2025 Draft: Top 20 College Bats

With the 2025 MLB Pro Draft on the horizon, the college baseball landscape is brimming with dynamic position players poised to make their mark in professional ball. From polished, high-floor prospects to tools-rich athletes with massive upside, this year’s draft features a variety of college hitters capable of anchoring major-league lineups. In this deep-dive, we’ll break down the Top 20 College Position Players, blending advanced analytics with insider insight from scouts, college coaches, and MLB Pro insiders. Whether it’s raw power, plate discipline, or defensive versatility, these prospects bring something special to the table, offering both present impact and future potential.

1. Adam Fisher, LF, Villanova University

Insiders say Fisher is the college circuit’s most complete hitter, capable of handling every pitch in the zone. Scouts rave that he “owns the barrel,” and I’ve been told his 60-grade raw power will translate into 25–30 homers pro-level. College coaches rave about his polish—he’s a tireless film-study junkie who rarely gets fooled. “He’s not just another slugger—there’s approach here,” one scout told me, pointing to his 30 walks against only 23 strikeouts. Defensively, he’s an average-plus left fielder with steady reads and a fringy arm—but it’s his bat that makes teams salivate. Sources believe Fisher’s floor is a .280/20-HR regular, with a ceiling in the .300/.400/.600 range if he continues refining his approach.

2. Jamie McGrath, RF, Boston College

Scouts say McGrath’s barrel-speed is among the draft’s elite—he routinely drives baseballs out of the park with ease. I’ve been told that McGrath flashes 70-grade power from the right side and is far more disciplined than his 39 strikeouts suggest. Insiders note his swing plane doesn’t give away the fastball, and coaches rave about his ability to feast on off-speed stuff. “He’ll sit in the barrel half the time,” one Big League area scout said. Defensively, he’s a plus-arm right fielder with fringy range but reliable reads. His .385 OBP came despite a relatively modest eye grade, speaking to his natural feel. Sources believe his ultimate profile is a .260/.350/.550 bat with 30–35 homers and average corner-outfield defense.

3. Mitch Johns, 1B, University of Maryland

I’ve been told Johns boasts the most intimidating slugging line in college ball, pairing 75-grade raw pop with a patient left-yielder’s eye. Coaches rave that, despite playing first base only, he’s exceptional at barreling every fastball he sees. Scouts say his 23 walks and 26 strikeouts tell the story of a hitter ready for pro workloads. “He’s got Gold Glove reflexes at the bag, too,” a scout remarked, pointing to his 55-grade glove and solid footwork. With an OPS north of 1.000 and 15 round-trippers in just 181 at-bats, his floor is a middle-of-the-order force. Sources inside the league believe he can grow into a perennial 30-HR threat if he adds just a tick of bat speed.

4. Matthew Marchessaul, C, UConn

Scouts tell me Marchessaul is the draft’s most polished catcher behind the dish—he pairs a 60-grade glove/read package with above-average pop. I’ve been told his athleticism allows him to steal strikes and control the opposing running game. College coaches rave about his leadership; he’s the guy pitchers lean on in high-leverage spots. Offensively, he profiles as a plus-bat catcher—.393 OBP and .616 SLG underline that projection. “He’s got five-tool potential from behind the plate,” a big-league executive said. Sources believe he’ll be a defensive cornerstone with 15–20 homers a year, giving him one of the highest floors in this class.

5. Kasey Dearing, 1B, Texas A&M

Insiders say Dearing has one of the steadiest barrel-to-ball profiles you’ll find—he knows the zone and punishes mistakes. Scouts note his above-average eye (60) pairs nicely with 65-grade power, producing 13 homers in only 162 at-bats. College coaches rave about his maturity and approach, calling him “old-school” in his prep. He posted a .397 OBP despite limited speed, which speaks to his discipline. “He projects as a middle-of-the-order mash guy,” one area scout told me. His only real question is defensive versatility, but if the bat plays, teams won’t care if he only fields first base. His floor is a .270 hitter with 25–30 homers annually.

6. Cole Harrington, CF, University of Florida

Scouts say Harrington’s offensive polish masks a true five-tool skill set—he pairs legitimate pop with outstanding bat-to-ball ability. I’ve been told Florida’s staff loves his fearless approach in big spots. Although his 45-grade eye suggests some chase, his .385 OBP shows resilience. Defensively, he’s an average corner outfielder with solid reads and enough arm strength to stick in center in pro parks. College coaches rave that he’s the consummate competitor, never shying from high-leverage at-bats. “He’s the kind of guy who just finds ways to hit,” one insider told me. Sources project him as a .275 hitter with 20 homers and plus defense.

7. Adrian Vazquez, SS, Texas State University

I’ve been told Vazquez is the most advanced offensive shortstop in this class—he hit .314 with a .412 OBP and flashed 65-grade power. Scouts say his 65-grade eye makes him strikeout-averse in a draft class full of swing-and-missers. College coaches rave about his leadership in the infield and soft hands at short. “He could easily stick at the position and provide big-league offense,” one area scout noted. Sources believe his floor is a .270/.350/.500 hitter with 20 homers, and his upside could mirror a .290/.380/.550 regular. His combination of tools and production makes him a 1–1 candidate.

8. Landon Holloway, 2B, University of Louisville

Scouts say Holloway’s balanced profile is hard to find—60-grade bat speed, plus-plus in-field actions, and legitimate double-play pivot skills. I’ve been told he’s a switch-hitter, too, making his value even higher. College coaches rave about his baseball instincts and ability to handle the bat from both sides. He walked 26 times but struck out only 27 times, showing an uncommon feel for the strike zone. Fielding scouts peg him as a future Gold Glover up the middle. “He’s a table-setter who can also drive in runs,” an insider told me. He profiles as a .275/.350/.500 everyday second baseman.

9. Blake Knapp, RF, UCLA

Scouts say Knapp brings one of the best combos of power and arm strength in the class—65-grade MD pop and a 65-grade right-field arm. I’ve been told he’s UCLA’s secret weapon, clutching big homers in Pac-12 rivalry games. College coaches rave about his consistent approach, which produced a .386 OBP despite heavy tape-measure shots. He logged only 33 strikeouts against 35 walks, underscoring his bat-to-ball savvy. Defensively, he’s a plus-glove corner outfielder with fringe speed. “He’s a plug-and-play right fielder,” a scout told me. Sources project 25–30 homers a year with average to above-average defense.

10. Blake Lewis, C, University of Arizona

Insiders say Lewis is the bat-first catcher every organization covets—.310/.387/.589 from a defensively average behind-the-plate prospect. Scouts note his subtle batting-eye improvements saw him lower strikeouts to 31 while walking 22. College coaches rave that he treats catching as a second thought, focusing his energy on launch angles and exit velocity. “His defensive work still needs polish,” one scout admitted, citing a 25-grade glove—but his bat profiles as an everyday starter. Sources believe he can stick behind the plate long enough to deliver 15–20 homers annually. His ceiling fits a top-tier backstop archetype.

11. Kevin Sweeney, 1B, Northwestern University

Scouts say Sweeney has one of the best batting eyes in college ball—a true 65-grade discipline tool. I’ve been told his strikeout rate dipped below 30 despite swinging big sticks, powering 13 homers. College coaches rave about his on-base prowess; he ran a .405 OBP despite modest power marks. “He just keeps the line moving,” one insider told me. While his defensive positional fit is limited, sources believe first base or DH roles will open for him. There’s real 30/100 potential in his bat, making him a top-15 lock in many draft boards.

12. Justin Oakes, 2B, Colorado Northwestern CC

I’ve been told Oakes has the most pro-ready bat in JUCO ranks—.313/.396/.566 against top junior-college arms. Scouts rave about his 60-grade eye, which fueled 26 walks versus only 20 strikeouts. College coaches say he’s a high-IQ hitter who adjusts on the fly, with an exceptional ability to spray line drives. Though his power grade (50) isn’t elite, he shows more pop than a typical second baseman. Defensively, he’s solid—with 55-grade glove and average range. Insiders project him as a double-play-capable infielder with a .270/.350/.500 floor and center-of-the-order upside in the minors.

13. Alex Gray, SS, UNLV

Scouts say Gray has the best pure bat-to-ball package among shortstops—60-grade contact and a 60-grade eye. I’ve been told he rarely chases junk, walking 30 times against only 40 strikeouts. College coaches rave about his smooth in-field actions and easy arm, giving him a high probability to stick at short. “He might be the safest middle-infield projection in the class,” one area scout noted. His 14 homers and .400 OBP underscore his offensive polish. Sources believe his floor is a .275/.350/.450 regular with Gold Glove range.

14. Mason Rhodes, 2B, Arizona State University

Scouts say Rhodes is a classic middle-infielder with sneaky power—he’s tapped 60-grade bat speed and a 55-grade eye. I’ve been told he’s comfortable batting in any spot, controlling the zone with mid-to-low-90s exit velocities. College coaches rave that he handles the pivot with twitchy hands and plenty of arm strength. His .382 OBP came with only 22 walks, showing assertiveness in counts. “He’s a do-everything double-play man,” an insider said. Sources project him as a .270 hitter with 15–20 homers and plus infield defense.

15. Brenden Connolly, RF, Atlantic Baptist

I’ve been told Connolly is the sleeper of this class—a high-output bat who somehow flies under the radar. Scouts note his ridiculous contact rate (39 strikeouts in 220 at-bats) and 15 homers speak to his gap-to-gap juice. His 40-grade eye suggests he’ll need to refine his approach, but coaches rave that his natural feel carries him. He’s a fringy defender in right but makes up for it with positional versatility. “He’s one of those guys who just racks up hits,” an area scout told me. Sources believe he profiles as a .300 hitter with 20 homers in a corner-outfield role.

16. Joey Avila, CF, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi

Scouts say Avila’s combination of a plus-bat and 75-grade speed is rare—he’s one of the few college hitters who can chase 20 homers and swipe 30 bases. I’ve been told he’s a true table-setter who can also clear the fences. College coaches rave about his instincts on the bases and ability to turn singles into doubles. His .372 OBP speaks to advanced pitch recognition despite only a 55-grade eye. Defensively, he profiles as a plus-center fielder. Sources believe his floor is a .270 hitter with 15–20 homers and 25–30 steals annually—a prototypical top-20 talent.

17. Jacob Silver, 1B, Ole Miss

Scouts say Silver’s biggest asset is his catch-and-drive approach—he rarely hacks, but when he does, look out. I’ve been told his 20 homers came without the biggest swing, making his power projection intriguing. College coaches rave that his athleticism (60 speed) allows him to leg out extra bases and cover first well. His .368 OBP masks an aggressive approach, but scouts believe he’ll learn to draw more walks pro-level. “He can be a middle-of-the-order weapon with sneaky range,” one insider said. Sources project him as a 20/20 (homers/steals) type with average defense at first.

18. Darren Clark, RF, Wake Forest University

Scouts say Clark’s hit tools are more advanced than his counting stats suggest—he battled nagging injuries early before going on a tear. I’ve been told his approach at the plate improved drastically in conference play, driving his OBP to .383. College coaches rave about his ability to adjust on the fly, turning off-speed pitches into doubles. Defensively, he’s a fringe right fielder with average reads but enough arm strength to stick. “He’s a real secondary-stave candidate who could push for everyday at-bats,” an insider said. Sources believe he’ll profile as a .275 hitter with 18–20 homers and average corner defense.

19. PJ Morlando, LF, University of South Carolina

Insiders say Morlando’s left-field arm and speed combo (63) make him a gamer—he covers ground and still throws lasers. Scouts note his 65-grade power showed up in 19 homers and an .548 SLG. I’ve been told his swing-and-miss is minimal, with only 52 strikeouts in 279 at-bats despite chasing power. College coaches rave that he’s a vocal leader, hustling on every play. “He’s a top-10 kind of bat with top-15 physical tools,” one area scout noted. Sources project him as a .280 hitter with 20–25 homers and plus defense in left.

20. Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State University

Scouts say Arquette is the under-the-radar athlete with sneaky pop—16 homers break his .280 average. I’ve been told his 61-grade speed makes him a threat on the bases and a potential plus defender up the middle. College coaches rave that he’s all-in every day, the kind of glue guy every club covets. His .357 OBP and moderate strikeout rate show he can handle advanced pitching. “He might slip through Round 1, but he’s a Round 2 steal,” one insider predicted. Sources believe his floor is a utility-type with 10–12 homers, but his ceiling could be a 15/20 regular with average defense.