The College Baseball season is winding down, but some of the top names heading into the 2025 MLB draft are still jockeying for position. We have dove into some of the top names in this season’s class and will continue to do so leading up to the 2025 MLB Draft. Some of these will be first-round selections, and others could be in the mid to late rounds. Either way, these breakdowns will help you get a leg up in your dynasty leagues when the draft comes around and we see these players perform in the Minor Leagues, as well as help guide us come FYPDs in the off-season. Let’s dive into some of the College Baseball standouts for Week 11.
2025 MLB Draft Prospects
Standout Batters
Jace LaViolette, OF Jr. Texas A&M
(44 GP, .291/.455/.633, 15 HR, 49 R, 52 RBI, 7 SB)
One of the most prolific power hitters in College Baseball has been Jace LaViolette of Texas A&M. Already in his Collegiate career, LaViolette has crushed 65 home runs, making him a name to watch in dynasty formats. LaViolette stands 6’6” and 230 pounds batting from the left side, and has stood out as an above-average defender in the outfield with a rocket for an arm. In his Freshman season, LaViolette played in 64 games, slashing .287/.414/.632 with 21 home runs (Freshman Record), 50 runs scored, 63 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 22 attempts. At the plate, LaViolette showed a keen eye at the plate walking 17.1%, but showing an aggressive swing and miss with a 26.8% strikeout rate.
Jace LaViolette (@AggieBaseball) scorched balls all fields in multi-hit game. Loads of physical tools w/ top-of-class power outputs. Long time performer & early pick this July. Jr. ‘25 elig @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/ejNZmJQxpA
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) April 22, 2025
During his sophomore season, there were improvements across the board for LaViolette. Across 68 games played, he slashed .305/.449/.726 with 29 home runs, 87 runs scored, 78 RBIs, and seven stolen bases in nine attempts. The walk rate rose to 19.2% while the strikeout rate dropped to 24.3%. This season, the results might not be at the level of 2024, but there is a lot to like here. In 44 games played, LaViolette has slashed .291/.455/.633 with 15 home runs, 49 runs scored, 52 RBIs, and has swiped seven bases in eight attempts. All this while continuing to raise his walk percentage to a career high of 22% and a career low strikeout percentage of 20.1%.
The overall package of LaViolette will be enticing for teams in the first round of the MLB Draft, as this kind of raw power isn’t always available. Despite the lower statistics this season, the approach has taken major strides in all three seasons as well as the bat-to-ball skills, leading me to believe that LaViolette could skyrocket up FYPD rankings post-draft once we see him play in the Minor Leagues, similar to Wyatt Langford with the Texas Rangers.
Dean Curley, SS/3B So. Tennessee
(45 GP, .302/.427/.535, 11 HR, 54 R, 35 RBI, 7 SB)
Standing out on a stacked Tennessee squad is not an easy thing to do, and Dean Curley has quietly put himself into the conversation of the first round. Standing 6’3” and 218 pounds, Curley bats right-handed and has shown in his two seasons with the Vols a potential for above-average pop. In his Freshman season, Curley played in 67 games for the Vols, slashing .285/.386/.502 with 12 home runs, 51 runs scored, 50 RBIs, and swiping nine bases. The plate discipline was fantastic for Curley, who walked 11.6% while striking out just 17.5% of his 268 total plate appearances. Speed isn’t a big part of Curley’s game, but he’s not a sitting duck out on the basepaths either, as we could expect double-digit steals at the professional level long term.
SS Dean Curley (@Vol_Baseball) sent a laser 2-run HR out to LCF (109 EV/382 FT). Drove a 97 mph FB UTM in 1st AB. Fast & compact swing. @PG_Draft https://t.co/vDf5AzSJVe pic.twitter.com/sKfNVtpy4c
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 22, 2025
This season, everything in Curley’s game has taken a step forward. Across 45 games played, Curley is slashing .302/.427/.535 with 11 home runs, 54 runs scored, 35 RBIs, and has seven stolen bases in eight attempts. The improvements don’t stop there, as he has raised his walk percentage to 14.7% while maintaining a solid 17.1% strikeout rate. With a strong arm at shortstop and third base this season, Curley could be a value pick for a team in the second or first round of the MLB Draft.
Standout Pitchers
JB Middleton, RHP Jr. Southern Mississippi
(11 GS, 70.1 IP, 82 K, 1.92 ERA, 10.49 K/9)
One of the major bright spots of the University of Southern Mississippi this season has been the dominance of JB Middleton. Standing 6’0” and 172 pounds, and throwing from the right side, Middleton has stood out for his three-plus offerings. The fastball sits 94 mph while topping out at 97 mph with solid sink low in the zone as well as the ability to throw it up in the zone for strikes. His slider comes in at 88 mph with two-plane break and solid movement while being able to adapt it into a harder cutter at times. Rounding out the arsenal, Middleton throws an 87 mph change-up that has solid tumble out of the zone and tunnels well off the fastball.
An extended look at RHP JB Middleton (@SouthernMissBSB)… 8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 12 K, 1 BB @PG_Draft https://t.co/LJakWdKNZg pic.twitter.com/vb3laVbpHV
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 29, 2025
Middleton has had a solid career at Southern Mississippi, but none as good as we are seeing this season. In his first season as a full-time starter, Middleton has made 11 starts while striking out 82 batters over 70.1 innings pitched, good for a 10.49 K/9 while currently sporting a solid 1.92 ERA. The walks have been down this season as he has a 2.43 BB/9 while keeping batters to a solid .164 batting average against. Slightly undersized for a starting pitcher, Middleton could ultimately end up back in the bullpen as he transitions into a professional, but the results are encouraging heading into the draft to remain a starter long term.
Riley Quick, RHP RS So. Alabama
(10 GS, 40.2 IP, 41 K, 3.54 ERA, 9.07 K/9)
Alabama had success last season with Ben Hess, who the Yankees drafted 26th overall in the MLB Draft. This season, Riley Quick could be making a push for the first or second round. Standing 6’6” and 260 pounds, Quick is a redshirt sophomore who throws from the right side and features a plus fastball and slider combination as well as a solid change-up. The fastball sits 96 mph and tops out at 99 with sinking action to it, the slider comes in at 86 mph and has solid two-plane depth to it. The change-up has a solid fade to it and comes in at 88 mph.
RHP Riley Quick (@AlabamaBSB) didn't have his sharpest comm but the stuff is undeniable. Sat 95-98 from super phys 6'6"/245 frame. Showed sharp SL in 84-88 range as well as a CT. Solid CH is nice change of pace. @PG_Draft
Jr./'25 elig. pic.twitter.com/eLNGkWWfDK
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 22, 2025
Quick had a solid Freshman season as he made 16 appearances, striking out 26 batters over 22 innings pitched, good for a 10.64 K/9 while notching two saves and finishing the year with a 3.68 ERA. In his Sophomore season, Quick went down with an elbow injury in his first start, requiring Tommy John surgery, resulting in his redshirt status for the 2025 season. Now, Quick is moving up draft boards with a solid 2025 campaign, where he has made 10 starts while striking out 41 batters over 40.2 innings pitched, good for a 9.07 K/9 with a solid 3.54 ERA. The walks have been good for a pitcher coming back from TJ, as he has a 3.32 BB/9 and has kept batters to a .242 batting average against thus far.
The upside could be a middle-of-the-rotation starter or greater as he distances himself from TJ. We have already seen the Yankees get more out of Ben Hess since being drafted, and it could be the same for Quick as the MLB Draft creeps up.
Cameron Leiter, RHP Jr. Florida State
(7 GS, 35 IP, 56 K, 4.63 ERA, 14.40 K/9)
Going into the 2025 season, Jamie Arnold and Cameron Leiter were profiled as the best one-two punch in the rotation for Florida State. Standing 6’5” and 234 pounds, throwing from the right side, Leiter has a starter’s build with a solid four pitch mix with two grading out as plus offerings. The fastball and slider are electric, with the fastball topping out at 98 mph with an average of 95 mph, the slider comes in at 88 mph with massive spin rates creating a ton of swing and miss outside the zone. Rounding out the mix is an 80 mph curveball and an 87 mph change-up with solid fade.
RHP Cam Leiter (@FSUBaseball) struggled w/ comm today but still loud stuff. FB sat 95-96, up to 97. Snapped off big CB (clip) at 78-80. Showed tight short SL & solid CH as well.
Soph./‘25 elig. pic.twitter.com/XVLF4nowWi
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 23, 2024
Leiter started his collegiate career at the University of Central Florida, where he made 15 appearances, with 14 starts. Across 56.2 innings pitched, Leiter struck out 80 batters, good for a 12.71 K/9 while finishing the season with a 4.92 ERA. In his sophomore season, Leiter transferred to Florida State University, where he started seven games, striking out 56 batters over 35 innings pitched, good for a 14.40 K/9, and finished with a 4.63 ERA due to a shoulder injury. The recovery process for the shoulder injury has taken Leiter out of game action for over a season at this point, as he has not made his 2025 debut.
The good news here is that he is currently on a throwing program at FSU and could appear in relief this season. He will more than likely make an appearance in the Cape Cod Baseball League if he is healthy. What was once a lock for a first-round draft pick, Leiter could surprise many if he can get back on the mound to finish the season healthy.
