With less than a month before the Major League Baseball’s player selection, almost all eligible players who are set to be drafted have wrapped up their amateur playing careers. The upcoming 2025 College World Series serves as the last stage for some lucky players who are anticipated to have their names announced early on the night of the draft. The College World Series will probably be advantageous for their standing, regardless of the fact that most relevant data on the players is already gathered. As the elimination phase begins in Omaha, let’s take a look at eight players who have the potential to be drafted from the last eight teams in college baseball.
Aiva Arquette, the shortstop from Oregon State, is one such player. The Beavers, with Arquette, have the potential to reach the deep stages of the series in Omaha. On the contrary, Arquette might not have to wait long on the draft night, given his impressive stature and equally commendable performance. Recent draft predictions have supposedly included him in the group of players considered for the first pick. If not first, he isn’t expected to drop below the top three.
Arquette said goodbye to Corvallis with a bang: he made 14 hits out of 36 attempts (.389) in the regional and super-regional playoffs. His team, the Beavers, emerged victorious from decisive matches in both of these stages. Arquette’s strong physical presence belies a smoothness in fielding and a package of offensive skills. His season stats include a .354 average, 18 home runs, and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.124.
Then we come to Wehiwa Aloy; another shortstop based out of Arkansas. Should the Beavers and Razorbacks advance to the championship series, it would set up a unique matchup between two Hawaii-born shortstops. While Aloy may not be considered in the draft’s top 10, he nonetheless held his own against Arquette. He, too, posed an impressive stature and was a force to reckon with, notching up 20 home runs for the Razorbacks.
Named the SEC player of the year, Aloy has demonstrated his prowess on the field this season, with extraordinary arm strength and minimal errors. His season showed consistency and skill, making him a likely candidate for the early parts of the first round. Among the left-handed pitchers (LHP), LSU’s Kade Anderson stands out. Despite having a height that would appear modest for a power pitcher, he comes in second in the nation with an astonishing 163 strikeouts in 103 innings.
Meeting Anderson from the opposite corner is another LHP from Arkansas, Zach Root. His season performances have been stellar, giving up just a single hit in seven innings against Tennessee in the super regional, and allowing only one run in 13 postseason innings. Root’s physique may seem more substantial than his listed measurements but he can ramp his fastball up to a blistering 97 mph. His repertoire also includes a changeup and curveball that many consider being pro-ready.
Another stand-out shortstop is Mason White from Arizona. The Wildcat legacy continues with White as he’s a third-generation player from the university. He has forged his own path, making a name for himself with his two-run single that helped Arizona edge out North Carolina in a nail-biting super regional game. With his successful season, White hopes to secure a place in the draft on the first day itself.
At 5-11 and 180 pounds, White serves as the linchpin for the Wildcats and has significantly reduced his strikeout rate from 30.5% to 21.2% this season. His 19 home runs equaled his sophomore year tally, demonstrating his progress. Another promising talent is right-handed pitcher Jacob Morrison from Coastal Carolina. He played a crucial role in their successful season and was instrumental in eliminating Auburn, throwing six innings allowing just one run.
With his towering 6-8 stature, Morrison has a presence on the mound that’s hard to miss. His height helps him generate weaker contact from hitters, reflected in his sixth rank in the nation with a 2.15 ERA. On a different note, we find LSU’s Daniel Dickinson who sets a delightful aura on the field. The second baseman posted impressive numbers having recently transferred from Utah Valley.
Although Dickinson had a late start, the 6-foot player has risen to prominence and showcases his batting skill from the third position. He’s known for his dependable contact-making ability, as witnessed in his 39 walks to just 36 strikeouts across 286 plate appearances this season. Last but not least, Payton Brennan from UCLA has had an impressive postseason with a .304/.384/.500 slash line and 11 steals to his name.
Despite having few draft-eligible stars, the UCLA Bruins have demonstrated strength in their regional games. Brennan, particularly, stands out as a third-year sophomore with 12 hits from 24 postseason at-bats. Overall, this year’s College World Series offers a mixture of phenomenal talent, all vying to leave their mark. While the main focus will be the game, you can’t help but keep an eye out for those who might rise to the top in the upcoming MLB draft.