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College Baseball Top 25 and MLB Draft Prospects ⏭️⚾️

Our preseason College Top 25 and MLB Draft Boards headline our first college baseball newsletter.

The smell of baseball is in the air as it is February, and we are approaching the 2025 College Baseball season! That means it is time to take a look at the top college teams and players you should be watch this year.

This is the first edition of our college baseball and MLB Draft newsletter, which will focus on bringing the latest news and analysis from across college baseball, updates on some of the top MLB Draft prospects, live video, and updated rankings throughout the season.

Let’s take a look into the top 25 college teams, preseason All-Americans, and our NEW 2025 MLB Draft rankings for both college and high school.

College Baseball Preseason Top 25

Just Baseball has released its FIRST Preseason Top 25 Rankings, highlighting the teams to watch this year. Our writers carefully assessed the top programs heading into the season, combining returning talent, recruiting classes, transfer classes, and fall live looks to determine the order.

  • Top-Ranked Team: Texas A&M claims the No. 1 spot, boasting a potent lineup led by outfielder Jace LaViolette, a potential first-overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The Aggies also feature standout third baseman Gavin Grahovac and a deep pitching staff, positioning them as early favorites to make a deep postseason run.

  • Defending Champions: Tennessee, last year's national champions, are ranked No. 2. Despite significant player losses to the MLB Draft, they remain strong with key returners like shortstop Dean Curley and a formidable pitching rotation. Head coach Tony Vitello’s squad will look to defend their title in what promises to be a highly competitive SEC race.

  • Virginia's Rise: Virginia secures the No. 3 position, featuring top MLB Draft prospects such as first baseman/outfielder Henry Ford and second baseman Henry Godbout. The Cavaliers have a well-rounded roster with strong veteran leadership and a lineup capable of producing runs in bunches, making them a dangerous contender for Omaha.

  • SEC Dominance: The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads with 11 teams in the Top 25, underscoring its competitive strength in college baseball. Programs like LSU, Florida, and Arkansas add to the league’s depth, ensuring that the road to the College World Series could once again run through the SEC

Just Baseball Trivia of the Week

Our newsletter will have a trivia question every week to test and expand the baseball knowledge of our subscribers! The answer to the weekly trivia question will be at the bottom of the newsletter each week.

Which team has the most College World Series Championships in the past 20 years?

A) LSU

B) Oregon State

C) Texas

D) Tennessee

2025 Preseason Collegiate All-American Teams

Just Baseball unveiled its inaugural Preseason Collegiate All-American teams, highlighting the nation's top talent. With a mix of elite draft prospects and rising stars, this list showcases the players expected to make the biggest impact on the college baseball landscape this season.

  • Leading Programs: Texas A&M, Virginia, and LSU each have four players honored, reinforcing their status as powerhouse programs. Texas A&M leads with three first-team selections: outfielder Jace LaViolette, third baseman Gavin Grahovac, and left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager, all of whom will play crucial roles in the Aggies’ national title pursuit. Virginia and LSU also feature a strong mix of returning veterans and high-upside talent, giving them the depth to compete on the biggest stage.

  • Top-Ranked Players: Jace LaViolette, ranked as the No. 1 overall college MLB draft prospect, headlines the first team alongside Virginia’s first baseman/outfielder Henry Ford and second baseman Henry Godbout. LaViolette brings elite power, while Godbout showcases strong bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility. Their presence on this list signals that they are not only premier college players but also future impact prospects at the professional level.

  • Diverse Talent Pool: The All-American teams feature a mix of seasoned juniors and impactful sophomores, reflecting the depth and competitiveness anticipated this season. While upperclassmen provide experience and leadership, several underclassmen are poised to make an immediate impact. The presence of draft-eligible sophomores adds intrigue, as some of the sport’s most dynamic players are still developing but already making waves.

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Top MLB Draft Prospects

We are beyond excited to unveil a brand-new era here at Just Baseball wit ha MLB Draft team focused on bringing you plenty of live looks, industry information, and extensive coverage as we creep toward the MLB Draft.

To kickstart our rankings, we unveiled two separate lists to highlight the top 80 players in both college and high school ranks.

College Baseball Big Board

The 2025 college draft class isn’t the strongest, especially when it comes to hitting, as many top bats have questions surrounding their overall hit tool. However, the pitching talent stands out, led by Jamie Arnold and Tyler Bremner as the clear top arms.

This spring will be crucial in determining how the hitters develop, particularly among the top 10 prospects. Adding to the intrigue, some draft-eligible sophomores could end up outshining the junior class.

  • Top Prospect: Outfielder Jace LaViolette from Texas A&M holds the No. 1 spot. Standing at 6'6" and 230 pounds, LaViolette is a powerful left-handed hitter with 50 collegiate home runs, showcasing exceptional power and plate discipline.

  • Leading Pitchers: Left-handed pitcher Jamie Arnold from Florida State and right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremner from UC Santa Barbara are ranked second and third, respectively. Arnold had a breakout 2024 season with a 2.98 ERA and 159 strikeouts over 105.2 innings, while Bremner has impressed scouts with his command and pitch repertoire.

High School Baseball Big Board

The 2025 high school draft class is stronger than last year’s, but there are still key questions at the top. Ethan Holliday and Xavier Neyens will need strong spring performances, while Eli Willits and Cameron Appenzeller have surged.

  • Top Prospects: Shortstop Eli Willits and left-handed pitcher Cameron Appenzeller have risen to the top of the rankings after impressive summer performances, showcasing their potential as leading talents in this year's draft class.

  • Notable Players: Third baseman Ethan Holliday and third baseman Xavier Neyens, despite subpar summers, remain highly regarded and are expected to have significant spring seasons to solidify their draft standings.

  • Class Overview: The 2025 high school draft class is considered stronger than the previous year, though questions persist at the top. The upcoming season will be crucial for these prospects to demonstrate their abilities and address any concerns.

Trivia Answer: B) Oregon State

With championships in 2006, 2007, and 2018, Oregon State is the only collegiate team to win it all three times in the past 20 years of college baseball.

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