Analyzing The Top 2023 College Baseball Recruiting Classes
Below is a breakdown of the top recruits and names to know in each of the best recruiting classes in the country. To see our 2023 top recruiting classes, click here.
The recruiting rankings take into account all players from the high school and junior college ranks and were compiled following many conversations with coaches and scouts. Four-year transfers were not considered for the ranking.
1. Arkansas
Recruiting coordinator: Nate Thompson
Top recruit: Aidan Miller, 3B
Overview: In the 21 years Baseball America has ranked recruiting classes, Arkansas has never had the top-ranked class. For 2023, however, the Razorbacks have signed the No. 1 class. It’s a large group and provides impactful talent around the diamond, both on the mound and among position players. While having so much high-level talent means Arkansas will have to sweat out the draft with several players, the class is also constructed in such a way that it should be able to withstand losses in the draft.
Hitters: Miller is one of the best hitters in the draft class. The righthanded batter has a long track record for hitting at the highest levels and has grown into plus raw power. Not only does he have plenty of strength in his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame, he also generates impressive bat speed and consistently barrels balls. Defensively, Miller is a shortstop now but profiles best at third base. He’s got a strong arm and has worked hard to stay athletic as he has gotten stronger, giving him the tools to play on the left side of the infield. Shortstop Walker Martin stands out for his athleticism and easy lefthanded swing. He has good feel for the barrel, quick hands and has some wiry strength in his 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame. He’s a plus runner and his hands and actions play well up the middle. Catcher Ryder Helfrick is a good athlete and a solid defender behind the plate, showing off a plus arm and good hands. The righthanded hitter has an aggressive approach at the plate and shows solid power potential. Outfielder Kendall George has game-changing speed that plays well on both sides of the ball. The lefthanded hitter has an advanced approach at the plate, good barrel control and there’s enough strength in his swing to make him more than just a slap hitter. Infielder Nolan Souza has a disciplined approach at the plate, a short lefthanded swing and solid power potential. His offensive upside stands out the most, but he’s a versatile defender who can play anywhere on the infield. Nazzan Zanetello is a good athlete with loud all-around tools. He’s a plus runner, has plus arm strength, a smooth righthanded swing and projectable power. He’s capable of playing nearly anywhere on the diamond and has significant upside if he’s able to put everything together. Ty Waid has a powerful righthanded swing and gets to his power well. He has a lot of experience catching, but his bat would play well at first base or in an outfield corner. Kade Smith has a strong righthanded swing and two-way potential thanks to his arm strength. Nate Franco is a switch-hitting catcher with solid all-around tools.
Pitchers: Listed at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, lefthander Adam Hachman has one of the biggest arms in the draft class. His fastball reaches the upper 90s with a high spin rate and riding life up in the zone. He has some feel for spinning his curveball and mixes in a changeup, as well. Like most young power pitchers, he needs to further refine his control, but the upside is easy to see. Righthander Dylan Questad isn’t as physical at 6-foot, 200 pounds, but he has an advanced overall package. His fastball sits in the low 90s, touching 96 mph, and he throws two breaking balls as well as a promising changeup. He’s a good athlete and has performed well on some big stages. Righthander Gabe Gaeckle is undersized at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds but has high-end stuff. His fastball works in the mid 90s with riding action up in the zone. He has a big, high-spin curveball and can mix in a changeup. He’ll need to refine his control but has upside as a weekend starter. Listed at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, righthander Barrett Kent offers big upside on the mound and could make a quick impact. His fastball gets into the mid 90s to go with a sharp slider and promising changeup. Lefthander Tucker Holland has a big, physical build at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds. He has a long track record as a performer and has seen his velocity make a jump in the last year, getting into the low 90s. He throws two breaking balls and a changeup, giving him a starter profile. Righthander Jonah Conradt has a projectable build at 6-foot-3, 173 pounds. He has a quick arm and runs his fastball into the low 90s. Righthander Tate McGuire doesn’t have as big stuff as some of his classmates, but stands out for his athleticism and pitchability. His fastball works in the upper 80s and he mixes in a good changeup and slider. Righthander Jaewoo Cho is a native of South Korea who came to the United States in middle school. He has a solid four-pitch mix with a fastball that sits in the upper 80s and good feel for his secondary offerings. His feel for pitching and control should help him quickly carve out a role. Righthander Diego Ramos, whose older brother Javier pitched at Oklahoma, runs his fastball up to 94 mph but has flown a bit under the radar so far.
2. Vanderbilt
Recruiting coordinator: Mike Baxter
Top recruit: Max Clark, OF
Overview: Vanderbilt last year signed the No. 1 class in the country, though five of those recruits went on to be drafted in the first round, giving the class a much different look when it arrived on campus. This year’s class doesn’t have the same level of draft risk, but as is typical for Vanderbilt, it has several premium talents around the diamond.
Hitters: Clark is in the conversation to be the top prep prospect and the No. 1 overall pick. He’s one of the best pure hitters in the country thanks to his smooth lefthanded swing, feel for the barrel and strike-zone discipline. Listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, his profile is hit over power, but he does project to add more pop as he physically matures. His speed, arm strength and defense all grade out as well above-average. Shortstop George Lombard Jr., whose father is a former big leaguer and now is the bench coach for the Tigers, is a savvy player with solid all-around skills. He has a short, quick righthanded swing, above-average speed and good infield actions. Braden Holcomb stands out for his big, raw tools and physically at a listed 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. His strength and bat speed combine to produce plus raw power and he profiles well at a corner, likely on the infield. He’ll need to refine his approach against more advanced pitching, but his upside is tremendous. Infielder RJ Hamilton is a standout athlete who received interest from college football programs before focusing on baseball. He’s a plus runner with a quick righthanded bat and more power than his 5-foot-10, 170-pound build suggests. He’s a versatile defender who profiles up the middle. Infielder Camden Kozeal also plays quarterback in high school and brings an aggressive, football mentality to the diamond. He has a short, quick lefthanded swing and a long track record for hitting. His athleticism and instincts play well on the infield. Matthew Ossenfort was more of a pitcher early in his prep career but after an injury limited his time on the mound, the big lefthander took off as a hitter. Listed at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, he has a powerful lefthanded bat that profiles at first base. He still has two-way potential as a pitcher, but his impact is likely to be greatest as a hitter. Catcher Colin Barczi has a strong righthanded swing and is a disciplined hitter. His athleticism plays well behind the plate, and it gives him the versatility to move around the diamond as well.
Pitchers: Lefthander Thomas White has long been regarded as one of, if not the best pitchers in the prep class. Listed at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, he has a loose, easy, projectable build. His fastball gets into the mid 90s with more velocity likely to come as he physically matures. He has a good feel for his secondary offerings and his changeup and curveball both could develop into plus pitches. Righthander Ethan McElvain, the younger brother of former Vanderbilt righthander Chris McElvain, has a physical build at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. His fastball gets up to 94 mph and he pairs it with a breaking ball that has plus potential. He has all the tools to develop into a solid starter, though he’s still working to put it all together. Lefthander Alexander Clemmey has a big build at 6-foot-6, 205 pounds and an arm to match. His fastball works in the mid 90s with a high spin rate, creating a lot of swings and misses. His slider also has above-average potential and while he needs to refine his control, he offers big upside. Lefthander Jakob Schulz has a solid all-around package on the mound. His fastball sits in the upper 80s, touching 93 mph and he throws two distinct breaking balls. He’s made strides with his control, putting him on track to be a starter. Listed at 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, righthander Nathan Teague uses his height well to create a steep angle. He throws his fastball in the upper 80s with more velocity to come and mixes in a good breaking ball. Righthander Alex Kranzler comes right after hitters with a good fastball-slider combination. His fastball gets into the low 90s with sinking action. Righthander Luke Guth is an excellent athlete with two-way ability as a shortstop. His upside is highest on the mound, however, as he has a projectable build and a fastball that sits around 90 mph.
3. UCLA
Recruiting coordinator: Bryant Ward
Top recruit: Roch Cholowsky, SS
Overview: The Bruins have the Pac-12’s top recruiting class and one that stacks up well with any in the nation. It has strong depth and plenty of impact talent, especially among position players.
Hitters: Cholowsky is a two-sport standout and had scholarship offers to play quarterback. His star is brightest on the diamond, however, and he offers an impressive all-around skillset. The righthanded hitter has excellent feel for the barrel and makes a lot of contact with solid power potential. His athleticism plays well defensively, where his actions, hands and arm all profile at shortstop. Shortstop Roman Martin stands out for his disciplined approach at the plate and feel for the barrel. The righthanded has some projectable power and is a solid defender with plus arm strength. Listed at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Brandon Winokur stands out for his size and athleticism. The righthanded hitter creates impressive bat speed and easy power with more to come as he physically matures. He’s played all over the diamond and probably profiles best in the outfield thanks to his above-average speed, but he’s also played on the left side of the infield a lot. Outfielder Dean West has plus speed and an offensive skillset that fits at the top of the lineup. The lefthanded batter controls the zone well and makes a lot of contact. Infielder Cameron Kim has a physical build at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and a strong righthanded swing. He projects for solid power and is a good defender on the left side of the infield. His size may eventually push him to third base, but his hands and arm strength play up the middle. Catcher Blake Balsz has advanced catch-and-throw skills that would help him quickly take over behind the plate at UCLA. He has a strong arm, is athletic behind the plate and while his profile is glove over bat, the lefthanded hitter has some upside as he physically matures. Infielder Boston Baro has a steady lefthanded swing, plus speed and a good track record for hitting. He has solid defensive tools and can play anywhere on the infield. Phoenix Call has plus speed and athleticism and could play anywhere on the diamond. He came on strong this year and could be a sparkplug in a college lineup. Grant Gray is off the radar in large part because he is a three-star wide receiver recruit, but he is committed to UCLA for both sports. On the diamond, he’s a plus runner and his athleticism plays well. The righthanded hitter has big offensive upside and has a solid feel at the plate.
Pitchers: Righthander Cal Randall has a long track record of success in high school and a strong build at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds. He throws from a lower slot and gets a lot of sink on his fastball, which sits in the low 90s. He has good feel for his sweeping breaking ball and also mixes in a changeup. His stuff and pitchability should play right away for UCLA. Righthander Cole Miller has a physical frame at 6-fot-6, 225 pounds and still has room to get stronger as he physically matures. He attacks hitters with a good sinker-slider combination, running his fastball into the low 90s, and also mixes in a changeup. Righthander Justin Lee came on strong this summer and ran his fastball up to 95 mph. He has good feel for his splitter and mixes in a slider, giving him three quality offerings. He has more upside to come as he gets more experience on the mound and fills out his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. Righthander Landon Stump is a good athlete who also plays quarterback in high school. He stands out more for pitchability than stuff at this point, but he has a good feel on the mound and plenty of room to add more velocity to his upper-80s fastball as he physically matures and focuses on baseball. Righthander Luke Rodriguez is listed at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds and offers a lot of projection. His fastball gets up to 93 mph and he pairs it with a promising curveball. Owen Egan has two-way ability as a righthander and outfielder. He’s got solid all-around tools and could fill a number of roles. On the mound, he attacks hitters with a good sinker-slider combination and a promising changeup. He also has a good feel for hitting and has some righthanded power.
4. Mississippi
Recruiting coordinator: Carl Lafferty
Top recruit: Campbell Smithwick, C
Overview: The reigning national champions landed the No. 2 ranked 2022 recruiting class and have another impressive group signed for 2023. The class is deepest among position players, but it has no shortage of impact pitchers as well.
Hitters: Smithwick has advanced all-around tools and could quickly make an impact for Ole Miss. The lefthanded hitter has a mature approach at the plate, a smooth swing and a good feel for the barrel. Defensively, he has strong catch-and-throw skills and a good understanding of the game. He has above-average arm strength and earns praise for his receiving. Shortstop Cooper Pratt has an exciting combination of present tools and projection in his 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame. He has a quick righthanded swing and power potential, while also showing the arm strength and actions for shortstop. He came on strong this fall, impressing in some big spots. Outfielder Seth Farni is a switch-hitter with big tools. He creates impressive bat speed and power potential from both sides of the plate to go with plenty of athleticism. Trenton Lyons has a very versatile profile as a switch-hitter who could play nearly anywhere on the diamond. He’s an above-average runner, has solid catch-and-throw skills, a simple swing and projectable power. Infielder Drew Markle has a similar profile to former Ole Miss standout Ryan Olenak. He’s a good athlete and the righthanded batting has a good feel for hitting. Infielder Brayden Randall is undersized at 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, but the lefthanded hitter has twitch tools and more power than his frame suggests. Third baseman Kaden Irving has a strong build at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and an excellent athlete – he’s also a standout quarterback in high school. He offers big righthanded power and solid speed.
Pitchers: Listed at 6-foot-6, 190 pounds righthander Zander Mueth offers huge projection and already has exciting stuff. He throws from a low three-quarters slot, which adds movement and deception to his fastball, which reaches 96 mph. His slider and changeup both flash above average, giving him big upside as a starter. Righthander Josh Knoth has made a jump over the last year as he has started to grow into more velocity. His fastball now gets up to 94 mph, but his best attribute on the mound is his feel for spin. He throws both a slider and curveball, which have above-average potential, and he also mixes in a changeup. He throws a lot of strikes and if his stuff continues to tick up as he physically matures, he has significant upside. Lefthander Wes Mendes has an impressive track record of success on the mound and impressive stuff. His fastball works in the low 90s with riding life and he projects to add more velocity as he physically matures. He has a promising changeup and curveball and while his control still needs some refinement, he has all the tools to develop into a solid starter. Righthander Taylor Rabe has a projectable build at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds and has started to see his velocity tick up. His fastball this fall worked around 90 mph with more to come and he has good feel n the mound. Lefthander Gunnar Dennis, a junior college transfer, has a low-90s fastball and a good changeup, adding another quality arm to the class.
5. Georgia Tech
Recruiting coordinator: James Ramsey
Top recruit: Antonio Anderson, SS
Overview: The Yellow Jackets have landed Top 25 recruiting classes in three of the last four years, but their 2023 group has a chance to be the best of them all. The class is especially strong with position players, but also brings impact on the mound.
Hitters: Anderson has an impressive offensive profile. A switch-hitter, he has an advanced, disciplined approach at the plate and makes consistent contact. He’s hit over power now, but his 6-foot-3 frame and bat speed project pop to come in the future. He’s a good defender with a chance to stay at shortstop, but his size may also eventually move him off the position. Tai Peete has exciting two-way potential as an infielder and righthander. He’s an aggressive lefthanded hitter with a quick, short swing that gives him projectable power. He’s a good athlete with a strong arm that fits well on the left side of the infield. On the mound, his fastball gets up to 95 mph and his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame shows plenty of projection. He pairs his fastball with a promising changeup and mixes in a curveball. Drew Burress is undersized at 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, but has an impressive offensive track record. He has a fast righthanded swing and produces some of the hardest contact in the prep class, giving him serious power potential. He stands out for his makeup and competitiveness and is a versatile defender who could fit at third base or in center field. Outfielder Isaiah Drake this summer showed off impressive feel at the plate and makes a lot of contact with his lefthanded swing. He has game-changing speed and the younger brother of Baltimore Ravens running back Kenyan Drake brings high-end athleticism to the diamond. Listed at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, catcher Tyler Minnick has a big, athletic build and projectable righthanded power. He’s a smooth receiver behind the plate and has the tools to develop into Georgia Tech’s next prominent catcher. Third baseman Ryan Jaros has a long track record for hitting and has a mature all-around approach to his game. He has a strong righthanded swing, makes consistent hard contact and could quickly be ready to step into the middle of the lineup. Outfielders Michael Graziano, Kyle Henley and John Cooper Williams bring premium tools and upside to the class. Graziano has plus speed, a strong 6-foot-3 frame and a good approach at the plate. Henley has premium speed and exciting offensive upside, particularly coming off a solid summer at the plate. Williams has a powerful lefthanded swing and his athleticism plays well on the diamond. First baseman Pete Craska stands out for his plus raw power, though there are some rough edges to his game still. Outfielder Nathanael Coupet and shortstop Carson Kerce can’t match the upside of some of their classmates, but both have solid all-around skills and could contribute quickly.
Pitchers: Righthander Tate McKee has an impressive prep track record and also has a projectable build at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. His fastball gets up to 94 mph, typically working in the low 90s, and he pairs it with a good breaking ball. He throws a lot of strikes and has the pitchability to quickly earn innings for the Yellow Jackets. Lefthander Miller Green has two-way potential and offers exciting upside. Listed at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Green’s fastball works in the mid to upper 80s with a big curveball. He has an easy delivery and plenty of room to add more velocity in time. He also brings plenty of power potential at the plate and his athleticism plays well. Righthander Michal Kovala grew up in the Czech Republic and this fall pitched for the Czech national team during World Baseball Classic qualifiers. His fastball works in the low 90s and he pairs it with a promising breaking ball. Lefthander Jackson Sobel stands out for his pitchability and has good feel for his four-pitch arsenal.
6. Florida
Recruiting coordinator: Chuck Jeroloman
Top recruit: Liam Peterson, RHP
Overview: Florida loaded up on pitching in this class, locking down much of the state’s top talent on the mound. The Gators’ position player recruits are all up-the-middle profiles that will add athleticism to the roster.
Hitters: Shortstop Stone Russell is the son of John Russell, the former big league catcher and Pirates manager. Having grown up around the game, he has an advanced feel and good baseball IQ. The righthanded hitter has a simple swing and consistently squares up balls. He’s a sure-handed defender with good arm strength that also plays well on the mound, though he’ll likely just hit going forward. Outfielder Blake Brookins is also a standout football player and brings a physical frame to the diamond at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds. With that size comes plenty of power, but the righthanded hitter also has a real feel for hitting and average speed. Shortstop Sammy Mummau, the son of Mariners scout Rob Mummau, stands out for his steady all-around play. He’s a good defender and the righthanded hitter has made strides at the plate, showing solid feel for hitting. Infielder John Martinez also stands out defensively, capable of playing anywhere on the infield, while also showing offensive potential. Outfielder Hayden Yost missed the summer due to a broken arm but has an exciting skillset. He’s a lefthanded hitter with plenty of offensive projection and the athleticism to play center field.
Pitchers: Listed at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, Peterson has a big, projectable build and the arm strength to match. His fastball gets up to 96 mph with room for more velocity as he continues to physically mature. He throws both a curveball and a slider with the curveball the best of his secondaries and he also mixes in a changeup. Righthander Luke McNeillie also has a projectable look at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds. His fastball gets into the low 90s now and he pairs it with a sharp slider and changeup. He throws a lot of strikes and offers exciting all-around upside. Righthander Christian Rodriguez is one of the most advanced pitchers in the class and starred for Team USA at the 18U World Cup. His fastball works in the low 90s, he has good feel for his above-average changeup and mixes in a slider. His athleticism plays well on the mound, and he has two-way potential as an outfielder, but his upside is highest on the mound. Listed at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, righthander Steven Echavarria has a wiry, athletic build and an exciting fastball-slider combination. His fastball works in the low 90s with room for more velocity as he physically matures, and he has good feel for his slider. Righthander Reilly Witmer has a strong build at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and a fastball that sits in the low 90s. His changeup and slider play well off his slider, and he throws strikes with his whole arsenal. Lefthander Frank Menendez was sidelined much of the summer due to injury but shows plenty of promise when healthy. His fastball gets into the low 90s and he has good feel for his changeup and slider. Listed at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, lefthander Jacob Gomberg isn’t as physical as some of his classmates, but he has a big arm. His fastball sits around 90 mph, and he mixes in a plus breaking ball and good changeup. Righthander Grayson Smith has a strong build at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and runs his fastball into the low 90s. He mixes in two breaking balls and a changeup. Righthander Alex Philpott has an athletic, projectable build at 6-foot-5, 170 pounds and two-way ability as an outfielder. On the mound, he gets a high spin rate on his full arsenal and throws his fastball around 90 mph. The righthanded hitter also has some projectable power and above-average speed. Lefthander Robert Satin stands out for his pitchability and has been a high-end performer in high school. He throws from a lower arm slot and attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination.
7. Auburn
Recruiting coordinator: Karl Nonemaker
Top recruit: Kevin McGonigle, SS
Overview: After bringing in a top-10 2022 class, the Tigers have another strong group for 2023. The class is especially strong on the mound, while also including some high-impact position players.
Hitters: McGonigle has built an impressive track record as a hitter and in 2021 was named MVP of the Perfect Game WWBA Underclass World Championship. He has a quick, compact lefthanded swing and good strike-zone discipline. He makes consistent hard contact and while his profile will always be hit over power, he has solid power potential. Defensively, he has good instincts and easy actions on the infield. Shortstop Colt Emerson has a similar profile to McGonigle. He has a simple lefthanded swing and makes consistent, hard contact. He has some projectable power, but his offensive approach is geared toward line drives. He’s a solid defender who has the actions to stick up the middle. Catcher Colton Wombles stands out for his catch-and-throw skills. He’s one of the best defensive catchers in the class and has a steady righthanded swing. Shortstop Eric Guevara is a native of Panama and played for his homeland at the 18U World Cup. He has a good feel for the barrel and a quick righthanded swing. Defensively, he has good actions and hands. Outfielder Cade Belyeu is a local player with big tools and upside. He offers an exciting mix of lefthanded power and speed.
Pitchers: Righthander Cameron Tilly is a good athlete who was a high-level prep quarterback and stands out for his makeup and pitchablity on the mound. His fastball works around 90 mph with riding life and he pairs it with a sharp slider that is his best pitch. There’s some projection to his 6-foot-3 frame, but his advanced feel plays now. Lefthander Drew Sofield was one of the top pitchers in the class of 2024 before last year reclassifying to 2023. He missed much of the summer due to injury, but has a solid three-pitch mix, a projectable frame and plenty of upside. Lefthander Griffin Graves came on strong this summer, combining solid stuff, pitchability and competitiveness. His fastball sits in the low 90s and he pairs it well with a tight slider. Lefthander Bjorn Johnson has a good three-pitch mix and solid feel on the mound. His fastball works around 90 mph, and he throws a lot of strikes, giving him the tools to start. Righthander Alex Petrovic and lefthander Tyler Smith give the class two more productive arms. Petrovic stands out for his control and Smith throws his fastball in the low 90s.
8. Alabama
Recruiting coordinator: Matt Reida
Top recruit: Bryce Eldridge, RHP/1B
Overview: Alabama’s 2022 recruiting class just missed the Top 25 after taking several hits in the draft. While this year’s group will still have to avoid a similar fate in the draft, the Crimson Tide have signed another impressive class.
Hitters: Shortstop AJ Ewing is coming off a strong summer and has an advanced feel for hitting. The lefthanded hitter has good plate discipline and barrel control, allowing him to consistently hit line drives to all fields. He has a projectable build and could grow into more power in time. Parker Picot is a two-sport standout who received some interest from football programs as a quarterback before opting to focus on baseball in college. He has a strong build at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, solid speed and exciting offensive upside. He profiles as a middle infielder or center fielder. Shortstop Justin Lebron impressed this fall at the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship in Jupiter and has a projectable 6-foot-2, 165-pound build. He’s a plus runner and the righthanded hitter is coming into more strength as he physically matures. Outfielder Evan Haeger is a well above-average runner and athlete with an easy lefthanded swing. He projects for solid power as he continues to physically mature. Outfielder Coleman Mizell also has an exciting combination of size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), projectable power and speed. Catcher Luke Vaughn has good catch-and-throw skills and the righthanded hitter has an advanced approach at the plate.
Pitchers: Eldridge has high-end ability as a two-way player and this fall was named MVP of the 18U World Cup. He first stood out as a pitcher thanks to his size and arm strength. Now listed at 6-foot-7, 222 pounds, his fastball gets up to 95 mph and he throws from a steep downhill angle. He throws two different breaking balls as well as a changeup, and there’s more velocity potential for him as he continues to physically mature and develop as a pitcher. Lately, Eldridge has come on as a hitter and the lefthanded batter has significant power potential to go with an advanced approach. Players of his size have natural swing-and-miss risk, but he could be a Spencer Jones-like hitter. Professional scouts are now split about his future role, but there’s no doubt he has impact potential. Lefthander Zane Adams made a jump this summer as his velocity started to come on and he ran his fastball into the mid 90s. There’s room for even more velocity gains and he mixes in a sharp slider and a promising changeup. Lefthander Jansen Kenty has an advanced approach on the mound that has stood out since he starred at the 2018 Little League World Series. He has a solid three-pitch mix and a fastball that sits around 90 mph. Lefthander Matthew Heiberger has a projectable build at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds and is a good athlete who also stands out in basketball. His fastball works around 90 mph, and he offers plenty of upside. Lefthander Jeremy Pilon, a Canadian native who played for the Junior National Team, has a good fastball-curveball combination. His fastball gets up to 91 mph and his curveball has a high spin rate.
9. North Carolina
Recruiting coordinator: Bryant Gaines
Top recruit: Walker Jenkins, OF
Overview: UNC has a bigger class in preparation for losing several players to the draft and graduation following the 2023 season. The headliner is Jenkins, who is likely to be in the mix to be the first overall pick, and the Tar Heels have several other exciting position players signed.
Hitters: Jenkins and fellow outfielder Max Clark (Vanderbilt) are the early favorites to be the top player in the prep class. Jenkins passes the eye test with ease, listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. The lefthanded hitter combines bat-to-ball skills with plate discipline and power for an electric offensive package. He’s an above-average runner who has the tools to play center field for the Tar Heels and hit in the middle of the order. Catcher Luke Stevenson stands out for his defensive skills. He has a strong arm, has handled premium pitching well during his prep career and is athletic behind the plate. Offensively, the lefthanded hitter has solid power potential. Shortstop Gavin Gallaher has made some key strides in the last couple years and has solid all-around tools. The righthanded hitter makes a lot of contact and defensively he’s advanced enough to step right into the middle of the infield for UNC. Zyhir Hope is an excellent athlete and has two-way ability as an outfielder and lefthander. As a hitter, he’s a plus runner and creates a lot of hard contact with his easy lefthanded swing. On the mound, he attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination and can run his fastball up to 92 mph. The class also includes a pair of junior college transfers in slugger Cullen Horowicz and catcher Ryker Delaska. Horowicz began his college career at Army before transferring to San Jacinto (Texas) JC, where he broke out this fall. With his powerful bat, he could step into the middle of the order for Alberto Osuna. Galaska has a long track record of hitting and gives the Tar Heels more depth behind the plate. Kaleb Cost is a premium athlete who is committed to UNC for both baseball and football, where he is a three-star defensive back. On the diamond, he’s a plus runner with a quick righthanded swing and profiles well in center field.
Pitchers: Righthander Francesco Capocci has a big frame at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and a powerful fastball that reaches 96 mph. His fastball typically sits in the low 90s and he has a good feel for spin, throwing two breaking balls. He has more velocity to come and has the look of a Friday starter. Righthander Boston Flannery has a similar profile at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds with a fastball that reaches 94 mph. He pairs his fastball with a sharp slider and a promising changeup. Lefthander Folger Boaz is a three-sport standout in high school, including some prolific numbers as a quarterback. On the diamond, he has a promising three-pitch mix and runs his fastball up to 91 mph. If he’s able to make a jump as he focuses on baseball for the first time, he offers intriguing upside. Listed at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, righthander Harrison Lewis has a big frame and big upside. His fastball reaches 96 mph and he throws it from a steep downhill angle, creating a lot of groundball outs. He works in a breaking ball and a changeup. Lefthander Mason Yocum has a projectable build at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds and a good fastball-breaking ball combination. His fastball gets up to 91 mph and he has good feel for spin, giving him a chance to make an immediate impact for UNC. Righthander Luke Osteen, a junior college transfer, attacks hitters with a good sinker-slider combination.
10. Louisiana State
Recruiting coordinator: Josh Jordan
Top recruit: Blake Mitchell, C
Overview: The Tigers this fall landed the No. 1 recruiting class, landing a group of newcomers with both elite talent and depth. The 2023 class is not as flashy but is another strong group for LSU to build around.
Hitters: Mitchell is the top catcher in the prep class and has all the tools evaluators want to see from a backstop. He has a strong arm – on the mound, he can run his fastball up to 96 mph – and a good receiver who moves well behind the plate. Offensively, he has solid lefthanded power and while that comes with some swing and miss, he has a good track record of hitting. His arm strength gives him two-way potential, but the catcher/pitcher double is the hardest in the sport, making it unlikely that he continues at the next level. Outfielder Ashton Larson has solid all-around tools. The lefthanded hitter has an aggressive approach at the plate, barrels up balls often and is starting to get to his power more often. He’s an above-average runner and tracks balls well in the outfield, giving him a chance to profile in center field. Infielder Steven Milam is a switch-hitter who stands out for his hittability, plate discipline and approach at the plate. He’s a steady defender who can play anywhere on the infield and figures to work his way into the lineup early in his college career. Outfielder Derrick Mitchell is a switch-hitter with an exciting set of tools. He’s a plus runner, has projectable power and has as much upside as any of the Tigers’ position player recruits. Shortstop Austen Roellig isn’t the flashiest infielder in the class, but des a lot of things well on the diamond. The righthanded hitter makes consistent contact, has good infield actions and steady hands that play up the middle. Shortstop Ryan Kucherak came on strong over the last year as he started to grow into more impact as a righthanded hitter. Outfielder Dallas Dale was sidelined much of the summer due to injury but has a projectable build and above-average speed. Shortstop Dylan Thompson is a good athlete, who stands out for his defense. His arm strength also gives him two-way ability. Trenton Lape has two-way potential as a righthander and infielder. He’s showcased impressive righthanded power and is an excellent athlete. An injury has kept him off the mound this year, but when he’s healthy he has potential as a pitcher as well.
Pitchers: Listed at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, lefthander Cameron Johnson has a powerful build and a big arm to dream on. His fastball gets into the mid 90s and he throws it from a low three-quarters slot, adding deception and life to the pitch. He pairs it well with a sharp slider and occasionally mixes in a changeup. Lefthander Kade Anderson has some of the best control in the prep class and his advanced pitchability stands out. His fastball works in the low 90s and he throws both his curveball and changeup for strikes. There’s still some projection in his 6-foot-2 frame, but his present stuff should be good enough to carve out a role early in Baton Rouge. Lefthander Jake Brown also offers an exciting combination of now stuff and upside. His fastball works around 90 mph and he mixes it with a short slider and a good changeup. He’s a good athlete, throws a lot of strikes and has room for more velocity as he physically matures. MJ Seo can do a bit of everything on the diamond. He’s a solid defender up the middle and has a strong arm with a solid three-pitch mix on the mound.
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