25 College Baseball Freshmen Who Could Help Shape The 2024 Season
Image credit: Will Gasparino (Photo by Eddie Kelly)
With the fall season now concluded, we have a clearer picture as to which freshmen project to have impactful roles with their respective programs. Today, we’re examining 25 players who stand out for their prospect status, fall performance or some combination of the two. This is not a ranking, but rather a mix of different types of potential contributors this spring.
It’s not uncommon for true freshmen to explode onto the scene and establish themselves as potential day one draft prospects. Just last year, Ethan Petry slashed .376/.471/.733 while mashing 23 home runs and Cam Cannarella won the ACC Freshman of the Year award after hitting .388/.462/.560 with 26 extra-base hits. Like Petry, Cannarella, and others, a handful of names below could find themselves on a similar trajectory when it comes to their respective draft stock.
Below, find all 25 players and their corresponding Freshman Spotlight pieces. You can also find our ranking of the 10 most impactful freshmen here, and a list of the top 10 college prospects for the 2025 draft here.
The list below is sorted in alphabetical order.
Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
The Georgia native has wicked bat speed, plus running ability and ample opportunity in Georgia Tech’s outfield. Read more…
Trent Caraway, IF, Oregon State
Caraway may be the most polished incoming freshman hitter and should quickly settle into the Beavers’ lineup. Read more…
Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
Cholowsky was a top-50 prospect in the 2023 draft, won Arizona’s Gatorade Player of the Year and also had an offer to play quarterback at Notre Dame. Read more…
Matthew Dallas, LHP, Tennessee
The experienced lefty could quickly fill a void in the Volunteers’ pitching staff. Read more…
Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
Dietz has the look of a future Friday night starter for the Razorbacks one day. Read more…
Jacob Dudan, RHP, NC State
The rising righty flew under the radar in high school, but made serious noise in the fall. Read more…
James Ellwanger, RHP, Dallas Baptist
The Texas native is an elite athlete and only getting better as enters the college game. Read more…
Gabe Gaeckle, RHP, Arkansas
Arkansas’ incoming recruiting class took a hit in the draft, but landing Gaeckle was a major coup. Read more…
Will Gasparino, OF, Texas
Gasparino has legitimate five-tool upside and should make a quick impact. Read more…
Gavin Grahovac, 3B/UTL, Texas A&M
Grahovac brings physicality, raw power and defensive versatility to the Aggies. Read more…
Colton Hartman, LHP, Louisville
Hartman has elite ride on his heater and reached Louisville despite draft buzz. Read more…
Braden Holcomb, 3B, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt has a glut of infielders, but Holcomb’s physicality and toolset are undeniable. Read more…
Cameron Johnson, LHP, LSU
The defending national champs landed a decorated lefty with an explosive fastball. Read more…
Aidan Keenan, RHP, Stanford
The California native has been up to 97 mph with plenty of arm speed. Read more…
Camden Kozeal, 2B, Vanderbilt
The reigning Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year has one of the most advanced hit tools of any incoming freshman. Read more…
Justin Lee, RHP, UCLA
UCLA’s incoming class is loaded and Lee has breakout potential on the mound. Read more…
Chance Mako, RHP, NC State
No stranger to the scouting community, Mako has a great mixture of ability and upside. Read more…
Ethan McElvain, LHP, Vanderbilt
McElvain has flashed the type of upside that belongs near the front of the draft one day. Read more…
Chase Meyer, RHP, West Virginia
When it comes to pure stuff, few freshmen can match Meyer’s arsenal. Read more…
Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
Peterson’s fastball sat 95-98 mph this fall and he should log meaningful innings in 2024. Read more…
Campbell Smithwick, C, Mississippi
Smithwick has a chance to be the best of any catcher who made it to campus this year. Read more…
Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina
A prototypical catcher, Stevenson hits the ball hard, receives well and made an impact this fall. That’s a great starting point for the Tar Heels. Read more…
Cole Stokes, RHP, Oregon
The California native drastically improved his stock last summer and headlines Oregon’s incoming class. Read more…
Landon Stripling, 2B, Texas Tech
The bat-first infielder should quickly endear himself to Texas Tech fans with his advanced offensive ability. Read more…
Joey Volchko, RHP Stanford
Volchko pitched himself into first round consideration before ultimately honoring his commitment to Stanford. Read more…
