Scouting notes on many of the top prospects from Arizona State, Cincinnati, Illinois, Illinois State, Indiana and Maryland.

Arizona State

He has yet to hit his stride this spring, but Sun Devils’ outfielder Brandon Compton is still having a strong season (.289/.397/.507). The 6-foot-1, 220-pound lefthanded hitter has a well-earned reputation for making consistent hard contact, while working the count and reaching base. He began his prospect breakout two summers ago in the Northwoods League, slashing .320/.423/.563 with 13 home runs and continued to rake with a .354/.427/.661 line during his redshirt freshman season last spring for ASU. Compton then raised his draft stock even further, producing a .331/.414/.489 slash with six home runs and 40 RBIs in the Cape last summer. On a cool evening against Cincinnati this past Friday, his swing was short to the ball, but was more in/out of the strike zone. He was also reaching for the baseball instead of staying behind and turning to it. Compton ended the evening reaching base once in five plate appearances via a first-inning RBI single. There’s little doubt in the scouting industry that his bat is real, but he’ll need to find his groove soon to maximize his draft value which currently sits in the third round.

Another highly-talented Sun Devil who has yet to fully lock-in this spring after excelling last summer is lefthander Ben Jacobs. He’s been good at times this spring, especially against Gonzaga with six scoreless innings in early March, but the majority of the time he’s been what I saw first-hand at Cincinnati – a 4th-to-5th round talent. The 6-foot-1 southpaw posted very good numbers as a sophomore starter for the Sun Devils in 2024. His 102 strikeouts in just 66.1 innings (35.2% strikeout rate) is a testament to his nasty stuff and his ability to mix his pitches. Against Cincinnati a 90-93 mph fastball was his main offering and he mixed a 78-79 curve, 80-82 slider, 86 mph cutter and a low-80s split-grip changeup. None of the five were as near effective or of the quality that he showed in the summer when both his curve and change-of-pace graded above average. Despite the lackluster season to date (2-1, 4.82 ERA, 46.2 IP, 42 H, 24 BB, 57 SO), Jacobs has shown three average to better offerings in the past combined with a strong ability to pitch. He reminds of 2020 second-rounder Logan Allen (FIU/Cleveland), but will likely fall a couple rounds short of where Allen was selected unless something clicks soon and he returns to his previous form.

Cincinnati

One of the top senior hitters in the country, Kerrington Cross puts up numbers and plays like a winner. He saved his best for last in the Bearcats come-from-behind win against Arizona State, reaching base with a walk and two singles his last three trips to the plate. He’s an average runner down the line, posting a 4.32 from the right side on a soft ground ball to third base that he beat out for an infield single. He’s not the toolsiest or flashiest player, but he’s developed into a really productive hitter (.424/.548/.695). He’ll take his walks (27 this season), will steal bases (52 career) and flashes some pop (36 career home runs) all while limiting strikeouts with just a 9.7% strikeout rate this season. As a current 23 year-old, age is not on his side when it comes to maximum draft value, but Cross has a chance to be selected in the top ten rounds as a bonus pool saving prospect.

The Bearcats’ Friday night starter, sophomore Nathan Taylor, was amped up and throwing darts early against the Sun Devils. However, a two-out error took the 6-foot-4, 225-pound righthander off course for a few moments and when the dust had settled, four unearned runs crossed the plate in the first inning. There was some ride to his 93-95 mph heater with 17-19” IVB, but the pitch played below its velocity, despite 6-foot-10 inches of extension out front. Taylor also showed a 83-85 mph slider that flashed average and has produced a 43% Whiff rate (85th percentile) to date this season. He’s a top five round draft follow for 2026.

Rightfielder Landyn Vidourek has always had impact talent with high-level athleticism and big tools, and now he’s made a jump with his performance during his junior season. Currently producing at a .292/.439/.558 clip, the lefthanded hitter reached base five times in six plate appearances Friday night. The one time he did not reach base was on an RBI groundout. Despite a season 26.5% strikeout rate, Vidourek showed good plate discipline, walking four times, and most importantly he didn’t chase all night. He’ll show plus raw power in batting practice and has homered 18 times in his two-plus seasons in Cincy. He’s also a plus-plus runner who stole 18 bases last season and has already swiped 20 this spring. There’s top five-to-seven round potential with Vidourek if it continues to come together.

Evansville

Senior outfielder Ty Rumsey is a 70-grade runner who has stolen 22 bases in 25 attempts this spring. The lefthanded hitter is also a threat at the plate from the leadoff spot with a .348 average. Rumsey also shows a plus arm and above average range in centerfield. With two plus-to-better tools and high-level performance, expect Rumsey to hear his name called early on day three this summer.

Illinois

Friday night starter Tyler Schmitt doesn’t have the ideal combo of walks to strikeouts (32 BB / 30 SO) to date this season, but he has managed it well to the tune of a 3-1 record and 4.34 ERA. The 6-foot-3 loose-armed righthander ran his fastball up to 93, sitting mostly 90-92 during my look against Maryland. There is some light arm side life to the pitch, but otherwise it’s fairly straight and spins in the 2100s rpm. His slider flashed average with the potential to become even better showing good depth and three-quarter slant, but it’s still an inconsistent offering at this point. Ditto for his 77-78 mph curve which will spin into the 2500s at times and his 83-85 mph changeup thrown to lefthanded hitters. Overall, his curve has produced the most Whiff at 31.4% which places it in the 56th percentile. A junior with an easy delivery and high projection, Schmitt just needs to continue to pitch, turning his potential into polish and high level performance. It’s all there and his future looks bright.

A lot of traffic on the bases in the 1st as both pitchers struggled to feel their fingers. Combined for 3 walks and 1 HBP.

Schmitt 90-92 w/ 84 SL.

McCoy 90 92 sinker w/ avg 82 SLRV.

Vytas Valincius RBI double for Illinois.

End of 1: Illini 2, Terps 0@d1baseball pic.twitter.com/xYfzQn73qL

— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) April 5, 2025

The Illini’s top position prospect for the 2025 draft is centerfielder Nick Groves. The lefthanded hitter has been sidelined since the end of March with a minor injury, but he’s expected to return soon. A transfer from Niagara, Groves does not possess much power with just three career home runs in almost 600 plate appearances, but he excels by taking the bat to ball (.357 average), limiting strikeouts (13.2% K rate) and using his plus speed to swipe bases (12-for-15).

Illinois State

The highest ranked prospect in this series was Daniel Pacella who slotted at No. 84 (4th round) in our midseason update. He struggled in my look on Sunday, making hard contact just one time with two strikeouts in four at-bats. He showed a lot of head movement during the pitch and did not stay behind the baseball and rotate. Instead he reached and got himself out. He looked susceptible to off speed on the outer half and that’s exactly how Evansville pitched him. However, when the lefthanded hitter is going well he’s able to line those pitches the opposite way with authority. Statistics tell you what you don’t see when you’re not at the ballpark and his .407/.488/.756 production line is eye-opening. And it tells a much more complete story than my in-person evals here and there. His top EV this season is 112 mph (55-grade). Pacella is also an adequate defender in left field who catches what he should catch. He shows fringe arm strength and enough range to handle the spot on an everyday basis. He’s likely to be considered in the 3rd-to-5th round, depending upon an organization's analytics’ model – his is a good one.

After a slow start junior shortstop Shai Robinson has found his groove at the plate. He’s now batting .308 with a .417 OBP as the Redbirds’ two-hole stick. His swing is a bit pull-heavy, but he’s also a smart hitter who works the count, puts the bat on the ball and gets on base. Over his three-year career at Illinois State, Robinson has made strides to his entire game and defense is where he shines the brightest. His plus arm strength is his top tool, but he’s a true shortstop who projects to stay there in pro ball. He locks down his position with sure hands, good actions, solid average range and his excellent instincts are his carrying tool. He’s a below average runner down the line, but has a smooth, athletic stride underway. There’s also developing raw power with buggywhip in his swing, and that power has taken a jump after breaking both hamate bones early in his ISU career. After totaling just 15 XBH during his freshman and sophomore years combined (243 plate appearances), Robinson has produced 13 already this spring in 156 PAs. His top EV this spring is 111.2 mph (50/55-grade). He’s likely to hear his name called sometime in the middle of day two.

Cleanup hitter Judah Morris remains intriguing to me for his plus-plus raw power and advanced bat skills. He’s a power hitter who also has the ability to adjust his swing. And he has some of the top juice in all of college baseball. During a scrimmage last fall I witnessed a 104.7 EV that traveled a distance of 487’ into a Hurricane Helene produced wind. Against Evansville on Sunday he flicked his wrists for a double off the wall in 20+ mph crosswinds for an RBI double in the third inning before clutching-up for another RBI double in the seventh that scored the go ahead run. Morris’ top EV this spring is 112.8 mph (60-grade). He leads Illinois State with 11 home runs, one ahead of Pacella.

Indiana

Ranked No. 16 in our Midseason 2025 Draft Prospects update, Indiana outfielder Devin Taylor is a high floor draft talent that has been a steady performer throughout his collegiate career. He’s on a short list of the most consistent hitters in all of college baseball over the past three seasons that includes Ethan Petry, Daniel Dickinson, Ike Irish, Cam Canarella and Caden Bodine. As a freshman Taylor slashed .315/.430/.650, sophomore .357/.449/.660 and is currently producing .368/.486/.653 this season. His 55-grade raw power (112 max EV) plays into the game as he’s totaled 46 career home runs in 150 games over two-plus seasons. This is six more than Hoosier alum Kyle Schwarber. Taylor does get a bit of a bum rap from some scouts for his inconsistent hustle to first base out of the batter’s box, making it tough to get an accurate time. But, I was able to clock a 4.32 on a hard-90 from a fielder’s choice ground ball. This run time is in line with his run times from the Cape last summer. And don’t think Taylor isn’t passionate about the game. He has a grinder mentality, as shown by the fact last summer when he began in the Cape Cod League, traveled to Cary, N.C. to join the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, and then returned to the Cape to finish out the summer season. Overall, Taylor’s production throughout the course of his college career and a summer in the Cape is very similar to James Tibbs (Florida State) who was selected 13th overall last summer by the Giants. Expect Taylor to go around this same area this July.

And here's the RBI single by Devin Taylor @IndianaBase to score the Hoosiers second run of the game.

Taylor has been the most consistent hitter in college baseball over his 3 years with a .347 avg and 46 HR.

Polished approach with great balance and really knows the K zone.… pic.twitter.com/4mGgjyZ10c

— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) April 12, 2025

A great development story out of Bloomington this spring has been the emergence of centerfielder Korbyn Dickerson. The draft-eligible sophomore ranked No. 41 in our midseason update. He has a well-rounded toolset with all of his present tools grading as a 50 (average) to 55 (above average) with the exception of his raw power which has produced a max EV of 117 mph this spring (70-grade). This juice is a result of his crazy-good bat speed. He also puts his foot speed to good use in the outfield, tracking from gap-to-gap. He also looked good on a ball directly over his head on a windy day at Illinois by running it down to the spot. After just 17 at-bats in 13 games and producing just a .235 average last season at Louisville, Dickerson has been on a heater since hitting for the cycle last fall against his old team. He’s continued to roll this spring and is currently batting .352 with 15 home runs. With continued high-level performance the righthanded hitter will receive consideration in the second round.

Maryland 

Junior lefthander Kyle McCoy worked quickly in the cold, mostly relying upon a low-90s sinker and a quality slurve in the low-80s. His third pitch was an occasional 83-84 mph changeup. There’s definite funk and crossfire to his operation which is then released from a low three-quarter slot. As the Terps Friday Night guy his results have been impressive this spring. The southpaw has posted a 3.57 ERA in 53 innings with 51 strikeouts against just 14 walks. McCoy will likely receive some consideration on day three.

Sophomore shortstop Chris Hacopian is the Terps’ top prospect. He was ranked No. 9 overall in our preseason Top 100 college draft prospects for 2026 and has done everything to live up to that billing. Much of his draft value is in the batter’s box where his aggressive lower half drift is similar to ex-Terp and current MLer, Chris Shaw. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it works for both of them. After a freshman season producing a .323/.431/.578 with 15 home runs, he’s currently slashing .350/.497/.556 this spring. Hacopian is a day one prospect to follow for 2026.