College Top 50 Junior Prospects

Baseball America this week is presenting its annual ranking of the top 50 players in each class. Today we spotlight the juniors.

To see the freshmen, click here.  To see the sophomores, click here. 

Baseball America this week is presenting its annual ranking of the top 50 players in each class. Today we spotlight the juniors.

Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman tops the list as he enters the year as both the favorite to be the College Player of the Year and the first overall pick in the draft this June. He hit .408/.505/.628 with nine home runs as a sophomore and capped the season by leading Oregon State to the national championship, where he was named College World Series Most Outstanding Player. He went on to star during the summer for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team and this year was voted a unanimous first-team Preseason All-American by MLB scouting directors.

California first baseman Andrew Vaughn, the 2018 Golden Spikes Award winner, ranks No. 2 on the list after a sensational sophomore season of his own. He hit .402/.531/.819 with 23 home runs, drew 44 walks and struck out just 18 times. He is considered the best pure hitter in the country.

Baylor catcher Shea Langeliers, Texas Tech third baseman Josh Jung and Duke lefthander Graeme Stinson round out the top five. All of them impressed last summer with Team USA.

Arkansas and North Carolina each have three players on the list, the most in the country. In all, 37 schools are represented.