The consensus 1:1 favorite in this class dating back to the beginning of this draft cycle, Cholowsky displays above-average to elite tools across the board. His combination of batted ball skills and game power from the right side is one of the best in the class and also sports one of the best gloves in the class at shortstop as well. The 6’2” 195 pound junior draws a lot of comparisons to Dansby Swanson when he was selected first overall in 2015, but plenty of evaluators believe he is better than Swanson was at this point in his career.

Possessing one of the best fastballs in the class, there will be a case to make for Flora to be the first college arm off the board in July. His fastball consistently sits in the upper-90s and has reached triple digits on multiple occasions. He throws two different slider shapes, a low-80s sweeper along with an upper-80s cutter-like slider, both of which he really knows how to spin. His changeup is a work in progress but even without it, he has one of the better arsenals in the class due to his ability to command his offerings well. At 6’5” and 205 pounds, Flora is already a strong, physical starter with projection remaining.

The current favorite to be the first prep off the board in the upcoming MLB draft, Emerson is a toolsy shortstop with plenty of polish. At 6’2” and 180 pounds, he’s a strong, physical athlete and should continue to grow into his frame. However, he’s still an excellent defender expected to stick at shortstop due to his range, quick hands, strong arm, and great instincts. At the plate, it’s a very refined approach with little swing and miss along with growing power to all fields from the left side.

One of the more impressive athletes in the draft class, Lebron pairs well above-average power from the right side with electric shortstop defense. There are some swing and miss concerns for him to work on this spring, but his power-glove combo along with his above-average speed will be tough to pass on for teams drafting within the top ten. At 6’2” and 180 pounds, Lebron is still very projectable and expected to stick at shortstop long-term, giving him one of the highest ceilings in the class.

No pitcher has created any real separation as the top arm in this draft class yet, but a lot of evaluators likely prefer Flukey right now. The 6’6”, 210 pound right-hander is very projectable and features one of the more advanced arsenals in this class. He throws a mid-90s fastball that tops out at 98 mph along with great feel for spin in the form of an upper-70s traditional curveball and a mid-80s slider with a gyro shape. His changeup is a developing offering that could separate him from the rest of the class if he shows more feel for it this spring. Flukey’s advanced control stands out as he only walked 5.8% of hitters he faced in 2025.

There is always a lot of risk that comes with prep arms, but aside from the fact that he’s on the older side of the prep class, there are little holes in Bolemon’s game. The southpaw shows an immense amount of polish for his level, mainly in the form of his control and command along with his present feel for an offspeed pitch in the form of a mid-80s changeup. He also throws a low to mid-90s fastball, reaching 96 mph, with a high-70s curveball and a low-80s sweeper. At 6’4” and 210 pounds, Bolemon has a strong, athletic starter’s frame with projection remaining along with a smooth delivery.

A draft eligible sophomore, Strosnider is a toolsy left handed hitter and one of the more well-rounded athletes in the class at 6’2” and 200 punds. His raw power might be his carrying tool, although he has many skills to fall back on including his plus speed and advanced defense in the outfield where he currently covers right field but is believed to be able to play center in the pro ranks. Regardless of where he ends up defensively, he’ll be an above-average defender. Strosnider makes a lot of contact at the plate, but there are approach concerns that need some refinement.

If Rojas has another strong spring, there will be a case for him to be the first arm off the board this July. The 6’4”, 190 pound lefty has one of the better fastball-slider combinations among left-handed pitchers in the draft and pairs that with above-average control and command of the strike zone. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, topping out at 98 mph and stands out due to its shape. His slider is a low-80s sweeping offering and both pitches play up because of his deceptive arm action. He doesn’t throw his changeup much but has flashed feel for the pitch. Rojas is a great mover on the mound with a lot of projection as well.

Burress has had arguably the best career thus far among the college bats on the board after he took the college game by storm as a freshman in 2024. Fast forward to his junior year, Burress is still one of the more tooled-up outfielders in the game. Although a bit undersized at 5’9” and 180 pounds, Burress packs a punch at the plate with above-average power and enough contact skills for it to count. On the field, Burress is one of the better defenders in center field with a plus arm and range. Although he has above-average speed, it doesn’t show up in-game on the offensive side as much as you would like.

Curiel presents himself as one of the top eligible sophomores in this year’s class. The 6’2”, 180 pound left-handed hitter’s driving tool is his elite bat to ball skills which are some of the best among the college class. He rarely whiffs and rarely chases out of the zone, but that can be driven by his general passiveness at the plate at times. Curiel is hit over power, but the power is sneaky as he can get the ball out of the park to all fields. More added power this spring will be the difference that lands him as a top ten pick. Defensively, Curiel will man center field this spring where he is believed to be able to stick because of speed and athleticism, although his arm is only average at best.

One of the premier athletes in this year’s draft class to go along with MLB bloodlines, Lombard has one of the highest ceilings in the class. As a premier athlete, the only reason Lombard could possibly move off shortstop is if his arm strength doesn’t translate at the next level. Regardless, he is going to be a plus defender in pro ball. Offensively, there are some question marks with the hit tool as he has a track record of struggling with velocity. When he is making contact, there is plenty of present power. Lombard’s speed on the bases stands out as well, making him one of the more tooled-up players in this class.

A re-class from the 2027 draft class, the 6’4”, 215 pound Schmidt will still be 17 on draft day. A very projectable lefty with a starter’s frame, Schmidt has showcased plenty of power and polish despite his youth. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, topping out at 97 mph, and also features a low-80s, two-plane slider. It’s primarily a two-pitch mix but he has flashed a solid changeup as well. Schmidt’s above-average command for his age is what separates him from your typical power fastball/slider prep arm.

The 6’3”, 195 pound left-handed hitting outfielder possesses arguably the best hit-power combinations in the college class. Gracia blends his bat to ball skills and a refined approach to maximize his output with a pretty but violent swing and plenty of bat speed. Gracia is going to be a corner outfielder due to his fringy arm and speed but has laid a great foundation at the plate for him to be a successful bat-first corner outfield power profile. Think Jace Laviolette with a better hit tool but less athletic upside.

Although Spangler doesn’t feature a single elite tool, he possesses average to above-average skills across the board, giving him one of the highest floors in this draft class. The bat is very polished with great bat to ball skills and improving all-fields power that is already very present to his pull side. His advanced approach will help him be a plus bat from the left side at the next level. Already coming in at 6’3” and 210 pounds, a move over to third base could be in Spangler’s future considering he doesn’t have the athletic upside of some of the top tier defenders in this class. However, he does have polish with great instincts and should be an above-average defender regardless of where he lands.

As long as Lackey maintains his success this spring, he should be the first catcher off the board in July. The 6’2”, 200 pound catcher is one of the best defenders in the class, and pretty easily the best defender at the position. He features a strong, accurate arm along with excellent athleticism for his size. His receiving skills have made some big strides while he’s also a great blocker. Offensively, Lackey is hit over power with roughly average power. The approach is solid with minimal swing and miss, but he does hit the ball on the ground a lot.

A late re-class from the 2027 draft class, Grindlinger will be the second youngest player in this year’s draft class, coming in merely weeks younger than Rocco Maniscalco. Grindlinger might be a legitimate two-way prospect, but his outlook is a little better on the mound right now. There’s a lot of polish in his game for his age, featuring a low-effort, smooth delivery with the ability to fill up the strike zone. He’s been up into the mid-90s with his fastball and there is present feel for a slider and a changeup with potential for plus. With the bat, it’s a lot of contact and a solid approach with occasional pop that he is expected to grow into.

Reese possesses one of the better offensive profiles in this year’s draft class as a 6’4”, 220 pound left-handed slugger. Reese has above-average power that plays up further due to his ability to routinely get the ball in the air to the pull-side. He can be a bit aggressive, but his contact skills help to mitigate the chase and also helps him tap into that power. Defensively, Reese isn’t a net-negative at third base, but a move to a corner outfield spot or even first base where his bat could profile well might be in the future for Reese. The run tool is below-average so he won’t provide much in that department.

A second round pick in the 2024 draft out of high school, Bell should go even higher than he did in 2024 with another strong spring as a draft eligible sophomore. A 6’1”, 190 pound switch hitter, Bell’s bat speed stands out and should translate to above-average power once he starts getting the ball in the air more. His approach and bat to ball skills lay a good foundation for future success, although his patience can hurt him at times. Bell is expected to stick at shortstop due to his above-average arm and glove, but doesn’t quite have the speed to be a big difference-maker on the bases.

A 6’3”, 205 pound left-handed hitter, Sorrell presents himself as a well-rounded athlete with multiple tools present. Offensively, there are some concerns with his hit tool, but no concerns with his power. Sorrell consistently drives the ball to all fields with an effortless stroke and routinely gets the ball in the air. Defensively, Sorrell has manned the corners during his first two years of college ball, but will get full run in center field this spring where he should have the opportunity to play in pro ball. If he can’t stick in center, Sorrell should be an above-average right fielder due to his speed and strong arm where his bat will certainly profile nicely as well.

One of the more projectable pitchers in the prep class, there’s a lot to dream on with Contreras given the present tools. Perhaps the most unique trait for Contreras is his feel for two different offspeed offerings (it’s rare a prep pitcher has present feel for one offspeed pitch). He throws both a changeup and forkball which is similar to the modern day splitter that kills spin, creating a ton of depth. His fastball lacks traits outside of its velocity as he has run it up to 98 mph, but its shape doesn’t stand out. His mid-80s slider is his only breaking pitch which has produced some solid results as well. At 6’4” and 195 pounds with a fairly low-effort delivery, there’s a whole lot to like moving forward given the present tools and the fact that he’s on the younger side of the class.

For the 6’3”, 190 pound left-handed hitter, the carrying skill is the advanced to elite hit tool. Becker’s consistent contact to all fields is backed by an excellent approach as he rarely chases outside of the zone. He has flashed some power as well but it’s still average at best at the moment. However, his other skills offensively certainly help him tap into the juice he does have. Defensively, Becker could move off of shortstop in the near future as his athleticism and arm don’t particularly stand out, but he should be given the chance to stick there as he’s played a solid six in his amateur career.

The Eli Willits-lite of the 2026 draft class, Maniscalco presents himself as the youngest draftee this year and possesses a similar skill set to last year’s first overall pick. Maniscalco is a switch-hitting shortstop with feel to hit from both sides of the plate and growing power. He’s one of the best shortstop defenders in the class and has one of the highest defensive ceilings due to his advanced range, arm, and instincts he has already shown at a young age. At 6’2” and 185 pounds, he might be more projectable than Willits was this time last year, but doesn’t quite have the same speed.

A 6’6”, 255 pound athlete, Borthwick already has the physical attributes of a big league starter. Once he really learns how to use his big frame in a pro setting, he could have ace upside. Borthwick’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and has topped out at 98 mph with solid ride. His mid-80s slider is a true power slider while his changeup flashes some good characteristics when he uses it. The big right handers fastball command stands out but the command and pitchability with his secondaries are a work in progress.

As one of the better all-around athletes in the prep class, Condon presents himself as high-floor with a lot of projection. Condon has one of the better hit tools in this year’s prep class which certainly helps him put his plus speed to work on the bases. His power from the left side is average at best at the moment, but he’s expected to add more pop as he grows into his 5’11”, 175 pound frame, and his solid approach will help him maximize his power output. Defensively, there’s little to no doubt he will stick in center field in pro ball due to his above-average range and arm.

A big spring for the 6’5”, 205 pound Peterson can potentially earn him a spot within the first five picks this July. A projectable athlete with present stuff and velocity, Peterson throws a mid to upper 90s fastball which has topped out at 99 mph. He has great feel for spin in the form of both an above-average slider and curveball, with the slider being a more traditional two-plane mid-80s slider and the curveball being a high-70s 12-6 curve that falls out of the sky due to his higher arm-slot. His changeup is a developing pitch projecting as an average offering. The delivery can feel a bit erratic at times and lacks deception which could lead to reliever risk, but the stuff is hard to not bet on with a lottery pick.

If you’re drafting a bat alone in the first round of this year’s draft, it would be hard to look past the 6’1”, 205 pound, right-handed hitting Hacopian. He has excellent bat speed that has yet to translate into true plus power, but he has certainly flashed it. Plus contact skills paired with a great approach are Hacopian’s driving tools offensively and a big reason he is expected to unlock more power. Defensively, he has held his own as a college shortstop but is likely to slide over to third where he has enough arm to stick but lacks range and athleticism.

There’s a lot to dream on with the 6’7”, 205 pound right handed Hirschkorn as he has some of the best upside among the prep pitchers in this year’s class. He’s very projectable with a low-effort delivery that creates deception for hitters. He’s primarily a two-pitch pitcher at the moment, featuring a mid to high-90s fastball with carry as well as a low to mid-80s slider that is believed to be his best pitch. He has flashed a solid changeup but hasn’t put it to much use. HIrschkorn’s command is above-average for his age, so there’s very little that has to go right for him to at least be an average arm at the next level.

A well-rounded athlete standing in at 6’2” and 185 pounds, Brady Harris presents himself as one of the many high-floor prep outfielders in this class. With better raw power than most of the prep class, there’s a lot to dream on with Harris as he continues to grow into his frame. There has been some hit tool questions, but none too concerning to suggest he won’t be able to get to his above-average power at the next level. Harris has the athleticism to stick around in center field as at least an average defender and has the speed and instincts to be a difference-maker on the bases.

Brick is comfortably the top prep catcher in this draft class. Brick stands out for his athleticism, polish, and elite arm strength behind the dish. Although a slower runner, Brick moves very well at the position, showing the potential to be a good blocker and receiver. With the bat in his hands, Brick also possesses a healthy combination of contact and power for a catcher as young as him. He’s slightly hit over power at the moment but has flashed some bat speed and pop at the plate and should add some strength to his 6’2”, 195 pound frame.

The left handed Dietz could be one of the wild cards of this draft class as he has missed nearly the entirety of his first two seasons in college due to injury. As long as he is healthy in 2026, he could shoot up draft boards to where he would have likely found himself heading into this season had he not been injured. The 6’6”, 235 pound Dietz put on a show this fall, showcasing a mid-90s fastball reaching 99 mph with cut and ride that he commands well. A high-70s curveball is his breaking pitch of choice while he also mixes in an upper-80s cutter. Other than in a short stint on the cape, he has yet to develop an offspeed pitch. The upside to be the top left handed pitcher in this class is there for Dietz, but he has to get the injury monkey off his back.

Bowen is one of the freakier athletes in this draft class, standing in at 6’3” and 215 pounds with plenty of physical tools in his tool bag. The power is the carrying tool offensively as Bowen routinely produces top of the line exit velocities for his age. There are plenty of questions concerning his ability to make enough contact, so the offensive profile does come with risk. On the other side of the ball, Bowen is a plus runner with excellent range in center field along with a strong arm that will play fine in right field if he ever moved over there. Historically, the super tooled-up prep outfielder with hit tool questions has been super risky but he could be one worth taking a chance on.

For the son of former big league pitcher Doug Waechter, the name of the game is polish and projection. Kaden is very projectable at 6’3” and 185 pounds and is also a great mover on the mound with a low effort, repeatable delivery. His fastball hangs around in the low to mid-90s with good ride and command. He has a slider that sits in the mid-80s that he also throws with more of a cutter shape in the high-80s. His changeup is a work in progress but he has flashed some feel for it. Waechter is a pitcher that can easily come out on the other side of this draft class as the best prep pitcher if he pieces all of his skills together with his projection.

The 6’0”, 185 pound left-handed hitting is your typical table-setter, blending an elite hit tool with plus speed to produce value offensively. It’s an extreme hit over power profile, possessing some of the best contact rates in college baseball, but at a cost in the power department. There is feel for the barrel and some pull-side loft, so he’s not a net-negative in the power department, but it’s simply never going to be a carrying tool. Defensively, Moore has the speed and instincts to stick in center field long term, although the arm strength is fringy.

One thing for certain when it comes to Aiden Ruiz is that he very likely could be the best defender to come from this draft class. He without a doubt is going to stick as a plus shortstop at the next level and the glove is going to be the carrying tool for him in pro ball. He’s a top tier athlete with an above-average run tool, plus arm, and excellent instincts. It’s pretty obviously a glove-first profile, however, Ruiz does make plenty of contact as a switch hitter with a solid approach. He hasn’t shown much power and doesn’t really project to show much more but there’s enough of a floor to believe his bat can hang around. Also important to note that Ruiz is going to be one of the oldest available preps on the draft board this July.

The 6’1”, 210 pound right-handed hitting Zion Rose is your typical bat first, corner outfield profile that slots in anywhere between the back of the first round into the middle of the second round. Rose possesses a healthy hit and power combination, consistently getting to solid exit velocities while limiting swing and miss. He can expand the zone a little too much at times which can cause some problems but certainly produces enough impact to mitigate the chase as long as he’s making enough contact. Rose is an above-average runner with the chance to be a 20+ stolen base threat at the next level, but lacks the range and arm to be a difference maker in the outfield so he projects to stick around in left field as an average defender.

One of a few true “data darlings” in this year’s draft class, Gaeckle has one of the higher ceilings among the arms in the class. He has an established four pitch mix, featuring a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. The fastball is one of the best in the class, sitting in the mid-90s, topping out at 98 mph, and stands out because of its flat approach angle and carry through the top of the zone. His high-80s slider is his main secondary which is very effective while mixing in a high-70s curveball and a high-80s changeup - both of which produce great metrics but lack some command. The 6’1”, 190 pound right hander does come with some reliever risk but also possesses ace upside. It could be a wide variety of outcomes but also a great payoff if he’s developed well.

Advincula presents himself as one of the more interesting prospects in this draft class due to his particularly high floor but particularly low ceiling. He possesses one of the better hit tools in the college class from the left side but really lacks impact despite a solid 5’11”, 200 pound frame. The bat to ball skills do help him access the power he has as he knows how to get on plane in order to get the ball in the air to the pull-side, but he likely projects for no more than ten home runs on an annual basis. Although he has played second base for his entire college career, Advincula will presumably slide over to shortstop this spring for Georgia Tech, but unless he really impresses defensively, he should move back over to second in pro ball. He’s a plus runner and solid athlete but lacks the needed arm strength on the left side of the infield.

With a strong platform year, Helfrick could rival Vahn Lackey as the first catcher to come off the board this July. Helfrick is very sound defensively, featuring a strong arm, solid athleticism, good receiving skills, and the ability to call a game well (an uncommon skill at the amateur level). There won’t be much concern about his ability to stick as an above-average defender at the next level. At the plate, Helfrick’s power is his carrying tool due to his impressive bat speed. He does tend to chase often and has his fair share of swing and miss, but also maximizes his power tool by getting the ball in the air to the pull side at a high rate.

One of the few players with legitimate two-way upside in this class, scouts are still undecided on which side of the ball they like the 6’3”, 215 pounder right-hander. On the mound, it’s a low to mid-90s fastball with some life and true feel for two breaking balls and a changeup. At the plate, it’s an average hit tool with the strength to project on above-average to plus raw power. Despite his bigger frame, he’s one of the better runners in the prep class with the range and arm strength to stick on the left side of the infield if he takes the hitting route. There’s more polish as a pitcher but perhaps more ceiling as a position player

The 6’1”, 170 pound left handed hitting Broussard is a toolsy outfielder with plus-plus speed that leads the way. His speed plays well both on the bases and in center field where he has excellent range and a good enough arm for him to remain there at the next level. At the plate, it’s hit over power for Broussard, and projects to remain that way, although he has flashed some pop. He displays a good approach and makes consistently solid contact finding the barrel often, but it’s more gap-to-gap impact rather than home run impact.

For the 6’4”, 225 pound right-hander, it’s all about stuff. Volchko sports an upper-90s fastball that grabs triple digits with outlier cutting action. He mixes in a more traditional cutter but it doesn’t separate off the fastball by much, so his primary fastball can probably just be labeled a hard cutter. He can really spin two breaking ball shapes, a high-80s sweeping slider and a low to mid-80s two-plane curveball. Both offerings lack command, but have the traits to induce a lot of whiffs. He’s mixing in a low-90s gyro slider and an upper-80s changeup, both of which have shown flashes of plus but need more work. A lack of command across his arsenal has been Volchko’s sticking point, but he has seen some improved returns in the department early on in 2026.

A draft eligible sophomore, the right-handed hitting Rembert’s hit tool is one of the better hit tools in the college ranks. He often gets tagged with being a “pure hitter” large in part due to his advanced approach and excellent contact skills. He does have some juice in his bat but has a hard time getting the ball in the air at times. Defensively, Rembert is probably an average second baseman at the next level and is an average runner as well. He should hit enough in pro ball but the development of the swing and the impact is what will be the difference maker for Rembert moving forward.

The left-handed hitting Peterson is one of the more well-rounded bats in the prep ranks, featuring some of the better power in the class along with solid feel to hit. He deploys an advanced approach and doesn’t whiff often, leaving little holes in his game offensively. At 6’3” and 210 pounds, and expected to profile as a power bat, there’s still a lot of projection in his offensive profile. Peterson features a very strong arm due to the time he has spent on the mound in his amateur career, and it should play well at third base if the glove remains good enough to stick around there. He lacks speed and range so his future as a third baseman is not for certain so he could be headed to a corner outfield spot or first base in the future.

Booth is a mixed bag in some ways but could very possibly be the best prep to come from this class if developed properly. He’s one of the premier athletes in the class with comfortably plus-plus speed. However, it needs refinement as his instincts in center field and on the bases both need work. His arm strength is largely a non-factor as well. Booth has a solid hit tool from the left side of the plate which will help him access his speed often, but he has somewhat of an unconventional swing that might need work at the next level. He possesses some great bat speed and pop as well which could be a real difference maker if he pieces the offensive tools together in pro ball.

Brunson in many ways is the right-handed hitting version of Ethan Conrad who was selected 17th overall by the Cubs a year ago. Brunson lacks an elite tool, but is average to above-average in every area, giving him a well-rounded profile without a particularly high ceiling. He’s a solid athlete in center field where he projects to be average with an arm that can play in either center or right. It’s above-average speed that doesn’t show up in a big way in-game but he could be a 10-15 stolen base threat at the next level. Offensively, there isn’t a carrying tool but he makes contact at an above-average rate while deploying an aggressive approach. It’s consistent barrels that play to all fields with some home run pop and some remaining projection in his 6’3”. 200 pound frame.

One of the toolsier players in the prep class, Roberts Jr stands out for his athleticism and projection at 6’5” and 215 pounds. He’s a plus runner with a strong arm that has been up into the mid-90s on the mound, both of which help him project as an above-average defender at the pro level when he will fully focus on being a position player. At the plate, it’s impressive bat speed with a lot of pop when he’s getting the ball in the air. He hammers fastballs but is prone to breaking and offspeed pitches, which will likely leave the development of his hit tool dependent on his approach. This is a risky profile, but one worth betting on based on the physical traits alone.

The 6’5”, 185 pound right hander comes with a lot of projection and athleticism on the mound. Bryant already features four pitches, all of which he has shown some present feel for. His fastball sits in the low to mid-90s, topping out at 96 mph with a good amount of carry. He throws two breaking balls, a low-80s sweeping slider and a 70s curveball with his slider maybe being his best pitch. His changeup is a work in progress and likely will improve with more usage. Given Bryant’s low-effort, repeatable delivery paired with his pitch mix and projection, there’s not a lot of prep arms I would bet on being better than Bryant long term.

The 6’2”, 200 pound right-handed hitting Molony is a player that could find himself in the first round come July if he takes another step forward this spring. Molony features efficient contact skills along with growing power that has flashed to all fields but is mainly to his pull-side. Molony is expected to be given the chance to play shortstop in pro ball and he could stick there given his strong arm and smooth actions. He’s not a fast runner but makes the most of the athleticism he does possess both on the diamond and on the base paths. A move off of shortstop would likely land him at third base where his arm and offensive profile will play.

Standing at 6’2” and 220 pounds, the left-handed hitting Ballinger checks all of the boxes as a polished college hitter. He makes plenty of contact, employs a great approach, flashes above-average to plus raw power, and hits both left-handed and right-handed pitchers well. There is a lot of pressure on his bat to perform though as he’s likely limited to first base where he’s already playing full-time and doesn’t provide much on the bases either. He’s certainly a bat you can bet on in the late first or early second round.

A draft eligible sophomore, there’s a lot of projection in the 6’3”, 190 pound frame of Tegan Kuhns along with present feel for a wide pitch mix. He throws a mid-90s fastball that has reached 98 mph which plays up due to his lower release and carry on the pitch. His high-70s curveball is his other plus pitch due to it’s massive break. He mixes in a cutter, slider, and changeup, none of which have stood out as his third best pitch and are in need of more consistency and command. There is an obvious foundation for Kuhns to be a successful starter at the next level and he could have an up arrow next to his name throughout the spring.

Following a strong summer showcase, Bass could be one of the big risers on the prep side of the draft class this spring. He stands out because of his plus defense at shortstop where there’s little doubt he’ll be able to stick long term due to his solid athleticism and strong arm. He projects as a glove-first shortstop, but the bat is certainly coming along. It’s an average to above-average hit tool on good days with an improving power tool as he continues to grow into his 6’2”, 185 pound frame. He has already shown some really impressive bat speed, so it could be a power over hit offensive profile when it’s all said and done.

A draft eligible sophomore coming in at 6’2” and 190 pounds, Hernandez is a high floor bat with defensive versatility. He makes a lot of contact and displays a solid plate approach, and while he doesn’t get to the highest exit velocities, he does a good job of getting the ball in the gaps and in the air to the pull-side. It’s potential 20 home run game power at the pro level given polish at the plate. Defensively, Hernandez is a swiss-army knife but sees most of his time at second base and the outfield. He has been in the 90s on the mound as recently as his freshman year at Georgia Tech, so his arm profiles well in right field where he has average range and athleticism.

The funky left hander presents himself as one of the more unique college arms in this year’s draft class. The 6’2”, 185 pound Trey Beard combines a polished pitch mix, above-average command, and serious deception as a recipe for success. It isn’t high-end stuff, but he gets the most out of the stuff he has. The fastball sits in the low-90s, but he gets a lot of ride on the pitch due to his super high release point and ability to drive it through the top of the zone. His high-70s changeup is his premier offering in which he has advanced feel for. It really deceives hitters as it falls from the sky from his high release. His curveball and slider are average offerings but he spins them and mixes them in very well.

A 6’2”, 190 pound right-handed hitting transfer from Seton Hall, Robbins will have the chance to showcase his well-rounded bat against SEC pitching in 2026. He’s coming off of a breakout sophomore campaign and a strong performance on the Cape in which his multiple tools were on display. It’s one of the better hit tools in the college class paired with some untapped power potential, good swing decisions and an all-fields approach. His plus speed plays up due to his offensive approach and you can pencil him in for double-digit steals on an annual basis. He’s played majority right field in his college career thus far but might be better suited in left field due to his average arm, and could potentially plug in at center field in a pinch.

A draft eligible sophomore, the 6’3”, 235 pound right hander has the physical tools to be a successful starter at the next level. At the moment, Lynch operates with just two pitches so the development of a third offering this spring will be the difference in him being a first rounder or not. The two pitches he does throw are plus offerings. His plus fastball sits in the mid-90s and has reached as high as 98 mph. It plays up further due to the deception he creates from a lower release point and the carry on the pitch. His mid-80s slider is a true two-plane breaking pitch that induces plenty of swing and miss although he sometimes has a hard time controlling it.

A premier athlete, Lane Jr is a tooled-up center fielder that could have an up arrow next to his name throughout the spring if his fringy hit tool improves. Right-handed hitting prep bats with high athletic upside and hit tool concerns have historically been a risky bunch, but it’s hard to look past the other tools Lane Jr brings to the table. If he makes enough contact, it’s above-average power to all fields and plus speed that creates problems for opposing defenses. He has a strong arm in center field and the speed to cover plenty of ground although he could use some refinement in order to become a true plus defender.

For the 6’8” right hander, it’s all about future projection over the current package. At 215 pounds, Lord still has a lot of room to fill out his frame and add power. His fastball currently sits in the low to mid-90s but he has ran it up as high as 98 mph with a low-effort delivery. He commands it pretty well so there’s a lot to dream on with the fastball alone. He can spin a curveball in the high-70s pretty well but doesn’t have the same command with it and it sometimes has an inconsistent shape. He has flashed a changeup that needs some work but there is enough of a foundation to believe he can have at least a solid three-pitch mix at the next level. The recipe is there for him to be a true starter if developed properly.

A Jace Laviolette-lite in many ways, Bogenpohl has some of the best power in this year’s draft class from the left side of the plate. At 6’6” and 245 pounds, he’s an imposing figure at the plate, but does come with his fair share of hit tool concerns. It’s a disciplined approach that helps suppress some of those concerns, but there is still a little too much in-zone whiff to be confident about him as a first-rounder at the moment. Bogenpohl is an excellent athlete for his size but is likely destined for right field where his strong arm and power bat will profile just fine.

Tinney has one of the more polarizing catcher profiles in this draft class. On one hand, it’s some of the best raw power in the class with a solid approach that leads to damage and high walk totals. On the other hand, it’s some alarming in-zone whiff numbers. The low-floor, high-ceiling conversation is kind of the same when it comes to him as a defender as he possesses one of the best arms in the class in both strength and accuracy, but there’s questions on his ability to stick behind the dish due to his size and lack of athleticism.

At 6’7” and 215 pounds, the right-handed Sims oozes projection, but is still a raw and risky product. He has run his fastball up to triple digits and sits in the upper-90s with arm side run and elite extension to complement it. A low to mid-80s slider is his main secondary, featuring tight two-plane action. He has flashed a changeup with a lot of fade too. Improved command and efficiency as an athlete on the mound along with the ability to hold on to his velocity deeper into starts are the main sticking points for him moving forward, but there’s certainly some fun tools to work with here.