Browsing: Recruiting

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Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle (right) (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With fall college baseball now in full swing, plenty of fresh faces have begun to announce their presence at their respective programs.

Texas, which ranked No. 5 in last year’s recruiting rankings, has vaulted to No. 1 after making out particularly well in the draft. Mississippi State, which sits at No. 6, was able to get prized lefthander Jack Bauer to campus. Bauer ranked No. 44 on the final Baseball America 500 and is the highest ranked player on the 500 to make it to campus.

The SEC and ACC both landed a handful of programs on our list, though the Big Ten and Big 12 also landed multiple programs in the ranking.

Baseball America subscribers can find our complete top 25 recruiting rankings below.

1. Texas

The Jim Schlossnagle era is off to a roaring start. In its first year as a member of the SEC, Texas last season captured the conference regular season title and won its fourth-most conference games in program history.

While the Longhorns†season came to an abrupt end in June, Schlossnagle and his staff reloaded over the offseason and head into 2026 with national championship upside. On top of its returning core and big-time transfer portal additions, Texas welcomes a star-studded recruiting class to campus that figures to leave a sizable mark on the program sooner rather than later.

The strength of Texas†recruiting class is undoubtedly its stable of arms. The headliner of the group is Brody Walls. A 6-foot righthander, Walls has a controlled operation and is an advanced strike-thrower. His fastball was up to 95 mph last spring, and he supplements the heater with a high-spin, slurvy breaking ball and a low-80s changeup. Walls†breaking ball is his most viable swing-and-miss offering, though heâ€s comfortable using his “cambio†against lefthanded hitters.

Southpaw Jack McKernanhas a quick arm and is armed with a fastball thatâ€s also been up to 95 to go along with a mid-80s power slider that flashes sharp bite. While he relies heavily on his fastball and slider, McKernan will also deploy a changeup against righthanded hitters.

In addition to Walls and McKernan, keep a close eye on 6-foot-5 righthander Michael Winter. Winter was initially committed to Dartmouth, but he eventually flipped to Texas. At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Winter certainly looks the part and has a clean delivery with a loose arm stroke. His fastball sits in the low 90s and has been up to 95 mph. It’s a pitch he supplements with a high-spin slider that regularly flashes sharp two-plane tilt and lateral life. He rounds out his arsenal with a mid-to-high-80s cutter and a mid-80s changeup. Winter boasts an exciting blend of “now†stuff and upside, and, while it may not be in 2026, he figures to pitch his way into the Longhorns†weekend rotation.

Speaking of 6-foot-5 righthanders, Brett Crossland is plenty physical and possesses high-end stuff. His heater has been up to 97 mph to go along with two distinct breaking balls in a mid-80s slider and a high-70s curveball. The former is tighter in shape, while his bender—which is the better of the two—flashes plus with plenty of depth and downward bite. Crossland completes his arsenal with a low-80s changeup that at times flashes serious fade to the arm side.

On the position player side, wiry outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. is the headliner. He has impressive bat and hand speed and does a nice job of staying inside the baseball. Pack Jr. has a line-drive oriented stroke and advanced contact skills—two traits that figure to serve him well both at Texas and beyond. A plus runner and high-level athlete with solid baseball sense, Pack Jr. has a chance to stick in center field long term.

2. Tennessee

Since coach Tony Vitello took the reins of the program in 2017, heâ€s turned Tennessee into a national powerhouse and perennial national championship contender. After capturing the programâ€s first national title in 2024, the Volunteers†2025 season came to an end in the Fayetteville super regional. Tennessee is one of very few programs that falls into the “reload, not rebuild†bucket, and 2026 figures to be yet another exciting season on Rocky Top.

Vitello and his staff are some of the best recruiters in the country, and it shows year in and year out. The crown jewel of the 2025 class is undoubtedly Cameron Appenzeller. A projection lefthander, Appenzeller stands at 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds. He had legitimate top-two round draft interest, though he opted to honor his commitment to the Vols. Appenzeller is a solid athlete with a repeatable delivery and plenty of projection remaining. His fastball has been up to 94 mph with life through the zone to go along with two distinct secondary offerings. His high-70s-to-low-80s slider features two-plane bite and has plus upside, while his mid-80s changeup flashes plenty of fade and is a real weapon against righthanded hitters. Throughout his time in Knoxville, expect both Appenzellerâ€s velocity and pure stuff to continue to tick up.

Catcher Trent Grindlinger was one of the best prep catchers in the 2025 class and getting him to campus was a major win for Tennessee. Behind the dish, Grindlinger has a plus arm and moves well for his size. His contact skills are pleasantly surprising, and he has a sound feel for the strike zone to go with above-average raw power. Grindlinger has yet to tap into his power in-game on a regular basis, though that could change in the hitter-friendly confines of Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Switch-hitting shortstop Ethan Moore has a lengthy track record with the stick, and he has a direct, line-drive oriented swing from both sides of the plate. He has solid contact skills and is certainly physical, though his operation is not geared towards getting the ball up in the air. Mooreâ€s hitting ability is his carrying tool, and he could move off of shortstop for second or third base. He certainly has a chance to be a high-level performer at Tennessee and a future prominent draft pick.

3. LSU

LSU is one of very few programs—perhaps the only program—that is flat-out dominant across every facet of the game. Coach Jay Johnson and his staff routinely put together premier portal and recruiting classes and do an outstanding job of developing the talent they bring in. The result? Two national championships in the last three seasons. Johnson has cultivated an environment in which there is an unbelievable amount of success at both the team and individual level, and that figures to continue so long as heâ€s at the helm.

This yearâ€s group of incoming freshmen is par for the course, and the Tigers again boast a top-three recruiting class. LSUâ€s draft wins started when prized catcher Omar Serna withdrew his name in the weeks leading up to draft day. At 6-foot-2 and 225-pounds, Serna is plenty physical, and both his arm strength and raw power grade out as plus. In fact, his arm is closer to double-plus than it is plus. Serna has tons of bat speed and is more than capable of driving the baseball with authority to all fields. His hit tool could use a coat of polish, and heâ€ll need to continue to work on his actions behind the plate, but Serna will have top two-round upside coming out of LSU.

Outfielder William Patrick fits the description of a “tool shed†to a tee. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Patrick also played football and ran track. Thereâ€s no shortage of present strength in his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, and he has big-time hand speed in the box. While his hit tool lacks polish, he has a chance to develop into plus power.

Patrick’s loudest, most explosive tool is his speed. Heâ€s a double-plus runner whose speed and athleticism allows him to cover ample ground on the grass, and he has the makings of an above-average center fielder. If Patrickâ€s toolset wasnâ€t dynamic enough, he also boasts a plus arm. He has the ability to impact the game in myriad ways, and he figures to do exactly that during his time at LSU.

Righthander Marcos Paz is a bit of a wild card. Paz had Tommy John surgery in 2024 which kept him on the shelf until this past June, but he showed well at the draft combine. Pazâ€s fastball was up to 95 mph, and he has an easy, repeatable delivery. His mid-80s slider has plus potential and is his best pitch, routinely spinning in the 2,800-2,900 rpm range. Paz rounds out his arsenal with a mid-to-high-80s changeup that looks the part of a solid third offering.

Fellow righthander Reagan Ricken is also a name to circle. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Ricken has a prototypical pitcherâ€s frame and is an advanced athlete. Heâ€s cleaned up his operation over the last calendar year, and he features a fastball that has been into the mid 90s with armside life to go along with a mid-80s slider and low-80s curveball. Both of Rickenâ€s offspeed offerings have the chance to be effective, and he rounds out his arsenal with a high-80s changeup that could be a fine fourth pitch.

Ricken is a moldable ball of clay, and it will be exciting to watch his development under the guidance of pitching coach Nate Yeskie.

4. Virginia

It was a bit of a hectic start to the offseason in Charlottesville, as long-time head coach Brian Oâ€Connor departed to take on the same role at Mississippi State. However, Virginia made a sizable splash of its own by landing former Duke coach Chris Pollard. Pollard and his staff hit the ground running and not only built a standout transfer class, but also an equally impressive recruiting class. Assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Derek Simmons has been an integral piece of each coaching staff heâ€s been a part of to this point, and he will have the same effect in Charlottesville. Whether it be at Indiana, his one-year stint at Duke or this past offseason at Virginia, Simmons has been a true difference-maker at every stop.

As for this yearâ€s class, the focal point is a trio of high-end righthanders. John Paone withdrew his name from the draft, though he had legitimate top five-round interest. The 6-foot-3 hurler attacks from a low three-quarters slot and relies heavily on a power fastball-slider combination. Paoneâ€s heater has been up to 97 mph and routinely gets in on the hands of righthanded hitters, while his slider is a high-spin pitch that flashes plus.

The younger brother of 2012 first-rounder and two-time MLB all-star Marcus Stroman, Jayden Stroman is an athletic, 6-foot-1 righty who blossomed this spring on the mound. He ran his fastball up to 97 mph with carry in the top half of the zone to go along with a mid-80s changeup thatâ€s flashed and a mid-80s curveball.

The 6-foot-5 Noah Yoder has the most powerful stuff of the bunch, and he deploys a fastball thatâ€s routinely touched 99 mph and is on track to be in triple digits before long. Yoderâ€s low-80s curveball has downer shape and could eventually turn into an average offering, while his low-to-mid-80s changeup is a more “under construction†third pitch.

Infielder RJ Holmes has shown well this fall and could be the Cavaliers’ starting second baseman come opening day. Heâ€s an advanced athlete with a quick swing from the right side and is an above-average runner who figures to earn meaningful playing time this spring.

5. Arkansas

Arkansas has been to the College World Series twice in the last four years. While last season ended in gut-wrenching fashion, the Razorbacks reloaded both via the portal and by bringing in another high-quality recruiting class.

Infielder and righthanded pitcher Carson Brumbaugh is one of the class†headliners, and heâ€s already off to a fast start this fall. He has no-doubt plus bat speed and plus raw power, while on the dirt he has a plus arm. Brumbaugh has fared well at shortstop to this point, though his actions might translate better over at third base. On the bump, Brumbaugh has been up to 96 mph to go along with a solid low-80s slider and a firmer upper-80s changeup. Brumbaugh projects as a position player long term, though Iâ€d expect him to log a handful of innings throughout his time at Arkansas.

Fellow infielder Landon Schaeferhas a lean, athletic frame and certainly looks the part. His hit tool will need a couple coats of polish, and his load is on the noisier side, but he has plenty of bat speed and exciting power potential—especially to the pull side. Schaefer has enough arm strength to handle shortstop, but, like Brumbaugh, he could move off the position at some point.

Six-foot-five righthander Jordan Martin is the top pitching recruit for coach Dave Van Horn and his staff, and he deploys a lively fastball thatâ€s been up to 96 mph as well as a slurvy slider. Its shape plays, but it lacks teeth. He rounds out his three-pitch mix with a low-80s changeup, though itâ€s a distant third offering. Martin is on the raw side, but his arm strength, athleticism and upside are all appealing.

6. Mississippi State

As mentioned above, it was announced soon after Mississippi Stateâ€s season concluded that Brian Oâ€Connor would be the new head man for the Bulldogs. It was an outstanding hire, and Oâ€Connor and his staff got right to work

The headlining name here is a biggie, as 6-foot-4 lefthander Jack Bauer is not only Mississippi Stateâ€s top recruit, but also one of the top incoming freshmen in the country. Bauer made waves last spring after becoming the hardest-throwing prep lefthander of all-time after touching 102, but heâ€s not a one-trick pony.Â

On top of his thunderous heater, Bauer routinely spins his sharp breaking ball in the 3,000 rpm range. He is a bit of a spray gun and his lack of control has prevented him from pitching deep into games, but initial reports out of Starkville this fall have been glowing. If Bauer can compete in and around the zone on a consistent basis while flashing his premium stuff, he very well could be a first-round pick when heâ€s next eligible. Bauerâ€s pure arm talent and upside are beyond tantalizing, and he profiles as one of the most exciting freshmen in college baseball this spring.

The brother of 2025 eighth-overall pick JoJo Parker, Jacob Parkeris a physical lefthanded hitter with a pro body. Heâ€s listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds and shows plus raw power. Parker gets to his impact without much effort, though there are some questions about the caliber of pure hitter heâ€s going to be. An above-average runner with an above-average arm, Parkerâ€s entire body of work profiles best in right field.

Righthander Parker Rhodes was a helium name this spring. He deploys a pair of fastball shapes—both of which have been into the mid 90s—as well as a high-spin, low-80s breaking ball and a mid-80s changeup with which he does a nice job of killing spin.

7. Vanderbilt

Under coach Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt has a lengthy track record of retaining the vast majority of its highly-touted recruits. The 2025 class is no different, and it’s led by southpaw Aiden Stillman.

A 6-foot-3 lefthander, Stillman has an appealing blend of strikes and stuff. He has a clean operation that includes a bit of deception and features a three-pitch mix. Stillmanâ€s fastball has been up to 95 mph with life, though, between his present arm speed and remaining projection, its velocity figures to tick up. Stillman relies heavily on his heater, but he also has a solid feel to spin his high-70s-to-low-80s slurvy breaking ball. Its shape varies, and sometimes it will take on more of a slider look with more lateral break than depth and vice versa.

Tyler Baird is a projectable, 6-foot-4 righthander whose fastball has been into the upper 90s to go with a slurvy breaking ball in the upper 70s and a solid, low-80s changeup. Baird has a history of being in and around the strike zone, and his stuff will only improve as he continues to physically mature.

At 255 pounds, fellow 6-foot-4 righty Wyatt Nadeau is almost the polar opposite physically with powerful stuff, to boot. His fastball crept into the upper 90s, and he mixes his heater with a pair of low-to-mid-80s breaking balls and a firmer changeup. Nadeau isnâ€t the strike-thrower that Baird is and could profile best as a reliever long term, but both project as impactful arms for the ‘Dores.

Vanderbiltâ€s not-so-secret weapon is assistant coach Ty Blankmeyer. The son of legendary St. Johnâ€s head coach Ed Blankmeyer, Ty has cemented himself as an ace recruiter and outstanding infield coach. Blankmeyer was also the Brewers’ Northeast area scout and Sal Frelickâ€s signing scout. From this chair, itâ€s a matter of when—not if—Blankmeyer becomes a Power Four head coach.

8. Wake Forest

Throughout his tenure with Wake Forest, coach Tom Walter has transformed the program into a perennial contender. The departure of highly regarded pitching coach Corey Muscara—who this past June was named Dukeâ€s head coach—left a hole in the staff, but the Demon Deacons still welcomed a talented group of recruits to campus this fall.

New Jersey righthander Marcelo Harsch had top three-round interest in this yearâ€s draft, and, at 6-foot-4 and 170 pounds, still has plenty of room to fill out. Harsch has a balanced delivery with a long arm action, and he deploys a fastball thatâ€s been up to 94-95 mph to go with an effective mid-80s slider that flashes late two-plane tilt. Harschâ€s slider is his most effective swing-and-miss pitch, and he rounds out his three-pitch mix with a mid-80s changeup thatâ€s a clear third offering.

Fellow righty Evan Jones didnâ€t necessarily have the same type of draft buzz as Harsch, but he has a chance to really blossom during his time in Winston-Salem. Jones†fastball jumps out of his hand and has been up to 96 mph with armside life out of a low slot. He also works with a low-to-mid-80s slider with solid sweep and a mid-80s changeup.

Infielder JD Stein has a lengthy track record of performance on the travel circuit, and heâ€s hit at a high level at each event. He commands the strike zone well and has standout hand-eye coordination and solid bat speed.

9. Alabama

Alabama last year made a regional for the third-straight season—a feat not accomplished since 2008-2010—and coach Rob Vaughn again has a roster thatâ€s capable of a deep tournament run.

Righthander Myles Upchurch is the most talented of the bunch thanks to an intriguing blend of athleticism and arm strength. His heater has been up to 95 mph, and he also features a sharp mid-80s slider, a curveball that will sometimes blend with his slider and a changeup that has a chance to be a fine fourth offering. Upchurch got touched up a bit this spring, but he has a chance to blossom under Alabamaâ€s coaching staff and player development.

Mammoth third baseman Caleb Barnett has huge raw power, but there are hit tool questions due to his long levers and operation getting long and out-of-sync at times. Barnettâ€s above-average arm plays nicely at third, though heâ€s not the most fleet of foot and could end up in the outfield when all is said and done.

Speaking of thunderous power, Eric Hines has comfortably plus power to the pull side and was able to tap into said power on a regular basis last spring.

While he wasnâ€t the most prominently-ranked recruit in Alabamaâ€s class, lefthander Luke Smyers has a chance to make an immediate impact on the bump. A 6-foot-3 southpaw, Smyers†pitchability is advanced, and he has a strong track record of commanding the baseball. He has an easy, repeatable operation and is consistently in the strike zone with his low-90s fastball and slurvy breaking ball. Smyers ties his arsenal together with an upper-70s-to-low-80s changeup thatâ€s a solid weapon against righthanded hitters.

10. Auburn

Following a down year in 2024 in which it failed to make the tournament for the first time since 2019, Auburn returned to form last season and returned to a super regional for the first time since 2022. Rather than being a flash in the pan, the Tigers are well-positioned for a period of sustained success.

The centerpieces of Auburnâ€s 2025 class are righthanders Justice De Jong and Ethan Bingaman. De Jong has an athletic delivery and is an advanced strike-thrower who features a low-90s fastball that was up to 95 mph, a high-spin curveball and a not-as-sharp high-70s-to-low-80s slider. De Jongâ€s pitchability gives him a chance to start, though both of his secondaries will need to take a step forward.

A two-way player in high school, Bingaman profiles best as an arm long term. His fastball sits in the low 90s and has been up to 95 mph. It plays well in the top half of the zone—where it generates the majority of its whiffs—thanks to its riding life. Bingamanâ€s upper-70s-to-low-80s curveball is a high-spin pitch that takes on a 12-to-6 shape, and he completes his arsenal with an upper-80s changeup. In the box, Bingaman has a strong swing from the right side.

Shortstop Ty Thompson presents an athletic look on both sides of the baseball. Heâ€s an aggressive hitter with above-average contact skills who fares particularly well against heaters. On the dirt, Thompsonâ€s a plus runner with enough arm strength to potentially stick at shortstop long term. With Ryne Farber and Chris Rembert making up the middle of Auburnâ€s infield in 2026, it will be interesting to see where Thompson factors in. Regardless, he could be in line for a prominent role as soon as 2027.

11. Texas A&M

2025 was quite the season in College Station—but for all the wrong reasons. Texas A&M entered the year as the No. 1 team in the country and national champion favorite, but the wheels fell off in rather short order, and the Aggies failed to make the tournament for just the second time since 2006. Thereâ€s no doubt that 2026 is a big year for Texas A&M, and coach Michael Earley spent the offseason reloading as such.

The crown jewel of Texas A&Mâ€s recruiting class is undoubtedly shortstop/righthanded pitcher Nico Partida. Partida was one of the better two-way players in the 2025 class and he has a chance to be an impact player on both sides of the baseball. Starting with his ability on the bump, Partidaâ€s fastball has been clocked as high as 98 mph, and he does a good enough job using it to up the zone. Partidaâ€s mid-70s curveball is an average secondary that varies in shape. He completes his three-pitch mix with a low-80s changeup that flashes fade to the armside, though he has the tendency to slow his arm down when delivering it.

As a hitter, Partida has a solid hit-power blend at the plate, though neither tool is all that loud. He has above-average contact skills, and while on the dirt, his actions and arm strength are adequate at shortstop. However, his lack of twitchiness could make him a better fit over at third base. Partidaâ€s ability at the plate is a bonus, as he looks the part of a pitcher professionally.

Speaking of third basemen, the physical Boston Kellner has above-average power—especially to his pull side—though he has more of a hit-over-power look in games. Though he is susceptible to swing-and-miss against spin, he has the offensive tools to hit for both average and power at the next level. Kellner has a plus arm over at the hot corner—where heâ€s likely to stick—but it also profiles well in a corner outfield spot.

12. Florida

Like its Sunshine State counterpart in Miami, Floridaâ€s outlook in early April also appeared bleak, as it looked as if the Gators would miss the tournament for the first time since 2007. However, the team’s sweep of Missouri served as a “get right†series, and it proceeded to win each of the last six SEC series. Coach Kevin Oâ€Sullivan and his staff would like 2026 to be far less stressful than this past spring, and they have the personnel to accomplish that and then some.

Minjae Seo is the Gators†highest-ranked recruit. The slightly-undersized righthander features a low-90s fastball, though its shape and movement profile allow the pitch to play up. Seoâ€s high-70s slider has a slurvy look, and it flashes above-average with more sweep than depth at times. He throws his low-80s changeup sparingly, and heâ€ll need to improve his command and control to stick in the rotation long term.

The centerpiece of the Gators’ position player group is shortstop Nicolas Partridge. A lean, wiry infielder, Partridge has a direct swing and hitterish look in the box with an advanced approach. An undoubtedly hit-over-power profile right now, heâ€s also flashed some sneaky thump to the pull side. However, Partridge will need to put on a considerable amount of strength to be an average power threat. He will get a chance to stick at shortstop, but his actions and arm strength could profile better at second base.

13. TCU

The Horned Frogs missed the NCAA tournament in 2024, but they bounced back with a strong season and returned to the postseason this past spring. While they failed to make the College World Series, the team’s 39 overall wins and 19 conference victories were both impressive marks. Led by its loaded group of returners and strong recruiting class, TCU has Omaha upside in 2026.

Lefthander Uli Fernsler had real top two-round interest in this yearâ€s draft, and getting him to campus was a major recruiting win for coach Kirk Saarloos and his staff. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Fernsler is an advanced strike-thrower whose deception helps his entire arsenal play up. His fastball sits only in the high 80s/low 90s, but his delivery and flat vertical approach angle allow it to play up. Fernslerâ€s low-80s changeup and low-80s slider are both viable secondary weapons with above-average upside, and he completes his arsenal with a mid-70s curveball. Fernsler was just 17-years-old on draft day, and between his strikes, pure stuff and underlying traits, he has a chance to soar at TCU.

Speaking of pitchers who were just 17 on draft day, righthander Aiden Barrientesis a bit undersized, but his fastball velocity has consistently ticked up. His bread-and-butter pitch is a low-to-mid-80s slider that he spins in the 2,800 rpm range. His slider has plus potential, and heâ€ll also throw a distinct high-70s curveball and a low-80s changeup.

The biggest fish in TCU’s recruiting class this year, however, is shortstop Lucas Franco. At 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Franco certainly looks the part. He has an aesthetically pleasing swing from the left side, and his approach and pitch recognition skills are both polished. Francoâ€s glove work at shortstop stands out, and he has good footwork with smooth actions and an above-average arm. Having demonstrated comfort attacking the baseball and throwing from different slots, thereâ€s a chance Franco will be able to stick at the position.

14. Stanford

Letâ€s cut right to the chase: 2026 is a big year in Palo Alto.

After three-straight College World Series appearances from 2021 and 2023, Stanford has failed to make the tournament in each of the last two seasons. The Cardinal lost two-thirds of its weekend rotation in righthanders Matt Scott and Joey Volchko to the transfer portal in addition to a handful of key offensive pieces, but one thing that has remained unchanged over an extended period of time is coach Dave Esquerâ€s ability to recruit at a high level. Stanford has arguably the best retention rate of recruits of any program in the country, and I can count on one hand the number of recruits the team has lost to the draft over the course of the last decade.

Itâ€s hard to not be excited when talking about outfielder Brock Ketelsen, who this summer flashed his tantalizing toolset in the West Coast League by slashing .328/.467/.458 with 10 extra-base hits, 27 RBIs, 35 stolen bases and 29 walks to just 19 strikeouts. As a cherry on top, Ketelsen surrendered just one run and collected 19 strikeouts across 8.2 innings on the mound. Ketelsenâ€s a good athlete on the mound whoâ€s armed with a low-90s fastball and a downer curveball, though his future is as a hitter.Â

In the box, Ketelsen has present bat speed with his highest quality of contact coming to the pull side. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he has room to fill out and figures to grow into at least above-average power. Even though heâ€s long-levered, Ketelsen has flashed above-average bat-to-ball skills—especially against fastballs—to go with a sound approach. A plus runner with an above-average arm, he also has a chance to stick in center field. Ketelsen is on his way to earning a spot in Stanfordâ€s opening day lineup and has Freshman of the Year upside.

Not to be outdone, Brock Sell ranked as the No. 55 overall prospect on the BA 500 this summer and had serious draft buzz of his own. Sell has a short, contact-oriented stroke from the left side, advanced bat-to-ball skills and polished approach. He consistently puts together quality at-bats and is a nuisance—both in the batterâ€s box and on the base paths—for opposing pitchers to deal with. A comfortably plus runner and high-level athlete with a solid arm, Sell is a safe bet to stick in center field.

15. Oklahoma State

After extending its postseason streak to 12-straight seasons in 2025, the Cowboys lost a considerable amount of firepower from last yearâ€s squad. Even so, coach Josh Holliday will again field an ultra-competitive team in 2026.

While undersized, 5-foot-11 outfielder Danny Wallace has strength packed into his compact frame. His bat-to-ball skills are perhaps a tick above average, and he also has plus bat speed and impressive raw power. Wallace is an above-average runner whose speed and plus arm translate well in center field, though his defensive skillset might be best suited for right field.Â

Sebastian Norman is a toolsy, 6-foot-2 outfielder with serious raw power and big-time hand speed. He has a fairly short swing, and his crouched stance is rather unique. Norman is plenty physical and could end up at first base when all is said and done. If that ends up being the case, it would only add pressure to his bat.

16. Miami

Miami got off to a slow start and appeared dead in the water in early April, but the Hurricanes righted the ship, played their way back into the field of 64 and made their first super regional since 2016. The 2026 squad will look different than this yearâ€s group, but there are still plenty of reasons to be excited about Miami baseball.

The cornerstone of the Hurricanes†recruiting class is outfielder Dylan Dubovik. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Dubovik has a smattering of above-average or better tools and is capable of impacting the game in lots of ways. He has plenty of bat speed, though his swing can get long, and his hit tool lacks polish. He also has plus raw power, though heâ€ll need to show he can make contact on a consistent enough basis to get to it regularly in games. Dubovik is an above-average runner who has a chance to be an effective basestealer, but his loudest tool is his arm. Itâ€s a 70-grade bazooka that plays quite well in the outfield, where heâ€s able to handle all three positions.

Sticking with the theme of “tool sheds,†Mason Greenhousealso stands out. Greenhouse is way more raw than Dubovik, but he has plenty of room to fill out his 6-foot-4 frame. He has no-doubt plus bat speed, runs well and has one of the best arms of any true freshman in the country. Greenhouseâ€s hit tool will need to take a major step forward, but heâ€s a plus runner whoâ€s touched triple digits from the outfield. While heâ€s a ways away from achieving it, Greenhouseâ€s upside is immense.

17. UCLA

The 2025 campaign served as a return to form for UCLA, which captured the Big Ten regular season title in its first year as a member of the conference en route to its first College World Series appearance since it won the national championship in 2013. As the calendar flips to 2026, UCLA has one of—if not the most—talented rosters in the country and returns the vast majority of its production on both sides of the baseball from last season. While the Bruins†returners will again take on most of the workload, they bring in a trio of exciting freshmen who are in line to be high-impact players.

Angel Cervantes was selected No. 50 overall by the Pirates in this yearâ€s draft, but the two sides were unable to reach a deal, meaning the true freshman will compete for a spot in UCLAâ€s weekend rotation. A 6-foot-3 righthander, Cervantes doesnâ€t turn 18 until August and has an appealing blend of starter traits and advanced pitchability. He has a simple, repeatable delivery in which he attacks from a three-quarters slot with plenty of arm speed. His fastball sits in the low 90s and has been up to 95 mph, and his ability to command it stands out. Cervantes can locate it to both sides of the plate and the quality of his strikes is impressive.Â

Cervantes’ low-80s changeup was one of the best in this yearâ€s class, and itâ€s a no-doubt plus pitch. He does a nice job of maintaining his arm speed, and it gets great separation off his heater. He has a high-level feel for the pitch and can both locate it in the bottom half of the zone for strikes and consistently generate whiffs with it. Cervantes rounds out his arsenal with a pair of high-spin breaking balls in a low-80s slider and a high-70s curveball. Theyâ€ll blend together in shape at times, but they both have above-average potential. Cervantes ties his four-pitch mix together with plus control that helps his entire arsenal play up.

Also on the mound, 6-foot-2 righthander Zach Stricklandhas an easy delivery and deep pitch mix. Stricklandâ€s high-spin heater has been up to 96 mph with spin rates between 2,500 and 2,600 rpm, and he also has a rather advanced feel to spin both of his breaking balls. Theyâ€re distinct in shape from one another, and Stricklandâ€s slider sits in the mid 80s, while his curveball sits in the mid 70s. Stricklandâ€s low-80s changeup is more effective due to its change of pace off his fastball than for its pure shape, though itâ€s still a useful fourth offering against lefthanded hitters. Stricklandâ€s pitchability will need to improve, but the building blocks are in place for him to be a starter.

Last and certainly not least, Dominic Cadiz was one of the best performers in the West Coast League regardless of class. A 15th-round pick by the Brewers, Cadiz lit up the WCL to the tune of a .345/.454/.628 slash line with 14 doubles, nine home runs, 36 RBIs and a walk-to-strikeout ratio of 25-to-21. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound infielder has a compact stroke with plenty of bat speed, which he uses to hammer the baseball to all fields.Â

18. Oklahoma

Coach Skip Johnson and the Sooners are fresh off another successful season that culminated in their fourth-straight tournament appearance. While it’s advanced to a super regional just once since 2013, it feels like Oklahoma is on the cusp of a return trip to the College World Series.

From a pure athlete standpoint, Alec Blair was one of the best in the 2025 class. On top of his ability on the diamond, he was also a four-star basketball recruit and is slated to play both sports at Oklahoma. While his swing can get out of sync and isnâ€t the most fluid looking, Blairâ€s power upside is monstrous. If he fills out physically, thereâ€s a chance he grows into true plus power before too long. For someone of his size, Blair moves quite well and has turned in plus run times. His length, athleticism and speed allow him to cover plenty of ground in center field, though if he were to move off the position, it will likely be to left field given his fringy arm.

The centerpiece on the mound is Vaughn Neckar. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Neckar filled out physically with no shortage of strength in his lower half. His pure stuff is loud, but his delivery requires some effort, and his command can be scattered. Neckarâ€s cut-ride heater has been into the mid 90s, while his two distinct breaking balls—a low-80s slider and an upper-70s curveball—have both shown the ability to generate empty swings.Â

19. Ole Miss

Ole Miss failed to make a regional in both 2023 and 2024, so it goes without saying how big its 2025 return to form was for the program. Coach Mike Bianco and his players did an outstanding job of blocking out the noise and winning 43 games en route to hosting a regional. While they were eliminated by Murray State, the 2025 season was far more indicative of Ole Miss†identity than 2023 or 2024 were.

In whatâ€s become the norm under Bianco, Ole Miss again has a quality recruiting class. 6-foot-4 righthander Blake Ilitch presents a physical look on the mound with a four-pitch mix. His heater sits in the low 90s, and his best offering is a high-spin, upper-70s curveball that flashes sharp, downward bite. Ilitchâ€s low-80s slider is shorter in shape and not as sharp as his curveball. He completes his arsenal with a low-80s split-change that looks the part of an effective offering against lefthanded hitters.

Fellow righty Noah Allen stands at an even more imposing 6-foot-7, though he has more room to fill out than Ilitch does. Allen relies heavily on his two-pitch mix that consists of a low-90s fastball and a 12-to-6 curveball that flashes solid depth. Allenâ€s stuff and velocity should tick up across the board as he matures physically, though his extension already helps his heater to play up. In what is the case for any pitcher of his size, the key for Allen will be keeping everything synced up and connected throughout his operation.Â

20. Oregon

Coach Mark Wasikowski has done a remarkable job since taking the reins in Eugene prior to the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Heâ€s led the Ducks to five-straight tournament appearances for the first time in program history and two regional titles in the last three seasons. It feels as if Oregon is mighty close to breaking down the door to the College World Series.

The big fish of Oregonâ€s 2025 class is Brayden Jaksa, who ranked No. 76 on the final BA 500 and will compete for meaningful playing time from the get-go. At 6-foot-6, Jaksa is ultra-tall for the catcher position. He has above-average arm strength, but heâ€ll need to continue working hard at refining his overall defensive skillset to stick at the position. Even if heâ€s unable to remain behind the dish, Jaksa could be a nice fit in right field. At the plate, Jaksa has above-average power, though it could eventually grade out as plus as he continues to add strength. Jaksa has minimal moving parts in his swing, and heâ€s a patient hitter with a feel for the strike zone.

Hawaii native Malosi Mataâ€Afa-Alferos is a glove-first shortstop whoâ€s a smooth defender with a plus arm and good hands. He looks the part of someone who could stick at the position long term, and could be the Ducks†everyday shortstop in 2027 after Maddox Molony is drafted. His overall offensive skillset will need a rather heavy coat of polish, though. There are some moving parts in his swing from the left side and, along with having below-average power, Mataâ€Afa-Alferos is susceptible to both whiff and chase.

21. Georgia

While Georgia has not made the College World Series since 2008, this yearâ€s portal class certainly gives the Bulldogs Omaha upside in 2026. The Bulldogs boast the No. 1 Newcomer Classin the country due in large part to their transfer portal haul, though there are also a few high-profile freshmen that figure to leave their mark on the program.

Starting on the mound, the 6-foot-5 Joe Nottingham is a projection righthander whose fastball has been up to 95 mph with life through the zone. He pairs his heater primarily with an upper-70s-to-low-80s slider that will occasionally flash above-average, though itâ€s more slurvy in shape when itâ€s on the lower end of the aforementioned velocity range. Nottinghamâ€s changeup also sits in the upper 70s/low 80s and could be a viable third offering. While Nottinghamâ€s pitchability will need to take a step forward and there are some pieces to clean up in his delivery, he has an intriguing foundation in place.

On the other side of the baseball, Ty Peeples is a lean, athletic outfielder with room to add physicality. He has a smooth lefthanded stroke with above-average bat speed and above-average or better raw power. Peeples has shown he can ambush mistakes in the zone and hammer them to his pull side, but his lack of bat-to-ball skills give reason for pause. Defensively, he projects best in a corner outfield spot.

Fellow outfielder William Johnson has a hit-over-power profile and a clean swing from the left side. He has a rather lengthy track record and stands out for his bat-to-ball skills and sound approach. Johnson roved center field in high school, but heâ€ll likely move off the position in college. Furthermore, his arm strength and overall defensive package could profile best in right field.

22. Arizona

Itâ€s hard to articulate how great of a job coach Chip Hale has done since taking over ahead of the 2022 season. The departure of Jay Johnson left Hale with impossibly large shoes to fill, yet heâ€s somehow been able to accomplish exactly that. The Wildcats have made the tournament in each of his four seasons at the helm, captured back-to-back conference tournament championships in the Pac-12 and Big 12 and made their first trip to the College World Series since 2021. Now, Hale and his are in a prime spot to continue the programâ€s success, and there are a pair of key freshmen on which to keep a close eye.

Six-foot-six Jack Lafflam is tall and projectable righthander with ample room to fill out his frame. He has a unique operation on the mound and deploys a high-spin fastball thatâ€s been up to 97 mph with gloveside life. He pairs it with a high-spin, mid-80s sweepy slider that regularly flashes above-average. Lafflam also throws a curveball in the mid 70s, though it lacks the bite that his slider has. To round out his arsenal, Lafflam possesses a high-80s changeup that will flash both tumble and fade. Thereâ€s some reliever risk that stems from his delivery and whether or not heâ€ll throw enough strikes.

Righthander Dylan Wood also has his fair share of delivery deception to go along with a loud pitch mix. While there are plenty of moving parts in his operation, Wood still manages to do a nice job commanding his low-90s fastball. Itâ€s not overwhelming from a velocity standpoint, but Woodâ€s release traits and ability to command the pitch help it play up a bit. Woodâ€s mid-to-upper-70s curveball is inconsistent in shape, and he ties together his arsenal with a low-70s changeup that flashes plenty of tumble.

23. Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is fresh off an excellent season in which it took home its first ACC regular season title since 2011. Incoming first-year coach James Ramsey is off and running, and he did an outstanding job both in the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail to round out his roster.

Charlie Willcox stood out in my look at him in Jupiter last fall. The 6-foot-3 righthander has a strong, athletic frame with an easy operation in which his athleticism is evident. Willcox has run his heater into the mid 90s, though his best pitch is a high-spin curveball that flashes both depth and teeth. Interestingly enough, Willcox features two different changeups. The first is a mid-80s offering that flashes fade at times, while the second is a true split-change with which Willcox does a fantastic job killing spin. The spin rates on Willcoxâ€s split-change regularly dip below 1,000 rpm and it looks the part of a mighty effective offering to round out his arsenal.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds, Cooper Underwood is a classic projection lefthander. His fastball has ticked up over the course of the last calendar year, and last spring it was in the low 90s on a more frequent basis than it was in 2024. It has above-average ride through the zone, and itâ€s a pitch he pairs with two distinct, high-spin breaking balls in a low-80s sweepy slider and an upper-70s curveball that takes on a noticeably bigger shape. Underwood will also occasionally throw a low-80s changeup, and he is an above-average strike-thrower.

24. Maryland

Maryland is perhaps the most surprising name to appear on the rankings, but coach Matt Swope has the Terrapins headed in the right direction. They havenâ€t made the tournament since 2023, but theyâ€ll look to return to the postseason in 2026.

The cornerstone of Marylandâ€s recruiting class is undoubtedly Austin Weiss. The 6-foot-1 lefthander has a drop-and-drive delivery, and his low slot makes for an uncomfortable look for opposing hitters. His fastball has made encouraging strides over the last two years, as it topped out at 95 mph with armside life last spring. Weiss†mid-to-high-70s sweeper has frisbee-like life and itâ€s a particular weapon against lefthanded hitters. One of the biggest keys for Weiss going forward will be the continued development of his low-80s changeup, as heâ€ll need an additional weapon against righthanded hitters.

Also a running back on Marylandâ€s football team, Johnathan “Bud†Coombs stands out for his high-level athleticism. While heâ€s undersized at 5-foot-10, Coombs has tons of strength and physicality packed into his frame. His hit tool is a major question mark, but Coombs does have above-average power and is also a plus runner.

Another name to circle is infielder Ty Kaunas. Nothing here jumps off the page from a tools or physical standpoint, but Kaunas†baseball sense is evident on both sides of the ball. He has solid bat-to-ball skills and a sound approach, while on the dirt he boasts a good internal clock.

25. Florida State

Florida State did most of its rebuilding this offseason in the transfer portal, but coach Link Jarrett and his staff did a nice job putting together another quality recruiting class.

Infielder John Stuetzer also starred on the gridiron in high school, and heâ€s a double-plus runner who has experience both at shortstop and in the outfield. While Stuetzerâ€s handled both spots, his defensive skillset profiles best on the grass. Stuetzer has demonstrated the ability to generate quality contact, but heâ€ll need to shore up his hit tool in order to be able to do so on a consistent basis.

Kelvyn Paulino Jr. is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound physical infielder who has present bat speed to go along with good bat-to-ball skills and a polished approach. He has above-average power, especially to the pullside, and his arm and actions make him a good fit over at third base.

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