THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,801 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,801 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Rankings | 4/10/2019

DII, NAIA, DIII rankings: Apr. 10

Nick Herfordt
Photo: Kyle Strepek (Concordia University Chicago Athletics)

April 3 Rankings

Despite every effort to provide the most complete and accurate rankings portrayal each spring, there are always a couple of teams whose on-the-field performance exceeds their preseason predictions. These overlooked and slighted schools compile win after win and prove their unexpected early season success simply isn’t by virtue of a simple good start, but rather they are legitimate title contenders.

Along with the updated rankings this week a school from each division is highlighted in which I completely and admittedly miscalculated their aptitude. Each started the season unranked but have worked their way into the top half of the table.

Whether or not they were overlooked or are overachieving at this point is irrelevant. What can be unequivocally stated is that each should be considered a legitimate contender to be the last team standing once the dust settles.

Rankings are based on games through Sunday, April 7.


NCAA Division II

 Catabwa Indians
Catawba has consistently been one of the strongest teams in D-II’s southeast region and can often be found on top of the South Atlantic Conference standings. However, last season was not their strongest on the diamond. As is the norm, they were in the early national rankings but fell out quickly after starting the season an abysmal 1-8. Results improved, but they still were an unimpressive 11-16 by mid March. They finished the season a respectable, but still underwhelming, 30-24.

Considering their lower-than-anticipated win total in 2018, the graduation of top sluggers Chance Bowden and Luke Setzer, who combined to hit 32 home runs, and a pitching staff that had amassed a husky 6.04 ERA, not much noise was expected to come from the Catawba clubhouse this spring. Needless to say, that hasn’t been the case. The Indians have almost exponentially rocketed up the Top 25 rankings and have made their way into the Top 10 as they currently sit at sixth in the nation. Their impressive 33-9 record includes wins over quality opposition such as Mount Olive, UNC Pembroke, Wingate, Lincoln Memorial, USC Aiken and Carson-Newman.

Catawba’s success this season hasn’t been so much due to an instant influx of reinforcements, but rather several players taking their game to a new level this spring. Jackson Raper put up very good numbers last year, batting .356 with 22 doubles and nine home runs, yet this season he has raised his average to .378 and nearly matched last year’s extra-base hit totals with a month left to play. Bryan Ketchie is another noteworthy athlete who has remarkably elevated his production. In 11 games last season he had a robust 6.75 ERA and opposition batted .300 against him. This year he is leading the team in ERA at 3.12, has a perfect 7-0 record with two complete games and only allowed 62 hits and nine walks in 60 2/3 innings.

However the biggest breakout has unquestionably been utility player Hunter Shepherd. Shepherd hit .238 in limited action at the plate last season and had an inflated 5.37 ERA in 57 innings on the mound. This year he is one the most important players at the plate and on the mound.  He is currently second on the team in average, batting .348 with nine home runs as the team’s regular first baseman. As a starter on the mound he has a 3.61 ERA in a team-leading 62 1/3 innings.

The Indians have what will be their most critical series of the season on deck as they travel to play Newberry, a team that made their Perfect Game rankings debut last week (currently positioned 24th). The Wolves currently lead the SAC standings.

Despite their breakout success this season, Indians head coach Jim Gantt thinks that early results this season will only be a sign of better things to come. The turnover in team personnel has created a cache of younger players who are gaining in experience and ability as they play together.

“Our guys have done a good job with their preparation and in game play,” Gantt stated. “We only have five seniors. We do have a heavy junior class that has played a lot of college – school and summer – baseball.  I believe this experience has contributed to our successes this spring.”


Rk. Prev. School ST Record Week
1 1 North Greenville Crusaders SC 31-7 4-0
2 3 Colorado Mesa Mavericks CO 27-7 2-2
3 5 North Georgia Nighthawks GA 26-10 3-1
4 4 Quincy Hawks IL 24-7 5-2
5 2 Tampa Spartans FL 25-10 0-3
6 8 Catawba Indians NC 33-9 3-1
7 10 Lubbock Christian Chaparrals TX 25-9 2-1
8 6 Columbus St. Cougars GA 22-13 2-2
9 7 Mercyhurst Lakers PA 17-5 4-2
10 12 West Florida Argos FL 27-11 3-1
11 11 Central Missouri Mules MO 22-11 2-2
12 13 Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas TX 23-13 3-2
13 9 UC San Diego Tritons CA 21-7 2-2
14 15 West Texas A&M Buffs TX 28-8 4-0
15 17 Angelo State Rams TX 29-7 4-0
16 18 Ashland Eagles OH 26-4 7-1
17 20 Southern New Hampshire Penmen NH 24-7 5-1
18 21 Nova Southeastern Sharks FL 23-13 3-1
19 NR Embry-Riddle Eagles FL 22-11 3-0
20 14 St. Cloud State Huskies MN 22-6 1-3
21 16 Mount Olive Trojans NC 24-11 2-2
22 23 Minnesota State Mavericks MN 22-8 4-1
23 22 Augustana Vikings SD 22-10 6-2
24 24 Newberry Wolves SC 33-9 2-2
25 25 Metro State Roadrunners CO 23-9 4-2

Dropped out: Illinois Springfield (19).

NAIA

 Texas Wesleyan Rams
Last season there were grand aspirations for the Texas Wesleyan Rams, so much that they were placed sixth in Perfect Game’s preseason rankings. Those lofty exceptions appeared apropos as the team spent much of the year in or around the Top 10 as they tallied their second longest winning streak in school history with 17 consecutive victories. Nonetheless, the ides of April were bitterly devastating to their postseason aspirations. A spell in which they lost six of seven games pushed them to the tail-end of the Top 25 and changed them from being a sure bet to receive a postseason berth to a school on the bubble. Despite a pair of blowout wins in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament, in which they outscored opposition 31-5, NAIA voters snubbed the Rams and kept them out of the 45-team tournament.

It was a sour end to a disappointing season which also featured Texas Wesleyan making the national news when their (now former) head coach Mike Jeffcoat drafted an email to a potential recruit from Aurora, Colorado which stated he probably wouldn’t be a good fit for the TWU program as Colorado’s “liberal politicians” made it troublesome for players to pass drug tests.

This season appeared to be a rebuilding year for the club. The Rams would be without the reigning Sooner Athletic Conference and NAIA Player of the Year Kiki Menendez, who batted .466 with 26 home runs and 84 RBI, as well as a number of other important supporting sluggers. Additionally they’d be without the services of ace Stephen Yancey who signed with the Los Angeles Angels and was a three-time All-SAC selection, as well as Brad Sugg, their only other regular starter with a sub-6.75 ERA.

Nevertheless the Rams have been one of the NAIA’s top programs this spring, bringing an impressive 33-8 record into the this week’s games, and they are only a half game back of first place in the SAC standings after taking two of three from frontrunner Oklahoma City two weekends ago.

While the team won on the backs of a few dominating players last season, this year the talent seems to be more spread around making them deeper and more dangerous as a whole. Currently the entire team combined doesn’t have as many home runs as Menendez had himself last season despite over a 1,000 at-bat advantage, yet they are winning just the same. Not to say they don’t have any standouts on offense – Brayden Bahnsen is batting .350 with brilliant speed and Caden Williams has been on fire as of late, raising his average to .449.

The overall pitching staff is perhaps the biggest difference from this year to last. They are giving up a full earned run less this season and have six pitchers who’ve started a game with an ERA well under 5.00. Creighton transfer Houston Glad has seven wins, four complete games and 67 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings, and Parker Robinson, one of the few returners from last year, has dominated out of the bullpen. In 21 games he has five wins, five saves and is limiting opposition to a .149 batting average over 42 2/3 innings on the mound.

The Rams host feeble Bacone this week, which should be three easy wins. After that they’ll face the staunchest part of their regular season schedule when they host LSU Shreveport (another surprising team this spring) and perpetual power University of Science and Arts.

For Robert Garza, who was elevated to head coach last July after being the interim head coach following Jeffcoat’s dismissal, this season’s success hasn’t been a surprise. He knew his team had the talent, they just needed to play together.

“When we started class back in August we knew we could have a team that could make a special run.” Garza stated, “Our players accepted the challenge of linking up for ‘One Team, One Goal.’ That moto has been at the center of our program.”


Rk. Prev. School ST Record Week
1 1 Southeastern Fire FL 39-4 5-0
2 2 Faulkner Eagles AL 33-8 3-0
3 3 Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies GA 31-8 4-0
4 4 Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs TN 34-7 4-1
5 5 Cumberlands Patriots KY 34-5 4-0
6 9 Freed-Hardeman Lions TN 32-10 5-1
7 10 Middle Georgia State Knights GA 30-9 4-1
9 6 Oklahoma City Stars OK 33-9 3-3
9 8 St. Thomas Bobcats FL 31-11 2-1
10 11 Bryan Lions TN 26-11 4-0
11 7 Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles OK 27-9 2-2
12 12 USAO Drovers OK 27-10 3-0
13 13 Benedicine Mesa AZ 34-8 5-0
14 14 Texas Wesleyan Rams TX 33-8 3-1
15 18 LSU Shreveport Pilots LA 34-8 3-0
16 19 Westmont Warriors CA 27-10 3-1
17 15 Central Methodist Eagles MO 24-8 3-3
18 22 Indiana Tech Warriors IN 22-12 6-2
19 17 Warner Royals FL 30-15 1-2
20 NR The Master's Mustangs CA 27-9-1 4-0
21 25 Lyon Scots AR 30-12 3-1
22 16 Vanguard Lions CA 28-13 2-3
23 23 Webber International Warriors FL 27-15 1-2
24 24 William Jessup Warriors CA 21-11 0-0
25 NR William Penn Statesmen IA 25-6 4-0

Dropped out: Tabor (20), Taylor (21).

NCAA Division III

 Concorida University Chicago Cougars
Last season may have been the best in Cougars’ history. CUC advanced to the Division III World Series for the second consecutive season and reached the 40-win plateau for the first time ever. The staggering 73 wins over the past two seasons were amassed largely on the backs of an outstanding senior class, which continued and elevated the school’s tradition of success. The graduates included Mike Formella, who set season and career records in saves as well as the career record for wins, and Joe Silva, who was the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Player of the Year as both a sophomore and a senior. Three other departing senior players, Andrew Massey, Mitch Wilson and Alex Meyers, also received All-NACC honors last spring.

With the loss of such top-shelf talent and experience, CUC’s prognosis for another significant postseason run was deemed an unlikely occurrence. It would not only require several players elevating their influence on and off the diamond, but also an immediate impact from incoming players to fill in any gaps. Considering CUC’s 19-1 record and their position as having the nation’s longest winning streak of 19 games (the last nine of which were by a lopsided 10-3 average margin), it’s safe to say that the Cougars’ ability to revamp and reload was grossly underestimated.

Senior shortstop Jose Marcado has been one of D-III’s most dangerous weapons at the plate and in the field. Not only is he batting a lofty .423, but he has successfully stole 24 of 25 bases. His .974 fielding percentage is freakishly high as well. The team also has a pair of lumbering mashers in the middle of the lineup who both are in the top 12 nationally in home runs per game. Brody Mariotti and Connor Brandon have combined for 13 home runs in only 140 at bats (as well as a plush .328 batting average). The two only hit a combined four home runs last season.

Cougars’ head coach Mike Stawski had this to say about this lineup’s increased offensive production.

“We said from the beginning that our offense was going to be good but it was just going to be different,” Stawski explained. “We don't have Silva, Massey, or Wilson to rely on to string together a bunch of hits so we can pile runs on. We thought we would have to manufacture more runs this year and win some low scoring games.

“This has been the surprise. Our power numbers are way up from a year ago and we are scoring runs in bunches. We have led the country in stolen bases the past three years and we currently have 60-plus through 20 games, that aspect of our game hasn't changed but it once again has given us a chance to score multiple runs in an inning.”

On the mound Kyle Strepek, a transfer from Illinois Springfield, has been pitching immaculately.  He has a tiny 1.36 ERA and has limited opposition to a .179 batting average. Another upperclassman import, Alex Crinigan, has brought the same success he had as a part of Oakton’s NJCAA Division III title-winning team to Chicago. He struck out 107 batters in 98 1/3 innings for the Owls last season. This year he is again striking out over a batter per inning (32 in 29 1/3) and has a 3.38 ERA with a 4-0 record.

It hasn’t been all newcomers solidifying the pitching staff. Cole Marman had an inflated 5.79 ERA in eight appearances last spring. This year he is leading the team in ERA at 0.95 with a sub 1.00 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings.

“The coaching staff fully expected to contend with the best in the country,” Stawski declared. “We had a lot of people return from the past two World Series teams and we added some great arms to our staff … The last two years were trying to stay close for the first six innings because we knew were not going to give up runs 7-9 (innings).

“This year's pitching staff is totally flipped. We have four or five starters that can get us to the sixth and seventh with a sizeable lead.”


Rk. Prev. School ST Record Week
1 1 Christopher Newport Captains VA 23-3 3-1
2 2 Southern Maine Huskies ME 16-3 4-1
3 4 Rowan Profs NJ 17-5 6-0
4 6 Wooster Fighting Scots OH 13-4 6-0
5 3 Texas Lutheran Bulldogs TX 21-8 3-1
6 10 Concordia University Chicago Cougars IL 19-1 6-0
7 5 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets VA 14-6 2-2
8 8 Trinity Tigers TX 23-7 4-0
9 7 Babson Beavers MA 17-4 3-2
10 9 Chapman Panthers CA 21-6 2-1
11 11 Swarthmore Garnet PA 16-6 3-1
12 16 Shenandoah Hornets VA 15-8 5-1
13 13 Salisbury Seagulls MD 20-6-1 3-2
14 15 Spalding Eagles KY 18-7 3-0
15 12 LaGrange Panthers GA 24-9 3-2
16 18 UW-Whitewater Warhawks WI 10-5 3-0
17 19 Piedmont Lions GA 24-6 3-0
18 22 Misericordia Cougars PA 19-8 3-1
19 NR Washington Bears MO 20-3-1 5-0
20 14 Cal Lutheran Kingsmen CA 18-9 0-3
21 NR Wheaton Lyons MA 17-6 3-2
22 NR The College of New Jersey Lions NJ 17-3 4-1
23 20 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays  MD 18-7 2-2
24 23 Webster Gorloks MO 17-8 3-2
25 17 UMass-Boston Beacons MA 11-8 2-2

Dropped out: Heidelberg (21), Huntingdon (24), La Roche (25).
Give us your feedback
College | Recruiting | 12/15/2025

Recruiting Notebook: December 15
John McAdams
Article Image
Tucker Rice (27 MS) bumping up to 91; living hi-80s from real fast arm. Good SL @ 77-79 w/ depth & sold w/ intent. Loads of traits & strikes. #WWBA @PG_Uncommitted @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/DEjFqRcsIY — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 6, 2025 Tucker Rice, RHP, Class of 2027 Commitment: Alabama Alabama has continued to stay red hot in the recruiting trail ever since August 1st rolled around on the calendar and have continued to stack major pieces in their ’27 class. They dip into Mississippi to land one of the premier arms and one that’s stood out on the circuit for quite some time. It’s a fast arm and the athleticism certainly shines working down the slope. The velocity has continued to tick up over the last calendar year and reached into the low-90s towards the end of the summer. He’s confident in his changeup and the breaking ball is...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 12/15/2025

17u Tourney All-American Team

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
There’s a lot of talent throughout this 2026 class, filled with the big-name stars, to talent that spreads across the nation. It’s been a lot of fun seeing these prospects grow and develop over the years, from the days of watching some of these guys at the 13/14u days at events on the circuit, to now where they are all graduating seniors in 2026. There’s been new faces who have popped along the way over the years, even in 2026, where some players who were relatively undiscovered, have come out and made a name for themselves with a statement performance. Between the familiar and the new, there’s a lot of names on this list that are going to be quite regularly talked about on the circuit, and for good reason.  Whether it’s PG All-Americans or not, there’s a lot of names with superstar potential at the next level. We’ve got 14 PG All-Americans...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 12/13/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2029

Tyler Russo
Article Image
Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 These guys might just be entering high school, but they've certainly already made a name for themselves on the national circuit, especially with their abilities on the defensive side of things.  C: Xavier Rodriguez (Logansville, GA) Rodriguez is a polished defender with real arm strength behind the dish, while showcasing the ability to impact the baseball with authority to all fields evident by thirty of his sixty-five hits going for extra-bases including seven bombs. He handles high-level pitching extremely well, commands his staff and his offensive prowess makes him a true two-way asset. 1B: Cooper Knight (Buda, TX) Knight is a smooth operator at first base with plenty of range, fluidity and agility in his footwork around the bag. Add-in a rocket for an arm, the ability to change slots and to...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Scout Stories: Part 5

AJ Denny
Article Image
Best Game I Saw: The Dream NTL 18U vs. MBA Scout Team Murphy Jupiter always brings out the best, and we got fireworks from the jump. Turner Marshall gave The Dream an outstanding 4+ innings of work on the mound, holding a lethal MBA team at bay with Chance Dixon, Derrick Carter, and Ellis Appling providing an offensive spark out of the gate for the Georgia based boys. However, it was only a matter of time before the talent on the other side got going, as MBA erased a 3-run deficit in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead led by a Parker Loew HR. The Dream then took command again in the Top of the 6th, before MBA punched right back with a huge 5-run inning in the bottom half capped off by a clutch RBI single from Matthew Kerrigan, ending a wild sequence with tons of notable performances from two very competitive rosters. Best Tournament Performance I Saw: Surely someone has already brought this...
Read More
College | Story | 12/12/2025

College Notebook: December 12

Craig Cozart
Article Image
Nebraska Cornhuskers 2025 Highlights: The Cornhuskers were a difficult team to figure in ’25 as they finished with 33 wins, played just .500 (15-15) in the Big Ten but had some big wins at various times during the season and got hot at the right time. They knocked off then #16 Vanderbilt in the second game of the year, beat #5 Oregon State 2-out-of-3 at home in late March and then got hot at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to win the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Michigan State in a 10-inning thriller before taking care of #4 Oregon, knocking off Penn State and then shutout #13 UCLA to punch their ticket to the Chapel Hill Regional. Head coach Will Bolt has now led his alma mater to three conference titles and three NCAA Regional appearances during his six years in Lincoln. No different than when he was a player, Bolt’s teams play with passion and toughness, this was never more...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2028

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 You like athletes? You like defenders who can impact a game at any given point? Look not further than this class as it's loaded from coast-to-coast with elite defenders all over the diamond.  C: Brogan Witcher, Bakersfield, CA Our scouting staff got several strong looks at Witcher whether that was at the Summer Kickoff, Sophomore National or the Underclass All American Games where he showcased his strong overall skillset and especially his advanced ability behind the plate. His 6-foot-3,180 pound build looks like one that will fill in quite nicely and be that big and physical catcher’s frame. His arm talent is undeniable where he gets it out quick and runs it up to 79 mph on throwdowns to 2nd (1.84 pop). Besides the standout catch/throw ability, we’ve seen him frame/receive strong arms and block it well during...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 12/11/2025

PG Softball "Toys 4 Tots" Fundraiser 18U division

Dave Durbala
Article Image
BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser One Day, December 7, 2025. Kicking off the holiday season, six teams participated in this one day, 3 game guarantee tournament in the 18u Division. We would like to thank those that donated a toy, and know that they will be distributed to area underprivileged children through a local charity organization. Following are some of the top performers from the weekend. Earning Tournament MV-Pitcher was Jolee Strohmeyer (2026 Dubuque, IA), a RHP/UTIL with tournament champion Lady Expos Blue. Strohmeyer shows hitters a consistent and repeatable motion and delivery with good use of the legs in the drive phase, and a quick and aggressive arm whip. Working with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Strohmeyer topped out at 60 mph, and showed good movement  as she worked her rise and curve just out...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Scout Stories: Part 4

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Scout Notes: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Best Game I Saw: Hudson Reed (‘26, GA) torches this ball to deep CF for a solo 💣. Generates easy power that plays to the big part of the yard. Middle of the order traits #UBCWest @PG_Georgia @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXqDVFmUBx — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 18, 2025 I was fortunate enough to see a lot of highly competitive games with loads of talent on the field, the game that sticks out to me the most was Alpha Prime 2026 vs. ZT National Prospects at the UBC West. The game was an efficiently played affair with arms dominating on both sides. Graham Schlicht was masterful for Alpha, striking out 12 hitters over 5 dominant innings. PG All-American Julian Cazares came out of the pen blowing smoke, touching 97 mph with the fastball. On the other side, Jake Carbaugh surrendered just one hit and...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 12/11/2025

PG Believe In Baseball Announces Awards Dinner

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   THE PERFECT GAME BELIEVE IN BASEBALL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR FIRST ANNUAL “IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME” AWARDS DINNER AND AUCTION   Los Angeles, California (Thursday, December 11, 2025) – The Perfect Game Believe in Baseball Foundation, together with Perfect Game leadership of Chairman Rick Thurman and CEO Rob Ponger, has announced the inaugural “In the Spirit of the Game” event, an evening of baseball and laughter, taking place Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the iconic Laugh Factory in Hollywood, Calif. The evening supports the Foundation’s mission to provide financial assistance and resources that allow deserving young athletes to play, learn and grow through the...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2027

AJ Denny
Article Image
Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 Elite defenders from coast to coast certainly seems to be a strength and to think you could make another top-tier team without thinking, speaks to the real depth this group possesses. The infield is a no-doubt strength of the group, but what catcher Dariel Carrion can do behind the plate is like something we haven't seen in a while in the prep ranks with an absolutely bazooka of an arm.  C: Dariel Carrion (San Juan, PR)  It isn’t often you get a catching prospect as athletic and natural as Dariel Carrion, a big reason why he holds the rank of #1 player in PR and #18 nationally. Metrics wise, the 5-foot-10, 210 pound San Juan native is all you can ask for and more, posting a sub 1.80 pop time with an 84 mph arm behind the dish. He has both contact and clear power threat on the offensive end, ending 2025 with a .337 BA and 4 HRs while also...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2025 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.