With the IHSA season underway, the ScoutConnect scouting staff will be out and about in full force throughout the spring, providing quality coverage to high school athletes on a game-to-game basis. Aside from the social media aspect of our scouting, we’ll release our ‘Scout Notes’ the day after each game, which will provide a more detailed analysis of some players that stood out to our staff on that given day.
Continue reading below to learn more about a few names that stood out to our staff in a non-conference matchup between No. 1 Edwardsville and No. 4 Mascoutah, which the Indians won 10-0 in six innings.
MASCOUTAH INDIANS
Austin Musso, RHP, 2025, Arizona State commit
Strong, sturdy, starter’s frame that holds strength throughout. Broad shoulders, filled out lower half. Added notable strength and overall mass this winter. Took the mound for the No. 4 ranked Indians in a start, firing four hitless innings with six strikeouts and four walks. Athletic, high-intent mover that works with effort through release but stays in control. Consistently repeats, maintains his direction to the plate. Clean, continuous arm path that finishes out of a loose high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 92 three times in the first inning, held 89-91 mph as he went on. Carries it and backspins it up in the zone, really jumps out the hand. Showed feel and polish for a 83-84 mph changeup with darting fade, was his best secondary pitch in this look. Did spin a 78-79 mph slider with tight spin and some sweep, landed it for strikes. One of the area’s top arms that has done nothing but perform when called upon, especially in big games.
Josh Amann, 1B, 2025, Uncommitted
Physical left-handed hitter that started at first base and hit cleanup for the Indians. Paced the offense from the middle of the order, finished 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk. Put the Indians on the board early on with a sprayed single to center field in the bottom of the first, doubled to right-center in the bottom of the fifth. Strong hands, long and level path to contact, ball carried off the barrel in both at-bats.
Nolan Lebert, INF, 2026, Uncommitted
Compact frame with strength throughout. Led things off for Mascoutah’s offense and served as their starting second basemen. Scored three times from the top spot in the lineup, walked once and drove in three. Helped spark a three-run bottom of the second for Mascoutah with a double near the left field wall, was on the barrel to the shortstop on a 6-3 groundout that also plated a run. Loose hands with strength, simple and quiet load with minimal added movement, works uphill with length through the hitting zone. Steady, sure-handed actions on the infield, looked the part in I/O and in game when he was tested. An uncommitted junior that figures to be an important piece to Mascoutah this spring.
Darren Klein, RHP, 2027, Uncommitted
Physical, well-proportioned frame with broad shoulders that really looks the part in a uniform. Holds lean strength with plenty room for more, already tacking on notable muscle mass this winter. Was nothing short of stellar as a freshman for the Indians last spring, pitching to a 1.16 ERA over 54 ⅓ innings of work with 34 punchouts and five walks. Played third base for four innings on a cold afternoon and entered the ‘pen afterwards, firing two scoreless innings, allowing a hit with one walk and three strikeouts. Low-pulse demeanor on the mound, stays in control and repeats a fluid, in-line, and efficient delivery. Clean arm path, plays loose on the backside and finishes out of a slightly elevated ¾ slot. Fastball played at 80-83 mph in this look, pitched backwards often with a 69-71 mph slurvy breaking ball and 73-74 mph fading changeup. When he did throw his fastball, spotted it down and on the corners, had a clear plan to stay below the belt and out of the middle of the strike zone. Pairs premium feel to pitch with physical upside and polish, one of the top sophomore arms in the area.
EDWARDSVILLE TIGERS
Tyler Powell, RHP, 2025, Southern Illinois – Edwardsville commit
Strong, compact frame that holds strength throughout, particularly in the lower half. Came out of the ‘pen and fired three scoreless innings for the Tigers, scattering two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Simple, fluid delivery with easy effort, keeps his direction to the plate and consistently strides in line to home. Doesn’t try to do too much, repeats. Short arm stroke, finishes out of a ¾ slot with arm speed out front. Fastball sat 86-89 mph, touching 89 mph multiple times throughout his outing, and with late arm-side life at times. Challenged hitters, stayed off the barrel. Spun a sharp breaking ball at 75-77 mph, late break with depth off an 11/5 plane. A polished, confident senior arm that should continue to play a big role in what the Tigers are trying to accomplish on the mound this spring.
