Pitcher of the Year Update 5/6/2026
HCC PITCHER OF THE YEAR WATCHLIST UPDATE
The Field Begins to Separate on the Mound
With four conference series complete and larger pitching samples now available across the HCC, the Crossroads Report Pitcher of the Year race is beginning to take shape. Using a weighted pitching performance model that emphasizes hit suppression, strikeout rate, run prevention, command, and overall efficiency, several arms have started to separate themselves within the conference POY race.
The model is intended to serve as a performance indicator — not the sole determining factor in evaluating the overall POY race. Factors such as role, workload, conference usage, and team context still matter.
Still, the top of the leaderboard is beginning to reveal a clear group of elite performers.
1. Beckett Doane (Noblesville) — 71.1
Doane currently sits atop the Crossroads Report pitching leaderboard behind one of the most dominant statistical profiles in the HCC.
The senior has been overpowering:
50 strikeouts
42.0% strikeout rate
.117 opponent batting average
Those numbers jump off the page immediately.
Even with an elevated walk rate, hitters have struggled to square him up all season long. The combination of swing-and-miss stuff and elite hit suppression has made Doane one of the most difficult arms in the conference to face.
2. Eli Hall (Noblesville) — 66.9
Hall may possess the nastiest pure swing-and-miss profile in the conference.
The junior owns:
35 strikeouts in 21 innings
40.2% strikeout rate
.184 opponent batting average
Hall’s ability to dominate at-bats while limiting quality contact continues to keep him firmly in the top tier of the POY race.
3. Austin Conley (Fishers) — 66.7
Conley’s rise near the top of the leaderboard reflects one of the cleanest statistical profiles in the HCC.
The junior has posted:
0.44 ERA
.190 opponent batting average
1.13 WHIP
While his workload is smaller than some of the conference’s frontline starters, the efficiency and run prevention have been elite.
4. Corey Wilhelm (Westfield) — 65.9
Few pitchers in the conference combine command, strikeout ability, and consistency the way Wilhelm has this season.
The senior owns:
2.07 ERA
.204 opponent batting average
34.3% strikeout rate
just a 7.8% walk rate
Wilhelm’s balanced profile across nearly every category has made him one of the steadiest frontline arms in the HCC.
5. Davis Moore (Zionsville) — 64.4
Moore continues to quietly build one of the strongest overall resumes in the conference.
The junior combines:
33 innings pitched
0.91 WHIP
.185 opponent batting average
4 wins
No single category jumps off the page, but few pitchers match Moore’s complete combination of command, efficiency, and workload.
6. Spencer Mohr (HSE) — 64.1
Mohr remains one of the premier workhorse arms in the conference.
The HSE junior owns:
34.1 innings pitched
1.63 ERA
4 wins
just a 4.9% walk rate
Mohr’s ability to consistently work deep into games while limiting free baserunners continues to make him one of the most valuable starters in the HCC.
Still Very Much in the Race
With three conference series remaining, the field remains crowded behind the top tier. Several arms continue to build strong cases entering the stretch run.
Griffin Snider (Noblesville) — 62.3
Snider’s 38.0% strikeout rate continues to stand out among HCC bullpen arms.
Clayton Walther (Westfield) — 62.0
An electric strikeout profile out of the pen with a .130 opponent batting average. Walther has consistently missed bats throughout the season.
Carter Strole (Fishers) — 56.4
Strong strikeout production paired with a sub-2.00 ERA keeps Strole firmly in the broader discussion.
Christian Wessel (Avon) — 55.8
The freshman continues to impress. Wessel combines a 2.74 ERA with one of the best walk rates among qualified arms.
Chase Bradle (HSE) — 51.3
Bradle continues to quietly provide quality innings with solid run prevention and strong overall efficiency.
Dylan Cope (HSE) — 50.4
One of the larger workloads in the conference with 29.1 innings pitched and 32 strikeouts.
What the Model Values
The Crossroads Report Pitcher of the Year model emphasizes:
Opponent batting average
Strikeout rate
ERA
WHIP
Walk rate
Wins
Pitchers must also meet workload thresholds to qualify, while additional consideration is given to role and conference usage.
As conference play continues, every series becomes increasingly important in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive inaugural Crossroads Report HCC Pitcher of the Year race.