Player of the Year Update 5/6/2026
HCC POY WATCHLIST UPDATE
Production Profiles Begin to Separate at the Top
With over half the season complete and four HCC series in the books, offensive sample sizes across the conference have reached a point where hitters can be evaluated more reliably against one another. Using a weighted offensive production model that emphasizes on-base ability, slugging impact, extra-base production, and offensive efficiency, the HCC Player of the Year race is beginning to take shape.
While the margins remain tight, several hitters have started to separate themselves through a combination of consistency, impact, and complete offensive profiles. The score itself is intended to be an indicator — not the sole determining factor — in evaluating the overall POY race.
1. Aiden Reynolds (Noblesville) — 84.1
There is little debate at the top right now.
Reynolds continues to check every box the model values:
.519 OBP
.700 SLG
1.219 OPS
11 XBH
Just an 11.7% strikeout rate
The senior has been the definition of complete offensive production. He gets on base, hits for damage, avoids empty at-bats, and has maintained elite production over a large sample size.
At the moment, Reynolds is the standard.
2. Clayton Lenz (Avon) — 81.5
Lenz may quietly be the most complete hitter in the conference.
His 17.1% XBH/PA rate is one of the best in the HCC, and unlike many power-heavy profiles, he pairs it with an outstanding 8.6% strikeout rate.
The production speaks for itself:
.377 AVG
.457 OBP
.639 SLG
12 XBH
Few hitters in the conference combine impact and efficiency the way Lenz has this season.
3. Andrew Noble (Westfield) — 81.2
No player in the conference creates offense more consistently than Noble.
His .606 OBP is one of the most impressive numbers in the HCC and reflects a player constantly applying pressure to opposing pitching staffs. Even without overwhelming extra-base hit production, Noble’s ability to reach base and generate offense keeps him firmly in the top tier of the race.
4. Reid Zittel (Zionsville) — 79.4
Zittel owns one of the cleanest offensive profiles in the conference.
The senior combines:
.448 AVG
.508 OBP
.621 SLG
…but perhaps most impressive is the 3.1% strikeout rate. Few hitters in the HCC have matched his combination of production, contact ability, and consistency.
5. Lane Armstrong (Franklin Central) — 76.4
Armstrong remains one of the most dangerous hitters in the conference.
The sophomore owns:
.530 OBP
.688 SLG
1.218 OPS
Few players impact the baseball with the authority Armstrong does. His offensive ceiling remains among the highest in the HCC, and his overall production keeps him firmly in the top group of contenders.
Still Very Much in the Race
With three conference series remaining, this is far from a finalized field. Several hitters remain within striking distance and could make major moves over the final weeks of the season.
Carter Strole (Fishers) — 73.3
One of the top extra-base threats in the conference with 11 XBH and a 15.3% XBH/PA rate.
Jaden Mitchell (Avon) — 71.3
Mitchell continues to quietly put together one of the steadiest offensive seasons in the league:
.423 AVG
.524 OBP
.577 SLG
Jack Bland (Avon) — 70.3
A major run producer with 10 XBH and 18 RBI while continuing to provide middle-of-the-order impact.
Canyon Koonce (Brownsburg) — 67.8
Koonce continues to put together one of the cleanest offensive profiles in the HCC. The Brownsburg sophomore is hitting .415 with a .490 OBP and has struck out in just 6.1% of his plate appearances. His combination of contact ability, consistency, and offensive efficiency keeps him firmly in the broader POY discussion entering the final stretch of conference play.
Clark Bucher (HSE) — 67.6
One of the larger offensive workloads in the conference with 82 plate appearances and nine extra-base hits. Bucher continues to produce against one of the toughest schedules in the league.
Christian Wessel (Avon) — 66.8
The freshman continues to climb. Wessel’s blend of contact ability and run production has made him one of the more impressive breakout bats in the HCC this season.
Beck Jordan (Westfield) — 66.0
Jordan’s combination of average, run production, and strikeout avoidance keeps him firmly within the broader POY conversation entering the stretch run.
What the Model Values
The Crossroads Report POY model emphasizes:
On-base ability
Slugging impact
Extra-base production per plate appearance
Offensive efficiency
Consistency across a meaningful sample size
Players must also meet a minimum plate appearance threshold to qualify, helping reduce small-sample volatility while rewarding sustained production across the season.
As conference play continues, every series becomes increasingly important in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive inaugural Crossroads Report HCC Player of the Year race.