10 College Baseball Recruiting Classes That Just Missed The Top 25

Image credit: Scott Forbes (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)

It is always difficult to trim every recruiting class in college baseball down to a top 25 ranking. In what is the case every year, a number of schools have a valid case to make the list but ended up just missing out.

Below, you can find the 10 schools who just missed out on cracking the top 25. There are blue blood programs discussed, but also a handful of programs who are on the rise due in large part to their recruiting chops. It’s also important to keep in mind that this list is in no particular order.

North Carolina

Recruiting coordinator: Scott Jackson
Top recruit: Sawyer Black, OF
BA 500 freshmen: 3

2024 was a banner season for North Carolina, as it won 48 games—the most in a single season since 2017—and returned to the College World Series for the first time since 2018. The Tar Heels typically recruit well, and the 2024 cycle was no different. In July, they added coach Scott Jackson to the coaching staff. Jackson was a former assistant coach for Carolina before taking the head job at Liberty, where he led the Flames to three tournament appearances. A fantastic recruiter, the effect of Jackson’s hire was felt almost immediately, as the Tar Heels got a late flip from former Liberty commit, Sawyer Black.

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Black has a well-rounded toolset, and while there might not be a carrying tool, there is a lot to like across the board. He has an intriguing power-hit blend at the plate and figures to get the chance to prove himself in centerfield this fall.

Shortstop and outfielder Perry Hargett is a fantastic athlete and plus runner, but his offensive tools will need to improve. Infielder Lee Sowers is a dirt dog who plays the game hard, and his hit ability will need to be his carrying tool. He played shortstop during his high school days, but he projects as a second baseman long term.

Arizona State

Recruiting coordinator: Sam Peraza
Top recruit: Nicholas Montgomery, C/1B
BA 500 freshmen: 2

It’s been tough sledding in Tempe the last three seasons for Arizona State. It has failed to make the tournament in each of those years despite having plenty of talent up and down its roster. However, as the 2025 season approaches, head coach Willie Bloomquist’s squad seems poised to break its postseason drought. On top of returning plenty of production on both sides of the baseball, the Sun Devils welcome a strong recruiting class to campus.

A pair of BA 500 prospects in Nicholas Montgomery (No. 222) and Ky McGary (No. 295) headline the class. At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Montgomery has an imposing frame and boasts above-average power, though it is easy to envision it turning into an eventual plus tool. On top of his power, there is a present feel to hit and contact ability. His defensive skill set will need to gain polish, but his above-average arm plays behind the dish.

An outfielder, McGary runs well and has a chance to grow into more power as he matures physically, but in order to maximize his offensive upside his hit tool will need to improve. Lefthander Easton Barrett is an intriguing option on the mound, and the 5-foot-11 southpaw boasts a four-pitch mix that is headlined by an effective low-80s slider.

NC State

Recruiting coordinator: Chris Hart
Top recruit: Tyler Head, OF
BA 500 freshmen: 2

The Wolfpack has been a consistent winner under the guide of head coach Elliott Avent and his staff, and 2024 was par for the course. NC State’s 38 wins were tied for the second-highest total in a single-season since 2013, and it returned to the College World Series for the first time since its heartbreaking finish in 2021. Long known as an excellent recruiter, coach Chris Hart once again put together a strong class.

While the ‘Pack lost Devin Fitz-Gerald (fifth round, Rangers) to the draft, it retained its two highest ranked recruits in outfielder Tyler Head and righthander Truitt Manuel. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Head has a fantastic body with tools to boot. He’s a plus runner, and it’s particularly easy to dream on his power upside. His speed and athleticism are two traits that translate well to the outfield, and he figures to stick in centerfield.

Manuel is an advanced strike-thrower on the mound, armed with a low-90s fastball, a high-70s breaking ball and a changeup that is currently a work-in-progress. He moves well on the mound and his stuff could take a step forward thanks to his athleticism. Keep a close eye on towering 6-foot-8 righthander Kaden Morris, too. In addition to his extra-large frame, he features a high-spin breaking ball, as well as a fastball that has crept into the low-90s.

UCLA

Recruiting coordinator: Bryant Ward
Top recruit: Logan De Groot, OF
BA 500 freshmen: 2

The past two years have been forgetful in Westwood, as UCLA has failed to make the tournament in back-to-back seasons. Following a modest 2023 in which the Bruins went 28-24-1, they had a shockingly down year in 2024, failing to eclipse the 20-win mark. As the program transitions from the Pac-12 to the Big 10, UCLA—as it always tends to do—features another quality recruiting class.

Six-foot-three outfielder Landon De Groot is the most exciting player in the class, and the Santa Margarita (Calif.) product possesses both plus power and is a plus runner. His tools are dynamic, but his hit tool will need refining during his time at UCLA.

Righthander Wylan Moss has a chance to be a high-impact arm for the Bruins from the get-go. On top of being a plus strike-thrower, Moss is a solid athlete who has been up to 94 mph with his fastball and features a slider and a changeup. His changeup is the better of the two, though his slider could end up being an average offering, as well.

Clemson

Recruiting coordinator: Nick Schnabel
Top recruit: Talan Bell, LHP
BA 500 freshmen: 2

The coach Eric Bakich era is off to a roaring start at Clemson, as the Tigers have won 44 games in each of the last two seasons, won the ACC conference tournament in 2023 and advanced to a super regional last year for the first time since 2010. Bakich and his staff have shown they can recruit at a high level, and the 2024 class reflects as such.

Pitching is without a doubt the biggest strength, and lefthander Talan Bell leads the way. Bell throws a heavy, low-90s fastball that features plenty of arm-side run. On top of his heater, Bell is armed with an above-average changeup and also mixes in two distinct and effective breaking balls. A high-level strike-thrower, Bell has already made noise this fall and appears poised to log considerable innings this spring.

The son of former big leaguer Brian Moehler, Dane Moehler predominantly features a low-90s fastball and mid-70s curveball that has shown flashes, but he also mixes in a low-80s changeup for which he has an advanced feel. Lefthander Brendon Bennett has intriguing stuff and is another arm who has made noise this fall for the Tigers.

Central Florida

Recruiting coordinator: Norberto Lopez
Top recruit: Akhil Nimmala, 3B
BA 500 freshmen: 1

Last season was Central Florida’s first in the Big 12 after making the jump from the American Athletic Conference. That didn’t effect the Golden Knights, though, as they won their most games (37) in a single season since 2017, advanced to the Big 12 tournament semifinals and appeared in the tournament for the first time since 2017. There is plenty of momentum in Orlando, and it only grew this offseason due in part to their quality recruiting class.

The younger brother of former first-round pick and current Toronto Blue Jays prospect Arjun Nimmala, Akhil ranked as the No. 326 overall prospect on the final BA 500. His raw power is currently above-average and flashes plus, but could eventually grow into a true plus grade. However, both his hit tool and approach need work. There are also some defensive questions, and it has yet to be seen where he fits best long term.

Infielder Mateo Gray has flashed impressive offensive chops and the ability to drive the baseball and his defensive package makes him a fit for the left side of the infield. A shortstop in high school, Gray could profiles best at third base long term.

Alabama

Recruiting coordinator: Jason Jackson
Top recruit: Andre Modugno, 3B
BA 500 freshmen: 1

It was a successful first year at the helm for head coach Rob Vaughn, as he guided the Crimson Tide to 33 wins and their second-straight tournament appearance. Vaughn, who previously built Maryland into one of the best programs in the Big 10, is a strong identifier and developer of talent, which are two traits that will serve him incredibly well in the SEC. Coach Jason Jackson is an excellent recruiter, which is reflected in the quality of the Tide’s 2024 class.

The top recruit in the class is 6-foot-5 adonis, Andre Modugno. Modugno is an absolute toolshed who has long been known on the prep circuit, but he has struggled to tap into his immense upside in-game. He has plus power and the ability to generate high-end impact, but the biggest issue has been his swing-and-miss. Modugno is armed with a double-plus arm that plays both at third base and in right field, and he is also an above-average runner who moves well for his stature.

Six-foot-five righthander Nash Wagner has an impressive frame and has been into the low-90s with his fastball while mixing in a high-70s slider and a changeup, while 6-foot-6 Ashton Alston has immense upside and could turn into a monster during his time in Tuscaloosa.

UC Santa Barbara

Recruiting coordinator: Dylan Jones
Top recruit: Jack Haferkamp, OF
BA 500 freshmen: 1

Since the early 2010s, UC Santa Barbara has cemented itself as one of the best programs on the west coast and one of the best programs that does not fall under the “power four” conference umbrella. Last year, the Gauchos had one of the best regular seasons in school history. They won 44 games—their third-most ever in a single-season—won the Big West for the second time in three seasons and made the tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Head coach Andrew Checketts and his staff recruit at a high level and routinely put together quality classes.

Six-foot-four outfielder Jack Haferkamp (No. 274) ranked inside the top 300 on the final BA 500, and he is equipped with a trio of above-average tools. He is an at least above-average runner when underway, and he also has an above-average arm in the outfield and at least above-average power. He can impact the baseball and get it in the air, but making contact more consistently is the biggest key.

Righthander Nathan Aceves was an all-CIF selection last spring at Southern California powerhouse Huntington Beach High School. There is plenty to like and dream on with his 6-foot-3 frame, and he features a low-90s fastball along with a slider and a changeup that have both shown positive flashes.

Southern California

Recruiting coordinator: Travis Jewett
Top recruit: Andrew Johnson, RHP
BA 500 freshmen: 1

It’s no secret that USC has struggled mightily since the mid-2000s. It has made the tournament just once—in 2015—since 2005 and has gone through five different head coaches since then. However, coach Andy Stankiewicz and his staff have done an admirable job in their first two seasons. The Trojans have won 30 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2000-2001, and their 17 conference wins in 2023 and 2024 are tied for the second-highest mark since 2001.

Six-foot-fur righthander Andrew Johnson possesses an appealing blend of now-stuff and projectability that could lead to him being an eventual day-two draft choice. While his fastball sits in the low-90s and has been up to 92, both his curveball and changeup have shown flashes of being at least average offerings, which could give him a solid three-pitch mix down the road. As Johnson continues to fill out physically, expect both his stuff and velocity to tick up.

Outfielders Matthew Priest and Josh Hanson each have an exciting set of tools, especially Priest, while infielder Maximo Martinez will have the opportunity to stick on the left side of the infield.

Oklahoma

Recruiting coordinator: Todd Butler
Top recruit: Drew Dickerson, INF
BA 500 freshmen: 0

Don’t let the Sooners’ lack of BA 500 freshmen fool you; head coach Skip Johnson and his staff have, yet again, compiled a strong recruiting class that will help Oklahoma continue its recent success. Last season, the Sooners made the tournament for the third-straight year before Connecticut upended them in the Norman regional. Though their season came to an abrupt end, they are well-positioned for a deep run in 2025.

Six-foot-four infielder Drew Dickerson has a loud set of tools that could allow him to be an impactful player from the get-go. He has no shortage of bat speed and ability to impact the baseball, while also being an above-average runner and advanced athlete. The key for Dickerson, like it is for a lot of incoming freshmen, will be how his hit tool progresses. There is some swing-and-miss to his game right now, which will be something to monitor during his time in Norman.

On the other side of the baseball, the Sooners got a late commitment from righthander Landon Victorian, who was previously committed to LSU. An advanced strike-thrower with projection remaining, Victorian has already been up to 95 mph with his heater and has also flashed an effective low-80s slider with late tilt and a low-80s changeup that plays well off his fastball. The pitching depth is the apparent strength of this year’s class, and the trio of Jordan Stribling, James Nesta and Berkeley Roddy are all arms to follow.