College Baseball Recruiting: 10 Classes That Just Missed The Top 25

0

Image credit: Tre Phelps (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)

With more than 300 Division I college baseball programs, it isn’t easy to break into the Top 25 recruiting classes. Narrowing down the field is a difficult task that always leaves some impressive classes off the list. With that in mind, here are the top classes that fell just outside the Top 25, listed in alphabetical order.

The Top 25 classes can be viewed here. The recruiting rankings take into account all players from the high school and junior college ranks and were compiled following many conversations with coaches and scouts. Four-year transfers were not considered for the ranking. All player rankings are from the top 500 draft prospects list, which includes all draft-eligible players.

Coastal Carolina

Recruiting coordinator: Kevin Schnall

Top recruit: Cameron Flukey, RHP (No. 192)

Overview: As the Chanticleers prepare for Gary Gilmore’s final season, they welcome in a typically strong recruiting class that only just missed the Top 25. It’s junior college heavy and the Chanticleers landed some of the best players from that level to go with some solid freshmen.

Hitters: Shortstop Sam Antonacci (316) and Bobby Atkinson this spring helped lead Heartland (Ill.) JC to the program’s first national championship and now come to Conway together. Antonacci was named NJCAA Division II player of the year after a monstrous season that saw him hit .515/.618/.903 with 14 home runs and 33 stolen bases. He’s a disciplined hitter with advanced bat-to-ball skills and the lefthanded hitter produces good bat speed. He’s got above-average speed and that plays well on the infield, as does his solid arm strength. Atkinson has a strong lefthanded swing and brings big power potential to the lineup. He’ll likely mostly play first base or DH for the Chanticleers, but he has also seen time in the outfield. Shortstop Ty Barrango, another junior college transfer, comes to Coastal as a redshirt sophomore. He has above-average speed and profiles well up the middle. While Coastal’s junior college transfers bring impact potential, it also has some exciting freshmen. Infielder Walker Mitchell has an aggressive approach at the plate and the righthanded hitter creates solid bat speed that should see him driving the ball out of Springs Brooks Stadium. He’s a steady defender with good hands and could end up at shortstop, second or third base for the Chanticleers. Coastal has had a strong run of catchers in recent years and Brice Estep is looking to be the next in that pipeline. The righthanded hitter produces good bat speed and he has a strong arm behind the plate.

Pitchers: Listed at 6-foot-6, 195 pounds, Flukey has a projectable build and has already touched 97 mph, showing what kind of upside he possesses. More typically, his fastball works in the low 90s with late life that leads to swings and misses. He pairs it with a promising slider and also mixes in a split-change. Like a lot of long-limbed teenagers, he’s still working to sync up his movements to consistently throw strikes. Flukey has considerable upside if he’s able to make the necessary refinements. Righthander Chase Stryker is a bit undersized at a listed 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, but he has a big arm. He attacks hitters with a fastball that reaches 93 mph and a hard breaking ball. As it did with position players, Coastal also has a strong group of junior college transfers on the mound. Righthander Alexander Meckley has a powerful build at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds and the arm to match. His fastball reaches 98 mph, and he pairs it with a sharp breaking ball. Righthander Eli Holbert also has a strong build at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and attacks hitters with a sinker-slider combination. His fastball works in the low 90s with heavy life. Righthander Ryan Lynch is coming off an excellent season at Bellevue (Wash.) JC, as he went 8-0, 0.56 with 78 strikeouts and eight walks in 64 innings. He also has a big build at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds with a solid four-pitch mix. His fastball sits around 90 mph but his pitchability helps his stuff play up.

Georgia

Recruiting coordinators: Will Coggin and Josh Simpson

Top recruit: Tre Phelps, INF (No. 485)

Overview: As Wes Johnson takes over the program as head coach, Georgia brings in a solid recruiting class. The Bulldogs were able to hold together the class recruited by the previous staff with few defections and then supplemented it heavily with players from the transfer portal. There are a lot of newcomers in Athens this fall, but the freshmen won’t be lost in the shuffle.

Hitters: Listed at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Phelps has a strong righthanded swing and stands out for his offensive profile. He has the ability to hit for both average and solid power and is a good athlete with average speed. Where he fits best defensively is not as clear. He probably fits best at first base, where he’s a solid defender, or in left field, but he could land nearly anywhere on the diamond. Shortstop Trey King is a well-rounded player with advanced skills on both sides of the ball. The lefthanded hitter has a good feel at the plate, a smooth swing and some projectable power. Defensively, he has a solid arm and good range at shortstop. Outfielder Cooper Milford is a switch-hitter with standout athleticism and plus speed. That speed plays defensively and he covers ground with ease, as well as on the bases. If he can find some consistency at the plate, he profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter. Listed at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, John Marant, a junior college transfer, has a big, physical build and a powerful lefthanded swing. He’s a patient hitter with plus power who should step right into the middle of the order. He profiles as a corner outfielder.

Pitchers: Listed at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, James Hays, has a strong build and a big arm. He dealt with some injuries in high school but when he’s healthy, he can run his fastball into the mid 90s and mix in a good curveball. Righthander Jake Lankie doesn’t have the same velocity, but he has some projection left in his 6-foot-2 build and good pitchability. His fastball sits in the upper 80s and he has good feel for both his changeup and slider. Righthander Ethan Sutton throws from a low three-quarters angle, which makes for a tough matchup for hitters. His fastball sits around 90 mph to go with a sweeping breaking ball and a promising changeup. Righthander Paul Farley has a projectable build and attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination. Lefthander Jake Hembree was this spring sidelined by injury but previously showed good pitchability and a solid fastball-curveball combination. Lefthander Ryan Gold stands out for his pitchability and control. He isn’t overpowering, but if he’s able to add velocity as he physically matures, he could make a leap. Righthander Connor Crisp is the younger brother of former Georgia righthander Nolan Crisp and has a similar profile. He throws a lot of strikes with all of his pitches and can run his fastball into the low 90s.

Indiana

Recruiting coordinator: Derek Simmons

Top recruit: Andrew Wiggins, OF (No. 242)

Overview: The Hoosiers bring in a well-balanced class that rates as the Big Ten’s best. Wiggins is the headliner, but he’s far from the only player with exciting upside arriving in Bloomington.

Hitters: Listed at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Wiggins has a big, physical build and a lefthanded swing to match. He has plus raw power and gets to it well in games thanks to his solid approach at the plate. He’s a good athlete with a strong arm and average speed giving him the look of a prototypical corner outfielder. Jasen Oliver has two-way ability as a shortstop and righthander and an impressive track record of success. He’s a good athlete with plus speed and some righthanded power. His hands, range and arm strength all play at shortstop. That arm strength also gives him a chance on the mound, as he can run his fastball into the mid 90s in short stints. In high school, he primarily played shortstop and was used in relief on the mound and the Hoosiers are likely to keep him in a similar role. Outfielder Brayden Bakes came on strong over the last two years and brings an exciting toolset to Bloomington. He’s a plus runner who has a good feel at the plate and some potential for lefthanded power. Defensively, that speed plays well in center field. Infielder Cal Sefcik, the son of former big leaguer Kevin Sefcik, has a strong righthanded swing. He has a physical build at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds and profiles as a corner infielder with power big power. Catcher TJ Schuyler has a solid track record for hitting and a strong arm behind the plate. He’s also pitched well as a prep and can run his fastball into the low 90s, but his impact is likely to come as a catcher. Shortstop Hayden Carlson is a good athlete with easy infield actions. He has a contact-oriented approach at the plate and could develop more offensive upside as he physically matures.

Pitchers: Lefthander Ryan Rushing is undersized at a listed 5-foot-9, 195 pounds, but he offers good stuff on the mound. His fastball sits at 90 mph, and he has good feel for his secondaries, especially his big curveball. He’s a good strike thrower and is advanced enough to make an early impact in some capacity. Righthander Seth Benes, the son of former minor leaguer Adam Benes, has solid stuff and advanced pitchability. His fastball gets into the low 90s and he mixes in a breaking ball and changeup. Righthander Evan O’Neill has a good feel on the mound and some projection in his 6-foot-3 frame. His fastball sits around 90 mph now and he throws a lot of strikes with all three of his offerings. Lefthander Blaine Albright has a physical 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame and a fastball that gets into the low 90s. Lefthander Brandon Keyster, a junior college transfer, throws from a low three-quarters arm slot that makes for a tough matchup. He attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination.

Miami

Recruiting coordinator: Jonathan Anderson

Top recruit: Daniel Cuvet, 3B (No. 177)

Overview: Miami took some hits in the draft, which pushed the Hurricanes out of the Top 25 for the first time since 2014. After the draft losses, the class isn’t as deep as is typical for Miami, but new head coach J.D. Arteaga still has some high-end newcomers to work with in his first season after being promoted, starting with Cuvet.

Hitters: Cuvet was drafted in the 17th round by the Pirates but didn’t sign. Listed at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, he’s strong, physical and has a powerful righthanded swing. He has well above-average power that was among the best in the prep class and can drive the ball to all fields. To make the most out of his prodigious power, he’ll need to refine his approach at the plate, but he looks like a slugger that can step right into the heart of the order for the Hurricanes. Defensively, he has a strong arm that will play well at third base or in the outfield. Shortstop Antonio Jimenez stands out for his defense and could step into the lineup for Dominic Pitelli, who was drafted in the seventh round. Jimenez has above-average speed, a plus arm and good range on the infield. He’s a switch-hitter with a contact-oriented approach at the plate. Outfielder Jake Kulikowski has an advanced approach at the plate and a long track record for hitting. He has a smooth swing with some power potential and above-average speed. Outfielder Luca Reyes has a projectable 6-foot-2 build and creates plenty of bat speed already, portending solid power to come. He’s a good athlete and could develop into a prototypical corner outfielder. AJ Goytia is a good athlete with above-average speed and a quick righthanded bat. He has solid catch-and-throw skills behind the plate and will have a chance to develop there, but he also runs well enough to play the outfield.

Pitchers: Righthander Brandon Olivera (373) has a physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound build and a big arm. His fastball works in the low 90s and he pairs it with a powerful breaking ball. His stuff should help him quickly find a role on staff for the Hurricanes. Righthander Christopher Diaz attacks hitters with a sinker-slider combination and pounds the strike zone. His solid pitchability should help him quickly contribute in college. Righthander Jordan Vargas has a projectable 6-foot-4 frame and can run his fastball into the low 90s with sinking action. As he physically matures, he has the tools to take a big step forward. Miami also brought in a pair of pitchers from Miami-Dad JC who figure to make an immediate impact. Lefthander Herrick Hernandez was drafted in the 19th round by the Reds but opted not to sign. He’s coming off a big spring and while he’s undersized at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, he has advanced pitchability and could step right into the Hurricanes’ rotation. His fastball works in the low 90s and his sharp slider has a premium spin rate. Righthander Julian Hernandez worked out of the bullpen, attacking hitters with a powerful fastball-breaking ball combination.

Oklahoma

Recruiting coordinator: Todd Butler

Top recruit: Isaiah Lane, SS (No. 256)

Overview: The Sooners took some lumps in the draft, especially among their junior college commits. But they still bring in a strong overall class that can make an instant impact in Norman.

Hitters: Lane this spring came on strong and stands out for his athleticism and projectability (he’s listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds). The righthanded hitter shows good feel for hitting and if he gets stronger, he has intriguing offensive upside. His athleticism, infield actions and hands all play well up the middle and it could be on defense that he first makes an impact in Norman. Jason Walk (333) adds premium speed and athleticism to the class. The switch-hitter has an advanced approach at the plate and his tools fit well at the top of the lineup. He mostly played infield in high school and his speed gives him good range up the middle, but it would also play well in the outfield. Wherever he settles defensively, he’ll find a way to impact the game in a variety of ways. Infielder Jaxon Willits is the son of Reggie Willits, an Oklahoma assistant coach and former big leaguer. He’s a switch-hitter with a quick swing from both sides of the plate and a good approach. He’s a solid all-around defender who can play anywhere on the infield. Dasan Harris is an excellent athlete with exciting all-around tools. He has premium speed, an easy lefthanded swing and power projection. He can play just about anywhere on the diamond. Outfielder Dakota Howard is a lefthanded hitter with good athleticism and a solid approach at the plate. Outfielder Carter Frederick, a junior college transfer, has a big build at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and a powerful righthanded swing. He last year led all junior college players in batting (.493) and should quickly carve out a spot in the lineup.

Pitchers: Righthander Jacob Gholston (307) came on strong this spring and was drafted in the 17th round by the Brewers but did not sign. Listed at 6-foot-6, 211 pounds, he has a projectable, athletic build and exciting upside. His fastball sits around 90 mph now with more velocity to come and his slider and changeup both show promise. He throws a lot of strikes already and could develop into a weekend starter in time. The class also includes several junior college transfers on the mound, including twin brothers Kyson and Malachi Witherspoon, who come from Northwest Florida State JC. Malachi last year was drafted out of high school in the 12th round by the D-backs. He didn’t sign, however, and he and his brother went to junior college, where Kyson stood out for his performance and Malachi continued to show the premium stuff that got scouts excited a year ago. Malachi’s fastball gets up to 96 mph and he gets elite spin on his hard curveball. If he can harness that stuff and take a couple steps forward with his control, he has premium upside. Kyson can also run his fastball into the mid 90s and pairs it well with a hard slider. He this spring did a better job of throwing strikes and also has high-end upside. Righthander Myles Meyer began his college career at Sacramento State before transferring to junior college. He has a big arm and attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination. Righthander Dylan Crooks, the younger brother of former Oklahoma catcher Jimmy Crooks, adds another impactful arm to the staff. He worked mostly out of the bullpen at Paris (Texas) JC, where his fastball-slider combination play well.

Oregon

Recruiting coordinator: Jack Marder

Top recruit: Cole Stokes, RHP (No. 112)

Overview: The Ducks signed an impressive recruiting class, headlined by Noble Meyer, a righthander from Portland who was the top prep pitcher in the draft class. Unfortunately, that class got hammered in the draft, as six of Oregon’s recruits were drafted and signed, starting with Meyer going 10th overall. That knocked the Ducks out of the Top 25 but they still added some intriguing upside with this class, especially on the mound.

Hitters: Toby Twist is a good athlete with two-way potential as an outfielder and lefthander. He has a smooth lefthanded swing, solid feel for the barrel and some projectable power. On the mound, his fastball works around 90 mph, and he pairs it with a good cutter. Cooper Sheff has a strong righthanded swing and a good feel for the game. He offers some defensive versatility and could end up at any corner position. Infielder Ryan Cooney is a solid defender up the middle with good instincts and athleticism. The righthanded hitter makes consistent contact at the plate and could quickly work his way into a role in the lineup. Outfielders Luke Honikel and Dean Toigo both come to Oregon from Cypress (Calif.) JC, where the lefthanded hitters were all-conference selections. Toigo has more power, while Honikel stands out for his feel at the plate.

Pitchers: Listed at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Stokes was a standout prep basketball player and brings that athleticism to the mound. His fastball gets up to 95 mph and there’s more velocity to come He pairs it with a promising slider that is an out pitch at its best. Stokes is still raw but offers big potential. Lefthander Sammy Cova, meanwhile, stands out for his present pitchability. His fastball works in the upper 80s and he has a good feel for his curveball and changeup. He’s advanced enough to quickly get in the mix as a starter for the Ducks. Righthander Collin Clarke came on strong this spring as he impressed in Southern California’s rugged Trinity League, where he was named pitcher of the year. His fastball works in the upper 80s and he pounds the strike zone with four pitches. Righthander Ryan Featherston also stands out for his pitchability. He has a solid three-pitch mix, and his fastball works in the upper 80s. Righthander Kaden Soder has a projectable 6-foot-1, 170-pound build and his breaking ball has elite spin rate (consistently above 2,750 rpm). He’ll need to add power to his fastball, which typically sits in the mid 80s, but he has exciting upside. Righthander Finn Chapman also offers exciting upside thanks to a fastball that reaches 95 mph and a projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound build. He could make a significant leap in Eugene.

South Carolina

Recruiting coordinator: Monte Lee

Top recruit: Lee Ellis, SS (No. 261)

Overview: South Carolina has worked the transfer portal hard in recent seasons and that emphasis has meant smaller traditional recruiting classes. Still, the Gamecocks have some exciting talent in their freshman class.

Hitters: Ellis is an excellent athlete with elite speed that impacts the game in a variety of ways. He’s a toolsy shortstop with the range, hands and arm strength to play the position at a high level. He has offensive upside, but that part of his game is not as advanced. If he can refine his approach at the plate, he could be a top-of-the-order threat. But his defensive ability can play right now, and he could take over immediately at shortstop, where South Carolina has an opening. Catcher Ryan Bakes is coming off an impressive summer in the Prospect League, where he more than held his own against older competition. He has a powerful righthanded swing and a promising skillset behind the plate. Third baseman Tyler Zedalis profiles well at the hot corner. Listed at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, he offers exciting raw righthanded power and his infield actions and arm strength play well at third base. Thomas Powell is a toolsy outfielder with a smooth lefthanded swing and above-average speed. Second baseman Tristan Salinas is a good athlete with a quick lefthanded swing.

Pitchers: Lefthander Jake McCoy was a late addition to the class, changing his commitment from Wofford only after a coaching change for the Terriers. He offers exciting upside and has started to make a jump, as his fastball reached 94 mph this summer in the Appalachian League. He mixes in a slider and a changeup and has good feel for his whole arsenal. Like McCoy, righthander Joey Wittig was also a late addition after previously committing to Air Force. He’s undersized at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, but brings an exciting fastball-curveball combination. His fastball reaches 95 mph, and he pounds the strike zone with the pitch when its sitting in the low 90s. Righthander Tyler Pitzer stands out for his feel on the mound and attacks hitters with a fastball-breaking ball combination. His fastball works around 90 mph with good life. Righthander Eddie Copper has a strong build at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and has run his fastball up to 94 mph. His sinker-slider combination plays well, and he has the tools to develop into a starter. Lefthander Jevarra Martin has a projectable 6-foot-7 build and a promising three-pitch arsenal. His ceiling is significant if he’s able to harness his stuff and continue to physically mature.

Southern California

Recruiting coordinator: Travis Jewett  

Top recruit: Kevin Takeuchi, 3B (No. 120)

Overview: After an impressive first season for the Trojans under coach Andy Stankiewicz, they keep the momentum rolling with a solid recruiting class.

Hitters: Takeuchi made big strides over the last year as he physically matured and started hitting for more power. He has a long track record for hitting and plate discipline and did not sell out on those to access his power. He has a fluid righthanded swing, plenty of bat speed and plus raw power potential. He’s a solid defender at third base but has the versatility to move around the diamond – whether it’s another infield spot or an outfield corner – to get his bat in the lineup. Duce Robinson (156) is a uniquely gifted athlete and brings enormous upside to the diamond – and the football field. He’s a two-sport star who’s also playing wide receiver for the Trojans and was a top-20 prospect as a football player. He is committed to baseball, however, and made it clear before the draft that he wants to play professionally. For now, that will wait, and he plans to play both sports for USC. Trojans football coach Lincoln Riley has a history of two-sport players – he was Kyler Murray’s coach at Oklahoma – and Robinson has the tools and athleticism to make this work. On the diamond, he gets comparisons to Aaron Judge for his big righthanded power and his 6-foot-6 build. There’s some rawness to Robinson’s game but the upside is clear, he’ll just need the time to work on some of those finer points. Andrew Lamb has a long track record of success and has a polished lefthanded swing. He has advanced bat-to-ball skills and solid power potential. He can catch, play first base or an outfield corner and that versatility should help him make an early impact. Shortstop Abbrie Covarrubias has a solid approach at the plate and has taken a leap over the last year in all facets. JT Waldon comes to USC after two impressive years at Folsom Lake (Calif.) JC, where he hit .380/.458/.633 with 18 home runs in his career. He’s a lefthanded hitter with solid plate discipline and power potential who can play first base or an outfield corner. Catcher Gavin Mez, also a junior college transfer, stands out for his catch-and-throw skills and has a good approach at the plate.

Pitchers: Righthander Will Watson, a junior college transfer, was drafted in the 20th round by the Mariners but opted not to sign. He mostly pitched out of the bullpen where his fastball-slider combination played well and helped him average 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings. He figures to slot into the USC bullpen as well. Listed at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, righthander Adrian Blanchet has an exciting all-around profile. His fastball gets up to 95 mph and he shows a good feel for locating the pitch. He pairs it with both a powerful curveball and a promising changeup. He has all the tools to develop into a weekend starter for the Trojans. Righthander Andrew Harbour attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination. He’s run his fastball into the low 90s and provides some projectablity. Lefthander Mason Edwards has an advanced feel on the mound and throws strikes with three pitches.

Texas

Recruiting coordinator: Caleb Longley

Top recruit: Will Gasparino, OF (No. 92)

Overview: The Longhorns landed one of the best position players to come to school this year in Gasparino and they also added some other players with solid upside.

Hitters: Gasparino is the son of Billy Gasparino, the Dodgers scouting director, and he has the advanced baseball IQ that comes along with growing up around the game. Listed at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, he has exciting all-around tools. He has plus raw power to all fields, is an above-average runner, has above-average arm strength and has the athleticism and instincts to stick in center field despite his size. There’s some swing and miss to his game and he’ll need to refine that to reach his considerable offensive upside, but there’s reason to believe that with time and further physical development, he can make the adjustments. Casey Borba has a strong build and a powerful righthanded swing. He has a disciplined approach at the plate and makes a lot of hard contact, while showing the ability to drive the ball. He profiles well at third base, but he offers some versatility on the infield. Dondreone Kennedy is a good athlete who can play just about anywhere on the diamond. The righthanded hitter has a quick swing, producing solid bat speed and some projectable power, though his calling card offensively is his plus speed. His all-around tools help him impact the game in a number of ways. Catcher Nik Sanders has a strong 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame and stands out for his powerful bat and arm. Listed at 6-foot-8, 245 pounds, first baseman MJ Sweeney stands out for his size and powerful lefthanded bat. He’s not just a power hitter, however. He spent the summer in the West Coast League, where he showed a solid approach and walked more than he struck out against older competition. Outfielder Casey Cummings comes to Austin after an impressive year in junior college. The righthanded hitter has plus speed and some pop in his bat.

Pitchers: Righthander Easton Tumis has a projectable build at 6-foot-4, 165 pounds and he stands out for his feel on the mound. His fastball touches the low 90s, typically sitting a tick lower, and he mixes in a sharp slider and changeup. He offers plenty of upside, but he’s advanced enough to quickly contribute for the Longhorns. Righthander Cole Selvig also offers exciting upside. He’s not as physical at a listed 6-foot, 192 pounds, but has a solid three-pitch mix and looks like he’ll be able to add to his low-90s fastball in time. Righthander George Zaharias has a projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound build and attacks hitters with a fastball-curveball combination. His fastball sits around 90 mph now but touches higher. Righthander Hudson Hamilton is a good athlete with a promising fastball-slider combination. Righthander Gage Boehm, a junior college transfer, has a big, physical build at 6-foot-5, 244 pounds. He attacks hitters with a fastball-cutter combination and can run his fastball into the mid 90s. He’ll likely take on important innings out of the bullpen.

Virginia

Recruiting coordinator: Kevin McMullan

Top recruit: Bryson Moore, RHP (No. 332)

Overview: Virginia this summer played heavily in the transfer market but also brings a strong group of freshmen to campus. While this one is a little less prominent than previous Cavaliers’ recruiting classes, it still provides strong upside.  

Hitters: Third baseman Henry Ford has long been a prominent player and brings a well-rounded skillset to Virginia. The righthanded hitter has a powerful swing and an advanced approach at the plate, allowing him to get to his above-average power. He’s a solid defender and his athleticism plays well on the infield. Ford spent the summer playing in the Valley League and more than held his own against older competition, hitting .316 with seven home runs and more walks than strikeouts. That success should help ease his transition and help him make an immediate impact for the Hoos. Shortstop Eric Becker has an easy lefthanded swing and does a good job of consistently barreling up balls. He’s a good athlete with a strong arm who is a sound defender at shortstop. Listed at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, first baseman Antonio Perrotta has a physical build and a strong lefthanded swing. He has a disciplined approach at the plate and significant power potential. Outfielder Walker Buchanan, the son of former big leaguer and Virginia star Brian Buchanan, also has a physical build and a strong righthanded swing. He profiles as a corner outfielder.

Pitchers: Listed at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Moore is an excellent athlete with high-level potential. His fastball this year ticked up, reaching the mid 90s and typically working in the low 90s. He has advanced feel for spin and gets premium spin rate on both his curveball and slider. He’ll need to refine his control to reach his considerable ceiling, but his stuff should help him quickly carve out a role on staff. Lefthander Freddy Beruvides has a strong build and attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination. His fastball gets into the low 90s with solid life. Righthander Charlie Oschell, the brother of Duke All-American reliever Fran Oschell III, has a projectable 6-foot-5 build and an exciting arsenal. His fastball gets into the low 90s with more velocity to come and he shows good feel for his breaking ball. Righthander Matt Augustin has a projectable look and a good fastball-slider mix. Righthander Nathan Bassett started pitching late in his prep career but came on strong, showing exciting stuff on the mound. His fastball gets into the low 90s and he may have more velocity to come. Tommy Roldan has two-way ability as a lefthander and outfielder. He’s got projection both on the mound, where his fastball gets into the low 90s, and as a lefthanded hitter.

Download our app

Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone