We might be in the home stretch for the 2021 draft class, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start diving into the succeeding draft classes. While the draft moved from June to July, USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team stayed put, though they won’t have an international opponent like in years past. Instead, they will be touring the Appalachian League, which is part of USA Baseball’s Prospect Development Pipeline in connection with Major League Baseball. The 45-man roster will be split into two separate teams and play in eleven intrasquad games at each Appalachian League stadium, with the tour starting July 2nd and running through July 15th.
There’s plenty of big names from both the 2022 and 2023 draft classes on this roster that have grabbed our draft crew’s attention this past spring. It’s a loaded roster, with plenty of potential first rounders from both drafts repping the red, white, and blue. We’d be doing the public a disservice by not diving into this team, so let’s get started, shall we?
LHP Hunter Barco, Florida (2022)
Barco’s one of the more famous names on this roster. Formerly a top prep arm in the 2019 draft class, Barco suffered a shoulder strain in May 2019 and ultimately made it to campus in Gainesville. He became a rotation stalwart in 2021, especially down the stretch, finishing with a 4.01 ERA in 83 innings with 94 strikeouts and 26 walks. He’s primarily sat in the 89-92 MPH range, reaching back for 94-95 MPH, with arm-side life on the heater, paired with a sweepy slider in the low-80’s and a splitter with spin rates around the 1,000 RPM mark. The ball comes from a deceptively tough slot out of the hand, as well. Look for Barco to add some velocity and lead the Gators rotation in 2022.
OF Dylan Beavers, California (2022)
Before you ask, no, he’s not a beaver. Or at least that’s what Cal’s website says.
Jokes aside, Beavers had an impressive year in the Pac-12, propelling himself into one of the better outfielders in the 2022 class. He finished the year slashing .303/.401/.630 and was tied with the most home runs in the Pac-12 with 18. He was one of only two Pac-12 players with double-digit home runs and stolen bases in 2021, as well. He’s got plenty of pull-side power and showcased good plate discipline with a 53:32 K:BB ratio and manned both center and right field. Alongside Josh White, they are the first Cal teammates to play on the National Team since Xavier Nady and Mike Tonis did so in 1999.
INF Jacob Berry, Arizona* (2022)
While Berry’s name is now in the transfer portal, it’s hard to ignore how well the bat played in 2021. Primarily a DH this year, Berry did wonders in his only year on campus, slashing .352/.439/.676 with 17 home runs across 62 starts, helping the Wildcats reach Omaha for the first time since 2016. He’s a switch-hitter with plenty of pop from either side, showcasing a smoother swing from the left side. It’s a line-drive approach to all fields with excellent strike zone awareness. Berry is an infielder, getting some starts at third base and first base in 2021. While we await his next destination, he certainly cemented himself as one of the better bats in next year’s class.
RHP Justin Campbell, Oklahoma State (2022)
Campbell is a two-way prospect with Oklahoma State, though he excelled on the mound in 2021. Across 84 innings, Campbell pitched to a 2.57 ERA with 102 strikeouts and only 27 walks, including throwing a no-hitter in early May against Kansas. He’s a big presence on the mound, standing at 6’7” and coming in at 221 pounds with projection to his frame. He’s shown good command of a 88-92 MPH heater with some run and deception, with a slider, change-up, and curveball rounding out his arsenal. He’s shown an ability to manipulate shape on his curveball and the slider has some tilt to it. He was limited with at-bats, finishing the year with only 67, with a good 20:14 K:BB ratio and one home run on the year.
LHP/INF Reggie Crawford, UConn (2022)
Another two-way guy, Crawford is one of the more talented players in all of college baseball. He’s a big kid at 6’4”, 235 pounds and showed off impressive power with 13 home runs and slashing .295/.349/.543 in 210 at-bats. He’s limited to first base defensively and there’s swing and miss concerns, but he can use all fields at the plate. On the mound, he’s not made many appearances, with only six with UConn this spring. However, his fastball has topped out at 101 MPH and usually sits in the high-90’s with a solid slider to go alongside the heat. It’s a relatively easy operation and he will likely find himself in a potential closing role next spring. He’s the fourth player from UConn since 2015 to play on the team.
OF Dylan Crews, LSU (2023)
Go ahead and circle this name as the 1.1 favorite in 2023. Much like Barco, Crews was a highly regarded prep from Florida in 2020, but ultimately opted to make it to Baton Rouge. He was one of the most electrifying players in the country in 2021, posting an absurd .362/.453/.663 slash line with 18 bombs and a really good 44:39 K:BB ratio. For a freshman, he’s got some of the easiest power you will come across in the nation currently. The exit velocities are regularly above 100+ for Crews, with 74 (!) balls in play in triple digits during the regular season. The next closest player was Gavin Dugas with 39. He’s played solid defense in right field with a good arm and could find himself playing in center field at some point.
OF Gavin Cross, Virginia Tech (2022)
Virginia Tech has not had a first rounder since Joe Saunders went 12th overall in 2002, but Cross looks likely to join the list next year. He’s a physical player at 6’3”, 210 pounds and has plenty of juice from the left side of the plate. In 2021, he slashed .345/.415/.621 with 11 home runs, 13 doubles, and five triples. There’s some swing and miss to his game, but he does have a fairly quiet approach at the plate. He’s mainly played in right field defensively, where he has an absolute cannon of an arm. Cross was the first freshman to be named to the First Team All-ACC squad and will be the Hokies’ first player on the CNT since Trey McCoy in 1986.
C Hayden Dunhurst, Ole Miss (2022)
I hope you like catching because the 2022 catchers at the top are incredibly talented and Dunhurst leads the way. Dunhurst slashed .280/.385/.435 in 2021, with seven home runs to his name and showcased a sound approach at the plate with a 44:32 K:BB ratio. There’s not much to knock on him offensively, as he’s got a sound operation at this dish with a quiet pre-pitch motion and produces quality bat speed. He shines behind the dish as well, with one of the best throwing arms we’ve seen in recent memory. For his size, he moves extremely well and threw out 16 base runners in 65 starts this season.
RHP Jackson Fristoe, Mississippi State (2022)
A true freshman for Mississippi State, Fristoe spent most of the year as the Sunday starter in their rotation before a transition to the bullpen was made down the stretch. He’s mainly a two-pitch guy, with a fastball ranging from 90-95 MPH that gets quite a bit of swings and misses and a firm slider with tight spin in the 82-86 MPH range. If there’s one thing that needs some work, it’s his strike throwing ability. He’s shown some command struggles and walked 37 batters across 49 innings. He’s going to be an interesting follow this summer and into next spring.
LHP/OF Drew Gilbert, Tennessee (2022)
There’s a noticeable change ongoing in Knoxville and Gilbert happens to find himself right in the midst of the action. He’s on the smaller side of the spectrum at 5’9”, 182 pounds, but he packs a serious punch despite the size. He’s got plenty of bat speed from the left side of the plate and has solid pull-side power in his bat, hitting ten home runs on the year and slashing .274/.341/.437 in 68 games. He produced one of the most exciting moments of the entire season with his walk-off grand slam to win the regional opener against Wright State. He’s played primarily in center field, where he’s got a big arm and shows good speed and routes to the ball. He’s one of our favorites in next year’s class.
INF Jacob Gonzalez, Ole Miss (2023)
Another true freshman, Gonzalez won’t be eligible until 2023, but he’s turned into one of the best bats in the SEC. With a slash line of .355/.443/.561 in 2021, Gonzalez flourished in his new role in Oxford, mashing 12 home runs and walking more than he struck out, with 38 walks to 34 strikeouts in 67 games. Kids like that don’t grow on trees often. Not to mention, he’s a smooth defender at shortstop, with soft hands and a strong arm. His size might cause him to move off the position, though he has the tools to stick there. He could find himself as the first shortstop off the board come the 2023 draft.
1B/LHP Caden Grice, Clemson (2023)
Not too often that you find a kid that is 6’6”, 240 pounds with serious power, but Clemson managed to get one to campus this past year. Grice had an electric freshmen year, slashing .317/.427/.618 with 15 home runs in 52 games this spring. He’s shown some patience at the plate, though swing and miss concerns are certainly part of his game. The ball jumps differently off his bat and none of the home runs have been cheap. His power is game-changing and is easily plus-plus. Defensively, he’s primarily played first base, where he’s shown some athleticism, but could see some time in right field. He’s also a pitcher, with a fastball in the low-90’s, though he was roughed up a bit this year.
OF/RHP Devereaux Harrison, Long Beach State (2022)
A reliever over his two seasons at Long Beach State, Harrison is an interesting pitcher on this roster and no, it’s not because of his 80-grade name. In 2021, Harrison made 21 appearances out of the bullpen, pitching to a 1.57 ERA across 34.1 innings, recording 42 strikeouts and only walking 12. It’s a low-release operation with a fastball that has touched upwards of 94 MPH, with a very good breaking ball in the high-70’s that he can manipulate the shape of. The delivery has some deception to it and his arm action is lengthy. He is the first Dirtbag to pitch on the CNT since Darren McCaughan did so in 2016.
RHP/INF Sam Highfill, NC State (2022)
To quote our own Joe Doyle, Highfill is a unicorn. He doesn’t have premium stuff, but Highfill’s dominance down the stretch for NC State put his name on the map. I might be biased when I say this, but Highfill is one of my favorite players in college baseball. The fastball will usually sit 88-92 MPH, topping out at 94 MPH with run, pairing it with a quality change-up in the low-80’s and a slider from his higher arm slot. Notice how I said higher arm slot. He will become a submarine pitcher with a mid-80’s sinker and a slider at times and he’s been effective doing so. It’s a fun profile to dive into. His performances during this year’s College World Series will be remembered for a long time.
RHP Gabe Hughes, Gonzaga (2022)
Hughes was one of the many reasons why Gonzaga climbed their way up the ranks in 2021. A two-way prospect, Hughes has thrived as a starter, though he did miss the latter half of the year with a finger injury. Early in the season, Hughes’ fastball was reaching upwards of 96 MPH, sitting 93-95 MPH and coming out of the hand from a difficult angle. His slider is impressive, thrown hard at 87-90 MPH and flashing plus, pairing it with a change-up that has good qualities. There’s a lot to like about the 6’4” righty and he’s put himself squarely into potential Day 1 conversations in 2022.
OF Brock Jones, Stanford (2022)
Jones was a two-sport athlete, playing on the football team before solely focusing on baseball prior to this year. Safe to say that decision has worked out pretty well, as Jones put together a slash line of .311/.453/.646, tying for the Pac-12 lead in home runs with 18 while producing an impressive 59:49 K:BB ratio this season. Jones is built like a tank, with a very strong frame and is freakishly athletic. He uses all fields at the plate and possesses some impressive power in his bat, most notably pulling an outside heater against Vanderbilt in Omaha through the big wind blowing in from right field. Not to mention, he’s got solid speed on the base paths and in the outfield.
INF Jace Jung, Texas Tech (2022)
Jace Jung, brother of Josh and demolisher of baseballs. Much like his brother, Jace has garnered serious attention and has positioned himself as a definite first rounder in the 2022 draft. In 2021, Jung slashed .337/.462/.697 with 21 home runs, including two three-home run games, and drawing 49 walks to 45 strikeouts. It’s an unorthodox setup from the left side of the plate, but Jung produces explosive bat speed and power, especially to the pull-side. He does struggle with off-speed pitches, though. Defensively, he’s primarily played at second base, with some spot starts at third and shortstop. There’s a good chance that Jung finds himself at third base long term.
INF Brooks Lee, Cal Poly (2022)
Lee got to Cal Poly and has added plenty of muscle to his frame, now coming in at 6’2”, 205 pounds. He was one of the better known prep shortstops in 2019 and has proven his worth after a solid 2021 campaign where he slashed .342/.384/.626 with ten home runs and 27 doubles. He’s a switch hitter who looks better on the left side than the right with natural loft in his swing and a direct path to the ball. He’s shown soft hands and good instincts at shortstop, as well. He likely ends up as a first round player in 2022.
INF/RHP Ethan Long, Arizona State (2022)
Long was one of the more highly touted 2020 prep stars that ended up on campus thanks to the abbreviated draft last summer and he’s not wasted the opportunity at all. A two-way player for the Sun Devils, Long slashed .340/.417/.704 with 16 home runs and also pitched 6.2 scoreless innings on the year with four saves. He had previously touched 97 MPH with his fastball in high school and has a big arm in the infield, as well. He has advanced bat-to-ball skills and uses all fields, though he does have some swing and miss concerns. Much like Berry, Long spent most of the year as Arizona State’s DH, though he got some field work at first base, left field, and right field.
INF Sean McLain, Arizona State (2022)
Yep, there’s another McLain brother. While Matt is likely a first round selection in 2021, Sean has some work to do to get that far, but certainly is no slouch. Getting little use in a COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, McLain became the starting second baseman in Tempe and posted an impressive .322/.386/.519 and had seven home runs to his name at the plate. At one point, he had a 23 game hit streak and sprayed the ball around the field with some good pull-side pop to his bat. Much like Long, he does have some swing and miss to his game. He showed soft hands and covered a ton of ground at second base this year and could eventually move to the left side of the dirt.
LHP Parker Messick, Florida State (2022)
If you like bulldogs, Messick fits that bill to a tee. A reliever only in 2020, Messick made the transition to Florida State’s Friday starter this year and left a good impression, with a 3.10 ERA across 16 starts, recording 126 strikeouts in 90 innings with just 23 walks to his name. The fastball will sit in the low-90’s, topping out at 93 MPH from a deceptive delivery. His bread and butter is his low-80’s change-up, with big fading action and depth that ate up hitters on a weekly basis. He has big confidence in the pitch and will utilize both sides of the plate with it. He has two breaking balls, a curveball and a slider, though the slider is sparsely used. In a weak college pitching class in 2022, Messick finds himself near the top of it.
INF Robert Moore, Arkansas (2022)
The son of Royals GM Dayton Moore, “Big Hit Bobert” is the nickname we have christened for him after an electric 2021 season. He was one of the top prep names in the 2020 class, but enrolled early at Arkansas and will be eligible as a junior in 2022, despite being on the younger side of 20. Moore slashed .283/.384/.558 with 16 home runs and showcased patience at the plate with a 51:41 K:BB ratio. He’s a switch-hitting bat with natural pull-side pop from both sides of the plate. He primarily manned second base thanks to Jalen Battles playing at shortstop, but all signs point to Moore moving to the other side of second base in 2022, where has the skills to be a very solid defender.
RHP/INF Aaron Nixon, Texas (2022)
For a Texas team that was pitching heavy in 2021, Nixon became a shutdown arm that was utilized late in games. Across 27 relief appearances, Nixon posted a 2.12 ERA in 34 innings, with 35 strikeouts to just ten walks and only allowing eight runs all year long. He’s got a strong frame and features a big fastball ranging from 93-95 MPH with a tight, two-plane slider and a change-up. He’s a fierce competitor on the mound and likely could see himself starting some games for the Longhorns in 2022.
LHP Carson Palmquist, Miami (2022)
Another reliever, but this time with some serious funk. Palmquist produces one of the more uncomfortable at-bats in college baseball thanks to a deceptive sidearm delivery. Out of the bullpen for Miami, Palmquist posted a 2.22 ERA across 44.2 innings, striking out 75 and walking just eight. The fastball jumps on hitters, with Palmquist getting up to 95 MPH from his low release point and primarily sitting in the low-90’s. He’s got a slurvy breaking ball and a change-up in his arsenal, as well. He will be one of the top relievers available in next year’s draft class.
C Kevin Parada, Georgia Tech (2022)
Georgia Tech has earned the moniker of “Catcher U” and they added another talent to their line of big catching prospects in Kevin Parada, one of the best bats to reach campus following the 2020 draft. In 52 games, Parada slashed .318/.379/.550 with nine home runs, showcasing an advanced approach at the plate. He’s got considerable pop in his bat, with gap-to-gap power and will utilize all fields at the plate. He’s got good framing abilities and has the tools to stay behind the plate defensively. He’s got good arm strength and moves well behind the dish. It’ll be interesting to watch him during the next year, especially as he will be one of the youngest players in the 2022 draft.
RHP Will Sanders, South Carolina (2023)
Will Sanders is one of the top 2023 arms on this roster. A big kid at 6’6”, 208 pounds, Sanders has plenty of projection to his frame and has been a reliable arm in both the rotation and bullpen for South Carolina this year. On the year, Sanders posted a 3.54 ERA across 53.1 innings, including ten starts. Sanders struck out 54 batters and walked just 11 batters all year with high octane stuff. Sanders added velocity, throwing 92-95 MPH and flashing a big diving change-up in the mid-80’s and a newly added slider in the same velocity range as the change-up. He’s shaping up to be a very fun follow over the next couple of years.
LHP Nate Savino, Virginia (2022)
Savino is another prep player that was eligible in 2020, but enrolled early in Charlottesville and has been a solid piece in UVA’s pitching staff. In 2021, Savino jumped between the rotation and the bullpen, recording a 3.79 ERA in 54.2 innings with 34 strikeouts and 16 walks. He has topped out at 96 MPH in the past, Savino has primarily been in the 89-92 MPH range with his sinker, prioritizing ground ball outs and spraying the zone. He pairs that with a slider in the low-80’s and a change-up. There’s not much margin for error with him currently, but he could add some more velocity to his heater as time progresses.
RHP Landon Sims, Mississippi State (2022)
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to the beginning of the 2021 season, where Mississippi State played in the State Farm College Showdown. Sims came in from the bullpen and amazed, striking out ten across four perfect innings of relief. The stuff that Sims possesses was electric this year, with a big fastball with plenty of rise in the 91-95 MPH range, touching 96 MPH at times and missing plenty of bats. He pairs that with a filthy slider with plenty of tilt in the mid-80’s. Across 56.1 innings, Sims posted a 1.44 ERA and struck out 100 batters, walking just 15 and recording 13 saves as the Bulldogs won their first national championship in school history. There’s a chance that we could see Sims in the rotation in 2022, but he’s proven to be a lethal bullpen weapon if he can’t start.
C/RHP Paul Skenes, Air Force (2023)
Skenes is a big two-way prospect in the 2023 class and will be Air Force’s first CNT player in 41 years. At the dish, Skenes slashed .410/.486/.697 and hit 11 home runs and has projectable power from the right side of the plate. At 6’6”, 235 pounds, Skenes has a tall, lanky frame and has played at both catcher and first base in 2021. Must be a tight fit in the cockpit of a fighter jet, eh?
My attempt at humor aside, Skenes was also a formidable force out of the bullpen, pitching to a 2.70 ERA in 18 appearances and racking up 30 strikeouts and walking just nine across 26.2 innings. Previously low-90’s in high school, Skenes has upped his velocity to the mid-90’s with high spin and has shown off a change-up and slider in his arsenal. Once 2023 rolls around, he might be the highest selected Air Force player since Griffin Jax.
INF Jordan Sprinkle, UC Santa Barbara (2022)
Sprinkle started the year off as UCSB’s DH, but quickly took the starting shortstop position and thrived in the role. On the year, Sprinkle slashed .353/.402/.536, showing off some pop with seven home runs, 18 doubles, and recording two triples. He recorded a hit in 44 of the final 52 games of the year for the Gauchos. Not to forget, Sprinkle recorded 26 stolen bases in 2021, becoming a menace on the basepaths. Defensively, Sprinkle has gotten more comfortable at shortstop, showing off good range and arm strength on his throws. He will be the first Gaucho since Dillon Tate to play for the CNT.
RHP Brandon Sproat, Florida (2022)
Sproat is a flame-throwing arm that has mainly come out of the bullpen for Florida, though he got some spot starts down the stretch for the Gators. In 2021, the numbers weren’t especially pretty, finishing the year with a 6.65 ERA across 21.2 innings with 18 strikeouts to 15 walks, but the stuff is loud. Command has been his biggest challenge so far, but the fastball has routinely sat in the mid-90’s, topping out at 98 MPH with a high-80’s slider and a solid change-up that both show promise. He could find himself starting for the Gators behind Barco next season, but he has a potentially high ceiling as a reliever with his stuff.
RHP Adam Stone, Harvard (2022)
Harvard has never had a player on the CNT in school history, enter Adam Stone. Stone has yet to step foot on the field on campus, due in part to Tommy John surgery in 2019 and the Ivy League canceling sports this past spring due to COVID-19. However, Stone has high octane stuff, with a fastball that gets up to 97 MPH and pairs it with a big change-up with optimal spin rates and a slider that is an above-average offering. He’s a big kid at 6’6”, 215 pounds with some projection to his frame. He’s already gotten some action in the Cape Cod League this summer and has the makings to be a top arm in the 2022 class.
C Daniel Susac, Arizona (2022)
Susac is another top 2020 prep name that made it to campus and the impact he instantly had on the field in Tucson was immense. In 2021, Susac slashed .335/.392/.591 in 242 at-bats, hitting 12 home runs and 24 doubles. There’s a lot to like about his bat, which likely projects to be a power over average kind of guy. He has notable power to all fields, and there is more for Susac to tap into as he gets older. Behind the plate, he has good blocking and framing abilities and has a one hell of an arm with noticeable strength and accuracy. He’s big for the position at 6’4”, 205 pounds, but likely stays back there.
C Logan Tanner, Mississippi State (2022)
There’s something about these arms on the 2022 catchers. Like Dunhurst, Tanner has one of the better arms in the college ranks, with an electric arm behind the plate and he has thrown multiple runners out from his knees this year. A strong specimen with some athleticism, Tanner hit .287/.382/.525 with 15 home runs , 13 doubles, and boasted a 48:39 K:BB ratio in 67 games, another puzzle piece in Mississippi State’s national title run. He’s got plenty of power in his bat, though his leg lift trigger has caused some timing problems with his swing. Aside from the cannon behind the plate, Tanner moves well and is a good receiver. He’s likely to stay behind the plate at the next level.
C/OF Kyle Teel, Virginia (2023)
Teel took himself out of the 2020 draft and so far, it’s proven to be a smart move for the true freshman. Teel was one of the main pieces that helped Virginia overcome an early season slump and make its way to Omaha as a three seed. In 54 games, he slashed .335/.416/.526 with nine home runs at the top of UVA’s lineup. He utilizes all fields at the plate and creates good separation with his projectable frame at 6’0”, 185 pounds. He’s got a good eye at the plate as well, with a K:BB ratio of 37:24. Teel split time between catcher and right field defensively, though he was primarily a DH for most of the year. He has shown off a big arm in right field, though it’ll be interesting to see where he plays in 2022 and beyond.
RHP Drew Thorpe, Cal Poly (2022)
Thorpe was Cal Poly’s Friday night starter this year, pitching to a 3.79 ERA across 90.1 innings. He struck out 104 batters, walked 38, and did a good job at keeping the ball in the yard, allowing just four home runs on the year. Thorpe possesses a good fastball, though his bread and butter is his lethal change-up that he utilizes well. He does have a breaking ball in his arsenal, as well. So far this summer, Thorpe has done well in the Cape Cod League, with a 0.90 ERA across two starts for Yarmouth-Dennis.
RHP Blade Tidwell, Tennessee (2022)
Tidwell not only has the best first name, but he’s one of our favorites here at Prospects Live. Tidwell really came into his own late in the year for Tennessee, pitching to a 3.74 ERA and amassing 90 strikeouts in 98.2 innings in his first year on campus. Tidwell throws gas, with a mid-90’s heater that has routinely gotten up to 99 MPH. He’s got three off-speed pitches in a curveball, slider, and change-up, with good command of all three pitches. He has been hampered a bit by the long ball, allowing 12 in 2021. At 6’4”, 200 pounds, his mechanics are easy and he has plenty of projection remaining to his frame.
INF Carter Trice, Old Dominion (2023)
Old Dominion was one of the feel-good stories of 2021, winning the C-USA title and receiving the 11th national seed in the NCAA tournament last month. True freshman Carter Trice was one of the leading forces on that squad, slashing .355/.426/.632 with 14 home runs and led Old Dominion in hits, doubles, and total bases. Trice put together multiple double-digit hit streaks for the Monarchs in 2021, his longest being 14 games early in the season. He’s got plenty of projection to his frame at 5’11”, 190 pounds and has shown good defensive abilities at second base, though he has played shortstop and third base at times in 2021 too.
LHP Chris Villaman, NC State (2022)
Villaman was one the main arms that NC State rode to their third College World Series berth. In 2021, Villaman split time between the weekday starting role and the bullpen, pitching to a 4.35 ERA in 60 innings with a 71:16 K:BB ratio. Villaman has added velocity to his frame, with his fastball jumping from the high-80’s to the 92-95 MPH range and topping out at 96 MPH, with some cutting life on the pitch. His go-to secondary is a change-up in the low-80’s and he’s made progress on a breaking ball that has some added power this year. Much like Highfill, he will likely see a rotation workload in 2022 for NC State.
RHP Jack Washburn, Oregon State (2022)
A Wisconsin native, Washburn split time between the bullpen and rotation in 2021 for the Beavers. Across 34.2 innings, Washburn pitched to a 3.12 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 21 walks. He has a fastball that has gotten up to 93 MPH in recent weeks and usually sits in the 89-91 MPH range. He’s got a good slider with depth as his primary secondary offering, as well as a change-up. He’s shown some command issues throughout the year, so he’ll be looking to iron that out as he prepares for a starting role for Oregon State in 2022.
LHP Carson Whisenhunt, East Carolina (2022)
Quick, someone alert Trevor Hooth.
Whisenhunt joins a talented group of players to play for the CNT in recent years, which includes Bryant Packard and Alec Burleson. Whisenhunt reached campus as a two-way prospect, though he finally focused on pitching in 2021 and excelled. He posted a 3.77 ERA in 62 innings, striking out 79 and walking 22, forming a formidable 1-2 punch with Gavin Williams. He’s primarily pitched in the low-90’s, topping out 93 MPH. His change-up might be the best one in the 2022 class, with great fading action in the low-80’s that gets plenty of swings and misses. He does have a solid breaking ball in his arsenal, as well.
RHP Josh White, California (2023)
White has been a big arm in Cal’s staff this year, pitching mainly out of the bullpen with some spot starts in 2021. On the year, White pitched to a 2.79 ERA in 61.1 innings, striking out 81 and walking 25. He can get a bit wild, with 14 wild pitches and five HBP in 2021. His arsenal mainly consists of a fastball and slider, though I couldn’t find any velocity on him. There’s a good chance he will move into Cal’s rotation full time in 2022.
RHP Jaxon Wiggins, Arkansas (2023)
Wiggins has one of the more electric arms in the 2023 class for the Razorbacks. Primarily utilized out of the bullpen, Wiggins got groomed as a starter late in the season for Arkansas. In 23 innings, he pitched to the tune of a 5.09 ERA, striking out 28 and walking 14 while picking up four saves. It’s a mid-90’s heater that has gotten up to 98 MPH with good life to the pitch, pairing it with a cutter and a change-up. Both of his off-speed offerings are in the mid-to-high 80’s, with the change-up being the better of the two presently.
RHP Tanner Witt, Texas (2023)
Witt is another 2023 arm with big promise, and much like Nixon, was a formidable force in the Texas bullpen. In 57 innings, Witt pitched to a 3.16 ERA while striking out 73 and walking 25. He works primarily from the stretch, featuring a fastball that can play in the mid-90’s and a hammer curveball in the high-70’s with late bite. He also utilizes a change-up, though it is an inconsistent offering presently. Witt could likely find himself starting in Texas’ rotation as soon as next spring.
RHP Matt Wyatt, Virginia (2022)
Wyatt had been a bullpen staple for the Hoos in his career, though he managed to get some starts in late 2021. Across 39.2 innings, Wyatt pitched to a 3.86 ERA, recording 51 strikeouts and 23 walks. He can be wild at times, but he has a mid-90’s fastball with plenty of arm-side life and utilizes a tough low three-quarters slot that creates deception. His go-to off-speed is a gnarly splitter that sits in the high-80’s with impressive fade and depth to it. There is a slider, though it’s sparingly used.