Rising 2025 MLB Draft Prospects To Watch In The Latest Top 500 Rankings Update

Kade Anderson Is The Top College Pitcher

LSU lefthander Kade Anderson was already ranked sixth on the BA 500 in our previous update, but after his exceptional run through the College World Series that culminated with a 10-strikeout complete game shutout in the CWS finals, Anderson has claimed the honor of being the top college pitcher in the draft class.

Anderson now ranks fourth overall and is the top college player in the rankings. With this update he’s moved ahead of Florida State lefthander Jamie Arnold and Oregon State shortstop Avia Arquette.

Gage Wood Leaps Forward

Working his way back from Tommy John surgery in 2022, Oklahoma righthander Cade Horton didn’t rank among the top pitching prospects in that year’s draft even as late as mid May. But his final month of work made him a must-see for scouting directors. He eventually went seventh overall to the Cubs.

Arkansas righthander Gage Wood has shown a similar rise in recent weeks. He was a reliever for the Razorbacks for his first two seasons, and his move to the rotation this year was delayed by a shoulder injury that cost him almost all of February and March. When he got back on the mound in mid April, he started showing starter traits, and he’s just gotten better and better as the season wore on.

Wood’s 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State in the College World Series is one of the best outings in CWS history. His stuff is as good as the results, with an upper-90s fastball that is one of the best pitches in this year’s class. Wood ranks 18th now, having jumped all the way up from 94 on our previous update, and he’ll be an exciting rising name to watch on draft day.

Potential Prep Picks Who’ve Popped

Tennessee high school shortstop Josh Owens has jumped up 65 spots to No. 77 in the latest update. He’s a well-rounded prospect now with plenty of future projection.

New Jersey prep shortstop Nick Becker moved up 33 spots to 80th overall. Like Owens, his projectability to go with present speed and hitting ability has him climbing into consideration for the top three rounds.

Jacob Parker, the twin brother of potential top 10 pick JoJo Parker, has impressed in his own right and could give the family a pair of draft picks. Parker ranked 209th in our previous update, and he’s moved up 94 spots to 115.

College Prospects Moving Up

Ole Miss infielder Luke Hill made a 90-spot climb to No. 104 in the new rankings. Hill was steady and reliable in his first year with the Rebels, hitting .336/.459/.488.

UNC Wilmington righthander Zane Taylor enters the rankings at No. 151. The senior was dominant at times this year, posting a 1.98 ERA over 15 starts to nab second-team All-American honors. He has excellent command of a solid 93-94 mph fastball and a wide array of secondary offerings.

Southern Miss outfielder Jake Cook climbed a whopping 166 spots to slot in at No. 209. Cook is a speedy center fielder who doesn’t steal bases, but he does make plenty of contact and plays an above-average center field.

Arkansas righthander Ben Bybee is a big righthander who could be a starter or reliever in pro ball. He generates plenty of strikeouts, and his best years may still be ahead of him. He’s a new addition to the rankings at No. 251.

Florida infielder Bobby Boser enters the rankings at No. 283. He has played everywhere for South Florida and now Florida. With a strong record of hitting with wood bats in the Cape Cod League and chance to both play in the dirt and handle multiple outfield spots, he’s a potentially valuable senior sign.

Walters State (Tenn.) JC righthander Aiden Robertson (No. 287) joins the rankings after leading Division I JC pitchers with 130 strikeouts. His low release height helps his low-90s fastball play above its velocity.

LSU outfielder Chris Stanfield (No. 296) is another addition. Stanfield went unpicked last year as a draft-eligible sophomore at Auburn. He moved to LSU this year, won a national title and also raised his draft stock along the way. He’s a slashing/contact-oriented center fielder much like Andrew Stevenson, Zach Watson and Jake Fraley before him at LSU.