Uncover the Next Generation of College Baseball Stars

Rintaro Sasaki, 1B, Stanford

Rintaro Sasaki sent ripples through the college baseball world last fall when he decided to forgo the Nippon Professional Baseball Draft and attend college in the United States. He ultimately committed to Stanford and was on campus by April, where he immersed himself in team practices and worked closely with the coaching staff.

This summer, Sasaki made his stateside debut with the Trenton Thunder in the Draft League. He hit an impressive.221/.387/.395 with three doubles, four home runs, and 17 RBIs in 26 games. His performance continued to shine during an outstanding nine-game stint in the Appy League, where he slashed.391/.913/1.508 with three home runs and eight RBIs. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 289 pounds, Sasaki is a force to be reckoned with. His 70-grade power is his standout tool, but he also has a keen sense for making contact and generates quality swings. With his thunderous bat speed and sound pitch recognition skills, he is projected to hit in the middle of Stanford's lineup this spring and has the potential to be named ACC freshman of the year.

Arnold “Jay” Abernathy, SS/OF, Tennessee

Abernathy attracted significant draft interest last July, making his commitment to Tennessee a major victory for head coach Tony Vitello and his staff. Although it's early, Abernathy has the opportunity to set the table at the top of the Volunteers' lineup on opening day. As a quick-twitch player, Abernathy not only has a 70-grade running speed but also possesses excellent bat-to-ball skills. His hands are quick, and his swing allows him to pepper the entire field with line drives. Abernathy puts pressure on opposing defenses and can affect the game in multiple ways. His speed and athleticism translate well defensively, as he is capable of handling either up-the-middle infield position or either centerfield or left field. This fall, Abernathy collected a pair of hits in both of Tennessee's scrimmages and has seen time both on the dirt and in the outfield. With the Volunteers' infield consisting of Andrew Fischer, Dean Curley, and Gavin Kilen, Abernathy's best path to consistent playing time may be in left field. However, he should be able to seamlessly transition to the infield in 2026 when the current trio is drafted.

James Nunnallee, OF, Virginia

Nunnallee was drafted in the 14th round by the Milwaukee Brewers this July but remained committed to Virginia. He had an outstanding fall and was one of the Cavaliers' best hitters. With an ultra-hitterish look in the box, Nunnallee has an advanced feel for the barrel, quick hands, and a polished approach. He uses the entire field and has shown impressive adjustability in his game. While his power is more focused on extra-base hits rather than home runs for now, it's easy to envision him adding more impact as he continues to physically mature. Nunnallee is capable of handling all three outfield positions, but this season he is likely to spend most of his time in either right or left field due to the return of potential top-five round pick Harrison Didawick.

Derek Curiel, OF, LSU

LSU's 2024 recruiting class is ranked No. 1, and Derek Curiel is a key contributor. The 6-foot-2 outfielder was a well-known prep name with draft buzz last spring but withdrew his name from the draft. His commitment to LSU was a major recruiting win for head coach Jay Johnson and his staff. This fall, Curiel has been on fire, finishing second on the team with a.388 average and leading the way with a.522 on-base percentage. His five doubles were tied for the second-most on the roster. Curiel has a fluid, aesthetically pleasing left-handed swing paired with a high-level approach and a present feel for the barrel. His advanced baseball sense is evident in the outfield, where he has strong instincts and takes efficient routes to the ball. The biggest question mark is how much power he will eventually develop, but regardless, he is expected to hit in the top-half of LSU's order this spring.

Myles Bailey, 1B, Florida State

Myles Bailey was a top 200 draft prospect on the final BA 500 but chose to honor his commitment to Florida State. The 6-foot-4, 257-pound first baseman was one of the most productive hitters this fall for the Seminoles and is set to hit in the middle of the order on opening day. Bailey has plus-plus raw power, which was on full display during the fall. He has effortless hand speed, and his bat path is designed to get the ball up in the air with authority. While swing-and-miss was a concern for him as a prepster, he showed improvement this fall and consistently put the ball in play. I'm curious to see if this improvement will carry over to the spring or if it was just a temporary improvement. Bailey has no trouble accessing his immense power in games, and he has the potential to hit 20 or more home runs in 2025.