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.

Hitting Art Vs. Science

This is the convergence point where the art of hitting meets the science. The discipline of becoming a great hitter takes effort and a keen sense of one’s identity. Traits and styles are based on how one moves and how a player nurtures that identity based on natural, God-given talents. 

“A lot of hitting skill is built at a pretty young age,” Bazzana said. “So we ingrain these habits of movement and hand-eye coordination when we first pick up a bat; that’s what your brain knows. So when you try to move like someone else it’s almost like learning a new skill even if it’s the same game.”

Genetics plays a role, too, Bazzana explained.

“Some guys are bigger and more mobile, others are bigger and less mobile,” he said. “Some are small and twitchy and really tight movers. There’s going to be different movement patterns. Are they loose? Are they fluid? Are they dominant in rotation? Or are they just leg power? There’s all these different things that equate to being a great hitter.” 

The search to develop an identity as a hitter is based on these traits. However, it’s the pursuit of expanding upon one’s identity through such work that ultimately forges great hitters in the major leagues. According to Bazzana, being a great hitter means constantly adjusting, refining his swing and expanding his abilities. In an age when everyone is searching for a magic pill, it comes down to the work one puts forth in trying to “find that next gear.”

“That’s the amazing part about hitting and baseball,” Bazzana said. “People do it in such different ways. Everyone wants to find one magic pill. At the end of the day when it comes down to movement.

“There is no magic pill.”

Learning From The Best

The question that plagues many baseball fans and evaluators is what to look for when defining great hitters. What do the best hitters do well and why? When we look at the art of hitting, who are the masters? What do they do that makes them so successful?

Bazzana sees one particular trait that separates the greats from just-good hitters.

“Often, one of the first things I’ll pick up is how well the body and the barrel match the plane of the pitch,” he said. “The best hitters posturally match the angle of the pitch with the plane of their upper half and the barrel. Connected is the term that people use. The barrel gets deeper into the zone for certain guys and it stays on the plane of the pitch.”

In an age where we have measurements for everything, angles and swing path have become a bigger part of the conversation. In this pursuit to optimize angles, Bazzana explained how he draws inspiration from a notable name. 

“The best example I give is Juan Soto,” he said. “His bat is connected behind his back shoulder and he sets that posture to the angle of the pitch. He matches the plane and he squares the ball up to all parts of the field … It’s why he’s as efficient as he is and why he’s in the zone for so long.”

Seeing Bazzana draw inspiration from a player like Soto shouldn’t come as a shock. While Bazzana hasn’t shown that same kind of power, there’s a common thread connecting their games: strong swing decisions.

That advanced plate approach was developed during Bazzana’s time spent at Oregon State. He described himself as “an average swing decisions guy” as a freshman with the Beavers in 2022, but over his final two college seasons, Bazzana walked 135 times, second behind only Athletics first-round pick Nick Kurtz.

“For me, my pitch recognition and swing decisions stem from reps,” he said. “Years of seeing a ball, hitting it, making a decision.”

Bazzana is accurate in his depiction of his advancement between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Oregon State. In 2022, he chased at a rate of 20.6% with a swing rate of 42.2%. A year later, his chase rate dropped to 15.5% while also cutting his swing rate to 36.1%. Those metrics dropped even further in 2024 to a 14.3% chase and a 32.7% swing rate.

During that summer heading into his sophomore year, Bazzana was at a crossroads. He’d shown strong plate skills, but his swing decisions and impact needed improvement. That is when the artist leaned on science to challenge his identity and expand his his future as a hitter. 

“A lot of hitters with good whiff rates, they often have a great ability to have good swing decisions,” Bazzana explained. “I think they have good hand-eye, they pick things up sooner. But in this game, I think guys with high contact rates get caught up on this identity that they can’t strike out. They can’t swing and miss, and so they want to put the ball in play. That will work for some guys but not for others. This is where swing decisions come from an approach and the coordination of it. Not everyone can have great decisions but it’s being stubborn to your zones, your locations and where you think you can do damage.” 

Bazzana again took cues from Juan Soto and his ability to not only draw walks at a high rate, but hit for power, as well.

“You dive in and you realize he’s tunneling certain zones or certain pitch types almost all the time,” Bazzana said of Soto. “He’s very stubborn, he’s okay taking the edge strike often. He’s okay with a looking strikeout that clips the edge. He knows 90% of the time that’s ball four. Over time, you realize the power of swing, no swing.” 

The application of science and tracking also comes into play for Bazzana, who said he uses technologically-advanced batting cage set-ups like HitTrax, iPitch and Trajekt for nearly all his training. Whether in the midst of his in-season cage work, offseason training or in-game performance, more information is better. 

“That’s where the ability of understanding the zone better often comes from,” he said. “Also paying attention to the Trackman report postgame. I go in after a game, and I know I swung at an edge pitch. Where was that pitch actually? Then you start to grasp, okay, that was an inch off. Over time you start to have a feel for the zone.”

Three Stats For Hitting Success

When asked which metrics he follows most closely and which he feels align with his performance, Bazzana pointed to a trio of data points: in-zone fastball swing rate, air pull percentage and 90th percentile exit velocity.

“Understanding that the fastball is your best chance to do damage,” Bazzana said of his approach. “I want to be swinging at fastballs in the zone, especially hard fastballs.”

Pulling those types of pitches in the air is an especially important skill for players who aren’t Aaron Judge-sized.

“For someone who’s not 6-foot-7 or 250 pounds, there’s power in hitting the ball to the short porch and doing it often,” said Bazzana, who measures at 6-feet, 200 pounds. “Some of the best hitters in the big leagues the last five to ten years aren’t the big humans like Judge, (Giancarlo) Stanton, (Yordan) Alvarez. It’s Mookie (Betts), it’s Jose Ramirez, it’s (Alex) Bregman. These guys are all incredible at pulling the ball in the air. When they square it up, they can fly it true to the pull side whether it’s at 99 mph or 102 mph.”

And that’s where Bazzana’s final key metric comes into play.

“I think 90th percentile exit velocity is huge,” he said. “You look at the highest in terms of that metric versus the lowest. Players who hit the ball hard and get to power more often produce the most.”

Training For Speed

Hitting the ball hard was not something that naturally came to Bazzana, who has trained to add bat speed dating back to his time in Australia. Before he had access to top facilities and specially-tailored overspeed equipment like Driveline’s Overload and Underload bats, he used his own intuition and a do-it-yourself attitude to train.

“It was like ‘Why don’t we make do,'” Bazzana said, explaining how, as a teenager, he and his father constructed their own equipment. “I got an old bat, and we put coins all in different spots and it became 37 to 40 ounces. We swung that and then found the lightest drop-five or drop-eight bat in the clubhouse at our field and that was my underload.”

Nowadays, Bazzana works extensively with the real-deal Driveline bats, which have been staples of his training since coming over to the United States.

In the summer heading into his sophomore year at Oregon State, Bazzana went to Driveline headquarters for the first time, spending ten weeks there to build the batspeed that grew over his final two collegiate seasons. The added impact was the final piece to the puzzle that saw Bazzana ascend to the top pick in the 2024 draft.

Looking at one of his self-proclaimed important metrics, Bazzana’s 90th percentile exit velocity jumped from 101.4 mph in 2022 to 105.9 mph in 2023 to 108.9 mph in his draft season. The results translated from a .348 expected wOBA on contact in 2022 to a mark that ballooned to .521 in 2024. 

With a lifetime of training and now his first few weeks of professional baseball experience behind him, Bazzana continues to be prepared for the challenge and work it takes to be a great professional hitter. 

1. Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

Bremner is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound righthander who this spring with UC Santa Barbara posted a 2.54 ERA over 88.2 innings and nine starts, with a 30.2% strikeout rate and 6.1% walk rate. He’s one of the best pitchers in the 2025 class. With Team USA in two outings this summer he struck out six, walked two and allowed only a single hit while showing three pitches that might be plus.

Bremner works with a fluid and easy delivery that features a quick arm out of a high three-quarters slot. He averages 94-96 mph with his fastball and runs the pitch up to 98 with excellent riding life and armside run that should make it a plus offering. He has great feel to land a diving mid-80s changeup that averages more than 10 mph in separation from his fastball and has an 85-87 mph slider with hard biting action. 

2. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State

Arnold trailed only Chase Burns for the top pitcher in the Atlantic Coast Conference this spring and posted a 2.98 ERA over 105.2 innings and 18 starts, with a 29.6 K-BB% that was good for fifth-best in the country. A 6-foot-1, 191-pound lefthander, Arnold added plenty of power to his arsenal this spring which pairs nicely with a deceptive slot and advanced command and makes him one of the most complete arms in the class.

With Team USA in two outings Arnold struck out eight, walked three and allowed only one single. He works with a drop-and-drive action in his delivery and throws from a sidearm slot that creates an extremely low release height that amplifies his pitch mix. Arnold sits 93-95 mph with a fastball that touches 97 and features tons of run, and also mixes in a sweepy mid-80s slider, a low-80s curveball with more depth and a mid-80s changeup. 

3. Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana

Taylor is a strong and physical outfielder with a powerful 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame who’s had a pair of tremendous offensive seasons with Indiana. He’s a career .338/.440/.660 hitter with 36 home runs for the Hoosiers and played left field and DH for Team USA this summer. While Taylor went just 7-for-27 (.259) in six games, it’s easy to see why his offensive profile is so appealing. 

He employs a crouched stance in the lefthanded batter’s box with a tight bat wiggle before taking a fairly typical leg kick and hand press in his load stage. Taylor has above-average bat speed and a level plane with his swing but enough strength for home run power to all fields. He has fair contact skills but can be overly aggressive with his swing decisions—he struck out six times to no walks with a 30% chase rate with Team USA. He profiles as a corner outfielder and has mostly played left with Indiana. 

4. Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech

Burress earned top-three-rounds consideration out of high school in the 2023 class, but ultimately made it to campus at Georgia Tech where had a Freshman of the Year campaign in 2024, when he led all freshmen with 25 home runs and slashed .381/.512/.821. He became Team USA’s leadoff hitter and primary center fielder this summer and went 9-for-24 (.375) in seven games with a pair of homers.

A 5-foot-9, 182-pound righthanded hitter, Burress uses his size to his advantage and rarely expands an already small strike zone. He chased just 15% of the time this spring—the best mark of any Team USA hitter—walked more than he struck out and has a strong combination of bat-to-ball skills and raw power that mostly plays to his pull side. An above-average runner with a strong arm, Burress has the tools to be a strong defender and stick in center field.

5. Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina

Bodine is the top-ranked catcher in the class and followed up a 2023 Sun Belt Conference freshman of the year season with another strong campaign as a hitter and receiver this spring. He’s a career .347/.432/.564 hitter with Coastal Carolina and shared catching duties with Troy backstop Brooks Bryan for Team USA this summer.

A 5-foot-10, 197-pound switch-hitter, Bodine stands out mostly for his bat-to-ball skills. He rarely swings and misses, has walked more than he’s struck out in his college career and with Team USA walked four times to two strikeouts with a 91% overall contact rate. 

Bodine has unusual movements from both sides of the plate, specifically with a late hand raise, high back elbow and barrel tip in his load, but has made the operation work for the most part. He has a hit-over-power offensive profile and also has the above-average arm strength and solid receiving chops to stick behind the dish. 

6. Nolan Schubart, OF, Oklahoma State

Schubart was a high-profile high school hitter who showed some of the best power upside in the 2022 prep class and has become one of college baseball’s most fearsome sluggers in two seasons with Oklahoma State. Now a 6-foot-5, 227-pound outfielder, Schubart is a career .352/.480/.743 hitter with the Cowboys who homered 23 times this spring and then led Team USA with a 1.571 OPS and five extra-base hits this summer. 

Schubart has tremendous raw power and posts eye-opening exit velocities—including a 111.6 mph 90th-percentile mark this spring—but has plenty of contact questions in his game. He looks to do damage on all of his swings with fierce hacks from the left side and phenomenal bat speed but will need to improve the 63.3% contact rate he managed this spring. 

While Schubart will swing and miss versus all pitch types, to his credit he has done a nice job staying within the zone on his swing decisions and walking at a high clip. He’s a definite corner outfield profile with more than enough power to profile there. 

7. Matt Scott, RHP, Stanford

Scott is a big and broad righthander with a 6-foot-7, 247-pound frame and background as a high-profile prep prospect who ranked as a top 200 player in the 2022 class. While his career 5.57 ERA with Stanford over two seasons is unexceptional, he has solid peripherals and pure stuff to dream on. With Team USA he struck out four, walked three and allowed just two singles in two outings.

Scott throws from a high three-quarters slot and boasts a four-pitch mix, though his fastball and slider are his go-to offerings. He sits 92-94 mph with his fastball but has been up to 98 with tremendous riding life and he filled up the zone with a mid-80s two-plane breaking slider this summer. Scott also mixes in a low-80s split-changeup and 87-91 mph cutter, though both pitches need more polish. 

8. Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest

Houston is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound shortstop who earned an early reputation as one of college baseball’s most impressive defensive infielders. After a light-hitting 2023 season with Wake Forest, Houston posted a .949 OPS this spring with Wake Forest and served as Team USA’s primary shortstop this summer. The righthanded hitter went just 3-for-19 (.158) in seven games but drew eight walks to manage a .429 on-base percentage in that time.

High-level defensive ability is the name of the game for Houston. He’s a reliable defender who has all the tools necessary to stick at shortstop and play the position at an above-average level. While he’s not a burner, he shows a quick first step with good range to both sides and pairs above-average arm strength with an advanced internal clock, no-doubt middle infield actions and footwork and impressive body control. His upside as a prospect will depend on his progress as a hitter next spring. 

9. Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma

Witherspoon began his college career with Northwest Florida State JC but transferred to Oklahoma this spring where he posted a 3.71 ERA over 80 innings and 11 starts. He continued to perform with Team USA. In two outings he struck out eight, walked two and allowed just one single. 

A 6-foot, 205-pound righthander, Witherspoon is solidly filled out now with broad shoulders and a well-developed frame. His arm action features an odd, hitch-and-hook movement in the back of his stroke but he fires to the plate with tons of arm speed from a three-quarters slot. He sits 95-96 mph with his fastball and has touched 99 with solid ride and cut. He uses a mid-to-upper-80s slider as his go-to secondary. 

Witherspoon also has a firm, upper-80s changeup that he uses infrequently as well as a cutter around 90 mph. There’s some inherent reliever risk given Witherspoon’s delivery and control.

10. Gabe Davis, RHP, Oklahoma State

Davis has primarily pitched out of the bullpen in college but did make five starts for Oklahoma State this spring before pitching in a relief capacity for Team USA this summer. Davis appeared in three games and struck out seven of the 12 batters he faced without allowing a hit or walk. A monstrous presence on the mound, Davis is listed at 6-foot-9, 225 pounds and throws from a relatively easy delivery and three-quarters slot. 

Scouts loved what they saw from Davis this summer. He averaged 95 mph and touched 100 this spring at OSU and was a tick higher on average with Team USA. His fastball might play up because his extension is above-average and his perceived velocity is likely greater than the TrackMan readings. He generated eight whiffs on 15 swings with the pitch with Team USA. He paired it with a hard mid-80s slider that was also a swing-and-miss offering. 

Davis showed impressive command in his brief summer stint. He’ll need to replicate that next spring and improve on his career 13.3% walk rate.

2024 Team USA CNT Best Tools

Best Hitter: Caden Bodine
Best Power: Nolan Schubart
Best Plate Discipline: Drew Burress
Fastest Runner: RJ Austin
Most Exciting Player: Tyler Bremner
Best Pitcher: Tyler Bremner
Best Fastball: Tyler Bremner
Best Breaking Pitch: Gabe Gaeckle 
Best Changeup: Tyler Bremner
Best Control: Jamie Arnold
Best Defensive C: Caden Bodine
Best Defensive INF: Marek Houston
Best Defensive OF: Drew Burress