Arriving at training camp on June 26, over 50 of the top non draft-eligible collegians participated in the CNT Trials with two practices and six scrimmages over eight days to determine the final team. The 26-man roster then traveled across the Pacific to face Samurai Japan 18O in the Japan Collegiate All-Star Championship Series.

The offense stalled out in Japan, batting just .201 during the five game series, but that did not mean it lacked high end talent led by returnees from last summer’s club Drew Burress (Georgia Tech), AJ Gracia (Duke/Virginia), Eric Becker (Virginia) and Zion Rose (Louisville).

Today we take a look at the infielders.

Eric Becker (Virginia)- After a highly productive Trials in the batter’s box (.417, 5-for-12, 3 RBIs), Becker singled four times in 18 at-bats (.222) with eight strikeouts against Japan. The lefthanded hitter led the club in quality at-bats and made line drive contact in 50% of his at-bats. He currently shows a little extra length to his swing with average bat speed and average raw power, but projects to grow into at least plus raw power as his 6-foot-3, 195-pound continues to mature. Becker began his collegiate career at third base as a freshman, in deference to Griff O’Ferrall, but shifted to shortstop this past spring where he showed fair hands, near average arm strength and below average range. For the CNT he started the first four games of the Japan series at the hot corner after also seeing some time at second base during the Trials. He profiles best to either of these spots at the pro level. Overall, Becker continues to look like a top 40 overall prospect for the 2026 draft.

Tyler Bell (Kentucky)- An unsigned second round pick of Tampa Bay in the 2024 draft and a draft-eligible sophomore for 2026, Bell chose the college route and did not disappoint during his freshman season at Kentucky. A switch-hitting shortstop with above average bat speed and the ability to manipulate the barrel and nearly identical splits from each side, he slashed .296/.385/.522 with 10 home runs and 17 doubles. From both sides of the plate he stays back and works the middle of the field with a line drive swing. After struggling in the batter’s box during the Trials (2-for-15), he singled twice in nine at-bats with five strikeouts against Japan. A well-rounded talent with a strong arm that has plenty of carry, sure hands and fluid actions, he committed only six errors in 214 chances (.972 FLD%) this spring. He also played error-free baseball in 27 chances this summer with the CNT as he rotated between second base, third base and shortstop. Bell is a first round prospect for next summer’s draft.

Roch Cholowsky, SS (UCLA)- The current favorite for 1-1 overall in next summer’s draft, Cholowsky was D1 Baseball’s Player of the Year in 2025 after leading the Bruins to the CWS. Including the postseason, he batted .353 with 19 doubles, 23 home runs and 74 RBIs. After again batting .353, to go along with a home run and four RBIs in five games during the Trials, he struggled across the Pacific, hitting just .059 (1-for-17) with nine strikeouts against Japan. The mass strikeouts were highly uncharacteristic as Cholowsky only struck out in 9.3% of his plate appearances during the 2025 spring season. Maker of the routine, as well as the spectacular play on defense, Cholowsky is the top college shortstop to come along in many years. He consistently shows plus range in all directions, especially up the middle, to go along with athletic actions and excellent body control. His arm is plus and plays up further with his ability to make accurate throws from any angle. He committed seven errors in 314 chances (.978) for UCLA this spring and one error in 37 chances for the CNT. He’s a lock to remain in spot at the professional level.

Mulivai Levu, 1B (UCLA)- A prep shortstop, Levu played exclusively at first base for the CNT, making one error in 71 chances after fielding .998 with just one error in 569 chances for the Bruins this past spring. He’s a slick defender who is very good at picking the short hop and good instincts knowing how far to range into the 4-hole, but his talents do not end on the dirt. An RBI machine who totaled 85 runs batted in during the spring (second in the NCAA), the 6-foot-1, 205-pound lefthanded hitter added six more ribbies in five games during the Trials. Four of those came with the bases loaded as he yanked a grand slam with a 103-mph exit velocity into the trees behind the right field wall 390’. His max EV during the spring season was 110.9 which is on the high side of average for college baseball. Levu made great strides at the plate from his freshman season (.291/.355/.455, 6 HR) to his sophomore (.320/.389/.522, 12 HR). He also drastically reduced his strikeout rate from 26.7% to just 15.3% while improving his walk rate and ISO. Overall, Levu would have greater draft value at anywhere other than first base, and the scouting industry is hopeful to get looks at third base over the course of the next year. He’ll have to trim up a bit to more look the part, but success at the hot corner could boost him into day one in 2026.

Ace Reese, UTL (Mississippi State)- After a strong year in the batter’s box as a freshman for Houston, Reese took his talents to the SEC where he mashed this past spring for the Bulldogs (.352/.422/.718, 21 HR). He shows good bat speed and makes strong swing decisions in the box. His bat path is tight which gives him very few holes to cover, especially against the fastball. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound lefthanded hitter does need to develop a bit more patience at the plate, walking in just 9% of his plate appearances, but overall he possesses a strong offensive package. Reese batted .267 with a .353 OBP at the Trials, then followed it up with a 3-for-12 showing against Japan. Defensively at third base, he’s a fair-actioned defender with average hands and arm strength that is aided through momentum, but he does add versatility with his ability to also play the outfield where his tracking will need further refinement. He split time between first base and DH against Japan after also seeing some time in left field during the Trials. Overall, Reese has bat-first value and is a day one draft prospect for 2026.

Chris Rembert (Auburn)- Alternating with Lucas Moore, Rembert hit leadoff for the CNT in their five game trip to Japan. The righthanded hitter with plus bat speed can do a little bit of everything in the batter’s box. He has the plate discipline and speed to be a top-of-the-order catalyst, as well as the power to slot into the traditional three or five spots in the lineup. He hit a leadoff homer to left-center during the Trials that left the bat at 107 mph and traveled 444 feet. Later in the same game, he added two walks and a stolen base. Defensively, he profiles best to second base, but could also develop into a playable outfielder. Rembert is a top breakout candidate for 2026 which would likely elevate him into the top 15 overall picks as a draft-eligible sophomore and is loosely comparable to Seaver King who was selected 10th overall in 2024.