that played in 2025 are featured. Incoming transfers are not on this list.
Cape Cod League
Jake Hanley – 1B, Chatham Anglers
Season: 35 GP, 25 H, 16 R, 5 2B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 19 BB
After winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in Bloomington, Hanley made his way to the Cape as one of the youngest players in the league. He played in 35 games over the summer, taking his season total to 91 since the beginning of February.
Hanley picked up great experience against some of the best college arms in the country. He racked up 25 hits and had six extra-base knocks. On top of that, he got valuable defensive reps at both first base and in left field. He will return to campus as one of the best Big Ten bats in 2026.
Northwoods League
Cooper Malamazian – SS, Madison Mallards
Season: 15 GP, 9 H, 6 R, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 8 BB
The young shortstop was limited to just 15 games this summer after picking up a couple knocks in Wisconsin. In 15 games, Malamazian recorded nine hits and walked eight times. Combined with his time in Bloomington, he played in 70 contests since the beginning of February.
The Hoosiers have their shortstop of the future in Malamazian. He started the final 32 games of the season at shortstop and earned All-Big Ten Freshman team honors. The Clarendon Hills, Illinois native hit .320 with 55 base knocks and 17 doubles during his first college season.
Hogan Denny – INF/OF, Kenosha Kingfish
Season: 30 GP, .328 avg., 38 H, 27 R, 6 2B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 16 BB
Denny caught steam at the end of IU's season and it rolled directly over to the summer. He showed up to the Northwoods League and mashed for the Kenosha Kingfish. He had 11 extra-base hits and walked as much as he struck out (16-16).
The young Indiana native experimented behind the plate and in the outfield. The defensive highlight of the summer came on a deep throw from Denny in left field to gun down the runner at home. There will be big expectations for the Mooresville native as he comes back for his sophomore campaign.
Brayton Thomas – LHP, St. Cloud Rox
Season: 12 app., 1-1, 15.1 IP, 9 H, 9 ER, 28 K
Thomas became a fairly reliable option out of the bullpen late in the season for the Hoosiers. He got more valuable innings under his belt this summer in the Northwoods. The young southpaw had 28 strikeouts in 15.1 innings of work. He held opposing teams to just nine earned runs.
There's a path to a big role for Thomas in 2026. His outstanding slider and imposing 6-foot-5 frame makes him a valuable matchup piece out of the bullpen.
Caleb Koskie – LHP/OF, Mankato MoonDogs
Season (Hitting): 44 GP, .277 avg., 43 H, 8 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 41 BB, 12 SB
Season (Pitching): 4-3, 3.58 ERA, 60.1 IP, 45 H, 24 ER, 69 K
Koskie was another player in the talented freshman class from last season that enjoyed a breakout summer. He pitched to the tune of a 3.58 earned run average over 60.1 innings. He threw eight innings of one-run ball on August 2nd and followed it up with 10 strikeouts in a playoff victory over St. Cloud.
At the plate, Koskie continued to show great discipline with quick bat speed. He racked up 43 hits including eight doubles. The eye-popping number was his 41 walks to just 37 strikeouts. The Minnesota native figures to provide lots of versatility for the Hoosiers in 2026.
Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
T.J. Schuyler – C, Keene SwampBats (NECBL)
Season: 28 GP, 19 H, 11 R, 5 2B, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 9 BB, 2 SB
Schuyler returned to the New Hampshire side after finishing the 2024 summer with Keene. He was a valuable piece of the SwampBats' championship run, hitting .333 (5-15) with four RBIs in the NECBL playoffs. Schuyler, who will be IU's best defensive catcher in 2026, also threw out eight runners this summer.
Appalachian League
Cole Decker – OF, Bluefield Ridge Runners
Season: 36 GP, .305 avg., 43 H, 34 R, 7 2B, 6 3B, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 22 BB, 3 SB
Decker had just five at-bats in his freshman campaign but took big advantage of a full summer of playing time. En route to winning the Appalachian League title, Decker racked up 15 extra-base hits, 19 RBIs, 43 hits and 22 strikeouts.
He played all three outfield positions and made just two errors in over 250 defensive innings. He pitched in four outfield assists as well. Decker had an on-base percentage of .407 and figures to be a big part of IU's outfield as a sophomore in 2026.
Brayden Ricketts – C, Pulaski River Turtles
Season: 38 GP,.333 avg. 44 H, 31 R, 10 2B, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 33 BB,
The young catcher was the breakout player of the summer for IU. After redshirting his first season in Bloomington, Ricketts exploded onto the scene for Pulaski in 2025. He contributed 44 hits while hitting .333 in 38 games. On top of that, Ricketts slugged four home runs and racked up 10 doubles and 35 RBIs.
The Canadian slashed .333/.477/.500 while splitting time between catcher, first base and designated hitter. Baseball America named him one of the 10 non-Cape Cod League Summer College Baseball standouts. He was also an All-Star game starter in the Appalachian League.
Evan O'Neill – OF, Bluefield Ridge Runners
Season: 3-0, 10 app., 17.1 IP, 8 ER, 24 K
The big right-handed pitcher hasn't been able to throw during his first two years in Bloomington but finally got on the mound this summer. He was part of Bluefield's championship team and racked up 24 strikeouts over 10 appearances. He allowed just eight earned runs in 17.1 innings of action.
Will Moore – OF, Pulaski River Turtles
Season: 1 GP
Moore played just one game in summer ball before being shut down after a long year of playing. The Big Ten All-Freshman team selection will return for his sophomore season in 2026.
Prospect League
Micah Vessely, RHP – Terre Haute Rex
Season: 1-1, 17 app., 3.76 ERA, 26.1 IP, 28 K
Vessely is another member of the rising sophomore class that didn't appear in 2025. He stayed close to home and shined in Terre Haute. He racked up 28 strikeouts over 26.1 innings while maintaining a 3.76 earned run average.
Shortstop Cooper Malamazian and first baseman Jake Hanley were the standout names last season, but the likes of outfielder Cole Decker and catcher Brayden Ricketts broke onto the scene with fantastic summers in the Appalachian League. Outfielder/pitcher Caleb Koskie took a step forward and is expected to be a reliable two-way player for IU.
The Hoosiers were spread out over various summer leagues as their young crop of position players got valuable reps. Most of IU's returning veteran pitchers, including Jackson Yarberry and Gavin Seebold, were shut down for the summer after logging big innings in the spring.
Note: Only returning players that played in 2025 are featured. Incoming transfers are not on this list.
Cape Cod League
Jake Hanley – 1B, Chatham Anglers
Season: 35 GP, 25 H, 16 R, 5 2B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 19 BB
After winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in Bloomington, Hanley made his way to the Cape as one of the youngest players in the league. He played in 35 games over the summer, taking his season total to 91 since the beginning of February.
Hanley picked up great experience against some of the best college arms in the country. He racked up 25 hits and had six extra-base knocks. On top of that, he got valuable defensive reps at both first base and in left field. He will return to campus as one of the best Big Ten bats in 2026.
Northwoods League
Cooper Malamazian – SS, Madison Mallards
Season: 15 GP, 9 H, 6 R, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 8 BB
The young shortstop was limited to just 15 games this summer after picking up a couple knocks in Wisconsin. In 15 games, Malamazian recorded nine hits and walked eight times. Combined with his time in Bloomington, he played in 70 contests since the beginning of February.
The Hoosiers have their shortstop of the future in Malamazian. He started the final 32 games of the season at shortstop and earned All-Big Ten Freshman team honors. The Clarendon Hills, Illinois native hit .320 with 55 base knocks and 17 doubles during his first college season.
Hogan Denny – INF/OF, Kenosha Kingfish
Season: 30 GP, .328 avg., 38 H, 27 R, 6 2B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 16 BB
Denny caught steam at the end of IU's season and it rolled directly over to the summer. He showed up to the Northwoods League and mashed for the Kenosha Kingfish. He had 11 extra-base hits and walked as much as he struck out (16-16).
The young Indiana native experimented behind the plate and in the outfield. The defensive highlight of the summer came on a deep throw from Denny in left field to gun down the runner at home. There will be big expectations for the Mooresville native as he comes back for his sophomore campaign.
Brayton Thomas – LHP, St. Cloud Rox
Season: 12 app., 1-1, 15.1 IP, 9 H, 9 ER, 28 K
Thomas became a fairly reliable option out of the bullpen late in the season for the Hoosiers. He got more valuable innings under his belt this summer in the Northwoods. The young southpaw had 28 strikeouts in 15.1 innings of work. He held opposing teams to just nine earned runs.
There's a path to a big role for Thomas in 2026. His outstanding slider and imposing 6-foot-5 frame makes him a valuable matchup piece out of the bullpen.
Caleb Koskie – LHP/OF, Mankato MoonDogs
Season (Hitting): 44 GP, .277 avg., 43 H, 8 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 41 BB, 12 SB
Season (Pitching): 4-3, 3.58 ERA, 60.1 IP, 45 H, 24 ER, 69 K
Koskie was another player in the talented freshman class from last season that enjoyed a breakout summer. He pitched to the tune of a 3.58 earned run average over 60.1 innings. He threw eight innings of one-run ball on August 2nd and followed it up with 10 strikeouts in a playoff victory over St. Cloud.
At the plate, Koskie continued to show great discipline with quick bat speed. He racked up 43 hits including eight doubles. The eye-popping number was his 41 walks to just 37 strikeouts. The Minnesota native figures to provide lots of versatility for the Hoosiers in 2026.
Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
T.J. Schuyler – C, Keene SwampBats (NECBL)
Season: 28 GP, 19 H, 11 R, 5 2B, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 9 BB, 2 SB
Schuyler returned to the New Hampshire side after finishing the 2024 summer with Keene. He was a valuable piece of the SwampBats' championship run, hitting .333 (5-15) with four RBIs in the NECBL playoffs. Schuyler, who will be IU's best defensive catcher in 2026, also threw out eight runners this summer.
Appalachian League
Cole Decker – OF, Bluefield Ridge Runners
Season: 36 GP, .305 avg., 43 H, 34 R, 7 2B, 6 3B, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 22 BB, 3 SB
Decker had just five at-bats in his freshman campaign but took big advantage of a full summer of playing time. En route to winning the Appalachian League title, Decker racked up 15 extra-base hits, 19 RBIs, 43 hits and 22 strikeouts.
He played all three outfield positions and made just two errors in over 250 defensive innings. He pitched in four outfield assists as well. Decker had an on-base percentage of .407 and figures to be a big part of IU's outfield as a sophomore in 2026.
Brayden Ricketts – C, Pulaski River Turtles
Season: 38 GP,.333 avg. 44 H, 31 R, 10 2B, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 33 BB,
The young catcher was the breakout player of the summer for IU. After redshirting his first season in Bloomington, Ricketts exploded onto the scene for Pulaski in 2025. He contributed 44 hits while hitting .333 in 38 games. On top of that, Ricketts slugged four home runs and racked up 10 doubles and 35 RBIs.
The Canadian slashed .333/.477/.500 while splitting time between catcher, first base and designated hitter. Baseball America named him one of the 10 non-Cape Cod League Summer College Baseball standouts. He was also an All-Star game starter in the Appalachian League.
Evan O'Neill – OF, Bluefield Ridge Runners
Season: 3-0, 10 app., 17.1 IP, 8 ER, 24 K
The big right-handed pitcher hasn't been able to throw during his first two years in Bloomington but finally got on the mound this summer. He was part of Bluefield's championship team and racked up 24 strikeouts over 10 appearances. He allowed just eight earned runs in 17.1 innings of action.
Will Moore – OF, Pulaski River Turtles
Season: 1 GP
Moore played just one game in summer ball before being shut down after a long year of playing. The Big Ten All-Freshman team selection will return for his sophomore season in 2026.
Prospect League
Micah Vessely, RHP – Terre Haute Rex
Season: 1-1, 17 app., 3.76 ERA, 26.1 IP, 28 K
Vessely is another member of the rising sophomore class that didn't appear in 2025. He stayed close to home and shined in Terre Haute. He racked up 28 strikeouts over 26.1 innings while maintaining a 3.76 earned run average.
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