The Road to Grand Junction Staff Predictions

Blaine Peterson

Troy Sutherland

Geoff Billock

Region Bids

South Bid (Region 22 & 23)
Contenders: Northwest Shoals, Shelton State, Gadsden State, Coastal AL- South, LSU-Eunice

Troy Sutherland's Prediction: LSU-Eunice

The Bengals have been on a remarkable tear through the 2025 season under veteran skipper, Jeff Willis and look to get to Grand Junction in their first year at the division 1 level. Big bats of Aidan Mouton, Tyson LeBlanc, and two-way standout Will Mabry IV should lift this talented squad over an almost equally hot Shelton State squad for the South bid.

Blaine Peterson's Prediction: LSU Eunice

No stranger to winning and winning National Championships. The NJCAA D2 National Champion a season ago already has a 50+ win season in 2025 and has lost just 3 games all year. The odds of them losing 2 of their next 3 games seems incredibly small. They’re hitting .349 as a team. They have an incredible blend of power and speed in their lineup hitting 70 home runs and stealing 174 bases to this point in the season. Some of the more dynamic offensive talents in juco baseball are on this roster. And on the mound they have pitchers with pure stuff. All 4 starters that have 10+ starts this season are striking out over a batter an inning. This is a really talented team. And while they haven’t played the most challenging schedule this spring, they are an overwhelming favorite to make it to Grand Junction.

Geoff Billock's Prediction: LSU Eunice

After the year LSU Eunice just put together, it is apparent that they must be the clear-cut team to win it all this year. They have a real shot as they finished the season with a 52-3 record. They simply put do not lose games. It’s a deep team with depth on both sides of the ball. They hit 347 as a team collectively and pitched to a low ERA of 3.64. They were 5th overall in ERA. Lineup was led by Aidan Mouton, Will Mabry IV, Tyson Leblanc, and Alex Dupuy. All 4 hit to a 385 average or higher and could all slug a good bit.

South Atlantic Bid (Region 8)
Contenders: Gulf Coast State, Florida Southwestern, State College of Florida, College of Central Florida

TS's Prediction: Gulf Coast State

The Commodores program under the tutelage of head man Tyler Younger find themselves in the final 4 of the best region in the country with high level talent on both sides of the ball. Infielders Alex McCranie and Drew Prosek will set the table for the powerful stick of bray Touchstone to provide enough run support for this standout crew of arms to go to work. Cooper Whited, Jordan Martinez, and Ezequiel Rojas can guide this team to victory.

BP's Prediction: Florida Southwestern

What always ends up being one of the most difficult paths to Grand Junction will be no different in 2025. Florida juco baseball always a depth of talented teams and realistically more than 1 team that deserves to be in Grand Junction every year. But this is the path they deal with each year and of the teams remaining, Florida Southwestern has been the most consistent team in Florida this season. There’s never a shortage of talent on an FSW roster and this years group has some juco level stars. Luke Orfi made it to Grand Junction a season ago and has been one of the best players in juco baseball the past 2 season. And that’s just one player of what is a dynamic lineup filled with players that have power, speed and the ability to hit for average. While their pitching staff is probably a tier below what their lineup is, if that group can continue to do what they’ve done all season then they have a real chance to make it to this years Juco World Series.

GB's Prediction: Florida Southwestern

Finished the year with a 41-14 record and have gotten hot down the stretch. They hit 338 as a team and have some guys that can really slug. Jake Mueller, Nik Pereira, and Devin Parks all slugged above 600 while hitting for high average. Abel Albarran and Cole Greer both chewed through innings and racked up strikeouts giving this team a solid starting 2 atop the rotation. Florida Southwestern is set up to make a deep run this year.

West Bid (Region 1, 9, 18)
Contenders: Central Arizona, Northeastern, Southern Nevada, Salt Lake

TS's Prediction: College of Southern Nevada

2025 just seems like the year for this CSN squad they have shown to be a title contender from the jump. Having the most significant travel schedule of anyone in the region didn’t stop the Coyotes from laying down whooping after whooping on the Juggernaut that is Arizona Juco baseball. I believe this team has a chance to win it all on the shoulders of the newest Arizona commit Chaz McNelis and the big arm of Kaden Soder.

BP's Prediction: Southern Nevada

Maybe one of the more balanced teams in juco baseball this year and one with some players that have become elite level performers. Kaden Soder has been a top of the rotation force all season long and is among the leaders in strikeouts in all of juco baseball. Chase Frey isn’t far behind and the two have formed one of the better starting pitching duos in the region this spring. On the other side Chaz McNelis has been one of the more dynamic offensive players in all of juco baseball this spring hitting and leads the CSN roster in every offensive category. And while those 3 players are the clear stars, the depth on the roster both pitching and in the lineup gives them the best chance winning their region and ultimately district to make it back to Grand Junction in 2025. It’s a 46 win team to this point, which makes them the team to beat in the west.

GB's Prediction: Southern Nevada

Finished the year with a 46-11 record and have gotten hot down the stretch winning 9 of their last 10 games. Lineup was centered around Chas McNellis who hit 452 on the year while stealing 30 bases. He was an extra base hit machine and has shown no signs of slowing down. Harvey Smerdon and Ashton Acher also had loud years at the plate. Rotation was led by Kaden Soder who pitched to a 3.76 ERA and just chewed through innings while racking up 95 strikeouts. Well rounded team with some depth in the rotation and a good lineup that is set to do damage.

South Central Bid (Region 2 & 16)

Contenders: Seminole State, Connors State, Eastern Oklahoma State, Mineral Area, State Fair

TS's Prediction: Connors State

Oklahoma Juco is known for some video game type numbers from their best offensive prospects, and this Connors squad has a pair of big bats that really fit that mold with Trevor Rowe and Wally Diaz, the pair combining for 35 homers and 140 runs batted in. If they can bash their way to the World Series I would not want to be the team that has to pitch to those guys in the thin Grand Junction air.

BP's Prediction: Mineral Area (MO)

This is the surprise team of the midwest region this spring. We didn’t rank them a single time in the top 25 this season. But they are 39-6 to this point in the season. Which is quite the turnaround considering they had a losing record a season ago. As of this writing on May 8th, they have won 17 games in a row, meaning their last loss was in March. They have 4 players hitting over .400 and Cam Lee looks like one of the best players in the midwest statistically. There’s talent on the mound as well with a few players headed to bigger schools next fall. Maybe they didn’t play anybody in the regular season and run into a wall in the conference tournament or struggle against whatever team makes it out of Oklahoma. I don’t really know but 39-6 is tough to ignore and they might just go from a team with a losing record in 2024 to a Juco World Series appearance in 2025.

GB's Prediction: Mineral Area

Had a loud year on both sides of the ball and is set to make a big run as we head towards Grand Junction. They finished the year with a 39-6 record and finished in the top 5 in team average batting 360 collectively. They also came in 4th for team ERA pitching to a 3.61 clip. The team was led by Cam Lee, Kelly Robertson Jr., Noah Cassie, and Brad Chaisson. All four of these players hit above 400 showcasing impressive bat to ball in general. Kai Langford and Jonah Sarabia both had dominant years off the bump for Mineral Area as well. Mineral Area is a well-rounded squad who will look to do some serious damage moving forward.

Midwest Bid (Region 4, 11, 24)
Contenders: John A Logan, McHenry County, South Suburban, Iowa Western, Wabash Valley

TS's Prediction: Iowa Western

We now have come full circle with the preseason number 1 Reivers. In the early parts of the season, they looked head towards a tailspin but here they are just a few games away from the World Series after righting the ship and running through conference. Freshman infielder Josh Donna leads the club batting.380 on the year with fellow infielder Cooper Neville not far behind with his .368. Keep an eye on the impact of Evan Saunders as well. The Reivers staff is one of the deepest in the country as well behind workhorse Noah Scott.

BP's Prediction: Iowa Western

We actually ranked Iowa Western as the number 1 team in juco baseball to begin the season. They quickly struggled, dealt with injuries, underperformed for what it looked like their talent level was and now have seemingly found themselves again. They have won 15 of their last 16 games. They have talented players, they have depth, and they seemingly have become the team we thought they would be all year towards the end of the spring. They’ll likely run into a powerhouse in their district championship in John A. Logan who has had a great season in 2025. But if talent is going to win out, it’s probably the Reivers.

GB's Prediction: John A. Logan

John A. Logan is a well-balanced team who finished the season with a 47-8 record while going and impressive 23-1 at home. They came in 6th in runs scored while batting 358 as a team. Power also showed up as they slugged 73 bombs collectively. It’s another deep lineup littered with players who hit above 330 on the year. On top of that, pitching was impressive, and they had an 11.07 k/9 as a team. A team that can really hit, paired with pitching, that gets a ton of strikeouts is a recipe for success and that is exactly what John A. Logan has done all year.

Southwest Bid (Region 5)
Contenders: Weatherford, New Mexico, McLennan, Midland, Odessa, Grayson, Cisco, El Paso

TS's Prediction: McLennan

This is the best region tournament in the country, The top 3 contenders for me would McLennan, Weatherford, and New Mexico and at this point I don’t think there is a bad choice between the three, I’m going with the best pure roster. I think McLennan has too good of a roster to fail. They can play 9 times in a week and still trot out staff ace caliber arms. Look for the region player of the year, Deiten LaChance to make his impact felt throughout the rest of postseason play.

BP's Prediction: McLennan

Well there’s certainly no lack of talent in this region. McLennan, Weatherford and New Mexico all had players that ranked in out top 10 of juco baseball prospects this season. I don’t think it would be a surprise if any of those teams reached Grand Junction in 2025. But McLennan is playing well right now, winners of 9 consecutive games and putting up runs in bunches. The depth of talent on both sides of the baseball rivals anyone in juco this season. It’s not an unbeatable group for this region, but right now they definitely look like the toughest out. And they could bring a really entertaining group of talented players to Grand Junction if they are able to get there.

GB's Prediction: Weatherford

Weatherford might just have the most well-rounded team out there. They can pitch, hit, score runs, and play defense. Weatherford finished the season with a 45-11 record out here in Texas where the competition is big time. Lineup is as deep as it gets with guys like JC Davis, Manuel Salas, Trace Mazon, Uriah Walters, Caden Mitchell, and Blake Martinez. They play good defense and can all hit. The biggest appeal of this team is the deep rotation and bullpen that they have. Weatherford had a team ERA of 3.01 good for second place overall in that category. These numbers are eye popping as the next best team ERA was at 3.60. That should tell you the depth they have here. Trent Collier, Noah Bentley, Cooper Strawn, and Evan Brandt are just a few names that had huge years and helped carry the rotation. All 4 arms pitched to an ERA under 3. If Weatherford makes a run, which it certainly looks like they will, pitching will continue to carry.

Plains Bid (Region 6)
Contenders: Johnson County, Cloud County, Kansas City Kansas, Cowley, Hutchinson, Barton

TS's Prediction: Kansas City Kansas

We’ve been the highest in the industry on the Blue Devils in 2025 and why stop here. The bats of Tanner Pachorek, Freddie Nolen IV, and the switch-hitting Frankie Santiago should provide enough run support for this top-notch staff to go to work. Look for Caleb Reed, Caleb Deer, and Bryson Vawter to pitch well down the stretch.

BP's Prediction: Johnson County

This one is pretty easy and certainly the region that I am most familiar with. Johnson County has been the best team in Kansas juco baseball the past 3 seasons, nobody has won more games, they have the last 2 Juco World Series appearances for the conference, they have simply become the standard. And while they aren’t the only team that could win the conference, they are the favorite to make it back to Grand Junction until proven otherwise.

GB's Prediction: Johnson County

Johnson County rolls into the tournament hot winning 7 straight and finished the season 47-11. They have been steam rolling through the competition down the stretch here getting hot at the right time. The team has pitched well all year with a collective team ERA of 3.75 keeping lineups at bay for the most part. On top of that, they can really hit, and score runs as they came in the top 10 in both of those categories. Jake McClure was a real spark plug atop the order all year as he hit 404 with 31 walks and only struck out 9 times. They get on base a lot and don’t strike out much. Should be a tough matchup for anyone who has to face them.

Appalachian Bid (Region 7, 17)
Contenders: Georgia Highlands, Walters State

TS's Prediction: Georgia Highlands

This is the matchup I think everyone that follows this closely wanted to see. No doubt the two best teams in their respective regions. This Highlands squad, much like Walters, is wildly talented with impact bats and quality arms. Ryan Martin has a strong case for being the national player of the year and will be a force throughout World Series play. Now if you haven’t, go checkout Ryan Martin’s 2025 stats. You’re welcome.

BP's Prediction: Walters State

Already a 50+ win season in 2025, a team that enters their district championship with a 19 game winning streak will meet last seasons district champion Georgia Highlands. Both of these teams are deserving of a trip to Grand Junction. Both would bring dynamic players and have the ability to make a run at a national championship. But if I had to truly pick who I though was going to end up in Grand Junction this year I am definitely picking the team that is hitting .389 with 121 home runs to this point in the season. And if that’s not enough they have one of juco baseballs premier starting pitchers in Aiden Robertson who is 10-1 and has struck out 105 batters in 70 innings so far this spring; as well as one of juco baseballs best statistical hitters in Tyler Wyatt who is hitting .497 with 28 HR’s and 103 RBI already this spring. Walters State has what it takes to make it back to the Juco World Series in 2025.

GB's Prediction: Walters State

Walters State finished the season with a 53-6-1 record and is currently on a 19-game winning streak. Needless to say, they can really do it all and haven’t shown any signs of slowing down. This team will score runs, hit for average, power, and get on base. They led the league collectively in average batting to a 389 clip. On top of that, they slugged a league leading 121 home runs. This offense defines success and that might be an understatement. Offense was led by Tyler Myatt who went nuclear this year as he slugged 28 bombs while batting an impressive 497 with an OBP of 591. Those are video game numbers. Aiden Robertson has been dominant for Walters state as well with a 3.09 ERA and 13.50 k/9.

East Bid (Region 10, 15, 20)
Contenders: Florence-Darlington Tech, Harford

TS's Prediction: Harford

I’ll go a bit against the grain here. GIVE ME THE OWLS! Coach Houser is one of the best anywhere and this team has been on the verge of a big breakthrough for years now under his leadership. They will be led by a pair of quality returners in Rueben Livingston and Frank Adamski.

BP's Prediction: Florence-Darlington

I think what stood out the most about Florence-Darlington early on this season when we saw them in person was how complete of a team it was. There’s depth, there’s talent, they can pitch and they score runs in a lot of different ways. They’ll play Harford in the district championship to go to Grand Junction. A best 2 of 3 series, the Stingers only have 2 losses in the last 2 months. Expect to see Florence-Darlington back in the Juco World Series later on this month.

GB's Prediction: Florence-Darlington Tech

Florence-Darlington finished the year with a 49-9 record and have won 9 straight down the stretch here. Just a well-rounded squad who hit 365 as a team collectively and came in second in runs scored with 609. What they lack in power, they make up for in speed, hitting, and pitching. They did a number of things right all year and the offense puts plenty of pressure on opposing teams. Just about every player in this lineup hit above 330 on the year so it is as deep as it gets and a tough lineup to navigate through. Expect Florence-Darlington to make a big run.

Mid-South Bid (Region 14)
Contenders: Northeast, Wharton, San Jacinto, Tyler, Paris, Bossier Parrish, Blinn, Wharton County

TS's Prediction: Paris

This Dragons Squad led by the pair of Schlotterbacks looks to knock off the perennial powerhouses of Region 14. Up and down this roster you will find high averages with impact run production numbers. They will have to continue their offensive output to oust high caliber rosters like Blinn and San Jac, but they are already ahead of the game with an opening game win.

BP's Prediction: San Jacinto

The Gators … I mean, the Ravens, are honestly on a run to end the spring winning 11 of 12 games. I don’t know that anyone doubts the talent level that is consistently at San Jac, but we didn’t rank them a single time this spring in our top 25. Maybe that was wrong, maybe they even felt lonely and unrecognized at times. They play in the same region and in the shadow of 2024 National Champion, Blinn. This is certainly a historical juco program with unmatched past success. I’m not sure if that has faded or if other programs, specifically ones in Texas juco have simply caught up. Maybe they’re back, maybe they never left. They have talented players and being slightly under the radar isn’t always a bad thing. Well here’s your notoriety, San Jac debuts the Raven for the very first time in Grand Junction in 2025.

GB's Prediction: Blinn

Tough to leave out Blinn as a serious contender after winning it all last year. Blinn finished the season with a 40-13 record. The lineup is deep especially the middle portion of it. They have the bats to get it done and pitching has come around down the stretch. Guys like Matt Quintanar, Caden Ferraro, and Bennett Fryman bring a lot of thump with their bats and have helped propel this offense down the stretch. This is a team that knows how to win and it would not be surprising to see them make a deep run.

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