In an ever-shifting era of college baseball, one defined by the transfer portal, NIL, and smaller rosters, perhaps no player has been impacted more than the sophomore-eligible draftee. These players simply have less time to prove themselves, with just two years on campus before they're draft-eligible. But perhaps that's a benefit? Not only are draft-eligible sophomore eligible for more years on draft boards, they hold more cards in NIL negotiations. It's made drafting and paying a draft-eligible sophomore more complicated than ever.
One big year is all it takes to bolster a player's draft stock, given the right tools and development. Every year, players who didn't get much time or attention as freshmen take a big stride forward in their second season. Here are some names you may not have heard thrown around much yet who could make that jump.
AJ Putty, 1B/OF -- Illinois
Putty is a right-handed bat …