2027 College Draft

Rodriguez wasn't quite the physical specimen he is today in high school. In fact, Rodriguez tacked on 20 pounds of muscle within six months of enrolling in Austin. That added weight transformed the Flower Mound product into an immediate impact bat for the Longhorns earning him considerable playing time as a true freshman.

The added weight allowed Rodriguez to blossom. He went from below-average to solid-average in the run tool. The raw bat speed jumped from above average to plus. His throwing arm even made a jump to solid average. Rodriguez hasn't been afraid of the opportunity or the big, bright lights since arriving on campus. His work ethic and attitude sticks out to his teammates. Early on, the hit tool has impressed. If there's one criticism in an area Rodriguez will need to clean up, it's the hands on the dirt. There's stiffness and apprehension in how he attacks the baseball. If those components to his game don't improve, there's a chance he ends up at first base or in a corner outfield role.

Time will tell what the final package looks like for Rodriguez after three years of seasoning and potentially even more mass. As is the case with most prospects, money will be made or lost with the bat. At this stage, "A-Rod" looks like a very, very good one.

Lawson is one of the more premium Canadian prospects to become available in recent draft classes. A 19th round pick by the Cardinals in 2024, Lawson elected to bet on himself and head to Gainesville. He's an extremely dangerous hitter with a smooth, controlled, violent left-handed swing featuring exceptional torque and ground force. Lawson has posted hard-hit rates that rival anyone in college baseball throughout his time on campus, however he is susceptible to swing and miss against breaking balls. Lawson presents organic loft in his swing and is already showcasing over-the-fence power.

Lawson's approach to hitting is exceptional. He keeps his chase rates in check and generally takes what the pitcher is willing to give him. He'll go the other way when they're pitching him soft low-and-away, but pitches left inside are deleted. Lawson grew up swinging wood bats in Canada and he’s played in the MLB Draft League and on the Cape with wood too. There won't be any sort of adjustment period when switching to professional baseball. He has plus raw power as it stands now with exit velocities registering north of 112 mph. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he still has some room to grow into more.

He's got a premium, long, athletic bluechip frame that has forced him off the shortstop position, but he's spent time all over the infield in Gainesville. He might be capable of playing third base at the next level if he doesn't slow down or get stiff with the added muscle. His above average speed and average arm play just fine anywhere on the dirt.

A two-way prospect, Brown's bat surprised some folks in his freshman season at Rice. The stick, combined with his upside on the mound, landed him in the transfer portal seeking brighter lights in 2026. He landed in Knoxville.

Brown is a good hitter with some bat-to-ball skills that are necessary with his aggressive approach. Brown isn't afraid to expand the zone at times but displays the hand-eye coordination to fend off pitches off the black. Brown consistently barrels up the baseball and has flashed above-average raw power. Ground balls have diluted his offensive impact at times throughout his collegiate career, but the ceiling is significant considering his age, size, handedness and athleticism.

Brown's got the frame scouts looks for in a projectable pitcher featuring a lean, lanky frame with a ton of weight to come. His sloping shoulders and narrow core suggests he'll always be a leaner cut, but there's 15 good pounds still to come in his lower half. The lanky lefty is up to 95 and will sit 90-92 over starts with sinking action. The control and command of the fastball have improved this year. There's an upper-70s slider with two planes, more depth than sweep. It's not yet an out pitch, but it projects. There's a lot of components here to like.

Clark came on like a bat out of hell for the Vols as a true freshman. He was showing raw power and a reinfed hit tool generally reserved for players far older than he. That's continued to carry forward. It's comfortably plus raw power projection with exit velocities north of 113 mph at peak. Clark possesses one of the best hard-hit rates in the 2027 class and pair it with a selective approach that includes impressively low chase rates and the adjustability necessary to extend at-bats. He's got a nice blend of hit tool and power -- a reasonably rare trait for college catchers.

It can be difficult to find legitimate catching prospects in any class, but Clark has some of the tools necessary to stay behind the plate long-term. It's a strong arm and explosiveness out of a low crouch. That checks a lot of boxes for scouts.

Clark has a chance to develop into one of the more well-rounded catching prospects to become available in recent years.

When Oregon State learned that Dax Whitney was walking away from first round money in order to play ball in Corvallis, they had to have been overjoyed. He's had some of the best stuff in the country from the moment he stepped foot on campus.

Whitney is a tremendous mover with a high leg kick through his wind up, a clean hand break and ultra-repeatable operation. He's a long, tall righty with projection remaining in his upper-half and an already sturdy, well-built lower half. He's got broad, squared-off shoulders and a high waist; two signs of a guy who figures to continue to add velocity as he matures. He extends well down the bump and lands consistently out in front with above-average extension and lower-half drive. He uses his legs quite well and generates considerable velocity because of it.

Whitney has special fastball. Not only is it deceptive, his over-the-top delivery produces considerable carry through the zone with Tyler Glasnow-esque cutting action. It's a super-effective pitch at generating whiffs, aided by above-average spin rates, up to 98 mph. It's a menacing weapon on the top rail, and Whitney commands it well.

Whitney throws two breaking balls. His sweeping slider is a deep, thrown in the low-to-mid 80s featuring above-average spin. It's got significant lateral action and is a nightmare for right-handed hitters focused on catching up with velocity. A bigger curveball mirrors his fastball brilliantly, thrown in the low-80s with considerable vertical tilt. There's also a changeup in the upper-80s bucket, though it lags behind his three primary weapons both in execution and conviction for now. The operation is short, compact, and quick with loose actions working downhill with authority.

There is little question at this early stage that Whitney is the best pitching prospect in the 2027 class.