It’s the Pac-12’s final year, but there are players we need to discuss, including some Day 1 talent.
We’ll limit this to players project for the top five rounds or so, but that leaves is plenty of talent.
1. Travis Bazzana, 2B — Oregon State
AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | BB | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
.407 | .568 | .911 | 28 | 76 | 37 |
Arguably the best prospect in the Draft, the Australian’s toolkit contains consistent contact, a fantastic approach, and power from the left side that’s blossomed this year. Offensively, there is not a more polished offensive player in the Draft, and his character has been raved about for years. Bazzana can hit .280 with a .380 OBP range while hitting up to 25 homers, though he more likely settles into the 18-20 homer range.
A narrative has been growing within the industry, questioning Bazzana’s ability to stick at second base. That being said, even if he’s just an average defender there, he’s a highly valuable player on every roster. This is as good a prospect as you’ll find in any draft considering the offensive floor and ceiling.
2. Malcolm Moore, C — Stanford
AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | BB | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
.255 | .414 | .553 | 16 | 44 | 35 |
Moore is a left-handed stick with robust tools both at the plate and behind it. There have been some swing inconsistencies dating back to 2023 in the batter’s box.
As seen above, Moore applied two stances and setups throughout the year. Some of these inconsistencies have led to timing issues, which should be among the first things addressed in pro ball.
Moore, however, carries polish and power to the next levels, and the metrics back up the high grades with the bat.
Whether or not he catches — or how much — remains to be seen.
3. Caleb Lomavita, C — California
AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | BB | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
.322 | .395 | .586 | 15 | 12 | 43 |
Lomavita showed flashy tools that lend to his draft stock rising steadily this season. He has an innate feel for contact, though he’s more power-oriented with potential plus power and feel for the barrel.
Defensively, he’s athletic, lending confidence he ends up average or better in time, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility his bat could carry him in a corner outfield spot.
Lomavita is very aggressive at the plate so expecting high walk rates wouldn’t be wise, but the tools are rare enough to land him in the Top 50 conversation.
4. Aiden May, RHP — Oregon State
G | IP | ERA | SO | BB |
---|---|---|---|---|
14 | 73.2 | 3.05 | 84 | 23 |
The only arm here, May is an east-west sinker-baller up to 98 mph, with some ground ball ability, setting up a legitimate out pitch in a sweeping, mid-80s slider.
He will also occasionally toss in a cutter, splitter, and four-seamer, all of which project as fringe to average pitches.
May’s had no issue throwing strikes the last two years, which lends to his ability to start at the highest level. The operation is easy and athletic enough to believe that the strike-throwing doesn’t fall off the cliff, and the slider gives him a floor as a leverage reliever.
5. Ryan Campos, C — Arizona State
AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | BB | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
.364 | .461 | .610 | 11 | 40 | 25 |
An undersized catcher, Campos is a big-time producer with a track record of hitting. He doesn’t excel at one thing, but it’s a solid approach with tons of contact, and he’ll get into one if you throw it in his happy zone. He has a short and compact left-handed swing built for gap-to-gap damage.
Campos is a solid athlete and a gritty, high-effort player. His defensive home isn’t settled, but catching is on the table, as is a move to the outfield where his athleticism should play.
6. Nick McLain, OF — Arizona State
AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | BB | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
.342 | .457 | .663 | 12 | 33 | 27 |
McLain started the season slow as he recovered from a broken hamate, an injury that tends to linger for hitters. Despite his tepid start, McLain finished the season on a heater and a half, which has vaulted him back into top-5 round conversation.
While McLain lacks a lead tool, he’s a sum-of-the-parts outfielder who plays hard and does everything well enough, a la Mark Canha. He has average power and a good approach buoying a solid floor overall.
Photo of Travis Bazzana courtesy of Oregon State University Athletics
Photo of Caleb Lomavita courtesy of Cal Athletics
Photo of Aiden May courtesy of Oregon State University Athletics
Photo of Ryan Campos courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics
Photo of Nick McLain courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics
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