All college sports fans know by this point in the athletic calendar that this is the one and only season of the current Big 12, which for baseball means a highly touted Texas Longhorns team and an Oklahoma Sooners program just two years removed from a run to the College World Series final. These two teams will be preparing for SEC play in a calendar year, but in the present they are facing a Big 12 with four new teams this season, before four more teams join the conference next year. The four new teams for 2024 are BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF. Here are some notes and points of interest around the Big 12 as we look ahead to the beginning of this unusual first and final season in a changing conference. The Polls Four Big 12 schools made the College Baseball Nation Preseason Top 25: No. 5 TCU No. 10 Texas No. 19 Oklahoma State No. 20 Texas Tech Three Big 12 teams crack the 2024 USA Today Preseason Top 25: No. 5 TCU No. 13 Texas No. 22 Texas Tech Perfect Game Preseason Top 25 published the first week of January: No. 5 TCU No. 8 Texas No. 20 Kansas State No. 22 Oklahoma State Mock Draft Note MLB Pipeline released a Mock Draft back in mid-December and they had four Big 12 players going in the first round, which consists of 30 players: #2 JJ Wetherholt #17 Carson Benge #28 Kaelen Culpepper #30 Kevin Bazzell Golden Spikes Award Notes When the Golden Spikes Award watch list was announced by USA Baseball it consisted of 55 players to watch, 9 of those players are on Big 12 teams: Kevin Bazzell; C/INF; Texas Tech Carson Benge; OF/RHP; Oklahoma State Kaelen Culpepper; INF; Kansas State Lebarron Johnson Jr.; RHP; Texas Gavin Kash; INF; Texas Tech Tyson Neighbors; RHP; Kansas State Nolan Schubart; OF; Oklahoma State Payton Tolle; LHP/INF; TCU JJ Wetherholt; INF; West Virginia For what it's worth, FanDuel has published preseason odds on who will win the Golden Spikes Award. FanDuel places West Virginia's JJ Wetherholt with the third best odds to win the Award. Oklahoma State's Carson Benge is thirteen on the FanDuel list. Final Thought The new look Big 12 this year will be replaced next year with another new Big 12 and, well, let’s just play baseball already. Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on X and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!

LSU reigns at the College World Series. See the full college baseball rankings below! Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content, including college baseball rankings!

With the draft less than a week away, College Baseball Nation has completed its final formal mock draft before Sunday’s festivities. While there’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty—as there is leading up to all drafts—some things have begun to solidify. These include: There’s a clear cut top 5 at the top of the draft that features LSU OF Dylan Crews, LSU RHP Paul Skenes, Florida OF Wyatt Langford, and prep outfielders Walker Jenkins and Max Clark. After this quintet, there’s a clear drop-off in talent. It’s becoming increasingly evident that the Pittsburgh Pirates will NOT be selecting Crews, who is said to be demanding the full $9,721,000 allotted for pick 1-01. The Pirates generally prefer to create savings from this pick then go over slot with subsequent selections. Now, the question is who will Pittsburgh take in place of Crews. We tackle this issue immediately below. Because of the huge financial issues—namely teams’ total bonus pool amounts and the amount of money allotted for each pick (aka “slot values”)—at play, we highly encourage our readers to consult this link that provides a comprehensive primer as well as all relevant slot-related information. Please stay tuned to my Twitter feed @H_Frommer for the latest real-time updates. 1) Pittsburgh Pirates—Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida: We thought very seriously about putting Skenes here, but we’ve instead opted for Langford. With all signs pointing to Washington taking Skenes whether or not Crews is still on the board, Skenes would almost certainly not be willing to take a bigger haircut than Langford, whose camp has signaled it would be receptive to a below-slot deal. In other words, Skenes is essentially guaranteed a bonus in the neighborhood of $9 million (Washington’s slot), so why would he accept anything less than that from Pittsburgh? Langford, on the other hand, was apparently headed to Detroit at the third pick, where the slot value is just north of $8.3 million. Langford agreeing to an approximate $8.5 million deal would earn him a couple shekels more than what he would have earned as Detroit’s pick, while shaving over million bucks off the bill for Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh could then use this “new money” to go over slot with subsequent picks, much like it did in 2021 when it signed Henry Davis to a well under slot deal. 2) Washington Nationals—Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU: Over the last week or so, word has leaked out of DC that Skenes is the Nationals’ top choice, even if Crews is still on the board. This jibes, as GM Mike Rizzo did very well in 2009 picking San Diego State stud Stephen Strasburg, the pitcher the all-world Skenes has been most frequently compared with. 3) Detroit Tigers—Dylan Crews, OF, LSU: This shouldn’t come as a huge shock to anyone, given Pittsburgh’s penchant for thinking out of the box to avoid paying pull freight at 1-01 and the Nationals’ infatuation with Skenes. One other important thing to consider: with the draft’s second-highest bonus pool of just over $15.7 million, Detroit is in an excellent position to give Crews the record $9+ million deal his camp likely covets and not feel excessive pain. 4) Texas Rangers—Max Clark, OF, HS (Franklin, IN): While the Rangers are said to prefer North Carolina prep sensation Walker Jenkins from a skills perspective, they’re also high on Clark. And, equally as important, with no 2nd and 3rd round picks (by virtue of having lost those picks due to the Jacob DeGrom and Nathan Eovaldi free agent signings), the Rangers have much less in total pool money to play with and are thus more likely to reach a deal with Clark, whose camp has appeared more financially flexible than Jenkins. 5) Minnesota Twins— Walker Jenkins, OF, HS (Oak Island, NC):The Twins are in a great position to snap up the member of the Lanford-Skenes-Crews-Clark-Jenkins- quintet that falls and they do just that. With over $14.4 million in total bonus pool money (versus the $9.9 million that’s in Texas’ safe), the Twins would be able to go over slot for Jenkins whose advisor is the hard-charging Scott Boras. Ole Miss SS Jacob Gonzalez is an interesting dark horse candidate whose name has come up lately. 6) Oakland A’s—Kyle Teel, C, Virginia: When Moses came down that mountain he actually dropped a third tablet with the inscription “Thou shalt not draft for need.” The Oakland brain trust must be ardent followers of scripture because even with promising young catchers Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom in their system, they look to take the best college receiver since Adley Rutschman in 2019. The A’s have also displayed strong interest in Ole Miss SS Jacob Gonzalez and Grand Canyon SS Jacob Wilson, though the latter is falling due to concerns surrounding his ability to impact the baseball. 7) Cincinnati Reds—Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee: Though Dollander’s slider has backed up this year, he’s still viewed as a unique talent who could emerge as a front-of-the-rotation stalwart if the right player development department gets its hands on him. The Reds, with progressive pitching coach Derek Johnson and other like-minded instructors, have never shied away from ambitious projects. Cincinnati has also been in to see Maryland 2B Matt Shaw, Gonzalez, and Teel. 8) Kansas City Royals—Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss: Though the Royals have exhibited strong interest in prep flamethrower Noble Meyer and prep catcher Blake Mitchell, we expect the regime of new GM J.J. Picollo to play it a little more safe and pop Gonzalez, a shortstop who’s performed at a high level in the uber-competitive SEC the past three seasons. 9) Colorado Rockies—Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest: The Rockies have been all over the map this spring, showing interest in Teel, Dollander, and Bradfield, among others. However, they’re very found of Lowder and believe he has the stuff to succeed at Coors Field. 10) Miami Marlins—Noble Meyer, RHP, HS (West Linn, OR): With the Marlins very much in the playoff picture, the pressure is off GM Kim Ng to select a fast-moving college hitter like Gonzalez, Shaw, or Stanford’s Tommy Troy. As a result, the Marlins will stay true to their roots and select Meyer. 11) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim—Tommy Troy, 2B, Stanford: The Angels love Lowder and adore Teel, but with both of those guys off the board they’ll opt for Troy, a polished college infielder who’ll fly through their system much like their 2022 1st rounder Zach Neto. 12) Arizona Diamondbacks—Colin Houck, SS, HS (Lilburn, GA): Houck has been on a steady ascent since March, and this is one of the picks outside of the top 10 we feel the most certain on. 13) Chicago Cubs—Arjun Nimmala, SS, HS (Valrico, FL): This is the other pick outside the top 10 we feel pretty confident on. Both parties have been closely connected the past 6-8 weeks. 14) Boston Red Sox—Blake Mitchell, C, HS (Sinton, TX): The Sawx have gone high school bat in recent years and with Mitchell they remain on that trajectory with a high-risk, high-reward pick. 3B Aidan Miller has been coming on of late after a broken hamate bone and could be another contender here. 15) Chicago White Sox—Enrique Bradfield Jr, OF, Vanderbilt: We’ve heard the ChiSox strictly on collegians—especially Teel and Gonzalez—and the speedster Bradfield would be an excellent consolation prize. 16) San Francisco Giants—Matt Shaw, 2B, Maryland: We’re hearing San Francisco is in on a number of college bats, such as Shaw, Wilson, Troy, and TCU 3B Brayden Taylor. Shaw’s mature approach would be a good fit in the Giants’ system. 17) Baltimore Orioles—Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida: O’s GM Mike Elias recently went on record stating he’d be open to drafting a pitcher in the 1st round for the first time since taking over prior to the 2019 season. Was he signaling? Maybe. Maybe not. But Waldrep could be an excellent add to Baltimore’s hitter heavy program, especially with more reliance on his sharp secondaries. 18) Milwaukee Brewers—Brayden Taylor, 3B, TCU: This is the first time we hear FAU 1B/OF Nolan Schanuel’s name, and it’s also a good landing spot for some other college bats, namely Taylor and Wilson. 19) Tampa Bay Rays—Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon University: The Rays, who mine value in the draft as well as anyone, would have a hard time bypassing Wilson, who at one point was thought to be a surefire top-10 pick. 20) Toronto Blue Jays—Dillon Head, OF, HS (Glenwood, IL): In recent weeks, we’ve heard a lot of prep bats here, none more prominently than Head. 21) St. Louis Cardinals—Thomas White, LHP, HS (Rowley, MA): Since 1998, it’s been the Cardinals’ m.o. to snatch guys who fall to them and they’ll play the game again that year by taking the Vanderbilt-bound White. A northern arm, White was at one point seen as a possible top-10 pick but has gradually fallen. 22) Seattle Mariners—Nolan Schanuel, 1B/OF, FAU: The Mariners are in an interesting position with the 22nd, 29th, and 30th picks and have already revealed they plan on playing “money games” to land an above slot talent at one of these selections. Schanuel doesn’t have the cache that comes from playing in a Power-5 conference, but his .447/.615/.868 slash line with a 71/14 BB/K ratio can’t be ignored. He’ll likely go below slot, thus clearing the way for the M’s to pop HS 3B Aidan Miller at either 29 or 30. Because of his long history of performing against showcase pitching, Miller was expected to go in the top 15 picks before the aforementioned hamate injury ruined his spring. 23) Cleveland Guardians—Chase Davis, OF, Arizona: Cleveland really likes local product Colt Emerson but Davis’ power and improved swing decisions will be too hard for an organization that has deficits in both areas to pass up. 24) Atlanta Braves—Sammy Stafura, SS, HS (Mohegan Lake, NY): Though the Braves are commonly associated with high school arms mostly from the sun belt, we’ve heard them on a bunch of prep hitters such as Stafura, Bryce Eldridge, and George Lombard Jr. Apparently, they’re smitten with Stafura. 25) San Diego Padres—Bryce Eldridge, 1B/OF/RHP, HS (Vienna, VA): There is no bigger wildcard in baseball than Padres GM A.J. Preller, so why not have the Padres take the most intriguing talent in the draft in Eldridge? San Diego has closely monitored Eldridge, along with a number of other preps like Lombard, Head, and Mitchell. 26) New York Yankees—Kevin McGonigle, 2B, HS (Aldan, PA): The Yankees really like the New Yorker Stafura, but with him off the board they opt for McGonigle, who some believe has the best hit tool in the high school class. 27) Philadelphia Phillies—Charlee Soto, RHP, HS (Kissimmee, FL): Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski has never been afraid to take power HS arms in the 1st round and in Soto he’d have quite the fireballer. 28) Houston Astros—George Lombard Jr, SS, HS (Pinecrest, FL): The Astros are more tied to high school bats than any other demographic so we’ll give them Lombard, a guy who’s catapulted up draft boards all spring. Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!

OMAHA-Three games, three very different outcomes. That was the story of the trio of battles between LSU and Florida for the 2023 national crown. An extra-innings homer from Cade Beloso gave the Tigers a 4-3 victory in game one, only to be followed by an offensive onslaught from Florida in game two, as the Gators prevailed 24-4. But in the all-decisive third game on Monday night, LSU flipped the script. The Tigers, seemingly unfazed by Florida’s dominance a day before, stepped to the plate in the second inning and never looked back. An RBI single from Jordan Thompson cut the 2-0 Florida lead in half before things unraveled for Florida starter Jac Caglianone on the mound. A walk, hit-by-pitch, and another walk put LSU in front, 3-2, leading to a six-run inning that brought the large contingent of fans donning purple and yellow to their feet. They had come to see LSU win a national championship, and that is exactly what the Tigers did, overwhelming Florida in an 18-4 victory. It marked LSU’s seventh national title in program history. “I really believe this will go down as one of the best teams in college baseball history,” LSU head coach Jay Johnson began in the postgame press conference. “[They were] so consistent in the NCAA Tournament. “We had 11 wins in the postseason, six of them against SEC teams. And I really believe we played and beat the best team that could’ve played along the way through the entire tournament at that spot.” For the better part of the season, it seemed the national title was destined for Baton Rouge. The Tigers held the nation’s No. 1 spot in College Baseball Nation’s Top 50 ranking for 13 straight weeks, dating back to the July 5, 2022 “Way-Too-Early” ranking, and up through the 11th week of the regular season. That high acclaim stemmed in large part from the transfers LSU added following its exit in the Hattiesburg Regional, instantly bolstering its position within the national pecking order. Those transfers panned out, led by ace Paul Skenes, whose dominance on the mound almost single-handedly lifted LSU past Wake Forest and into the championship series. Thatcher Hurd also joined the LSU pitching staff as a newcomer in 2023, a 6-foot-4 right-handed transfer from UCLA. And it was Hurd who tamed the powerful Florida bats on Monday night, allowing for the Tigers’ expansion of the lead. The sophomore went six innings, giving up just two hits and two runs–both scoring on Wyatt Langford’s first-inning home run. Hurd struck out seven Florida batters. “When [Thatcher] said that he was going to come to LSU, I said, ‘Hey big guy, you might be the most important recruit of my entire career,’” Johnson recalled. ”I knew what the other three on the stage were going to do, but to win a national championship and get through the NCAA Tournament, we needed real aces. And that’s an ace, right there.” And who could forget about Tommy White? The hard-hitting third baseman etched his name into the history books with a walk-off home run against Wake Forest on Thursday, breaking the 11th inning tie, and followed up with a whopping seven hits in the championship series. Three of those came on Monday night, as White, from the third spot in the order, drove in three runs. With his distinct batting stance and passionate personality, the NC State transfer certainly made an impact. His final hit of the victory came in the top of the ninth, as White drove 2-2 pitch down the left field line, prompting Dylan Crews’ dash from second base, around third, and across the plate. White scored one batter later on Tre’ Morgan’s double to the left field gap, giving the Tigers a 16-4 lead. Of course, the returning core played no small role in the optimism, either. And on Monday night, the veteran leaders paced the lineup in its highest run total in Omaha. Cade Beloso, a fifth-year senior who played in his 151st–and final–game with LSU in the national title win, posted a 2-for-5 performance, driving in a pair of runs while reaching base twice more after being hit by a pitch. Crews, a junior, followed Beloso at the No. 2 slot in the lineup and tallied four hits of his own, with a team-best three runs scored. Morgan, in the cleanup spot, did not disappoint either, with a 3-for-6 day that concluded with his RBI double off the left field wall in the ninth. Nothing stopped the Tigers’ on this night, as the offense rolled in similar fashion to Florida’s on Sunday. The impact Crews had on the LSU ballclub went beyond just a 4-for-6 performance on the final night of the season. In fact, Johnson said postgame that Crews was part of the reason he took the job in Baton Rouge in the first place. “Dylan is the best player in college baseball history in my opinion,” Johnson noted. “Frankly, it was a big reason why I accepted the job. I probably would’ve looked at LSU anyways, but knowing that I was going to have a once-in-a lifetime player on my team for two years was a big deal.” And then there was Thompson, the junior shortstop who struggled in both the field and at the plate throughout Sunday’s defeat, as he struck out twice and committed a pair of costly errors. Nothing had gone his way a day earlier, but Thompson responded with a 2-for-6 showing at the plate on the biggest stage on Monday, all the while making a series of stellar plays at shortstop. Two of the final three outs in the ninth inning were ground balls hit straight in his direction. “I brought him into my room this morning, and said, ‘Hey man, we’re winning the national championship tonight. And you’re going to do something special. But is there anything I can do to help you get to that point?,’” Johnson said of his pregame conversation with Thompson “And he looked me in the eye and said, ‘I’m good.’ I saw tonight happen before it happened.” In the moments following the home run-hitting showcase from Florida on Sunday, Johnson summed up the Gators’ success quite simply. “It was an onslaught of good at-bats and barrels [on the ball],” he had said. A day later, he was saying the same about his squad. Perhaps no moment defined the performance better than Brayden Jobert’s ninth-inning, two-run homer into the right field seats. The right-fielder, who went 4-for-7 and tied his season-high for hits in a game, sent Fisher Jameson’s pitch into the sea of purple in the stands beyond the outfield wall, giving LSU its eventual one-sided 18-4 victory. The leaping of the crowd had no unison to it, and yet it seemed to be in perfect harmony; they knew exactly what they were witnessing. It is what they had known was a perfectly logical reality dating all the way back to the season-opening sweep of Western Michigan in February. “Great teams play near their capability often,” Johnson said. “I talked about ‘staying in character’ a lot. Those are not just words. That’s what we had to do. If we did that, then I could surrender the result. Because I had so much confidence in what the result could be.” The weight of the expectations appeared to have taken its toll in late May, when Auburn and Mississippi State handed LSU series losses on consecutive weekends. The 1-2 showing at the SEC Tournament left questions as to how the Tigers would close the 2023 campaign. But once the NCAA Tournament began, LSU quickly erased those question marks, ending up in Omaha without a loss. A 3-2 loss to Wake Forest in their second game of the world series put the Tigers in three straight elimination games en route to the matchup with Florida. And when faced with another de facto elimination contest on Monday, LSU surpassed all expectations by the pure margin of victory. “Coming into today, we all knew this was going to be the last game of the season, no matter if we won or lost,” Thompson said. “From the moment that we all woke up and saw each other in the morning when we had our team meeting, we knew what we wanted to do today and we knew what it was going to take for us to be able to accomplish it.” Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!

With Thursday’s CWS heroics behind us and the Finals about to begin, it’s a great time to acknowledge the most talented players in the nation with the selection of College Baseball Nation's Postseason All-America Prospect Teams. As the name suggests, selection to both squads is more contingent on a player’s long-term potential and how he projects as a pro prospect than on merely statistical performance. However, there will certainly be a strong correlation between the latter and a player’s appearance in this article. As the 2023 season progressed, we consistently heard from MLB executives and scouts how strong the talent level was across college baseball. And most scouts cited the 2023 draft class as being particularly impressive. If the talent level on both teams isn’t enough to make you salivate then think of all the deserving guys we had to omit because of a lack of space—players like Miami 3B Yohandy Morales, Campbell RHP Cade Kuehler, and Mississippi State OF Colton Ledbetter should all be off the board during the first day of the draft but couldn’t get a seat at CBN’s All-America table. With the 2023 First-Year Player Draft about two weeks away, CBN has you covered. Our next mock draft will be chock full of juicy tidbits and appear the week of July 3rd. In the meantime, please feel free to follow me on Twitter at @H_Frommer for all the latest draft updates. 1st Team First Base Jac Caglianone, Florida: Despite his achievements on the mound, “Jactani” profiles more as a 1B, where his prodigious power should make him one of the first players off the board next year. Second Base Matt Shaw, Maryland: A move off SS is inevitable, but he could develop into a Brian Dozier-type second baseman with game-changing power and a dependable glove. Shortstop Jacob Wilson, Grand Canyon: His bat-to-ball skills are legendary, as evidenced by his minuscule 2.3-percent K-rate and his power should increase as he fills out. Third Base Brock Wilken, Wake Forest: As impressive as his 31 dingers this year were, scouts seem more encouraged by his year-over-year reduction in K-rate from 24.2 to 18.1 percent and improvement in BB-rate from 11.6 to 21.5 percent. Offers a cannon arm at the hot corner. Outfield Dylan Crews, LSU: A legitimate 5-tool player and highest-rated collegiate bat since Adley Rutschman in 2019. Was hitting an astonishing .500 until nearly the season’s halfway point. Wyatt Langford, Florida: A similar profile as Crews but with a slightly less hit tool to go with a tick more power and speed. Enrique Bradfield Jr., Vanderbilt: 80-grade runner and fielder with the floor of a Juan Pierre and upside of Kenny Lofton. Catcher Kyle Teel, Virginia: His refined left-handed bat, athleticism, and superb catch-and-throw skills scream B.J. Surhoff. Designated Hitter Nolan Schanuel, Florida Atlantic: His excellent batted ball data and impressive plate discipline could propel him to a mid-1st round selection next month. Starting Pitchers Paul Skenes, LSU: A year for the ages has earned him a spot on the Mount Rushmore of college pitchers. Put simply, the best college arm since Stephen Strasburg, and they may be conservative. Rhett Lowder, Wake Forest: Doesn’t have Skenes’ upside, but his expert command and strong 4-pitch mix could give him #2/3 starter upside. Chase Dollander, Tennessee: Despite a disappointing junior season that saw his vaunted slider lose bite and his fastball command waver, he should still get drafted in the top half of the 1st round. Hurston Waldrep, Florida: His postseason heroics have salvaged what was a disappointing season and demonstrated just how lethal his fastball-slider-splitter combination can be. Relief Pitcher Andrew Walters, Miami (FL): It’s likely that his out-of-this-world pitch characteristics will cause his pro team to lengthen him out as a starter. 2nd Team First Base Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest: His light-tower power, keen eye, and projected 55 hit tool should make him a top-10 pick next year. Second Base Tommy Troy, Stanford: His compact physique, 20-HR power, and advanced hit tool make him eerily similar to Shaw. Shortstop Jacob Gonzalez, Ole Miss: Gonzalez doesn’t have one standout tool but has been a consistent performer for three years in the uber-competitive SEC. Third Base Brayden Taylor, TCU: Overcame a slow start to propel TCU into the CWS Final Four; projects as a 20-homer bat and above average fielder. Outfield Chase Davis, Arizona: Dramatic improvement in his swing decisions caused his K-rate to decline from 22.8 percent in 2022 to 14.3 percent in 2023 without impacting his grade 60 power. Jack Hurley, Virginia Tech: Another guy who overcame a tepid start (and mid-season injury) to post excellent numbers. His strong batted ball data offset middling swing decisions. Charlie Condon, Georgia: ’24 draft eligible redshirt freshman burst onto the scene this year with a 1.284 OPS and 25 homers in 56 games shuttling between 1B and OF in the dog-eat-dog SEC. Catcher Malcolm Moore, Stanford: Also a rising sophomore who’ll be draft eligible next year. Proved his mettle in ’23 as a polished receiver with massive offensive upside. Designated Hitter Tommy White, LSU: His colossal power helps negate positional questions and gives him the nod over two ’24 draft eligible second basemen, Oregon State’s Travis Bazzana and West Virginia’s JJ Wetherholt for our 2nd Team’s DH slot. Starting Pitchers Joe Whitman, Kent State: After toiling for two years at Purdue, busted out in ’23 to the tune of a 2.56 ERA and 11.1 K/9. Should be the first college southpaw selected next month. Brody Brecht, Iowa: Has the stuff, including a fastball that regularly eclipses the century mark with tremendous spin, to go 1-01 next year, but will have to dramatically improve his control and command. Josh Hartle, Wake Forest: His 6-05/200 frame and deceptive motion evoke Chris Sale comparisons, but he’ll have to add some more octane to his fastball to enjoy consistent success at the next level. Trey Yesavage, ECU: Athletic, physical righty demonstrated a toxic three-pitch mix with superb command. The safe bet to be the first college righthander taken in 2024. Relief Pitcher Cam Minacci, Wake Forest: Anchored one of the country’s best bullpens with a 98 MPH heater and vicious secondary offerings that should enable him to jet through the minor leagues. Thanks for stopping by! 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It’s that time of year again, everyone. With the start of the 2023 college season mere days away, College Baseball Nation proudly follows up our 2023 All-America teams with our 1st and 2nd Freshman All-America squads. Once again, the big boys reign supreme with a whopping 54% (14 players) of our selections coming from SEC programs. And if you include the two Texas Longhorns on both teams—Texas and Oklahoma will join the SEC next season—and this figure rises to 62 percent! Another interesting development this year is the “advanced age” of the top freshman. 15 of the players on these lists will be old enough (i.e. turning 21 prior to August 1, 2024) to be draft eligible next year as sophomores. How this development will affect each player remains to be seen. Perhaps some of them will fall in the ’24 draft because scouts believed that just two years on campus didn’t provide them with a lengthy enough track record against premium college competition. While others may take sufficient advantage of their two years on campus and full summer ball campaign to leave a lasting impression. 1st Team Catcher Malcolm Moore, (2024 draft eligible), LHH, Stanford—Polished 2-way catcher who impressed the Stanford coaching staff immediately after his arrival in Palo Alto and was one of the Cardinal’s top hitters by the conclusion of Fall Ball. Expect him to mostly DH in the early going. First Base Jared Thomas, (2024 draft eligible) LHH, Texas—Burgeoning power bat should shuffle between 1B and corner OF this spring. Could be one of three true freshmen in Texas’ starting lineup this spring. Second Base Cade Kurland, RHH, Florida—A SS in high school who matriculated early, he’s on the verge of winning the starting 2B job. Has displayed the ability to consistently barrel premium velocity. Shortstop Gavin Kilen, LHH, Louisville—Yet another blue-chip recruit from the Upper Midwest ready to make his mark with the Cardinals. Will likely play 2B this year in deference to Christian Knapczyk, but should be Louisville’s full-time SS no later than next season. Third Base Cam Smith, (2024 draft eligible), RHH, Florida State—Following a monster fall, one of the early favorites to win Freshman of the Year. Massive power potential to go along with a cannon arm. Outfield Jace LaViolette, LHH, Texas A&M—The other early favorite to win Freshman of the Year. 6-05/220 behemoth who posted off-the-charts batted ball data throughout the fall and in preseason scrimmages. Mason Neville, LHH, Arkansas—These types of 5-tool, middle-of-the-field players usually don’t make it to campus. Top-of-the-line speed is his best tool, but his bat has made huge strides in the last year. Gavin Turley, RHH, Oregon State—The Arizona prep home run leader is expected to start from Day 1 for the Beavers after a huge fall campaign. Designated Hitter Paxton Kling, (2024 draft eligible) RHH, LSU—One of the more famous names to make it to campus due to his outstanding HS resume. Will have a hard time earning consistent playing time in the Tigers’ loaded lineup. Starting Pitching Andrew Dutkanych, (2024 draft eligible) RHP, Vanderbilt—At one point was considered a shoo-in to go pro but an uneven senior year prompted him to take the college route. Electric arm with plenty of physicality. Jaden Noot, RHP, LSU—At 6-04/235, has the prototype power pitcher’s build and the stuff to match. Will likely serve in a relief role this season but should be a weekend starter by ’24. Eli Jerzembeck, (2024 draft eligible) RHP, South Carolina—His fastball sits 93-95 MPH, his curve is easily plus, and at 6-03/185 he still has plenty of room to fill out. Grayson Saunier, RHP, Ole Miss—Polish, poise, and power—a dead ringer for former Rebel stalwart Gunnar Hoglund, who went 19th overall in 2021 despite a torn elbow ligament. 2nd Team Catcher Brady Neal, LHH, LSU—Compact frame and strong 2-way game evokes comparisons with longtime SEC stalwart Hayden Dunhurst. Don’t be shocked if he’s LSU starting backstop by the postseason. First Base Reese Robinett, (2024 draft eligible), LHH, Arkansas—Missouri native was the Razorbacks’ biggest surprise in the autumn as he paced the club in HR and SLG. Second Base Anthony Silva, (2024 draft eligible), RHH, TCU—Dynamic talent should emerge as a top-of-the order threat and defensive force. Very possible he’ll see reps at the “6” as a freshman. Shortstop Gavin Guidry, (2024 draft eligible) RHH, LSU—Versatile infielder will ride a strong fall performance to garner plenty of ABs in a super-sub role in his first year on the Bayou. Third Base Jalin Flores, (2024 draft eligible) RHH, Texas—Turned down multiple lucrative pro offers for the chance to become a Longhorn. Showcased impressive pop and a slick glove this fall. Outfield Gage Harrelson, LHH, Texas Tech—Speedster has great feel to hit but needs to add strength to his 6-03/175 frame. Dakota Jordan, (2024 draft eligible), RHH, Mississippi State—Gridiron and track star has the most physical projection of any player on either team but will have to cut down on swing-and-miss. Nolan Schubart, LHH, Oklahoma State—Late commitment shift from Michigan to Oklahoma State should pay huge dividends for the Cowboys. 6-06/210 power plant features plus power and a mature hit tool. Designated Hitter Dylan Dreiling, (2024 draft eligible) LHH, Tennessee—A strong fall paved the way for his likely inclusion in the Volunteers starting lineup. Starting Pitching Tristan Smith, (2024 draft eligible), LHP, Clemson—Local product has wowed scouts since his early HS days with an effective 3-pitch mix, good command, and repeatable mechanics. Brennan Phillips, (2024 draft eligible) LHP, Oklahoma State—His high-octane stuff coming from a 6-01/175 frame evoke memories of a young Scott Kazmir. Chase Shores, RHP, LSU—6-08/240 mountain of a man. Throws mid-90’s heat and has gradually gained a better feel for his secondaries. Levi Huesman, (2024 draft eligible) LHP, Coastal Carolina—Great feel for a 12-6 curveball and his fastball has gained velocity since his junior year of high school. Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!

College Baseball Nation announced Texas State as the inaugural winner of the Most Improved Team award. The Bobcats currently stand at 45-12 overall and 26-4 in Sun Belt play. Texas State won the Sun Belt regular season title and reached the semifinals of the Sun Belt Tournament. A year ago Texas State finished 21-36 (9-15, last Sun Belt West), meaning the Bobcats notched a 24 game improvement in their overall record from last season. In addition to regular season success, Texas State was awarded an at-large bid into the Stanford Regional as a two seed. They will start their postseason against UC Santa Barbara on Friday. The other finalists for the award include Rutgers, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech. The award was voted on by College Baseball Nation writers and fans on social media. Texas A&M earned the online fan vote, tallying 49.1% of the overall vote, followed by Texas State at 34.1%. The final voting for the awards was: Texas State: 25 votes (4 first place) Texas A&M: 24 (2) Virginia Tech: 21 (2) Rutgers: 10 Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!

Welcome to 2022, everyone, and welcome to the 2022 college baseball season! College Baseball Nation has waited over half a year for the opportunity to introduce our 2022 1st and 2nd All-America Teams. It was an extra special honor to select both squads, as the collection of draft eligible talent might very well be among the best in the history of college baseball, rivaling 1985, 2005, and 2011. And if that’s not enough, the 10 players from the ’23 class give credence to the widely held belief that next year’s draft could be a bonanza as well. The strength of this year’s crop is evidenced not just by the ability of the 20 ’22 eligible players on this list, but also by the players who barely missed the cut. Stars like Ole Miss backstop Hayden Dunhurst, LSU IF Cade Doughty, and Arkansas 3B/OF Cayden Wallace would have easily been honored prior to last season but this year are forced to take a back seat. And if any of our readers wanted more proof that the SEC is by far college baseball’s most talent-laden conference, how about trying this stat on for size? Twelve of our 30 All-Americans, or 40 percent, play at SEC schools. The Pac-12, ACC, and Big 12 combined drew just 15 players. Although we certainly pay attention to each player’s performance in selecting both squads, we base our picks predominantly on each candidate’s projected upside and big-league potential. Please join us again in several weeks when we introduce College Baseball Nation's Freshman All-America Teams. First Team Catcher Daniel Susac (2022 draft eligible), RHH, Arizona—Susac has leapfrogged Georgia Tech’s Kevin Parada in a tight race for best catcher in a draft class that’s loaded with talented backstops. Susac’s strong batted ball metrics, burgeoning power, and the likelihood that he can stick behind the dish could make him a top-10 pick in July. First Base Caden Grice (2023), LHH, Clemson—If power’s your thing, then Grice is your guy. The 6-06/235 man-child has more voltage in his swing than any other collegiate and frequently makes jaws drop with his majestic home runs. However, as his 32.9% K-rate suggests, contact is Grice’s Achilles heel and a facet of his game he’ll have to improve in order to assert himself as a 1st rounder in 2023. Second Base Jace Jung (2022), LHH, Texas Tech—The jury is still out as to whether Jung will play 2B or 3B long-term, although no one doubts his prowess at the plate. Jung combines excellent pitch selection (49/45 BB/K ratio in 2021) with power to all fields, as evidenced by last year’s 45.7 XBH%. Shortstop Brooks Lee (2022), SH, Cal Poly—Is there anything Lee can’t do? After OPSing 1.010 last spring with a minuscule K-rate of 13.6%, Lee wowed observers on the Cape by improving that mark to nearly 1.100. Then he promptly homered off AA arm Simeon Woods-Richardson in a Team USA exhibition against the Tokyo-bound pro squad. Oh, and he should be able to stick at SS as a pro. Third Base Brock Wilken (2023), RHH, Wake Forest—Expect Wilken and LSU slugger Dylan Crews to keep duking it out for the next two seasons as each tries to assert himself as the best college bat in the run-up to the ’23 draft. Wilken followed a monster freshmen campaign at Wake Forest with an equally impressive showing in the Cape Cod League—he slugged 16 XBHs in just 158 PAs while posting an easy-on-the-eyes 15.8% BB rate. Wilken doesn’t offer world-class range at the hot corner, but his arm’s at least a 60 and he’s sure-handed. Outfield Brock Jones (2022), LHH, Stanford—A former gridiron star, Jones has athleticism oozing out of his pores. He slugged 16 home runs, stole 14 bases and robbed hit after hit in CF. In addition, Jones’ 19% BB rate portends a dynamic leadoff hitter at the next level. Chase DeLauter (2022), LHH, James Madison—Don’t be fooled by the mid-major program. DeLauter is a 6-04/230 behemoth with a refined offensive game who shined on both sides of the ball on the Cape and also impressed observers with his ability to play CF. Gavin Cross (2022), LHH, Virginia Tech—Cross’ batted ball data, including a 95 MPH average exit velocity (EV) and a max EV approaching 115 MPH, place him in the pantheon of college baseball’s best hitters. He also showed well in CF in last summer’s Team USA Stars and Stripes Series and should see some time there in 2022. Designated Hitter Jacob Berry (2022), SH, LSU—Berry tore up the Pac-12 as a true freshman at Arizona and then followed coach Jay Johnstone to LSU. But not before smashing seven XBHs in just 31 ABs during the Stars and Stripes Series. A draft-eligible sophomore, Berry’s stock will soar if he proves he can handle the hot corner. Starting Pitchers Blade Tidwell (2022), RHP, Tennessee—With plenty of present stuff, including a fastball he can run up to 99 MPH, remaining physical projection, and clean mechanics, the draft eligible sophomore has as much upside as any pitcher in the country. His hammer curveball and low-spin changeup are excellent secondaries. Bryce Hubbart (2022), LHP, Florida State—Though the current trend is for pitching prospects to set Rapsodo machines ablaze with out-of-this-world pitch metrics, Hubbart is more of an old school lefty who relies primarily on deception and pinpoint control and command of his traditional fastball-curveball-changeup mix. He started throwing a slider against left-handed batters last summer on the Cape. Landon Sims (2022), RHP, Mississippi State—One of the more intriguing stories of 2022 will be how Sims takes to starting. The Georgia native’s mid-90’s heat and lethal slider made him a force out of the Bulldogs’ pen in ‘21, as evidenced by his 100 punch outs and just 29 hits allowed in 56 IP, and if he demonstrates increased stamina and growth with his changeup he could be the first college arm off the board. Hunter Barco (2022), LHP, Florida—At 6-04/220, Barco is a big, durable lefty who projects as a mid-to-back-of-the-rotation stalwart. His low-90’s fastball lacks explosive movement, but he makes up for it with a swing-and-miss inducing low-80’s slider and equally nasty splitter. Many envision him to be the Gators’ Friday night ace in ‘22. Tanner Witt (2023), RHP, Texas—A highly coveted recruit, Witt impressed with a banner ’21 operating out of the Longhorns’ bullpen. He should transition to a weekend starting role this year, where his mid-90’s heater and knee-buckling deuce should catapult him into top-10 consideration for 2023. His changeup is still a work-in-progress. Reliever Eric Adler (2022), RHP, Wake Forest—Adler has added nearly 20 pounds to his frame and over 5 MPH to his heater since arriving at analytics bastion Wake Forest. Despite pedestrian numbers in 17 games with the Demon Deacons last spring, he dominated on the Cape with 16.7 and 3.4 K/9 and 3.4 H/9, respectively. Adler’s primary objective this season will be establishing better control of his 95-96 MPH cheddar and 82-85 MPH slider. 2nd Team Catcher Kevin Parada (2022), RHH, Georgia Tech—The sophomore-eligible Parada was one of the top preps to forego the 2020 draft, and it looks like this decision will pay huge dividends. Though still raw on defense, Parada’s strong arm and mobility make him a good bet to remain a catcher in the pro ranks. His bat is his calling card—he makes excellent contact and is expected to mature into a 15-20 HR power threat. First Base Tre Morgan (2023), LHH, LSU—Morgan’s advanced hit tool earned rave reviews from the moment he took his first swing at The Box, and his slick defense has nearly as many admirers. Second Base Robert Moore (2022), SH, Arkansas—Moore, the son of Royals’ GM Dayton Moore, has attained celebrity status in Fayetteville for his clutch hitting and superb defense. Though a bit undersized at 5-09/165, Moore has plenty of power from both sides of the plate. Because he arrived at Arkansas a year early, Moore will barely be 20 by the time the draft rolls around. Shortstop Jacob Gonzalez (2023), LHH, Ole Miss—While Wilken and Crews pack more punch at the plate, Gonzalez’ refined hit tool and buttery smooth actions at shortstop may catapult him to the front of the ’23 draft class before all is said and done. Third Base Peyton Graham (2022), RHH, Oklahoma—Graham is an athletic third sacker who could be a Gold Glove candidate at the hot corner or move all over the field if needed. He came back to earth last season after bursting out of the gate with the bat during the shortened 2020 campaign. There’s plenty of room to add muscle to Graham’s 6-04/185 frame. Outfield Dylan Crews (2023), RHH, LSU—The highest-rated prep to set foot on a college campus following the 2020 draft, Crews was a star from day one after arriving in Baton Rouge. The 6-01/200 slugger put up an Atari-esque .362/.453/.663 slash line while striking out just 15.3% of the time. He then hit .350 with plenty of pop during an abbreviated stay with Team USA. In addition to his offensive heroics, Crews plays a strong RF and should even see time in CF as the remainder of his college career unfolds. Enrique Bradfield (2023), LHH, Vanderbilt—The Kenny Lofton comps have come fast and furious and they’re not unjustified. Bradfield has top-shelf speed and covers more ground in CF than a late model Toro. At the plate he’s a line drive machine with a selective eye. Power will never be his strong suit, but he has become much more adept at impacting the baseball since arriving in Nashville. Dylan Beavers (2022), LHH, California—Beavers burst onto the scene in 2021 when he led the Pac-12 in home runs and showcased impressive athleticism and a good arm in both CF and RF. The lefty slugger is relatively young for the draft class, not turning 21 until August. Designated Hitter Zach Neto (2022), RHH, Campbell—Neto has quickly risen up draft boards despite his small-school affiliation. He’s able to tap into plenty of power even though he uses a simple, contact-based approach, and his soft hands and above-average range and arm should make staying at the “6” a near certainty. Starting Pitchers Patrick Reilly (2023), RHP, Vanderbilt—It was just two starts, yet Reilly’s 10-scoreless-inning cameo on the Cape has scouts salivating at what the future may hold for the 6-03/210 righty. Reilly can reside in the mid-90’s for innings at a time with his 2500+ RPM 4-seamer and his 84-87 MPH slider and fading changeup are equally as dangerous. Christian Little (2023), RHP, Vanderbilt—With his early matriculation at Vanderbilt, Little will be barely 20 when the 2023 draft rolls around. That said, his current repertoire, which already features a fastball that can hit 95 MPH and three above-average secondary offerings, is on par with hurlers many years his senior. Little will team with Reilly and (most likely) Nick Maldonado to give the Commodores the makings of the SEC’s best weekend rotation. Justin Campbell (2022), RHP, Oklahoma State—Much like former 16-game winner Doug Fister, Campbell is a lanky (6-07/220) righty who impresses with command of a vast array of pitches as opposed to a flame-throwing enforcer. He put up exceptional numbers with the Cowboys last spring and then acquitted himself nicely against the nation’s top bats on the Stars and Stripes circuit. Teddy McGraw (2023), RHP, Wake Forest—A raw Northeast arm when he arrived on campus, McGraw experienced some growing pains as a freshman, as evidenced by his 19 BBs in just 18.1 IP. However, he righted the ship on the Cape and in the Perfect Game Collegiate League this summer and by fall ball was hitting 99 MPH with his heater, while featuring a plus slider (with a spin rate up to 2900 RPMs) and a solid changeup. Parker Messick (2022), LHP, Florida State—Reliable. That’s the word mentioned most when scouts discuss Messick. Nothing about his repertoire stands out—he sits in the low 90’s with his fastball and neither of his secondaries are considered plus. However, Messick’s command combined with the deception in his delivery have made him successful at the college level and have observers believing he could carve out a Wade Miley-type career in MLB. Reliever Ben Joyce (2022), RHP, Tennessee—Joyce is by far the most unheralded player on either team, never having thrown a pitch for a 4-year school after playing for Walters State CC then missing last season due to injury. The lack of high profile experience notwithstanding, he regularly threw 100 MPH pellets in the fall with an above average slider and changeup. Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!

It’s that time of year again. With the start of the 2022 college season mere days away, College Baseball Nation is ecstatic to follow up our 2022 All-America Teams with our 1st and 2nd Freshman All-America squads. Once again, the big boys reign supreme with over 80 percent of our selections coming from SEC (11 players), Pac-12 (7), and ACC (7) programs. This hallowed group of youngsters has some interesting features—there’s an Australian, a center fielder who can approach 100 MPH from the mound, and the son of a former home run king. But most importantly, 2022’s freshman class is loaded with talent. 1st Team Catcher Rene Lastres, RHH, Florida—With Nathan Hickey having moved on to the pros, Lastres will get every opportunity to win the Gators’ receiving job as an 18-year-old freshman. Don’t be fooled by the baby face—Lastres has a chance to be Florida’s best all-round catcher since Mike Zunino a decade ago. He has immense power, athleticism, and a cannon behind the dish. First Base Tommy White, RHH, NC State—The 6-00/220 White is not the most nimble or fleet afoot but has a high voltage swing with exceptional barrel awareness and plate discipline. If he continues to tone his body, he could see time at the hot corner, his natural position. Second Base Peyton Stovall, LHH, Arkansas—Stovall has the best hit tool among the freshmen and will likely begin his college career at 1B in deference to All American Robert Moore. Shortstop Cody Schrier, RHH, UCLA—Schrier would have gone no later than the 2nd round last July, instead opting to head to Westwood, where he’ll be the starting SS from day one. He offers a full package of tools and could have the same impact with the Bruins that Alex Bregman had at LSU nearly a decade ago. Third Base Alex Mooney, (2023 draft eligible), RHH, Duke—Similar to Schrier, Mooney is expected to be the Blue Devils’ starter at the “6” from the get go and is on track to be a 1st round selection in ‘23 as a sophomore. While he may have to move to the hot corner or 2B at some point during his pro career, Mooney’s lethal bat will play anywhere. Outfield Camden Hayslip (2023 draft eligible), LHH, Alabama—Hayslip put on a show at last June’s draft combine, posting sterling batted ball metrics and surprising onlookers with his athleticism. He has a swing and physique reminiscent of Ryan Klesko. Malakhi Knight, RHH, UCLA—5-tool, middle-of-the-field players like Knight usually don’t make it to campus. He was another rising freshman who had a banner summer playing against older competition, posting a .313/.431/.482 slash line in the West Coast League. Will Taylor, RHH, Clemson—Taylor could miss up to the first six weeks of the ’22 campaign due to a knee injury he sustained on the gridiron; however, when he finally does take the field expect to see a legitimate 5-tool threat with better baseball instincts than most dual-sport athletes. Designated Hitter Hunter Hines, LHH, Mississippi State—Though not as heralded coming out of the prep ranks as many players featured in this article, Hines lit it up in Fall Ball to secure a spot in the Bulldogs’ Opening Day lineup. A third baseman in high school, he’ll play more 1B this spring. Starting Pitching Chase Burns, RHP, Tennessee—Burns and his high 90’s cheese and low 80’s curveball made jaws drop in the fall. With ace Blade Tidwell possibly sidelined for the first part of the season, Burns could be looking at a starting role as a freshman. Carter Holton, LHP, Vanderbilt—The diminutive Holton offers an enticing package that mid-90’s heat and high 70’s deuce with impressive pitch characteristics. He’s a good bet to serve as the Commodores mid-week starter. Gage Jump, LHP, UCLA—Much like Holton, the 5-10/175 Jump isn’t physically imposing, but, man, can he throw the heck out of the ball. His fastball and curve both break Rapsodo machines while his changeup is an excellent third offering. Thatcher Hurd, RHP, UCLA—If it looks like the Bruins’ freshman class is loaded that’s because it is. Hurd is a 6-04/205 righty with plenty of athleticism, moxie, and command. It’s only a matter of time before he adds some juice to an already low-90’s, high-spin heater. Josh Hartle, LHP, Wake Forest—Talk about a match made in heaven—Hartle is a 6-5/195 southpaw who oozes projection at perhaps the most progressive pitching school in the country. 2nd Team Catcher Jacob Cozart, LHH, NC State—Cozart’s offense is ahead of his receiving at this point; however, he’ll be given every opportunity to land the Wolfpack’s starting job as a true freshman. First Base Grant Hussey, LHH, West Virginia—Hussey burst onto the scene with 18 XBHs and a near .600 SLG in just 31 games in the MLB Draft League’s inaugural campaign. Second Base Travis Bazzana, LHH, Oregon State—As good as Hussey was last summer, Bazzana was even better. The Australian slashed a ridiculous .429/.471/.593 in the West Coast League, opening the eyes of evaluators all over the Pacific Northwest. Shortstop Davis Diaz, RHH, Vanderbilt—With possible 1st rounder Carter Young firmly entrenched as the Commodores’ SS for 2022, Diaz, a defensive whiz with a developing bat, will move across the keystone as a freshman. Third Base Casey Saucke, RHH, Virginia—With the sub-arctic temperatures of his native Rochester, NY well behind him, expect Saucke’s game to take off now that he’s in the hot corner factory of Charlottesville. Saucke’s young for his class, not turning 19 until well after the end of the ’22 season. Outfield Michael Robertson (2023 draft eligible), LHH, Florida—If this speedster cracks the starting lineup he could have a similar impact as Enrique Bradfield at Vanderbilt last year. That said, Robertson packs a bit more punch at the same stage. Braden Montgomery, SH, Stanford—Montgomery’s high 90’s gas will also be featured out of the Cardinal bullpen and could eventually pave the way for a full-time pitching gig. Jackson Linn, RHH, Tulane—A fast riser last spring, the New England-bred Linn offers a classic RF profile with a strong arm and power bat. Designated Hitter Max McGwire, RHH, Oklahoma—Yes, he’s Mark McGwire’s son. And, yes, he offers light-tower right-handed power and a keen eye. Starting Pitching Jackson Baumeister (2023 draft eligible), RHP, Florida State—Scouts love Baumeister’s old-school overhand delivery and ample extension. They’re also enamored by his deluxe 3-pitch mix that features mid-90’s gas with outstanding pitch metrics. Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas—Smith’s performance this fall combined with Peyton Pallette’s Tommy John surgery significantly increased the likelihood of the southpaw getting the chance to employ his polished repertoire in a weekend starting role. Eric Hammond, RHP, USC—With a prototypical power pitcher’s build and cheddar clocked as high as 95 MPH, Hammond should initially get his feet wet as a mid-week starter. Pierce Coppola, LHP, Florida—A 6-08/215 beanstalk, Coppola boasts a rapidly improving pitch selection to go along with plenty of deception. Make no mistake—Coppola is a projection play, but could one day be a premium pick in the mold of former Gators ace A.J. Puk. Philip Abner (2023 draft eligible), LHP, Florida—Though never mistaken for a jeans model at 6-01/220, Abner is advanced well beyond his years with above average command of a 91-94 MPH heater and high-spin curveball and plenty of funk in his delivery. Had Abner not been plagued by a foot injury last spring, he likely would have been off the board within the first 60 picks. Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!

As we rapidly approach spring, it’s becoming evident that although normalcy is still far away, we should have something remotely resembling a complete 2021 college baseball season. That said, it’s high time we delve into who the best players in the nation are by rolling out College Baseball Nation's inaugural All-America teams. Much like last year, the talent across the US appears well balanced, with 20 of the 30 first and second team College Baseball Nation All-Americans draft eligible and the remainder available in 2022. Considering some of the arms that didn’t make either squad—Michigan’s Steven Hajjar, Mississippi State’s Eric Cerantola, Oklahoma State’s Bryce Osmond, and Florida’s Brandon Sproat—it’s easy to see that the strength of this year’s college talent crop is starting pitching. While we certainly pay attention to each player’s performance in selecting both squads, we base our picks predominantly on each candidate’s projected upside and big-league potential. Please join us again in two weeks when we introduce College Baseball Nation's Freshman All-America Teams. 1st Team Catcher Adrian Del Castillo (2021 draft eligible), LHH, Miami (FL)—Despite his status as a surefire 1st Team All-American, Del Castillo’s draft stock has been somewhat difficult to nail down due to positional uncertainty. A catcher throughout his collegiate career, many scouts have reservations whether he’ll be able to stick behind the plate as a pro. They believe he will have to shift to LF or 1B, where he projects as average at best. However, there are no such questions regarding Del Castillo’s offense. He is widely considered the consensus top pure hitter on this list as he combines a great feel for the barrel and discerning eye with enough power to all fields to make 25 HR a year a reality. First Base JT Schwartz (2021), LHH, UCLA—Schwartz is by far the biggest “reach” pick of all College Baseball Nation All-Americans, but if he clicks it will be a thing of beauty. Schwartz’ hit tool is currently his best attribute. He has exhibited sound barrel awareness everywhere he has played, including the summer of 2019 in the competitive Northwoods League when he hit .378 with a .464 OBP in 238 PAs with a K-rate under 10%. With plenty of room to fill out his 6-04/195 frame, it’s not inconceivable that Schwartz’ power will increase dramatically should he join an organization that is successful in preaching the launch angle (LA) gospel. Firmly entrenched as the Bruins 1B, Schwartz did show well in a brief 3B stint in the Northwoods League. Second Base Matt McLain (2021), RHH, UCLA—The second-highest 2018 draftee to spurn a professional contract, McLain had some growing pains as a freshman but busted out during last year’s abbreviated college season and continued his stellar play through the summer with the independent Santa Barbara Foresters. McLain boasts elite athleticism with astonishing pop for a guy 5-10/175. While McLain will serve as the Bruins’ starting SS this year, he may move across the keystone as a pro and develop into a Brian Dozier type offensive 2B. Shortstop Brooks Lee (2022), SH, Cal Poly—Lee’s college career got off to a rough start when he required complex leg surgery in the fall of 2020 and was only able to garner a handful of at bats prior to the COVID-induced shutdown. The young switch hitter did enjoy a banner summer for Wilmar in the Northwoods League, demonstrating a plus hit tool and power from both sides of the plate with a K-rate of well under 15%. Lee should be able to stay at SS. He is sure-handed with more than enough arm for the position and keen instincts. Third Base Alex Binelas (2021), LHH, Louisville—Binelas burst upon the scene as a freshman in 2019 when he belted 14 HR and put up exceptional exit velocities (EVs). He has improved markedly at 3B and multiple scouts believe he will remain there as a pro. He has a strong arm and soft hands. The Wisconsin native will be rebounding in 2021 after a broken hamate cost him virtually all of 2020. Outfield Colton Cowser (2021), LHH, Sam Houston State—Cowser’s profile is interesting, if not a throwback. He’s a hit-over-power guy with solid contact metrics who plays a solid CF. If he is able to add more loft to his swing and enhance his power, the team that selects him in July would hit paydirt. Jud Fabian (2021), RHH, Florida—While there have been “sexier” 1-01 picks in recent years, Fabian is our early favorite for that distinction as we head into the 2021 season. Simply put, the 6-01/195 Fabian checks all the boxes—he’s uncommonly young for his class, has had success with wood, and doesn’t have a tool under 55. Comps range from Mitch Haniger to a young Kevin McReynolds to Ryan Braun. After returning from an ankle injury, Fabian enjoyed a monster fall, displaying elite level bat speed. Ethan Wilson (2021), LHH, South Alabama—Wilson compares favorably to Heston Kjerstad, the left-handed slugger taken 2nd overall by the Orioles last June. Like Kjerstad, Wilson’s high EVs and loft in his swing combine to give him at least 60 power combined with a potential average hit tool. He is more athletic and fleet afoot than Kjerstad, earning above average grades in LF with many scouts convinced his strong arm would enable him to make a seamless transition to the other corner if necessary. Designated Hitter Zack Gelof (2021), RHH, Virginia—Gelof has torched the ball since arriving on campus, posting a .321 average and .871 OPS in 346 PAs. He also slashed .349/.426/.490 as a rising sophomore in the Northwoords League. Like many young hitters, Gelof still must iron out some swing-and-miss issues, but his solid walk rate and EVs point to a high ceiling. When Virginia Coach Brian O’Connor spoke with College Baseball Nation, he emphasized that Gelof's athleticism will ultimately allow Gelof to remain at the hot corner in the pros. Starting Pitching Jack Leiter (2021), RHP, Vanderbilt— With just 15 college innings under his belt, Leiter won’t be able to equal the lengthy track record of many of his peers from the 2021 draft class but that won’t matter. He has superb command of five plus pitches, including a fastball that can reach 97 MPH, and flawless mechanics. This arsenal and his compact frame have evoked comparisons to fellow Commodore Sonny Gray, Mike Mussina, and Roy Oswalt. Kumar Rocker (2021), RHP, Vanderbilt—A 6-04/255 man-child, Rocker has been on scouts’ radar since his early high school days. As devastating as Rocker’s mid-90’s fastball is, it’s his high-80’s slider and its gyro-like qualities that have everyone salivating. If there’s any chink in Rocker’s armor, it’s that his fastball command may be lacking. Ty Madden (2021), RHP, Texas—Madden and his projectability will be watched closely this spring. His durable build, pure velocity on his fastball (up to 99 MPH last fall), and impressive metrics on his slider (87-88 MPH with above average spin rates) should catapult him into the top-10 discussion. Madden shot up teams’ draft boards during the offseason, and he is one of the more electric arms in the nation. Jaden Hill (2021), RHP, LSU—Hill remains the popular preseason sleeper pick for 1-01 because he was unhittable last season before the onset of COVID-19 and his fastball pushes triple digits. Given his checkered medical past (just 22 total college innings due to elbow discomfort followed by collarbone surgery in the spring of 2019), Hill will be out to prove his durability this season. Connor Prielipp (2022), LHP, Alabama—Prielipp, another native of cold-weather Wisconsin, has really hit his stride after arriving in Tuscaloosa. In addition to growing two inches and adding 30 pounds of good weight, the 6-03/200 southpaw has rounded out his repertoire and put himself in pole position to be the first pitcher drafted in 2022. While his fastball sits at 92-94 MPH with an above-average spin rate, it’s overshadowed by his 85-86 MPH slider that boasts a spin rate well in excess of 3100 RPM (MLB average is just shy of 2500 RPM). Further evidence of the toxicity of Prielipp’s stuff is his swinging strike rates, which, according to former Prospects365 scribe Mason McRae, are all greater than 20% on his fastball, slider, and changeup. Relief Pitching Hugh Fisher (2021), LHP, Vanderbilt—If you squint, you may see a little Josh Hader or Garrett Crochet in the 6-05/190 Fisher. He has the same gangly physique and low ¾ left-handed delivery as Hader and Crochet, and his fastball can also reach the high 90’s. If he can harness his command and continue to fine tune his slider, some team will view him as a late inning weapon and pop him in the latter half of Day One. Fisher missed all of 2020 recovering from Tommy John Surgery. 2nd Team Catcher Henry Davis (2021), RHH, Louisville—Davis is not unlike former Ohio State backstop (and Detroit Tigers 2020 2nd round pick) Dillon Dingler—an athletic catcher with deluxe defensive skills who’s starting to make inroads offensively. Davis has a plus-plus arm with a quick release who moves well behind the dish, although he has encountered problems blocking pitches in the dirt. At the plate, Davis offers keen pitch recognition with burgeoning power. First Base Owen Diodati (2022), LHH, Alabama—Young for his class, Diodati has posted excellent EVs during his brief college career with the uncanny ability to get the ball in the air. He has also demonstrated an expert understanding of the strike zone. Diodati, a Canadian national, has solid athleticism and speed, and his arm would play in either OF corner. Second Base Cade Doughty (2022), RHH, LSU—Doughty enjoyed a monster 2020. First, he won LSU’s starting 2B job as a true freshman and slashed a respectable .278/.365/.407 with an outstanding 12.6% K-rate in the ultra-competitive SEC. Then he demolished the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League to the tune of .429/.527/.626. Although Doughty may begin to see more action at the hot corner for the Tigers, he profiles best long-term as an offensive-minded 2B. Shortstop Robert Moore (2022), SH, Arkansas—Undersized at 5-09/165, Moore has first-rate barrel awareness and plate discipline and has been able to incorporate more loft into his swing. Listed as a SS on our Second All-American Team, there’s a good chance Moore will remain at 2B, where his range and sure handedness will play up. Moore’s father is Kansas City Royals’ GM Dayton Moore. Third Base Peyton Graham (2022), RHH, Oklahoma—Oklahoma will be pockmarked with premier underclass talent at a variety of positions, and Graham is the leader of the pack. He is a freakish athlete who made a successful transition from high school SS to college 3B, where his quick actions, reliable hands, and howitzer arm served him well. At the plate, Graham features good bat speed and bat-to-ball skills and should improve his EVs as he fills out his 6-03/180 frame and gains strength. Outfield Levi Usher (2021), LHH, Louisville—A junior college transfer, Usher was off to a blazing start last spring before the season was interrupted. At this point, Usher is hit tool over power—he has a quick, simple swing from a flat bat path and rarely chases out of the zone. The Iowa native is a sure bet to spend the first half of his pro career in CF. He has above average speed and gets excellent reads. He has an accurate arm with his throws getting plenty of carry. Chris Newell (2022), LHH, Virginia—Don’t be surprised if Newell is the top college bat a year from now. The Pennsylvania native has raked since arriving in Charlottesville and put up an Atari-like .407/.545/.729 slash line with 4 HR and 10 XBHs in just 78 PAs prior to the pandemic. The highlight of Newell’s brief season came on March 7, when he homered and doubled off NC State junior southpaw and future second rounder Nick Swiney. Newell’s more than just a one-trick pony. His speed grades out as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, and he swiped eight bags in the same number of attempts last year. He boasts the range to remain in CF well into his pro career and his arm is easily a plus tool. Christian Franklin (2021), RHH, Arkansas—A bit undersized, Franklin is a high-voltage athlete coming off a banner summer with the Foresters, followed by a strong showing in fall ball. His hit and power tools have improved drastically, while his speed and defense in CF have always been exemplary. Designated Hitter Brennan Milone (2022), RHH, South Carolina—Milone, who was highly coveted by MLB clubs out of a Georgia high school, had an injury-plagued abbreviated spring in 2020. He then slashed .365/.452/.750 with 9 HR in 115 PAs in the Coastal Plains League last summer. Milone generates plenty of torque from a compact right-handed swing that is geared towards the pull side, but he is susceptible to outside breaking pitches. Milone has enough of an arm and lateral quickness to remain at 3B. Starting Pitching Jonathan Cannon (2021), RHP, Georgia—Cannon has just 11.1 college innings—all in scoreless relief—on his ledger, and at this point is probably the biggest “project” on either of our All-America teams. That said, Cannon’s size, arm strength, and electric arsenal have him on scouts’ radar this spring. Cannon has evoked numerous Michael Wacha comparisons. His fastball sits in the mid-90’s and is buoyed by a changeup that’s already considered big league average. If he is able to develop his slider, he could emerge as a top-20 overall pick in July. Hunter Barco (2022), LHP, Florida—Barco made waves last spring when he made Florida’s vaunted weekend rotation as a true freshman. Barco, heavily scouted out of a Jacksonville high school, comes at hitters with a traditional three-pitch mix—fastball, slider, and changeup. His fastball can hit the mid-90’s, his slider is an effective weapon against both righties and lefties, and his changeup has splitter qualities with an exceptionally low spin rate. Nate Savino (2022), LHP, Virginia—Savino made waves when he matriculated early and earned a spot on UVA’s weekend rotation as a freshman. Savino showcases a hearty fastball that creeps into the mid-90’s, as well as impressive secondary offerings. His relative youth, ideal pitcher’s build, and particularly interesting pitch metrics on his slider have him lined up to be an early first round selection next year. Sam Bachman (2021), RHP, Miami (OH)—Bachman has had the most meteoric rise of any pitcher in the nation over the past 12 months. His stuff was always solid, but after streamlining his body last summer and revamping his entire operation and repertoire, he owns the starter kit for a top-10 pick. As Joe Doyle at Lookout Landing succinctly describes here, the 6-01/220 Bachman throws a nuclear fastball in the upper 90’s, which he backs up with an equally venomous slider and improving changeup, and his individual pitch metrics and mechanics are sterling. Mason Black (2021), RHP, Lehigh—Black, a 6-03/220 flamethrower, is squarely in the conversation for 1st round consideration this July. As Lookout Landing’s Doyle once again succinctly explains, Black’s size, explosive arm, and pitch metrics have excited the scouting community. Black currently throws a heavy fastball that has hit 99 MPH, which is complemented by a mid-80’s slider that offers an above-average spin rate. His changeup is a legitimate third pitch with sufficient separation from his fastball and plenty of late fade. Pitching for the same Boca Raton Blazer team that Doughty starred for in the SFCBL, Black posted an otherworldly 42/10 K/BB rate with an 0.64 ERA in 28 IP. Relief Pitching Ben Specht (2021), RHP, Florida—In most other programs Specht would have a key spot on the weekend rotation, yet with the pitching-rich Gators Specht is “just” the closer. Compact at 6-01/210, Specht throws easy mid-90’s heat, which he augments with a tight slider. If he can improve a seldom-used changeup, he may get a look as a starter in pro ball. Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!

The 2021 incoming freshman class is stacked. With last year’s First-Year Player Draft lasting only five rounds due to COVID-19, numerous high school standouts who would have otherwise started their pro careers opted for college. In fact, this year’s freshman class is so talented and deep that when we selected players for College Baseball Nation's inaugural Freshman All-America Teams, we had to leave off multiple players who would have been locks in any other year. OF Chad Born, poached by the Hurricanes from the California sandlots like Pat Burrell and Ryan Braun in years past, was MVP of Miami’s Fall World Series but couldn’t crack either All-America team. Virginia’s Kyle Teel, a polished catcher who had success against tough Northwoods League arms last summer, is also nowhere to be found. And OF Mario Zabala from FIU, arguably the most tooled up player in the class, was omitted from the list.) In addition to the high talent level this incoming freshman class boasts, the other characteristic that distinguishes it from past rookie classes is its (relative) old age. Of the 28 players on both teams, a staggering eight players will be draft eligible next year. Of course, this is partially attributable to MLB moving the draft from the first week in June to mid-July, thereby making players born as late as the end of August/early September 2001 eligible for the 2022 draft. (Sophomores who turn 21 within six weeks after the draft may be selected in that year’s draft.) Still, given that the 2022 college draft crop was already considered exceptionally strong, the influx of at least eight additional studs will only add to the fun. 1st Team Catcher Kevin Parada (2022 draft eligible), RHH, Georgia Tech—After graduating Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters, and Joey Bart, Georgia Tech has established itself as the premier finishing school for catchers. Parada, a California native, has a well-developed bat to go along with outstanding receiving skills. First Base Caden Grice, LHH, Clemson—A mountain of a man at 6-06/225, Grice’s game features immense power, and he impressed observers this fall with moonshot after moonshot. This spring, Grice should also see time on the mound, where he sits in the low 90’s with his fastball and has good command of his breaking ball. Second Base Colby Halter (2022 draft eligible), LHH, Florida—Halter has been on scouts’ radar for several years and for good reason—he has a beautiful left-handed swing that smacks line drives from foul pole to foul pole. Although he has mostly played on the left side of the infield, he will see time at 2B for Florida this spring. Shortstop Yohandy Morales, RHH, Miami (FL)—Though Rosario and Mederos have gotten most of the headlines from this Miami class, Morales should have a huge impact in Coral Gables. Despite his physicality (6-04/195), Morales is nimble in the field and packs a punch in the batter’s box. He’s slated to begin the year as Miami’s starting SS. Oklahoma SS Cade Horton would have been in this slot but was diagnosed with a torn elbow ligament in early February that will sideline him for the entire 2021 season. Third Base Cayden Wallace (2022 draft eligible), RHH, Arkansas—Wallace will likely start 2021 in RF in deference to defensive stalwart Jacob Nesbit, but his power bat and cannon arm give him the ideal 3B profile. Wallace is another guy who had a monster fall. Outfield Slade Wilks (2022 draft eligible), LHH, Southern Miss—Wilks has ridiculous power, which he showed off this fall. If he can fine tune his plate discipline and approach against breaking stuff away, he’ll be a Day 1 pick next year. Chase Davis, LHH, Arizona—With a Wildcats’ OF packed with experienced veterans, Davis may have to wait his turn before his high-octane bat and rifle arm are on full display. Dylan Crews, RHH, LSU—Crews was universally regarded as the highest ranked high schooler to matriculate this autumn. A compact 6-00/190, Crew’s strong wrists generate Clint Frazier-type bat speed and give him over-the-fence power in any ballpark. He’s also an above average defender with a strong arm. Designated Hitter Cole Foster, SH, Auburn—Foster, an ultra-polished switch-hitting SS, is expected to see most of his playing time at 2B this spring due to the presence of Ryan Bliss. He should be the Tigers’ full-time SS next year. Starting Pitching Carson Montgomery, RHP, FSU—Montgomery was the highest rated high school pitcher to go undrafted in 2020. He showed up to Tallahassee throwing cheese that scraped the high 90’s with improved command. It’s only a matter of time before he’s the Seminoles’ ace. Tanner Witt, RHP, Texas—Witt, whose father Kevin played parts of five seasons in the big leagues, was better known as a slugging 3B during his first three years of high school; however, his stock soared as a hurler his senior year and he had multiple teams willing to give him a seven-figure signing bonus. Witt’s heater can touch the mid-90’s and the spin rate on his curveball approaches the 3000 RPM mark. He could vie for the Longhorns’ Sunday starter role. Alejandro Rosario, RHP, Miami (FL)—Barely 6-00/170, Rosario isn’t an imposing presence on the mound, yet he throws mid-90’s gas with an equally vicious slider. After the Hurricanes’ entire weekend rotation graduated to the pros, it would be a surprise if Rosario doesn’t get a weekend assignment. Victor Mederos (2022 draft eligible), RHP, Miami (FL)—Unlike his teammate Rosario, Mederos, at 6-03/215, easily fits the description of mound enforcer and he has the power arsenal to match. Mederos’ best pitch is an electric fastball that routinely touches 96 MPH, but his other three offerings all grade out as at least average. Ryan Hagenow, RHP, Kentucky—Hagenow is a highly projectable right-hander with plenty of room to fill out his 6-05/200 frame. His change-up is uncommonly effective for such a young pitcher, and he has uncanny command of a lethal slider. 2nd Team Catcher Daniel Susac (2022 draft eligible), SH, Arizona—After the Wildcats lost both Austin Wells and Matthew Dyer in the draft, Arizona’s starting catching job is Susac’s to lose. Equipped with a 6-03/215 pro body, power from both sides of the plate, and a howitzer behind it, Susac could quickly establish himself as one of the nation’s best all-around backstops. First Base Tre Morgan, LHH, LSU—Morgan enjoyed an illustrious prep career in New Orleans and brings his show to LSU, where he should start as a freshman. He has a smooth, line-drive oriented swing and will hit for more power once he fills out his 6-01/185 frame. Morgan is an excellent defender with soft hands and good range. Second Base Alex Freeland, SH, UCF—Freeland had the best summer of any rising true freshman in the country, hitting .397 with an 18/10 BB/K ratio in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Shortstop Brian McLellin, RHH, California—Always known as a glove-first SS, McLellin made enormous strides last summer in the San Diego League, hitting .346 with an .864 OPS against older competition. McLellin has soft hands and a machine gun for an arm. Third Base Drew Bowser, RHH, Stanford—Bowser attained notoriety as a prep SS, but a recent growth spurt which left him at 6-04/220 has pushed him to the hot corner. Stanford’s most high profile positional recruit in the Mark Esquer era, Bowser doesn’t need to sell out to tap into his massive power. Outfield Jace Bohrofen, LHH, Oklahoma—In 3B Peyton Graham, Horton, and Bohrofen, the Sooners may have three 1st round bats taken in 2022-23, and Bohrofen may have the most power of the bunch. Enrique Bradfield, LHH, Vanderbilt—With his blazing speed, elite athleticism, and innate feel for the barrel, is Bradfield the next Kenny Lofton? Jake DeLeo (2022 draft eligible), RHH, Georgia Tech—DeLeo, who attended the same Connecticut high school as new Blue Jay George Springer, was starting to see his stock soar when the pandemic hit. Much like Springer, he oozes athleticism and offers an intriguing power/speed combo. Designated Hitter Corey Collins, LHH, Georgia—True freshmen who hit in the middle of SEC lineups are few and far between, and Collins is part of that rare breed. The Georgia native has light-tower power and this fall showed the ability to work the count. A natural catcher, Collins will be challenged by another true freshman, Fernando Gonzalez, for playing time behind the plate and may therefore see a lot of action at 1B or as DH. Starting Pitching Christian Little, RHP, Vanderbilt—Little, still only 17 years and six months, was en route to becoming a top 10 pick in 2022 prior to his decision to enter Vanderbilt a year early. Because the Commodores’ pitching corps is so stacked, Little will be eased into action this spring; however, his dynamite stuff and advanced feel for pitching could make him Vandy’s next pitching legend. Timmy Manning, LHP, Florida—At 6-02/175, Manning must still fill out before he can realize his vast potential. He’s in the right place as Florida’s loaded pitching staff will ensure that he’s not rushed. Expect Manning to be a mainstay in the Gators’ weekend rotation in 2022. Cam Brown, RHP, TCU—With a prototypical power pitcher’s build at 6-03/215 and a fastball clocked as high as 97 MPH, Brown’s a good bet to assume the role of midweek starter for the Horned Frogs. Ty Floyd (2022 draft eligible), RHP, LSU—With Jaden Hill, Landon Marceaux, and A.J. Labas headlining the Tigers’ weekend rotation, Floyd will spend this spring pitching high leverage innings out of the bullpen. However, his impressive three-pitch mix should eventually catapult him to LSU’s Friday night starter before he leaves Baton Rouge. Jason Savacool, RHP, Maryland—Not terribly physical at 6-01/200, Savacool is a polished arm with a heater that sits comfortably in the low 90’s and biting slider. At Maryland he will get the opportunity to hit the ground running as a true freshman. Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!

Finally, we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. The conclusion of the holidays and the NFL playoffs in full swing can only mean one thing—college baseball is barely a month away! (RELATED: Preseason Top 50) So, with the season suddenly upon us, it’s time to introduce our 2023 First and Second Prospect All-America Teams. It was an extra special honor to select both squads, as the collection of draft-eligible talent indicates that 2023 could not only be a bumper crop, but a well-rounded one as well. As has not been the case for several years, the ’23 draft class offers a wide array of both hitters and pitchers who could hear their names called within the first 10 picks. And if this isn’t enough, both squads offer a sneak peak at some of the premium talent that will be available in 2024, as seven—nearly one-quarter—of the Prospect All-Americans are sophomores. At any rate, the caliber of play in college baseball is arguably better than it’s ever been, and the result of this will be evident when MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred steps to the podium in early July. Until then, just sit back, read, and get familiar with some of the names that will shape the action this spring. Please join us again in several weeks when we introduce College Baseball Nation's Freshmen Prospect All-America Teams. 1st Team Catcher Kyle Teel (2023 draft eligible), LHH, Virginia—Though not in the Adley Rutschman or Henry Davis class of college catchers, Teel offers an enticing package of strong arm, unmatched athleticism, and sweet left-handed swing that should make him a late 1st rounder come July. At the plate, Teel’s respective 14.8 and 13 percent BB and K-rates portend a hitter who has an excellent feel for the strike zone. His batted ball data are also strong. Behind the dish, Teel is highly mobile with a quick release and cannon for an arm. First Base Nick Kurtz (2024), LHH, Wake Forest—If light-tower power is your thing then Kurtz is your guy. But be careful, because this 6-05/225 behemoth is far more than a one-trick pony. As a freshman in the always-tough ACC, Kurtz slugged 30 XBHs in just 54 games while striking out in less than 15 percent of his PAs. It’s possible that the native Tennessean will one day offer both double-plus hit and power tools. Kurtz primarily played 1B last season; however, his above average speed and good arm could lead to an eventual transition to RF. Second Base Matt Shaw (2023), RHH, Maryland—No player elevated his stock more in summer ball than Shaw, who slashed to the tune of .360/.432/.574 in 155 appearances in the vaunted Cape Cod League. Shaw displayed a short, simple swing geared to launching line drives to all fields. A shortstop for the Terrapins, Shaw profiles best at 2B, but projects as at least average at 3B and corner OF. Shortstop Jacob Gonzalez (2023), LHH, Ole Miss—Gonzalez can get pull happy at times and he’s not the most fleet of foot, but this is nitpicking. His overall game evokes comparisons to Red Sox farmhand Marcelo Mayer. He has a smooth swing from the left side to go along with expert pitch recognition skills. In the field, he’s highly instinctual with smooth actions and a strong, accurate arm. Third Base Brayden Taylor (2023), LHH, TCU—Taylor’s batted ball data are still on the light side, but that’s mostly a function of him not yet filling out his 6-01/175 frame. He has a sweet lefty swing that covers all quadrants of the zone and generates power to all fields. His pitch recognition ranks at the top of the class and resulted in a miniscule 14.7% K-rate last season. Taylor, who’ll probably play SS for the Horned Frogs this season, projects as a well above average third baseman with plenty of arm strength and lateral quickness. If it all comes together for the Utah native, a Robin Ventura-like career arc is not out of the question. Outfield Dylan Crews (2023), RHH, LSU—The highest-rated prep to set foot on a college campus following the 2020 draft, Crews has been a star from day 1 since arriving in Baton Rouge. The 6-00/205 slugger has posted an Atariesque .356/.458/.677 slash line while striking out just 16.8% of the time and posting elite exit velocities (EVs). In addition to his offensive heroics, Crews plays an adequate CF and has a decent chance to remain there early in his pro career. Enrique Bradfielld Jr. (2023), LHH, Vanderbilt—The Kenny Lofton comps have come fast and furious and they’re not unjustified. Bradfield has top-shelf speed and covers more ground in CF than a late model Toro. At the plate he’s a line drive machine with a selective eye. Power will never be his strong suit, but he’s become much more adept at impacting the baseball since arriving in Nashville. He belted 8 HR his sophomore year after hitting just a sole dinger as a freshman. Vance Honeycutt (2024), RHH, North Carolina—With 25 HR and 29 SBs as a freshman last year, Honeycutt burst upon the scene as one of the most tooled up players in decades in college baseball. Honeycutt’s 90 strikeouts in 303 PA underscore the trouble he’s had with high velocity and he’ll have to remedy that to secure a top spot in the ’24 draft. His blazing speed and strong arm translate very well in CF. Designated Hitter Wyatt Langford (2023), RHH, Florida—Talk about rags to riches. A year ago this time, Langford was a little-known backup catcher but in the interim has developed into the thinking man’s early pick to go 1-01 in July. Langford tightened up his body and the result has been a noticeable burst in running speed and power. In 2022, the 6-01/215 power plant showcased a 93.9 MPH average EV with a 90th percentile EV of 110.6 MPH while producing impressive K-and BB-rates of 14.5 and 11.9 percent, respectively. And to add to the intrigue, he showed that he could play a strong CF last summer and fall. Starting Pitchers Chase Dollander (2023), RHP, Tennessee—Size, stuff, command, athleticism, easy delivery, and moxie—Dollander has it all and is considered by many to be the best college pitching prospect since Gerrit Cole. Dollander’s high 90’s heater has plenty of hop and great shape, while his slider is the best in the draft. He also throws an above average deuce and changeup—all of which he commands expertly from a perfectly synchronized pitching motion. An arm hasn’t gone 1-01 since Casey Mize in 2018, but that may change in 2023. Hurston Waldrep (2023), RHP, Florida—Waldrep is the crown jewel of Florida’s transfer class, and with his stuff it’s easy to see why. His electric fastball can approach the century mark and he’s able to miss plenty of bats with both a slider and curveball. And if you’re looking for more, he throws a viable splitter that should only get better. Waldrep’s power arsenal and muscular frame evoke comparisons to Ben Sheets. Rhett Lowder (2023), RHP, Wake Forest—With his long, flowing locks, Lowder doesn’t just look like MLB standout Mike Clevinger, he pitches like him too. Lowder is adept at inducing ground balls with his 92-95 MPH fastball and uses his fading mid-80’s changeup as his primary swing-and-miss offering. His slider also grades out as plus. Paul Skenes (2023), RHP, LSU—A two-way force who’s transferred from Air Force, Skenes will look to make his mark in the SEC. The 6-06/235 Skenes is all about fear and intimidation—he was up to 99 MPH with the heat in the fall and his high 80’s slider was toxic. He also revealed a changeup with good fade. For a guy as big as him, Skenes is well coordinated and has no problems repeating his delivery. Tanner Witt (2023), RHP, Texas—Don’t be shocked if Witt emerges as this year’s version of Cal Quantrill or Connor Prielipp—an uber-talented arm who underwent Tommy John surgery the prior year then shined in pre-draft workouts. Before going down, Witt demonstrated a full suite of power offerings to go along with enhanced command. He also boasts classic pitcher’s build with room to add on. Reliever Andrew Walters (2023), RHP, Miami—Walters turned down a deal with the Orioles last July to return to Miami, where his 17.1 K/9 rate made evident just how lethal his supersonic fastball/vicious slider combination are. 2nd Team Catcher Jared Dickey (2023), LHH, Tennessee—We realize this may be a bit of a stretch since Dickey only caught seven games last year and projects more as a corner OF at the next level. But we needed an excuse to include his potent bat! He has power to all fields as well as enough plate discipline to consistently post solid OBPs. While Dickey’s defense behind the dish is raw in all areas, he’d have enough range and arm strength to project as at least serviceable in RF. First Base Blake Burke (2024), LHH, Tennessee—The most unheralded player on either squad, Burke is known for the immense power he generates with his left-handed swing. Simply put, it’s easy juice. Burke crushes fastballs but has occasional trouble with breaking stuff. A former catcher, Burke’s lack of mobility will limit him to 1B. Second Base Tommy Troy (2023), RHH, Stanford—At 5-10/195, Troy isn’t the biggest specimen, but as his .339/.371/.568 slash line last season suggests, he is adept at barreling the baseball to all fields. He followed his success in Palo Alto with a banner campaign on the Cape. Although Troy may man the “6” for the Cardinal this spring, his future home will surely be 2B. Shortstop Jacob Wilson (2023), RHH, Grand Canyon—Jack’s son has displayed an uncanny eye and approach beyond his 20 years (just 7 Ks in 275 PAs last year), though his modest 86.2 MPH average EV means he’ll have to fill out his still slender 6-03/185 frame to maximize his potential. Wilson’s a smooth SS with sufficient range, soft hands, and an above average arm. Third Base Brock Wilken (2023), RHH, Wake Forest—Wilken may be the most divisive player in this year’s draft class. While some scouts cite the young slugger’s high EVs and howitzer arm and compare him to Braves star Austin Riley, others see his trouble with breaking stuff and lack of range when drawing comps to Bobby Dalbec. If Wilken makes better contact in ’23, he could assert himself as a potential Top 10 pick. Outfield Travis Honeyman (2023), RHH, Boston College—Like Shaw, Honeyman greatly enhanced his stock on the Cape, where he established himself as a multi-tooled dynamo capable of holding down a job in CF. After putting up a .329/.402/.506 effort with the Eagles, Honeyman upped the ante to the tune of .289/.400/.530 in the summer. He displayed top-of-the-line athleticism and received high marks for his ability to hit high-end pitching. Jack Hurley (2023), LHH, Virginia Tech—Much of Hurley’s draft stock this spring will hinge upon how well he shifts to CF. If it’s a seamless transition, Hurley could rocket up draft boards as his batted ball data are outstanding and he runs well. If Hurley’s offensive game does have a wart, it’s his tendency to occasionally chase outside the zone. Jackson Linn (2024), RHH, Tulane—Hailing from Boston, Linn was a late riser in the 2021 draft cycle and turned down big money from the Astros to attend Tulane. So far, it’s proven to be the right move as Linn has posted excellent EVs and established himself as one of the best college bats in the ’24 class. An excellent right fielder with a machine gun for an arm, Linn required Tommy John surgery towards the end of the 2022 season and may therefore spend most of ’23 as the Green Waves’ DH. Designated Hitter Tommy White (2024), RHH, LSU—"Tommy Tanks” took America by storm last spring as he swatted 27 homers as an NC State freshman. Now White will try to add to that success as an LSU Tiger. Like most young sluggers, White punishes fastball but has trouble with soft stuff down and away. His long-term defensive home will be 1B, as his range and arm at the hot corner are below average. Starting Pitchers Thatcher Hurd (2024), RHP, LSU—Hurd’s stellar freshman season at UCLA was interrupted by a back injury, but in the 34 innings he did throw for the Bruins, the 6-04/200 Californian showcased 1-01 upside. His heater, which can reach the mid-90’s, grades as plus, but his 3000 RPM slider is the pitch that will make him millions. Hurd’s curveball is also a plus, put-away pitch though his change is still a work in progress. Will Sanders (2023), RHP, South Carolina—Sanders is a long, lean righthander who conjures up memories of John Lackey because of his stature and effective fastball/slider/changeup mix. The latter is his best secondary offering. Cade Kuehler (2023), RHP, Campbell—The compactly built Kuehler has a mid-90’s fastball with top-shelf spin rates and a biting slider. His splitter isn’t on a par with his first two offerings but is still a usable third offering. Strong and well-conditioned, Kuehler can maintain his velocity deep into games. Hagen Smith (2024), LHP, Arkansas—Smith isn’t overpowering but employs a sharp four-pitch mix that plays up because of the deception in his delivery. He’ll also need to finetune his control—his BB/9 last season was 5.4. Teddy McGraw (2023), RHP, Wake Forest—A raw Northeast arm when he arrived on campus, McGraw has experienced some growing pains at Wake Forest, as evidenced by his 5.8 BB/9 rate. However, his improved control, mid-90’s fastball, and 2900 RPM slider have scouts predicting a mid-rotation upside for the New York native. Reliever Ryan Bruno (2023), LHP, Stanford—Bruno’s mid-90’s cheese and knee-buckling curve have produced an otherworldly 15.8% K-rate at Stanford, but his questionable command will likely keep him in the bullpen as he climbs the ladder. Thanks for stopping by! Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with all of our content!