With the lost season of 2020 now in the rearview things are beginning to clear up around the top prospects in the collegiate game. While draft eligible talents like Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter, or Sal Frelick might be seeing a majority of the headlines, the greatest talent in the college game may in fact lie within the 2022 and 2023 classes. To be frank it’s less of a maybe and more of a definitely more talented. In fact, you might not be on an island to state that the the 2022 and 2023 college classes are shaping up to be some of the best ever. Talented arms and position players a plenty! With this knowledge I (Ralph) and my colleague Ian Smith have decided to provide a trusty Underclass Watch List every month throughout the 2021 season. Many of these names might just turn out to be the stars of the summer as they make their way to the Cape Cod League, Northwoods, Team USA, and others. A return to normalcy all of us summer ball hounds crave. So sit back, relax, and dig in on this list of talented Frosh and Sophs…
The Pitchers
LHP Carson Whisenhunt, ECU | Draft Year: 2022 | 4 GS, 22.2 IP, 36 K - 6 BB, 3 ER
The lefthander out of ECU features a true three pitch mix with the ability to throw any of his pitches in any count. His fastball has been up to 95 mph this year, and while it is not a swing and miss offering, he commands the pitch in the upper quadrants setting up his secondary stuff to eat at the bottom of the zone. His changeup feel is above-average, and he uses it as an effective swing and miss pitch versus right-handed hitters. He’s primarily fastball+curveball versus lefthanders, and tends to be more of a pitch to contact guy in same side matchups, driving ground balls at a high rate. It’s this ability to sequence and execute his plan of attack that makes him must watch from week to week. The flowing gold locks don’t hurt either #PitcherFlow
RHP Jackson Fristoe, Mississippi | Draft Year: 2022 | 4 GS, 17 IP, 22 K - 6 BB, 3 ER
The rare natural freshman that’s draft eligible as a sophomore, Fristoe has been lights out as the Bulldogs Sunday starter. His fastball has been as high as 96 mph, sitting 92-94 mph comfortably. He technically has a three pitch mix, but it’s predominantly fastball+slider. The slider is a tight slurvy pitch, he loves to land gloveside versus right handed hitters. Versus left handers he’s almost exclusively fastball mixing in his changeup sparingly. It’s an athletic delivery, and high end arm speed, but his lack of a true secondary versus left handed hitters is concerning. Definite relief risk, but the fastball is probably plus, giving him high-leverage upside.
RHP Peyton Pallette, Arkansas | Draft Year: 2022 | 5 GS, 18.1 IP, 31K - 10 BB, 8 ER
The second year pitcher has ascended to the Friday night role for the top team in the country just a few appearances into his collegiate career. A smooth operation that allows him to easily find upper-90s heat, Pallette looks every bit a starter long term. He features a three pitch mix, highlighted by a mid-90s fastball that not only misses bats at a high rate (30% whiff), but also drives ground balls at a better than 50% clip. The start on March 19th was rough, as he allowed more earned runs in an inning than he had all season. Thus far Pallette is yet to throw 90 pitches in a single outing he should be fun to watch as he builds up to a full starter’s work load. An early riser for 2022.
RHP Mason Barnett, Auburn | Draft Year: 2022 | 4 G, 3 GS, 17.2 IP, 17 K - 8 BB, 1 ER
The Sophomore righthander features a four-pitch mix with two distinct breaking balls, and a fastball sitting 92-94 mph, and up to 96 mph. The slider is a tight spinning breaker he throws at 79-83 mph. While his curveball is a loopy 12-6 breaker in the mid-70’s. The curveball is an early count strike stealer, while his slider is his best secondary and his putaway pitch. It’s a stout build with a long arm action, command issues, and he throws predominantly fastballs, giving him some reliever-ish qualities.
RHP Justin Campbell, Oklahoma State | Draft Year: 2022 | 3 GS, 17 IP, 32 K - 6 BB, 1 ER
A two way player for the Cowboys, the Sophomore is making noise through his first three turns. The 6-foot-7 righthander features a four pitch mix, that’s heavy on his fastball, changeup, and curveball. All of which have fringe average velocity, but feature good shape, and he knows how to use all of them to attack zones. Despite low-90s velocity he misses bats with his fastball at a strong clip (28% whiff), as the efficient backspin on his fastball eats in the upper quadrants. His changeup is his best secondary generating a high number of whiffs and weak ground balls. It’s a strong pitch mix and foundation for a starters profile. With his build and limited mileage on his arm Barnett could develop additional velocity and blossom into a true starting pitching prospect. Well if he isn’t already...
RHP Will Kempner, Gonzaga | Draft Year: 2022 | 4G/2 GS, 17.1 IP, 20 K - 12 BB, 5 ER
A significant velocity jump in 2021 has Kempner bursting onto my early 2022 radar. A near sidearm operation gives the second year right hander a natural bit of deception to begin with. Now that he’s tossing 93-98 mph it’s a very uncomfortable at bat, and a look that can play in a variety of roles in pro ball. As would be expected with any arm throwing with velocity from his slot there’s some command woes. While he’s issued free passes, Kempner has missed barrels, as he’s yet to give up a homer across seventeen innings. It’s all very much a work in progress - and the profile screams reliever risk - but his fastball + slider combo is deadly when he has his command.
RHP Landon Sims, Mississippi State | Draft Year: 2022 | 5 G, 11.2 IP, 30 K - 3 BB, 1 ER
Few relief arms have been as loud or as dominant as Sims has been this year for Mississippi State. He’s been up to 98 mph on his fastball and has averaged 94.6 mph thus far in 2021. He features a hard breaking slider at 83-88 mph with tight spin and late break. His fastball is a nasty pitch with ride and late cut. The obvious question is how Sims stuff could play in a starter’s role, but he’s barely shown a changeup and his high effort mechanics make it somewhat of a question.
RHP Alejandro Rosario, Miami | Draft Year: 2023 | 5GS, 24.1 IP, 23 K - 9 BB, 13 ER
On March 12th Rosario took the first turn of potentially many as the Hurricanes Friday night starter. The natural freshman shoved, going seven scoreless innings, punching out seven and allowing just three batters to reach base versus Wake Forest. It’s a three pitch mix, but it’s very heavy fastball usage at the moment, with the four-seam accounting for 70%+ of his usage. His changeup is his best secondary, and his strongest swing and miss pitch, while his slider is primarily a ground ball driver versus right handed batters. His fastball sits 94-95 mph and has been up as high as 98 mph. It’s a loud arsenal, but one that does a better job of driving weak ground ball contact than missing bats. At just 19 there’s plenty of time for Rosario to sharpen his secondaries and improve his bat missing abilities. Rough start in his second turn as the Friday night, but an experienced FSU lineup will do that to the best of them.
RHP Jaxon Wiggins, Arkansas | Draft Year: 2023 | 4 G, 4 IP, 9 K - 1 BB, 0 ER
It’s been a loud start for Wiggins, as he’s touched 99 out of the pen and showed off a vicious fastball. It’s still very early but Wiggins has big day one stuff. It’s been 80% fastball this far, but his current mold fits the freshman relief ace role to a tee. A real shot to carve out a space in the Razorbacks rotation in the coming years awaits.
RHP Ryan Hagenow, Kentucky | Draft Year: 2023 | Line: 4 GS, 14 IP, 17 K - 5 BB, 2 ER
Another natural freshman, Hagenow may lack the premium velocity of other on this list, but he knows how to pitch and his 6-5 frame exudes projection. He’s been up to 94 mph this year, but has averaged just 88 mph on the four-seam to date. His three pitch mix features a four-seam, a slurvy slider, and a changeup he can pull the string on. It’s a good pitch mix, he’s just early in his development. He should add velocity to all of his pitches and the endurance to go longer than three to four innings. The mechanics are a little choppy but his arm moves fluidly and he stays on time more often than not.
RHP Tanner Witt, Texas | Draft Year: 2023 | 7 G, 14.1 IP, 19 K - 6 BB, 3 ER
A Houston native stayed in state and has starred for the Longhorns out of their bullpen in 2021. A two-way talent Witt has seen almost all of his time on the mound. He features a four pitch mix, highlighted by a fastball up to 95 mph, a big breaking 12-6 curveball, and feel for a low-80s changeup. He’s flashed a few sliders as well but it’s a pretty heavy fastball+curveball plan of attack versus right handed hitters and a three pitch sequence versus lefthanders with a near equal offspeed-fastball split. His smooth mechanics and athletic movements give him the look of a potential starter long term.A good combination of stuff and projection.
The Hitters
C Corey Collins, Georgia | Draft Year: 2023 | .368/.448/.639, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 2 SB
The SEC just seems to be chock full of top tier freshman talent in 2021, and Corey Collins is firmly among that list. Big time left handed power will carry Collins profile but this is a well rounded bat that creates consistent loud contact. Big time arm strength behind the dish with developing receiving skills leaves plenty of potential with the glove going forward. The reigning SEC Freshman of the week looks to continue to establish himself among the conferences best as we open SEC play this week.
C Kevin Parada, Georgia Tech | Draft Year: 2022 | .473/.532/.745, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 7 2B, 13 R
It would be impossible to write this article without including the all everything freshman Kevin Parada. The hitting machine has only started his Georgia Tech career by earning the starting catcher job and then became instantly the best hitter on the team. His .473 AVG currently leads all freshmen in the nation and he’s doing it with thump, as he’s already notched 7 2Bs and 2 HR. Behind the dish, Parada is receiving a veteran pitching staff that has filthy stuff with relative ease. It’s early, but he’s already showing the making of an elite everyday backstop at the next level.
1B Tre’ Morgan, LSU | Draft Year: 2023 | .303/.449/.507, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 22 R, 3 3B, 10 BB, 6 SB
With the unworldly power display that’s been going on with his teammate and fellow freshman Dylan Crews, it’s been easy to overlook how good Tre’ Morgan has been in Baton Rouge to start 2021. Flashing plus leather at first base, Morgan has made some very difficult plays look easier than it should with some real potential coming with the bat. Filling up the stat sheet to start the year with 9 XBHs and leading the team with 6 stolen bases. Morgan has a polished approach from the left side, and we are potentially the best infield glove in the country by 2023.
1B Caden Grice, Clemson | Draft Year: 2023 | .316/.434/.690, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 11 R
It’s truly rare to see a true freshman step onto campus and show true 70 grade in game power, and that’s exactly what Caden Grice has done. Producing exit velocities north of 110 more than once while depositing balls deep over the center field wall has been a frequent event for Grice over the first month of the year. Coming to Clemson as a notable top ranked two-way talent, Grice has seen 13 starts in the field compared to just 3 innings pitched and looks to be blossoming into one of the best left handed power bats in the country.
2B Colby Halter, Florida | Draft Year: 2022 | .354/.455/.569, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 19 R, 12 BB
How would you like to walk onto campus as a freshman and carve out an everyday role on the unanimous preseason #1 team in the country? That’s exactly what Colby Halter has done this season. The starting 2B has become a spark plug in the bottom half of the lineup showing a very advanced approach at the plate and producing with runners on consistently, as he’s 3rd on the team with 17 RBI. A silky left handed swing that could grow into above average power as he develops over the next couple years, Halter has made a strong first impression for the Gators.
2B/3B Cade Doughty, LSU | Draft Year: 2022 | .352/.415/.870, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 7 BB
Hitting in the middle of the LSU lineup, Doughty has been a catalyst for the Tigers this season, slugging his way through the early competition. He’s tied for second in the nation in homers and is only one off of the lead. It’s obviously a powerful right handed swing that generates flyball contact at 40%+ rate. Most of his hard hit balls are predominantly to his pull-side, with lots of EVs above 100 mph in game. He’s bounced between second and third, but has a shot to stay in the dirt as a bat-first option at either position, though I lean second. One of the top college bats in the 2022 class.
3B Nolan McLean, Oklahoma State | Draft Year: 2022 | .275/.403/.569, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 14 R, 10 BB
A freak athlete that committed to the Cowboys for baseball and football. A quarterback in the fall and a slugger in the spring, McLean is one of the loudest players in the 2022 class. Big power that’s already playing in games. McLean has some swing and miss to his game, but his approach is foundational strong as he rarely expands. He shows power to all fields, and has little drop off on either side of his splits. A long term lock at third, McLean fits the hot corner prototype to a tee.
3B Peyton Graham, Oklahoma | Draft Year: 2022 | .279/.405/.426, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 11 BB, 3 SB
Another talented third baseman with an athletic and powerful right handed stroke, Graham has performed in his short time with the Sooners. Graham has shown a strong approach rarely chasing, and showing the ability to sit on fastballs to do damage. He needs to improve versus breaking balls, as he’s followed more often than you like and often caught in his front foot. Some warts but a great foundation for growth at the plate in the next calendar year.
SS Carter Young, Vanderbilt | Draft Year: 2022 | .382/.448/.764, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 18 R, 2 3B, 2 SB
Coming into the 2021 season, we knew all about Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter and the rest of the Vanderbilt pitching staff, but we weren’t sure which bats were going to stand out, and Carter Young has become an early answer to that question. Top 3 on the team in nearly every offensive category with showing a plus glove at a premier position. The switch hitter is showing the ability to be a dependable big time hitter for this Commodores lineup and could boost his stock to day 1 status by next year if he can continue on this path.
SS Jacob Gonzalez, Ole Miss | Draft Year: 2023 | .288/.385/.424, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 10 BB
The starting shortstop for the Rebels, a California prep talent, Gonzalez has fit right in with one of the top teams in the country. A catalyst on both sides of the ball, Gonzalez is currently one of the top Freshman in the country and draft eligible players for 2023. He’s smooth in the field displaying strong actions, and has shown hard flyball contact from the left side of the plate. In fact Gonzalez has already recorded 12 hard hit balls across 18 games, one of the best numbers in the country. You heard it here first, Gonzo is a mega-guy.
2B Robert Moore, Arkansas | Draft Year: 2022 | .310/.388/.534, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 13 R, 5 SB
Arkansas has an entire lineup full of interesting players, but second year standout Robert Moore commands a presence. Son of Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore who shows natural leadership and big time swagger stand out on the diamond. Polished, well rounded skill set with an above average hit tool that leads Moore’s profile while showing a really good glove at the keystone. A big undersized in stature, oozes a gamer mentality. Big time follow for the 2022 draft class.
2B Jace Jung, Texas Tech | Draft Year: 2022 | .403/.524/.823, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 18 R, 16 BB
The younger Jung brother has come out in 2021 and established himself as one of the premier bats in the country. Currently tied for the RBI in the country with 27 RBI and 4th in home runs with 7, Jung is producing monster power on seemingly a nightly basis now, and doing so in massive spots in games. The COVID freshman looks like a brand new player on the defensive side as well, looking rock solid at the keystone over the first month of the year. Jung is looking like a true top tier talent, and could be a player we’re talking about being a top 10 guy at this point next year.
SS Alex Freeland, UCF | Draft Year: 2023 | .333/.440/.508, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 12 BB
One of the elite high school talents in the state of Florida going into the 2020 draft, it was a surprise to some to see Freeland make it to UCF. Now an everyday SS for the Knights, the polished switch hitter has carried that quality approach onto campus with a team lead and 2nd in the conference 12 walks in 16 games. We’ve seen flashes of the above average raw power and plus bat speed early in the season, and that will be a key to Freeland really reaching his ultimate ceiling.
OF Dylan Crews, LSU | Draft Year: 2023 | .406/.539/.739, 6 HR, 9 RBI, 25 R, 18 BB, 5 SB
I’m not sure how often you see a freshman average nearly 100 off the bat for the first month of their career, but then again not many players have bat speed like Dylan Crews. Off the fence juice to all fields for Crews as a leadoff hitter for LSU. Advanced approach who doesn’t mind waiting for his something to destroy is currently 3rd in the nation with 18 walks to just 9 strikeouts. Dylan Crews is giving off superstar vibes to start his college career, and you can only imagine a few teams are kicking themselves for not reaching his high number in last year's draft.
OF Enrique Bradfield Jr., Vanderbilt | Draft Year: 2023 | .357/.518/.381, 13 R, 13 SB, 11 BB
Instantly one of the best fastest players in college baseball, Enrique Bradfield Jr. presents true plus-plus speed right now, and utilizes it at a high level by getting on base at a .518 clip. 2nd in the nation with 13 stolen bases and 2nd on the team in runs, Bradfield is always moving. A true center fielder with the glove with fantastic routes and instincts, it should be a fun time to watch this freshman develop in the Vanderbilt outfield the next three years.
OF Jared McKenzie, Baylor | Draft Year: 2022 | .411/.443/.753, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 27 R, 2 SB
One of the best bats in the state of Texas is still flying a bit under the radar. Stepped onto the scene last year with.406 in the shortened season without showing much power, and now is following up by currently batting .411 and showing a bunch more power as he is tied for 2nd in the Big 12 with 6 home runs. A center fielder at the next level with above average glove and speed tools, McKenzie has a really good chance to move up boards if he continues to tap into this newfound pop.