Trio of returning sophomore infielders, two mainstay catchers lead a promising group of returners
By Zach Horwitz @HorwitzZach February 8th, 2026 – photos by Carl James
A disappointing finish at the 2025 Big Ten Tournament left Indiana baseball with a lingering sense of what might have been. Now, the Hoosiers return in 2026 with a roster intent on turning that frustration into fuel, led by a trio of returning infielders, two mainstay catchers, and a wave of newcomers poised to make an impact as Indiana eyes a potential third NCAA Tournament appearance in four seasons.
Star-Studded Returners:
The infield group is headlined by reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jake Hanley, who described this year’s roster as “one of the most cohesive” teams he has been a part of. Hanley enters his sophomore season following a dominant freshman campaign, during which he hit .333 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs. The left-handed slugger started all 56 games at first base, did not commit an error, and capped off the season as a national Gold Glove finalist.
Hanley’s breakout year earned national recognition, including a No. 7 positional ranking at first base from D1 Baseball and a spot on the USA Baseball Preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List. With a full season under his belt, Hanley is expected to once again anchor the middle of Indiana’s lineup while continuing to provide elite defense at first base.
Another key returner in the infield is Cooper Malamazian, who made an immediate impact after opting to attend Indiana rather than sign professionally following his selection by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 17th round of the MLB Draft. The Clarendon Hills, Illinois native took over the shortstop position for much of the season and quickly established himself as one of the Hoosiers’ most consistent hitters.
Malamazian batted .320 as a freshman and led the team with 17 doubles, earning Perfect Game Second-Team Freshman All-American honors. While much of his production came out of the seven-spot in the order, Malamazian acknowledged that increased film and scouting attention will likely bring more off-speed pitches in 2026. Even so, he is expected to slide into the top half of the lineup and remain Indiana’s primary option at shortstop, with little competition for the role entering the spring.
Returners Looking For More:
Another key piece of Indiana’s sophomore core is third baseman Will Moore. After leading the Big Ten in on-base percentage and hitting .328 a season ago, Moore enters 2026 firmly entrenched at the hot corner. Thrust into an everyday role after Josh Pyne’s season-ending injury, Moore capitalized on the opportunity and quickly became one of Indiana’s most reliable bats. With two freshmen trailing him on the depth chart, Moore is expected to open the season with a firm grasp on the starting job.
Hogan Denny remains one of the most intriguing pieces on Indiana’s roster due to his positional versatility. Appearing in 50 games last season, Denny logged the majority of his time as the designated hitter, with limited opportunities behind the plate due to the presence of now-graduated catcher Jake Stadler and returning backstop TJ Schuyler. While Denny is expected to see some innings at catcher, his primary role in 2026 will likely come in right field, offering Indiana flexibility throughout the lineup.
Schuyler, the aforementioned returner, is set to handle the bulk of the innings behind the plate. Known for his defensive efficiency, Schuyler threw out 11 would-be base stealers last season and provided steady production at the bottom of the order. He finished the year batting .250 with 17 RBIs in 88 at-bats and will once again anchor the Hoosiers’ defensive efforts at catcher.
Redshirt freshman Brayden Ricketts also figures into the catching mix and could carve out a role early. The Canada native turned heads with a strong summer in the Appalachian League, showcasing power that may earn him consistent at-bats in 2026. While Ricketts will see time behind the plate, he is expected to appear frequently as Indiana’s designated hitter as the coaching staff looks to keep his bat in the lineup.
Newcomers in Bloomington:
Head coach Jeff Mercer dipped into the transfer portal to address a key infield need, adding Delaware second baseman Aiden Stewart to the mix. Ranked as D1 Baseball’s No. 24 second baseman nationally, Stewart brings stability to a position that has been in flux for Indiana in recent seasons. Known for his range and consistency with the glove, the former Blue Hen is expected to lock down the spot when the Hoosiers open the season in Chapel Hill. Stewart also arrives with proven production at the plate, carrying a career .936 OPS into his first season in Bloomington.
Indiana’s freshman class has a track record of forcing its way onto the field, and the 2026 infield group may be no different. While the depth chart appears crowded on paper, a trio of first-year infielders is poised to push for early opportunities.
Davian Carrera, a 6-foot-3 left-handed hitter, profiles as a developmental piece behind Jake Hanley at first base. Though his path to immediate playing time may be limited, Carrera’s long-term upside is evident. His twin brother, Xavier Carrera, is also one to monitor — though on the mound — as a high-velocity arm expected to factor into Indiana’s bullpen.
Landen Fry, the top-ranked third baseman out of high school in Indiana, and Mateo Noto, an athletic infielder from New York, headline the next wave of depth. Both freshmen are expected to serve as primary infield reserves early, with possible opportunities to arise in midweek matchups. As recent seasons have shown, Indiana’s coaching staff has not hesitated to lean on freshmen when the moment calls for it. Fry and Noto represent the future of the Hoosiers’ infield and could quickly become familiar names as the season unfolds.
Indiana and its retooled infield group open the 2026 season on the road against No. 11 North Carolina on Feb. 13.