12 best MLB prospects to follow in the 2025 College World Series

College Baseball: A Pathway to the Pros

While it might not be formally recognized, college baseball serves as a vital farm system for Major League Baseball. Each year, high school players can be drafted directly, but the majority of those chosen often find themselves playing at the college level first.

During the 2024 MLB draft, it was evident where the talent lies—eight of the top picks were college players, and 26 out of 39 first-round selections had spent over two years in college. Major league teams are eager to find top prospects and, by doing so, some have already made the jump to the big leagues.

The upcoming College World Series, which kicks off Friday at Charles Schwabfield in Omaha, promises to showcase an abundance of future professional talent. Last year’s series featured several players projected to be high draft picks.

If you’re curious about which players to watch, especially if you’re an avid supporter of a particular MLB team, here’s a look at some prospects to keep an eye on:

LSU LHP Kade Anderson: MLB.com ranks him as the third-best prospect for the 2025 draft, while Baseball America places him sixth. Anderson, who will turn 21 shortly after the July draft, has established himself as one of the top college pitchers, striking out 163 batters in 103 innings.

Oregon SS Aiva Arquette: After transferring from Washington last summer, Arquette became a key player, boasting a .354 batting average, with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs.

Arizona’s Brendan Summerhill: Although injuries sidelined him for part of the season, his plate discipline remained strong, recording only 21 strikeouts against 36 walks over 197 innings.

Arkansas SS Wehiwa Aloy: A finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, Aloy is hitting .348 with 20 home runs and 64 RBIs, despite making five errors on the field.

Louisville RHP Patrick Forbes: Known for his high strikeout rate, Forbes averages 14.6 strikeouts per nine innings; however, he often struggles to pitch deep into games, averaging less than five innings per start.

Coastal Carolina C Caden Bodine: Regarded as one of the top catching prospects, Bodine excels in getting on base at a .466 rate.

Arkansas LHP Zack Route: As a Friday night starter, Route has shown consistent performance, allowing one or fewer earned runs in several games.

Arkansas’ Charles D’Avalan: A model leadoff hitter, D’Avalan combines power and speed, hitting 14 home runs while successfully stealing 9 bases out of 12 attempts.

Arkansas RHP Gauge Wood: After a shoulder injury kept him sidelined for nearly eight weeks, Wood bounced back impressively, recording 13 strikeouts in the regional final.

LSU RHP Anthony Eyenson: With a solid foundation from two years at UC-San Diego, Eyenson has excelled in the SEC, posting an impressive 11-2 record with a 2.74 ERA.

LSU 2B Daniel Dickinson: Once relatively unknown, Dickinson has made his mark in Baton Rouge, showcasing skills both at bat (.312 average, 12 home runs, 48 RBIs) and in the field.

Gavin Tarley, Oregon: A standout among recent professional talent, Tarley leads with 52 home runs and 186 RBIs over three seasons.