2028 College Top 100 Watch List

A potential two-way talent, Partida has loud, physical tools. On the bump he's touched 99 and will hold 92-94 after the first couple innings of work. He's capable of clicking into another gear as the game gets late with big spots too having shown the ability to touch 95 after 80 pitches of work. It's steep with tailing action, responsible for tons of groundballs. He'll fold in a mid-70s curve that lacks firmness, but does feature bigger two-plane shape. There's also a low-80s changeup that he's still working to fully polish in terms of conviction and arm speed. Partida has effort through his release and projects into the bullpen should he continue pitching at the next level. That said, almost everyone prefers the infielder and the bat.

Partida is a particularly impressive athlete with tools on the left side of the infield that stand out in an immediate way. Some believe he has a chance to become a true middle-of-the-order stick to go alongside that defensive value.

Partida has soft hands and actions around the pillow that really project to stick on the dirt. He's played some shortstop, however he's already outgrown that role for most, his lateral range being tested at the '6' in his current physical state. That being said, Partida has a good chance to play the shortstop position up the minor league ladder. His athletic skills should allow him to play third base at a very high level. It's at least plus arm strength with an arm action that carries the baseball through the first base bag. He's got above average foot speed that should play anywhere on the diamond. Partida has exceptionally soft hands and quiet actions befitting of a left-side infielder. His heartbeat and internal clock stand out. Nothing gets Partida out of his comfort zone.

Partida has easy bat speed and flashes above average game power to all fields. He could eventually grow into above average over-the-fence game-power upside. Partida is already rather maxed physically and is doesn't possess too much more projection from a physicality perspective. However he's already impacting the game in all facets. There's a ton of tools and myriad avenues for impact on this player. It's a premium profile.

There were teams in the 2025 Draft that had close to $2 million on Ketelsen's name, however a commitment to Stanford always made his signability a question.

Ketelsen is how you draw them up in terms of frame and projection. Already a physical profile, Ketelsen has long levers and a high waist that point toward more strength and impact at the plate on the way. He's already hitting pitches with authority, and his bat speed dwarfs that of most of his comparable peers right now. Ketelsen extends well through the zone and creates stretch in his swing, showcasing his athleticism. He covers the outside part of the zone with ease, and is strong and polished enough to pull his hands through pitches on the inner black, keeping them pull-side. It's one of the better swings in the class, and it projects. With further strength gains, Ketelsen could transform into an impact bat.

Ketelsen is a long-strider with 'plus' speed. He's got an above average arm and takes strong routes in the outfield, gliding to the spot and staying behind the baseball. He's got a chance to develop into an above average all-around defender. Very mature approach to fielding. Ketelsen has a chance to develop into 5 tools, and represents one of the better ceilings in the 2028 class.

Some scouts prefer Ketelsen on the mound where his 6-foot-4-inch frame and left-handedness has scouts intrigued. Ketelsen has been up to 93 with a metrically appealing fastball and a slider that tunnels well off the pitch with average command and deeper shape. Ketelsen has a higher slot that can surprise hitters out of the hand.

Despite being selected in the second round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2025 Draft, Cervantes went unsigned as a prep and decided to go to school. He's a gifted, projectable athlete will a full menu of pitches to get the opposition out.

Up to 97, Cervantes will live 92-93 with life at the top rail and darting action away from left-handed bats. His go-to weapon is a big upper-70s/low-80s bender with huge two-plane tilt, more sweeping action than depth. He's shown good feel for the pitch and it'll flash 'plus' consistently. He'll need to firm it up just a bit for the breaker to reach it's 60-grade ceiling, but it's in the tank. Cervantes has a mid-80s changeup that lacks the execution of the breaking ball but flashes dynamic shape and has been particularly effective against left-handed hitters.

Cervantes has a good arm and starter actions on the bump. Further development of the changeup will dictate where scouts place his name in July 2028. Cervantes will be just 20 years old on draft day, something scouts will unquestionably weigh in their evaluation. He's a model darling.

Jaksa was a top 100 prospect in the 2025 draft but went unselected with big bonus demands.

A massively imposing right-handed hitter with violent, loud tools across the board, Jaksa has been impressing scouts for years. The tools offensively are quite clear with big bat speed and huge leverage at the dish. He stays well-connected for a player of his age and size and his frame points toward more strength and feel in the box coming.

It's near impossible to find players that are 6-foot-6 and stay behind the plate, but Jaksa has a decent shot. He gets low into the crouch and is rather agile and explosive in his pop times. Jaksa makes everything look smooth considering the gravity and physics he's battling. What it looks like now is impressive. He'll have to stand the test of time as he adds weight and strength to stay behind the plate, but his tools should play at third base or in right field should he be forced into the field.

Considered a first round talent in the 2025 MLB Draft, Appenzeller's draft stock never quite took flight that spring during his senior year as his basketball season went deep into the spring. He was unable to truly ramp up and never flashed the velocity scouts wanted to see to get him paid big money. He was drafted by the Mariners in the 19th round, but more so as an insurance pick for their earlier selections. Signability was always expected to be a concern.

This is as good as it gets from an upside perspective. A tall, lean left-hander, Appenzeller lives in low-90s but has tickled into the mid 90s with his long, wiry frame. He's already grabbed 95. It's a controlled delivery featuring very little effort. The arm action works well with looseness and fluid athleticism, some funk and angles.

Appenzeller throws an above-average low-80s slider that flashes 'plus' upside with big two-plane tilt. Appenzeller shows a real understanding for shaping the baseball with a willingness to sweep the ball away from left-handed bats and bury breakers onto the back-foot of righties. The changeup has taken major strides in college. It's a low-to-mid 80s off-speed weapon with strong action into the left-handed batters box.

Appenzeller is one of the more premium arms in the class with strikes, projection, three pitches and a good breaker.