That is David’s first piece as a FanGraphs prospect contributor. He’s from Northwest Indiana and is presently pursuing a grasp’s diploma in Statistics at Indiana College. He beforehand wrote for Down on the Farm, and has given talks on the SABR Analytics Convention and Saberseminar.
Earlier in the present day, Eric Longenhagen launched his 2025 Draft Board, highlighting the highest draft prospects on this 12 months’s class. On this piece, I wish to look a bit additional into the longer term and deal with a few of the school underclassmen you’ll wish to regulate this 12 months. I chosen a pitcher and a hitter from every of the Energy 4 conferences, together with two non-Energy 4 underclassmen and one distinctive true freshman. In fact, there’s much more expertise in these conferences than simply the fellows I’ve listed right here, however this could provide you with some thought of the gamers to observe over the subsequent couple of seasons.
ACC
Drew Burress, CF, Georgia Tech
Burress hit .381/.512/.821 with 25 house runs in 58 video games as a freshman at Georgia Tech final 12 months. At a stocky 5-foot-9, he doesn’t essentially look the half, however in case you look previous his measurement, there aren’t many holes in his recreation. He doesn’t whiff a lot, he doesn’t chase a lot, and he has plus energy that he will get to in video games as a result of a swing path that lets him elevate the ball. Burress is free within the field and has an attention-grabbing stance, along with his bat pointed in the direction of the bottom and his lead elbow pointed excessive within the air. There’s size to the swing at occasions, however he’s proven the power to get the bat on the ball wherever it’s pitched. Defensively, Burress spent all 58 video games in middle area final season. His really feel for the place continues to be growing, however there’s a stable underlying basis right here due to his above-average pace. General, he’s the entrance runner to be the no. 1 total decide in 2026 as somebody who performs a premium place with a well-rounded offensive profile.
Joey Volchko, RHP, Stanford
Ranked no. 59 on our 2023 Draft Board, Volchko had a powerful dedication to Stanford and went undrafted in consequence. As a freshman, he threw 42.2 innings with a 5.70 ERA and confirmed explosive however wild stuff (53 strikeouts, 38 walks). A powerful presence on the mound, Volchko averages 96 mph along with his fastball and pairs it with an upper-80s slider that tops out at 92. His fastball is an above-average pitch with first rate carry that is available in from a steeper angle, however his slider is one of the best pitch in his arsenal. It has a downer form with exhausting, late chew, and he recorded a 52% whiff fee with it. The arsenal is missing in one thing softer; Volchko has proven flashes of a curveball and a changeup, however his really feel for these pitches continues to be growing. Given the aggressive nature of the supply and his below-average current command, there may be appreciable aid threat right here. Nonetheless, that is a few of the loudest stuff within the class, and even with the aid threat, Volchko seems to be like a primary spherical arm.
Large Ten
Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
Cholowsky is without doubt one of the extra well-rounded gamers in school baseball proper now. His shortstop protection was his calling card as a excessive schooler, and whereas he spent his freshman 12 months at UCLA taking part in third base, Cholowsky would be the Bruins’ beginning shortstop this 12 months. Transitioning again to quick gained’t be a difficulty; Cholowsky confirmed a plus arm and wonderful really feel for the place within the Cape Cod League final summer season. His offensive profile can be spectacular, with no evident flaws. His whiff fee was round 20% final season, whereas his chase fee was a barely greater 26%, and he recorded above-average exit velocities. However Cholowsky additionally hit quite a lot of balls within the filth, with a GB/FB fee close to 2.00, so he’ll want to determine the right way to elevate the ball a bit extra. Visually, it’s a really prime hand dominant swing and Cholowsky seems to wrestle towards pitches up and in; certainly, his whiff fee was highest towards these pitches (about 30%). However his whiff fee towards pitches 93 mph and better held fixed at 20%, indicating that he can catch as much as huge league velocity. Cholowsky checks the entire bins and is more likely to be a prime 15 decide in 2026.
Justin Lee, RHP, UCLA
It was a rocky freshman 12 months for Lee at UCLA, as he recorded a 7.55 ERA in 39.1 innings of aid. Nonetheless, he confirmed enchancment because the season went on, and he lowered his ERA to 4.74 on the Cape this previous summer season. Lee has a tall, lean body, standing 6-foot-3, 200 kilos, and he will get attention-grabbing motion on each of his pitches. His fastball averages 92 mph with above-average carry, and he enhances it with a 12-6 curveball that has depth and chew. Lee presently has restricted command over his arsenal, significantly his curveball. He’s more likely to work out of the bullpen this 12 months, however he has starter potential and is somebody to observe this spring.
Large 12
Dominic Voegele, RHP, Kansas
Voegele was drafted within the twentieth spherical by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023, however opted to go to Kansas as an alternative. He earned a spot within the weekend rotation as a freshman, beginning 15 video games and recording a 3.89 ERA with 80 strikeouts and 29 walks in 81 innings. Voegele is a basic pitchability arm. His stuff isn’t overpowering, however he has wonderful really feel for his fastball/sweeper arsenal and is answerable for the sport when he’s on the mound. His command and present two-pitch combine present a powerful basis, and will probably be attention-grabbing to see if he can additional develop his curveball and changeup to present him a deeper arsenal to work with. Voegele is the Friday night time starter for Kansas this 12 months and needs to be within the operating for Large 12 Pitcher of the 12 months.
Chase Brunson, CF, TCU
Drafted within the 18th spherical by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023, Brunson hit .291/.390/.426 in 177 plate appearances as a freshman. His carrying software proper now’s his really feel for contact; he had a 15% whiff fee final 12 months, and confirmed he can hit fastballs and breaking balls equally properly. Brunson’s uncooked energy is a tick above common, however he wasn’t in a position to capitalize on it as a result of his excessive groundball fee. His swing is a bit clunky, however there may be loads of time for him to discover ways to elevate the ball higher and easy issues out. Defensively, he exhibits first rate vary in middle with a median arm. Brunson has an odd gait however nonetheless data above-average run occasions. At 6-foot-3 and 200 kilos, he’s on the bigger facet for middle area and would possibly find yourself in an outfield nook, however for now, he can maintain his personal in middle. Relying on the precise timing of the 2026 draft, he would possibly find yourself getting drafted on his birthday (he was born on July 7), which might be enjoyable. Brunson ought to anchor the Horned Frogs’ lineup this 12 months and subsequent, and can probably be a primary spherical decide.
SEC
Gavin Grahovac, 3B, Texas A&M
Grahovac performed in 67 video games as a real freshman, slashing .298/.390/.597 with 23 homers. After head coach Jim Schlossnagle left for Texas, Grahovac entered the switch portal, however finally determined to remain at Texas A&M. Energy is the third baseman’s calling card. He has comfortably plus exit velocities and lifts the ball with ease, permitting him to make the most of all of that thump. There are query marks relating to the remainder of his profile, nevertheless. He doesn’t have the bat-to-ball expertise to get away with chasing as a lot as he does (a difficulty that confirmed up in his 29% strikeout fee final 12 months), and his swing will get lengthy, contributing to his whiff issues. Defensively, Grahovac has above-average arm power, however is under common in every single place else. He’s restricted range-wise and his palms are under common. He makes a pleasant play right here and there, however contemplating his body and present expertise, it feels extra probably than not that he must shift to both first base or a nook outfield spot. If Grahovac dials in his strategy and may minimize his whiff fee by only a couple share factors, he’ll be chosen within the prime half of the primary spherical in 2026.
Gabe Gaeckle, RHP, Arkansas
Drafted by the Reds within the twentieth spherical of the 2023 draft, Gaeckle opted to go to Arkansas as an alternative. He was lights out as a reliever final 12 months, recording a 2.32 ERA with seven saves in 42.2 innings of labor. He enters this season because the Razorbacks’ Friday night time starter, and he may very properly find yourself being the SEC Pitcher of the 12 months. Gaeckle has a four-pitch combine, primarily utilizing his fastball and slider, although he does throw each his curveball and changeup round 10% of the time. His fastball sits within the mid-90s and generates whiffs up within the zone as a result of a mixture of plus vertical motion and a deep again leg load that permits Gaeckle to get a flat strategy angle on the pitch. His offspeed stuff is vertically oriented. His slider sits within the mid-80s with first rate chew and downer form, whereas his 12-6 curveball has extra depth. The form of each pitches wants refinement, as they will get a bit mushy, however he can throw each of them for strikes and so they venture to be above common. Gaeckle rounds out his arsenal with a changeup that is available in a bit tougher (86-88 mph) and has some fade. General, Gaeckle has a powerful basis, with a deep pitch combine and above-average command. He tasks as a no. 3 starter proper now and figures to be a prime 15 decide subsequent 12 months.
Mid Majors
Caden Bogenpohl, CF, Missouri State
Bogenpohl had draft curiosity popping out of highschool, however ended up at Missouri State, one of many strongest mid majors within the nation. Bogenpohl is a 6-foot-6, 240 pound middle fielder who runs properly sufficient that he’s projected to stay there. He enhances his pace with 70 grade uncooked energy; he launched 20 house runs final 12 months as a freshman. That mentioned, his profile options quite a lot of swing-and-miss. He ran a 37% whiff fee final 12 months with out chasing greater than common, indicating that these points aren’t as a result of him chasing a lot as they’re a results of his really feel for contact being poor. That really feel for contact could by no means develop, however his athleticism and uncooked energy are too sturdy to miss, and Bogenpohl may simply be a primary rounder subsequent 12 months.
Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
Flukey has a prototypical pitcher’s body, standing a lean 6-foot-6 with lengthy limbs. He has an extended arm swing, however he’s sleek on the mound and repeats his supply properly, which you don’t all the time see with pitchers of this measurement and age. His fastball was within the 92-95 mph vary final 12 months, with life up within the zone. Regardless of his peak, he will get a flatter airplane on his fastball than you would possibly anticipate as a result of his plus extension. Flukey pairs his fastball with two vertical breaking balls, a gyro slider and a 12-6 curveball. His slider is the extra continuously used of the 2 pitches and has late, tight break; Flukey posted a 48% whiff fee on the pitch. His curveball is fairly crazy for the time being. It has depth, however he doesn’t have a lot really feel for it at current and it’s straightforward to detect out of the hand. Flukey frolicked each within the ‘pen and as a starter final 12 months, totaling 55 innings in 19 appearances (10 begins), however he needs to be a full-time starter this season. Tremendous projectable, he may very properly be the primary school pitcher taken in 2026.
Freshman to Watch
Rintaro Sasaki, 1B, Stanford
The gamers listed above have all performed one 12 months in school and will likely be eligible for the draft as juniors, however I wished to focus on one true freshman as a result of his distinctive scenario might need broader implications for Japanese baseball. Rintaro Sasaki hit 140 house runs at Hanamaki Higashi Excessive College (the identical highschool that Shohei Ohtani went to) and appeared set to be the no. 1 decide within the NPB draft. As a substitute, he opted to forgo taking part in baseball professionally in Japan with a purpose to play school ball for the Stanford Cardinal. Sasaki is a primary base-only prospect, so there’s a lot driving on his bat, however he has already proven that he has huge uncooked energy, hitting seven homers between the MLB Draft League and the Appalachian League final summer season. It’s exhausting to say how his resolution will have an effect on different Japanese excessive schoolers sooner or later, however regardless, he’s an thrilling prospect who needs to be enjoyable to observe this spring. Sasaki will likely be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2026.