The wait is over, college baseball is back, and Opening Day did not disappoint! From dominant pitching performances to offensive explosions, the nation’s top players wasted no time making an impact. Florida State’s Jamie Arnold and Tennessee’s Liam Doyle carved up hitters, while Miami’s Bobby Marsh and Wake Forest’s Marek Houston launched balls into orbit. With electrifying debuts and statement outings across the country, these players set the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable season.
We at Prospects Live are excited to introduce our new “College Daily Sheet”, your go-to source for standout performances across Division I baseball. From the first pitch of Opening Day to the final out in Omaha, we’ll be delivering daily weekend highlights, showcasing the top players making an impact on the college stage. Stay locked in as we track the stars of tomorrow, today!
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Below take a look at the biggest performances from Day One! 🚀
Atlantic Coastal Conference
Covered by Monty Taylor
Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State – 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 8 K, Win
The Florida State ace wasted no time continuing the success that saw him shoot up the draft boards last season. Arnold carved through the James Madison lineup with his signature fastball/slider combination while debuting his new changeup. He was perfect into the fifth inning before giving up a single to left field with two outs. Overall, just three total balls in play made it past the infield as Arnold induced eight groundouts in addition to his eight strikeouts. On a day where most starting pitchers aren’t fully stretched out, the Tampa native went six full innings and turned in a Quality Start on Opening Day.
John Abraham, RHP, Florida State – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 8 K, Save
2025 breakout candidate John Abraham followed teammate Jamie Arnold on the mound against James Madison on Friday evening with three one-hit innings of relief. The sophomore picked up his second career save and struck out the first six batters he faced in the 7th and 8th innings. Not a single JMU hitter reached scoring position in his outing. Like his highly-touted teammate Arnold, Abraham struck out eight total batters to complete the two-hit shutout in Florida State’s 6-0 Opening Day win.
Jaylen Paden, RHP, Georgia Tech – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Jaylen Paden hadn’t pitched in 710 days after making just four appearances for Georgia Southern in 2023. When he entered the game in the 8th inning, the Yellow Jackets had just surrendered the lead to Old Dominion and the Monarchs were threatening for more. The score was 2-2 and two runners were in scoring position with nobody out. The veteran hurler stepped in and managed to get Georgia Tech out of the jam by striking out two and getting a hitter to ground into a fielder’s choice that cut down a runner at home plate. Paden’s fastball was sitting 93-94 and his slider looked sharp. After Tech regained the lead in the bottom of the 8th, Paden took care of business in the 9th with a 1-2-3 inning that included two more electric strikeouts.
Patrick Forbes, RHP, Louisville – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 11 K
Patrick Forbes’ first start of 2025 was electric as the junior right-hander went up against #19 Texas in the Shriner’s College Classic. The fastball sat 93-96 most of the night and reached 98 MPH at one point. He ran into some trouble in the 2nd inning where he gave up three hits and both of his earned runs, but he settled in nicely after that. He struck out six of the last seven batters he faced and generated 15 swing-and-misses on the day while holding the explosive Texas offense to just two runs. Forbes’ start was critical in keeping Louisville in the game as the Cardinals came back to force extra innings before completing the walkoff upset in the 10th.
Bobby Marsh, DH, Miami – 4 AB, 2 R, 4 H, 4 RBI, 2 2B
It was a memorable Hurricane debut for former Penn State star Bobby Marsh as he went a perfect 4-for-4 on Opening Day with two doubles and four RBIs in Miami’s 14-2 win over Niagara. Sliding into the 6-spot of the batting order, Marsh produced both doubles in his first two plate appearances. He showcased the gap-to-gap power he’s known for with a lead-off two-bagger in the second inning that went down the right field line before following that up with a two run double to left center in the third inning. Marsh added two more RBIs in the 4th with a single to left that scored Daniel Cuvet and Max Galvin.
Jason DeCaro, RHP, North Carolina – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 6 K, Win
Jason DeCaro is another ACC pitcher that took a no-hitter into the 5th inning on Opening Day. The sophomore ace retired the first seven hitters he faced before giving up back-to-back walks in the third inning. With a runner in scoring position, DeCaro buckled down and struck out the next two batters to end the threat. After that, it was smooth sailing for the rest of his outing, despite the two out single in the 5th that broke up the no-no. DeCaro was able to rely primarily on his low-90s fastball and late breaking slider much of the day as he amassed six strikeouts and departed the game with a 5-0 lead. The Tar Heels would hold on to beat Texas Tech in the first game of a doubleheader, 5-1.
Chris McHugh, 1B, North Carolina State – 5 AB, 5 R, 4 H, 3 RBI, 1 HR, 3 BB, HBP
Sophomore Chris McHugh reached base eight times over two games on Opening Day for the NC State Wolfpack. With many critics of NC State spouting concerns about their offense, the former VCU star delivered time and time against Fordham. The highlight was a 436 foot missile that hit off the camera well to the left of the batter’s eye in center field. The exit velocity on that gargantuan home run was measured at 109 MPH off the bat. He added a pair of RBI singles in game two. McHugh’s only out at the plate over the doubleheader was a pop-up to the second baseman in the 3rd inning of the second game.
Chris Arroyo, 1B, Virginia – 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 3 RBI, 1 HR, BB
Chris Arroyo made his Virginia debut in his native Puerto Rico and did not disappoint. Playing in front of friends and family, the JUCO transfer clocked his first D-I hit with an RBI single up the middle to score Eric Becker that tied the game 2-2 in the 5th inning. Two innings later, he tied the game again with a monster two-run blast that was measured at 108 MPH off the bat. Unfortunately, Virginia lost to Michigan, 5-4 in extra innings. Arroyo may not pitch this weekend, but he showcased a hitting ability that could see him be the heir apparent to Jac Caglianone as the nation’s best two-way star.
David McCann, C, Virginia Tech – 8 AB, 3 R, 3 H, 4 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR
David McCann enjoyed a quietly successful freshman campaign in Blacksburg, but there was nothing quiet about his performance on Opening Weekend against Bucknell on Friday. The sophomore catcher nearly hit for the cycle over the two games with four RBIs as Virginia Tech split a doubleheader with the Bison. McCann wasted no time getting the Hokies on the board with a two-run double to deep right field in the first inning to plate Tech’s first runs of the season. He added two more extra base hits in the second game, homering in the 3rd and tripling in the 7th. McCann didn’t walk or single, but he was hit by a pitch in game two.
Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest – 7 AB, 4 R, 4 H, 7 RBI, 2 HR, 2 BB, SB
Some Marek Houston critics claim he lacks power. Those critics are understandably quiet today after the junior shortstop launched two home runs in Wake Forest’s doubleheader against Long Island and Marist on Friday. In the early game against Long Island, Houston’s first hit was an RBI single to make it 8-0 in the third. He launched a grand slam to left in the 4th to make it 14-0 in favor of the Demon Deacons. Houston also walked and stole a base in that early game before being subbed off for freshman Cuyler Baxter. In game two against Marist, he ambushed the first pitch of the at-bat and sent that out of the Couch for a solo blast to make it 9-4. The Demon Deacons would sweep the doubleheader as Houston reached base six times on the day.
BIG Ten Conference
Covered by Jake Bargery
Joseph Dzierwa, LHP, Michigan State – 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 11 K, Win
Dzierwa has been projected all offseason to be one of the best arms in the Big Ten this spring and, in his first start against Western Michigan, he was as advertised. After striking out the first seven batters he faced, he went on to retire the next seven, giving him 4.2 perfect innings to begin his 2025 campaign. After allowing his first baserunner in the fifth inning, he went on to strike out the next batter to end the fifth. He was relieved after he finished the sixth inning, where he only allowed one walk and got the other three batters out on weak contact. Dzierwa will look to build off of his impressive first start of the year next weekend in the Kleberg Bank Classic in Corpus Christi, TX.
Vytas Valincias, LF, Illinois – 5 AB, 2 R, 3 H, 3 RBI, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 BB
Valincius held down the middle of the Illini batting order by recording two extra-base hits and recording two RBI’s against Abilene Christian. He led off the bottom of the 2nd inning with a double but never made it around to score. Up again in the third, he blasted a, at the time, go-ahead 2-run bomb. Later in the game, he recorded a walk and picked up another single. Valincius’s efforts weren’t enough in the end as Illinois falls in extras 10-9. The senior outfielder has drawn some attention and will look to continue his hot start the rest of the weekend.
Cade Obermueller, LHP, Iowa – 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Obermueller, another contender to be the top arm in the Big 10, had a clean first start. After an unfortunate first inning where USF scored a run on no hits, Obermueller settled in nicely, sitting the next seven batters down in order. After surrendering a walk with two outs in the fourth, he struck out the next three batters and his day ended on a caught stealing to end the fifth inning. While he isn’t a mammoth on the mound, standing at only 5’11” 150 lbs, he carries with him a sinker that he can run up into the mid-to-upper 90s with an absolute wipeout sweeper he can play off of it. He is going to be the leader of this Hawkeyes rotation this spring and will have lots of eyes on him every time he steps on the mound.
Trevor Cohen, RF, Rutgers – 5 AB, 5 H, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 2B
From the beginning to the end of game one of the doubleheader, Trevor Cohen was literally impossible to get out. He led off the game with an oppo single. He doubled in his second AB, but was thrown out the next play trying to score from second. In the fifth, Cohen broke the scoreless tie on a scorching line drive single to center field. Up again in the seventh, he got to show off his plus speed but legging out an infield single. He finished his day by collecting yet another hit. This time it was a double to lead off the ninth, but he never came around to score as the Scarlet Knights fell 5-3 at the hands of Kennesaw State. Cohen has very much a contact-over-power player and it looks like he’s going to continue that high-level contact approach this season.
Max Banks, RHP, Washington – 6 IP, 2 H, 9 K, 2 BB, 0 R/ER, Win
Max Banks is going to be the leader of this Huskies rotation this spring and got off very much on the right foot in his first outing against a talent-filled Kansas State lineup. After not allowing a hit in the first 4.2 innings, he went on to cruise through six easy innings, not allowing a single run to come across for the K-State Wildcats. Banks is a D3 transfer from Chapman (CA) where he recorded just a 3.35 ERA in over 150 career innings. He is an out-getter that is going to lead Washington to a lot of Friday wins if he can continue what he did in his first start.
Ethan Hedges, 3B, USC – 5 AB, 2 R, 4 H, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 3B
Ethan Hedges was a force to be reckoned with against George Washington Friday. While it was a very successful day for the Trojan offense as a whole, three of Hedges’s four hits came on balls hit over 100 mph off the bat. He had a two RBI double in the first to help things get started and helped close the door with another RBI hit in the eighth. Hedges is in his third year at USC and is looking to bounce back from a slightly down sophomore year when compared to his freshman season. He’s a physical third baseman and it was very much on display as the Trojans routed George Washington 15-2.
Mason Horwat, RHP, Penn State – 5 IP, 7 K, 1 H, 2 BB, 0 R/ER, Win
Mason Horwat is yet another fun Big 10 arm and is the leader of the Penn State rotation that has big expectations after finishing 2024 with a near Big 10 tournament championship. He only needed 75 pitches to complete 5 innings of shutout pitching against SEC opponent, Missouri. Horwat retired six of the first seven batters he faced. He ran into some trouble in the third inning which included a leadoff reach on error, two walks, and a wild pitch, but somehow escaped the inning without allowing a run. Horwat pitched an easy next two innings and was relieved after finishing the fifth. His next test will be next weekend, when Penn State travels to play Longwood.
Chris Hacopian, SS, Maryland – 1 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 4 RBI, Grand Slam, 3 BB
Chris, one half of the talented Hacopian brothers, had quite a productive day against the Blazers of UAB. He showed off his patience by drawing walks in the first, third, and sixth innings. In the middle of those walks, he crushed a grand slam to extend Maryland’s lead to five. That proved to be the game winner as UAB ended up getting a couple runs in the eighth to cut the lead down to 3 but that is where the score ended. The top of Maryland’s order, led by Chris, his brother Eddie, and the powerful Juco transfer Hollis Porter is very intimidating and will look to propel them to plenty of victories this year.
Grayson Grinsell, LHP, Oregon – 5 IP, 7 K, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 R/ER, ND
The fifth, and final, arm mentioned here has potentially the highest ceiling of them all. Grayson Grinsell was an honorable mention all PAC-12 pitcher a year ago and is projected by many to be not only a force in the Big Ten, but to be one of the best arms in the nation. Friday against Toledo, Grinsell only allowed three baserunners in his five innings of work. Outside of his mere two walks, he only made seemingly one mistake pitch in the game, which ended up leaving the yard in the second. After that, it was smooth sailing for Grinsell and the Oregon Ducks. Grinsell is going to get another opportunity to showcase his stuff next weekend as they play host to Rhode Island.
Mitch Voit, 2B, Michigan – 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 2 BB
Mitch Voit has all the makings to be one of the most entertaining players in the Big 10 this season. Voit was all over the field playing great defense at second base, hitting an RBI double, and scoring the walk-off run against our number 1 team in the nation, Virginia. While he may have been a bit overshadowed by the Michigan backstop Matt Spear, who drove in Voit to win it and had a homer earlier in the game, Voit is going to be a spark plug in the middle of the Wolverine batting order, which proved that it has potential to do some big damage in the Big 10 this year.
BIG 12 Conference
Covered by Rhys White
Dee Kennedy, 3B, Kansas State - 3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB, 0 K
The Texas transfer was the only hitter to do much against Washington's Friday night guy, Max Banks (who we discussed earlier), a senior. It's an interesting choice by Kansas State to have Dee Kennedy as their lead-off guy, given he has always been a bit swing-happy. He struck out 42 times in 162 plate appearances in limited playing time last year with Texas. Luckily, the sophomore has time to work on what might be a well-below-average hit tool. Scrolling through Twitter, Texas fans weren't thrilled about losing Dee, so maybe Kansas State capitalizes on this.
Nolan Schubart, RF, Oklahoma State - 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 2 RBI, 1 2B, 0 BB, 0 K
He was the top draft prospect in the Big 12 with a double to start his junior season. Not his hardest-hit batted ball of the night, but that was a 96 mph ground out. Two strikeouts in the evening are not what you want to see, but there is nothing to sneeze at. From a thousand-foot view and in a total vacuum, I prefer him to Cason Benge at similar points in their development. Look for Schubart to have another 20+ homer season, with a good approach, and that could carry him to being a top-15 selection in the draft when it is all said and done.
Gabe Davis, RHP, Oklahoma State - 4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, 3 BB, 6 K
No, he’s not Gabe Davis, although one might want to consider baseball because he has been largely irrelevant after one outstanding playoff game. This is not helping the few, the proud, the people who think Gabe Davis is not a reliever. The command was not there at all on this outing. He looked scattershot, to say the least. The fastball was up to 97, which was encouraging but began to dip. He looks like a pure reliever at the next level, and we shall see how long Oklahoma decides to keep him as their Friday-night starter.
Brock Thompson, 2B, Oklahoma State - 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 0 RBI, 1 2B, 0 BB, 0 K
It's not bad for a freshman to get your first collegiate game, a double-scoop of doubles. This might be nice for OK State!
Brendan Summerhill, RF, Arizona - 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 1 BB, 0 K
Arguably the second-best draft prospect in the Big 12, Summerhill got on the board with a single. No one part of his game stands out outside of his hit tool and speed, but everything seems to be comfortably average. If any tools jump this year, that could mean big money for the Chicago native. The Arizona Wildcat has a chance to be a key cog in one of the better teams in the country, headlined by a strong crop of draft-eligible hitters and some savvy incoming freshmen. I don’t know if they are true sleeper, but I think they can be part of the Omaha team.
Mason White, SS, Arizona - 2 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 HR, 0 BB, 0 K
Great last name on this guy. Am I old enough to start calling people kids? I am 28, so probably not. But Mason White has a chance to jump up draft boards with a strong 2025. Is he the biggest athlete? No, listed at 5-9. But he gets all the power he can from that smaller frame. The question with him will always be the hit tool, but if he shows that he has rounded up, he could hear his name called in the back end of the first round. He probably isn’t a shortstop at the next level either, but his blend of power and athleticism plays at second-base.
Wesley Jordan, LF, Baylor - 4 AB, 3 R, 3 H, 1 RBI, 2 2B, 1 BB, 0 K
The former JuCo bandit just keeps on doing JuCo bandity things. He continues to hit, after hitting .331/.455/.632 in 2024, he is off to a strong start. There isn’t a lot of power, nor is there a lot of speed but he just hits, as cliche as that is to say. A team probably takes a chance on him late in the 2025 draft.
Kerrington Cross, 3B, Cincinnati - 5 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 1 HR, 0 BB, 0 K
He’s not a prospect, but when you hit a homer and your team upsets Duke on opening day, you deserve a shout. Did it go to extras? That isn’t important. Cincinnati pulled off the upset, and that is why we are here!
Kien Vu, RF, Arizona State - 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 0 BB, 1 SB
Vu might not be his team's highest-profile name, but he can slap and dash his way into production. I would like to see him get more aggressive on the basepaths and eclipse his season-high of 12 steals. Vu did have a big power explosion in 2024, mashing 14 homers, so he might be a sneaky power speed threat for all you open-world fantasy managers.
Southeastern Conference
Covered by Brian Switzer II “Switz” & James Weisser
Sam Christiansen, RF, Oklahoma:
Game 1 - 1 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 4 BB, 0 K, 1 SB
Game 2 - 3 AB, 1 R, 3 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 SB
One of many JUCO transfers brought in by Oklahoma this past summer, South Mountain CC product Christiansen wasted no time making an impact in his first games as a Sooner. His debut performance was nothing short of impressive, going a perfect 3-for-3 in game two of the afternoon and falling just a home run short of hitting for the cycle.
Before that, in game one, Christiansen showcased his elite plate discipline, tallying four walks in the contest. His first at-bat nearly resulted in a home run, but instead, he led off the second inning with a deep drive that turned into a triple, his first official hit as a Sooner. He later came around to score. In his second trip to the plate, he jumped on a 2-1 fastball up in the zone, lacing it down the right-field line for a double, though he was thrown out attempting to stretch it into a triple.
Christiansen continued to contribute, driving in a run with a sac fly to left in his third plate appearance. He then drew a six-pitch walk, showing his patience at the dish, and followed it up by swiping second base. In his final at-bat of game one, he displayed an advanced two-strike approach, working from a 1-2 count before lining a single up the middle for his third and final hit.
With an all-around performance that included strong discipline, extra-base power, and smart baserunning, Christiansen played a key role in Oklahoma’s 11-3 victory over Lehigh. If this is just the beginning, the Sooners may have landed a real gem in their JUCO transfer class.
Dean Curley, SS, Tennessee - 4 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 0 BB, 0 K
One of the top college shortstop prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft class, Curley wasted no time making his presence felt in his season debut. The highly touted infielder went 2-for-4 with a home run, scoring twice while flashing the skills that make him a potential early first-round pick.
He set the tone right away in his first at-bat, displaying strong plate discipline before lacing a line-drive single on the fourth pitch of the at-bat. He later came around to score. In his second trip to the plate, Curley showed just how locked in he was; taking three straight pitches before unloading on a 2-1 fastball, launching a 408-foot blast to right-center with a 107 mph exit velocity.
His third at-bat resulted in a sharp groundout to third on a 1-2 count, and in his fourth trip to the plate, he continued to show a mature approach. On a full count, he nearly added another hit with a bloop single to center, but a runner at first forced a fielder’s choice. Initially ruled safe, the play was overturned after a replay challenge.
Defensively, Curley looked the part of a high-level shortstop prospect, showing good actions, solid arm strength, and the potential to develop into an above-average or better defender.
On days like this, Curley looks like a surefire top-half-of-the-first-round talent—a polished bat with plus pop and the defensive ability to stick at shortstop long-term. Right now, he appears to be one of the safest picks for an MLB team, selecting in the first round of the 2025 Draft.
With a strong spring, Curley has a clear path to elevating his stock even further, positioning himself as a top-10 to top-15 lock by July. If he continues to showcase his advanced hit tool, power, and defensive upside, expect him to be a highly sought-after name on draft boards.
Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee - 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 11 K, Win
One of the premier transfer arms from last summer, Doyle, an Ole Miss Transfer, dominated in his first start for the Volunteers, allowing only one hit while generating # of Strikeouts. In the first inning, he retired the side 1-2-3, issuing a weak ground out to the SS to retire the leadoff man and then striking out the next 2 batters. In the 2nd and 3rd innings, he continued to show his dominance as he struck out the side in both innings, which continued a streak of 8 straight batters retired via strikeout. In the 4th inning, the leadoff hitter singled to shallow right-center field but got thrown out, attempting to stretch it into a double. He retired the next 2 batters via strikeout, having struck out 10 of the first 12 batters retired over his first 4 innings. He wasn't as dominant in his final inning of work (2 flyouts) but did retire the final batter on a strikeout looking. His fastball touched 95 multiple times and looks to be a plus pitch in time as he got 19 swinging strikes on the pitch while mixing in a Splitter and Slider, which are both a work in progress as he hasn't had to use them much due to how dominant his fastball is which accounted for 10 of his 11 strikeouts. Overall, there is serious helium next to his name going into July if he keeps producing outings like this over the course of the spring.
Gavin Kilen, 2B, Tennessee - 3 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Kilen, considered the crown jewel of the transfer portal last summer, Gavin made a strong debut for the Volunteers. In his first game, he went 2 for 3, with a walk, a strikeout, a double, and a triple, while scoring twice.
In his first at-bat, he drew a six-pitch walk and came around to score. He showed his hitting ability in his second at-bat by hitting an opposite-field double on a 2-2 count, demonstrating good plate discipline with two strikes. In his third at-bat, he tripled to deep center field on a fastball right down the middle. However, in his fourth at-bat, he struck out swinging, showcasing his potential struggle with swinging and missing, an aspect that could hinder his chances of being a first-round pick.
Pico Kohn, LHP, Miss St - 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 11 K, Win
In a dominant performance for game 1 of the Opening Day doubleheader in Starkville, Coach Lemonis entrusted the ball to reliable southpaw Kohn, who set the tone early for the Bulldogs. Kohn struck out 11 batters, marking a new personal best for him. Since this was the first game of the season, he had a limited outing, throwing 69 pitches (54 of them for strikes). Despite the brief appearance, he consistently overwhelmed the Jaspers and completed 5 innings. As the season progresses and he faces SEC competition, Kohn is a left-handed pitcher to watch throughout the spring. He could potentially move up into early Day 2 discussions come July.
Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida - 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 11 K, Win
Opening Day in Gainesville was nothing short of absolute cinema, as Coach O’Sullivan’s ace, Liam Peterson, put on a masterclass in dominance. The flamethrowing right-hander manhandled the Falcons, delivering a remarkable start that left no doubt about his elite status.
Peterson showed premier command and control of his entire arsenal, lighting up the stadium gun at 98 mph while keeping hitters completely off balance. His changeup was pure filth, diving beneath barrels and generating whiffs at the bottom of the zone. The result? 11 strikeouts, tying the school record for most punchouts on Opening Day and breaking his own previous single-game best of nine.
Though he isn’t draft-eligible until 2026, Peterson is firmly in the driver’s seat as the top arm in that class right now. If he keeps up performances like this, expect the buzz around him to only get louder as the season unfolds.
Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU - 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 8 K, Win
If there were any lingering questions about who the "Ace" of the Tigers' staff would be this spring, Anderson just put them to rest. The left-hander delivered a sharp Opening Day performance, shutting down a Purdue Fort Wayne lineup that was hungry to pull off a massive upset. (Side note: What even is a Mastodon?)
But any hope of an early-season shocker was quickly erased as one of the premier SEC southpaws took control. Anderson worked five strong innings, striking out eight and keeping the Mastodons in check from the jump. He set the tone early, striking out the side in the second inning and racking up five punchouts on just 31 pitches through the first three frames.
With a performance like this, Anderson has officially taken the reins atop the Tigers’ rotation and if this is just the beginning, it’s going to be a long season for opposing hitters.
Gabe Gaeckle, RHP, Arkansas - 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 7 K
In the mix to be the top arm in the 2026 MLB Draft class, Arkansas’ sure-fire righty delivered a stellar performance at Baum-Walker Stadium. Despite the tension of a nail-biting, extra-inning affair, Gaeckle was as steady as they come, giving the Razorbacks exactly what they needed in a season-opening thriller.
Gaeckle boasts some of the best pure stuff in the country, blending data-driven pitch design with an elite fastball, plus command, and a whiff-generating arsenal that keeps hitters guessing. He worked with precision, showing why he’s already regarded as one of the most dominant left-handers in college baseball.
Even with the Hog Pen faithful sweating this one out, Arkansas found a way to squeak out the win, and their ace-in-the-making showed why he’s already generating serious buzz for the 2026 draft. If this outing is any indication, Gaeckle is poised to be a must-watch arm all spring long and a true front-runner for the top pitcher in his class.
Mid-Majors and Independents
Covered by Brian Switzer II “Switz”
Jayden Hylton, 1B/OF, Stetson (ASUN) - 2 AB, 2 R, 1 H, 3 RBI, 1 HR, 2 BB, 0 K
What a start to the college baseball season!!! Hylton absolutely crushing a two-run bomb over the LF scoreboard down in Puerto Rico, recording the first home run of the 2025 college season on Friday morning. Hilton is a legit monster in the box with a towering 6-foot-5 presence that carries 80-grade pop. It was a nice treat to kick off the season by seeing him get a hold of one to start his 2025 campaign. Hilton brings an exciting blend of tools and skills to the table. If he can improve his contact, cut down on strikeouts, and boost his batting average, there's a late Day 2 - Day 3 draft upside for him in July if he can put it all together this spring.
Oliver Pudvar, LHP, UConn (Big East) - 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Outstanding return for the lefty as he returns from TJ surgery that wiped out his entire season in 2024. He transferred over the summer from Manhattan and seemed to be a difference maker in this game for the Huskies as the Hatter's offense was deranged, with no answers to be found from the Huskies staff until Pudvar entered out of the pen. Pudvar had the ability to put it on cruise control early, flashing a heavy fastball and a tight slider that generated whiffs and weak contact for over three innings of scoreless ball.
He almost allowed one to get out of the park; however, Sphur in centerfield saved the day with a tremendous catch to end the inning and put another scoreless inning to Pudvar's stat line at the bottom of the fifth. However, when Pudvar was removed, it seemed to be the dagger to the Huskies' Opening Day, as they gave up five runs when Oliver was removed from the contest. A strong 2025 season for the former 2023 MAAC All-Rookie Teamer could position Pudvar as a solid data-darling Day 3 pick in July.
Dylan Mathiesen, RHP, Liberty (Conference USA) - 4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Mathiesen kicked off the new season in style, shaking off a rough 2024 where he posted a 6.38 ERA with a sharp Opening Day performance for the Flames. Still building up his pitch count as he works toward a weekend rotation spot for Coach LeCroy, he kept hitters guessing and didn’t allow a hit in an opener-style role, displaying excellent command and control, throwing just 39 pitches while landing 29 strikes while punching out six. His job was made easier with the offense putting up eight runs in the first two innings.
On the mound, Mathiesen keeps it simple with a quick, whippy arm. His fastball, which features heavy spin, sits in the upper 80s to low 90s. He pairs it with a plus changeup and a sharp cutter, keeping hitters off balance with a strong mix of pitches. If Mathiesen produces a strong 2025 spring, he could garner Day 3 interest or NIL opportunities from bigger fish at P4 schools.
Jordan Gottesman, LHP, Northeastern (Coastal Athletic) - 4.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 K
A Division III transfer from the Old Bay State, Gottesman is wasting no time making an impact at the Division I level. He delivered four scoreless innings of relief for the Huskies, with his only run crossing after he left the game. Before landing at Northeastern, he shined in the Futures Collegiate League over the summer and spent four strong years with the Endicott Gulls in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. On the day the southpaw sat in the low-to-mid 90s on the ESPN+ radar with a lively fastball, mixing in a late-depth cambio and a sharp promising breaking ball. Even though the contest didn't go the Huskies' way, Gottesman was an apparent bright spot for the coaching staff on Opening Day and for MLB scouts in attendance. With his track record and performance on the bump, he will generate some draft buzz heading into July.
Nelson Keljo, LHP, Oregon State (Independent) - 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 5 BB, 5 K, 1 WP
An absolute statement game for Keljo, shutting down the doubters, who felt he couldn't transition from the bullpen to the weekend rotation. From the first pitch, until he exited before the bottom of the fifth, he was dialed, carving up the Muskies' lineup. His fastball, paired with his deceptive arm action, had Xavier hitters hopeless, chasing whiffs and looking completely lost at the plate. The heater for a cold February day got up to 96.4 MPH, according to Baseball Savant, and he also recorded a dozen whiffs in the process. He also mixed his tight slider and fading change of pace cambio in the process. Safe to say, any questions about his transition have been answered emphatically. Moving forward, the next step in his process will be harnessing the command better and limiting the free passes. However, there is an upward arrow next to Keljo’s name and should be a prize selection in July.
Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State (Independent) - 3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 1 BB, 0 K
It didn’t take long for Arquette to feel at home in Corvallis, with him delivering a monster tank into CF for a 2 RBI homer in the bottom of the 7th, the first Beaver home run of the 2025 season!. The two-run shot left his bat at a scorching 110 mph for a total distance of 424 feet, stats and distance that surely caught the attention of MLB scouts and organizations within the lottery phase of the draft this July. Such impressive metrics not only highlight his raw power but also bolster his standing as a solid first-round prospect in the upcoming draft. Arquette will be a fun follow on the West Coast this season, and this will not be the last time he will be highlighted on the daily sheet this spring. For baseball bettors, Arquette could possibly become the dark horse Golden Spikes bet to place; however, with the noise he made today, it may already be too late to land the big fish payday that once was.
Boston Smith, OF/SS/C, Wright State (Horizon):
Game 1 - 4 AB, 4 R, 3 H, 4 RBI, 2 HR, 2 BB, 0 K
Game 2 - 4 AB, 2 R, 1 H, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Smith, a consensus pick for Horizon League Player of the Year this spring, wasted no time making his mark. In Wright State’s season-opening doubleheader against Longwood, he didn’t just go deep once, he put on a double dong display, launching two homers in game one as the Raiders rolled to victory. He kept the momentum rolling in game two, driving in multiple runs to help secure the sweep.
Last season, Wright State was still figuring out where Smith fit best defensively. He was a true utility weapon, logging time behind the plate in relief of beloved Raider backstop Sammy Sass, roaming the corner outfield, and even getting reps on the left side of the infield. But coming out of high school, Smith was recruited as a legitimate D1 catcher, and on Friday, he proved why, handling Opening Day duties behind the dish before shifting to DH in game two.
Looking ahead, expect Smith to be the guy behind the plate for Wright State, anchoring the Raiders both offensively and defensively.
Grant Jay, C, Dallas Baptist (Conference USA) - 4 AB, 3 R, 3 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K ( 1 CS behind dish)
In the race to be the top backstop in July’s draft, Grant Jay wasted no time delivering a standout performance on Opening Day for the Patriots. The 2025 season kicked off in style for the highly touted catcher, as he made an impact in every facet of the game.
At the plate, Jay did a little bit of everything to keep the offense rolling. He grinded out at-bats, drawing walks and finding ways to get on base with well-placed bloop singles into the outfield. His first RBI of the year came in the fifth inning, when he laced a line drive up the middle to bring Tom Poole home.
Behind the dish, Jay was just as sharp. He handled the staff with poise, excelling at pitch framing and blocking in less-than-ideal weather conditions. His defensive highlight came in the seventh inning when he showed off his plus arm, gunning down a would-be base stealer at second.
With a performance like this, Jay is setting the tone early in his campaign to be a premier catcher in this year’s draft class.