Indiana isn't just good at football and basketball. They are good on the diamond as well and give freshmen opportunities.

Jake Hanley showed up at Indiana as a freshman in 2025 and immediately started hitting cleanup. By season's end, he was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, a unanimous Freshman All-American, and a national Gold Glove finalist at first base.

That's Indiana baseball under Jeff Mercer, where freshmen don't wait their turn.

The Hoosiers finished 32-24 with a 16-14 Big Ten record and watched Devin Taylor break the program's all-time home run record with his 54th career bomb. Three freshmen earned All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors. Indiana has now sent 30 unique players to the MLB Draft in just seven seasons under Mercer—best in the Big Ten.

This is a program that develops talent fast.

The Foundation

• Bloomington, Indiana
• ~39,000 students
• Average GPA: 3.0 - 3.8
• Big Ten flagship university

Big Ten competition + elite player development + Midwest baseball culture = consistent path to the next level

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‍The Legacy

• 7 Big Ten regular-season titles
• 100+ Big Ten wins under Mercer
• 30 MLB Draft picks in seven seasons (Big Ten best)
• 2019 Big Ten Champions (Mercer's first season)

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The Coach: Jeff Mercer

• Seventh Season (2025-26)
• 207-149-1 career record at Indiana
• Big Ten Coach of the Year (2019)
• Won Big Ten title in first season
• 30 unique MLB Draft picks in seven seasons

Why He Wins: Mercer is an Indiana native (Bargersville) whose dad coached at IU. He knows the state, knows the talent, and knows how to develop players. His first move as head coach? Win a Big Ten championship. He's been to five straight Big Ten Tournaments and three NCAA Regionals.

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The 2025 Season

• 32-24 overall, 16-14 Big Ten
• Jake Hanley: Big Ten Freshman of the Year, unanimous Freshman All-American
• Devin Taylor: Broke program record with 54 career home runs
• Cooper Malamazian & Will Moore: All-Big Ten Freshman Team
• Cole Gilley: 10 wins (just sixth pitcher in program history)
• Three shutouts on the season
• 92 hit-by-pitches (program record shows gritty culture)
• Freshmen-led team that won at Big Ten Tournament in Omaha

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The Stadium: Bart Kaufman Field

• 2,500 capacity
• Opened 2013 as part of $30M+ facility upgrade
• Big Ten-caliber amenities
• Great Midwest baseball atmosphere

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Recent Success:

• 30 MLB Draft picks in seven seasons (Big Ten best)
• Consistent development from freshman to pro
• Track record of turning recruits into draft picks

Mercer's reputation as a developer is elite—players improve dramatically under his coaching.

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Why Indiana Now

• Coach with proven Big Ten championship pedigree
• Best draft pick rate in Big Ten over last seven seasons (30 picks)
• Freshmen contribute immediately
• Big Ten competition prepares you for everything
• Midwest location near top talent pipelines
• Track record of turning prospects into pros
• Development happens fast and freshmen get real opportunities

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What Coaches Want

Competitive, coachable players who embrace hard work, understand the Midwest grind, and want to be developed into pros.

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How We Help

Most families guess their way through recruiting—hoping the right email, showcase, or video gets noticed. We replace guesswork with a proven plan: the right timeline, targeted outreach, strategic exposure, and polished videos that stand out. Your athlete won't just be seen—they'll be pursued.

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Take Action

If your athlete wants to be developed by the Big Ten's best player development program, don't leave their future to chance.

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Schedule Your Strategy Call with Alex

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Indiana develops talent faster than anyone in the Big Ten. Make sure your athlete gets that opportunity.

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To your son's success.

P.S. I help families of baseball players get interest and offers from their top colleges.

• Premier Athletes Recruiting Program (4-figure investment) – Full-service: coaches outreach, video creation, bi-weekly check-ins, and our proven playbook to turn interest into legit offers.

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