The Ultimate NJCAA D1 JUCO World Series Preview

May 21, 2025

The Junior College World Series gets underway Saturday, and for those of us who went the JUCO route, this time of year always hits different.

I played at Cypress College in California, a perennial powerhouse in the JUCO ranks. We’ve got our own title to chase and don’t head to Grand Junction, but we still hear the stories. And for those who’ve been there, it’s unforgettable. Between the elevation, the crowd noise, the bracket quirks, and the emotion that builds every pitch, Grand Junction is baseball’s hidden gem; the game in its rawest, most unapologetic form.

At Future Stars Series, JUCO roots run deep. Most of our staff — scouts, coaches, and player development voices — went the JUCO route. We’ve lived it. We’ve scouted it. We’ve coached it. And more than anything, we respect the hell out of what it takes to survive and thrive in this corner of the sport.

Junior college baseball is in a bit of a renaissance right now. With the changing landscape of Division I — roster crunches, the transfer portal, NIL — more and more high-end high school talent is turning to JUCOs as a launchpad.

That’s good news for the game. You’re getting a deeper, more competitive pool, full of players with pro-level tools, DI polish, and DI hunger — but in a JUCO jersey. The “Land of Misfit Toys” is no longer a castoff league. It’s a breeding ground.

To dig in on this year’s Grand Junction field, I called on our college coordinator and San Jacinto assistant coach Kory Koehler. He’s seen these teams up close and helped shape the 2025 JUCO World Series selection committee. After taking it all in, here’s how the bracket shakes out, plus a scouting lens and my predictions.

Appalachian District

Walters State (TN) — 55-6-1

Overview
A perennial juggernaut with elite depth on the mound and a mature lineup. Built for the postseason.

Key Strengths
Rotation depth, defensive execution, and championship experience.

Prospect to Watch
Infielder Tyler Myatt is a standout player who has been recognized for his performance. Earlier this season, he was named the NJCAA DI Baseball Player of the Week when he went 10-15 at the plate, crushed four home runs, and drove in 13. He was also named the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) Baseball Player of the Year with a .497/.592/1.031 slash, including 29 home runs and 104 RBI.

Notable
Among the most consistent programs in JUCO baseball.

Koehler Says
“Walters State is built for GJ — they know how to manage the environment and thrive under pressure.”

East District

Florence-Darlington Tech (SC) — 51-10

Overview
Powered by an electric offense and aggressive baserunning. The Stingers have climbed steadily into national relevance.

Key Strengths
BP, speed, and depth through the lineup.

Prospect to Watch
Right-hander Mike Joyce is the Region X Pitcher of the Year, and he led the pitching staff with 77 1/3 innings, 72 strikeouts, and a 2.56 ERA in 15 appearances.

X-Factor
Ability to create runs with small ball.

Koehler Says
“Big-time non-conference schedule. They’ll compete, but GJ experience could be a hurdle.”

Mid-South District

Blinn College (TX) — 45-13

Overview
Tough and physical, Blinn knocked off San Jac and returns to defend its 2024 national title.

Key Strengths
Power bats, big-game experience, and an ace to anchor.

Prospect to Watch
Ethan Gonzalez, C: It’s a catch-and-throw package with feel to hit. Built like a young Pudge Rodriguez.

Legacy
Dusty Hart has this program rolling.

Koehler Says
“Future HOF skipper. This team plays a brutal schedule and knows how to win in GJ.”

Midwest District

Lake Land (IL) – 42-19

Overview
Huge upset over Iowa Western. Playing confident, hungry baseball.

Key Strengths
Scrappy bullpen, clutch hitting.

Prospect to Watch
Drew DuPont, OF: power bat similar to Brian Giles. Feel to hit, and might end up in the WWE if baseball doesn’t work. Batted .348/.474/.602 with 36 extra-base hits in 61 games.

Storyline
First GJ appearance in 24 years.

Koehler Says
Underdog story, but tough sledding in this environment. Elevation and bracket structure could catch up with them.”

Plains District

Johnson County (KS) — 51-11

Overview
Deep and balanced, the Cavaliers are legit contenders with few holes.

Key Strengths
Strong arms, steady bats, and infield polish.

Prospect to Watch
Bo Shinkle, OF: Consistent contact, speed, and elite defender. Instincts all over the place. Shinkle batted .400/.515/.622 with 24 extra-base knocks and 32 stolen bases without being caught.

Koehler Says
“They’ve been here before — expect a run to the Final Four.”

South District

Shelton State (AL) — 48-12

Overview
Took down LSU-Eunice with authority. Physical team that can beat you in multiple ways.

Key Strengths
Lineup depth, middle-order power, and an experienced ‘pen.

Prospect to Watch
Jackson Henderson, OF: Reminds of Shane Spencer. Power bat that has a chance to be physical. Henders slashed .362/.436/.621 in 50 games this season.

Koehler Says
“Great program, but a tough path. Still capable of shaking things up.”

South Atlantic District

Florida SouthWestern — 44-15

Overview
The Bucs play with energy and fearlessness, upsetting College of Central Florida to earn their bid.

Key Strengths
Baserunning, situational hitting, and defensive hustle.

Prospect to Watch
Luke Orfi, IF: GJ vet with Georgia Highlands in 2024, sets the tone with leadership. Orfi posted a .341/.427/.495 slash to go with 44 stolen bases this season.

Koehler Says
“Zac Cole won here as an assistant. This team’s schedule and pedigree make them dangerous.”

South Central District

Eastern Oklahoma State — 31-25

Overview
Cinderella team in the field. Not many expected them to beat Mineral Area, but here they are.

Key Strengths
Loose clubhouse, gritty at-bats, nothing to lose.

Prospect to Watch
Kahne Nolen, a catcher, has earned multiple NJCAA Region 2 Player of the Week awards, and slugged .536 (9 HR) to back up his .415 OBP in 36 games.

Koehler Says
“Great story, but first-timers usually struggle in GJ unless they’re from the West.”

Southwest District

McLennan (TX) — 45-16

Overview
Knocked off No. 1-ranked Weatherford. The Highlanders know how to peak in May.

Key Strengths
Veteran bats, deep pitching, and high-level execution.

Prospect to Watch
Daniel Harden, OF: Exciting blend of speed and power that continues to add polish. Early-draft type tools. Hit .358/.515/.632 this season.

Koehler Says
“Don’t count them out — 2021 champs know how to navigate this bracket.”

West District

Salt Lake (UT) — 43-10

Overview
Underrated no more after topping Central Arizona. Deep arms and a clean defense headline the Bruins.

Key Strengths
Pitching staff, fundamentally sound approach, and low-error play.

Prospect to Watch
Right-hander Gage Olsen was named the Region 18 Pitcher of the Year. Olsen had the lowest ERA amongst starting pitchers at 2.57. Batters hit .196 against him, and he punched out 72 in 63 frames, issuing just 16 bases on balls.

Koehler Says
“Plays a tough schedule and knows what it takes to win at elevation.”

Kory Koehler’s Final Take

“I would say that this year’s JUCO World Series is as deep as it’s ever been. The teams all jump out at me simply due to the level of comp they play during the season in preparation for playoff time — Junction is electric, and there are differences in experience if you’ve been there before…

Scheduling and understanding the bracket: That gives Blinn and Walters State and future HOF skippers Dusty Hart and Dave Shelton a leg up, but it’s anyone’s game as all clubs can blow open a game at any time.”

Future Stars Series Final Prediction

National Champion: Walters State
Runner-Up: Blinn

3RD: Florida SouthWestern
4TH: Johnson County
5TH: Salt Lake
6TH: McLennan
7TH: Florence-Darlington
8TH: Shelton State
9TH: Lake Land
10TH: Eastern Oklahoma

Author
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Jeremy Booth

Jeremy Booth is the Founder and CEO of PROGRAM 15 and the President of Baseball Operations for The New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series. He serves as a baseball analyst for CBS TV KHOU 11 in Houston and is the Co-Host of the Extra Bases Podcast. In addition, Jeremy is a Front Office Insider at ESPN 97.5, and his first book, Inside the Mind of a Scout, was released in 2023. As a scout, Jeremy has consulted in the player development and scouting departments for MLB organizations, including the Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Seattle Mariners, where he signed players who went on to claim major exposure and professional success.