We recently released our top 75 college prospects, and throughout the fall, we have been bringing you some of the top prospects within each conference. For this edition, we will dive into some of the top prospects across the ACC.
Florida State leads the ACC with three prospects, and Clemson, Virginia, North Carolina, and Wake Forest are all tied with two. Below are the top ACC players who ranked in the Top 75.
Full Top 75 List: https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/9/21/2025-mlb-draft-top-75-collegiate-prospects
HITTERS
CAM CANNARELLA, OF - clemson
Prospects Live Ranking - #2
One of the most balanced profiles in the class, it is incredibly difficult to not like Cannarella. A former infielder turned outfielder; he flashes exceptional defense along with above-average instincts to balls off the bat. The spray chart is balanced, having the stable approach to drive the baseball to all sides of the field while backing a .337/.417/.561 slash line in 2024. He's got incredible eyes and awareness, setting the offensive tone and influencing the at-bat for the rest of the Clemson lineup. Cannarella's whiff rates are quite attractive as well, specifically 13% vs fastballs and 9% vs sliders this past season while showcasing some of the best zone contact rates in Division I at 91%. The chase rates, however, went up a touch, though not a cause for concern going into 2025. Anticipate Cam to be flashier in 2025 thanks to a healthy right labrum while staying true to his established identity.
HENRY FORD, OF/1B - virginia
Prospects Live Ranking - #8
Coming off an incredible freshman campaign, Ford will look to become the centerpiece of Virginia's 2025 offense. Listed at 6'5" and 220 pounds, Ford showcases impressive bat-to-ball skills with an 87% zone contact rate with swift hands through the zone. He sees off-speed very well, hitting .349/.425/.651 with 9 of his 17 total home runs coming against them. The operation isn't sexy, but it certainly performs. Ford has proven his ability to drive the baseball to all parts of the field, but his power to the pull side is well above-average. Playing 56 of his 58 games defensively at first base, Henry displays sufficient defensive skills with good instincts when the ball is put in play, as he committed only three errors in 2024. That said, Henry mentioned to our Monty Taylor how he plans to play right field for the Cavaliers in 2025, making the transition from infield to outfield an intriguing follow to keep tabs on. Ultimately, it will come down to Ford's offensive prowess that determines how high he gets drafted this coming July.
LUKE STEVENSON, C - north carolina
Prospects Live Ranking - #10
A draft eligible sophomore, Stevenson has been a force to be reckoned with since joining the Tar Heels. From an offensive standpoint, it's a physical presence, premier bat speed, and all sorts of advanced batted ball data. Across all of Division I, Stevenson finished in or above the 90th percentile in hard hit rate, barrel rate, average exit velocity, and slugging percentage in 2024. Furthermore, Luke was very efficient against fastballs as he hit .303 with a .969 OPS this past spring. Although having 55 strikeouts, Stevenson led North Carolina with 48 walks, demonstrating his plate discipline and feel for the strike zone. Behind the dish, Luke is an excellent receiver with proficient framing skills while being an established blocker, especially as the season progresses. Though he threw out 20% of baserunners, he is not afraid to back-pick baserunners to keep them honest. Stevenson holds one of the highest baseball IQs in this incoming class, understanding situations and not allowing critical moments in a game overwhelm him. He checks just about all the boxes for teams considering him in the 2025 MLB Draft, and another successful season will establish him as a sure first-round pick.
ETHAN CONRAD, OF - wake forest
Prospects Live Ranking - #11
After a phenomenal summer in the Cape, Ethan Conrad will look to carry that momentum with his new program at Wake Forest. During his two seasons at Marist College, Conrad ended with a .359/.425/.587 slash line while gathering 54 extra base hits and 239 total bases. Obviously impressive, even more so considering he did that before turning 20 years of age. In the box, it’s a quiet operation with an advanced feel of the strike zone, evidenced by his low 8% whiff rate. This past season with Marist, Ethan did incredibly well against fastballs, hitting .405 against them and recording 8 of his 9 triples off that pitch. As previously mentioned, Conrad dominated in the Cape League, earning All-Star honors with Bourne and finishing with a .385 batting average and 19 stolen bases. Defensively, Conrad still has room to grow, as he currently possesses an average arm and showcases plus range thanks to his speed. That said, he is set to start in right field for Wake this Spring with the ability to transition to center if the arm improves. It’s a fun profile with day one potential; with improved defensive skills, it could easily translate into a lottery pick.
HENRY GODBOUT, INF - virginia
Prospects Live Ranking - #15
Arguably the most proven hit tool in the ACC, Henry Godbout will look to guide Virginia to Omaha for the third consecutive season. The bat to ball skills are incredibly appealing, with a 92% zone contact rate and a .443 BABIP. He was one of the top hitters in the country against fastballs, ending 2024 with just a 5% whiff rate against them. Nearly all of his extra-base hits were to his pull side (22 of 28), so I’m curious to see if he becomes more balanced in 2025. One of the top hitters against velocity, Godbout hit .500 off pitches 92 MPH or harder with just a 3% whiff rate. Defensively, he looks to be the everyday man at second base for Brian O’Connor while flirting with some opportunities to play shortstop over the course of next season. Godbout displays solid range and instincts, along with proficient arm strength on the diamond. Don't expect him to steal many bases, if any, in 2025, despite his average speed. Overall, Godbout is one of the most polished hitters in this upcoming draft class, expect him to be a key catalyst for the Cavaliers, who have a deep lineup from top to bottom.
MAREK HOUSTON, SS - wake forest
Prospects Live Ranking - #21
Marek Houston was one of the standout offensive breakouts this past season, establishing himself as one of the most refined bats in the 2025 class. As the leadoff man for Wake, Houston displays a plus eye at the plate with the ability to spray the ball to all fields. His whiff rates dropped significantly from his freshman to sophomore season, and he posted one of the nation's top zone contact rates at 93%. Perhaps the best aspect of his game is his defense. Houston has a plus arm and great range for the position that will keep him at shortstop come pro ball. Over the recent summer, he played for Bourne in the Cape Cod League, where he stood out with a .306 batting average across 27 games and earned a spot as an All-Star. His power is below average, though with adding roughly 10 pounds of weight, expect to see a jump in the extra base hits this coming season.
KANE KEPLEY, OF - north carolina
Prospects Live Ranking - #52
A late transfer addition for Coach Scott Forbes, North Carolina adds one of the most stable players available in Kane Kepley. Producing a .330/.482/.521 slash line for Liberty this past season, Kepley has incredible ability to make contact and spray the baseball to all fields. Most of his extra base hits were hit to his pull side, though don’t expect much from a power standpoint with him. Kepley’s strengths are both his on-base skills and speed, as he drew 53 walks against just 27 strikeouts while swiping 25 bags in 2024. He has sufficient defensive instincts in both center and right field though having a fringe arm. Kepley played this past summer in the Cape with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, earning All Star honors thanks to a .449 on base percentage and swiping over 20 bags in 38 games played. Kepley will be an intriguing prospect to follow this spring, as he will be set to face tougher competition in the ACC while aiming to keep both his contact and whiff rates consistent with 2024.
DREW FAUROT, SS - Florida state
Prospects Live Ranking - #65
Faurot started his career at UCF before transferring to Florida State where he’s been nothing short of impressive. The Tallahassee native is a switch hitter that has the ability to play both positions up the middle. Hitting .286 with 19 doubles in 59 games, Faurot was a vital contributor for Florida State over the course of their momentous season. He’s far more successful as a left-handed hitter, with a batting average of .314, compared to just .214 from the right side. Faurot possesses decent bat speed and batted ball data, having a max exit velocity of 109 MPH in 2024. Though his contact rates are fine, his pitch recognition skills could be improved, specifically against off-speed. His defense has gotten better over his collegiate career, as well as his range up the middle when balls are hit in the pockets. Expect Faurot’s offensive numbers to be a tick better while playing a healthy amount of both second base and shortstop for the Seminoles in 2025.
MAX WILLIAMS, OF - Florida state
Prospects Live Ranking - #66
After transferring from Alabama following the 2023 season, Max Williams has found a new home at Florida State. The Michigan native hit .311 with 30 extra base hits in 64 games played. The main strength in his game is consistently making hard contact as he had a max exit velocity of 114.2 MPH this past spring. The operation is unique, specifically a low bent stance with quiet hands and a small leg kick. Though with a 72% contact rate, there is clear room for improvement regarding his swing decisions. The strikeouts are also a slight concern, as he had the second most on Florida State’s offense last season. Defensively, there are a lot of things Williams does well. He has a great arm and has strong instincts to balls both in the air and on a line. He is a smart baserunner, though he’s an average runner and not expected to steal many bases, as he had five in 2024. Overall, Williams is an exciting player; if the strikeouts can come down a touch, he ranks among the premier outfielders in the ACC, if not already.
CLAY GRADY, SS - Virginia tech
Prospects Live Ranking - #71
A career .323 hitter for Virginia Tech, Clay Grady will look to carry his success into year three as their starting shortstop. It’s a simple operation in the box; a short and compact swing with above-average bat speed. Grady features above-average contact and whiff rates, along with exceptional fastball recognition, as evident by his 7% whiff rate against the pitch. Though having only 10 collegiate extra base hits, he can work counts and reach base quite often. The most exciting part about Grady’s game though is his defense. He can field on the run throwing from various arm slots while playing with an elite internal clock; it’s so fun to watch. Although Grady hit in various spots in the lineup last season, expect him to be at the top for Virginia Tech, setting the offensive tone for Garrett Michel and company this spring.
KYLE LODISE, INF - Georgia tech
Prospects Live Ranking - #72
Regarded as one of the more notable transfers this recent cycle, Kyle Lodise shifted from Division II Augusta University to join Georgia Tech. He was arguably the best hitter in the Peach Belt Conference in 2024, slashing .369/.498/.693 with 14 home runs. A twitchy athlete, Lodise can play anywhere in the infield. He’s a great defender, quick to react to the baseball, and maintains a strong internal clock while doing so. A plus runner as well, Lodise stole 44 bags in 50 attempts during his two-year career at Augusta. Over this past summer, Lodise played with the Chatham Anglers in the Cape. In 37 games, he finished with a .239/.394/.358 line with seven extra base hits. The key question regarding Lodise is whether he can consistently adapt to the quality of pitching in the ACC. If so, he and Drew Burress could formulate one of the most feared tandems in the ACC.
LUKE GAFFNEY, 1B/C - clemson
Prospects Live Ranking - #74
After earning Big 10 Freshman of the Year honors in 2024, Gaffney entered the transfer portal to join Coach Eric Bakich and the Clemson Tigers. The strength of Gaffney’s game is centered around his offensive firepower. Last season with Purdue, he finished with an impressive .359/.449/.646 slash line, hitting over 30 extra-base hits across 53 games. Additionally, he ranked at or above the 90th percentile in exit velocity, barrel rate, hard hit rate, and slugging percentage among all Division I hitters. He displays plus power with the consistent ability to show it to all fields. Playing this past summer with Falmouth in the Cape, Gaffney hit .276 with 29 hits. Gaffney primarily played first base for Purdue in 2024, displaying above-average defense as he only committed one error. It will be fun to follow his success with Clemson this year as he joins Cam Cannarella to bring stability to an already talented lineup, positioning them as one of the top preseason teams in the ACC.
PITCHERS
JAMIE ARNOLD, LHP - Florida state
Prospects Live Ranking - #5
Arguably the best left-handed pitcher in this year's college class, Jamie Arnold is set to guide Florida State to a second straight trip to Omaha. Arnold was the most dominant pitcher in the ACC not named Chase Burns, finishing top five in strikeouts (159), innings pitched (105.2), earned run average (2.98), and batting average against (.224). Arnold currently attains two plus pitches with a mid-90's sinker and sweepy slider that attacks hitters with his 4.5" release height. Believe it or not, the sinker plays better up in the zone while producing an average of 17" of arm-side run as well as a 31% whiff rate. The slider is devastating, producing one of the highest whiff rates among qualified starters at 41%, with an average horizontal break of 12 inches. Arnold occasionally throws a mid-80's changeup as a third offering but lacks command with the pitch. There is still plenty to value about Jamie, both in his abilities on the mound as well as his physical attributes, making him likely to be one of the first picks selected in the upcoming 2025 draft.
CAM LEITER, RHP - florida state
Prospects Live Ranking - #13
While only making seven starts for Florida State in 2024, there's a ton of fascination with Leiter. From a data standpoint, the arsenal is top tier. Starting off with his best pitch, the four-seam fastball. Leiter finished in the 99th percentile amongst all Division I for fastball velocity, throwing 63% of them for strikes. His main off-speed pitch is the curveball, having the ability to create impressive depth and held opponents to a .071 batting average last spring. He follows that up with an upper 80s slider that has a short shape but eventually became his go-to pitch for generating swings and misses. Leiter also possesses a changeup that he should arguably throw more but gives left-handed hitters something else to think about. Given his arsenal along with a whiff rate in the 98th percentile and a strikeout rate in the 99th percentile, Leiter has the potential to develop into a power starter for years to come. That said, it's important to mention that Leiter recently underwent shoulder surgery and is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming 2025 season.
MATT SCOTT, RHP - stanford
Prospects Live Ranking - #31
The lone Stanford Cardinal on this list, Matt Scott attains some of the most electric stuff in this draft class. Listed at 6’7 and 247 pounds, it’s immense aura on the mound. His pitch arsenal is highlighted by a mid-90s fastball, ranking in the 95th percentile in velocity amongst Division I, that produces a ton of induced vertical break. It’s been up to 98 and produces a ton of swing and miss when up in the zone. Scott’s main off-speed offering is the slider. It’s a plus pitch with some sweep as well as short depth, making it highly effective against right-handed hitters. Scott also throws a split-change with good tumbling action, achieving a 48% whiff rate against lefties in 2024. A member of the USA Collegiate National Team, Scott was very impressive holding opposing hitters to a .205 average while throwing 65% strikes. From a stuff and physicality standpoint, Scott has the ideal profile. Expect him to be the lead horse of a deep and talented Stanford pitching staff.
PATRICK FORBES, RHP - louisville
Prospects Live Ranking - #59
Patrick Forbes is another intriguing arm for the 2025 draft. Though only logging 29 innings for Louisville last spring, Forbes has premium arm strength on the mound. It’s no secret, he goes after hitters with his fastballs as he threw it 77% of the time in 2024. Forbes’s four-seam fastball is violent, ranking 97th percentile in velocity as well as the 98th percentile in spin rate amongst all Division I. It ranges from 92-95, topping out at 97, that generates both run and ride. Forbes also incorporates a two-seam fastball that gets more sink inducing weak contact and is tough for batters to get their barrel around. His best off-speed pitch is an upper 70’s slider, a plus offering that generates tremendous sweep. It’s one of the best sliders in the ACC, producing a 41% whiff rate and holding opposing hitters to a .143 average. Forbes also throws an upper 80’s changeup to lefties, though it’s not often and lacks consistency with the pitch. A member of the Brewster Whitecaps this past summer, he pitched just over 13 innings, recording 22 strikeouts and limiting hitters to a .167 batting average. Anticipate Forbes to step another step forward in 2025 that would make him a compelling name to follow for the 2025 draft.
