Top 25 College Baseball Recruiting Classes For Class Of 2024

1. Tennessee

• Recruiting coordinator: Josh Elander
• Top recruit: Tegan Kuhns, RHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 10

The wins keep on coming for the Volunteers, who, after a record-setting 2024 that was capped off by the program’s first-ever national championship, netted the nation’s top recruiting class. Tennessee has a whopping 10 players who ranked on the final BA 500, led by righthanders Tegan Kuhns and Anson Seibert. Both possess impressive stuff—headlined by fastballs that have been clocked in the upper-90s—and have the arm talent to make an immediate impact for the Vols. The position player group is led by Jay Abernathy, a quick-twitch and wiry infielder who is also a double-plus runner. Abernathy has plenty of bat speed, though right now he is very much a hit-over-power profile at the dish. Tennessee’s infield is as loaded as any team in the country so Abernathy might not see a ton of playing time right away, but expect him to make a sizable impact down the road.

A potential pick-to-click from the class is righthander Nic Abraham. The 6-foot-5 righty has an advanced feel for his four-pitch mix, especially his secondaries. Abraham’s fastball sits in the high-80s and has been up to 92 mph, but there is room to grow into more velocity. He has the prototypical look of a starter and could eventually make his way into the weekend rotation. The strikes are there, but the next step is for Abraham’s stuff to take a jump.

2. LSU

• Recruiting coordinator: Josh Jordan
• Top recruit: William Schmidt, RHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 8

In what has become the norm in Baton Rouge, LSU once again boasts one of the most impressive recruiting classes in college baseball. The clear headliner is righthander William Schmidt, who had legitimate first-round interest in this year’s draft before announcing his intention to head to campus. Schmidt’s fastball has been up to 98 mph, but the best pitch in his arsenal is a borderline double-plus curveball that has massive depth and spin rates that are consistently in the 2,900—or higher—range.

LSU’s rotation is loaded, but Schmidt still figures to log his fair share of innings. Fellow righty Casan Evans ranked No. 100 on the final BA 500 and has an intriguing arsenal of his own. His fastball has been up to 95, but his secondary offerings are his calling card. Evans throws two distinct breaking balls in a slider and a curveball, but his best pitch right now is his low-80s split-changeup.

He isn’t a deep sleeper, but keep close tabs on switch-hitting shortstop David Hogg II. Hogg has long possessed an advanced feel for the game, and his tools have gotten better over time. He is a plus runner, but also has above-average arm strength on the dirt where his actions and athleticism could allow him to stick at shortstop. Hogg has present bat speed from both sides of the plate and he has a chance to grow into more power with added physicality.

3. Auburn

• Recruiting coordinator: Karl Nonemaker
• Top recruit: D’Marion Terrell, OF
• BA 500 freshmen: 9

While 2024 was a disappointing season on the diamond, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Tigers as the 2025 season approaches. Auburn landed a fantastic transfer class, and its incoming crop of freshmen will serve the program well, both this season and beyond. The class is led by a pair of top-100 players in the 2024 class in outfielder D’Marion Terrell and righthander Connor Gatwood. Terrell is a dynamic athlete with a loud set of tools to boot, while Gatwood boasts a mid-90s fastball and a high-80s power slider that has plus potential.

Terrell and Gatwood are certainly the crowned jewels of the class, but righthander Christian Chatterton also has the look of an arm who could make an immediate impact. He possesses an intriguing blend of strikes and stuff, the latter of which took a bit of a step forward last spring. The strength of the class is without a doubt its pitching, but an additional position player to watch is Anthony Tralongo. There isn’t much left in terms of physical projection and his tools aren’t necessarily the loudest, but he has a hitterish look in the box with present bat speed and an advanced approach.

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4. Mississippi

• Recruiting coordinator: Carl Lafferty
• Top recruit: Owen Paino, SS
• BA 500 freshmen: 8

It’s no secret that the last two years have been underwhelming in Oxford. Since capturing the program’s first-ever national championship in 2022, the Rebels have failed to make the tournament in each of the last two seasons. However, this year’s recruiting class has the chance to breathe new life into the program. It is unfair to stick high expectations on freshmen right out of the gate, but this class has the chance to leave Ole Miss way better than it found it when all is said and done.

The Rebels’ highest-ranked recruit is shortstop Owen Paino. Paino has long been a famous name in the recruiting world, and the 2024 New York Gatorade Player of the Year could be an impactful player in year one. His swing decisions are sound, though his hit tool will need to improve for him to achieve his offensive upside.

On the other side of the baseball, Cade Townsend is a dynamic, lean righthander who has seen his stuff take a noticeable jump over the last year. He was up to 97 mph at this year’s draft combine,, and both his slider and curveball—especially his curve—have the chance to be above-average secondary offerings. A mighty intriguing arm to keep tabs on is Cooper Johnson. Johnson is a 6-foot-5 southpaw who is a bit lacking right now in the stuff department, but there is plenty to dream on with his frame and strike-throwing ability.

5. Texas

• Recruiting coordinator: Nolan Cain
• Top recruit: Jason Flores, RHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 8

Perhaps no program in the country had a more eventful offseason than Texas. After firing former head coach David Pierce, the Longhorns sent shockwaves throughout the college baseball world when it was announced they would be hiring former Texas A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle. Even though it was an offseason filled with change, Texas was able to keep its top-five recruiting class largely intact.

Its two top recruits—Bryce Rainer and Theo Gillen—went in the first round of this year’s draft, but Texas’ eight freshmen in the BA 500 are tied for the third-highest mark nationally. Physical righthander Jason Flores is the leader of the pack, and he is an arm who relies heavily on his low-to-mid-90s fastball. He varies its shape well and has an advanced command of the offering. Flores will need to improve his feel for his secondary pitches, but he looks the part of a durable strike-thrower. Fellow righthander Drew Rerick—a 6-foot-5 workhorse from North Dakota—was a late flip from Texas A&M, and has no shortage of pure stuff. He will need to improve in the pitchability department, but Rerick is an exciting ball of clay for pitching coach Max Weiner to mold.

Sticking with the Longhorns’ wealth of pitching depth, southpaw Dylan Volantis has the highest upside of the bunch. He has an ultra-projectable 6-foot-6 frame, and the headliner of his arsenal is a plus curveball that generates plenty of whiffs. Volantis’ fastball sits in the high-80s-to-low-90s but it is easy to dream on a considerable uptick in velocity as he continues to add strength and physicality.

6. Florida

• Recruiting coordinator: Chuck Jeroloman
• Top recruit: Brendan Lawson, SS
• BA 500 freshmen: 6

As it seems to do each season, Florida was once again able to put together a talented recruiting class. The Gators lost just one BA 500 recruit, Kellon Lindsey, to the draft, and the pitching depth of the class stands out. Shortstop Brendan Lawson leads the way for the position players, and the 6-foot-3 shortstop was the top ranked Canadian prospect on the final BA 500. He has a rather unorthodox setup with an ultra-high handset, but he has above-average bat speed and an intriguing blend of hit ability and raw power. Currently a shortstop, Lawson’s skillset could be best suited for third base long term where his above-average arm will translate.

Righthanders Joshua Whritenour and Jackson Barberi both have loud stuff, especially the former, and both have the potential to log their fair share of innings this spring. Given the returning talent for Florida on the mound, it will be hard to crack the rotation, but both have the upside to earn a spot in the weekend rotation.

7. Texas A&M

• Recruiting coordinator: Caleb Longley
• Top recruit: Sawyer Farr, SS
• BA 500 freshmen: 5

When talking about eventful offseasons, the only school that has Texas beat is Texas A&M. What exactly went down is discussed above, but the Aggies eventually hired former hitting coach Michael Earley to take the reins of the program. It was a hire that was universally praised, and it speaks volumes that Earley and his staff were able to largely keep together the recruiting class. Shortstop Sawyer Farr had day-one draft interest, though he opted to take his talents to College Station. His body is akin to former Aggie and current big leaguer, Braden Shewmake, and he is a high-level athlete with a sound approach. Making consistent contact is the key for Farr, who has plenty of upside in the box.

Speaking of high-level athletes, outfielder Terrence Kiel II is a tremendous runner whose speed and athleticism translate to centerfield, where he is a comfortably plus defender. There are some hit tool questions, but Kiel II has flashed some gap-to-gap power. On the mound, projectable 6-foot-4 lefthander Cooper Williams has plenty of upside. He is already an advanced strike-thrower, but his stuff should only continue to tick up as his frame fills out.

8. Miami

• Recruiting coordinator: Jonathan Anderson
• Top recruit: Lazaro Collera, RHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 6

It was tough sledding in 2024 for the Hurricanes, who failed to make the tournament for the first time since 2018. While they lost some firepower to the transfer portal, they do bring in an impressive recruiting class that has an intriguing balance of position players and pitchers. The crown jewel of the recruiting class is Lazaro Collera, an imposing 6-foot-6 righthander who ranked No. 166 on the final BA 500. Collera’s fastball has been up to 98 mph in the past, though it sat mostly in the low-90s this spring. His curveball is further along than his slider, though he does throw both.

While Collera was the highest ranked recruit, Michael Torres is perhaps the most exciting. The lefthanded pitcher and outfielder has a chance to play both ways this spring at Miami, and on top of being a sound strike-thrower on the bump, he has a hitterish look in the box with a line drive-oriented stroke. When focusing solely on upside, nobody in this year’s Miami class has more of it than outfielder Fabio Peralta. He has plenty of projection remaining in his 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame and is an exceptional athlete who can go and get it in centerfield. He needs to add significant polish to his offensive game, and if he does… look out.

9. TCU

• Recruiting coordinator: John DiLaura
• Top recruit: Noah Franco, OF/1B
• BA 500 freshmen: 5

After making its first College World Series appearance in six years in 2023, TCU last season failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2018. However, it was an impressive recruiting cycle for the Horned Frogs, who were able to land a top 10 class. Before reclassifying to 2024, Noah Franco was one of the premier players in the 2025 class. He has experience on the mound, but all signs point to him being a hitter long term. At 6-foot-3 and 205-pounds, Franco is plenty physical and has a violent swing with impressive hand speed and pull-side power. The highest-rated pitcher in the Frogs’ class is 6-foot-4 southpaw Mason Brassfield. There is some effort in his delivery, but his fastball has been up to 94 mph, and he pairs it with a solid slider. As he continues to fill out, expect Brassfield’s velocity and stuff to tick up.

Catcher Nolan Traeger has an impressive defensive acumen. The 6-foot backstop moves well behind the plate, possesses an above-average arm and consistently makes quick transfers on his throws. His offensive tools aren’t necessarily the loudest, though the newly-minted 18-year-old figures to naturally grow into more impact and power as he gets older.

10. Georgia

• Recruiting coordinator: Brock Bennett
• Top recruit: Erik Parker, SS
• BA 500 freshmen: 5

The first year and change of the “Wes Johnson era” has gotten off to about as good of a start as anyone could have hoped. Georgia last year made its first super regional since 2008, was one win away from its first trip to Omaha since that same year and Johnson took home SEC Coach of the Year honors. The Bulldogs rode the momentum they built during the spring into the offseason, as they landed a top-10 class of newcomers and a top-10 recruiting class.

The ‘Dawgs did not lose a single member of their recruiting class to the draft, and dynamic infielder Erik Parker leads the way. The 6-foot-3 shortstop has an athletic build and is a twitchy player who figures to grow into more power as he continues to add strength. On the dirt, Parker’s arm and actions play at shortstop, where he has a chance to stick long term. Fellow infielder Cade Brown is plenty physical with present pull side power, while outfielder Michael Mullinax has a tantalizing set of tools. He is a double-plus runner with a plus arm to boot—both of which translate well to centerfield—but the key will be ironing out his operation in the box, particularly from the left side.

11. Georgia Tech

• Recruiting coordinator: Josh Schulman
• Top recruit: Drew Rogers, C
• BA 500 freshmen: 6

After missing the tournament in 2023, Georgia Tech bounced back last year and made its return to the postseason. It showed well in the Athens regional, winning a pair of games before falling to rival Georgia in extra innings. Coach Josh Schulman did a fantastic job in year one as the Yellow Jackets’ recruiting coordinator and landed six recruits who ranked inside the BA 500. Catcher Drew Rogers leads the way, and the physical backstop possesses impressive natural strength that translates to plenty of pull-side power and above-average arm strength behind the dish. His overall defensive skill set is a bit crude, but he will look to add polish to it during his time in Atlanta.

Six-foot-six righthander Cole Royer has tantalizing upside, though he is a bit raw at the moment. His fastball has been up to 94-95, but he will pitch in the low-90s. His breaking ball is inconsistent and slurvey in shape, though he will snap off a good one here and there. Royer will also need to improve his pitchability, but there is a ton to dream on. Like many of the pitchers already discussed, his stuff will only improve as he continues to get stronger.

Lastly, Bo Walker will need to make serious strides offensively, but he is a borderline 70-grade runner and a solid defender in centerfield.

12. Vanderbilt

• Recruiting coordinator: Ty Blankmeyer
• Top recruit: Rustan Rigdon, SS/OF
• BA 500 freshmen: 4

When you think of the “gold standard” of college baseball, Vanderbilt is one of a handful of programs that immediately comes to mind. The Commodores have made the tournament every season since 2005, a stretch in which they have also captured and impressive five national championships. Head coach Tim Corbin and his staff consistently bring in loaded recruiting classes, a trend that figures to continue with rising star Ty Blankmeyer now leading the charge on the recruiting trail.

Though the Commodores lost righthander Owen Hall to the draft, their class is still chock-full of talent. The switch-hitting Rustan Rigdon is one of the more fascinating freshmen to make it to campus, given his unique ambidextrous throwing ability. Though he got Tommy John surgery on his right arm last fall, Rigdon this spring manned centerfield and was able to throw with his left arm. He’s a plus runner—a trait that translates well to the outfield—and is a polished hitter with present bat-to-ball skills.

Aukai Kea has thunderous raw power that has resulted in some of the loudest batting practice showings of anyone in the 2024 class, though he doesn’t tap into it consistently in-game. Both his hit tool and defense will need to gain significant polish, but his power is an intriguing building block. Six-foot-three righthander Tristan Bristow is a bit of a project right now on the bump, but he is an above-average athlete with plenty of projection remaining.

13. Oregon

• Recruiting coordinator: Jack Marder
• Top recruit: Burke-Lee Mabeus, C
• BA 500 freshmen: 4

In what has become a recent (and extremely positive) trend in Eugene, Oregon has once again put together a high-quality recruiting class. Following a down period in the mid-2010s, Oregon over the last four seasons has enjoyed a rapid ascension into one of the top programs on the West coast. The Ducks have made a regional in each of the last four seasons, have won back-to-back regional championships and are knocking on the door of their first College World Series appearance since 1954.

On top of its top 15 recruiting class, Oregon also landed the ninth-ranked class of newcomers which also factors in transfer portal additions. When focusing solely on the Ducks’ incoming freshmen, catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus stands out. He has an impressive 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame with present power from both sides of the plate and above-average arm strength. Fellow catcher Coen Niclai’s raw power and arm strength are both teetering on above-average, while workhorse righthander Naulivou Laukai Jr. pairs his low-90s fastball with a solid breaking ball.

14. Wake Forest

• Recruiting coordinator: Bill Cilento
• Top recruit: Chris Levonas, RHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 4

Wake Forest came into last season with arguably the most buzz of any team in the country after an impressive run in Omaha in 2023 and was the preseason favorite to win the national championship. It was an up-and-down season for the Demon Deacons, however, and they saw their run to a national title end much earlier, as they were knocked off in the Greenville Regional. Though last season came to an abrupt end, Wake Forest brings a wealth of new talent to campus and figures to again compete for a spot in the College World Series.

It’s no secret that pitching is the biggest strength of the class, as it’s led by a pair of dynamic righthanders in Chris Levonas and Duncan Marsten, who ranked No. 74 and No. 95, respectively, in the final iteration of the BA 500. The athletic Levonas has plenty of arm speed, and there is an argument to be made that he possesses the best pure stuff of any freshman in the country. His counterpart, Marsten, is not too far behind. Marsten’s fastball has flirted with triple digits and he, too, possesses a pair of above-average secondary offerings.

The positional group is led by catcher Matt Conte. The Massachusetts product is a sound defender behind the plate where he has an above-average arm, while offensively he will need to shore up his hit tool in order to maximize his upside.

15. Florida State

• Recruiting coordinator: Ty Megahee
• Top recruit: Hunter Carns, C/OF
• BA 500 freshmen: 3

After failing to make the tournament for the first time since 1977 in 2023, head coach Link Jarrett and his staff last season spearheaded the most impressive turnaround in college baseball. Not only did the Seminoles return to the tournament, but their season culminated with their first trip to the College World Series since 2019. There are again reasons to be bullish on the ‘Noles for next year, and their most recent recruiting class looks poised to make an impact.

Hunter Carns is the headliner of the class, and for good reason. He has thunderous hand speed at the plate and has plus raw power to the pull side, but he is also a fantastic athlete who is a plus runner. His defense will need to improve behind the plate, but his combination of speed and athleticism also give him the chance to stick in centerfield. Six-foot-four first baseman Myles Bailey packs some of the most impressive raw power of any freshman in the country, though it’s accompanied by lots of swing-and-miss. On the pitching front, lefthander Matt Hoag is intriguing. The 6-foot-4 southpaw has plenty of room to fill out and as he does, expect his low-90s fastball velocity to tick up and his pure stuff to take a step forward.

16. Arkansas

• Recruiting coordinator: Nate Thompson
• Top recruit: Carson Wiggins, RHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 2

Over the course of the last 15-plus years, Arkansas has cemented itself in the upper echelon of college baseball. Since 2008, the Razorbacks have appeared in the College World Series an impressive eight times but have yet to capture the program’s first national championship. Last year, they entered the tournament as the No. 5 overall seed but were shocked on their home field by Southeast Missouri and saw their season come to an abrupt end. Coach Nate Thompson is one of the top assistants and recruiters in college baseball, and 2024 was par for the course for Thompson and the rest of the coaching staff.

It’s somewhat strange to see Arkansas “down” at No. 16, but it put a heavy emphasis this offseason on the transfer portal and boasts the No. 2 transfer class in college baseball. Many of the fresh faces you will see this season in Fayetteville will be transfers, but the Hogs have a dynamic freshman pitching duo who profile as impact arms down the road. Six-foot-five Carson Wiggins—younger brother of former Arkansas righthander and current Chicago Cubs prospect, Jaxon Wiggins—features a thunderous fastball that has been up to 99 mph, which he pairs with a sharp above-average slider and a promising split-change. His strike-throwing ability will need to improve, but Wiggins is a mighty intriguing ball of clay that the Arkansas staff will be able to mold.

Lefty Cole Gibler is a totally different type of pitcher than Wiggins, given that he is a strike-throwing lefty who fits the pitchability-over-stuff mold. He has a quality four-pitch mix that consists of a low-90s fastball, a high-70s curveball that is his best pitch, a low-80s slider and a budding changeup. Gibler has plenty of starter traits and could jump into the Razorbacks’ rotation as soon as 2026. One position player to keep close tabs on is 6-foot-2 shortstop Gabe Fraser. A product of Southern California powerhouse Orange Lutheran, Fraser both has the tools to potentially stick on the left side of the infield, as well as some upside with his bat.

17. Virginia

• Recruiting coordinator: Kevin McMullan
• Top recruit: William Kirk, LHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 3

Under head Coach Brian O’Connor, Virginia has become synonymous with the College World Series. Last season was no different, as the Cavaliers returned to Omaha for the third time in the last four seasons. Another constant during O’Connor and his staff’s tenure is their ability to recruit at a high level. They consistently put together premier recruiting classes and—for the most part—do an admirable job of getting their high-end talent to campus. Though they lost their four highest-rated recruits—Caleb Bonemer, Luke Dickerson, Bryce Meccage and Trey Gregory-Alford—to the draft, there is still plenty of talent.

Southpaw William Kirk had top-five round buzz last July, but he heads to Charlottesville poised to log plenty of innings in year one. He’s a highly advanced strike-thrower, and while his fastball sits in the high-80s-to-low-90s, his ability to locate the pitch is impressive. Kirk completes his arsenal with a mid-70s breaking ball and a high-70s plus changeup that frequently generates swings and misses. Fellow lefthander Tomas Valincius has been up to 94 with a promising high-70s-to-low-80s slider, as well as a changeup that is very much a work in progress. Backstop James Nunnallee has a prototypical catcher’s build at 6-foot-1 and 180-pounds, and has an intriguing hit-power blend. His defense will need to improve, though, and an eventual position change is not out of the question.

18. Mississippi State

• Recruiting coordinator: Jake Gautreau
• Top recruit: Charlie Foster, LHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 3

After winning its first-ever national championship in 2021, Mississippi State went on to miss the tournament in both 2022 and 2023. There is no doubt that the heat was turned up in Starkville heading into 2024, and the Bulldogs delivered. They won 40 games before their season came to an end against Virginia in the Charlottesville Regional final. Mississippi State produces deep and talented recruiting classes on a regular basis, and the 2024 recruiting cycle was par for the course.

Its class is led by 6-foot-3 lefty Charlie Foster, who was a consistent riser as last year’s draft cycle progressed. He is armed with advanced pitchability, as well as a low-90s fastball that has seen an uptick in velocity. Foster’s breaking ball and changeup are fine secondary offerings, but both his stuff and velocity should only continue to improve as his frame fills out.

Speaking of projection, 6-foot-4 righthander Cade O’Leary fits the bill, as, at 180 pounds, there is plenty of room for him to fill out physically. He features a fastball that has been up to 96 mph, while both his curveball and changeup could both end up as above-average pitches when all is said and done. Outfielder Landis Davila has an intriguing toolset, headlined by his plus power. His hit tool lacks polish, but he is an excellent athlete and an above-average runner, which are two traits that translate well to the outfield.

19. Indiana

• Recruiting coordinator: Zach Weatherford
• Top recruit: Henry Brummel, RHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 3

Under the leadership of head coach Jeff Mercer and company, Indiana has established itself as one of the premier programs in the Big 10. Last year, the Hoosiers made the tournament for the second-straight season and the eighth time in the last 11 seasons. A huge reason for that success is their ability to recruit and develop talent. Indiana did suffer a significant blow this summer, as rising coaching star and former recruiting coordinator, Derek Simmons, took the same position at Duke. Even so, the Hoosiers still boast the second-best recruiting class in the conference and are on track to again compete for a Big 10 championship.

Righthanded pitcher Henry Brummel was a buzzy name last spring, and he features a fastball that has been up to 94, as well as a breaking ball that has plus potential. There is plenty of effort in his delivery, though, which could hint at a potential move to the bullpen either in college or in pro ball. Hulking 6-foot-6 first baseman Jake Hanley has already made noise this fall, and his comfortably plus power could land him in the middle of the Indiana order before long. If he is able to shore up his hit tool, there is plenty of offensive upside. Hanley has tons of arm strength, though he lacks mobility and will likely stay over at first base long term. However, I wouldn’t rule out him getting some run in a corner outfield spot during his time in Bloomington.

Six-foot-four lefthander Brayton Thomas has an enticing blend of size and a diverse pitch mix that includes a low-90s fastball, a potentially average slider and changeup and a curveball. If he is able to hone in on his pitchability, Thomas could eventually pitch his way into the Hoosiers’ rotation.

20. South Carolina

• Recruiting coordinator: Terry Rooney
• Top recruit: Kamden Scobey, SS
• BA 500 freshmen: 2

Following a disappointing end to its season, 2024 was a tumultuous offseason in Columbia. Former head coach Mark Kingston was relieved of his duties and was subsequently replaced by legendary coach Paul Mainieri. Though there was plenty of turnover on the staff, the new regime was able to retain most of the class. Unsurprisingly, the Gamecocks lost Summerville (S.C.) high school teammates PJ Morlando and Carson Messina to the draft. Still, there is no shortage of depth throughout the class, that is headlined by Kamden Scobey and Beau Hollins.

Scobey is a 6-foot-2, switch-hitting shortstop who boasts present power, particularly from the right side. But much of his offensive upside hinges on how big of a stride his hit tool is able to take. His defensive skillset will allow him to stick on the dirt; the only question is where.

Hollins has a massive 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame that is accompanied by plenty of raw power and exciting offensive upside. He also has experience on the mound but he is a surefire hitter both in college and beyond.

21. Oklahoma State

• Recruiting coordinator: Mark Ginther
• Top recruit: Garrett Shull, OF
• BA 500 freshmen: 2

2024 was another successful year in Stillwater, as the Cowboys won 42 games, their first Big 12 Conference tournament championship since 2019 and again hosted a regional. Its season was cut short by the “Cinderella” Florida Gators, but Oklahoma State has since reloaded and heads into 2025 with another talented squad. It not only put together a fantastic transfer class, but also a high-quality recruiting class. 

While its top-two pitchers—Kash Mayfield and Braylon Doughty—were both selected in the first round of the draft, they were able to get Garrett Shull to campus. Shull had tons of day one interest and boasts a balanced tool set. He has present power, a sound hit tool and an above-average arm in the outfield. Shull will be a candidate to start for the Cowboys from the get-go and he already profiles as one of the better sophomore-eligible prospects in the 2026 draft.

Caleb Hoover has shown flashes on both sides of the baseball. He has plus raw power at the dish, though he will need to make contact on a far more consistent basis in order to regularly tap into it in-game. On the mound, he features a low-90s fastball, a mid-70s breaking ball and a low-80s changeup that is a work in progress. Whether it’s in the box or on the mound, expect to see Hoover in some capacity this spring.

Six-foot-five righthander Matt Brown has a frame to dream on and has been up to 92 with his fastball, a pitch he pairs with a budding high-70s breaking ball.

22. Stanford

• Recruiting coordinator: Thomas Eager
• Top recruit: Charlie Bates, SS
• BA 500 freshmen: 2

Following its third-straight trip to the College World Series in 2023, 2024 was a rare down year for Stanford. They felt the effects of having massive roster turnover and missed the tournament for the first time since 2016. But as 2025 inches closer, there is the usual buzz surrounding the Cardinal. Arguably no school in the country does a better job than Stanford at both keeping their recruiting class intact and getting their high-end talent to campus. Since 2017, it has not lost a single recruit to the draft. In today’s landscape, that is a remarkable streak that continued this year.

Shortstop Charlie Bates had plenty of top-two round draft interest, but he—like countless other recruits—chose to forgo the draft and take his talents to Palo Alto. His hit ability and contact skills are his calling card, but he also saw an uptick in power last spring. Bates has the defensive ability to stick at shortstop long term, though his lack of arm strength would be the only reason he would need to move off the position. This summer, Bates had an impressive three-game stint for the Bellingham Bells of the West Coast League in which he went 5-for-11 (.455) with a home run, three RBIs and a pair of stolen bases.

Outfielder Tatum Marsh has an impressive toolset packed into his 6-foot-1 frame, headlined by a plus arm. In addition to being an above average runner, Marsh has also flashed some power upside. On the mound, lefthander Austin Steeves is an advanced strike-thrower with stuff to boot and could make an impact sooner rather than later.

23. Arizona

• Recruiting coordinator: Trip Couch
• Top recruit: Mason Russell, LHP
• BA 500 freshmen: 2

Last season, head coach Chip Hale continued his impressive tenure as the leader of the Wildcats’ program, as they made the tournament for the fourth-straight season and captured its first-ever Pac-12 tournament championship. Additionally, recruiting coordinator Trip Couch was the mastermind behind yet another quality recruiting class. Arizona has an exciting blend of returning talent and newcomers, and has the bones of a team that could be playing deep into June.

Lefthander Mason Russell had top-five round draft interest last spring and features a low-90s fastball, two distinct breaking balls that have both flashed above-average and a mid-80s changeup that is very much a work in progress. His command is volatile, though, and the biggest key in order for Russell to achieve his upside is to become more of a consistent strike-thrower. Six-foot-six righthander Smith Bailey has plenty of room to fill out, but he pitches in the low-90s with his fastball and has been up to 95. Both his slider and changeup project as quality secondaries. Under the guise of the dynamic pitching duo of coaches Kevin Vance and John DeRouin, both Bailey and Russell are in a fantastic spot to develop.

24. Louisville

• Recruiting coordinator: Eric Snider
• Top recruit: Collin Mowry, C
• BA 500 freshmen: 2

There is plenty of pressure on Louisville heading into the 2025 season. After a dominant run in the 2010s, the Cardinals have made the tournament just once since 2019. While there was improvement last season, especially in terms of how they fared in conference play, the Cardinals failed to make the tournament for the second-consecutive season. Louisville lost plenty of firepower to the transfer portal, but they responded by making some key additions of its own. On top of its portal adds, recruiting coordinator Eric Snider again put together a deep recruiting class and did not lose a single player to the draft.

At 6-foot-1 and 205-pounds, Collin Mowry has a typical catcher’s build and no shortage of strength and physicality throughout his frame. He has slightly above-average power and has shown enough hitting chops to be able to get to it in-game. Mowry has the defensive tools to stick behind the plate long term, as he both moves and receives well while flashing enough arm strength.

Though not the highest ranked recruit in the Cardinals’ class, Tague Davis has arguably made the most noise this fall of any true freshman in the country. The 6-foot-3 Davis is equipped with plus power, especially to the pull side, and impressive bat speed. He has already launched six home runs this fall to go with a sound approach, which is his biggest key going forward. On the mound, Davis attacks from a low-three quarter slot and throws a low-90s fastball, an okay mid-70s breaking ball and a low-80s changeup.

Six-foot-four righthander Jake Gregor has already been up to 94 mph with his heater, and his projectable frame suggests there could be even more in the tank. His low-80s changeup is his best secondary pitch, but he will need to add polish to his breaking ball.

25. Kentucky

• Recruiting coordinator: Austin Cousino
• Top recruit: Tyler Bell, SS
• BA 500 freshmen: 2

2024 was an historic year in Lexington, culminating in the Wildcats’ first-ever trip to the College World Series. On top of going to Omaha, Kentucky won the regular-season SEC title for the first time since 2006, and its 46 wins were the most in program history. There is tons of talent to replace on both sides of the baseball, but the ‘Cats again welcome an impressive crop of newcomers to campus.

Kentucky’s recruiting class appeared to take a serious blow on the first night of the draft, as shortstop Tyler Bell was selected 66th overall by the Rays. Just over two weeks later, the Lincoln-Way East (Ill.) product announced he would not be signing and would instead be headed to Lexington. The switch-hitting shortstop packs a sound approach from both sides of the plate and has shown the ability to drive the baseball. He has an above-average arm with impressive actions, and he projects to be Kentucky’s opening day shortstop.

Catcher Ryan Schwartz has a massive (for the position) 6-foot-4 frame and is armed with plus power and a plus arm. However, his hit tool will certainly need to improve, and his actions defensively could be best suited for a corner outfield spot. Righthander Bradley Ferrell has intriguing upside on the mound and an ultra-projectable frame to go along with a low-90s fastball and potentially above-average curveball.