2025 MLB Draft Top 75 Collegiate Prospects: Conference Breakdowns (SEC - Part 2)

We recently released the top SEC college prospects within our Top 75 and throughout the fall we have been bringing you the top prospects within each conference. For this edition, we continue to dive into some top prospects with part two of our SEC breakdown.

35 players from 11 different schools hail from the nation’s premier college baseball conference with our Top 75 prospects list. Defending national champions Tennessee lead the way with six players while Arkansas is just behind the Vols with five. LSU and Texas A&M each had four. 

Full Top 75: https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/9/21/2025-mlb-draft-top-75-collegiate-prospects

HITTERS

C Easton Carmichael - Oklahoma

Prospects Live Ranking: #43

Easton Carmichael has been a mainstay behind the dish for the Sooners since he arrived on campus as a freshman in 2023, appearing in 112 games over two seasons. The talented backstop enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, slashing .366/.406/.563 with an impressive 31 extra base hits as Oklahoma earned an NCAA Regional hosting bid. The power seems to have improved over the last year, but Carmichael appears to be more of a gap-to-gap hitter than home run slugger. His 10 doubles in 127 at-bats up in the Cape this past summer was good for second in the league as his contact rate and gap power continued to be on display even with wood bats. Despite the contact rate, he’s an aggressive hitter that’s seen his chase rate rise over the last year. Defensively, he needs to improve his arm strength behind the plate if he hopes to remain a catcher at the next level.   

Returning All-American, Easton Carmichael 🫡@3aston_11 // #CHAOUS pic.twitter.com/UvgkW7fdh5

— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) June 14, 2024

2B/SS Jayden Davis - Vanderbilt

Prospects Live Ranking: #48

A former freshman All-American at Samford, Jayden Davis struggled with an injury throughout 2024 but still impressed over 46 games for the Commodores during his sophomore campaign as he hit .315 with 15 extra-base hits. Despite the drop in power numbers from 2023, Davis posted an 82% contact rate at Vanderbilt and features an above-average hit tool. His high ground ball rate both in the SEC and up in the Cape indicates that he’s unlikely to produce much more in terms of power, but if he can make an adjustment that results in lifting the ball more, we could see his draft stock rise. He displayed prowess for extra-base hits on the Cape this summer, mashing eight doubles and two home runs in just 125 at-bats for Chatham. He appeared to be a bit more aggressive as he struck out 25 times over the summer vs just 21 times at Vanderbilt last spring. Defensively, Davis does not project as a shortstop at the next level, but more as an average second base prospect with decent range.

C Lucas Steele - Auburn

Prospects Live Ranking: #49

Like Jayden Davis, Lucas Steele is another former All-American freshman from Samford who transferred into the SEC. Playing primarily as an outfielder during his freshman season, the Hoover, Alabama native hit .315 with 15 doubles and 16 home runs en route to winning the 2023 SoCon Freshman of the Year award. His transition to catcher as a sophomore may have led to a regression in his offensive numbers, but the bat also suffered from some significant bad BABIP luck and slashed just .245/.364/.520 in 2024. Expect Steele to have a bounce-back season offensively in 2025 as he transfers into the SEC. The switch-hitting backstop features explosive hips and good bat speed that should play well in his new conference. Defensively, Steele will compete for playing time behind the plate with fellow catcher Ike Irish, though both are expected to be in the lineup every day as valuable hitting prospects. Steele has seen a little bit of time in the outfield this fall, though he’s been primarily employed at catcher and first base.       

2B/SS Blake Cyr - Florida

Prospects Live Ranking: #61

Middle infielder Blake Cyr arrives in Gainesville as a transfer following an injury-plagued 2024 in which he only played 25 games for the Miami Hurricanes. As a true freshman in 2023, he hit .305 with 17 home runs and 63 RBIs in 60 games as Miami hosted an NCAA Regional. The highly touted second baseman appeared poised to stamp his name as a household draft prospect in 2024 when various injuries ended his season in early April. He still managed to slash .284/.397/.537 in 95 at-bats. Cyr earned ACC Player of the Week honors in early March following an 8-16 stretch that included 3 home runs and 11 RBIs highlighted by a go-ahead grand slam against Virginia that capped off a nine-run comeback for the Canes. At 5 '11, the smaller-framed slugger features impressive pull-side power and elite bat speed. Defensively, he doesn’t have physicality or the arm strength to play shortstop at the next level, but he’s got a solid first step and displays good range to play second. With Cade Kurland deployed at second base for the Gators, it’ll be interesting to see where Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan decides to play Cyr.  

Your future ACC Freshman of the Year Blake Cyr with a MOONSHOT. 🔥👀

Canes blowing out Florida. pic.twitter.com/MBENNaokYT

— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) March 5, 2023

2B Cade Kurland - Florida

Prospects Live Ranking: #64

Speaking of second base for the Florida Gators, Cade Kurland checks in as the last SEC position player on our Top 75. Another former Freshman All-American, Kurland saw his offensive numbers regress as a sophomore following his fantastic 2023 campaign. In 62 games in 2024, Kurland slashed .245/.457/.346 with 22 extra-base hits while striking out 73 times. His aggressive approach seems to have toned down in the Cape this summer, as he struck out just 20 times while reaching base on balls 15 times. He’ll need to continue to reign in that aggression and cut down on the chase rate to climb up the rankings. Despite the regression in 2024, his impressive power to all fields remained as he slugged 14 home runs while displaying quick hands and elite bat speed. Defensively, he’ll likely remain at 2B in 2025, even with the addition of Blake Cyr and projects to stay at the keystone at the next level.   

PITCHERS

RHP Chase Shores - LSU

Prospects Live Ranking: #41

Chase Shores was one of the most highly-touted prospects to reach campus in 2023, and he looked the part early as a freshman in Baton Rouge. The 6’8” righty appeared in just seven games for the Tigers during their National Championship season before being injured and required Tommy John surgery, impressing with a 1.96 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched. Shores missed all of 2024 and hasn’t thrown in a live game since his injury, but he features all of the tools and physical attributes to become a star at the next level. His fastball routinely hit triple digits and even reached 102 MPH at times. As a freshman, he had some command issues with his pitches but had the least problems with the fastball. The Texas native employs a high 80s changeup and a low 80s breaking ball, but neither were particularly sharp during his freshman campaign. If he gets the chance to start and has a healthy 2025, Chase Shores could rocket up the rankings and into the first round with improved command and secondary pitches.

LHP Shane Sdao - Texas A&M

Prospects Live Ranking: #42

Shane Sdao underwent elbow surgery this past September and will miss the entire 2025 season, so his draft stock may plummet a bit. The 6 '2 lefty enjoyed a breakout campaign for Texas A&M in 2024, going 5-1 with a 2.96 ERA over 48.2 innings pitched while striking out 55 and only walking 9. Sdao features a low 90s fastball that is capable of reaching the mid-90s while a low 80s slider keeps hitters off balance and generates a ton of swing and miss. The Texas native also works in a good mid-80s changeup that he commands well. With three good pitches in his repertoire and his projectable attributes, a number of MLB organizations should be eager to draft him. 

LHP Cade Fisher - Auburn

Prospects Live Ranking: #44

After two up-and-down seasons at Florida, Cade Fisher arrives at Auburn with heightened expectations. After going 6-0 with a 3.10 ERA in 49.1 innings as a freshman in Gainesville, Fisher saw his numbers plummet as a sophomore, going 4-3 with a 7.13 ERA in 59.1 innings. He struggled with command and control and an inconsistent release height that must be addressed to succeed in 2025. He threw 5.2 innings for the Cotuit Kettleers on the Cape this past summer, and only gave up one earned run while striking out six. The low-slot southpaw features a low 90s fastball with slight carry and a devastating low-80s sweeping slider that has the potential to be his best pitch. He also has a changeup that he hides well and should see his draft stock rise with a bounceback season at Auburn in 2025.  

RHP Nate Snead - Tennessee

Prospects Live Ranking: #45

Nate Snead was a key piece of the Tennessee bullpen in 2024, going 10-2 with a 3.11 ERA in 75.1 innings pitched while striking out 61 hitters en route to the Vols’ National Championship win. He displayed a bit more swing-and-miss as a freshman at Wichita State in 2023 when he struck out 53 batters over 42.2 innings pitched but otherwise saw no regression from the jump in competition after transferring into the SEC. The Wisconsin native features a mid-90s fastball that reaches into the triple digits on shorter outings. He also employs a low 90s cutter and mid-80s breaking ball that needs some improvement to be more consistent. He supposedly has a changeup as well, though it's rarely utilized. Snead will likely be a starter for the defending champs in 2025, so he can improve his draft stock with improved command and consistency in his secondary pitches.   

LHP Zach Root - Arkansas

Prospects Live Ranking: #46

Zach Root enjoyed a breakout campaign as a sophomore for the ECU Pirates in 2024, teaming up with Trey Yesavage to create a lethal 1-2 punch atop Coach Cliff Godwin’s weekend rotation. In 11 starts last season for ECU, Root went 5-2 with a 3.82 ERA with 69 strikeouts over 63.2 innings pitched. He’ll make the jump in competition to the SEC, where he’ll join an Arkansas program known for developing top-class pitching. The stocky southpaw has a bit of a funky delivery, but has elite off-speed stuff. His fastball sits in the low 90s and can get up to 97, but the changeup is elite with good command. He also has a mid-80s cutter/slider combo and an upper 70s curveball. If Arkansas can continue to help Root develop those potential plus secondaries and improve his command, Root could find himself flirting with the first round next July. 

LHP Liam Doyle - Tennessee

Prospects Live Ranking: #50

Much like teammate Andrew Fischer, Liam Doyle spent one year in Oxford playing for Ole Miss before transferring to Tennessee. As a sophomore, he didn’t post the best numbers as he went 3-4 with a 5.73 ERA over 14 appearances, but he did strike out 84 hitters over 55 innings pitched. The New Hampshire native features an electric fastball that sits in the low-90s, but frequently touches 96-97 MPH with a lot of armside tail and vertical carry. He commands the heater well and generates a ton of whiffs with it. He needs to improve his secondaries, but the potential is there as he employs a low-80s sweeper and a mid-80s cutter that pairs well with the elite fastball. A fourth pitch, an upper-70s splitter, is developing and adds another dangerous weapon to Doyle’s arsenal. Improvement on those secondaries and a big season in Knoxville for the Volunteers should see Doyle shoot up draft boards ahead of July.

RHP Gage Wood - Arkansas

Prospects Live Ranking: #51

Gage Wood has yet to have standout numbers in Arkansas. However, he’s been a pretty reliable reliever over his first two seasons in Fayetteville, going 5-2 with a 4.61 ERA over 70.1 innings pitched. His command showed massive improvement between his freshman and sophomore years, reflected by the 56/8 strikeouts-to-walks ratio in 2024. He may get a chance to start at Arkansas in 2025 and his standout performance up in the Cape indicates he could be in for a breakout junior season. In five of his six outings for Falmouth this summer, Wood threw over 50 pitches and dominated with his fastball/slider combination. He throws his fastball almost 70% of the time. It sits in the mid-90s and generates a lot of swing and misses. He often complements the heater with a mid-80s slider and also boasts a splitter and a changeup. Gage Wood could fly up the draft rankings with command of the secondary pitches and consistency as a starter.

Gage Wood has begun pic.twitter.com/VDGQ2mAVzC

— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB) April 16, 2023

RHP Christian Foutch - Arkansas

Prospects Live Ranking: #54

Christian Foutch is another Arkansas relief arm who enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore in 2024. The Colorado native went 1-0 with a 0.81 ERA over 22.1 innings pitched while striking out twenty batters and only walking seven. He’s appeared in 34 games for the Razorbacks over two seasons but has yet to earn a start. He’s a 6’3 right-handed pitcher with a great frame and delivery, and he should see his draft stock improve if he gets a starting role. He displays a smooth delivery and hides the ball well. His arsenal features an upper-90s fastball with sinking action that can sometimes reach triple digits. While he’s primarily a fastball pitcher, Foutch mixes in a slider and splitter to complement the heater, but the command of those pitches is still being developed. Even without a starting role in 2025, the development of those secondary pitches could see Foutch rising into the late first/early second-round area.

RHP Anthony Eyanson - LSU

Prospects Live Ranking: #56

Anthony Eyanson, a transfer from UC-San Diego, is one of the biggest transfer names making noise this fall as he settles into his surroundings in Baton Rouge at LSU. Eyanson enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in the Big West, going 6-2 with a 3.07 ERA over 82 innings pitched for the Tritons while striking out 85 batters. Most impressive is that he held opposing hitters to just a .190 batting average over his 14 appearances on the mound. The California native’s arsenal features a low-90s fastball that can reach 97 MPH, but the breaking balls are his bread-and-butter. He commands a low-80s slider with bite and a mid-70s curveball well. Reports indicate he’s been very impressive during fall ball with LSU and should be in line for a rotation spot. If he continues his success against top competition in the SEC and adds velocity to the slider, Eyanson’s stock will only rise.

UC San Diego RHP Anthony Eyanson has entered the transfer portal, per source.

The 6’2 righty pitched last week at Collegiate Team USA Trials and is 2025 draft eligible with top three round buzz.

4-seam fastball 95-97, slider 83, curveball 77-79 pic.twitter.com/y3MwsNPR7d

— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) July 2, 2024

LHP Myles Patton - Texas A&M

Prospects Live Ranking: #57

Like Eyanson, Myles Patton is another California arm who has found his way to the SEC after transferring to Texas A&M this past summer. His season ended in late April due to injury, but the southpaw was enjoying a fantastic season for Long Beach State before he went down. In 66.1 innings pitched, Patton went 4-3 with a 3.26 ERA while striking out 85 batters. He pitched into the 6th inning or later in 9 of 11 starts and amassed double-digit strikeout totals three times. He arrives in College Station with two years of starting experience and should slot into the Aggies’ weekend rotation. He boasts an effective fastball/slider combination that misses a lot of bats, even though his average fastball velocity hovers just on the wrong side of 90 MPH. Patton also features a changeup and curveball, but both pitches must be developed further to be as effective.    

LHP Landon Beidelschies - Arkansas

Prospects Live Ranking: #60

After an impressive freshman season as a reliever at Ohio State, Landon Beidelschies excelled for the Buckeyes in a starting role in 2024. In 15 starts on the mound, the lefty went 6-7 with a 4.15 ERA over 84.2 innings pitched while striking out 91 hitters. Beidelschies heavily relies on his fastball/slider combination, throwing them almost 90% of the time. The fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s and has occasionally reached upwards of 98 MPH. The mid-80s slider is firm with good bite. Both pitches generate a ton of whiffs. He also has a mid-80s change-up that’s rarely utilized. He’ll need to develop that third pitch and improve overall command to improve his draft stock. A successful year transferring into the SEC will also help, however. 

LHP Ryan Prager - Texas A&M

Prospects Live Ranking: #62

Ryan Prager is the third Aggie arm in our rankings, but the only one that was drafted in 2024. After a monster season leading the Aggies pitching staff as they played for a National Championship, Prager was drafted in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft for the Los Angeles Angels. The lefty ace went 9-1 with a 2.95 ERA over 97.2 innings pitched while striking out 124 and only walking 20 batters. Prager’s fastball isn’t particularly impressive, as it averages around 90 MPH with slight cutting action. And yet, it still finds ways to miss bats at a 30% rate. He also has a low-80s slider and a vulcan change-up in the upper-70s that generate whiffs. With the exceptional command ability he’s showcased in past years, Prager should continue to dominate at the college level. Whether or not he’ll be able to improve his draft stock, given his age and injury history, is a different question. 

On The Clock: Top 75 College Board and 2025 MLB Draft Prospect Miguel Sime, Jr. Joins the Show

In this episode of On the Clock, the hosts, Jared Perkins and Tyler Jennings, dive into college and MLB draft news, starting with Georgia Bulldogs' recent transfer acquisition, Devin Obee. Obee, a standout outfielder from Duke, turned down a significant offer during the MLB Draft to complete his education and transferred to Georgia. His defensive skills, power, and ability to fill a key center field position make him a crucial addition to Georgia's lineup. The hosts also discuss how Obee’s arrival, along with returning talent, positions the Bulldogs for a strong run in the upcoming season. They then discuss Shane Sdao of Texas A&M, who will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery, and how the Aggies' strong bullpen will need to compensate for the loss.

Lastly, they dive into a discussion of Florida State's top draft prospect, Cam Leiter, whose status remains unclear due to injury. They wrap up with a sneak peek of their top 75 college prospects for the 2025 MLB draft, showcasing standout players from across the country and offering insight into how fall ball will shape the spring season.

Finally, the Jared and Tyler are joined by Miguel Sime Jr., a highly touted right-handed pitcher from Queens Village, New York. Miguel shares his journey, starting from tee-ball at age three to becoming a top MLB draft prospect. He highlights a turning point in his career at 14 when he hit 92 mph at a tournament, which opened doors for him in college and professional baseball. Now throwing up to 100 mph, Miguel talks about his training regimen and goals, including refining his pitch arsenal and improving his command to go deeper into games. Committed to LSU, Miguel expresses his excitement about the coaching staff and the welcoming environment at the school, as well as the influence of his father and trainer in shaping his work ethic. The interview provides a personal glimpse into the life of an elite pitching prospect as he prepares for the next stage of his career.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/break-down-of-the-top-75-college-prospects-and/id1733326436?i=1000671274399

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1F1bXI4uPM0pfUD4AvMW8r?si=b88db01297804675

2025 MLB Draft: Too Early Players to Watch

As the old saying goes, on to the next. The 2024 MLB Draft wrapped up just a few days ago, and everyone on the MLB Draft team at Prospects Live is working hard to prepare you all for the 2025 MLB Draft! We will have plenty of content coming your way, even during the summer and fall. Our fearless leader, Tyler Jennings, is already out catching some of the top prep guys at the USA 18u. We hope to have some coverage of fall ball for you as well and we are planning to interview coaches from across the NCAA to bring you insights on what to expect for some teams and draft prospects for the 2025 season!

With that said, I thought now would be a good time to bring you some way-too-early MLB Draft prospects to watch for 2025. Most people know about the Ethan Holliday’s and Jace LaViolette’s of the world, but here are a few other top guys to keep your eye on.

Top 30 Collegiate Players | Top 30 Prep Players

COLLEGE

OF Devin Taylor - University of Indiana 

Athlete with legitimate power. That’s the best way to describe Taylor. The Indiana outfielder has etched himself as one of the best college bats in the NCAA. He hit 20 home runs and drove in 54 to the tune of a .357/.449/.660 slash line. The power comes from his bat speed and strength, and he isn’t afraid to show it to all parts of the field. When I caught Taylor last year in live looks, he struggled at the plate due to issues with chasing out of the zone and velocity up. He rolled over a lot of pitches or popped things up. But that could’ve been weather-related, as both days were insanely cold with massive wind gusts. Despite his struggles, he was trying to make things happen for his team, whether bunting for a base hit, taking a walk, or trying to cause chaos on the base paths. Even though he’s a below-average runner, he wasn’t afraid to try and take an extra base. There is a good chance he mans centerfield in 2025, but he likely ends up at as a left-field type at the next level. 

1B Henry Ford - University of Virginia

Henry Ford was by far the most fun bat I saw last year. All the kid does is hit and hit the ball hard. In a stacked Virginia lineup, he was arguably the best bat as a freshman. He’s a towering presence in the box with his 6’5, 220lb frame. It’s a tall, muscular build with broad shoulders. Even more, he’s super athletic for his size. What stuck out to me most at the plate was how patient he was. He doesn’t let that patience make him overmatched, and he doesn’t strikeout a ton. There is excellent barrel control as he gets barrel-to-ball with ease. It’s a very mature and polished approach at the plate. He played at first base for the Cavaliers since they were stacked, but he is athletic enough that a move to third base could be in his future. He has a powerful arm that would play well over there. He could find himself flying up even higher on draft boards with another strong spring. 

RHP Tyler Bremner - UC Santa Barbara

FUN. That’s the main word I can come up with to describe Bremner’s stuff. It’s an electric factory on the mound. During the season, Bremner was mid-90s with his fastball. Tyler caught him at USA Collegiate National Team, where he was sitting 96-98. Shorter stint, but it lets you know that the upper-90s might be achievable in longer stints in due time. He pairs that fastball with a couple of plus secondaries. The slider is disgusting, and his low-to-mid 80s changeup has a ton of spin and depth. He throws all his pitches with confidence and excellent command. He’ll embark on a junior campaign where he will continue building on an already fantastic pitch mix. Bremner has all the makings you want to be one of the best arms in the 2025 MLB Draft class. He’ll get some solid competition from Florida State’s Jamie Arnold and prep-arm Seth Hernandez, though. 

LHP Shane Sdao - Texas A&M

I always love a projectable left-hander and Sdao has that written all over him. He’s got a solid fastball that has been up to 96 MPH but lives mostly in the low-90s. He pairs it with a slider that has some incredible sweep. Tyler was on the case this year and reported that it got a 44% whiff rate in 2024. He’s got a mid-80s change-up to round out his three-pitch arsenal. After a stellar sophomore campaign where he struck out 55 batters across 48.2 innings to the tune of a 2.96 ERA, he is likely headed to the rotation for the Aggies in 2025. He’ll look to see if he can get his stuff to tick up a bit. 

HIGH SCHOOL

3B/OF Xavier Neyens,  Mount Vernon (WA)

It’s quite easy to start with Xavier Neyens on this list. Many see Ethan Holliday as the country's consensus number-one overall prep player, but Neyens is making a ton of noise to take his spot. We caught him at the MLB All-Star High School Home Run Derby, where he launched absolute nukes (with loaded bats for the record). It’s a beautiful left-handed swing and just fun to watch him take hacks. As I mentioned, our Tyler Jennings was at the USA Complex to catch 18u, and Neyens may have hit the longest wood bat HR from a prep he’s ever seen. The ball went out at a 108 mph EV and went 440 feet. Those are some absurd numbers from a prep bat. The tools outside of the power are elite as well. It’s a very mature approach at the plate with a unique ability to get barrel-to-ball. On top of that, he’s got a powerful arm, giving you the hope he can stick at third. He’s committed to Oregon State, but another strong spring, and he’ll likely be hearing his name called at the top of the MLB Draft, possibly even 1.1. 

Xavier Neyens just silenced everyone at the USA Complex.

108 EV/440 feet. Might have been the longest wood bat HR from a prep I have ever seen.

Legitimate 1.1 case next summer. pic.twitter.com/lLWYEWiG0W

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) July 17, 2024

OF Ty Peeples - Franklin County (GA)

We talked about Neyens's nice swing, but Peeples also has a smooth swing that is fun to watch. He’s risen up MLB Draft boards for 2025 fairly quickly, and we aren’t even into the next high school season. Peeples has a good approach at the plate and a feel for the strike zone. He can get good barrel-to-ball thanks to his bat control and quick hands. He’s already got a good power presence, but with his frame, there is still tons of room to grow, which gives you a lot to project in the future. Peeples has an accurate and on-point arm in the outfield and gets good reads on balls. He’s likely projected to be a corner outfield as he has the tools and athleticism to stick out there and be a presence. 

We are on the board with our first HR of the week, courtesy of Ty Peeples (GA).

Really smooth swing, whippy barrel and hands, projectable frame. Gets a 90 MPH heater in the zone and he sends it halfway up the trees in RF for a 401-foot tank. 99 MPH off the bat. pic.twitter.com/KZ94uQGp3G

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) July 17, 2024

RHP Seth Hernandez - Corona (CA)

Budgeoning stuff. That’s the name of the game for Seth Hernandez. He’s eclipsed himself as the number one arm in the country, and it is easy to see why. Tyler caught him at USA 18u just recently, and the fastball was 96-98 mph with tons of carry. It was a shorter stint, and he usually is in his low to mid-90s. That’s fantastic for a prep arm with much room to grow and a very buttery operation. He pairs that fastball with a slider and a changeup. The slider has spin rates above 2,700 RPMs, and Tyler saw it with a ton of velocity that was 85-98 mph, giving it the action of a cutter. His changeup is even filthier and creates great deception off his fastball. It drops out of zone and has a ton of depth to it. As of now, Hernandez is committed to Vanderbilt, but he expects to be one of the first arms off the board. It seems highly unlikely that he will make his way to campus. 

Seth Hernandez, the #1 arm in the country for a reason.

Hernandez's FB was electric, sitting 94-97 T98 with strikes and carry upstairs. Flashed a tight SL at 85-89 with cutter-esque shape and a sharp fading CH at 80.

That was loud. pic.twitter.com/DfOKT5kkBd

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) July 18, 2024

RHP Angel Cervantes - Warren (CA)

Projection, Projection, projection. That’s the name of the game for Cervantes, who is one of the youngest players in the 2025 MLB Draft class. He’s got a low-90s fastball that is usually around 92-93 mph. He can work it down in the zone on both sides of the plate. There is a lot of room for growth in his frame, leading you to believe that he could reach the mid-90s soon. He’s got an advanced feel for his secondaries, especially his changeup, which is probably his best pitch. He tops his pitch mix off with a curveball that varies shape occasionally. It’s got plenty of spin. The delivery is fairly smooth and polished for a kid his age.  

RHP Angel Cervantes put together the loudest outing of today, striking out five in his two innings.

FB sat 92-94 with late run, but advanced secondaries stole show. Varied shape on CB at 77-80 with loud spin and CH was above-average, hitting the brakes hard. Easy motions. pic.twitter.com/waEVw24Jgj

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) July 17, 2024

2025 MLB Draft: Top 30 Collegiate Prospects

With the overlapping of draft class occurring this summer, it’s only right that we begin to introduce our 2025 lists as the summer circuit is ramping up. Today, we’ll release our initial Top 30 College list and for the readers, it’s open to the public! As the summer progresses and we get more looks, we’ll expand this list (and our Top 30 Prep list) to 50 players in a system similar to how we navigated the 2024 cycle.

We’ve gotten some eyes on the 2025 class already and it’s mostly comparable to the 2024 class as a whole. Jace LaViolette, a huge thumper out of Texas A&M, leads the way, followed closely by a couple of other notable outfield prospects. There’s a few players on this list in the transfer portal and they are denoted properly in their reports. As we get a better grip on understanding this class, expect plenty of changes in due time.

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1. of jace laviolette, texas A&M

height: 6’6

Weight: 230

b/t: L/L

Draft Day age: 21 yr 7 mo

hometown: Katy, TX

At 6'6, 230 pounds, LaViolette is an extremely physical left-handed bat with some of the most robust power in the entire country. LaViolette has already cranked 50 home runs in his collegiate career and he may end up amongst the likes of Eddy Furniss and Frank Fazzini on the all-time list in the NCAA ranks. It's a controlled, yet violent, left-handed swing with a ton of bat speed and an optimal bat path for doing damage, as he's a legitimate all-fields power threat and has cleared the 115 MPH exit velocity threshold in 2024. His hips clear out quickly, allowing him to get leverage in his swing and do significant damage. The plate discipline is also solid, as he rarely expands the zone and has a knack for racking up the walks. Yes, strikeouts are part of his game, but he's got time to polish up the bat-to-ball skills. Despite his size, he moves quickly on the basepaths and in the field. He's manned center field for the Aggies in 2024, though a move to a corner outfield position is likely in the near future.

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2. OF Cam Cannarella, Clemson

height: 6’0

weight: 180

b/t: L/r

draft day age: 21 yr 10 mo

hometown: Hartsville, sc

Cannarella stepped onto campus as an infielder, but a road block in the Clemson infield gave him an opportunity in center field that he has not relinquished. A gamer in every sense of the word, Cannarella is a dangerous hitter with some of the best contact skills in the entire country. It's a lovely left-handed swing built more for line drives right now, but he's shown flashes of raw power to the gaps and to his pull-side. He did become a bit more aggressive in 2024 compared to 2023, but he has quality barrel control and shows patience, drawing walks aplenty. He's got above-average speed, though he didn't flash it a ton on the bases due to an injury this year. However, that speed translates to center field, where he has excellent route-running and quality defensive chops. Expect Cannarella to go high in this draft.

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3. OF Devin Taylor, Indiana

height: 6’1

weight: 215

b/t: L/R

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Cincinnati, OH

A physical left-handed bat, Taylor is a legitimate power threat with burgeoning raw juice and he lets his quality athleticism play on the field. He built upon a stellar freshman campaign at Indiana with a .357/.449/.660 slash line and blasting twenty home runs, the first Hoosier to do so since Alex Dickerson smacked twenty-four in 2010. His swing features substantial bat speed and he'll deposit the baseball to both sides of the field, utilizing the opposite field more in 2024. He's already displayed exit velocities touching the 110 MPH barrier, as well. He does expand the zone a bit, but there's little warts to his contact skills and he draws a copious amount of walks. He'll likely get a chance to man center in a bigger capacity in 2025, though given his average speed and route-running, he may be a better fit in left long term. It's hard not to like this profile.

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4. C Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina

height: 5’10

weight: 197

b/t: s/R

draft day age: 21 yr 7 mo

hometown: Haddon Heights, NJ

A switch-hitting catcher out of New Jersey, Bodine has been one of the best pure hitters in college baseball. Bodine's barrel awareness and bat-to-ball skills are top of the charts from both sides of the plate, as he ran a contact rate of 89% in 2024, including a 94% (!) in-zone contact rate. He has quick hands from both sides and will prioritize an all-fields approach, rarely selling out for power. His power likely grades out more as fringe-average to average, though he'll run into a home run every once in a while. He has the prototypical size for a backstop and has impressed in his time on campus. It's a solid throwing arm with improving blocking skills and he has athletic movements behind the plate. Most believe he'll stick back there long term as a result.

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5. RHP Tyler Bremner, UC Santa Barbara

height: 6’2

weight: 180

b/t: r/R

draft day age: 21 yr 2 mo

hometown: san diego, CA

Highly projectable, super athletic, burgeoning stuff. That's the menu for Bremner, who turned in a stellar sophomore campaign in the Big West, striking out 104 batters and walking just 21 in 88.2 innings. His stuff took a big jump during the pre-season, with his fastball sitting in the mid-90s with significant carry up in the zone. He should be throwing in the upper-90s more consistently in due time, as he’s already touched 98 MPH this summer. His slider took a huge step forward after struggling his freshman year, jumping into the mid-80s consistently with late bite and sweep. The change-up is unique with high spin traits, though he shows a ton of confidence in the pitch and it dives hard to the dirt in the low-80s, acting almost like a screwball. It projects as a double-plus offering. Let’s not forget that Bremner commands the zone really well. There’s potential for three above-average or better pitches with above-average command. He’s our SP1 right now for that reason.

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6. LHP Jamie Arnold, Florida State

height: 6’1

weight: 191

b/t: l/l

draft day age: 21 yr 3 mo

hometown: Tampa, fl

After a rough freshman campaign in Tallahassee, Arnold exploded onto the draft scene in 2024, striking out 159 batters in 105.2 innings to the tune of a 2.98 ERA. Arnold generates a ton of scap retraction in his delivery, but he's on time with his arm and he creates a tough angle to the plate with a slingy release. His fastball rarely cracked 90 MPH in 2023, but he's now into the mid-90s with a very low release height and a flat approach angle that has allowed the heater to miss bats aplenty. His mid-80s slider can be downright diabolical, flashing late bite and sweep. It tunnels well off the heater and he's shown an ability to backfoot it to righties consistently. His change-up lags behind the one-two punch, thrown roughly 4% of the time in 2024 with slight fading life and will need more development in 2025. He'll need more of a tertiary offering to keep hitters off the FB/SL, but the whole package screams starter. He’ll be wildly popular in 2025.

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7. c Ike Irish, Auburn

height: 6’2

weight: 203

b/t: l/R

draft day age: 21 yr 7 mo

hometown: Hudsonville, MI

One of the most decorated recruits to make it to campus after the 2022 draft, Irish has cemented himself as one of the best SEC hitters in two years since. Irish has a beautiful left-handed swing that's direct to the baseball with quick hands and loud bat speed. He's begun to pull the baseball more in 2024 after displaying more of a gap-to-gap approach in 2023, tapping more into robust raw power. He does swing at a high rate, meaning his walk rate isn't too high, but he doesn't strike out a ton, either. Defensively, he's shown a loud arm behind the plate and has improved on his blocking skills. He'll see more time back there in the future and he could man first base or a corner outfield spot, too. It's a bat-first profile with a ton like offensively.

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8. OF Gavin Turley, oregon State

height: 6’1

weight: 185

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 21 yr 8 mo

hometown: Chandler, AZ

One of the toolsiest players in the entire class, Turley is an impressive athlete with a ton of power at his disposal. It's extremely loud bat speed and pull-side juice with leverage and loft, tapping into it easily in-game already. His hips open explosively thanks to his twitchy nature, which allows him to possess these kind of tools at the plate. With that said, he's struggled with contact in Corvallis and while the contact improved slightly in 2024, strikeouts are a huge concern in his game and he'll need to polish up the bat-to-ball skills. Turley is a very strong runner and displays a cannon right arm in the outfield, which will allow him to handle right field at the next level. If Turley hits in 2025, he'll be one of the first names off the board.

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9. RHP Matt Scott, Stanford

height: 6’7

weight: 247

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Redding, CT

A walking mountain of a human being, Scott is an uber-physical right-hander that traveled across the country to attend Stanford. There's not a ton of warts in his mechanics. They're loose and easy, showcasing quality body control for his size, and there's little effort overall. The fastball jumped in velocity over the off-season, topping out at 98 MPH and sitting consistently in the mid-90s. The pitch possesses insane carry on the top rail, averaging above 20 inches of vertical movement. He does have a steeper angle to the plate due to his high release, but the pitch still misses bats at a high rate. His primary secondary is a cutter-esque slider in the upper-80s with two-plane break and late bite. He'll tinker with a splitter, as well, which has graded out well. His command comes and goes, but one would expect him to grow into more of it given the mechanics.

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10. 1b/3b henry ford, virginia

height: 6’5

weight: 220

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 20 yr 11 mo

hometown: Charlottesville, va

A draft-eligible sophomore, Ford is built much like an automobile mechanic. He's extremely physical with plenty of strength throughout his frame and he's a solid athlete despite his size. Ford has quality barrel control and has a ton of bat speed and loft, allowing him to tap into legitimate plus power in-game. He stays short and direct to the baseball and doesn't have a ton of swing-and-miss to his game, either. He's a first baseman right now given how deep Virginia is offensively, but his athleticism is good enough to get a shot to work at third base in the future. He's got the range and footwork necessary to make it happen, as well as a strong arm. He'll be an exciting prospect to watch next spring.

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11. OF Brendan Summerhill, arizona

height: 6’3

weight: 195

b/t: L/R

draft day age: 21 yr 8 mo

hometown: Chicago, il

Summerhill is a long, lanky specimen that saw one of the biggest jumps in production in this class. As a freshman, Summerhill struggled to make consistent contact and had a whiff rate of 30%. He slashed that number by over half in 2024, finding a more consistent bat path and whiffing at just a 14% rate in 2024. Summerhill's bat speed and loft are noticeable at first glance, pulling the ball in the air consistently and flashing above-average exit velocities. He's held his own against heat upstairs and spin, too. There's a lot to like with his offensive profile and he is in line for a monster 2025 campaign. In the field, he profiles as a future average runner with added muscle and with his strong arm, he's likely destined for right field.

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12. 1b/of Nolan Schubart, oklahoma State

height: 6’5

weight: 233

b/t: L/R

draft day age: 21 yr 2 mo

hometown: Durand, mi

A lanky, physical specimen from Michigan, Schubart has blasted the cover off the baseball in his two years in Stillwater. He has prodigious power from the left-hand side of the plate with a beautiful swing with great leverage and natural loft. He stays inside the baseball and will pummel it to all fields, eclipsing the 110 MPH exit velocity barrier regularly. He doesn't expand the zone often, chasing at a minute rate of 21%, but there's contact questions to be answered due to a hefty whiff rate. He'll need to polish up the pure contact skills this summer, but the power is the pure selling point. On the defensive side, Schubart has spent time in left field, though given the body and speed, he's likely destined for first base.

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13. ss marek houston, wake forest

height: 6’3

weight: 185

b/t: r/R

draft day age: 21 yr 2 mo

hometown: Nokomis, fl

Houston turned a corner in 2024, becoming one of the most improved bats in the entire class. After enduring some struggles as a freshman, Houston became a leadoff sparkplug for Wake Forest, slashing .326/.434/.516 and recording more walks than strikeouts. His plate discipline is pristine and features little warts. He has some of the best contact rates in the class and he stays inside the zone, slapping the ball to the all fields. He'll utilize his fantastic speed on the basepaths, as well, as he's recorded times to first base around 4.15 seconds. He's a surefire shortstop at the next level, as well. He has a great internal clock with excellent range and motions, as well as a strong arm. If there's one complaint, it's his 30-grade power, though with added weight, he may be able to get to 40-grade juice.

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14. LHP Shane Sdao, Texas A&M

height: 6’2

weight: 170

b/t: L/L

draft day age: 21 yr 9 mo

hometown: Montgomery, TX

An uber-projectable southpaw, Sdao turned heads in a loud sophomore campaign that has seen him split time between the bullpen and the rotation. Sdao's arm speed really stands out at first glance, maintaining it with all three of his pitches and working quickly down the bump with some deception. The fastball has solid carry up in the zone with some slight cut, working primarily in the low-90s, though Sdao has reared back for 96 MPH on occasion. The low-80s sweepy slider is the best secondary and got whiffs at a 44% clip in 2024. There's some lift in the pitch shape and he's shown an ability to backfoot the pitch to righties. He turns over a quality mid-80s cambio, as well. The expectation is that Sdao will be a starter in 2025 and he's due for an uptick in stuff with added mass to his frame.

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15. RHP Gabe Davis, Oklahoma State

height: 6’9

weight: 225

b/t: R/r

draft day age: 21 yr 8 mo

hometown: Choctaw, ok

At 6'9, 225 pounds, Davis is a behemoth of a human being and provides an interesting look on the mound. He's uber-projectable and controls his body rather well for his size, though there's still some kinks to work out with his delivery. He’s a bit stiff moving down the mound, but his wide angle to the plate generates difficult at-bats for hitters. After having a release height under six feet in 2023, Davis raised his release by half a foot, which hampered the fastball whiff rates a bit. With that said, he gets a ton of extension and sits in the mid-90s consistently, bumping 99 MPH at his peak. It's his cutter-esque slider that takes the headlines, though. It sits in the upper-80s and flashes tight shape and depth, becoming more of a cutter once it approaches 90 MPH. He's tinkered with a change-up and a bigger curveball, both sitting in the low-80s. Should the command turn the corner, Davis is in contention for being the best arm on the board.

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16. OF Max Belyeu, Texas

height: 6’2

weight: 210

b/t: l/R

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Aledo, tx

After having just twenty at-bats in 2023, Belyeu cemented himself as one of the better collegiate players in the 2025 class, slashing .329/.423/.667 in 59 games and earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors. He's got a physical frame with projection remaining and his barrel feel is amongst the best in the Big 12. He does chase a bit too much, but there's not a ton of swing-and-miss to his game and handles velocity and spin rather well. There's a bit of Kyle Tucker in his swing, as well. The power itself has stood out, too, as his 90th percentile EVs are in the upper echelon of college bats and he'll smash the ball to all fields. In the field, he's likely relegated to left field due to a subpar throwing arm and average speed.

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17. INF Henry Godbout, Virginia

height: 6’2

weight: 190

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 21 yr 8 mo

hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Godbout has one of the most polished hit tools in the entire ACC. Godbout has little issues at the plate and hammers fastballs, only whiffing on them 5% of the time in 2024. He doesn't chase a ton and he'll grind out walks, though his power is nothing more than fringe-average at best. He's an excellent rotator and should grow into more power as he matures physically, though he does have a stiff lower half and will need to utilize it more in 2025. Defensively, Godbout has manned second base for Virginia, where he's been a sound defender with solid range and instincts. Given Griff O'Ferrall's departure this summer, Godbout will more than likely get reps at shortstop in 2025 for the Cavaliers.

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18. RHP Cam Leiter, Florida State

height: 6’5

weight: 218

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 21 yr 5 mo

hometown: Bayville, NJ

The latest Leiter to work his way through the ranks, Cam transferred from UCF to Florida State and found immediate success in the rotation. While an injury cut his season short to just seven appearances, Leiter's stuff took a big jump forward under new coaching. Leiter's fastball has gotten up to 99 MPH and he'll hold mid-90s velocity deep into starts, missing bats thanks to a low release and elite extension despite modest shape. The upper-80's/low-90s slider is dynamic, flashing tight spin and late bite, while the low-80s curveball has a ton of depth and high spin. He'll tinker with a change-up to lefties, as well. Command is a work-in-progress, but given the easy operation and athleticism, he should grow into more strikes in due time. If healthy in 2025, Leiter has the chance to be the first arm off the board.

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19. c luke stevenson, north carolina

height: 6’1

weight: 200

b/t: l/r

draft day age: 20 yr 11 mo

hometown: wake forest, NC

Stevenson was highly touted out of high school last summer, but he chose to uphold his commitment to North Carolina and it has paid dividends for the freshman. He's eligible as a sophomore due to his age in 2025 and he's in line to be one of the first backstops off the board. He's built like a stereotypical catcher with a stout lower half and present strength throughout his body. He's got explosive motions out of the crouch and handles the run game well, showcasing a strong arm and pop times to second have been clocked at 1.9-1.95 seconds. He's a standout receiver, as well. At the plate, Stevenson has shown off legitimate pull-side juice and has a keen eye at the plate, racking up walks aplenty. He has a heavy barrel through the zone and stays direct to the baseball, and while he's shown some struggles with off-speed pitches, finding a catcher with the feel to hit like Stevenson is hard.

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20. 3b/of andrew fischer, Tennessee

height: 6’1

weight: 205

b/t: l/r

draft day age: 21 yr 1 mo

hometown: Manasquan, nj

After a fantastic freshman campaign at Duke, Fischer transferred to Ole Miss where he didn't skip a beat against better competition. He's a physical left-handed bat with a ton of juice in the bat, most notably to his pull-side. It's a violent swing with natural loft and bat speed, allowing Fischer to pull the ball in the air with dangerous intent. He does have a bit of bat-to-ball woes, namely struggling a bit with spin, but Fischer draws a copious amount of walks and gets the most out of the barrel. In the field, Fischer isn't the fleetest of foot, displaying some choppy footwork and limited range at third base, but he has a strong enough arm across the diamond to at least start his professional career there. Fischer will play for Tony Vitello in 2025 as either a third baseman or an outfielder.

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21. UTL RJ Austin, Vanderbilt

height: 5’11

weight: 193

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Atlanta, ga

One of the more decorated athletes to make it to campus after the 2022 draft, Austin is a gritty prospect that has become a bit more physical during his tenure in Nashville. He's been a bit positionless in 2024, playing a myriad of positions given the depth in Vanderbilt's lineup. With that said, he fits best in the dirt, though he can get some play in the outfield, too. At the plate, he's grown into his power and has average or better pop in the bat. All of the power plays to the pull-side, though he'll utilize the opposite field gap when able to. He's a high contact, moderate chase bat with a good eye at the plate, keeping strikeouts to a minimum. His twitch on both sides of the ball should continue to stand out as long as he doesn't outgrow the athleticism he has.

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22. 3b tre phelps, georgia

height: 6’2

weight: 204

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr

hometown: Kennesaw, ga

A draft-eligible sophomore, Phelps pushed his way into the Georgia lineup with an impressive performance in a limited sample size, slashing .355/.442/.686 with ten home runs. Phelps has impressive bat speed and very quick hands, as well as generating leverage and loft in his swing. This allows him to tap into his raw power, which grades out as above-average to plus. He does have some issues with spin and will expand the zone often, but he kept the strikeouts to a minimum in 2024. As a defender, Phelps has the tools to stick at third base, as he possesses solid hands, range, and a strong arm across the diamond. If he moves off the hot corner, he'll pick up work in a corner outfield position.

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23. INF Daniel Dickinson, Louisiana State

height: 6’0

weight: 180

b/t: R/r

draft day age: 21 yr 7 mo

hometown: Richland, WA

Hailing from Utah Valley, Dickinson has quietly been one of the best hitters in college baseball the past two years. Dickinson has grown into his body more on campus and has *elite* contact skills from the right side of the plate. There's some twitch in his profile and very quick hands, staying direct to the baseball and lacing the ball to all fields. He likes to hammer the gaps and utilize his speed on the bases, though he's tapped more into his power and projects as fringe-average to his pull-side. While he does chase a bit more than you'd like, Dickinson's plate coverage is otherworldly and he handles everything well, including higher-end velocity when he comes across it. As an infielder, Dickinson projects more as a second baseman. He has good range and footwork, though the arm strength isn't the greatest and likely hampers his ability to stick at shortstop. Dickinson will be taking his talents to Baton Rouge and play in LSU’s infield in 2025.

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24. INF Gavin Kilen, Tennessee

height: 5’11

weight: 185

b/t: l/r

draft day age: 21 yr 3 mo

hometown: Milton, WI

A highly decorated recruit out of high school, Kilen enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign where he slashed .330/.361/.591 with nine home runs in 54 games. His pure contact skills are exceptional, producing a contact rate around 85% in 2024, including an astonishing 93% in-zone contact rate. He has a consistent barrel path through the zone and has grown into some thump, primarily displaying over-the-fence power to the pull-side and he'll hammer the gaps for doubles. It's an extremely polished bat. In the field, Kilen profiles up the middle. He's shown a good arm across the diamond at shortstop and moves well laterally, though he could move to second base later on. After two years at Louisville, Kilen will transfer to Tennessee and join Tony Vitello’s infield for 2025.

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25. RHP Kolten Smith, Georgia

height: 6’3

weight: 210

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Ocala, FL

A projectable and athletic specimen, Smith has enjoyed a breakout campaign under new head coach Wes Johnson. Smith more than doubled his strikeout rate in 2024, jumping to a 33.9% clip in 69.2 innings of work for the Bulldogs. Smith sequences his arsenal nicely, as both breaking balls in his arsenal saw usage over 20% of the time in 2024. Smith's firm slider in the mid-80s has sharp bite and stays short to the plate, flashing some late sweep, too. His low-80s curveball has little hump out of the hand and drops to the dirt from a high release, catching hitters out front. Both project as above-average pitches. His heater has gotten into the mid-90s more consistently, flashing some carry up in the zone and holding velocity deep in starts. He'll flash a firm change-up, too. He's still a bit raw overall, though his arm speed stands out and he's commanded the ball much better than in 2023.

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26. INF Mason White, Arizona

height: 5’11

weight: 176

b/t: L/r

draft day age: 21 yr 9 mo

hometown: Tucson, AZ

Despite White's shorter stature, he is one of the more powerful bats in this draft class. There's quite a bit ongoing during his load, but White's hands are explosively quick and he launches the barrel through the zone at insane speed, allowing him to tap into legitimate plus raw power to all fields. There are questions about the pure contact skills, though. He added more aggression to his approach in 2024 and began chasing more frequently, plus his whiff rate did jump up slightly. He'll need to improve upon this for there to be legitimate first round buzz. In the field, he's a fringy runner and has limited range, making him a projected second baseman at the next level.

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27. 3B Trent Caraway, Oregon State

height: 6’2

weight: 202

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr 3 mo

hometown: Dana Point, CA

One of the most prized prospects to make it to campus after the 2023 draft, Caraway would've been in contention for being the best freshman in the country had a broken finger not sidelined him for two months. He's a masher in every sense of the word. Uber-physical, loud bat speed, and robust power to his pull-side. He's already cleared the 110 MPH exit velocity threshold on numerous occasions and his barrel feel should continue to improve as he gets more at-bats under his belt. He does have contact issues and he's aggressive, which is something to keep an eye on in 2025 as a draft-eligible sophomore. He has the arm and range to stick at third base long term, though as he matures physically, he may be destined for a corner outfield position.

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28. INF Cade Kurland, Florida

height: 5’11

weight: 190

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr 4 mo

hometown: Tampa, FL

An early enrollee at Florida, Kurland had a fantastic freshman campaign for the Gators. A middle-infield thumper, Kurland's power stands out at first glance. He'll utilize both sides of the field with impressive bat speed and he's shown great barrel feel thus far, though his swing gets long and he'll need to polish up the hit tool in 2025. He's aggressive and will chase often, leading to strikeouts piling up and a walk rate that scouts want to see raised. Defensively, he's built for second base at the next level, but given his physicality, there's a chance he may outgrow the position and get a tryout at the hot corner.

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29. RHP Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma

height: 6’0

weight: 205

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 20 yr 11 mo

hometown: Jacksonville, fl

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Witherspoon attended Northwest Florida State College before transferring to Oklahoma with his twin brother, Malachi. While Malachi boasts the louder pitch mix, Kyson excelled in a starter's role for the Sooners in 2024, striking out 90 batters in 80 innings to the tune of a 3.71 ERA. His arm action can get stabby and inconsistent, causing some command woes, but his FB/SL duo is dynamic. He's run the heater up to 98 MPH with hop at the top of the zone and the slider features solid bite and two-plane break in the upper-80s. He's also flashed a fading cambio to lefties in the upper-80s, missing a good amount of bats. A jump in command with a cleaner arm action bodes well for his potential.

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30. 1B/OF Ethan Petry, South Carolina

height: 6’4

weight: 235

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr

hometown: Land O’ Lakes, fl

Petry burst onto the scene as a freshman at South Carolina, smashing 23 home runs and slashing .376/.471/.733 in 63 games. 2024 was much the same in the power department, as he hit 21 home runs in 61 games, but opposing pitching exploited some holes in Petry's swing, causing a drop in pure contact and a rise in strikeouts. He did walk at a higher clip, but he was susceptible to velocity up in the zone and spin. With that said, it's all-fields juice when he's on and if he can polish up the hit tool in 2025, the ceiling is sky-high offensively. Defensively, he's improved a bit in right field for the Gamecocks, but given his large frame and middling speed, he's bound to move back to the infield at first base. A return to his 2023 form will help his draft stock immensely in 2025.

Live Looks: Georgia @ Texas A&M

 Over the weekend, I made my way down to College Station to see two top ten picks face off in Charlie Condon and Braden Montgomery. It was a firework-filled weekend, with the wind blowing out 30 MPH both days, and there was plenty of offense on display. Below are some players that I liked.

2024 Eligible Players

Charlie Condon, 3B/OF, Georgia

Condon is one of the best fastball hitters I can remember. The list of power hitters who can cover the top of the zone as well as Condon does is incredibly short, and it includes names like Corey Seager, Manny Machado, and JD Martinez. It’s an incredibly flat bat path that is geared to hit the bottom of four-seamers with authority. It’s double plus raw power that he gets to in-game consistently, and Condon is consistently hitting balls 100 MPH+, with what feels like a 110+ a few times a week. He saw more spin vs the Aggies than he did vs any team this season. He didn’t chase much, but there was some swing and miss in the zone, specifically on same-handed changeups and stuff coming toward him. Alas, he adjusted and punished a right-handed slider off the scoreboard to extend the Dawgs lead in game three. I’d imagine he’ll continue to get spun and see less and less pitches to hit after this weekend and would expect him to adjust.

Condon played third every game this weekend. It looks a little clunky, but he’s a good enough athlete to make it work. He’s got solid hands and a nice first step, but the footwork and ability to throw from different arm angles is the question mark here. If I was the team drafting him, I’d throw him in right field to get his bat to the bigs as soon as possible. He’s an average runner at his top speed, but he looks more like a fringe runner going forward.

Great day of baseball ahead, so get it started with a Charlie Condon moonshot from last night.

27th of the year. 108 EV, 445 FT

Game 1 of a doubleheader today between @BaseballUGA and @AggieBaseball set to kick off at 1 PM. pic.twitter.com/XWtNvoGwoQ

— Patrick Bauer (@patrickbauer26) April 27, 2024

Braden Montgomery, RF, Texas A&M

Montgomery has had top-ten pick buzz since he got on campus at Stanford. Since transferring to Texas A&M, it looks like he has an even better chance to go top five, and maybe sneak into the top three. His swing looks much more connected (especially from the left side) and he’s making better swing decisions. There isn’t much adjustability in his swing, so there’s some swing-and-miss on soft stuff away, but he gets really good plate coverage and will hammer just about everything else. Like a lot of switch hitters, Montgomery has more loft and ability to pull from the left side, and more opposite field and contact driven from the right. His double plus raw power was on display this weekend, hitting a single 116 MPH, and hitting a homer 450 feet. There’s some swing and miss here, specifically soft away, but he’s hammering everything else.

Defensively, Montgomery is passable, but his bat carries his profile. He doesn’t get great reads or take great routes, but he makes the plays he needs to. Alas, he does possess double plus arm strength, but usually it takes a long wind up for him to get to it. He’s a below average runner, sp he should have a home in right long term.

Catching up on video from the weekend.

Braden Montgomery gets on top of this up-and-away fastball and launches it out to right center.

For how explosive of a rotator Montgomery is, it's really impressive plate coverage.

108 MPH EV, 450 feet. pic.twitter.com/KJn3EcYPlu

— Patrick Bauer (@patrickbauer26) April 29, 2024

Ryan Prager, LHP, Texas A&M

The left-hander Prager isn’t a guy that lights up a radar gun or TrackMan dashboard, but he’s incredibly deceptive. His funky over the top delivery creates a tough angle to go with his cutting and riding fastball that he commands incredibly well. His go-to secondary is a high-70s splitter that falls off the table when combined with the steep plane his arm slot creates.

His breaking balls play now and should be at the lower levels of the minors, but eventually, I think some refinement will be necessary. Right now, he only throws short, sometimes gyro, low-80s slider. It plays well thanks to his feel for it, but going forward, I’d like to see him throw it in the mid-80s. I also think adding a curveball would do him well, especially given his high arm slot, perhaps even the trending “Death Ball”. Prager is a fun crafty lefty who looks like he’ll go in the 4th to 5th round.

Chris Cortez, RHP, Texas A&M

Cortez has had an electric right arm since he got to College Station, but there was inconsistency not only in command and mechanics, but he often had a hard time repeating his fastball shape and even velocity. Now, Cortez looks like the guy we’ve been waiting for. He pitched twice over the weekend, sitting 98-100 MPH, touching 101, with consistent plus sink and above-average run. His slider was in the mid-80s with above-average sweep.

Cortez is a smaller guy with a lot of effort and without a track record of strike-throwing. It’s possible a team could try him as a starter but sticking him in the bullpen should fast track him to the bigs. I do have some questions about his bat-missing ability once he gets into pro ball. He lacks the high, over-the-top arm slot you see a lot of bat-missing sinker ballers have and his feel for his slider isn’t great, getting a little too big at times. This isn’t to say he can’t be successful, but it’s more so I think he's a 6th or 7th inning pitcher as opposed to a setup guy or closer. It’s reminiscent of Brusdar Grateral to me. I like him to go in the 3rd to 5th round.

Slate Alford, 2B/3B, Georgia

Alford is a pretty typical power hitter at the plate. Burly, physical player who possesses plus bat speed and a steep bat path. While there is some swing and miss here, my bigger question is regards to his load. It’s very long and left him late on some normally hittable fastballs. Alford chases a good bit but has an all-fields approach and hits the ball really hard.

Defensively, Alford has moved around between second and third primarily and stayed at second this weekend. His range is limited, and he’s got solid hands, and has an average arm, but the accuracy is the question mark here. If he can show consistency in his throws across the diamond, he should have a home at third.

Ali Camarillo, SS, Texas A&M

Camarillo’s calling card is his defensive prowess. It’s plus hands and actions, above-average range, and really nice footwork. His arm strength is above average, but he shows great arm utility, throwing from multiple angles as well as from both feet. From the right side of the plate, Camarillo makes pretty good decisions and shows nice bat-to-ball skills. It’s an opposite field-driven approach with the ability to turn on inside pitches if he recognizes it. There isn’t much bat speed or impact, and the swing is pretty handsy so there are certainly some questions about his ability to hit high level pitching, but the glove should keep him on the field. He has the looks of an early day 3 pick.

Kolby Branch, SS, Georgia

A draft-eligible sophomore, the Baylor transfer is the everyday shortstop for the Dawgs. Branch has solid range going to his left and right, along with above-average hands and actions. It’s fringy arm strength, which holds him back from making plays deep in the hole, but really nice arm utility going to his left and coming in. He’s likely suited best for second base, but could certainly play shortstop in a pinch.

At the plate, Branch has a fairly rotational uphill swing from the right side. There’s some swing-and-miss here but he doesn’t chase much and covers the outer third pretty well. Given his size, Branch hits the ball hard consistently, and his ability to pull the ball in the air should help his power play up a half-grade or so. He looks like a late day two or early day three guy, depending on his price.

Other 2024 Players of Note

 

Fernando Gonzalez, C, Georgia

Gonzalez doesn’t have much impact at the plate, but he’s really solid behind the dish. He’s a nice blocker, an above average receiver, and has gotten rave reviews for how he handles pitchers. In an age where catchers are hard to come by, Gonzalez might have a place in pro ball.

Christian Mracna, RHP, Georgia

Mracna came in and closed out the final game of the series for Georgia. The right hander blew riding fastballs at 92-94 MPH by the heart of the Aggies order and flashed a nice top spinning changeup. It’s a three-quarters delivery and combine that with his riding fastball and extension and you get a dude that’s going to miss a ton of bats up in the zone.

Side note: There was a lot of talk after the game about Mracna going to his glove in between pitches, assuming for sticky stuff of some kind, Chris Cortez was going to his belt in between pitches too. Plenty of pitchers are using sticky stuff at this level, and I hope this shallow finger pointing at pitchers who are simply trying to get consistent grip on inconsistent baseballs doesn’t make its way to college baseball.

Corey Collins, 1B/DH, Georgia

Collins was injured for a lot of his draft year and it resulted in him coming back. He’s been healthy this year and is mashing. He features a compact rotational swing with easy bat speed and loft from the left side and not much chase. He’s not catching anymore and mostly DHing and playing 1st. Add in some swing and miss concerns and he’s likely a day three pick.  

Brian Zeldin, RHP, Georgia

Zeldin is a right-handed Penn transfer with a wide array of quality pitches coming from a high three quarters slot. He features a low-90s riding fastball, high-80s gyro slider, high-80s changeup, low-80s sweeper, and 79-81 MPH curveball. He’s struggled with control in this game but was also asked to come in in the first inning, something he isn’t used to.

High Follows

Jace Laviolette, CF, 2025, Texas A&M

Laviolette is a guy who catches your eye as he walks off the bus. At 6’5”, he’s an imposing presence in the box and there’s plenty of power to go with it. It’s double plus raw power and easy bat speed, and you’ll see shades of Matt Olsen. When his swing is on, he has lightning quick hands and is able to cover most parts of the plate, including the inner third, something you wouldn’t expect given his long limbs. However, Georgia pitched him incredibly well and got his swing out of whack, staying soft away and forcing his swing to get handsy. He sees the ball incredibly well and hardly chases. The next step for him will be swinging at better pitches in the zone, and/or making more contact without sacrificing power.

Defensively, Laviolette gets great jumps and reads in centerfield. He’s also an above-average runner and really glides around the outfield. Whether he stays in centerfield or not will depend on how much he fills out and is able to maintain his speed, if not, his average arm likely puts him in left field. Laviolette is a hell of a player, and for my money is the best in the 2025 class right now.

Gavin Grahovic, 3B, 2026, Texas A&M

Grahovic is the leadoff hitter for A&M’s three headed monster of likely first rounders at the top of the lineup. Grahovic’s rotational right-handed swing creates plus raw power that he gets to in game. He’s shown the ability to pull the ball in the air and hit it hard consistently. There’s some swing and miss, but that’s to be expected from a freshman playing every day. For a freshman, he’s shown nice plate skills that will continue to grow with age. Defensively, he has a great first step and has really nice range. It’s a below-average arm but good utility. I’d be curious if he gets some looks at shortstop next fall, he is an above average runner after all.

Shane Sdao, LHP, 2025, Texas A&M

Sdao came out firing from the left side on Saturday for the Aggies, sitting 93-96 T97 MPH with good carry from a three-quarters slot. His slider flashed plus, with nice sharp sweep at 79-82 MPH, and was average more times than not. He also flashed some changeups with good depth and good separation from his fastball. He threw plenty of strikes and put his fastball in good spots. Sdao has a starter mix and has started 3 games in his career, but Coach Schlossnagle has said he’s had more success out of the ‘pen. It will be interesting to see what role he slides into for his draft year next year.

Kolten Smith, RHP, 2025, Georgia

Smith started the final game of the series for Georgia and did not disappoint. He held mid-90s into the 6th inning, and showed feel for 3 offspeed pitches. His fastball gets good shape coming from a high three-quarters arm slot and it played up in the zone. His go-to secondary was a low-80s sweeper, that he would manipulate to have a more curveball shape at times. It gave a unique look to hitters and forced them to pick a shape when picking that velo range. He also flashed a high-80s gyro slider that showed more sweep than the traditional gyro slider. He turned over some high-80s changeups as well, featuring nice top-down movement while maintaining fade. Smith looks like a steady piece for the Bulldogs’ rotation in 2024, with a chance to in the first five rounds in the draft.

Leighton Finley, RHP, 2025, Georgia

Finley started Friday night for Georgia and came out holding mid-90s for five innings and 90 pitches. It didn’t have great shape but his three-quarters arm slot allowed it to play. His best pitch was a top-spinning upper-80s changeup. He showed good feel for this pitch and it gave left-handed hitters fits. He also flashed a 78-81 MPH sweeper. It was a bit easy to see out of the hand and got a little too big at times, but it flashed plus. He didn’t have a great feel for it, so having something a little harder that moves to his glove side could help it play more, even if it’s not always in the strike zone. Finley looks like another solid piece for the Bulldogs rotation in 2024, and should have a good chance of going of going in the first five rounds of the draft.

Justin Lamkin, LHP, 2025, Texas A&M

Lamkin is a crafty left-hander who slings it from a low three-quarters slot. His fastball is 89-92 MPH with good, running two-seam action. He shows solid command of it, especially to his glove side and up in the zone, where it plays thanks to his slot. He mixes in his tight spinning, low-80s gyro slider to both right-handers and left-handers. It plays for now thanks to how good of feel he has for it, but I’d like to see him add some velocity to it. He’ll also turn over a solid 81-84 MPH changeup that has more tumble than fade. Lampkin has a really nice foundation right now, with feel for three quality pitches. If he adds a tick or two of velocity, which isn’t unrealistic given how good A&M has shown they can develop, watch for him to go in the top 100 next year.