The MLB Draft is behind us as are the risks for schools losing players to the pro game. Some schools truly cashed out landing premium talent when they may have not expected to.
LSU Tigers
Jay Johnson and the LSU Tigers cleaned up in this Draft. The Tigers did end up losing LHP Griffin Herring to the Yankees and Fidel Ulloa to the Rockies. They may also lose right-handed pitcher Luke Hayden who was planning on transferring from Indiana State. He was selected by the Reds in the eighth round.
All that said, LSU was able to hang onto mashing first baseman Jared Jones. His impact on the 2025 lineup cannot be overstated. That’s 30-homer potential heading back to Baton Rouge. The team was also able to keep right-hander Gavin Guidry, infielder Michael Braswell and outfielder Josh Pearson, three experienced pieces who will come in handy in 2025 so long as they don’t sign undrafted free agent deals this summer.
On the high school side of things LSU will not see infielders Konnor Griffin or Kale Fountain wear purple and gold. They are also unlikely to see left-handed pitchers Cam Caminiti or Boston Bateman on campus. All four were drafted early enough that it’s plenty safe to assume they’ll go pro. But keeping right-hander William Schmidt, catcher Cade Arrambide and outfielder Derek Curiel is huge. Throw in talented bluechips like shortstop Michael Ryan, outfielder John Pearson and right-hander Mavrick Rizy (among others) and LSU has restocked the cupboards for next spring.
Florida Gators
The Gators were able to land a quartet of wildly impressive arms in Aidan King, Josh Whritenour, Jackson Barberi and Schuyler Sandford. None of those four were drafted and all figure to be in Gainesville this fall. You can also throw lefty McCall Biemiller into that grouping as the most impressive left-hander that will enroll. On top of that, shortstop Colby Shelton wasn’t drafted until the 19th round, a sign he could return to campus rather than go pro. Another late draft pick, shortstop Brendan Lawson, is also a reasonably good bet to get to school.
The Gators will also return several key pieces in 2025 that should help push them toward Omaha. Catcher Luke Heyman and outfielder Michael Robertson went undrafted, as did outfielder Ty Evans. Southpaw Pierce Coppola also returns seeking a fully healthy 2025 campaign.
Auburn Tigers
It remains to be seen whether late draft picks Chase Fralick and Connor Gatwood will actually sign. Both declared themselves out of the draft on social media on Tuesday morning. Common sense would point toward them becoming Tigers. On top of those two, Auburn was able to keep righties Saxon Roberts and Christian Chatterton in the fold, as well as lefty Jackson Sanders. It’s a nice prep class coming into Auburn, Alabama.
Couple these frosh additions with names like Cade Fisher, Lucas Steele, Bristol Carter, Eric Snow and Ryan Hetzler and it should be plenty easy to get excited about Tigers baseball in 2025.
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks had a sneaky deep draft class this year with much to lose. They didn’t end up losing all the pieces they expected and now look locked and loaded for 2025
On the high school side of things keeping pitchers like Carson Wiggins and Cole Gibler is absolutely enormous. Arkansas needs more young pitching and they more than check the box. Lance Davis and Eli Crecelius will be important as well. The Razorbacks were also able to hang onto one of their most important recruits in shortstop Gabe Fraser. He’s a really nice piece who should contribute immediately. Arkansas was also able to hang onto JUCO third baseman Brent Iredale and Fresno State transfer Rocco Peppi. Both should be lineup staples.
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt will hold onto virtually its entire recruiting class. Third baseman Brodie Johnston should battle for immediate playing time on the infield or in right field. He’s 2027-eligible and should be a staple for the Volunteers for years to come. Behind him is a host of bluechip talents who should contribute in a big way very quickly in Nashville.
Prep arms Hudson Barton, Aiden O’Connel and Drew Graham will likely pitch important innings in 2025. Shortstop Ruston Rigdon could conceivably immediately take over on the middle infield for Davis Diaz right out the gate this fall. Catcher Aukai Kea and outfielder Julio Solier will have to prove their up to the task, but both possess loud tools.
As if the freshmen class wasn’t enough Vanderbilt figures to hang onto right-handed pitcher Sawyer Hawks, utility Jonathan Vastine, and outfielder Matthew Polk. We’ll see if they can hang onto catcher Jack Bulger or if he’ll sign a pro contract. If they can keep the oft-injured Bulger, it would make for a truly remarkable haul.
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