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…
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…
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