NCAA Stars to Look for in the 2025 MLB Draft
The 2025 college baseball season may have come to a close, but that doesn’t mean all of those athletes are hanging up their helmets and cleats quite yet. For many, the end of their college careers is just the beginning. With the MLB draft looming less than a month away, baseball is still the one thing on their minds. Let's break down some of the NCAA’s best and top prospects for the 2025 MLB Draft.
Kade Anderson
Kade Anderson of LSU looks to be the Tigers’ third consecutive pitcher to be selected in the first two rounds of the MLB draft. He’ll be following in the footsteps of LSU legend and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. In SEC play alone this past season, Anderson put up a 30.6% strikeout-minus-walk percentage. His two breaking balls and change-up are dangerous and could benefit the arsenal of many MLB teams looking to expand their bullpen talent.
Liam Doyle
Liam Doyle made his way across many teams during his time in the NCAA before landing at Tennessee. Doyle is another pitcher that could benefit the bullpen of multiple MLB teams who have struggled with young, injured, or poorly performing bullpens during the 2025 season. He did struggle in conference play against many SEC offenses, but his performance in his opening few games of the 2025 collegiate season stands out. He had 47 total strikeouts in just four starts.
Aiva Arquette
The shortstop from Oregon State, Aiva Arquette, looks a little odd at the shortstop position. Standing at six foot five, Arquette towers over most shortstops in both the NCAA and the MLB. His height and arm talent will make him an ideal third-base prospect. Not only is his height and defensive talent key to his performance, but his offensive game has also been noteworthy this season. In 2025, he produced a new career high in home runs.
Luke Stevenson
The young Tar Heel Luke Stevenson has been detrimental to his team’s success this past season. Not only has Stevenson been one of the best catchers in the NCAA, but he also stepped up and became a key leader for this team. A trip to Omaha and a slightly stronger batting average may have made his 2025 performance look more appealing to these professional programs. However, say what you want about Stevenson’s offensive performance, his defense excels. He also serves as a great leader, never failing to connect with whoever is on the mound in front of him.
Honorable Mentions: Jake Knapp & Kyson Witherspoon
Oklahoma’s Kyson Witherspoon had a stand-out year as far as Sooners pitchers go. His fastball reaches the upper 90s, and his strikeout and walk percentage have dropped dramatically since the 2024 season. UNC’s Jake Knapp is a force to be reckoned with. It’s hard to find an ace in college ball who can last all nine innings and perform the same in the seventh as he did in the first. Knapp finished the 2025 season without recording a single loss, a perfect 14-0 record.
