While younger demographics often command the attention of scouts, college baseball is scattered with old-for-the-class difference makers that could turn into legitimate prospects for major league organizations. Each year, we see draft-eligible sophomores and juniors stay in college for another year in hopes of improving stock— or, in recent cases, for an NIL deal. This year’s crop includes the likes of Henry Ford, Tre Phelps, and Maika Niu.
They often come at a steep discount, considering their age and lack of leverage, with little to no eligibility remaining. Take Kerrington Cross, Slate Alford, and Wyatt Henseler, for example, some of the most productive bats in last year's class, each signing for $20,000 or below. An easy way to both save money and find value in the draft.
Recent senior signs turned big leaguers include former Astros top prospect Joey Loperfido, who has carved out …