Top College Baseball Newcomer At Every Power 4 School For 2027

SEC

Alabama: Michael Senay, RHP

Senay earned second-team Freshman All-America honors at South Florida in 2026 after posting a 3.78 ERA with 55 strikeouts and 17 walks across 81 innings. The righthander brings a track record of handling a significant workload while limiting free passes. He relies primarily on two pitches: a fastball that sat 89-90 mph and a low-80s slider. His ability to throw strikes helped compensate for a limited arsenal.

Arkansas: Michael Malki, RHP

Malki emerged as the centerpiece of Cal Baptist’s rotation in 2026, establishing himself as a reliable strikeout producer with a four-pitch mix headlined by a low-80s slider. The righthander has already shown significant development since arriving at Arkansas, touching 98 mph in the Razorbacks’ pitching lab after previously topping out at 94, while also adding depth to his curveball.

Auburn: Corey Kling, RHP

Kling arrives at Auburn for his senior season following a year at Arizona in which he posted a 4.28 ERA with 43 strikeouts against just nine walks across 40 innings and 20 relief appearances. The righthander features a deep five-pitch arsenal that includes a low-to-mid-90s fastball with ride and favorable approach angles, a bat-missing sweeper, an effective cutter, a changeup that plays off his fastball well and a two-plane curveball. 

Florida: Jon Embury, C

Embury was one of Florida Gulf Coast’s most productive hitters in 2026, batting .364/.429/.655 with 17 home runs and 13 doubles before transferring to Florida. The sophomore catcher combines quick hands and plus strength with an ability to drive the ball to all fields, consistently producing hard contact while aggressively attacking pitches in the strike zone. 

Georgia: Jake Hanley, 1B

Hanley arrived at Georgia after two productive seasons at Indiana in which he hit .336/.438/.590 with 28 home runs and 23 doubles, establishing himself as one of the Big Ten’s more dangerous power hitters. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound lefthanded hitter combines plus raw strength with impressive swing decisions and has room for even greater home run production if he begins elevating the ball more consistently. His move to Georgia is particularly intriguing given the Bulldogs’ recent success maximizing the production of power-oriented lefthanded hitters.

Kentucky: Logan Hastings, RHP

Hastings recorded 71 strikeouts against 30 walks across 62 innings at Maryland in 2026, finishing with a 5.52 ERA. The righthander features an unconventional, breaking ball-heavy arsenal built around a curveball and slider that both generate above-average swing-and-miss, while his fastball is only his third-most-used offering. A fading, tumbling changeup gives him a fourth option and adds to a diverse pitch mix that could help him take a step forward in 2027.

LSU: Landon Hood, RHP

Hood arrives at LSU as Baseball America’s No. 1 overall transfer after emerging as one of Gonzaga’s most valuable bullpen arms in 2026. The 6-foot-3 righthander features a 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96 and plays above its velocity thanks to its movement and deceptive release, while a fading, tumbling changeup serves as his most effective secondary offering. 

Mississippi State: Jake Souders, OF

Souders has done little but produce since arriving in college, hitting .327/.391/.502 as a Samford freshman before improving to .356/.431/.575 with 11 home runs and 13 doubles as a sophomore, earning him the No. 23 spot in Baseball America’s transfer rankings. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound outfielder generates some of the hardest contact in college baseball, including a 110 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, while pairing his considerable power with an 88% zone-contact rate. 

Missouri: Steve Solorzano, 1B

Solorzano arrived at Missouri after three seasons at New Mexico State, where he hit .341/.425/.572 with nine home runs, 22 doubles, two triples and nine stolen bases in 2026. The righthanded hitter combines an aggressive approach with impressive bat-to-ball skills, drawing 24 walks against just 26 strikeouts while consistently making contact. His power remains modest, but his ability to put the ball in play and produce extra-base hits gives Missouri an accomplished offensive addition.

Oklahoma: Sebastian Pisacreta, C

Pisacreta enjoyed a career year as Pitt’s primary catcher in 2026, batting .271/.398/.542 with 14 home runs, 11 doubles and 34 walks against 55 strikeouts. The 6-foot, 210-pound righthanded hitter brings legitimate power and an ability to drive the ball with authority, though below-average contact skills limit his offensive consistency. He also provides a dependable defensive presence behind the plate.

Ole Miss: Kendall Hoffman, RHP

Hoffman moved into Houston’s starting rotation in 2026 and posted a 4.56 ERA with 55 strikeouts and 19 walks across 79 innings before transferring this offseason. The 6-foot-6 righthander features a deep five-pitch arsenal highlighted by a mid-80s sweeping slider with above-average spin and a 93-94 mph fastball that touches 97, along with a sinker, changeup and curveball. 

South Carolina: Andrew Costello, C

Costello hit .244/.321/.382 with four home runs in 39 appearances as a Wake Forest freshman before breaking out in the Cape Cod League, where he batted .361/.448/.557 with four home runs and seven doubles across 29 games. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound righthanded hitter generates above-average strength and bat speed with a compact swing, showing impressive barrel feel and strike-zone awareness that give him a strong offensive foundation.

Tennessee: Jake McCoy, LHP

McCoy started 14 games as a sophomore at South Carolina before an impressive stint in the Cape Cod League, but missed the entire 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and is unlikely to return to game action before April 2027. The lefthander, who was selected by the Blue Jays in the 18th round of the 2026 draft before honoring his transfer commitment to Tennessee, features a five-pitch mix of a four-seam fastball, two-seamer, cutter, slider and changeup that benefits from his unusual lower three-quarters arm angle.

Texas: Ian Armstrong, C

Armstrong hit .356/.410/.623 with 16 home runs and 35 extra-base hits at Saint Mary’s in 2026, earning first-team all-West Coast Conference honors after receiving second-team and all-freshman recognition in 2025. The catcher combines above-average contact skills with above-average game power, supported by a 106.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, and made 45 starts behind the plate while demonstrating strong framing skills despite a fringe-average arm.

Texas A&M: Nate Savoie, C/OF

Savoie has produced at every stop of his college career, following a 20-homer freshman season at Loyola Marymount with a standout sophomore campaign at Clemson in which he hit .329/.413/.596 with 16 home runs. The 6-foot, 215-pound hitter combines strength, bat speed and barrel feel to deliver both power and consistent contact, while his experience behind the plate and in the outfield provides additional defensive versatility.

Vanderbilt: James Tronstein, OF

Tronstein exploded up draft boards after a standout senior season at Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) in which he hit over .500 with 10 home runs, establishing himself as one of California’s most productive high school hitters. The 6-foot, 185-pound righthanded hitter combines impressive bat speed and barrel feel with plus athleticism. He has continued to impress offensively this fall with a mature approach while taking reps all over the field. A corner on the grass is a potential landing spot to start his college career. 

ACC

Boston College: JJ Drennan, RHP

Drennan is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound freshman righthander who has impressed since arriving on campus and appears poised to make an immediate impact in the starting rotation. He features a mid-90s fastball, a swing-and-miss sweeper he spins with impressive feel and a changeup with quality fading action, giving him a promising three-pitch mix.

Cal: Vinny Smith, OF

Smith enjoyed a standout sophomore season at Skyline College, where he hit .400/.479/.738 with 12 home runs, seven doubles, three triples and 17 stolen bases. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound junior outfielder brings an impressive combination of power and speed after establishing himself as a prolific offensive producer at the juco level.

Clemson: Troy Sudbrook, 3B

Sudbrook enjoyed the best season of his career at Toledo in 2026, hitting .373/.467/.665 with 11 home runs, a nation-leading 32 doubles, 13 stolen bases and 30 walks against 40 strikeouts. The third baseman combines average power with a selective approach and generally sound swing decisions.

Duke: James Clark, INF

A five-star recruit, Clark was one of the top pure hitters in the 2026 high school class, with advanced pitch recognition, excellent strike-zone awareness and impressive bat-to-ball skills. The Duke freshman has the barrel feel and bat speed to hit for both average and power.

Florida State: Cayden Suchy, LHP

Suchy broke out at UConn in 2026, posting a 2.82 ERA with 105 strikeouts and just 23 walks across 89.1 innings. The 6-foot lefthander commands an 89-91 mph fastball that plays above its velocity thanks to impressive carry and extension, while a fading mid-80s changeup headlines a secondary mix that also includes a curveball and slider.

Georgia Tech: Jordan Lodise, SS

Lodise stepped into Central Florida’s starting shortstop role as a freshman, showing impressive defensive instincts, body control and range that allow him to make difficult plays look routine. The latest member of the Lodise baseball family to reach Division I, he also brings a compact swing and strong timing at the plate, giving him a solid offensive foundation to complement his defensive ability.

Louisville: Landon Akers, SS

Akers put together consecutive standout seasons at Bellarmine, hitting .356/.399/.511 in 2025 before batting .357/.421/.536 with seven home runs, 15 doubles and 13 stolen bases in 2026. The athletic infielder has experience at shortstop and excels at putting the ball in play, posting an 88% overall contact rate and 91% zone-contact rate while demonstrating strong strike-zone awareness.

Miami: Blake Morningstar, RHP

Morningstar entered 2026 with top-100 draft potential and was Wake Forest’s Opening Day starter, but struggled to an 8.61 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 17 walks across 38.2 innings before going undrafted and transferring to Miami. The righthander features a pair of fastballs that touch 97 mph, a low-80s curveball with depth, a swing-and-miss cutter in the upper 80s and a mid-80s changeup.

NC State: Hunter Warren, 2B

Warren enjoyed an excellent season at Wright State in 2026, hitting .358/.437/.524 and slashing .413/.479/.635 over 73 plate appearances against lefties. He combines above-average bat-to-ball skills with sound swing decisions and a disciplined approach.

North Carolina: Jamie Laskofski, SS

Laskofski earned CAA player of the year honors at William & Mary in 2026 after hitting .355/.464/.665 with 13 home runs and 41 walks against just 24 strikeouts. The 6-foot, 200-pound infielder combines excellent barrel feel and strike-zone awareness with improved power, offering a well-rounded offensive profile and the defensive ability to handle everyday duties at shortstop.

Notre Dame: Cooper Katskee, RHP

Katskee posted a 5.71 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 24 walks across 63 innings at Nebraska in 2026, working primarily as a starter. The righthander has the arsenal to be a meaningful contributor, featuring a low-90s fastball with run and ride, a short low-80s slider, a two-plane curveball and a fading, tumbling changeup.

Pittsburgh: Carter Groen, OF

Groen hit .333/.414/.578 with 13 home runs and 14 doubles at La Salle in 2026 before transferring to Pitt. He combines solid strength with an aggressive, high-contact approach, swinging at roughly half the pitches he sees while limiting chase.

Stanford: Archer Horn, SS/RHP

Horn is a legitimate two-way player with an impressive blend of athleticism, offensive ability and arm strength. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefthanded hitter combines a quick swing and strong barrel feel with developing power, while his plus arm and natural infield actions give him a chance to stick at shortstop and translate to the mound, where his fastball has reached 95 mph.

Virginia: Sal Mineo, OF

Mineo hit .300/.406/.438 with seven home runs and 16 stolen bases as a sophomore at Delaware before transferring to Virginia, where he has been hammering the baseball throughout the fall. He combines sound swing decisions and solid contact skills with more raw power than his previous production suggests, giving the Cavaliers an intriguing offensive addition who is expected to start in the outfield.

Virginia Tech: Daniel Powell, RHP

Powell was an effective reliever at Kennesaw State in 2026, posting a 3.27 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 24 walks across 55 innings. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound righthander relies primarily on a low-90s fastball with solid plane and riding life, along with a fading, tumbling changeup in the low 80s that proved particularly effective last season.

Wake Forest: Ryan Costello, 1B

Costello was one of the Big Ten’s more productive sluggers in 2026, hitting .259/.397/.557 with 15 home runs, 10 doubles and more walks (41) than strikeouts (29). The lefthanded hitter combines above-average strength with a disciplined approach and sound swing decisions, giving him a more balanced offensive profile than the typical power-over-hit slugger despite fringy contact skills.

Big 12

Arizona: Trever Baumler, RHP

Baumler struggled to find consistency over two seasons at TCU, posting a 6.43 ERA with 67 strikeouts and 27 walks across 84 innings while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. The righthander features a 91-93 mph fastball that touches 95 with ride and run, complemented by a mid-80s slider with short two-plane break, a low-80s curveball with vertical depth and a fading, tumbling changeup.

Arizona State: Jackson Hotchkiss, OF

Hotchkiss broke out at Washington in 2026, hitting .337/.416/.717 with 20 home runs after a modest freshman season, building on the promise that made him an 18th-round draft pick out of high school. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound slugger generates impressive power and impact contact.

Baylor: Brayden Gilley, RHP

Gilley worked as a full-time starter at Winthrop in 2026, posting a 5.27 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 25 walks across 80.1 innings. The righthander features a low-90s fastball with cut-ride shape, a short low-to-mid-80s curveball, a slider and an occasional changeup. Gilley has the ability to handle a significant workload despite modest swing-and-miss rates.

BYU: Bear Testerman, INF

Testerman transferred to BYU from Polk State College after leading the program with 17 doubles in 2026 while stealing 11 bases without being caught. The 6-foot, 185-pound righthanded-hitting infielder brings extra-base production and proven baserunning ability to the Cougars.

Cincinnati: Nolan Bernard, RHP

Bernard worked almost exclusively in relief in 2026, posting a 5.94 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 15 walks across 33.1 innings. The physical, 6-foot-2, 220-pound righthander features a fastball that sits 91-92 mph and touches 95 with heavy run, along with solid feel for spin.

Houston: David Alvarez, OF

Alvarez hit .317/.374/.516 with eight home runs, 16 doubles and two triples at Eastern Kentucky in 2026 before transferring to Houston for his age-23 season. He brings above-average raw power and an aggressive offensive approach that still allows him to make contact at a solid rate.

Kansas: Jamie Palmese, OF

Palmese showed a different dimension of his offensive game in each of his three seasons at East Tennessee State, hitting 17 home runs as a sophomore before batting .335 with 20 doubles as a junior, while consistently providing value on the bases. Kansas is hopeful it can unlock the best of those seasons, and early returns have been encouraging as Palmese is hitting the ball hard, chasing less and playing plus defense in center field thanks to impressive range and instincts.

Kansas State: Paul Jones II, 1B

Jones broke out as a sophomore at Maryland in 2026, hitting .323/.414/.572 with 12 home runs and 14 doubles. He possesses massive raw power and considerable offensive upside, though swing-and-miss concerns, average swing decisions and poor batted-ball angles have limited his ability to translate that strength into consistent production.

Oklahoma State: Sean Yamaguchi, 3B

Yamaguchi established himself as one of the West Coast’s more consistent power hitters over two seasons at Nevada, batting .313/.374/.574 with 27 home runs and 19 doubles while producing nearly identical offensive lines each year. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound third baseman combines a compact, aggressive righthanded swing with solid power and a knack for punishing pitches in the strike zone.

TCU: Collin Clarke, RHP

Clarke made 26 starts over his final two seasons at Oregon, recording a career-high 77 strikeouts across 78.2 innings in 2026 before transferring to TCU. The righthander features a deep six-pitch arsenal built primarily around an 89-91 mph four-seam fastball, a slider and a low-80s changeup with good separation from his fastball, while demonstrating at least average control.

Texas Tech: Xavier Perez, OF

Perez hit .289/.379/.495 with nine home runs, 10 doubles, three triples and 14 stolen bases at Houston in 2026. He combines average to slightly above-average power with the ability to drive the ball hard in the air, though an aggressive approach, frequent chase and below-average contact rates limit his offensive consistency.

UCF: Talan Bell, LHP

Bell is an undersized lefthander with a five-pitch arsenal headlined by a low-80s curveball that generates consistent swing-and-miss with its sharp two-plane break and tilt. He complements it with a low-90s four-seam fastball, cutter, two-seamer and changeup, though the curveball remains his most effective weapon and a pitch he leans on heavily.

Utah: Davis Germann, OF

Germann capped a productive four-year career at Morehead State by hitting .336/.427/.575 with nine home runs, 18 doubles and 10 stolen bases in 2026. The righthanded hitter makes excellent swing decisions and aggressively attacks pitches in the strike zone.

West Virginia: Jack Cannon, OF

Cannon enjoyed a remarkable junior season at Le Moyne in 2026, hitting .439/.505/.699 with 10 home runs, 19 doubles and 51 stolen bases in 55 attempts while drawing 25 walks against 28 strikeouts. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound outfielder combines a quick swing, solid strength and sound swing decisions with above-average speed and exceptional baserunning instincts.

Big Ten

Illinois: Owen Marsolek, LHP

Marsolek impressed as a freshman at St. Thomas in 2026, posting a 4.83 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 30 walks across 76.1 innings before recording a 3.38 ERA with 26 strikeouts over 26.2 innings in the Northwoods League. The 6-foot-1 lefthander features an 87-89 mph fastball that touches 91 with impressive carry and favorable approach angles, complemented by a slider, fading changeup and tight curveball, with his fastball and curveball serving as his best swing-and-miss weapons.

Indiana: Peter Dubie, RHP

Dubie posted a 4.55 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 34 walks across 65.1 innings as a redshirt junior at Brown in 2026 before impressing in a brief three-appearance stint in the Cape Cod League. Set to play his age-23 season at Indiana, the righthander features a low-to-mid-90s fastball with cut-ride characteristics, a sharp slider and a big curveball that generated a 46% whiff rate last spring.

Iowa: Aaron Holland, C

Holland served as the starting catcher for a Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater team that went 43-6 in 2026, hitting .277/.385/.511 with 10 home runs and 12 doubles. The 5-foot-9 backstop also made an impact defensively, throwing out 22 would-be base stealers while helping anchor one of Division III’s most successful teams.

Maryland: Andrew Middleton, LHP

Middleton has battled significant injuries throughout his college career, including a torn UCL that required an internal brace procedure, but has shown impressive swing-and-miss ability with 54 strikeouts across just 35 innings at UMass and a 2.43 ERA with 43 strikeouts to 15 walks over 37 innings in the NECBL this summer. The 6-foot-2 lefthander features an 89-92 mph fastball with exceptional carry and favorable approach angles, a promising mid-70s curveball and a developing slider and changeup, giving Maryland a potential breakout arm if he can remain healthy.

Michigan: Matthew Mansbery, SS

Mansbery is a projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pound freshman shortstop at Michigan with a lean frame, solid all-around tools and considerable room to add strength. The righthanded hitter shows a good eye and an impressive ability to drive the ball to the opposite field, while his average speed, workable infield actions and solid arm give him a foundation to remain at shortstop.

Michigan State: Jack Manzella, RHP

Manzella is a physical, 6-foot-2 righthander with a low-90s fastball and solid feel for spinning both a slider and curveball. He also mixes a changeup that flashes good movement, though it can lack ideal velocity separation from his fastball.

Minnesota: Tanner Recchio, 2B

Recchio is an undersized, contact-oriented second baseman who makes up for modest power with above-average bat-to-ball skills and game-changing speed. He stole 39 bases in 44 attempts as a junior at St. Thomas in 2026 before running wild in the Northwoods League, where he swiped an astonishing 81 bags in 86 attempts across 65 games.

Nebraska: Zane Shaw, RHP

Shaw is a three-star freshman and one of the younger players in the 2026 high school class, with a strong 6-foot-1 frame and a fastball that has climbed from 94 to 96 mph over the past year. He commands his fastball well and complements it with a sharp slider featuring good depth from a high three-quarters arm slot, while his changeup remains a work in progress.

Northwestern: Dylan Reid, RHP

Reid returned from a two-year injury layoff in 2026 to post a 3.77 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 28 walks across 59.2 innings at Brown before adding 20 strikeouts over 16 effective innings in the New England Collegiate Summer League. He features a high-80s fastball with run and ride, complemented by a solid slider.

Ohio State: Landon Thiel, LHP

Thiel drew MLB scouting interest late in the spring but opted for Ohio State, giving the Buckeyes a young, 6-foot-7, 230-pound lefthander with considerable physical upside. His fastball has reached 92 mph with good extension, and he complements it with a promising but inconsistent slider, curveball and occasional changeup.

Oregon: Adrian Lopez, 1B

Lopez transferred within the Big Ten from USC to Oregon after hitting .304/.382/.534 with 13 home runs and 15 doubles in 2026. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound righthanded-hitting first baseman combines power with solid contact skills and a proven track record against conference competition.

Penn State: Genei Sato, RHP

Sato generated considerable attention when he moved from Japan to Penn State this summer, having impressed against the U.S. Collegiate National Team in 2025. He has continued to turn heads in Happy Valley with a mid-to-upper-90s fastball featuring run and ride, a potentially plus splitter and a slider, giving him legitimate strikeout stuff.

Purdue: Cam Allen, RHP

Allen posted a 6.38 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 30 walks across 66.1 innings while working exclusively as a starter at Wright State in 2026, though his arsenal offers considerably more intrigue than the results suggest. He features a low-to-mid-90s fastball with cut-ride shape, a big sweeper, a cutter, high-80s changeup and high-70s curveball, showcasing impressive feel for spin across a deep five-pitch mix.

Rutgers: Mickey Gilligan, C

Gilligan is an athletic freshman catcher with elite arm strength, possessing a plus-plus throwing arm that ranked among the best in the 2026 high school class. The lefthanded hitter also shows solid bat speed and mobility behind the plate.

UCLA: Isaac Wachsmann, OF

Wachsmann broke out at Creighton in 2026 after two seasons at Xavier, hitting .281/.380/.535 with 14 home runs, 11 doubles and 12 stolen bases. The physical, 6-foot-4, 220-pound outfielder combines a quick, powerful righthanded swing with above-average game power and solid athleticism.

USC: Rallin Covey, RHP

Covey gives USC a young, 6-foot-4, 215-pound freshman righthander with a projectable frame and solid strike-throwing ability. His fastball sits 88-91 mph and touches 93, while a low-80s changeup with significant sink and fade stands out as a potential above-average swing-and-miss weapon.

Washington: Joseph Martin, RHP

Martin made 24 relief appearances as a junior at SIUE in 2026, posting a 4.65 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 19 walks across 40.2 innings. He features a high-80s to low-90s fastball that plays above its velocity thanks to impressive run, ride and an exceptionally flat approach angle, complemented by a tight low-to-mid-80s slider and an occasional changeup.