The release of the 2025 Top 1300+ Dynasty Rankings along with the update of the Trade Analyzer and League Analyzer tools
A New Year update to our Top 75 College prospects
Taking a current look at the players with 1st Bowman cards from 2019 Bowman Draft which include many of the current crop of up and coming young MLB talent and both the 2023 AL and NL Rookies of the year with Corbin Carroll and Gunnar Henderson, not to mention Adley Rutschman, Josh Jung, Bryson Stott, George Kirby, CJ Abrams, Riley Greene, and more.
Director’s Note: All Draft Day Ages for players are pinned to July 14, 2024, our guess as to when the MLB Draft will start. The league has not announced the dates for the 2024 MLB Draft and once revealed, we will adjust approximate ages to that date.
The 2024 Top 100 College board will be released tomorrow. Once the season is in full bloom, we will begin to integrate a single list, starting off with 200 prospects. As always, our 2024 Prospect Footage can be found here.
There may not be a more famous name in this class than Konnor Griffin, who reclassified from the 2025 ranks and has a chance to be the first prep player off the board next July. Given the reclassification, he projects to be one of the younger guys in this class, though you wouldn't know that with mix of physicality and projection. He's got two-way abilities, though most project him as a center fielder, where his athleticism, plus speed, and excellent range are on full display. He's got a very good arm and plenty of twitchiness, too. At the dish, it's a polished approach with a ton of bat speed and over-the-fence power, which projects as plus once he's fully developed. His overall contact has shown some inconsistencies this summer, though it's gotten better as the summer has progressed. All in all, Griffin has the potential to be rather special offensively. There's upside on the bump, as well, as he's already gotten into the mid-90s with his fastball and shows a promising breaking ball with swing-and-miss traits, too.
There's no mincing words here, Morlando projects as the biggest offensive threat in this year's prep class thanks to a loud combination of high contact rates, robust power, and mature plate discipline. Morlando has a quiet setup with a wide lower half, but he really explodes through the zone with quick hands and high-end bat speed. He's a patient hitter who knows the strike zone and isn't afraid to rack up the free passes, plus he'll utilize the whole field and keeps the whiffs to a minimum. The power potential with Morlando is sky high with the bat speed and leverage/loft he generates and he's already put on shows during batting practices in big league stadiums. It's easily plus right now. Defensively, he projects as a potential corner outfielder thanks to his athleticism and average speed/arm, which have improved over the years. There's still a chance that he moves to a first base role as he grows, though that's not set in stone just yet. The South Carolina commit will be a fun one to follow for years.
Bonemer profiles as one of the biggest, if not the biggest, riser from the summer circuit, propelling himself to the top of the class with a loud toolset. It's a legitimate power/speed threat with a chance to be a solid defender on the left side of the dirt. There's not a ton of wasted energy with Bonemer's swing, as he stays very quiet through his load and short to the ball, displaying explosive bat speed from the right side and punishing baseballs in the process. Most of his power plays up the middle and to his pullside and he's already produced multiple exit velocities over 105 MPH. If there's anything to work on with Bonemer, it's polishing up his plate discipline, as he does run into some issues with whiffs and the chase rate is a bit higher than you'd want to see. Despite the physical nature of his frame, he's very athletic and produces plus or better run times. He's got a very good glove and could stay at shortstop, though given his size, a move to third base seems likely, where he'd be a potentially above-average or better defender.
Sterling turned in a loud summer and has vaulted himself to the top of the class with a mix of loud stuff, pitchability, and projection. For starters, Sterling will be one of the youngest players in the entire class, as he won't turn 18 until September, which certainly helps him in team model runs. He projects as a starter with a buttery-smooth delivery on the mound and a legitimate four-pitch mix that is led by a fastball that's already in the low-90s with life and can easily get into the mid-90s with added strength to his long and lanky frame. His best secondary comes in the form of a low-mid 80s change-up, which has splitter-esque movement and dives hard away from lefties. He mixes in an upper-70s curveball that classifies more as a sweeper and a mid-80s cutter with tight spin to righties. He's got plenty of athleticism and he throws a large quantity of strikes as a result, showcasing potentially above-average command at best.
As a hitter, Johnson possesses almost everything you want to see in a swing from a prep prospect. His hands work quick, his hips fire, and there's plenty of bat speed. He has performed at every summer event that he has attended, and shows an ability to barrel up stuff, as well as taking what the pitcher gives him. Defensively, Johnson has the instincts and hands to stick on the dirt, but there are concerns about his foot speed at shortstop. A move to 2nd base or 3rd base could be made down the line, but Johnson has the prototypical long shortstop body to add strength and should be given every opportunity to prove that he can handle the speed and physicality of the position. Even if there is a future move to 2nd or 3rd base, Johnson has enough power and hitting ability to stick at those positions. He's a high follow for the Deep South region, and is the top prep prospect in the state of Alabama.
Another reclassified player from the 2025 class, Franco has some of the best two-way upside in this class. He's got a physical frame with very broad shoulders and plenty of athleticism that plays well on both sides of the ball, though there's a bit more upside with the bat. There is some swing-and-miss to his game, but he's not afraid to rack up walks and doesn't chase a ton, plus he's been able to hold his own in left-on-left matchups. There's plenty of bat speed present and he swings with serious intent, spraying the ball to all fields and showcasing solid power up the middle and to his pull-side. That'll get better as he becomes physically mature. He's likely limited to first base with his size, though don't let that fool you. He's rather mobile and shows quick twitch at the position, letting his athleticism shine. On the bump, he's been into the low-90s with easy, athletic mechanics and it's easy to project him into the mid-90s by next summer. He's got a high spin slider that has some teeth in the low-80s with late sweep, as well as feel for a change-up.
Another loud arm coming out of Ankeny, Iowa, Oakie has some of the loudest stuff in the entire class. Oakie generates a ton of scap load in his delivery with a big arm swing before driving down the mound with a whippy, near sidearm slot. He's already gotten into the mid-90s with the fastball, getting up to 97 MPH, with a ton of life and spin through the zone and plays up thanks to the low launch nature of his release. It wouldn't be a shock to see Oakie's velocity jump into the upper-90s when all is said and done, either. Oakie's sweeper might be the best pitch in the prep ranks, a diabolical pitch with a ton of sweep and hard biting action in the mid-80s and projects as plus. He's gotten up to 25 inches of horizontal break this summer and the pitch has insanely high spin rates, touching the 3,000 RPM barrier. He's got feel for a fading change-up that he throws hard in the mid-upper 80s that projects well, too. He'll need to iron out some command inconsistencies, but this is an enticing package overall.
Hall is another big riser from the summer circuit, vaulting himself into the top ten with a mix of present stuff and starter traits. It's a fluid and athletic delivery on the bump with a lean frame that has plenty of projection remaining at 6'3, 185 pounds. Hall's fastball is rather explosive with a ton of late life, especially at the top of the zone, and he'll show a bit of a two-seam/sinker variant at the bottom of the zone. He throws plenty of strikes with the heater and he'll hold 92-95 MPH throughout outings, plus he's already been up to 98 MPH in shorter stints. It's a future plus pitch. He's got two breaking balls, a slider/cutter hybrid in the mid-80s that has good two-plane tilt and a curveball in the mid-to-upper-70s that has good depth, but lacks bite/conviction at times. He's developing a mid-80s splitter, as well. He'll need to develop consistency with his off-speed arsenal, but there's a ton to like with the Vanderbilt commit.
The best way to describe Caldwell would be to call him a "menace." While he lacks premium physicality due to his shorter stature, Caldwell makes up for it with explosive athleticism and polish. It's a sweet swing from the left side of the plate and he's shown excellent plate discipline, rarely chasing and showcasing plenty of patience, drawing walks aplenty. There's solid barrel consistency in his swing and he utilizes the gaps often, prioritizing his plus-plus speed on the basepaths as a result. He's rather strong for his size and has been able to put the ball in the air more, though it's always going to be hit-over-power with Caldwell. His speed allows him to cover ground very well in center field, where he's a solid defender with great instincts. If there's anything to knock him on, it's the lack of a strong arm, which may push him to left field. With that said, he's got the tools to stick at the "eight" long term. He'll have plenty of fans come draft day.
In terms of raw stuff, Schmidt's one-two punch might be the best in this class. An above-average, if not better, athlete on the mound, Schmidt is a quick mover on the mound where his athleticism is explosive and there's a ton of projection with his long, lean frame. The fastball has seen a solid velocity uptick over the past year, now touching 95 MPH and holding 90-94 MPH consistently. There's plenty of riding life with the heater, as well as some cut, and given the projection, it's likely that he could get into the upper-90s soon. The true separator with Schmidt is an upper-70s curveball with a ton of upside. It's a true 12-6 hammer with tons of depth and extremely high spin rates, exceeding the 3,000 RPM threshold on occasion. There's plenty of bat-missing traits between those two pitches and he's developing an upper-70s change-up with plenty of fading life. Command comes and goes, but given the projection and pure stuff, this is a profile that can sneak into the first round with further development.
The 16-team field has been unveiled for the eleventh edition of the National High School Invitational, one of the most prestigious prep tournaments on the scouting calendar. The tournament, which USA Baseball hosts, will take place at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina from April 10th to April 13th.
The single-elimination style tournament has a rich history of draft talent that has come through the gates since its inception in 2012. The likes of Cody Bellinger, Joey Gallo, Max Fried, and Lucas Giolito have stepped foot in the complex, as well as recent top draft picks in Dylan Lesko, Mikey Romero, Jack Leiter, and Pete Crow-Armstrong. In 2023, the tournament added three more first-rounders to its resume, with Noble Meyer, Adrian Santana, and Ralphy Velasquez putting together excellent outings last April. Velasquez recorded six hits throughout the tournament and took home All-Tournament honors, while Meyer struck out ten in seven stellar innings in a tough-luck loss to Calvary Christian. Santana utilized the event to show off his burgeoning toolset, which culminated in the Rays selecting him at 31st overall. Overall, nine players who participated in the 2023 edition were drafted last July.
This year’s lineup features a stout lineup, including reigning champions Huntington Beach and the return of three-time champions Orange Lutheran. Florida and California have four teams apiece with North Carolina and Arizona being the only other states with multiple participants. This will be the first time in tournament history that two in-state schools appear in Cary, plus the District of Columbia is being represented for the first time. Here is the full lineup of teams:
Apex Friendship (Apex, NC)
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV)
Casteel (Queen Creek, AZ)
Chaparral (Scottsdale, AZ)
Corona (Corona, CA)
Farragut (Knoxville, TN)
Hagerty (Oviedo, FL)
Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, CA)
Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, CA)
Key West (Key West, FL)
Orange Lutheran (Orange, CA)
Puyallup (Puyallup, WA)
St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.)
St. John’s Country Day (Orange Park, FL)
Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL)
Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, NC)
There’s an impressive lineup of prospects in the 2024 class that’ll take the field in Cary, but there’s also high-end talent in the 2025 and 2026 classes that are worth paying attention to. We’ll tease a few of our new Top 100 rankings in this list (which will come out later this week), but here’s a list of prospects to keep an eye on in all three classes come April 10th:
2024s:
LHP Ethan Schiefelbein, Corona (#13)
RHP/SS Bryce Rainer, Harvard-Westlake (#14)
OF Derek Curiel, Orange Lutheran (#22)
LHP Mason Russell, Casteel (#50)
RHP Duncan Marsten, Harvard-Westlake (#73)
C Burke-Lee Mabeus, Bishop Gorman (#79)
C Josh Springer, Corona (#82)
LHP Talan Bell, Hagerty
UTL Chris Newstrom, Chaparral
RHP Cade O’Leary, Farragut
RHP Nathan Aceves, Huntington Beach
RHP Tommy Bridges, Harvard-Westlake
SS Gabe Fraser, Orange Lutheran
OF Kyle Boylston, St. John’s Country Day
RHP Felix Ong, Key West
SS Austin Jacobs, Hagerty
C Kailand Halstead, Puyallup
OF Brennon Seigler, Farragut
2025s:
RHP Seth Hernandez, Corona
SS Brady Ebel, Corona
RHP/SS Billy Carlson, Corona
RHP Josh Hammond, Wesleyan Christian Academy
RHP Sam Cozart, Wesleyan Christian Academy
OF Josiah Hartshorn, Orange Lutheran
C Trent Grindlinger, Huntington Beach
SS Linkin Garcia, Huntington Beach
OF Domaine Vann, Wesleyan Christian Academy
SS Mason Pike, Puyallup
2026s:
OF Brady Harris, Trinity Christian Academy
RHP Ethan Wheeler, Trinity Christian Academy
OF Ryan Harwood, Casteel
C Brady Murrieta, Orange Lutheran
RHP Brayden Harris, Trinity Christian Academy
Deep(er) Drives is back and now that we’ve closed the book on the 2023 draft class, it’s time to start diving into some of the more interesting prospects in this year’s class. There are admittedly some questions left to be answered in this class, especially in the college arm demographic. There’s a lot of upside, especially in the upper echelon of this class. Here are the arms that I firmly believe are in that echelon:
RHP Chase Burns, Wake Forest
RHP Brody Brecht, Iowa
LHP Hagen Smith, Arkansas
Burns is the top arm for us and it’s easy to see why. It’s a loud one-two punch with very solid mechanics, though we’d like to see improvements in secondaries and how the stuff plays over lengthier starts. Brecht and Smith are hampered by command woes but have insanely loud metrics. They’ve both shown improvements this fall, with Brecht showcasing smoother mechanics and Smith adding more velocity, touching triple digits in Fayetteville. However, if there was another name that I could add to this tier, had they been fully healthy, it would be Alabama’s Ben Hess.
Maybe it’s a bit bold to say that, but what Hess was doing pre-injury was nothing short of extraordinary. Hess was having a breakout year through seven starts, posting a 3.22 ERA across 36.1 innings and recording a remarkable 49:8 K:BB ratio. Hess’s stuff took a significant uptick and was a big piece to the puzzle for his emergence, but there’s a lot more under the hood when you dive deeper into his profile. So what else led to Hess’ rise and what has to happen in 2024? Let’s dive in.
The uptick in strikes is the first thing that pops out when looking into Hess’ success. With his 2022 and 2023 seasons being a similar sample size, it’s a bit easier to note the difference. Between the seasons, here are the numbers:
Hess’ command was certainly a weak spot in 2022, but the jump in strikes that we saw in 2023 is quite underrated, particularly with the heater. At 62% in 2022, this resulted in the fastball not performing to the best of its ability. For reference, his fastball was in the zone just 51% of the time and there is a correlation between fastball performance and zone percentage. The higher the zone percentage, the better the fastball plays in the zone. This wasn’t the only change that occurred to the heater, and we’ll get to that later, but the results do speak for themselves. Here are those numbers:
Seeing a substantial jump like that in the zone certainly draws attention to you. In turn, Hess’ walk rate dropped to a minuscule 5.47%, dropping from the 13.48% mark he posted as a freshman. We'd like to see how the command plays over a full season, especially since Hess has yet to eclipse the 40-inning barrier, but we feel confident that the command will be roughly the same in 2024.
The next thing on the list to talk about is the fastball itself. Hess’ heater projects as a plus offering in our eyes, making it one of the best collegiate fastballs in the class. I’m a big fan of a heater that misses bats and that’s exactly what you get here. Missing bats at a 34% clip in his 36.1 inning sample this spring, Hess’ success has come as a result of tweaks at his release and his average velocity creeping into the mid-90s. As a freshman, Hess averaged 93.2 MPH and tickled 95 MPH, and given the size and athleticism, more was expected to come along. His velocity jumped forward as a sophomore, averaging 94.7 MPH and he brushed 99 MPH on a couple of occasions. At this point, he’s still in a recovery mode from his injury suffered in March, which we will touch on more later, but he’s already been up to 96 MPH in side sessions and there could be more in the tank this spring, but time will tell on that.
Credit: Ryan Ferron (@FerronRyan) on Twitter
One big change in the fastball metrics resides in the pitch’s Vertical Approach Angle, or VAA for short. VAA is the angle at which the pitch approaches the plate and it’s become a popular asset with pitch development. When it comes to four-seam fastballs, like Hess’, the average we look for is -5 degrees. Anything lower than that mark (i.e. -4.5 degrees) is optimal, as it gives the pitch a leg up at the top of the zone. Anything higher than that mark (i.e. -6 degrees) hampers four-seamers and will be more suitable for sinkers/two-seamers at the bottom of the zone. With Hess, his VAA dropped four-tenths of a degree from -5.1 to -4.7, and with the increase in velocity, the pitch began to perform at a higher degree. This was likely due to a slight tweak in wrist orientation at release, as that helps create a flatter plane to the plate.
In terms of shape, Hess features a pitch with slightly above-average carry, registering 17.4 inches, and a large amount of arm-side run, coming in at 13.5 inches. I’ve created a scatter chart with the fastball metrics of our Top 50 College arms to compare Hess’ shape (which is surrounded by a black circle) to others:
Hess traded half an inch of carry for half an inch of run in 2023, giving him the third-highest horizontal movement mark amongst our Top 50 College arms. Add high spin rates to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for success. There is a comparison I’d like to make, and maybe it’s a bold one to use, but I’ll do it anyway: Hess’ 2023 heater is comparable to Chase Dollander’s 2022 metrics.
I must add that this is strictly going off the pure movement metrics, as the sample size difference between the two is substantial (Dollander doubled Hess’ fastball total). Dollander’s 2022 fastball averaged ~17.6 inches of IVB and 12.4 inches of hMov, which isn’t too far off of what Hess had in 2023. Dollander has Hess beat in the VAA department, though, as Dollander’s VAA was half a degree lower and played a big role in his bat-missing stuff. Dollander’s heater tickled the 70-grade barrier before seeing some regression in the movement profile, and an argument can be made for Hess, too.
All in all, Hess’ heater is comfortably in the plus tier for me. There are not too many glaring flaws metrically and he passes the bat-missing test with flying colors. The 30% in-zone whiff rate and 29% chase rate are indicative of how successful the pitch has become and there’s no reason to think it won’t perform the same this upcoming spring unless something drastic occurs. I’d love to see how it plays over a full season.
Hess isn’t just fastball-reliant, though. He has three off-speed pitches that are at least average or better and at least one with legitimate plus potential. We’ll start with that pitch and it’s the upper-70s curveball that has true hammer potential. He only threw it 11% of the time in 2023, the least of his secondaries, but it racked up whiffs over 50% of the time. He averages over 2,600 RPMs with his spin rate and it can get a bit slurvy, though most of the time, it’ll feature an 11/5 shape. It averages over 13 inches of depth, which gives him roughly 31 inches of vertical separation between this and the heater. Sprinkle in 15 inches of sweep on average and you’ve got yourself a banger. He throws it hard with intent and it really snaps over the plate, allowing him to utilize it for chases out of the zone and he’s got feel to land it for strikes. He’s still learning to command it better, but this is a potential plus pitch with legitimate swing-and-miss traits.
The change-up is his third pitch behind the curveball, giving him a viable option against left-handed hitters. It has the potential to be a power change in the mid-80s with a ton of horizontal movement away from lefties, averaging close to 17 inches. He does kill a good amount of spin on the pitch, though you can still classify it as a high-spin offering with it being around the 1,950 RPM mark. He does a good job of selling it with similar arm speed and likes to throw it in the zone often. As he continues to gain confidence in the pitch, he’ll begin to throw it down and in to righties more. I’m confident in slapping an above-average grade for the time being, but there’s a legitimate chance it can become plus with time.
Lastly, we’ll talk about Hess’ slider, which profiles as his fourth-best offering. He throws it hard in the upper-80s with cutter-esque movement, though the spin metrics aren’t as sharp as the curveball. It’s his most used secondary and he likes to command it away from righties/in on lefties, though it lacks consistent bite and doesn’t generate a ton of chases with it. It’s a fine average offering for now, but refinement is needed at the next level. He may opt to ditch the slider in the minor leagues and lean more on his curveball, but for now, he’s comfortable throwing it.
Now that we’ve talked about the arsenal and command, let’s address the elephant in the room. Hess has been hampered by injuries during his collegiate career, limiting him to just 70 total innings. He missed the first three weeks of the 2022 season due to an injury and suffered a forearm strain during his start against Arkansas in late March, which ended his 2023 campaign. He’s been on the mend since, but when we spoke to Head Coach Rob Vaughn in October, Hess was throwing in side sessions and had a pitch count in a scrimmage against Florida State. The expectation is that Hess will slide into the Friday night role for the Crimson Tide.
“He’s been great. He feels 100% awesome. He’s been throwing bullpens…all of a sudden he popped a 96…he feels great.”
— Prospects Live (@ProspectsLive) October 25, 2023
Alabama Head Baseball Coach Rob Vaughn gives an update and his thoughts on right-hander and MLB Draft prospect Ben Hess.
Full interview dropping Thursday! pic.twitter.com/cpt6sC3AgF
Luckily for Hess, there’s been a bit less pushback from teams when it comes to elbow injuries. In the past few years, we’ve seen several highly regarded arms selected in the top 100 picks despite battling elbow ailments. Jaxon Wiggins and Teddy McGraw are two names that come to mind in last year’s class, as well as Dylan Lesko and Connor Prielipp in 2022. With that said, if Hess were to be a first-round selection this July, he’ll need a fully healthy spring. In the case that Hess suffers another injury, I still envision him being selected in the second or third round, especially with the weak prep class. Overall, this is a very talented arm that has shown that he has the stuff to be one of the best arms in the class. A plus heater that’s backed up by three average or better off-speed pitches and premium command is tough to come by in today’s game. Time will tell whether this becomes true or not, but expect Hess to make some noise come February.
Fall ball has all but wrapped up for college baseball programs across the nation. With the holiday season upon us, now feels like a perfect time to empty out my notebook after checking out some fall ball action. As the 2024 college baseball season looms, the anticipation surrounding St. John's, Iona, and Seton Hall is discernable. This in-depth analysis offers a revealing glimpse into the rosters, prospects, and dynamics shaping these three programs. From potential breakout pitchers like Ryan Reich leading Seton Hall to the emerging talents of Jimmy Keenan and Adam Agresti at St. John's and the observable transformation within Iona's squad under Coach Conor Burke, each team brings a unique narrative to the field. Join me as I uncover the strengths, challenges, and top prospects of these cold-weather baseball programs, setting the stage for what should be a highly competitive season on the diamond.
Conference: Big East
2023 Record: 28-25 | 4th in conference
Head Coach: Mike Hampton | 5th year
Top Prospect ‘24 Draft: Xavier Kolhosser, RHP
Top Prospect ‘25 Draft: Jimmy Keenan, C
The lineup for the Johnnies is projected to be veteran-laden until you reach the catcher and first base positions. Expect sophomore Jimmy Keenan and freshman Adam Agresti to hold down those two spots. To maximize the impact of their powerful bats, these underclassmen are likely to rotate between catcher and first base this spring. Keenan solidified his place in the everyday lineup during the 2023 spring, receiving 126 plate appearances and leading the team in OPS (1.067). His strong debut continued into the summer in the Futures League, where he finished second overall in home runs (9). Keenan's prowess was on full display in a scrimmage against Iona, hitting two home runs with exit velocities of 111 MPH and 106 MPH, showcasing his plus, all-fields power. His quick load, long stride, and strong rotational swing result in good angle and loft, allowing him to drive the ball in the air. Beyond the homers, Keenan's deep fly balls to his pull side hint at even more power potential. While his performance against higher-velocity arms remains to be seen, his current skill set is undeniably impressive. Defensively, Keenan has more than enough arm strength to stick at catcher, although his transfers on throws can stand to improve. Despite his substantial size at 6'3-225, he exhibits commendable mobility both at catcher and first base. The program likely hasn't seen an impact bat of this caliber since Mike Antico was with the team. Keenan is poised to play a crucial role in 2024 and could emerge as one of the top offensive catchers for the 2025 draft.
here’s jimmy!
The St. John’s offense will be powered by their sophomore catcher Jimmy Keenan, a rising star in the Big East.
Not content with just one standout catcher, the Red Storm secured a significant addition to their roster with Adam Agresti, a prized recruit from Kennedy Catholic High School in New York. A towering figure at 6'3-230, Agresti mirrors Keenan's profile remarkably closely. Both catchers boast impressive size and physicality, accompanied by clear plus grades in raw power and arm strength. I felt Keenan exhibited looser athleticism compared with Agresti, but Agresti had the quieter and more efficient swing and cleaner throws out of the crouch. Agresti's plate presence is marked by a keen sense for the barrel, consistently scorching balls located throughout the strike zone. While he faced challenges with breaking balls, an aspect worth monitoring, Agresti's offensive tools showcase remarkable advancement for a freshman catcher. Looking ahead, Agresti has the potential to accumulate a lengthy three-year track record of in-game performance by the time the 2026 draft rolls along.
Complementing the power duo of Keenan and Agresti, St. John's features a trio of speedsters with up-the-middle pedigree. Junior Luke Orbon will transition from second base to shortstop, and he looked comfortable there during my two observations. Orbon displayed athletic, confident actions and executed multiple tough throws while on the run. Offensively, Orbon serves as a table-setter with above-average speed, maintaining an impressive career triple slash line of .335/.395/.436.
Junior outfielder Jackson Tucker shares a similar profile with Orbon, featuring borderline plus speed and a contact-driven approach. Tucker, who accumulated 42 stolen bases in the past two years, added another 30 swiped bags during this summer in the Northwoods League. While Tucker has experience in center field, he may predominantly occupy a corner spot to accommodate DII transfer Garrett Scavelli. Scavelli, a standout at Molloy College, compiled an impressive .357/.458/.562 line as the team's everyday centerfielder for the past three years. His exceptional .391 batting average in 2023 ranked 2nd in the East Coast Conference. Demonstrating outstanding coverage in centerfield and 70-grade speed with a 4.07 home-to-first time, Scavelli brings an exciting toolset and a veteran presence to the lineup. Expect Orbon, Tucker, and Scavelli to reach base at a high rate and create havoc on the bases for opposing defenses. With this trio of seasoned players and the powerful duo behind the dish, St. John's has cultivated an impressive combination of talent and depth at crucial positions.
After taking in two days of scrimmages, it became clear to me that the strength of this St. John’s roster is on the offensive side of the ball. I got a good look at several promising arms this fall, but the lack of experience and depth on the pitching side is unmistakable. This is especially true when projecting the weekend rotation for the spring, the success of which is going to be placed in the hands of talented but relatively unproven options. Xavier Kolhosser is a prime example of that phenomenon. A redshirt sophomore, Kolhosser has the goods to be a Friday night stud and rotation anchor. Listed at 6’5-190, Kolhosser was a revelation last spring, pitching to a 2.56 ERA across nine starts (31.2 IP). After missing his freshman season in 2022 recovering from Tommy John surgery, St. John’s was understandably cautious with Kolhosser, which may explain why he made just three appearances (11 IP) after March. The spectacular results in that 31.2-inning sample certainly inspire confidence for the 2024 season, as did his outing against Iona this fall.
The first thing you’ll notice about Kolhosser is how big and lean he is. The body has great length with long limbs and a projectable pitcher’s frame. Watching him throw a bit prior to the start of the game, I was impressed by how low-effort his actions were; everything looked loose and athletic. That carried over to game action, where Kolhosser’s looseness was on display with quick arm speed and a clean, repeatable delivery. Kolhosser attacks hitters from a high release point, which, combined with above-average extension in his delivery, makes for an uncomfortable at-bat. The fastball has unique characteristics with excellent carry through the zone from that high release point, giving hitters the perception that he’s throwing much harder than the 87-90 MPH velo range during this three-inning outing. While he didn’t miss many bats with this fastball, Kolhosser threw an exceptional amount of strikes (83% strikes) with his heater, five of which were called strikes. Kolhosser used a full four-pitch mix that included an 81 MPH slider, a slow curve in the 73-74 MPH range, and a 79-80 MPH changeup. There wasn’t a true standout pitch among the four, but Kolhosser commanded each offering well, stole strikes, and limited hard contact. Here’s a pitch breakdown I created following Kolhosser’s start.
As you can see, Kolhosser didn't show much fastball velocity (88.7 average), and that lines up with what we saw last spring. However, he's reportedly been up to 94 this fall and has shown 91+ MPH velo during starts in the past. Looking at the secondaries, the slider appears to be a new pitch. He only threw it four times, but all four were strikes, and he dotted one back door to a lefty for a backwards K. Clearly there are attractive elements here and given the projectable body and low-effort mechanics, it is highly likely that there's more gas left in the tank. With further growth and good health, Kolhosser could garner day two draft interest.
St. John's utilized the transfer portal to bring lefty Evan Chaffee back to his New York roots after his freshman year with Alabama, where he didn't see any game action. During my fall look, Chaffee stood out with his pitchability and feel for two quality secondaries. At 6’2-185, he offers significant projection, and I like how the arm works during his delivery. Chaffee's fastball was 87-89 MPH in his first inning of action, dipping slightly into the 86-88 MPH range for innings two and three. The fastball displayed sinker shape and flashed some good arm side run. For Chaffee to become a legitimate draft prospect in 2025, improvements in fastball command and velocity are essential. Nevertheless, his ability to execute his secondary pitches and keep hitters off balance is a current strength. His curveball and changeup, both in the 76-79 MPH range, exhibit distinct qualities. The curve showcases two-plane movement (2-7 or 2-8 shape) and proved a solid-average pitch, while the changeup, Chaffee's standout, flashed above-average grades. It displayed late arm side movement, with Chaffee effectively maintaining fastball arm speed. Anticipate Chaffee contributing to the weekend rotation, gaining valuable innings and game experience, crucial for someone with his limited game experience. 2024 promises to be a pivotal test for Chaffee, making him an arm worth monitoring in the months ahead.
Two additional contenders for the weekend rotation include lefty Joe Mascio and righty Mario Pesca. Mascio, a pitchability lefty, emerged as a reliable option last spring, leading the team in games started and innings pitched as a sophomore with a respectable 4.68 ERA. While not overpowering, Mascio's starting experience over a full season sets him apart from many on this staff. On the other hand, Mario Pesca, a 6’8-225 righty from the Bronx, is more of a "draft guy." Despite a challenging freshman season with a 6.65 ERA, Pesca's potential is considerable. While I didn’t get to see him this fall, I’m told his fastball sat in the 89-91 MPH fastball with a rapidly developing high-spin slider between 79-82 MPH. Pesca topped out at 94 MPH last spring, and the prospect of an eventual velocity boost is plausible. Pesca also threw a curveball and changeup last spring, both of which have some promise. The key for Pesca lies in refining his strike-throwing and sustaining the quality of his stuff throughout a game and the entire season. I can envision Pesca developing into a sinker-slider righty who leverages his size to induce groundball contact.
Beyond Agresti, several other freshmen showcased their talents during my two looks. Righties Brady Clark and TJ Winn may not have exhibited overwhelming velocity, but both presented themselves as potential building blocks for the team's future. Clark, standing at 6’3-205, offers an intriguing combination of size, funk, and deception in his delivery. Despite occasional repeatability issues, Clark demonstrated command with all three pitches. His fastball ranged from 84-86 MPH, topping out at 87 MPH. The slider displayed impressive sweeping movement in the mid-70s, and the changeup proved effective against left-handed hitters, occasionally flashing average. On the other hand, Winn, with a lean and lanky build, operates from a low, almost sidearm slot. His fastball, ranging from 84-86 MPH, showcased notable sinking action, complemented by a slurvy breaking ball with significant horizontal break. Both Clark and Winn seem poised to contribute immediately, offering diverse looks out of the bullpen.
Switching to the offensive front, Zaine Toneske left a lasting impression with a colossal home run during my initial look. Physically mature at 6’2-230, Toneske possesses the potential to be a valuable power bat off the bench in the near term. While addressing swing-and-miss concerns is crucial for his development, his raw power stands well above average. On the other hand, Jayder Raifstanger brings a more refined hitting approach. Sporting a line-drive stroke from the left side, Raifstanger showcases quick hands at the plate with at least solid-average bat speed. Primarily playing second base during the summer in the Futures League, Raifstanger’s tool set suggests he could handle multiple positions, providing St. John’s with some valuable flexibility on the defensive end.
Conference: MAAC
2023 Record: 13-38 | 9th in conference
Head Coach: Conor Burle | 3rd year
Top Prospect ‘24 Draft: Michael Lorenzetti, RHP
Top Prospect ‘25 Draft: Josiah Ragsdale, OF
A palpable shift in energy resonates within this 2024 Gaels squad, marking a notable departure from their challenging past. My last encounter with Iona was in early March 2022 against Albany, and I won't sugarcoat it—the team was in disarray, finishing with a daunting 6-41 record. Head Coach Conor Burke navigated his inaugural year at the helm, and while 2023 posed its own set of difficulties (13-38), the team is undeniably on an upward trajectory. Burke has assembled a commendable coaching staff, and the talent on the current roster has undergone significant improvement in just two years. While there's still work to be done, the momentum suggests that, under Burke's guidance, Iona has the potential to emerge as a true contender in the MAAC in the near future.
Getting the start for Iona against St. John’s was righty Andrelys Payamps, a junior college transfer from Monroe College. Payamps possesses live stuff that promises to keep hitters on their toes this spring. His four-seam fastball consistently sat at 91 MPH, touching 93 early with riding action that induced whiffs. Additionally, Payamps spun several quality sliders with good depth at 80 MPH. While the quality of his arsenal isn't in question, Payamps will need to throw more strikes and maintain the quality of his arsenal over extended periods. Payamps seemed to hit a wall physically when some defensive miscues led to a long first inning, but to his credit, he rebounded after a brief respite between innings. Although the polish wasn't fully evident, there’s no question that Payamps has the raw stuff to go toe-to-toe with the other Friday night starters in the MAAC.
Payamps: Juco Bandit
Monroe College transfer Andrelys Payamps can rack up the whiffs in a hurry.
Iona's pitching staff features two towering sophomores in Michael Lorenzetti and Andrew Gaines, standing at an impressive 6’9-220 and 6'5-240, respectively. Lorenzetti, a draft-eligible sophomore, possesses a lanky and projectable build that hints at further physical and strength gains. Despite struggles with the consistency of his delivery, marked by some inherent violence, Lorenzetti compensates by getting good extension down the mound. He also has a deceptive arm action and release, which allows his stuff to play up when he’s in sync mechanically. Lorenzetti's fastball ranged from 88-91 MPH (he was up to 94 last spring) and displayed occasional riding and running action. For the secondary offerings, Lorenzetti utilized a slurve that flashed average in the 74-77 MPH range and a developing, below-average changeup in the low 80s. Lorenzetti's slurve has some further potential with its heavy two-plane movement from a tough angle. However, he had a tendency to alter his mechanics when throwing the breaker, which is something experienced hitters are going to exploit. Despite his current rawness, Lorenzetti exhibits promising traits for Iona's coaching staff to refine.
Mt. Lorenzetti
Michael Lorenzetti is a mountain on the mound at 6 feet 9 inches. The draft-eligible sophomore’s development will be vital for this Iona pitching staff.
In contrast, Andrew Gaines has a thicker, more filled-out frame. Gaines entered the game and went straight at hitters with a firm 91-92 MPH heater before settling into the 88-90 MPH range during his second inning of work. Gaines paired the fastball with a sweeping curve in the 73-75 range, which has some positive traits but will need further refinement. While there's noticeable effort in his operation, Gaines excels in spinning the baseball, and there are swing-and-miss elements to his fastball. Gaines is someone to watch in the months ahead, especially if he shows more control in his second year with the Gaels.
Closing out games for the Gaels, junior Matt Zguro is what I like to call a "slider monster." Zguro throws his 60-grade slider early and often to opposing hitters with good reason. In 2023, Zguro threw his slider over 55% of the time, leading to an excellent whiff rate slightly above 50%. His fastball operates in the upper 80s, and he exhibits less feel for locating it compared to his slider. If Zguro's fastball takes a step forward this spring, he stands poised to become one of the premier stoppers in the MAAC.
On the positional side, 4th-year shortstop Jayson Gonzalez had some hard-line drive contact and displayed a solid plate approach. With a lean, lanky build and athletic actions at shortstop, Gonzalez, a transfer from Maine, appears primed for an everyday role after limited playing time in recent years. Joining Gonzalez on the left side of the infield is sophomore Anthony Zollo. The last time I saw Zollo, he was playing with current Angels prospect Caden Dana at Don Bosco Prep. Zollo earned a spot on the MAAC All-Rookie team last spring with a .301/.373/.341 line over 194 plate appearances. Although lacking a standout tool presently, Zollo is a reliable defender at the hot corner and consistently puts the ball in play.
Another notable sophomore emerging during the scrimmage was outfielder Josiah Ragsdale. Battling through the harsh sun in right field, Ragsdale tracked the ball well, looking smooth in the process. He’s a solid athlete with some length to the frame and physical projection remaining. While I wasn’t able to get a home-to-first time, Ragsdale has at least solid-average speed, and that might be selling him short. He has some sneaky pop from the left side, but his plate approach seemed geared towards a quick, slappy swing that enables him to hit line drives from pole to pole. With a freshman-year batting line of .282/.391/.459, expect Ragsdale to make significant strides in his sophomore campaign.
Conference: Big East
2023 Record: 31-24 | 3rd in Conference
Head Coach: Rob Sheppard | 19th year
Top Prospect ‘24 Draft: Pat D’Amico, 3B
Top Prospect ‘25 Draft: Ryan Reich, RHP
I’ve been able to get a live look at Seton Hall three falls in a row now. In the fall of 2021, I remember thinking, “This doesn’t look like a Rob Sheppard-led team.” Something was off, and unsurprisingly, that 2022 team went 18-35. The team lost a substantial amount of talent to the transfer portal following the 2022 season. Four-year starter at third base Casey Dana left for rival UConn while promising underclass arms Zane Probst, Chris Lotito, and Drew Conover transferred to Alabama, Jacksonville, and Rutgers, respectively. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into fall ball last year, but it wasn’t long before I realized that the ship was back on course. Sure enough, the Pirates went 31-24 last spring, finishing 3rd overall in the Big East.
A major catalyst for Seton Hall's resurgence was the addition of Giuseppe Papaccio to the coaching staff. The former Seton Hall shortstop and associate head coach played a pivotal role in NJIT's 2021 squad, orchestrating a memorable regional victory in Fayetteville. Despite losing notable pieces like elite defensive catcher Jedier Hernandez to the transfer portal once again in 2023, Sheppard and Papaccio demonstrated their adeptness at assembling a competitive team that should compete at a high level in the Big East. The coaching duo's ability to nurture developing talent suggests that the program is not just aiming for success in the present but is strategically building for sustained competitiveness in the years ahead.
Dayton transfer Nate Espelin and sophomore Ryan Reich received the starting nods in the intrasquad scrimmage. Reich is one of my breakout picks for the 2024 season. The 6’2-215 righty proved his mettle as an integral late-inning arm for the Pirates in his freshman year, continuing his success as a starter in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League over the summer. Reich compiled a 2.56 ERA, 83 strikeouts (14.2/9), and allowed only 30 hits (5.1/9) in 52.2 innings. During the scrimmage, Reich showcased a fastball ranging from 88-91 MPH, touching 92 twice and 93 once. The unique shape and angle of his fastball elevate its effectiveness beyond its velocity. Reich also introduced a 79-81 MPH slider and an 82-83 MPH splitter as new secondary pitches. While their consistency needs refinement, both secondary offerings exhibited potential and should play well off of his unique fastball. I plan on diving deeper into Reich’s profile later this winter, so stay tuned for that. Transitioning from the bullpen to the weekend rotation is no small feat for an underclassman, but Reich's performance suggests he could eventually be a Friday night starter and potentially Seton Hall's most promising pitching prospect since David Festa.
Lefty Nate Espelin wasn’t able to put it all together at Dayton after being selected in the 35th round out of high school by the Yankees back in 2019. Espelin only received 41 innings during his time at Dayton with a bloated ERA of 10.76. Despite his previous struggles, Espelin, with a medium, thick build, displayed an intriguing four-pitch mix. His repertoire includes a four-seam fastball in the 87-90 MPH range (touching 91), a mid-70s curveball that was mostly fringe-average, a low-80s changeup with occasional quality arm-side fade, and a high-80s cutter that appeared to be his best pitch. Espelin's cutter usage was limited to less than 10% in the spring of 2023, but he threw it for strikes at a very high rate, and the late break on the pitch helps avoid barrels. Dropping the four-seam usage for more cutters might be worth exploring. There were inconsistencies in the delivery and with keeping his arm on time, but Espelin's cutter-curve-changeup combo showed promise when he was in sync mechanically. Anticipate Espelin getting a shot at the weekend rotation, aiming for a resurgence in his collegiate pitching career.
A few underclassmen of note made appearances in this one. This was my first look at sophomore righty Colin Dowlen in a Seton Hall uniform after seeing him pitch a controversial gem to win a state title in 2022. He lacks height but has a stout frame and attacks hitters from a low, deceptive arm slot. The fastball sat in the 86-88 MPH range with a lot of running action to his arm side. His high spin curveball was slurvy at times but was solid-average when thrown in the upper end of his 73-77 MPH velocity range. Dowlen didn’t show much present feel for a changeup and was tiring by his third inning of work. That likely means a bullpen role for Dowlen in 2024, which gives him the opportunity to refine his promising fastball-curveball combination.
Cody Sharman is a freshman southpaw who looked particularly crisp on this day. He makes up for his lack of present fastball velocity (83-84 MPH) with advanced pitchability and poise on the mound. Sharman had no issues executing his three-pitch mix, highlighted by a 73-74 MPH changeup that dropped off the table. Another freshman, Joey Calabretti, listed as a two-way player, took the mound late in the scrimmage. Calabretti's pro-level physique and agile movements on the mound were particularly impressive. While still raw as a pitcher, the righty from P27 Academy exhibited intriguing long-term potential. Employing a crossfire finish, Calabretti shifted between arm slots, primarily throwing from a low 3/4 slot and occasionally an over-the-top angle that gave his 87-88 MPH fastball more riding life. Although he struggled to throw competitive breakers, Calabretti spun one nasty 76 MPH sweeper that resulted in a zone whiff. Calabretti is undoubtedly raw, but there’s legitimate potential on both sides of the ball. I look forward to seeing how coach Rob Sheppard and Co. choose to deploy him moving forward.
Joey Calabretti
Two-way freshman Joey Calabretti could be a unique weapon for coach Rob Sheppard.
I didn’t see righties Daniel Frontera, Cole Hansen, Jay Allmer, or Michael Gillen during the scrimmage, but all four will be important members of the Seton Hall pitching staff. Daniel Frontera’s ERA is above 6.00 after two seasons and 86.2 innings at Seton Hall. He’s better than that but is still searching for an effective secondary pitch to compliment his solid 89-92 MPH fastball that topped out at 95 last spring. Frontera, who made 14 starts last year, could find success in a swing-type role. Redshirt sophomore Cole Hansen didn’t pitch at all as a freshman for Rutgers but earned himself a spot in the weekend rotation for the Pirates by the end of 2023. Hansen made 12 appearances, half of which were starts, and finished with a 3.75 ERA. He isn’t flashy, but he mixes and locates three pitches well, with a low 80s slider functioning as his putaway pitch. Allmer is your typical sidewinding reliever with a sinker-sweeper combo. He led the team in saves last spring after transferring from UNC Asheville. The senior righty was excellent this summer in the NECBL, racking up ten saves and a minuscule 0.60 ERA. Last but not least, Michael Gillen emerged as one of the most dominant relievers in the Big East as a freshman in 2023. His stat line was remarkable, posting a 0.34 ERA and a K-to-BB ratio of 27:5 in 26.2 innings. With advanced control of his 88-91 MPH riding fastball and a high spin slider in the upper 70s/low 80s featuring ample lateral movement, Gillen's two-pitch combination makes him an ideal fit for the bullpen. However, his immediate dominance suggests that a larger role may be worth exploring down the road.
hack man
Expect veteran outfielder and on-base machine Devin Hack to provide a spark atop the Pirates lineup in 2024.
The position player group is veteran-heavy with a mix of returnees and transfers. Leading the veteran charge is 5th-year senior Staus Pokrovsky, who was one of my picks to click after watching him mash last fall. He’ll likely split time at catcher and designated hitter while serving as a formidable power threat in the heart of the order. Pokrovsky hit eleven long balls last spring, and his top-end exit velos were in the top 5% among D1 hitters. Senior Max Viera had the bounceback season the Pirates were hoping for, boosting his OPS to .858 after a disappointing .562 OPS in 2022 with Northeastern. Viera makes a lot of line-drive contact and uses his 50-to-55-grade speed well on the bases. He played shortstop last year and has the ability to play multiple positions, though he didn’t play the field during this look. Jonathan Luders and Devin Hack are two more 5th-year seniors who are coming off successful 2023 seasons. Neither offers much in the power department, but both vets recorded OBPs over .400 last year, and they rarely swing and miss. Hack is a great runner who covers ground in center and can play all three outfield positions, while Luders looked comfortable at shortstop and has experience at multiple infield spots.
The Pirates also brought in some notable transfers this offseason. After putting up a .344/.423/.656 with Quinnipiac in 2022, Danny Melnick didn’t get much playing time at Rutgers in 2023. The 5th-year senior offers some versatility with his ability to rotate between catcher, first base, and the outfield. I wouldn’t be surprised if he experienced a bounceback year similar to what we saw with Viera. Kyle Lyons, a graduate transfer from Bucknell, brings a potent combination of contact hitting and robust outfield defense. First baseman Andrew Bianco is a grad transfer from DII New Haven with a lot of physicality and an imposing presence in the box. Bianco adds some much-needed power potential and some lineup protection for Pokrovsky.
Among the group of freshmen, Kevin Milewski, Ryan Frontera, and Casey Cumiskey stood out to me. Milewski is a gigantic 6’4-230 catcher from Connecticut with well above-average bat speed and present over-the-fence power. His size may push him to first base down the road, but the power ceiling is huge. Daniel Frontera’s younger brother, Ryan Frontera, battled during a strong at-bat that led to a hard-hit double down the left-field line. He manned left field during the scrimmage but played a lot of second base during summer ball. No high school hitter in the state of New Jersey had more base hits than Casey Cumiskey last year. But it was Cumiskey’s glove at shortstop that caught my attention. Cumiskey showed impressive polish and smoothness for a freshman and looks like the heir apparent at the position. He’s a good athlete with above-average speed, at least, and there’s some projection remaining in his 6’3-190 frame.
The most intriguing player on Seton Hall’s roster from a 2024 draft perspective, in my opinion, is junior third-baseman Pat D’Amico. D’Amico had a rough freshman year (156 PA, .584 OPS), but he took a major step forward last spring, boosting his OPS over 200 points to .810. He looks more physical this fall and is filling out his favorable 6’1-185 build nicely. D’Amico had some quality rounds during BP, showed off a strong, disciplined approach, and was sound defensively at third. If D’Amico experiences another boost in production and in-game power, he’ll certainly put himself on the draft radar.
On deck. . .
The fall ball coverage continues with Saint Joseph’s and Vanderbilt!
