Indiana University Athletics
Parker Named One of Nation’s Top Newcomers
9/1/2026 10:30:00 AM | Baseball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Ninth-year skipper Jeff Mercer received a big boost to the depth of his infield with the addition of infielder Jayden Parker to this year's squad. The San Diego, California native was named one of Prep Baseball's "Top 150 Freshmen Who Made It to Campus" as fall practice gets underway across the country.
Parker was one of three top 500 national recruits in IU's 2026 recruiting class. That includes fellow first-year players Johnson Dubose (Atlanta, Ga.) and Branson Crawford (Gainesville, Ga.). Parker, who's dad played at UCLA and was an MLB draft pick of the New York Mets, was the number 273 overall recruit in the country by Perfect Game in this year's class.
Through the transfer portal and incoming prep prospects, IU has built out a deep collection of talented infield options. Third-year infielder Will Moore and second-year infielder Landen Fry each played in over 50 games a season ago. Parker, Dubose and second-year transfer Kelvyn Paulino Jr. (Florida State) add extra juice to a deep room.
Parker was one of three top 500 national recruits in IU's 2026 recruiting class. That includes fellow first-year players Johnson Dubose (Atlanta, Ga.) and Branson Crawford (Gainesville, Ga.). Parker, who's dad played at UCLA and was an MLB draft pick of the New York Mets, was the number 273 overall recruit in the country by Perfect Game in this year's class.
Through the transfer portal and incoming prep prospects, IU has built out a deep collection of talented infield options. Third-year infielder Will Moore and second-year infielder Landen Fry each played in over 50 games a season ago. Parker, Dubose and second-year transfer Kelvyn Paulino Jr. (Florida State) add extra juice to a deep room.
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