Riedell Report: Top 10 College Draft-Eligible Middle Infielders

Aiva Arquette (NCAA photo)

By Andrew Riedell

We are inching ever closer to the MLB Draft in Atlanta that begins All-Star Week festivities, but they haven’t kicked off yet, so we are still breaking down each position! Rather than separate shortstop or second base, we have a composite middle-infield review that I believe makes it feel more competitive. Let’s jump right into it!

1. Aiva Arquette (Oregon State) SS Age: 21 Class: Junior

Arquette came into this past season in consideration for the first overall pick, but while that has changed, I don't think he slides far and remains a projected Top 5 pick this year.

Transferring into Oregon State helped Arquette this season, hitting .354 and belting 19 HRs for the Beavers. I like Arquette's approach and his bat, and I think it will translate pretty well. He has above-average contact but is still working on his swing and plate discipline (16.5% strikeout rate). His power is also very projectable, and he showed that off in Omaha as a batting practice favorite to watch. Arquette can drive the balls to all parts of the field with ease, is going to be a special player, and I think he will go pretty early. 

2. Wehiwa Aloy (Arkansas) SS Age: 21 Class: Junior

The Golden Spikes Award winner comes in at #2 on my list, and I think Aloy is going to be special, whoever takes him. I believe he is a Top 15 talent and could even go in the Top 10 if asking prices from some high school prospects are too high. Aloy was also the SEC Player of the Year winner in a breakout year, hitting .350 with 21 HRs and 68 RBIs.

I believe Aloy's swing is one of the best in the draft as a whole, and I think he can hit for power to all parts of the field. He has elite bat-to-ball skills and has very good plate discipline, avoiding forced bad at-bats. As I mentioned, his plus raw power made him one of the best hitters in college baseball this year, as he displayed in Omaha homering to the opposite field against UCLA. I believe all five tools of his have a strong upside, his fielding skill set is very strong, as well a really good baseball IQ. And for the record, I still think he made the right play vs LSU.

3. Gavin Kilen (Tennessee) 2B Age: 21 Class: Junior

Our first second baseman comes in at the #3 spot here, as the Louisville transfer Kilen boasts one of the best lefty swings in the draft. At Tennessee this year, he hit .357 with 15 HRs with 46 RBI. He also does not strike out much, just 27 times this season and has a very good contact efficiency.

He balances his raw power with very good plate coverage and being able to pepper the ball to all parts of the field. He is an intelligent base runner, can work counts very well, and has matured as a hitter in three years of college ball, traits that translate well to pro ball. Something to follow is his aggressive hitting approach, which has not hurt him via the strikeout, but if he could become more patient, he could take his offensive output to the next level.

4. Alex Lodise (Florida State) SS Age: 21 Class: Junior

The Dick Howser Trophy winner comes in #4, just a few spots ahead of his cousin and fellow ACC'er Kyle. I think he is a very underrated pick and some team will be licking their chops should they see him available. Hitting .394 this season with 17 HRs and 68 RBI gives Lodise every reason to be a top prospect coming into the draft this year. He has some elite contact skills, and his swing is very good, already well developed, and could still developmore when facing pro pitching.

His potential offensive dominance could lead to him being a true 3-4 hitter in some future lineups, with a high average and continued plate dominance. His game could also translate with his speed, as he does have some decent speed and is a solid base runner. Should a team seek to make him into a stolen base king, I feel like they could work that into his future as well. The Lodise glove is very good and very reliable, not a concern with me.

5. Marek Houston (Wake Forest) SS Age: 21 Class: Junior

Some experts have Houston as a Top 15 pick in the draft this year, but with all due respect, I do not agree. I think Houston has a solid glove, but I worry about his offensive abilities translating to the pros. Breaking out in his sophomore year and then continuing his offensive success in 2025, I do worry that pro pitching will catch up to Houston.

I think Marek's glove will translate to pro ball very well, as he is an elite defender and has excellent range at shortstop. His offensive mechanics scream dead pull hitter to me and remind me a lot of Anthony Volpe, except he rarely strikes out. He does maintain some really good plate discipline, but I am still concerned about offensive production translating.

6. Mitch Voit (Michigan) 2B Age: 20 Class: Junior

Mitch Voit was my favorite player in the Big 10 to watch this season, as he settled in on focusing on hitting this season after having elbow surgery last season. And the emphasis paid off, hitting .346 with 14 HRs and 60 RBI, but most importantly and impressively, he slashed his strikeouts in half and raised his OBP to .417 this season.

One concern I have talked to scouts about is power numbers, but the numbers have grown steadily over the last two years and I don’t think that is anything to worry about. I like Voit as a gap-to-gap hitter, and I believe he is going to both hit for average and be a guy who hits 15-20 HRs a season and a lot of doubles for his future team.

7. Henry Godbout (Virginia/Transfer Portal) 2B Age: 21 Class: Junior

If you read my first baseman rankings, I listed Chris Arroyo yesterday, a former UVA player still in the portal. It's the same case here with Godbout, as he feels confident with where he could be drafted and is expected to sign, per a source.

Godbout is going to be a solid hit-for-average guy in pro ball, as his power numbers do not really wow anyone, but he does have solid pull-side power. He has elite contact, though in my opinion though with average running skills, he can put the ball in play and find himself turning singles into doubles. His approach at the plate and handling pitch velocity is also very good, which can turn on scouts to pick him at a higher slot. He projects very well to be a second baseman but does have experience at shortstop also.

8. Kyle Lodise (Georgia Tech) SS Age: 21 Class: Junior

Transferring in from Division 2 Augusta, Lodise did not show any growing pains transitioning to the ACC, stepping right in and hitting .329 with 16 HRs and 61 RBI in his one year at Georgia Tech.

Lodise was known as Georgia Tech’s Chief Vibes Officer, so whomever drafts Lodise will be landing a pretty solid clubhouse guy as well. Lodise's offensive balance at the plate has been solid at both stops he made, but I believe he can develop further and transition very well to the pros. He is a good situational batter, hits for both contact and power, and has good gap-to-gap hitting skills. His defensive skills are also very solid, he is a leader at shortstop and plays the position with confidence, and he has really good defensive instincts.

9. Colin Yeaman (UC Irvine) SS Age: 21 Class: Junior

Yeaman came into UC Irvine from a JUCO and made an instant impact in the lineup, hitting .336 with 13 HRs and 56 RBI, slugging .591 in his lone season playing for the Anteaters.

Yeaman has an aggressive swing with the ability to crush fastballs. He has shown bat speed and contact on the fastball but has struggled facing secondary pitches, where he has been whiffing more often. He does have some solid pull power but has also displayed some power to the opposite field; so, if he can translate that to pro ball, he can compete there. He has a nice athletic profile, filling in a bulky 6' 2" frame with average speed. His defensive mechanics are very solid, but I could see him making a move to third base because of his strong arm and range.

10. Drew Faurot (Florida State) 2B Age: 21 Class: Junior

Following in his father Adam’s footsteps by playing at FSU, Drew broke out in his second year, hitting .307 with 16 HRs and 51 RBI from the left side. Faurot's swing is nice, and he can rope the ball into the right center gap, showing exceptional pull power.

He has a very aggressive swing and accordingly struggles with swing and miss stuff. But, the power is there, having shown 110+ MPH exit velocities from both sides of the plate. Faurot has experience playing both middle infield positions, above-average athleticism, and plus speed, flexibility that will be an asset for him.

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