Top 25 MLB Draft Prospects To Know In The 2025 NCAA Tournament

1. Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State (Class of 2025)

The top-rated transfer in last year’s portal cycle, Arquette has flourished during his time in Corvallis. The 6-foot-5 shortstop is in the midst of a career year in which he’s hitting .348/.473/.676 with 14 doubles, 17 home runs and 60 RBIs across 54 games.

Arquette has a free and easy swing with bat speed that leads to huge raw power and the ability to drive the baseball with authority to all fields. He’s played an excellent shortstop this spring—where both his actions and game clock have taken a step forward—and his hit tool has also taken a step in the right direction. An exciting blend of “now tools” and upside, Arquette could lead the Beavers back to Omaha for the first time since 2018.

2. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State (Class of 2025)

While he wasn’t quite as dominant as he was last year, Arnold this season pitched his way to a first-team all-ACC selection after posting a 3.04 ERA with 97 strikeouts to just 24 walks in 71 innings. Arnold’s plus fastball-slider combination has long been his calling card, but his changeup this year has emerged as a viable third pitch and generates plenty of empty swings against righthanded hitters. Florida State went to the College World Series last year and will look to make it back-to-back trips to the “greatest show on dirt” with Arnold as the anchor of the rotation.

3. Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU (Class of 2025)

Following a freshman season in which he carved out a meaningful role, Anderson enjoyed a career year in which he was a first team all-SEC selection after posting a 3.47 ERA with 133 strikeouts to just 23 walks across 83 innings.

Anderson’s fastball has been up to 97 mph with plus carry in the top half of the zone. The biggest revelation in his arsenal this spring has been his mid-80s slider, a pitch he threw just two percent of the time last spring. It’s emerged as an above-average offering that flashes plus with lateral life. Anderson’s high-70s-to-low-80s high-spin curveball is a plus pitch that flashes plenty of depth and sharp, downward tilt. Anderson rounds out his arsenal with a mid-80s changeup that has also taken a step forward this spring. It’s an average fourth pitch that flashes tumbling life, and it’s especially effective against righthanded hitters.

4. Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma (Class of 2025)

Witherspoon last year enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign, and he’s taken another step this season en route to earning first-team all-SEC honors after compiling a 2.47 ERA with an impressive 120 strikeouts to just 20 walks across 91 innings. Witherspoon maintains his mid-to-upper-90s velocity for the entirety of his outings, and his heater also flashes plus carry through the zone. He flashes two distinct breaking balls in the form of a plus slider and a bigger curveball that shows both depth and sharpness. If the Sooners make a run to the College World Series, it will likely be due in large part to a pair of excellent starts by Witherspoon.

5. Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA (Class of 2026)

A Golden Spikes Award semifinalist and the Big Ten Player of the Year, Cholowsky this spring has been the most impressive underclassman in the country. He heads into the tournament hitting .369/.507/.783 with 19 doubles, 23 home runs, 69 RBIs and 44 walks to just 28 strikeouts.

Cholowsky has a rhythmic swing that includes a noticeable barrel tip, and he has a present feel to hit to go along with sound swing decisions. He has a pull-heavy approach and is driving the baseball with authority on a much more consistent basis this spring. Cholowsky has an above-average feel for the barrel and presents an appealing hit-power blend. He has long been praised for his defensive abilities, and at shortstop, he boasts smooth actions with an advanced internal clock and arm strength, to boot.

6. Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee (Class of 2025)

The newly-minted SEC Pitcher of the Year, Doyle has essentially been on a rocket ship this spring. He’s worked a 3.04 ERA with a whopping 142 strikeouts against 27 walks across 83 innings. Doyle’s fastball is one of, if not the best of its kind in this year’s draft, and it’s been up to 100 with thunderous life through the zone. While his secondaries lag behind, Doyle’s split-change has really flashed and is the most underrated weapon in his arsenal. His delivery is a bit “efforty” and somewhat unorthodox, but the results have been undeniable. With Doyle at the forefront of its rotation, Tennessee will look to return to Omaha and defend its title. 

7. Ike Irish, OF/C, Auburn (Class of 2025)

All Irish has ever done is hit. This year was no different, as he posted a .352/.457/.674 line with 10 doubles, a career-high 16 home runs and 52 RBIs. Irish has a short, direct swing with plus bat speed and sprays the baseball all over the yard with a gap-to-gap approach and power to the pull side. While there are defensive questions—particularly whether or not he’ll be able to stick behind the plate—Irish’s plus arm also profiles well in a corner outfield spot. He possesses a tantalizing hit-power combination and could hear his name called inside the first 20 picks this July.

8. Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest (Class of 2025)

A stalwart on the left side of the infield from the moment he stepped on campus, 2025 has been Houston’s best season yet. He completely transformed his body over the offseason and put on 15-to-20 pounds, which has translated to more impact. Houston’s power is still below-average and fringy at best, though it’s certainly a step up from where it was at this time last year. He heads into the tournament slashing .351/.460/.572 with 13 doubles, 12 home runs, 58 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Houston is a hit-over-power profile who boasts plus contact skills and is also a plus defender at shortstop.

9. Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas (Class of 2025)

In the wake of a rather modest sophomore season, Aloy enjoyed a breakout summer in the Cape Cod League last year. He carried that momentum into this season, posting a .358/.440/.677 line with 17 doubles, 18 home runs and 58 RBIs—all of which are new career-highs.

Aloy has thunderous bat speed, and the most appealing aspect of his offensive profile is his power. It’s comfortably plus with both wood and metal, and Aloy has demonstrated the ability to hammer the baseball to all fields. While his hit tool still needs a coat or two of polish, it has been encouraging to see the progress he has made in that area of his game. Aloy is an above-average athlete at shortstop. His actions and internal clock have only improved since last season, and he has become far more comfortable at the position.

10. Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida (Class of 2026)

The top underclass arm in the country, Peterson this year anchored Florida’s rotation and pitched his way to a 4.10 ERA with a career-high 95 strikeouts to 32 walks across 68 innings. The 6-foot-5 righthander features a mid-to-upper-90s fastball that flashes plus carry through the zone. He pairs it with another plus offering in a mid-to-upper-80s slider that flashes sharp two-plane tilt and an upper-70s curveball that is distinct in shape and flashes depth. For as loud as Peterson’s pure stuff is, he’s also taken an encouraging step forward this spring in the pitchability department.

11. AJ Gracia, OF, Duke (Class of 2026)

After a slow start to the season, Gracia in the second half was one of the hottest hitters in the country and heads into the tournament with a .303/.459/.564 line with 10 doubles, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs and 53 walks to 34 strikeouts.

Gracia made a handful of subtle adjustments in the box that have paid dividends. He lowered his handset, he has a slightly less open front side and he has less of a bat wrap and hand press in his load. The result is that Gracia is now in a much better position to hit, and his hands are in a much better spot at launch. He has a plus approach and comfortably plus bat-to-ball skills to the tune of a 92% overall in-zone contact rate, but he also has plus power to the pull side. Gracia has one of the more well-rounded offensive profiles of any 2026-eligible hitter.

12. Riley Quick, RHP, Alabama (Class of 2025)

After undergoing Tommy John surgery last spring, Quick this season emerged as the ace of Alabama’s pitching staff and pitched his way to a 3.52 ERA with 64 strikeouts to 20 walks across 56 innings. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 255-pounds, Quick has an ultra-physical build. His fastball has plus velocity, yet it doesn’t play as such. However, Quick’s cutter is a legitimate weapon in his arsenal and borderline plus pitch, while his changeup has plus potential, and his slider has flashed above-average.

13. Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama (Class of 2026)

Lebron burst onto the scene as a freshman last year to the tune of a .338/.429/.546 line with 21 extra-base hits and 37 RBIs. While he cooled off a bit in SEC play, he still managed to hit .315/.422/.644 with 17 doubles, 18 home runs, 72 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in the 2025. Lebron has added impact since last season, and there is an appealing looseness to his operation in the box. He has easy plus bat speed, and he particularly feasts on heaters. Lebron is a polished defender and an advanced athlete on the dirt, and he looks like a slam dunk to stick at shortstop.

14. Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona (Class of 2025)

Summerhill was out for a month this season due to an injury, but he still managed to enjoy a productive 36-game season in which he hit .386/.512/.621 with 19 extra-base hits, 31 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Summerhill has a smooth swing stroke with above-average power to the pull side, as well as a plus bat-to-ball skills to the tune of a 91% overall in-zone contact rate. Summerhill’s an above-average runner whose speed and athleticism translate well to center field, where he has a chance to stick long-term. While he might not have a plus tool, Summerhill does a lot of things well.

15. Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina (Class of 2025)

Stevenson is one of the premier sophomore-eligible prospects in this year’s draft. After a standout freshman season, the second-year backstop didn’t quite take the step forward—at least offensively—that some thought he would and posted a modest .268/.431/.593 slash line with nine doubles and a career-high 18 home runs. Stevenson has a simple setup in the box and above-average power to the pull side, but his calling card is undoubtedly his defensive ability. A comfortably-plus defender, Stevenson is a great receiver who also moves well laterally and does a great job at corralling balls in the dirt. His catch-and-throw skills are excellent, and he has a plus arm, too.

16. Gavin Kilen, 2B, Tennessee (Class of 2025)

Kilen has thrived during his time on Rocky Top and has cemented himself as one of the centerpieces of Tennessee’s lineup. He’s missed some time due to a hamstring injury, though he still managed to hit a career-high .351/.435/.686 with 11 doubles, 15 home runs and 43 RBIs.

Kilen is a bit more physical than he was last spring, but he’s also made some slight mechanical and approach adjustments that have paid dividends. He’s more upright in the box with less of a wide base and is more into his lower half, particularly his back hip. Kilen is also swinging with more intent—especially against pitches in his “nitro zone”—and looking to damage. His hit tool is a comfortable 55 and probably closer to a 60. He has above-average barrel skills and has improved his approach since last year.

17. Alex Lodise, SS, Florida State (Class of 2025)

Lodise this season has perhaps been the biggest breakout player in the country. He has posted new career-highs in every major statistical category and heads into the tournament rocking a gaudy .415/.473/.760 line with 18 doubles, 17 home runs and 66 RBIs. Lodise recently took home ACC Player of the Year honors and is a strong candidate to be named a Golden Spikes Award finalist.

The most appealing part of Lodise’s offensive profile is his power. This season, he’s shown the ability to drive the baseball with authority to all fields, though his highest quality of contact has come to the pull side. However, Lodise’s hit tool could use a coat or two of polish. Lodise is a great athlete on the dirt, and he has the defensive skill set to stick at the position long-term.

18. Cam Cannarella, OF, Clemson (Class of 2025)

The 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year, Cannarella has had a standout junior season to the tune of a .339/.473/.491 line with a career-best 20 doubles, three home runs and 45 RBIs. Cannarella has a thin frame and has above-average bat-to-ball skills to go along with above-average bat speed. He stands out for his plus defense in center field, where he has the knack for making a highlight-reel play. Cannarella also runs far better than his lack of stolen bases may indicate, as a lingering shoulder injury has prevented him from cutting loose on the base paths.

19. Andrew Fischer, 1B, Tennessee (Class of 2025)

A three-time transfer, Fischer this year transitioned seamlessly into the Tennessee starting nine and posted a career-best .340/.500/.753 line with 14 doubles, a career-high 22 home runs and 55 RBIs. Fischer is ultra-physical and does not get cheated at the plate. He swings with the intent to do damage every time he steps in the box, and he has plus bat speed. Fischer has plus power to the pull side, though his approach might be the best part of his offensive game. He has advanced pitch recognition skills and his swing decisions are plus. Defensively, Fischer is limited to first base.

20. Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina (Class of 2025)

Over the last three seasons, Bodine has rather quietly established himself as one of the most polished hitters in this year’s draft class. This year was more of the same for Bodine, who hit .333/.477/.468 with 20 extra-base hits, 36 RBIs and a remarkable walk-to-strikeout ratio of 44-to-19.

Bodine’s hit tool is plus, and he sprays line drives to all parts of the field. He has some of the best contact skills of any position player in the ‘25 draft class, and this season he made contact at an 89% overall clip to go along with a video game-like 96% overall in-zone contact rate. Bodine is an above-average defender who stands out for his receiving ability. He has soft, quick hands and consistently works under the baseball and steals strikes. What Bodine lacks in arm strength, he makes up for in accuracy.

21. Max Belyeu, OF, Texas (Class of 2025)

Belyeu’s season has been limited to just 28 games due to a thumb injury he suffered on March 28, but he still managed to produce at a solid clip, hitting .319/.430/.584 with seven doubles, seven home runs and 25 RBIs. He has above-average power to the pull side and also has solid bat-to-ball skills that could lead to an average hit tool. Belyeu’s routes in right field aren’t the crispest, but his plus arm will allow him to stick at the position long-term. Belyeu could be just the offensive boost the Longhorns need to spark a deep tournament run.

22. AJ Russell, RHP, Tennessee (Class of 2025)

Russell has spent most of this season ramping back up after undergoing Tommy John Surgery last June, but he’s made the most of his time on the mound and could be let off the leash at the perfect time. On top of his 3.38 ERA, Russell has collected 25 strikeouts across 18.2 innings.

At 6-foot-6 and 207 pounds, Russell has a great body and has gotten more physical since last spring, but he still has a bit of room to fill out. Like his teammate Liam Doyle, Russell’s fastball also has a valid argument to be the best of its kind in this year’s draft. It’s been up to 97 mph and explodes out of his hand with ridiculous life through the zone. Its velocity, release traits and shape make it a plus-plus pitch. Russell’s slider has flashed, but his fastball alone could be enough to warrant a first-round pick.

23. Dean Curley, INF, Tennessee (Class of 2025)

Following an impressive freshman campaign, the 6-foot-3 infielder this spring hit .312/.427/.520 with 21 extra-base hits and 41 RBIs. While Curley was fairly productive, it was not the breakout sophomore campaign that many were anticipating.

Curley has a big league body, big-time hand and bat speed and his operation is under control with minimal moving parts. He possesses a polished approach and advanced pitch recognition skills. He chased at a sub-20% clip this spring, and he seldom expands the strike zone. He has above-average raw power—borderline plus to the pull side—but struggled at times to get to it in-game on a consistent basis.

Though Curley has a plus arm, his defensive future has become rather murky after struggling to throw the ball accurately across the diamond, particularly in the second half of the season. Should Curley figure out his accuracy issues, he projects to stick at third base.

24. Zach Root, LHP, Arkansas (Class of 2025)

It was somewhat of a surprise when Root entered the transfer portal after last season, but he’s assimilated well to the uptick in competition and compiled a 4.07 ERA with a career-high 106 strikeouts to 28 walks across 79.2 innings. Root doesn’t have the most aesthetically pleasing delivery, yet he competes his tail off and throws all four of his pitches for strikes. His fastball has crept into the mid 90s at times, but it’s not at all a bat-misser.

Root’s calling cards are his plus changeup and mid-to-upper-80s slider that also flashes plus. His low-80s curveball is distinct in shape and is effective against both right and lefthanded hitters.

25. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, LSU (Class of 2025)

It’s been exciting to watch Eyanson elevate his game to the next level since arriving in Baton Rouge. He has been nothing short of fantastic as the Tigers’ Saturday guy and has pitched his way to a 2.77 ERA with 125 strikeouts to 31 walks in 84.1 innings. Eyanson has a simple and under-control operation that he repeats well. His stuff has ticked up across the board, and his fastball has been up to 98 mph with riding life at the top of the zone. Eyanson’s two breaking balls—a mid-80s slider and an upper-70s curveball—have gotten sharper, while his slider is a plus pitch and the better of the two. A plus strike-thrower, Eyanson is a slam dunk starter professionally.