Both Jace and Arnold play in really good conferences so we’ll get an extended look at them against good competition.
The scouts came for Tyler but are staying for Flora. Kid is seizing his opportunity early.
Let’s not sleep on Marek Houston. Already an early first round talent, and the best glove at shortstop in the draft, I don’t think many expected this type of game power from him in the early going. His plate discipline was elite on the Cape this winter, and now he suddenly is flashing solid-average power.
If sustained (and one should still doubt it will be), he’s going to be getting top 5-6 consideration alongside other guys like Aiva Arquette.
Despite the walks (ie, pitchers pitching around him), there has to be concern with LaViolette’s lack of contact. It’s still early but he’s gone from a problematic 24% K rate in his sophomore year, to an utterly unacceptable (for a top 5 pick) 31%+ K rate in his junior year. This is really the season where Jace wants to show he can get that under 20%.
Tennessee boys like Dean Curley and Gavin Kilen are schooling him in the power+contact dept these first two weeks. 6 HRs, and 21BBs to 4Ks from the Vol’s middle infield duo thus far.
I love both those Tenessee guys. If the one (I can’t recall which) that can play 3B jumps way up I wouldn’t even be mad if we took him #2 and got a pitcher #47. Especially if we follow the JefF & Turks plan of trading for a comp pick so we can get another arm earlier.
SO MUCH CHO!
Flora, my pal Fred’s seen all of his starts (he sees most Gaucho games, is a private coach, and played in the Expos system) and loves him even more than Bremner, who he also loves.
Man. I really want all of these dudes. I want a position player first, and I know there are arms available in the 2nd round… but we could finally get that ace to go with Soriano and Silentc Etc…. man, good stuff.
Unless he gets hurt, it’d be really tough to pass up Arnold at #2. If this is his norm all season, he really might not make it to #2.
A lot of lefty starter talent in this draft. Recent portal transfers like Liam Doyle starting to break out.
My only problem with Arnold is he’s not a UCSB Gaucho. But I’d be happy if we pick him.
Thank you Nolan.
Top NCAA prospects weekend #2
After Weekend number 2 I will still be covering the same top guys. As the weeks go on the list is due for a change, but for now lets stay within the top 5 with one addition.
Starting us off is Jace LaViolette from Texas A&M. Friday was Jace’s best day of the weekend, he went 1-3 with 2BB and an RBI, Sat:0-4, Sun:0-2 2BB. If there’s one thing certain after watching Texas A&M is that even if Jace doesn’t have the best days statistically he will walk. I’m not sure if teams are pitching scared to him but he already has 8 BB’s. He’s not off to a flaming hot start but as the season progresses I don’t see how he won’t be in the top 3.
Now it’s time to come back to the West Coast and cover some of the guys from SoCal.
Tyler Bremner(UCSB) was held to limited innings again in his second start, which is very understandable. His stat line for Friday 3IP, 5 hits, 3ER and 6K’s. Bremner has not done anything spectacular yet, however it is only the second weekend of the year and his second start. There shouldn’t be anything to worry about with Bremner except that he just needs to settle in within the next couple of weeks.
Staying in SoCal, he might be stealing the show a little bit and I would suggest hopping on the bandwagon now, who am I talking about? I’m talking about Sophomore pitcher from UCSB Jackson Flora. He has had 2 very impressive starts. Especially this past Friday with the velo he was hitting. His stat line over the weekend, 6IP, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 0R and 6Ks. Flora has been very impressive in his first 2 starts, and if he can stay healthy he will most likely be a top 5 pitcher off the board in 2025. Oh and did I mention he topped 102!
I Know it’s easy to get caught up in velo chasing but let’s not forget about who runs the East Coast on the mound. Jamie Arnold had another typical Jamie Arnold outing. 5IP, 2 hits, 0BB, 0R, and 8K’s. I mean this guy has thrown 11 innings and he has 16k’s. That is just pure domination, opponents are hitting .083 against him. Jamie will continue to get even better as the season goes on and continue to get more Ks.
https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/2/25/24372596/mlb-draft-jamie-arnolds-hot-start
Stay tuned for weekly updates on the best players in college!