Triantos hit .300/.345/.437 with seven home runs and 38 stolen bases in 89 games for Double-A Tennessee. 

James Triantos drives in Matt Shaw to tie the game! pic.twitter.com/g2w0ggsAS5

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 17, 2024

“You look at the run environment at Double-A this year, what he was doing is really impressive,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said.

“At his age to be hitting .300 at that level and not striking out, when you factor in the hitting environment, it’s really impressive numbers.”

The Cubs plan to continue exposing Triantos to different positions defensively. Drafted as a shortstop, he now claims second base as his primary position, while also seeing time in center field. Hoyer noted that it makes sense to move him around, citing Triantos’ athleticism.

Triantos’ bat has fueled his climb. He built off a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League last year, when he was named the league’s offensive player of the year.

A great understanding of the strike zone and a disciplined approach helps set up Triantos for success, highlighted by his 9.7% strikeout rate with the Smokies. He is still learning to tap into his power.

“I think the power often comes late,” Hoyer said. “A lot of that’s learning where to take your chances and when to do that. He hits the ball plenty hard.

“I do think he’s got really unique bat-to-ball skills and, eventually, I do think that will come with some power.”

“Obviously we have a very strong catching situation right now,” Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said, referring to all-star Will Smith, who signed a 10-year extension earlier this year.

Top #Dodgers prospect Dalton Rushing crushed his first two Pacific Coast League homers during last week's series against Las Vegas.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/N62eQxVKfH

— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) August 20, 2024

“(Rushing) is a really good athlete. He actually has really good foot speed for a catcher,” Gomes said. “Talking to our player development group, our scouting group: He’s played a little bit of first base. Do you think he can kick out to left field? Yeah, I actually do. I think he’d be okay there.

“So let’s see and keep it as an option. And maybe in the future he catches and plays left field, because the bat is special special.”

The move is “absolutely not” a sign that the Dodgers are giving up on Rushing as a catcher, Gomes said. Rushing was late to the position after playing behind Henry Davis at Louisville. But Gomes said he has developed his catching skills quickly since the Dodgers drafted him in the second round in 2022.

“It’s a great arm. He has the leadership quality of a catcher,” Gomes said. “He’s actually improved as a framer and a blocker. He’s a decent framer.”

More telling for Rushing’s future is not his position but how quickly the Dodgers determine he is ready to hit major league pitching.

“That was part of the reason for getting him to Triple-A and letting him continue to progress,” Gomes said. “He’s handled velocity. He’s handled lefthanded pitching. He’s kind of checked all the boxes at Double-A that we needed him to.”

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL

— Shortstop Alex Freeland also earned a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City in early August. The Dodgers’ 2022 third-rounder has progressed from High-A this season, hitting a combined 14 home runs in 109 games with an .833 OPS at three levels.

— The Dodgers reacquired outfielder Donovan Casey, signing him to a minor league contract after he batted .348 in 79 games for York of the independent Atlantic League. Casey, 28, was drafted by the Dodgers in 2017 and was one of four players—including Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz—sent to the Nationals in the July 2021 trade for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. Casey was called up by Washington in April 2022 but didn’t appear in a game and spent the season at Triple-A.

He was on pace to set new career highs for home runs and walks. His 165 strikeouts already were a new career high.

SPENCER JONES IS LOCKED IN

The second double of the day for the #Yankees No. 2 prospect is a two-run knock to extend the lead! pic.twitter.com/WMQ9FgMDJ7

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 4, 2024

“To Spencer’s credit, he has done a ton of work behind the scenes which the average person never sees or hears about,” Yankees hitting coordinator Joe Migliaccio said.

“With that being said, we’ve seen positive trends in his ability to control the strike zone month over month. Every hitter starts to learn over time that not all strikes are created equal, given their location, the hitter’s approach and difference in counts.”

With a focus on improved swing decisions, Jones was seeing more pitches per at-bat (4.2) than in previous years. He has worked through multiple, well-documented adjustments to his swing over the past 12 months, including lowering and then re-raising his hands in his stance.

“The ultimate goal is to get Spencer to a spot where he’s as consistent as he can be as often as he can be, which is true for all players as well,” Migliaccio said. 

“Certain objectives are more difficult than others, but what continues to be true about Spencer is the work that he’s doing behind the scenes to put himself in a position to be as consistent and repeatable as possible and that work is starting to show on a more consistent basis.”

Jones has been highly productive in spurts. He has won two Eastern League player of the week awards. His OPS since June 1 was .825; it was .641 before.

Jones remains largely mum on the mechanics of his swing, but he said he’s satisfied with once again turning his season around as he strives to become more consistent.

“I feel good this month,” Jones said. “There’s been a lot of conversation with coaches and teammates, just trying to get me back to hitting the ball hard and to recognize pitches as well as possible. 

“Just trying to keep things simple and play baseball.”

Tony Blanco Jr., OF, Pirates

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 112.3 mph (100th Percentile)

Blanco’s name is likely to be met with a steady dose of “Who?” But there’s no one 21 or under in the minor leagues who hits the ball as hard as Blanco. The son of former MLB player and four-time Nippon Professional Baseball all-star Tony Blanco, Jr. hit .305/.385/.505 in his stateside debut in the Florida Complex League in 2024. Raw power is Blanco’s calling card, as he reached a max exit velocity of 117.5 mph this season. The downside is Blanco’s contact rates sit in the bottom 15 percentile to go with just average swing decisions. With plus power, bat speed and ball flight, any improvements to Blanco’s contact could yield serious results. 

Benny Montgomery, OF, Rockies 

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 110.4 mph (100th Percentile)

It’s been a rough entry into pro ball for Montgomery, who has struggled to find consistency and health over the last three seasons. Earlier this year Montgomery, looked like he might be hitting his stride until suffering a left shoulder injury that required surgery. While Montgomery’s plate skills are still poor—he ranks in the bottom 10% in both miss and chase rates—his exit velocity data is outstanding. We’re playing with very small samples sizes here, as Montgomery only played in 11 games this season. That said, few players in the game are as tooled up and athletic as Montgomery. When your athletic testing and raw power metrics break the scale, it gets easier to dismiss really concerning bat-to-ball and swing decisions. Montgomery possesses a big power and speed upside, but his plate skills and injury history leave many weary. 

Jac Caglianone, 1B, Royals

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 110.3 mph (100th Percentile)

This should come as no surprise to anyone who follows college baseball or the draft, as Caglianone’s power exploits at Florida were well documented. While Jac’s bottom 10th percentile swing decisions still plague him, his early returns in pro ball show his power isn’t slowing down with the switch to a wood bat. In just 13 games as a professional, Caglianone has already hit a ball 114 mph while displaying 75th percentile zone contact rates. His angles have been less outstanding, as his line drive+flyball rate is in the bottom 15% of players 21 or younger. This offseason, Caglianone must focus on improving his swing decisions and optimizing his batted ball angles on hard contact. Lord knows he makes plenty of it. 

Robert Calaz, OF, Rockies

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 109.5 mph (100th Percentile) 

The Rockies have scouted the international market as well as anyone in recent years, and Calaz is their most recent IFA product. The slugger made his stateside debut in the Arizona Complex League this season hitting .349/.462/.651 with 10 home runs. Calaz led the ACL in home runs, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Despite contact and chase rates that rank in the bottom 30th percentile, Calaz was productive due to outstanding power and the ability to elevate on his best struck drives. Calaz’s .415 xwOBAcon ranks in the 97th percentile, pointing to his elite power and angles on contact. If Calaz can improve his bat-to-ball skills and swing decisions, it’s not hyperbole to state there is 40 home run power lurking. 

Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 109.4 mph (100th Percentile) 

Our second 2024 draftee featured in this article after Caglianone, Kurtz has had arguably the best debut in pro ball of any 2024 first rounder. Kurtz went 10-for-25 over seven games with Low-A Stockton before earning promotion to Double-A Midland where’s he reached base four times over his first two games with the RockHounds. Kurtz has one of the better combination of advanced plate skills and power in minor leagues and could move to the major leagues quickly. His contact rates are in the top 80% while his chase rate isn’t far off, either, ranking in the top 76th percentile. Kurtz, however, isn’t here due to his plate skills—it’s his outstanding power. In a small professional sample, Kurtz’s xwOBAcon, 90th percentile exit velocity, max EV and hard-hit rate all rank on the top five percent of hitters. In a season where excitement is in short supply in Oakland, Kurtz brings hope. 

Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins 

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 109.3 mph (100th Percentile)

Unfortunately, injuries robbed us of another full season of Rodriguez, as he’s been limited to just 39 games. He remains on the injured list due to a right thumb strain, but when Rodrigues in the lineup it’s hard to argue with the production, as he hit .298/.479/.621 over 37 games with Double-A Wichita. He’s one of the most well rounded prospects in the game, making an impact on both sides of the ball. While you could argue Rodriguez elite on-base ability is his most outstanding tool, his power metrics rate just as highly. Rodriguez’s 90th percentile exit velocity, max EV, xwOBAcon and hard-hit rate all rank in the 98th percentile or higher. With great power, plate discipline and batted ball angles, Rodriguez is a picture-perfect modern archetype hitter. 

Elijah Green, OF, Nationals 

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 109 mph (100th Percentile) 

Let’s just get this out of the way: The bat-to-ball ability is bad. Green has run a 40%+ strikeout rate over his first two full seasons of full season play, and his contact rates are in the bottom five percent despite fringe-average swing decisions. This is a limiting factor for Green’s power, which on its face is elite. Green’s max EV of 116 mph and 45.8% hard-hit rate rank among the top five percent, but it’s a real question if he gets to it consistently due to his penchant for whiffs. 

Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B, Marlins

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 108.9 mph (99th Percentile)

The least shocking name as far as inclusion on this list has to be De Los Santos, who’s currently leading all of MiLB in home runs with 35. Acquired by the Marlins at the deadline from the Diamondbacks, De Los Santos also spent some time this spring with the Guardians organization after being selected in the 2023 Rule 5 draft. Now settled with the Marlins, De Los Santos is one of the best young power hitters in the minors. Despite a bottom 2% chase rate and contact that rates in the bottom third of the minors, De Los Santos has only struck out at a rate of 23.8% in 2024 across all levels. His power metrics are outstanding, as De Los Santos ranks in the top 1% in 90th percentile exit velocity, max EV and xwOBAcon. Plate skills questions will likely make for a rough entry into the major leagues, but incremental improvements in that area could lead to loud results one day. 

Christian Moore, SS, Angels

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 108.5 mph (99th Percentile)

Duking it out with Nick Kurtz for the best professional debut among first rounders, Moore is off to an early lead. The Angels’ first rounder has hit .357/.410/.661 with five home runs over his first 14 Double-A games. While there’s been some concerning swing-and-miss early, Moore has shown a knack for finding the barrel and doing damage, as his xwOBAcon, 90th percentile exit velocity and hard hit rate all rank in the top 1%. His ability to find the barrel puts him in elite company for barrel rate, and it has led to elite production early. Moore’s power is major league-ready, but his swing-and-miss at Double-A, particularly in-zone, will perhaps delay his ETA. 

Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox 

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 108.5 mph (99th percentile)

Recently promoted to Triple-A Worcester, Anthony is the best power prospect among the Red Sox’s top four position prospects, as his raw power output exceeds anything Marcelo Mayer, Kyle Teel or Kristian Campbell can rival. Anthony is the most well-rounded hitter on this list, too, as his contact and chase numbers all rate in the top 60th percentile or better. Still, Anthony’s power is his calling card, with his 90th percentile exit velocity, max EV, hard hit rate and bat speed all ranking within the top 1%. The biggest limiting factor to Anthony developing into a plus power hitting corner outfielder is fringe-average ball flight metrics. Small tweaks to his swing path could unlock even more power from Anthony. 

Zyhir Hope, OF, Dodgers

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 108.5 mph (99th Percentile)

Acquired by the Dodgers this past offseason in the trade that sent Michael Busch to the Cubs, Hope is one of the highest-upside power bats in the minor leagues. He got off to a hot start to begin the season before missing time with a shoulder injury. Since returning to the Rancho Cucamonga lineup on July 27th, Hope has hit .276/.415/.461 with six extra base hits. While Hope’s numbers are strong for a 19-year-old at a full-season level, his power numbers are outstanding. Hope’s xwOBAcon, 90th percentile exit velocity, max EV, hard-hit rate and xwOBA all rate within the top 10% among hitters 21 years of age or younger. When you factor in Hope’s 88th percentile chase rate and 79th percentile zone contact, you have a really exciting young player. The shoulder injury likely depressed some of Hope’s helium, but he’s an exciting player to dream on in the coming years. 

Thayron Liranzo, C, Tigers 

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 108.2 mph (99th percentile)

A switch-hitting catcher with elite power is like a unicorn, but the Tigers may have acquired just that in Liranzo at this year’s trade deadline. While Liranzo failed to meet expectations early this season with High-A Great Lakes, the move across the Midwest League to West Michigan has seen him flourish, hitting .396/.547/.771 with four home runs over his first 15 games post-trade. Liranzo has excellent swing decisions. He ranks in the top 20% in chase rate and fringe-average contact, and it’s enough to get to his easy plus raw power. Liranzo rates within the the top 10th percentile in xwOBAcon, 90th percentile exit velocity, max EV, hard-hit rate and barrel rate for players 21 or younger. Some present swing-and=miss is a concern, and the track record of switch-hitters taking longer to develop may worry some, but it’s tough to find another young switch-hitter with this type of power. 

Xavier Isaac, 1B, Rays 

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 108.1 mph (99th Percentile)

Like many on this list, Issac is a contact quality standout with production to match. He has hit .272/.372/.510 with 17 home runs across High-A and Double-A in 2024 as a 20-year-old. Though Isaac has shown bottom 10th percentile contact this season, his swing decisions grade as average and have allowed him to consistently attack the right pitches to do damage. His 90th percentile exit velocity, max exit velocity, xwOBAcon, line drive+flyball rate, hard-hit rate and barrel rate all rank within the top five percent of players 21 years of age or younger. The hulking Isaac’s ability to consistently get to his raw power in games makes him a potential 40-home run threat in the future. 

George Wolkow, OF, White Sox 

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 108.1 mph (99th Percentile) 

The gargantuan Wolkow stands 6-foot-7, 239 pound and is one of the more fascinating prospects in the lower minors at present. Despite substantial swing-and-miss issues—Wolkow ranks in the bottom five percent in miss and zone-miss—the outfielder has managed to stay productive. Across two levels, Wolkow has slashed .265/.370/.480 with 29 extra base hits despite a 40.7% strikeout rate. The reason Wolkow has managed to stay productive despite bottom of the barrel contact is his power. Wolkow’s 90th percentile and maximum exit velocity both rank in the top three percent, while his xwOBAcon, hard-hit rate and barrel rate all rank within the top 10%. Whether or not Wolkow can ultimately make enough contact at the higher levels will determine his ultimate role. 

Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles

90th Percentile Exit Velocity: 106.7 mph (98th Percentile) 

There were about a dozen hitters I skipped over in 90th percentile exit velocity rankings to discuss Basallo, but for good reason: None of the players between Wolkow and Basallo have the same kind of outstanding production as a professional that Basallo does. After dealing with injuries throughout the season, Basallo has still managed to hit .283/.348/.452 with 15 home runs this season. Despite being only 19 years olf for a majority of the season, Basallo has been 26% better than the average Eastern League hitter, and his power metrics rank even higher. Basallo rates within the 98th percentile for 90% and max exit velocity, hard-hit rate and bat speed, while his xwOBAcon and barrel rate rank within the top 15% of players 21 years of age or younger. Though the hype may have died down slightly, it’s all systems go on Basallo.

1. Aiva Arquette, 2B, Washington

New school: Oregon State

Arquette entered the portal in the wake of former head coach Jason Kelly taking the pitching coach job at Texas A&M. Arquette broke out this spring and hit .325/.384/.574 with 14 doubles, 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. The lengthy middle infielder has above-average raw power that he was able to tap into this season, and he was one of the more highly coveted underclass bats in the portal.

2. Daniel Dickinson, 2B, Utah Valley

New school: LSU

Dickinson hopped in the portal after a career year in which he hit .367/.469/.661 with 14 doubles, 18 home runs, 53 RBIs and 32 stolen bases in 58 games. On top of being an all-WAC first team selection, Dickinson was most recently named a third team all-American. He has a hitterish look in the box with advanced feel to hit and sound pitch recognition skills. His baseball sense is also outstanding. Dickinson has a legit middle infielder body at 6-foot-1 and 195-pounds, and will anchor the middle of the field—and lineup—for LSU in 2025.

3. Gavin Kilen, SS, Louisville

New school: Tennessee 

It was a bit of a surprise when Kilen decided to transfer at the end of the season. He had been an everyday player for the Cardinals since stepping onto campus as a freshman and started at shortstop this spring. Kilen enjoyed the most productive season of his college career to the tune of a .330/.361/.591 slash line with 23 doubles, nine home runs and 41 RBIs. Kilen has a hitterish look in the box with a compact swing and quick hands. He also has plus feel for the barrel. 

4. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, UC San Diego

New school: LSU

Eyanson was a last-minute—but massive—addition to the transfer portal. The 6-foot-2 righthander is fresh off an excellent spring in which he worked a 3.07 ERA with 85 strikeouts to 24 walks in 82 innings. He had a strong six-inning stint where he allowed just two earned runs in the Cape League before heading off to Team USA. Eyanson has an impressive arsenal that features a low-90s fastball—it’s been up to 97 mph this summer—and two distinct breaking balls in a big, mid-70s curveball with some teeth and a shorter low-80s slider. The key for Eyanson going forward will be optimizing his fastball shape. A no-doubt starter at the next level, Eyanson had big-time suitors and has top-two round upside in next year’s draft.

5. Cade Fisher, LHP, Florida

New school: Auburn

Following a standout freshman campaign, Fisher didn’t quite have the same success as he did in 2023 to the tune of a 7.13 ERA. However, he did accumulate 76 strikeouts against 29 walks in his 59.1 innings and was still one of the most highly coveted arms in the portal. From a lower slot, Fisher’s fastball has been up to 98 with some natural armside run, a pitch he supplements with a long, low-80s slider. Expect him to headline Auburn’s rotation in 2025. 

6. Andrew Fischer, 3B, Ole Miss

New school: Tennessee

Fischer entered the portal for the second time in as many seasons. A physical corner infielder, Fischer had a successful season in Oxford hitting .285/.397/.643 with 10 doubles, 20 home runs and 57 RBIs. He does not get cheated in the box, and deploys a high-effort swing with no shortage of bat speed and power to the pull side. He has the arm strength to handle third base collegiately, but the actions might fit best over at first long term. Fischer is a power-over-hit profile right now. 

7. Easton Winfield, OF, Louisiana-Monroe

New school: Texas

Winfield’s decision to enter the portal was unsurprising given the nature of today’s college baseball. He put together a fantastic freshman season hitting .332/.414/.546 with eight doubles, 10 home runs and 40 RBIs and was a mainstay in the Warhawks’ lineup. Winfield has a strong, explosive operation with plus hand speed, present impact and above-average power to the pull side. He also consistently turned in plus run times. His skill set enables him to impact the game in a myriad of ways.

8. Deven Sheerin, RHP, Mount St. Mary’s

New school: LSU

Sheerin is the pitching version of Easton Winfield. He was under-recruited in high school, ended up at a smaller program and made a big name for himself as a freshman. Sheerin this spring pitched his way to a 4.76 ERA with an impressive 109 strikeouts to 32 walks across 70 innings. He has a workhorse frame at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, and possesses a thunderous fastball-slider combination. Sheerin’s fastball has been up to 97 with carry through the zone and worked a 35% miss rate. His mid-80s power slider routinely flashed sharp, two-plane tilt and generated a 40% miss rate. He is also a bulldog on the mound. 

9. Landon Beidelschies, LHP, Ohio State

New school: Arkansas

Beidelschies was another somewhat surprising name to hit the portal. After pitching out of the bullpen as a freshman, Beidelschies this spring headlined the Buckeyes’ rotation and worked a 4.15 ERA with 91 strikeouts to 31 walks in 84.2 innings. His fastball sits 92-95, but has been up to 98 and is most effective in the top half of the zone. Beidelschies supplements his heater with an above-average gyro slider and a changeup that is an effective third pitch against righthanded hitters. 

10. Blake Cyr, 2B, Miami

New school: Florida

Cyr entered the portal after an up-and-down 2024 in which he dealt with his fair share of injuries. While he played just 25 games and likely wasn’t 100% for most—if not all—of them, Cyr was still a rather productive hitter and had 10 extra-base hits and 21 RBIs. However as a freshman, he lit the world on fire and posted a .305/.427/.620 slash line with 12 doubles, 17 home runs and 63 RBIs. Cyr plays with an infectious energy and swagger, has a tantalizing toolset—especially offensively—packed into his 5-foot-11 frame and will be a high-impact player next spring for the Gators.

11. Myles Patton, LHP, Long Beach State

New school: Texas A&M

Patton tore up the California Collegiate League last summer to the tune of a 1.11 ERA with 48 strikeouts to just 10 walks across 32.1 total innings. He carried that success over to this spring and pitched his way to a 3.26 ERA with 85 strikeouts against 26 walks in 66.1 innings. Patton’s low-90s four-seamer plays up given its life through the zone. He also mixes in an above-average slider and a budding changeup. There’s a lot to like considering he’s an advanced strike-thrower with sneaky stuff and moves well on the mound as an athletic lefty. He’s a major get for Texas A&M. 

12. Ryan Black, 2B, Texas-Arlington

New school: Georgia

Making his way to Athens by way of Texas-Arlington, Black was a big-time pickup for the Bulldogs. Don’t let his somewhat modest season fool you, the 6-foot-1 infielder has tools and will be a name to follow closely throughout the 2025 draft cycle. Black has a strong swing with above-average bat speed and quickness in his hands, and flashes some pop to the pull side. He has an advanced approach with polished swing decisions, but his calling card is his contact ability. Black this spring boasted a ridiculous 95% in-zone contact rate, including 96% against fastballs. I’m excited to watch him take his game to the next level in Athens.

13. Zach Root, LHP, East Carolina

New school: Arkansas

Root was perhaps the most notable East Carolian transfer amid a mass exodus from Greenville. He was expected to slide into the Friday starter role next season in the wake of Trey Yesavage’s departure to the draft. Root pitched exclusively out of the rotation as a sophomore and posted a 3.56 ERA to go along with 76 strikeouts to just 21 walks across 68.1 innings. Root’s secondaries are his calling card. His plus changeup gets solid separation off his fastball and flashes ample fade and late tumble. His above-average slider—especially against lefthanded hitters—is long and sweepy with a bit of depth. Root is a major splash for Arkansas. 

14. Bristol Carter, OF, East Carolina

New school: Auburn

Carter arrived on campus as a highly regarded player and earned East Carolina’s starting center fielder job coming out of fall camp. He had plenty of success in year one and finished the year hitting .346/.406/.440 with 10 extra-base hits and 31 RBIs in 56 games. In the box, Carter takes a direct path to contact and has no shortage of bat speed with present barrel skills. He is a dynamic athlete who is a plus runner. His routes in the outfield at times lack polish but he can really go and get it in center field. Expect him to hit in the top third of Auburn’s lineup next year. 

15. Tommy LaPour, RHP, Wichita State

New school: TCU

LaPour is a little bit in the mold of new LSU righty Deven Sheerin. He’s a strong-bodied righthander with serious arm talent. His fastball has been up to 97 and plays well in the top half of the zone, where it is most effective—and generates the most swing-and-miss—given its riding life. LaPour’s slider flashed plus with both depth and sweep, and has the makings of a potential out pitch down the road. I am really excited to see how his changeup progresses wherever he ends up. It is a little firm right now, but he throws it with conviction and it flashed plus at times this season with fade to the arm side and late tumble.

16. Ethan Conrad, OF, Marist

New school: Wake Forest

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound outfielder arrives at Wake Forest by way of Marist, where he enjoyed a standout two-year career. In the wake of a strong 2023 campaign, Conrad this spring hit .389/.467/.704 with 18 doubles, a nation-leading 13 triples, nine home runs and 52 RBIs in 55 games. On top of his above-average power, Conrad has advanced contact skills to the tune of a 91% overall in-zone contact rate. He projects to slot into the middle of the Demon Deacons’ lineup and figures to make an immediate impact.

17. Jacob Mayers, RHP, Nicholls

New school: LSU

Mayers burst onto the scene as a true freshman and posted a 2.02 ERA with a whopping 105 strikeouts in 75.2 innings. He backed up a little bit this spring, but still enjoyed a solid season to the tune of a 4.58 ERA with 106 strikeouts to 76 walks across 70.2 innings. Command and control have always been an issue for the 6-foot-5 Mayers, but there is no denying the pure stuff. He relies heavily on his thunderous fastball, a pitch he threw 91% of the time this spring, but for good reason. On top of being up to 97, it has serious carry through the zone and generates plenty of whiffs. Mayers supplements his heater with a seldom-used gyro slider. 

18. Kane Kepley, OF, Liberty

New school: North Carolina

Kepley entered the portal after it initially closed because of coaching changes at Liberty. He was immediately one of the most sought-after position players. The 5-foot-8 outfielder has a skill set that is very similar to current Guardians prospect and former Wake Forest outfielder Tommy Hawke. Kepley is a bat-to-ball specialist with an excellent approach. It is without a doubt a hit-over-power profile, but he has a little bit of thump to the pull side. Kepley is a plus runner with good base-stealing acumen, which helps the tool play up.

19. Cody Bowker, RHP, Georgetown

New school: Vanderbilt

Bowker will go down as an under-the-radar, yet huge pickup for Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-1 righthander projects to slot into the Commodores’ weekend rotation after two successful seasons at Georgetown in which he compiled a 2.80 ERA with 106 strikeouts to 45 walks across 90 innings. Bowker possesses an intriguing combination of strikes and stuff, headlined by a sweeping slider. He has a true five-pitch mix and profiles as an eventual day two selection in next July’s draft.

20. Liam Doyle, LHP, Ole Miss

New school: Tennessee

Not only did Doyle join teammate Andrew Fischer in the portal, but he also decided to accompany him to Knoxville. Doyle showed well during his lone season at Oxford, working a 5.73 ERA with 84 strikeouts to 21 walks in 55 innings. Doyle has an explosive delivery with no shortage of arm speed, and his best offering is his 92-95 mph fastball that touches 97 with great shape. His low-80s slider looked like more of a bat-misser this spring, and it flashed plus potential with tight sweeping action.

21. Evan Chrest, RHP, Jacksonville

New school: Florida State

Chrest took a step back after an excellent freshman season in which he took home Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year honors after posting a 2.58 ERA with 98 strikeouts to 36 walks across 90.2 innings. However, he did not have the same success this spring as his ERA inflated to 6.82 and got hit around a little bit. After the end of Jacksonville’s season, Chrest entered his name into the transfer portal and swiftly committed to Florida State. Chrest’s fastball has been up to 95 and is at its best when located down in the zone, where it flashes some running and sinking life. His high-spin, sweeping slider is an above-average pitch, and Chrest rounds out his arsenal with a similarly effective changeup.

22. Chandler Dorsey, RHP, South Florida

New school: LSU

Dorsey was excellent this spring for South Florida. He also had a dominant three-game stint on the Cape for Hyannis in which he didn’t allow a run and struck out 13 in 8.1 innings. His fastball has been up to 97 with riding life to go along with an above-average slider, but his best pitch is a plus cutter. Dorsey will be a big-time weapon for the Tigers regardless of whether he pitches out of the bullpen or in the rotation. 

23. Zac Cowan, RHP, Wofford

New school: LSU

Cowan is a personal favorite of mine–not necessarily from a prospect standpoint, but because he is an old school type of pitcher in today’s game. After posting a ridiculous strikeout-to-walk ratio of 54-to-3 in his freshman season, Cowan excelled this spring to the tune of a 3.35 ERA with 124 strikeouts to only 29 walks across a whopping 110 innings. The rising junior has pinpoint command and control of his entire arsenal, headlined by his high-70s plus changeup. Cowan has shown the impressive ability to pitch off his “cambio,” an offering he supplements with a low-90s fastball and an effective gyro slider. An old school strike-thrower and innings eater, Cowan will look to carry his success into the SEC.

24. Wyatt Henseler, 3B, Pennsylvania

New school: Texas A&M

Since the Ivy League does not allow for fifth-years athletically, Henseler has been committed to the Aggies since late this fall. He enjoyed an outstanding four-year career at Pennsylvania, headlined by a monster 2024 season in which he took home Ivy League Player of the Year honors after hitting .360/.465/.755 with nine doubles, an Ivy League single-season record 22 home runs and 56 RBIs in 49 games. Henseler has shown the ability to drive the baseball with authority to all fields. He is also an impact defender at third base where he has plenty of arm strength. He withdrew his name from this year’s draft, reaffirming his strong commitment to the Aggies.

25. Gavin Kash, 1B, Texas Tech

New school: Texas A&M

Kash entered the portal for the second time in three seasons after a productive two-year tenure at Texas Tech in which he hit 29 doubles, 41 home runs and drove in 135 runs across 120 games. It is without a doubt a power-over-hit profile for Kash, who has impressive juice to the pull side. Despite considerable draft interest, Kash instead opted to return to college baseball and will now head to the SEC. 

26. Camden Kozeal, 2B, Vanderbilt

New school: Arkansas

It was a bit of a surprise when Kozeal hit the portal, given he was a stalwart in Vanderbilt’s lineup this year. Kozeal regularly started for Tim Corbin and showed well to the tune of a .284/.349/.439 slash line with 13 extra-base hits and 28 RBIs. He has a compact, line drive-oriented swing with plenty of bat speed and a present feel for the barrel. Kozeal is a hit-over-power profile, but he does possess some impact and has shown the ability to drive the baseball to either gap. He joined a loaded transfer class for the Razorbacks.

27. Henry Kaczmar, SS, Ohio State

New school: South Carolina

In the wake of the departure of former head man Bill Mosiello, it wasn’t all that surprising to see a number of Buckeyes enter the portal. On top of staff ace Landon Beidelschies–who committed to Arkansas–Kaczmar also announced his intention to transfer. The 5-foot-10 shortstop played every day in the six-hole this spring for Ohio State and hit .320/.417/.476 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 36 RBIs. A draft-eligible sophomore, Kaczmar could’ve signed this July. Instead, he’ll be Paul Mainieri’s everyday shortstop at South Carolina. 

28. Daniel Jackson, C, Wofford

New school: Georgia

Jackson enjoyed a fantastic freshman campaign, hitting .358/.460/.599 with 10 doubles, 12 home runs and 69 RBIs. He took home SoCon Freshman of the Year honors and it was a little surprising to see him hit the portal. Jackson promptly committed to Georgia–who had an excellent portal season–and should be the Bulldogs’ everyday backstop next spring with the departure of Fernando Gonzalez.

29. Brady Neal, C, LSU

New school: Alabama

Though he split time behind the plate this spring, it was a bit of a surprise to see Neal enter the portal. He hit a respectable .276/.409/.578 with eight doubles, nine home runs and 31 RBIs, and seemed destined to play behind the plate every day in 2025. Neal will provide some thump with his bat as well as advanced defensive acumen for Alabama. 

30. Luke Gaffney, 1B, Purdue

New school: Clemson

After redshirting in his true freshman season, Gaffney exploded onto the scene this spring to the tune of a .359/.449/.646 slash line with 15 doubles, 13 home runs and 64 RBIs. He was named the Big Ten’s freshman of the year for his performance and subsequently entered the portal. Gaffney carried that over to a hot start on the Cape and ultimately hit .276 with a homer and 15 RBIs through 29 games for Falmouth. He has impressive power to the back side and will be a high-impact, middle-of-the-order bat for someone next spring.

31. Connor Harrison, C, St. Mary’s

New school: Texas A&M

Harrison made an immediate impact as a freshman catcher and entered the portal after posting a great year for the Gaels in which he hit .322/.410/.541 with 16 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs in 43 games. For now, the 6-foot-3 Harrison is a bat-first catcher, but he figures to continue to gain polish with additional experience. He was a highly sought-after target for a number of schools. 

32. Luis Hernandez, 1B, Indiana State

New school: LSU

Following a solid 2023 campaign, Hernandez exploded in 2024 and hit .359/.421/.694 with 14 doubles, 23 home runs and 76 RBIs in 59 games en route to a first team all-MVC selection. Hernandez was a heavily sought-after bat in the portal, but eventually settled on LSU. He’ll need to prove his hit tool will translate to the SEC, but Hernandez has plenty of power to the pull side and will be a valuable piece next spring for the Tigers.

33. Charles Davalan, OF, Florida Gulf Coast

New school: Arkansas

Davalan heads to Arkansas by way of Florida Gulf Coast, where he had a productive freshman season in which he hit .288/.413/.514 with 16 doubles, 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. The rising sophomore has no shortage of tools packed into his compact 5-foot-10 frame and he can impact the game in a myriad of ways. Davalan has some thump to the pull side, is an effective baserunner and also boasts a plus arm in the outfield. He can hold down either right or center field, but could hold his own at second base in a pinch.

34. Dalton Beck, OF, Incarnate Word

New school: LSU

Beck saw incredibly limited playing time as a freshman at Kansas State, but he exploded this spring at Incarnate Word and took home the Southland Conference’s Newcomer of the Year award after hitting .377/.434/.716 with 20 doubles, 18 home runs and 67 RBIs in 57 games. Beck has a powerful lefthanded swing and can drive the baseball all over the yard, which will give him an opportunity to be a stalwart within the Tigers’ lineup this season.

35. Grant Cunningham, RHP, Washington

New school: Texas A&M

Cunningham was excellent this spring for the Huskies, pitching his way to a 2.86 ERA with 56 strikeouts against just 16 walks across 50.1 innings. He decided to follow his former head coach Jason Kelly—who recently took the pitching coach job at Texas A&M—to College Station, where he will be a regular in the Aggies’ bullpen. An advanced strike-thrower, Cunningham’s trademark “invisiball” fastball has been up to 95 with plenty of life at the top of the zone. He threw it 84% of the time this spring, but he supplemented it with an effective sweeping slider that averaged over 14 inches of sweep.

36. Josiah Ragsdale, OF, Iona

New school: Boston College

Ragsdale is perhaps Boston College’s best addition in the transfer portal era. The toolsy outfielder this season hit .385/.470/.646 for the Gaels and then proceeded to enjoy an all-star summer in the New England Collegiate League. Ragsdale boasts an exciting skill set that enables him to impact the game in a myriad of ways, and he figures to be a difference-maker this spring in Chestnut Hill.

37. Nathan Hall, OF, Clemson

New school: South Carolina

Hall logged just 22 at-bats this spring for Clemson, but exploded on the Cape to the tune of a .333/.400/.413 slash line with seven RBIs and seven stolen bases. He fits the definition of a “toolshed” to a tee, and there is borderline top-five round draft upside. Hall can backspin the baseball with ease and authority to all fields, boasts an at least average arm in right field and is an above-average runner once underway. Look for him to earn a starting role this spring in Columbia where he has a chance to take the SEC by storm.

38. Mike Mancini, 2B, James Madison

New school: Vanderbilt

After the departure of Camden Kozeal, it didn’t take long for coach Tim Corbin and company to find another high-quality infielder. Mancini this spring hit .329/.419/.587 with 10 doubles, 15 home runs, 49 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. He has a hitterish look in the box with some quickness in his hands and an advanced feel for the barrel. Mancini tapped into more power this spring, and he most notably hit four home runs in one day—across two games—in the Raleigh Regional. He is a plus runner, handles himself well at second base and projects to hit at or near the top of the order for the Commodores.

39. Kyle Walker, 2B, Grambling State

New school: Arizona State

Walker this spring posted a career-best slash line of .384/.508/.611 to go along with 11 doubles, 11 home runs and a career-high 43 RBIs. The junior second baseman packs an intriguing skill set and figures to thrive in the offense-oriented environment of Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

40. Jason Torres, 1B, Miami (FL)

New school: Alabama

Though he logged just 36 at-bats in 2023 as a freshman, Torres made the most of his limited opportunities and went 17-for-36 with seven extra-base hits. While an injury derailed his 2024 season, Torres was again a force in the Hurricanes’ lineup and hit .331/.385/.529 with 15 extra-base hits–including eight home runs–and 32 RBIs in 39 games. An offensive-minded first baseman, Torres figures to provide plenty of thump to the middle of the Crimson Tide’s order.

41. Nick Groves, OF, Niagara

New school: Illinois

Groves is one of the most intriguing players on this ranking. After hitting .326/.448/.460 with 18 extra-base hits, 38 RBIs and 19 stolen bases this spring, he proceeded to hit .364/.512/.394 with 14 RBIs and 10 stolen bases across 24 games on the Cape with Hyannis. Groves has comfortably plus bat-to-ball skills to go along with a mature approach, but he is also a plus runner who maximizes his effectiveness on the basepaths. Simply put, he is a nightmare for opposing teams to deal with. Groves projects as the perfect table-setter this spring for the Fighting Illini.

42. Logan Lunceford, RHP, Missouri

New school: Wake Forest

Lunceford struggled at times this season at Missouri, but he thrived on the Cape where he pitched his way to a 1.80 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 10 innings. Lunceford’s fastball has been up to 94 with life at the top of the zone, but he also features a big mid-70s curveball, an effective slider and a changeup that is closer to a 70 than it is a 60 on the 20-80 scale. Between his stuff with the Wake Forest pitching lab and development chops, the ingredients are present for a potential big-time starter in the ACC.

43. Jason Reitz, RHP, St. Mary’s

New school: Oregon

Though his 6.00 ERA doesn’t jump off the page, Reitz this spring punched out 65 hitters across 48 innings. The 6-foot-9 righthander also showed flashes this summer on the Cape, as across 15.2 innings between Yarmouth-Dennis and Hyannis he worked a 2.30 ERA with 13 strikeouts. Unsurprisingly, Reitz gets plenty of extension which allows his entire arsenal—but especially his fastball—to play up. Not only is he a mighty intriguing draft prospect, but he also projects to earn a spot within Oregon’s weekend rotation.

44. Brennyn Cutts, RHP, Indiana State

New school: Louisville

Cutts was the anchor of Indiana State’s pitching staff this spring and worked a 3.69 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 83 innings. He was named the Missouri Valley’s Pitcher of the Year and promptly entered the transfer portal, where he eventually committed to Louisville. Cutts’ heater sits in the low 90s, but has been up to 95 with some life at the top of the zone. He pairs his fastball with an effective slider that this season generated a 30% miss rate. Cutts projects to pitch in the Cardinals’ weekend rotation next season.

45. Ethan Mendoza, 2B, Arizona State

New school: Texas

Mendoza burst onto the scene this spring for Arizona State and hit .315/.367/.443 with 17 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs. He earned the starting job at second base—where he can pick it—after a strong fall season and never looked back. He will now don the burnt orange this spring for his home school. Just like he did for the Sun Devils, Mendoza figures to again start at second base for the Longhorns.

46. Colby Turner, 3B, San Diego State

New school: Michigan

Turner was a big-time get for Michigan this transfer cycle and will be a high-impact, middle-of-the-order bat this spring for the Maize and Blue. As a freshman at San Diego State, Turner slashed .361/.417/.582 with 15 extra-base hits and 30 RBIs in 34 games. He is very much an offense-first profile, but he has the ability to be one of the better hitters in the Big Ten.

47. Noah Sullivan, RHP/DH, South Carolina Upstate

New school: Mississippi State

Sullivan will be a key contributor for the Bulldogs on both sides of the baseball next spring, and he is fresh off a career year for the Spartans in which he hit .324/.453/.613 with 27 extra-base hits—including 17 home runs—and pitched his way to a 4.88 ERA with a career-high 51 strikeouts in 75.2 innings. 

48. Bobby Boser, INF, South Florida

New school: Florida

It was a bit of a surprise to see Boser go undrafted, but he’s a high-quality addition for the Gators. Following another strong season at South Florida, Boser had an excellent 21-game stint this summer on the Cape in which he hit .319/.443/.486 with eight extra-base hits. Boser has an exciting set of tools and no matter where he ends up for the 2025 season, he figures to be an impact player for Florida.

49. Ryland Zaborowski, 3B/OF, Miami (OH)

New school: Georgia

Georgia has put together one of the most impressive transfer hauls of any school, and Zaborowski was a quality get for the Bulldogs early on in the cycle. The towering 6-foot-6, 235-pound third baseman is fresh off a career season for Miami (Ohio) in which he hit .305/.421/.532 with 13 doubles, 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. Zaborowski has plus raw power; the key is having it translate consistently to games. Playing at the hitter-friendly ballpark that is Foley Field will help in that regard. Expect Zaborowski to be a regular in Georgia’s starting nine next season.

50. Jimmy Keenan, C, St. John’s

New school: Wake Forest

Following an impressive freshman season in which he hit .343/.439/.628, Keenan picked up right where he left off this spring to the tune of a .335/.403/.615 slash line with 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 57 RBIs. Keenan is a power-over-hit profile at the dish and there is some swing-and-miss, but the power will definitely play in Winston-Salem. Highly regarded freshman Matt Conte will undoubtedly see some time behind the plate, but Keenan projects handle the vast majority of the catching duties.

51. Christian Coppola, RHP, Rutgers

New school: Arizona

After pitching his way to a Team USA Collegiate National Team invitation as a freshman, Coppola took a step back this spring and worked a 7.63 ERA with 47 strikeouts to 33 walks in 43.2 innings. He has intriguing stuff, and heading out to Arizona and working with the pitching duo of coaches Kevin Vance and John DeRouin is a mighty interesting developmental pairing. Expect them to get the most out of Coppola and have him looking like his 2023 self again.

52. Logan Maxwell, OF, TCU

New school: Arkansas

Maxwell entered the portal in the wake of a successful 2024 season that saw him hit .335/.447/.482 with 17 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs. He has advanced bat-to-ball skills and a sound approach, and should bring some balance to the Arkansas lineup. Maxwell’s lefthanded bat will play well in Baum-Walker Stadium, and he will provide value both on and off the field. This was a nice get for the Razorbacks. 

53. Sean Youngerman, RHP, Westmont College (D-II)

New school: Oklahoma State

Youngerman enjoyed a strong spring for Westmont College, where he had a 3.71 ERA with 69 strikeouts against only 15 walks in 70.1 innings. Where he really shined, though, was on the Cape for Yarmouth-Dennis where he posted a 2.55 ERA with 33 strikeouts to 10 walks in 24.2 innings. It’s an enticing combination of strikes and stuff, and Youngerman this spring will be in contention to start for the Cowboys.

54. Devin Obee, OF, Duke

New school: Undecided

Obee entered the portal late and since he graduates from Duke this winter, he will then be able to transfer. It’s a bit of a unique situation, but Obee will be a quality get for someone—most likely a high academic institution. It all came together this spring for the veteran outfielder, who hit .309 with 11 doubles, 16 home runs and 50 RBIs. He has serious power, especially to the pull side, and while it’s still a work in progress Obee was able to cut down a bit on the miss and chase.

55. Ryan DeSanto, LHP, St. Joseph’s

New school: Penn State

DeSanto was excellent again this spring for St. Joseph’s, where he had a 3.72 ERA with 88 strikeouts to 35 walks in 75 innings. He had a strong showing this summer on the Cape, as across six starts for Harwich he posted a 3.33 ERA with 20 strikeouts against only four walks in 24.1 innings. DeSanto is armed with an effective high-80s-to-low-90s fastball, though his bread-and-butter pitches are his slider and changeup. He is squarely in the mix to be Penn State’s Friday starter this season.

56. Jake Hyde, OF, Georgetown

New school: Duke

Hyde heads to Duke after an illustrious four-year career at Georgetown in which he compiled a career .314/.403/.592 slash line with 104 extra-base hits and 167 RBIs in 186 games. The 6-foot-4 outfielder has no shortage of power, and he will slot somewhere in the middle of Duke’s order.

57. Isaac Humphrey, OF, Louisville

New school: Mississippi

Humphrey this spring returned to 2022 form, albeit with added impact, and hit .310/.412/.565 with 13 doubles, a career-high 10 long balls and 39 RBIs. On top of his offensive ability, the 6-foot-3 Humphrey defends well in right field which is where he figures to start this spring for head coach Mike Bianco.

58. Chase Hungate, RHP, Virginia Commonwealth

New school: Mississippi State

Mississippi State had plenty of success this spring with multi-slot specialist Cam Schuelke, and it will have another sidewinder at its disposal next spring in Hungate. Over the course of this season, Hungate established himself as one of the most reliable bullpen arms for Virginia and pitched his way to a 3.74 ERA with 37 strikeouts to 13 walks in 53 innings. Hungate relies heavily on his mid-80s changeup, which fades and tumbles below the barrel of opposing hitters, consistently generating soft contact. His two-seam fastball has been up to 92 and bears in on hitters’ hands. Like he was in Charlottesville, Hungate profiles as one of the Bulldogs’ most trusted relievers in 2025.

59. Malachi Lott, OF/LHP, Sam Houston

New school: Houston

Lott is the headliner of an extensive Houston transfer class, and rightfully so. He figures to make an impact on both sides of the baseball this year for the Cougars after hitting .303/.349/.502 with 21 extra-base hits and 40 RBIs last spring, along with working a 3.86 ERA with 16 strikeouts to just four walks in 14 innings. 

60. Todd Hudson, RHP/OF, Liberty

New school: Miami (FL)

Hudson is an intriguing player who can be used in a number of different ways for the Hurricanes. At the plate, he hit .286/.383/.597 with 11 doubles, 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in 48 games. While nothing jumps off the page when looking at Hudson’s stats on the mound, his fastball has been up to 94 with a potentially effective slider and changeup. Hudson will almost certainly be used in relief—if at all—but his bat is enough for him to earn consistent reps for coach J.D. Arteaga and company.

61. Jacob Galloway, C, Southern California

New school: Texas A&M

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more competitive catchers’ room in the country than Texas A&M’s. All three of its 2025 backstops rank among the top-100 transfers in college baseball, and all have a strong case to start. Galloway this spring assumed the starting role for the Trojans and showed well, hitting .286/.386/.451 with 17 doubles and six long balls. In addition to being a productive bat, Galloway receives well behind the dish.

62. Nick Moran, LHP, Liberty

New school: East Carolina

It always felt as if Moran was overshadowed at Liberty pitching behind Garrett Horn, but the fellow southpaw this spring had his best season to date and pitched his way to a 4.68 ERA with 59 strikeouts to 24 walks in 67.1 innings. An intriguing combination of strikes and stuff, expect Moran this spring to slot somewhere within East Carolina’s new-look weekend rotation.

63. Tanner Franklin, RHP, Kennesaw State

New school: Tennessee

Franklin this season posted a 5.60 ERA with 43 strikeouts across 27.1 innings, but was outstanding on the Cape to the tune of a minuscule 0.75 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 12 innings. His command and control will both need to improve, however, as he walked 27 and 12 this spring and summer, respectively. Franklin relies heavily on his loud fastball-slider combination, and he figures to assume a late-inning role this spring for the Volunteers.

64. Hunter Watkins, RHP, Grand Canyon

New school: Oklahoma State

Watkins established himself as a reliable bullpen option this spring as a freshman at Grand Canyon, where he worked a 3.83 ERA with 47 strikeouts in as many innings. The imposing 6-foot-8 righthander’s fastball has been up to 95, a pitch he supplements with an effective mid-80s slider. Watkins was used sparingly as a starter this spring, but he projects to pitch exclusively in relief for Oklahoma State.

65. Rocco Peppi, OF, Fresno State

New school: Arkansas

After spending his first two college seasons at Long Beach State, Peppi made his way north to Fresno State where he enjoyed a career season in which he hit .327/.392/.602 with 30 extra-base hits and 56 RBIs in as many games. An aggressive hitter, Peppi has borderline plus power to the pull side. Arkansas’ outfield is crowded this spring, though Peppi’s bat should be enough to net him consistent at-bats.

66. Ruger Riojas, RHP, Texas-San Antonio

New school: Texas

An Austin, Texas native, Riojas this spring will pitch for his hometown school. Last spring, he compiled a 10-3 record with 75 strikeouts to just 18 walks across 69.1 innings. Rojas’ fastball will reach 95 and 96 MPH, but he has an advanced feel for both his slider and changeup that generated miss rates of 39% and 36%, respectively. Riojas will immediately have a prominent role in Texas’ bullpen and will be one of the Longhorns’ most valuable arms.

67. Griffin Hugus, RHP, Cincinnati

New school: Miami (FL)

Following a modest spring season, Hugus blossomed this summer on the Cape for Bourne and worked a 2.31 ERA with 24 strikeouts to just four walks in 23.1 innings. His strike-throwing improved, flashed an advanced feel for his arsenal and thrived in relief. While he made just one start between this spring and summer, Hugus can throw four-to-five innings at a time. Look for the junior righthander to be one of head coach J.T. Arteaga’s most relied upon relievers this season.

68. Jamal George, C, Alabama State

New school: Texas A&M

George is one of three catchers first-year head coach Michael Earley brought in via the transfer portal, but he figures to compete for the opening day job. This spring, he built off a solid freshman year and hit .316/.409/.546 with 20 extra-base hits, a career-high 36 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

69. Harrison Bodendorf, LHP, Hawaii

New school: Oklahoma State

It’s clear that Oklahoma State put an emphasis on arms in this summer’s portal cycle, and Bodendorf is an exciting pickup. The 6-foot-5 lefthander split time between the rotation and bullpen this spring, and pitched his way to a 4.61 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 56.2 innings. Bodendorf has plenty of funk in deception in his delivery, which helps his stuff play up. His fastball will sit in the high-80s-to-low-90s, but his best pitch is a plus changeup that generates plenty of swing and miss.

70. Will Marcy, OF, Memphis

New school: Kentucky

After a strong sophomore season at NC State, Marcy continued to swing the bat well this spring at Memphis where he slashed .303/.398/.407 with 13 doubles, 19 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. He has an athletic build with budding impact, and there is plenty to like under the hood. Marcy packs an intriguing toolset and he has the chance to have a breakout season for the “Bat Cats.”

71. Matthew Dallas, LHP, Tennessee

New school: Wake Forest

Dallas was one of the more highly-regarded freshman arms heading into this past season, and he fared well in his 17 innings. The lanky, 6-foot-5 southpaw logged a 4.70 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 17 innings and then proceeded to notch 25 strikeouts in as many innings pitched on the Cape. There is plenty to dream on with Dallas, and Wake Forest will look to unlock his big-time upside.

72. Parker Stinson, OF, Indiana State

New school: Oregon

Stinson was one of a plethora of Sycamores to enter the transfer portal following the departure of head coach Mitch Hannahs. The future Oregon Duck was one of Indiana State’s most productive bats this season, hitting .295/.442/.604 with 32 extra-base hits—including 15 home runs—and 51 RBIs. Oregon has had a ton of success in the transfer portal when it comes to not only getting guys to commit, but also having them be key contributors to the team. Stinson fits that mold perfectly, and he projects to be an everyday member of the starting lineup this spring.

73. Griffin Kirn, LHP, Quincy University (D-II)

New school: West Virginia

At Division-II Quincy, Kirn this spring was the staff ace and worked a 3.00 ERA with 96 strikeouts to just 25 strikeouts in 78 innings. He had similar success this summer on the Cape for Harwich, where he had a 2.18 ERA with 13 strikeouts to five walks in 20.2 innings. Kirn is a pitchability-over-stuff arm, but he pounds the strike zone with his arsenal and does a nice job of inducing soft contact.

74. Cole Zaffiro, RHP, Pennsylvania

New school: Wake Forest

Graduate transfers from Ivy League schools have established an impressive track record for themselves at major programs over the last few seasons, and everyone on this ranking—and even those who are not—have the chance to do the same. Zaffiro brings plenty of experience and a slow heart beat to Winston-Salem, which are two qualities that tend to translate well. He’s a proven strike-thrower who will attack the zone and potentially earn a weekend role on the Demon Deacons’ staff.

75. Eric Snow, 2B/SS, South Florida

New school: Auburn

Auburn put together a fantastic transfer portal class this summer, and Snow is a key reason why. After lighting the world on fire as a freshman, his productivity took a bit of a step back this spring. However, he returned to form this summer on Cape where he hit .326/.407/.424 with three doubles, a pair of home runs and was an all-star. Snow has a sound approach and a simple swing that is geared towards putting the ball in play. Whether at second base or shortstop, Snow projects to start every day up the middle next spring for the Tigers.

76. Carson Ozmer, RHP/1B, Pennsylvania

New school: Alabama

Ozmer this season was again one of the Ivy League’s best relievers, working a 4.05 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 40.1 innings. The sidewinding righthander has an east-to-west profile on the mound and relies heavily on his sinker-slider combination. Nothing Ozmer throws is straight, and he consistently stays off the barrel of opposing hitters. This spring he also flashed his ability in the box, hitting .328/.444/.454/ over the course of 119 at-bats. Expect Ozmer to be used almost exclusively on the mound in 2025, but if the Crimson Tide ever get in a pinch at the dish, you know who to watch for.

77. Robbie Burnett, OF, UNC Asheville

New school: Georgia

Georgia was one of, if not the biggest, winners of this year’s portal cycle, and Burnett is one of the headliners of the Bulldogs’ loaded class. Across 137 games in three standout seasons at UNC Asheville, the veteran outfielder hit .339/.450/.623 with 27 doubles, 36 home runs and 113 RBIs. In addition to a bevy of experience, Burnett packs an exciting skillset that will land him an everyday role next spring.

78. Brian Curley, RHP, Virginia Commonwealth

New school: Georgia

This spring, Curley was the Rams’ most relied upon weapon in relief, and for good reason. The rising junior pitched his way to a 2.87 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 87 innings over the course of 19 appearances. His fastball sits in the low-90s and has been up to 96, but Curley’s most effective offering is his high-80s cutter. Again, Georgia did well in the transfer cycle, and Curley is a key part of the Bulldogs’ transfer class.

79. Chris Stanfield, OF, Auburn

New school: LSU

Stanfield had a solid spring season in which he hit .276/.365/.395 with 13 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs before having a strong summer on the Cape with Bourne. Like a number of players on this ranking, Stanfield has an exciting set of tools that give him the chance to be a high-impact player. He runs well, can go and get it in centerfield and has flashed some impact at the dish. His hit tool and contact ability will need to take a step in the right direction in order for him to maximize his upside, but Stanfield will be a legit weapon this spring in Baton Rouge.

80. Connor Maggi, RHP, Gardner-Webb

New school: Kansas

Kansas has quietly put together a fairly impressive transfer class, and Maggi is the headliner on the pitching side. Pitching exclusively in relief this spring, Maggi had a 3.00 ERA with 73 strikeouts to just 15 walks for the Runnin’ Bulldogs. He relies heavily on his low-to-mid-80s slider, which he threw a whopping 64% of the time this spring, but he also mixes in an effective curveball and low-90s fastball. Maggi will be one of, if not the most relied upon bullpen arm this season for the Jayhawks.

81. Peyton Schulze, 1B, California

New school: Texas Tech

In the wake of a strong 2023 summer in the California Collegiate League, Schulze broke out this spring to the tune of a .323/.375/.552 slash line with 21 doubles, 10 homers and 59 RBIs in 55 games. The physical Schulze now heads to Texas Tech—his third school in four years—where his offensive game figures to translate well.

82. Nolan Nawrocki, 3B, Clemson

New school: South Carolina

Nawrocki was off to an excellent start this spring before a wrist injury derailed his season a bit. He regained his footing a bit by season’s end, though, and hit .264/.352/.400 with nine extra-base hits, 24 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Like his former and future teammate Nathan Hall, there is no shortage of tools with Nawrocki. He is an outstanding athlete with a plus arm at third, a plus runner once underway and some thump in his bat. Nawrocki’s hit tool will certainly need to improve, but he figures to be an every day guy this spring for the Gamecocks.

83. Tommy Barth, OF, East Tennessee State

New school: Kansas

Following a somewhat quiet sophomore season, Barth bounced back this spring to the tune of a .319/.412/.495 slash line with 18 extra-base hits, 32 RBIs and 25 walks to just 12 strikeouts. His advanced approach and plus bat-to-ball skills profile best at the top of the order, which is where he projects to slot in this spring for Kansas.

84. Sam Boyle, LHP, Washington

New school: Oregon

Following the departure of former Washington head coach Jason Kelly, Boyle entered the transfer portal and committed to rival Oregon. This past spring, the rising junior lefthander pitched his way to a career-low 3.40 ERA with 36 strikeouts to 21 walks in 42.1 innings. Boyle attacks from a low slot and relies heavily on his mid-to-upper-80s fastball. He threw the pitch a whopping 86% of the time this spring, but his changeup and slider, though used sparingly, showed the ability to be effective.

85. Jake Ogden, 3B, UNCG

New school: Miami (FL)

Ogden this spring was one of UNCG’s best hitters, posting a .313/.385/.482 slash line with 20 extra-base hits, 45 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. His four home runs this summer ranked second for Harwich, where he also handled himself well at the hot corner. Sophomore sensation Daniel Cuvet started 54 games at third base this spring for the Hurricanes, but he might move off the position for Ogden. Time will tell, but wherever it is Ogden will be a stalwart in Miami’s lineup.

86. Sam Dutton, RHP, LSU

New school: Auburn

Dutton showed flashes during his three seasons in Baton Rouge, but never fully put it together. This season was his best, as he struck out 29 against just six walks across 27.2 innings. Dutton has advanced control that he pairs with appealing stuff, headlined by an effective high-80s cutter-slider hybrid. He is in line to take on an elevated workload this spring.

87. Jayson Jones, OF/3B, Arkansas

New school: Oklahoma State

Jones logged just 43 games in two years at Arkansas, but enjoyed a strong summer on the Cape in which he was named an all-star and hit .269/.317/.426 with 11 extra-base hits and 17 RBIs. Jones is a physical player with arm strength that translates both to a corner outfield spot and third base, and he also has above-average raw power. He has a chance to have a career season in the offensive-oriented environment that is O’Brate Stadium.

88. Ben Rounds, OF, Harvard

New school: Duke

After a comparatively modest 2023 season, Rounds lit the world on fire this season, hitting an impressive .403/.506/.685 with 16 doubles, eight home runs and 34 RBIs. He set new career-highs in every statistical category, and his .403 average ranked 12th nationally among all Division I hitters. On top of his back of the baseball card stats, Rounds boasted an overall chase rate of just 17% and above-average bat-to-ball skills. Like other programs, Duke has had its fair share of success with Ivy League transfers, and Rounds will look to further establish the Blue Devils’ track record.

89. Aeden Finateri, RHP, Georgia Tech

New school: Alabama 

Finateri heads to Alabama by way of Georgia Tech where he had a solid three-year stint. Following a sophomore season in which he worked a career-best 4.64 ERA, he struck out a career-high 80 hitters across 75 innings this spring. He pitched exclusively as a starter, though he has the experience and versatility to also be used in relief if that’s what Alabama’s staff decides. Regardless of how he’s utilized, Finateri projects to again log a hearty amount of innings in 2025.

90. Lorenzo Carrier, OF, Miami (FL)

New school: Pittsburgh

A highly-touted recruit out of high school, Carrier was never really able to get it going during his three-year stint in Coral Gables. The tools are loud, but he struggled to tap into his upside on a consistent basis. Between a change in scenery and heading closer to home, the 6-foot-5 Carrier will look to finish his college career on a high note. He projects to be an every-day member of Pitt’s starting nine where he will get every chance to flash his tools.

91. Brady Counsell, 2B, Minnesota

New school: Kansas

The son of former big leaguer and current Cubs manager Craig Counsell, Brady is fresh off the best season of his college career. The veteran infielder posted new career-highs in every statistical category, hitting .287/.386/.520 with 14 doubles, 11 home runs, 36 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He will look to ride the momentum he built this spring at Kansas, where he projects to be the Jayhawks’ starting second baseman.

92. Aiden Moffett, RHP, LSU

New school: Texas

Moffett never really gained his footing at LSU, where across two seasons he logged just 17.2 innings. He has unbelievable arm strength and possesses a fastball that sits in the upper-90s, but he is lacking in the pitchability department. Moffett joins first-year pitching coach Max Weiner at Texas, which is a mighty intriguing pairing from a development standpoint.

93. Carson Boles, OF, Lincoln Memorial (D-II)

New school: Arkansas

Boles had a video game-like season this spring at Lincoln Memorial, where he hit an eye-popping .475/.572/.863 with 24 doubles, 15 home runs, 68 RBIs and 40 walks to just 18 strikeouts. He went on to have a solid 10-game stint on the Cape where he drove in four runs and walked as much as he struck out. As mentioned, Arkansas’ outfield is crowded, but Boles will get a chance to earn consistent at-bats. 

94. Cullen McKay, RHP, Virginia

New school: Coastal Carolina

From a pure stuff standpoint, there is an argument to be made that McKay was the best of the bunch this spring on Virginia’s pitching staff. He got off to a strong start last season and even pitched his way into the Friday starter role, but he backed up from there and ended the year pitching sparingly out of the bullpen. McKay heads to Coastal Carolina where he will look to regain his footing with first-year pitching coach Matt Williams.

95. Reid Easterly, LHP, Yale

New school: Duke

Easterly wasn’t quite as effective this spring as he was in 2023, but he still managed to pitch his way to a 4.56 ERA with 69 strikeouts to only 20 walks across 75 innings. The 6-foot-1 southpaw’s secondaries are his calling card, and both his slider (31%) and changeup (38%) this season generated miss rates north of 30%. Easterly does a nice job of minimizing hard contact and will compete for a starting job this season.

96. Billy Barlow, RHP, Clemson

New school: Florida

Barlow heads to Florida looking to build off the momentum he built this year after posting a career-low 4.28 ERA in 48.1 innings. His fastball sits comfortably in the low-90s and has been up to 96, but his best offering is a mid-80s changeup that this season generated a 38% miss rate. With Florida returning most of its weekend rotation firepower, expect most of Barlow’s workload to come in relief or as the Gators’ midweek starter.

97. Lucas Steele, C, Samford

New school: Auburn

Steele announced his presence with authority as a freshman in 2023, hitting .315/.404/.636 with 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 51 RBIs. He got off to a slow start this year, but still managed to hit 10 doubles, 13 home runs and drive in 61 in 56 games. Steele has a sound approach and is a quality second catcher in addition to Ike Irish.

98. Michael Anderson, 1B, Rhode Island

New school: Arkansas

This spring, Anderson clubbed a career-high 13 home runs before hitting .246/.356/.439 with seven doubles and five home runs for the Cape League champion Harwich Mariners. In fact, for the first two weeks of the season he looked the part of a potential league MVP candidate. There is a little “all or nothing” in Anderson’s offensive profile, but his big-time raw power allows him to change the course of the game in one swing. 

99. Alex Bouche, 1B, Old Dominion

New school: East Carolina

It was a transfer cycle to forget for East Carolina, though Bouche—along with Nick Moran and co.—is a reason for Pirates fans to be excited. After hitting .299/.420/.527 with 11 home runs as a freshman, Bouche had a more modest sophomore campaign to the tune of a .241/.369/.377 slash line. He can generate high-quality impact; the key is just putting the ball in play on a consistent basis. Strikeouts have been an issue for Bouche. If he can get back to his freshman year self, he could be a high-impact bat this spring in Greenville.

100. Daylan Pena, OF/1B, Texas State

New school: Oregon

Pena was a key piece for the Bobcats this spring, setting a new career-high in multiple offensive categories. He hit a respectable .270/.373/.471 with a career-best 15 doubles, seven home runs and a career-high 43 RBIs. Pena is a strong-bodied, physical hitter who has shown the ability to drive the baseball. He provides some versatility defensively, too, as he can be used both in the outfield and at first base.

The 24-year-old started the season with a 2.84 ERA with 97 strikeouts in 104.2 innings for Double-A Midland. The Athletics then promoted him to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he performed solidly in a hostile pitching environment. 

Gunnar Hoglund has been an absolute workhorse his last 6 starts

Last night he had himself a scoreless outing in 5.2 innings, striking out 8 batters!!

In his last six starts, he has totaled 30 strikeouts with an ERA of 1.32 pic.twitter.com/c9ghnRrJVd

— Midland RockHounds (@RockHounds) June 22, 2024

“You’d want this kid in a foxhole with you,” A’s pitching coordinator Gil Patterson said. “An ERA under three in the Texas League? That’s pretty darned good.” 

The Pirates drafted Hoglund 36th overall in 2018, but he chose Ole Miss instead. He put up impressive numbers in the Southeastern Conference until Covid ended his sophomore season after four starts. As a junior, he put up a 2.87 ERA before TJ ended his season.

Hoglund was lined up as a potential top 10 overall pick in 2021 before surgery. The Blue Jays drafted him 19th overall, then dealt him to Oakland a year later in the Matt Chapman trade. 

He made just three appearances in 2022, then had a tough season in 2023, when he ran up a 6.20 ERA. 

“The arm strength wasn’t there,” Patterson said. “He was throwing 89-90 (mph).”

Hoglund concentrated on improving his control and learned to hit corners. 

He continued the hard work, then changed his delivery slightly during the offseason. When he reported to camp this year, his fastball had started to return. He now averages 93 mph and has hit 95.

That complements a gyro slider, sweeper and changeup that Patterson said is above-average at times. His command makes his pitch mix effective.  

“I think the biggest thing for me was just being able to get healthy last season and getting back into game action again,” Hoglund said. “That allowed me to go into the offseason healthy and work on things that I knew I could improve on and get better at.

“This year it has all kind of come together for me, so I’m glad all the hard work has paid off.”

A’s ACORNS

— Perhaps the Athletics’ most-improved pitcher this year is 26-year-old righthander Blake Beers, a 19th-round pick in 2021 out of Michigan. He averages 94-95 mph and has a dive-bombing sinker, plus a changeup and improved sweeper. 

— Double-A Midland outfielder Denzel Clarke was named Texas League player of the month for July. He batted .371/.436/.671 with three home runs in 19 games for the month. 

He also shined on the mound in limited action early in the season.

In four relief appearances, Knipp struck out six and allowed one earned run in 5.2 innings.

B1 | Is there a hotter hitter in the world than Grant Knipp right now??? He's gone yard in the last 4⃣ games!@grantknipp | #RollHumps pic.twitter.com/YBjUmfvFvZ

— Campbell Baseball (@GoCamelsBSB) May 9, 2023

Knipp impressed Mariners scouting director Scott Hunter at the MLB Draft Combine. Hunter knew he wanted Knipp badly, so when he was still available in round six, the Mariners pounced on the two-way player.

“When we met with him, we just walked out of there thinking, ‘This is a guy we’ve got to get and will be a fun one to have,’ ” Hunter said. “I mean, this is so unique. What he can do—the presence, the personality, the makeup.” 

For now, the Mariners will continue to let Knipp and his impressive fastball and plus power play both ways. He eventually might be destined for first base or DH, but Seattle also wants to see how he handles himself behind the plate.

“Everything’s on the table right now, because we want to see where the pitching takes him, but we don’t want to lose sight of what he does with the bat,” Hunter said.

“And I think first base has been mentioned. DH has been mentioned, (but) the catching is very workable, which is even more exciting if he can do that.”

If the Mariners end up assigning Knipp to an affiliate, it would likely be for a short stint at Low-A Modesto, “just for a taste,” Hunter said. 

MARINADE

— The Mariners traded emerging righthander Brody Hopkins, outfielder Aidan Smith and a player to be named to the Rays for outfielder Randy Arozarena. 

Smith and Hopkins played for Low-A Modesto. They were Seattle’s fourth- and sixth-round picks last year.

Hopkins had a 1.22 WHIP and 95 strikeouts in 83.2 innings in the California League. Smith hit .284/.402/.470 with nine home runs.

— Seattle traded Triple-A outfielder Jonatan Clase and Low-A catcher Jacob Sharp to the Blue Jays for reliever Yimi Garcia. Clase made his MLB debut on April 15 and hit .195 with eight hits and a .453 OPS in 41 big league at-bats.  

— Seattle acquired Triple-A outfielder Rhylan Thomas from the Mets on July 26 for big league reliever Ryne Stanek. Stanek, who is a pending free agent owed more than $1 million for the rest of 2024, had pitched his way out of a leverage role in Seattle.

— Double-A Arkansas outfielder RJ Schreck was traded to the Blue Jays for veteran first baseman Justin Turner. Schreck spent most of the season with High-A Everett, where he hit .261 with 12 home runs in 78 games before his promotion to Arkansas.

— The Mariners traded Low-A Modesto righthander Will Schomberg to the Marlins for big league reliever J.T. Chargois. Schomberg had a 2.69 ERA and 97 strikeout in 70.1 innings for Modesto and was recently promoted to High-A Everett, where he struck out 19 in 22 innings. 

“And his batting average is still up there, too. That’s what’s so impressive with this kid.”

Charlie Condon scorches a single to left for his first hit at Avista Stadium. #GoSpo pic.twitter.com/Ibu7kBmzow

— Spokane Indians (@spokaneindians) August 14, 2024

Condon started his pro career at High-A Spokane after leading all Division I hitters with a .433 batting average, 1.009 slugging percentage, 37 home runs and 233 total bases this year at Georgia.

As he anticipates reaching the majors, Condon now has the enticing prospect of hitting at Coors Field.

“It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to,” Condon said. “I was extremely excited and happy to hear my name called and to be tied to the Rockies’ organization. It’s been an organization that does really well developing hitters.

“They know what they’re doing and how to teach power hitting. I’m really excited and really honored to be a part of the Rockies.”

The 6-foot-6, 216-pound Condon started at five different positions his final year at Georgia and will likely end up as a corner outfielder with the Rockies. He will play left and right field as well as third base.

Condon signed for $9.25 million, matching Burns for the largest signing bonus in draft history. His amateur pedigree, draft status and bonus record translate to extremely lofty expectations as he begins his pro career.

“I can promise you,” he said, “that what I expect out of myself is much higher than what anyone expects out of me.”

ROCKY ROADS

— Lefthander Carson Palmquist and righthanded relievers Jaden Hill and Seth Halvorsen were promoted from Double-A Hartford to Triple-A Albuquerque. At Hartford, Palmquist, 23, went 6-4, 3.20 in 17 starts with 33 walks and 111 strikeouts in 81.2 innings. Hill, 24, went 5-2, 3.52 with six saves in 34 games with 11 walks and 56 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. Halvorsen, 24, went 4-2, 4.84 with eight saves in 33 games with 19 walks and 41 strikeouts in 35.1 innings.

— Righthander Chase Dollander and lefthander Sean Sullivan were promoted from High-A Spokane to Double-A Hartford, and righthander Jack Mahoney was promoted from Low-A Fresno to Spokane. Dollander, 22, went 4-1, 2.83 in 14 starts with 28 walks and 111 strikeouts in 70 innings at Spokane, where Sullivan, 22, went 7-2, 2.16 in 14 starts with eight walks and 101 strikeouts in 83.1 innings. Mahoney, 23, went 5-6, 3.52 with 22 walks and 91 strikeouts in 94.2 innings at Fresno. The Rockies drafted Dollander, Sullivan and Mahoney in the first, second and third rounds last year.

— Outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez, 21, was promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque from Hartford where he hit .283/.339/.439 in 88 games with 10 home runs and 46 RBIs. Outfielder Robert Calaz, 18, was promoted to Low-A Fresno from the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, where he won the triple crown. Calaz hit .349/.462/.651 in 49 games with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. He led the ACL in on-base percentage (.462), slugging (.651), OPS  (1.113) and total bases (112), in addition to batting average, home runs and RBIs.

— Lefthanders Sam Weatherly, 25, and Bryson Hammer, 22, were promoted from Low-A Fresno to High-A Spokane. Weatherly went 3-1, 2.85 with eight saves in 30 games with 19 walks and 51 strikeouts in 41 innings. Hammer went 5-3, 1.25 with five saves in 33 games with 24 walks and 52 strikeouts in 50.1 innings.

— Righthander Brayan Castillo, 23, and outfielder Juan Guerrero, 22, were promoted from High-A Spokane to Double-A Hartford. Castillo went 2-3, 3.66 with five saves in 28 games and 18 walks and 39 strikeouts in 32 innings. Guerrero hit .302/.341/.399 with four home runs and 49 RBIs in 92 games.

Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention.

Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers for Best Tools.

Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.

James Wood did the thing pic.twitter.com/AQ27NG0FcL

— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) May 23, 2024

He hit a ball as hard as 115.3 mph with Rochester. Just eight Triple-A hitters struck a ball harder this season. Five of the eight are Jhonkensy Noel, Junior Caminero, Rece Hinds, Agustin Ramirez and Owen Caissie, who like Wood are up-and-coming power hitters.

The Nationals challenged Wood to clean up his pitch selection and reduce his whiff rate this season. Mission accomplished on both counts.

Wood shrunk his in-zone miss rate from 23% last season to 15% this year. His chase rate remained static as he climbed from Double-A to Triple-A, but he declined to swing at pitchers’ pitches with greater frequency in 2024.  

It all added up to a dramatically reduced strikeout rate of 18% at Triple-A this season, compared with nearly 34% at Double-A last year.

Wood has the type of ceiling to match his height, and he continues to make the Nationals’ Juan Soto trade with the Padres in August 2022 look like a franchise-maker.

When he reached Washington, Wood joined fellow young big leaguers CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore as bounty from the Soto trade.

Righthander Grayson Rodriguez ran up a 7.35 ERA in his first 10 big league starts in 2023. Following a tweak to his repertoire at Triple-A, he emerged as a steady rotation arm.

Outfielder Colton Cowser hit .115 in 26 games during an extended trial in Baltimore in 2023. Returning to Triple-A, he honed his selective aggression. This year, Cowser is a key Orioles regular and an American League Rookie of the Year favorite.

Even MVP candidate Gunnar Henderson got off to a slow start in his 2023 Rookie of the Year season, hitting .201 with a 31% strikeout rate through his first 50 games.

Holliday is trying to follow the same road to redemption.

In the big leagues back in April, Holliday struggled to hit high-velocity, elevated fastballs. So all of his side work in the International League was geared toward addressing that weakness.

The results indicate success. Holliday hit .316 in Triple-A at-bats ending with a fastball thrown 94 mph or harder. His OPS was .964.

#Orioles No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has a homer, six doubles and 12 walks during his 10-game on-base streak.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/byWOGIrqDx

— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) July 16, 2024

Overall, his isolated slugging at Triple-A this season was higher than it had been since Low-A. A lot higher.

IL managers took note, voting Holliday the Best Batting Prospect and Best Strike-Zone Judgment in league Best Tools surveys.

After 63 games on optional assignment to Norfolk, Holliday was ready to assume a regular role in Baltimore. And when Jordan Westburg fractured his hand on July 31, Holliday was ready for prime time.

He hit a home run in his first game back in the big leagues, a sign that he is ready to hold down the keystone for the foreseeable future.