Riedell Report: Top 10 College Outfielders who are MLB Draft eligible

Jace Laviolette (Texas A&M Athletics photo)

By Andrew Riedell

We are here! We are a day away, and we will be hitting all three outfield spots today by just ranking my Top 10 college outfielders eligible for the MLB Draft. This is a very talented group this year, and I am excited to rank them. Let’s jump into it!

1. Ike Irish (Auburn) Age: 21 Class: Junior

I project Irish to be an outfielder, after missing a weekend due to back surgery and displaying really good range as a corner outfielder for Auburn this season. Standing at 6'2" and weighing 200 lbs, this left-handed slugger has achieved an impressive batting line of .364/.469/.710, along with 19 home runs, 11 stolen bases, and a remarkable 1.179 OPS during his junior year.

He earned consecutive First Team All-SEC accolades and is recognized as one of the top offensive talents in the nation. His swing produces exceptional exit velocities, averaging 94.6 mph and reaching a maximum of 113.9 mph, complemented by an outstanding hard-hit rate of 61%. He consistently makes solid contact with fastballs, including those exceeding 92 mph, boasting an 84% contact rate. Should he refine his pitch selection by lowering his chase rate and elevating more balls, he is projected to be a 20–25 home run hitter with considerable positional versatility.

2. Brendan Summerhill (Arizona) Age: 21 Class: Junior

Summerhill finds himself at number two on my list after his impressive postseason, a big reason why Arizona found themselves in Omaha. But, teams do have a few reservations about his long-term ceiling and rebound from injury.

His gentle, consistent left-handed swing, elevated walk rate, and polished technique render him a challenging opponent and a promising candidate for either corner or center field. Additionally, he demonstrates above-average speed and defensive adaptability.

Nonetheless, there are ongoing concerns regarding his ability to project power—he has demonstrated more contact than home run potential during game play, with scouts assessing his home run power at approximately a 40. Furthermore, he suffered a fractured hand in March 2025, leading to inquiries about his capacity to recover, although his exit velocities have increased following the injury. Regardless, the majority of evaluators view him as a first-round prospect, mainly because of his sophisticated barrel control, awareness of the strike zone, and versatility in defensive positions.

3. Devin Taylor (Indiana) Age: 21 Class: Junior

Taylor earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors for the third straight year, finishing the 2025 season with an impressive batting line of .374/.494/.706, 18 home runs, and 66 RBI, consistently ranking him among the top college hitters. Taylor's swing generates remarkable raw power, evidenced by exit velocities surpassing 110 mph and a hard-hit rate exceeding 50%. His plate discipline is outstanding, concluding 2025 with a 52:30 BB-to-K ratio, which allows him to effectively drive fastballs with authority to all parts of the field.

Although his speed and defensive metrics are considered fringe-average, likely limiting him to a corner outfield position, his batting ability will maintain his overall value. The main area for Taylor's improvement is his plate discipline, particularly in reducing chase rates and enhancing his zone control. Nevertheless, given his current profile, he is anticipated to function as a middle-of-the-order hitter, and his offensively oriented skill set could quickly establish him as a regular corner outfielder in professional baseball.

4. Jace LaViolette (Texas A&M) Age: 21 Class: Junior

LaViolette came into this season as the projected first overall pick, but now it is looking like he will be picked in the middle of the first round. If so, he will become the first draft pick since the 1980s who did not hit over .300 in the season they were drafted.

Throughout his college career, he has achieved an impressive total of 50 home runs during his initial two seasons, merging raw power with a methodical approach at the plate, exhibiting elevated walk rates and a talent for hitting fastballs to all areas of the field. He consistently produces exceptional exit velocities (often exceeding 115 mph) and possesses outstanding raw power, rated at 65/70 by scouts from various sources.

Defensively, despite his stature, LaViolette has demonstrated above-average athleticism, accumulating innings in both center and corner outfield positions while displaying a strong arm. The main concern in his profile is his hitting ability, characterized by a strikeout rate in the mid-20% range and frequent swings and misses, particularly against breaking pitches.

If he can persist in honing his zone discipline and lower his chase rates—especially against breaking balls—future evaluations of this draft may lead us to believe that LaViolette should have been selected earlier, as he possesses significant middle-of-the-order potential. Even at his lowest projection, he remains a high-impact hitter with the capability of hitting 30 or more home runs and providing above-average defense in the outfield.

5. Ethan Conrad (Transfer Portal) Age: 21 Class: Junior 

Ethan Conrad comes into the MLB Draft with some options, as his name is still floating out there in the Transfer Portal, and being a Scott Boras client, some teams might opt to stay away and let him go back to college for his senior year, especially coming off an injury.

Conrad has a slender athletic build, with significant physical potential still to be realized, and his swing mechanics are notably clean and consistent. He maintains an upright posture with minimal unnecessary movement, generating effortless bat speed from a subtle load and relaxed, flexible hands. His swing path results in reliable line-drive contact with inherent loft, indicating untapped in-game power that could develop into a potential for over 20 home runs as he matures.

After excelling at Marist (.389/.467/.704 with 13 triples), he made a significant transition to Wake Forest, continuing to excel until a shoulder injury curtailed his season. His performance in the Cape Cod League—.385 batting average, .920 OPS, and 19 stolen bases—demonstrated that his skill set is effective against top-tier competition.

Although he is still honing his approach to advanced offspeed pitches and breaking balls, Conrad's smooth athleticism, mature barrel control, and strong underlying metrics present an exciting offensive potential. If he fully recovers from his injury and enhances his pitch recognition, he is projected to be a dynamic, impactful everyday outfielder with above-average tools in all areas.

6. Cam Cannarella (Clemson) Age: 21 Class: Junior

These next few outfielders could go in any order, but I opted to go with the Clemson star outfielder here at six. He has spent a bunch of his time on TikTok Live as he patiently waits to get drafted. Standing at 6 feet and weighing 185 pounds, he utilizes a smooth and consistent swing characterized by an open stance, a rhythmic leg kick, a subtle load, and relaxed hands that produce effortless bat speed and line-drive contact across all fields.

Offensively, Cannarella has demonstrated improvement in his power approach: his fly ball rate and hard-hit rate increased this spring, with exit velocities averaging approximately 91 mph and projections suggesting 10–15 home runs in the major leagues. Defensively, he is rated as a plus center fielder, exhibiting instinctive reads, efficient routes, and exceptional speed to cover considerable ground, making spectacular catches appear routine.

Although a shoulder injury has temporarily restricted his arm strength and attempts at stealing bases, he is on course to fully recover and restore his defensive capabilities. With his refined mechanics, high-contact hitting ability, athleticism, and developing power, Cannarella is projected to be a dependable top-of-the-order center fielder whose baseline is a strong everyday defender with bat-to-ball skills—and whose potential includes breakout power and elite defensive contributions.

7. Mason Neville (Oregon) Age: 21 Class: Junior

Neville exemplifies a high-potential, athletically-talented outfield hitter who is gaining prominence in the 2025 MLB Draft class. The left-handed slugger combines rapid bat speed with athleticism—due to a crouched stance, a quiet load, and an efficient bat wrap, consistently achieving elite exit velocities and hitting balls in the 52% hard-hit category.

Defensively, Neville demonstrates impressive speed and awareness in center field, with his arm strength and instincts suggesting potential for long-term success on the field. However, further development of his routes could enhance his position there. What makes him particularly promising is his ongoing increase in strength and physicality, as he continues to make improvements both at the plate and in the field.

His statistics support this assertion: he achieved a batting line of .329/.478/.826 with 21 home runs and eight stolen bases by early May, and by the end of the year, he improved to .290/.429/.724 with 26 home runs. Although he occasionally struggles with swing-and-miss tendencies against secondary pitches, his refined mechanics, disciplined approach at the plate, and continuous physical development present him as a prime candidate for a top-of-the-order, power-speed center or left fielder with significant draft potential.

8. Max Belyeu (Texas) Age: 21 Class: Junior

I hesitated putting Belyeu here after injuring his hand during the season and having only a limited impact in the back half of the year, but I think the former Longhorn is still one of the best outfielders available. Belyeu is a seasoned, bat-oriented corner outfield prospect for the 2025 MLB Draft, showcasing an advanced offensive profile and promising projectability. Standing at 6'2" and weighing 215 lbs, he has gained approximately 20 pounds of functional strength, which has allowed him to enhance his lofted, line-drive swing.

In the batter's box, he utilizes an open, balanced stance with minimal unnecessary movement; a subtle pre-pitch shift quietly prepares his hands before he explosively drives through the zone with impressive bat speed. This swing technique leads to exceptional contact with fastballs and significant hitting power. Belyeu still has the potential to enhance his hitting skills and route efficiency. His refined mechanics and physical development indicate that his existing power could evolve into steady big-league output (15–20 HR range).

By making adjustments in his swing choices, particularly against breaking pitches, and enhancing his outfield instincts, he possesses the potential to transform into a dependable middle-of-the-order hitter with above-average power and corner defensive capabilities. Even at his lowest potential, he provides significant offensive promise supported by advanced bat-to-ball abilities and growing power.

9. Gavin Turley (Oregon State) Age: 21 Class: Junior

It feels like ever since Turley entered college and impacted this Oregon State lineup, he was gonna be a very hyped-up prospect for the 2025 Draft. I don’t know what happened to kill that hype, because I think Turley still has one of the best swings in the draft.

His batting does require enhancement, especially in sustaining barrel control—he achieved notable progress in the Cape Cod League, reducing strikeouts and enhancing his ability to read the strike zone. Projectability stands out as one of Turley’s most significant strengths: his explosive power combined with an athletic 6’1" frame indicates that he still has potential to enhance his strength and refine his contact skills, hinting at a future role as a middle-of-the-order hitter with the capability of achieving 25–30 home runs.

On the defensive side, he possesses excellent arm strength and above-average range mainly in right field, along with instincts that could support his long-term success. A multiple-time All-American in 2025 (.351 batting average, 20 home runs, 69 runs batted in), Turley has already demonstrated his capacity to perform at a high level against elite competition. Should he continue to improve his swing decisions, he is projected to become a consistent power threat and a dependable corner outfielder, offering both immediate value and significant future potential.

10.  Ethan Frey (LSU) Age:21 Class: Junior

This might upset some people, since Frey was the designated hitter the majority of the season for LSU, but if I had to project him somewhere, I can see him as a corner outfielder. Frey really was such a huge reason for the Tigers' 8th national championship victory, as he really came through for the Tigers in postseason play.

Frey is a promising outfield prospect for the 2025 MLB Draft, characterized by his high potential and bat-first approach, combining raw power and contact skills with notable athletic attributes. At 6'6" and weighing 225 pounds, he has taken on the role of LSU’s main designated hitter, although he is also competent in the outfield.

During his breakout junior season, he achieved an impressive slash line of .333/.424/.655, hitting 13 home runs across 59 games. His swing is marked by natural loft and strength, consistently producing balls with exit velocities exceeding 110 mph and resulting in a .655 slugging percentage, which underscores his exceptional raw power.

Mechanically, Frey employs a patient, low-tension swing that begins with a calm setup, transitions into a smooth load, and features fluid hip rotation, all of which contribute to effective barrel control and solid contact. While he has primarily served as a designated hitter this season, his athleticism and arm strength suggest he could successfully transition to corner outfield or first base positions, thereby enhancing his positional versatility.

From a projectability perspective, Frey is relatively young for his draft class—possessing the potential to enhance his defensive skills and amplify his impact on the field—while also exploring his unexploited on-base and power potential. His background features significant high-pressure experience at LSU, where he executed crucial hits during postseason games and thrived under considerable stress. Should he continue to refine his technique, accumulate experience in the outfield, and further develop his athletic physique, Frey is likely to be a mid-round selection with the capability to transform into a middle-of-the-order hitter who consistently contributes both at the plate and in the field.

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