Nebraska baseball’s successful run with in-state prospects continued this week with a big-bodied pitcher flashing big velocity.
Lincoln Southwest right-hander Madden Schwager committed to the Huskers to become the second member of NU’s 2028 class. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder is approaching 90 mph with his fastball and also throws a changeup and biting curveball.
A recent growth spurt and velocity jump led to Schwager earning an invite to last month’s Prep Baseball Games in Georgia, where Nebraska coaches saw the pitcher operate. A camp visit also helped produce a visit and offer last week.
“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been basically wanting to go to Nebraska and play baseball there,” Schwager said. “About a year ago, I didn’t pitch very much — I didn’t think I’d be here. Now it’s pretty crazy.”
Schwager (pronounced SHWAH-ger) also plays tight end and linebacker for the Southwest football team and clocked a 4.77-second 40-yard dash time this summer. His father, Matt Schwager, was drafted by Baltimore in the 34th round of the 1997 MLB draft out of junior college as a right-hander and spent five seasons in the minor leagues.
Madden Schwager also plays first and third base and hasn’t ruled himself out as a college hitter, though his pitching outlook is what had upwards of 20 schools in touch with him this month, including some “pretty big D1 schools.”
“This was my first visit, and a lot of people wouldn’t think I would commit right away,” said Schwager, a lifelong Lincoln resident and Husker fan. “But I wanted to stay here.”
Schwager joins Kearney pitcher Will Kaskie in the 2028 group after Kaskie pledged last month. Lincoln North Star left-hander Landon Steiger — a 2027 prospect — also committed recently.