THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Juco  | Rankings | 1/26/2016

2016 Top 50 Junior College Teams

Photo: Northwest Florida State




2016 Perfect Game College Baseball Preview Index | @PGCollegeBall | @StatsKing (Chris King) |  PG College Facebook Page

Listed below are the Preseason Top 50 teams at the Junior College level followed by detailed capsules of the top 25 programs. The rankings and the first four capsules (teams ranked 1-4) are available for free, the rest is available with a College Baseball Ticket (CBT) subscription. To learn more about the College Baseball Ticket and to sign up today please visit this link
.



The 2016 season is finally here with most teams dusting off their equipment and heading to the fields for game action this weekend. The talent in the junior college ranks this season is strong from top to bottom, and it easily spreads from coast to coast with plenty of premium players and programs in between.

Getting the nod as our opening day No. 1 team will be the defending National Champions Northwest Florida State. Coach Doug Martin and the Raiders went 5-1 during the 2015 World Series including a 10-0 win over Iowa Western, who will start the season as our No. 2 ranked team. Northwest Florida State’s only loss in the tournament came at the hands of McLennan (Texas), but the Raiders got redemption just two days later by crushing the Highlanders 15-1 in the national title game.

With solid cores returning to both teams, and with the help of some significant D-I transfers, both Northwest Florida State and Iowa Western will be in the hunt all year long.

Right in the mix with the top two teams will be perennial national power San Jacinto (Texas) who comes in at No. 3 and on paper may have the most talented roster top to bottom in the country. The Gators made it to the World Series once again in 2015, but could not get past the national runner-up McLennan squad, who defeated San Jac 3-1 in the opening round and again 14-6 to eliminate the Gators’ national title hopes.

Fourth on our list is Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.). The Pioneers will run out a lineup that will keep them in the conversation as one of the premier teams in America. Kep Brown, Tyler Lancaster, Dominique Jackson, Nolan Cheneau and Bakari Gayle all rank in the top 75 of our
top 100 junior college prospect rankings and are sure to cause plenty of fits for opposing pitchers.

Cowley County (Kan.) rounds out the Top 5 thanks in part to a solid core of returning players along with the help of two transfers from Oklahoma State in Carson LaRue and Caleb Eldridge.

Every team looks good on paper right now, but once the cleats hit the dirt we will start to find out what each of these clubs are truly made of. Will talent by itself win out? Can pitching and defense alone carry teams to the promised land? Or is a balanced, accountable team the way to go?

These questions will be answered in the next few months as Perfect Game will be there following the action every step of the way.

The rankings will be updated on a bi-weekly basis throughout the 2016 season, so please continue to follow along. When it’s all said and done we will see who has what it takes to make it to Grand Junction, Colo. in May and prove once and for all who is the best in the world of junior college baseball.


2016 Perfect Game Top 50 Junior College Teams

RK Team ST '15 Record '15 Rank*
1 Northwest Florida State FL 42-13 1
2 Iowa Western IA 54-7 5
3 San Jacinto TX 41-19 16
4 Spartanburg Methodist SC 29-23 NR
5 Cowley County KS 54-5 6
6 Chipola FL 40-12 15
7 Walters State TN 57-12 4
8 Orange Coast CA 30-17 11
9 Chattahoochee Valley AL 43-17 17
10 Palomar CA 37-8 9
11 Yavapai AZ 45-18 13
12 Crowder MO 28-20 NR
13 Central Arizona AZ 37-19 NR
14 Heartland IL 46-13 NR
15 Grayson TX 38-17 NR
16 San Joaquin Delta CA 41-7 3
17 McLennan TX 36-19 8
18 Polk State FL 35-16 NR
19 Cypress  CA 25-13 NR
20 Howard TX 42-13 24
21 St. Johns River FL 47-10 7
22 John A. Logan IL 27-17 NR
23 LSU-Eunice LA 49-10 2
24 Miami-Dade  FL 25-22 NR
25 Western Nevada NV 33-26 NR
26 Palm Beach State FL 41-17 12
27 Seminole State OK 39-17 NR
28 Cisco TX 39-15 NR
29 Dodge City KS 42-20 20
30 Western Oklahoma State OK 53-13 18
31 Midland TX 33-23 NR
32 Navarro TX 31-18 NR
33 Hinds  MS 43-7 NR
34 Delgado LA 33-16 23
35 State College of Florida-Manatee FL 39-18 NR
36 Weatherford TX 39-13 NR
37 Arizona Western AZ 32-23 NR
38 Southern Nevada NV 46-18 14
39 Darton State GA 40-19 NR
40 Wabash Valley IL 31-19 NR
41 Florida SouthWestern State FL NA# NR
42 Gulf Coast State FL 34-20 NR
43 Lower Columbia WA 41-10 10
44 Mt. Hood OR 35-14 NR
45 Cochise AZ 44-17 NR
46 USC Sumter SC 43-21 25
47 El Camino CA 24-12 NR
48 Salt Lake  UT 37-25 NR
49 Riverside CA 22-17 NR
50 Pitt NC 34-13 NR

*Notes final Top 25 team ranking from 2015 season as found here.
#Program hasn't fielded a baseball team since 1997.



2016 Perfect Game Top 25 Junior College Team Capsules

1. Northwest Florida State
The defending national champs are out to prove that last year’s success was way more than a good team getting hot at the right time. Head Coach Doug Martin got an early Christmas present this year in the form of a big, hard throwing righthander named Jake Godfrey. Godfrey, who comes over from LSU, has ideal size and a powerful arsenal that should have no problem slowing down his opposition while also adding more talent, experience and depth to this already solid team. Adding a talent like Godfrey should mesh very well with returning players like lefthander Corderias Dorsey and center fielder Mack Hatchcock. Dorsey was named Most Outstanding Pitcher at last year’s NJCAA College World Series while Hatchcock brought home the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award. While Hatchcock’s defensive prowess is noted, he also swung the bat very well last year to a tune of .343 average out of the leadoff spot. This team also returns righthanded pitcher and South Alabama commit Will Luft to the rotation as well as two-way player Shawn Felter, who hit .340 last year while also serving as the team’s closer. Scouts are also high on freshman infielder Michael Salvatore who boasts a strong arm and can handle the bat as well.

2. Iowa Western
The Reivers enter 2016 hungry for their fourth JUCO World Series ring since 2010, and with the pitching they have that hunger could be just a few months away from being satisfied. Oklahoma commit Devon Perez (9-0) returns to the mound and should lead the way with three D-I transfers that will also be relied upon to slow down opposing hitters; Jackson Douglas (Kansas State), Jacob Niggemeyer (Ohio State), and Taylor Goshen (Wichita State). Offensively the Reivers will benefit from having versatile infielder Matt Lloyd healthy again and hitting in the middle of the lineup along with infielder and righthanded pitcher Ty Buck and his power packed bat. Arkansas commit Jared Gates is back and will be huge for this team. Gates, who will man second base, hit .400 as a freshman last season and has a smooth line drive swing from the left side and is touted as one of the best pure hitters to ever set foot on the Iowa Western campus.

Devon Perez (Iowa Western)
3. San Jacinto (Texas)
This Gators roster has talent for days with eight players ranked among the top 100 junior college prospects. The pitching staff is extremely deep and with the likes of sophomore lefthanders Devin Smeltzer (Texas Tech) and Coleten Schmidt (Louisiana), as well as righthander Montana Parsons (Baylor), locked into the rotation, finding valuable innings shouldn’t be a problem. The bullpen returns two powerful righthanded arms that will split the closer role with Jorge Fernandez and Donny Diaz. Sophomore infielder Brandon Montgomery, who is committed to Miami, will make plays defensively and can handle the bat. The freshman class on this team will also make an immediate impact, starting with catcher/outfielder Ryan January, who is solid behind the plate provides a power prsence. Shortstop Nick Shumpert has one of the best gloves in the nation and was a seventh round pick in last year’s draft. Righthander Zachary Kapihe sits in the low-90s and has a reputation of being a bulldog on the mound. Shortstop/outfielder Donivan Lopez has elite speed and can play just about anywhere while Liam Scafariello will be a threat to go to deep at any moment.

4. Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.)
The Pioneers didn’t have the season they were hoping for in 2015 but this year’s team is well built and has a lineup that can match up with any other team in the country. Dominique Jackson returns after being selected in the 11th round by the Padres and will man center field and hit near the top of the order. Getting Tyler Lancaster back healthy is huge and he is a big, strong-bodied catcher who can catch and throw while adding some power to the middle of the lineup. Middle infielder Noel Cheneau brings top end speed to the table, while outfielders Kep Brown – who’s coming off an achilles injury – and late transfer Bakari Gayle are about as good as you’ll find. Both are athletic, play solid defense and can flat out rake. On the mound the Pioneers will have Michael Bruhin, the very projectable Davis Agle and former Clemson commit Graham Lawson leading the charge.

This is PG 'DiamondKast' Level content.
You must be either an DiamondKast, Crosschecker Rankings & Scouting Reports, or Scout subscriber to read the rest.

Sign in Subscribe Now

Juco | Rankings | 9/18/2026

JUCO Impact: Top 100 D1 Transfers

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
With the season upon us, let's take a minute to look at 100 of the biggest impact players who played at the JUCO level last year and have since transferred to a D1 program for the upcoming spring.  RK Name JUCO in 2025 DI in 2026 1 Ryan Bradford Johnson County TCU 2 Carson Bailey McLennan Texas Tech 3 Kameron Yearsley John A. Logan  Oklahoma 4 Holden Pantier Walters State Georgia Tech 5 Caden Davidson Gaston Florida 6 Anthony Quigley Northwest Florida Oklahoma 7 Walt Jones Weatherford Kansas 8 Colin Coonradt Johnson County West Virginia 9 Collin Smith Cochise Kansas 10 Ned Frutchey Sac City Arkansas 11 Hayden Blair Walters State Georgia 12 Parker Ishee Co-Lin Oklahoma 13 Coy Clements Pearl River Florida State 14 Griffin Rardin Shelton State Alabama 15 Jordan Martinez Gulf Coast State Florida State 16 Noah Bentley Weatherford Oklahoma 17 Kole Fenton Walters State North Carolina...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 10/22/2026

PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase High School Division

Erica Beach
Article Image
PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase HS Division Oct 17-18, 2026 Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex CHESTERFIELD, MO — It was a perfect weekend for softball, with 16 teams converging on the Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex to compete in the High School Division. Teams from Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa were there to battle it out, and there was only one undefeated team in the tournament: the Southeast Iowa All-Stars 16U Gold Flowerbach, who went a stellar 5-0 on the weekend. We were treated to some stellar performances all weekend and below we highlight some of the standout athletes who caught our eyes.  Lucy Turner (2027, Marion, IA) of the Cedar Rapids Reds was a truly dynamic two-way player this past weekend. Offensively, she batted .444 with 5 RBIs and an impressive 6 stolen bases, which led the tournament. She also scored 6 runs for her team and...
Tournaments | Championship | 10/22/2026

Wildcatters Reign Supreme at 13u WWBA

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
After both the Best of the West and the Beast of the East wrapped up, a big conglomerate of high end talent and stacked teams descended upon West Palm for both the 13u and the 14u WWBA World Championships. While the weather threw a wrench into the plans early on and some adjustment was needed to ensure the event moved forward, it was nothing but sunshine and competitive baseball throughout Sunday and into the early morning Monday.  Kicking off with the 13u WWBA World Championship, the first thing to point out is the fact this was a wood bat tournament played on 60-90 fields and while the combo was a first for most, you wouldn't know it with their level of play throughout the weekend. In an unsurprising twist and a continuation of their 12u dominance, the 13u championship saw the #2 seeded Goldin Prospects lock horns with the top seeded Houston Wildcatters, aka the champion of the...
Tournaments | Story | 10/22/2026

17u Coastal Fall Invitational

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Dalton Fisher (2028, China Grove, NC) stands at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, with a lean, projectable frame and room to add strength as he develops. Bats and throws right-handed and plays the outfield. Shows a good approach at the plate with quick hands, solid bat speed, and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Fisher went 2-for-3 with 1 RBI, putting together a great day at the plate. Bradley Edwards (2028, Summerville,SC) Stands at 6-feet-5 225 strong build and the potential to generate considerable power. Bats and throws right handed is a right handed pitcher. Shows good arm strength and the ability to attack hitters while generating swings and misses. Demonstrates a competitive approach on the mound with the ability to challenge hitters in the zone. Recorded 4.2 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts, a 56% strike rate, and a fastball that topped out at 85 mph. Jackson Pierce (2028,...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 10/21/2026

PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase 14U Division

Erica Beach
Article Image
2026 PG softball Chesterfield fall showcase 14U Division October 17th to 18th Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex CHESTERFIELD, MO — It was a highly competitive weekend of softball as six teams battled it out on the field. In the end, the Midland Magic Wooster finished with a flawless 5-0 record, showcasing a dominant tournament performance by allowing only three runs while exploding for 65 runs of their own. Below we highlight some of the weekend’s shining stars. \ Abigail Doolittle (2030 - Edwardsville, Illinois) of Top Gun 2030-IL established herself as one of the tournament's most formidable hitters over five games, posting an astounding .727 batting average. Showcasing elite power and versatility, she racked up three singles, two doubles, two triples, and a home run. Doolittle drove in four runs, scored four times, drew a walk, and added a stolen base....
Tournaments | Story | 10/21/2026

Windy City Finale Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
‘27 RHP Jaxson Weiss (IL) pitched well in his 5 innings and put up some eye popping strikeout numbers. He punched out 10 and allowed only 2ER. FB T86 early and flashed a BB 72-75. #WCFinale https://t.co/M8GtCUgxyS — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) October 17, 2026 Jaxson Weiss (2027, New Lennox, Ill.) a right-handed pitcher put up big strikeout numbers in his start on Saturday. He worked five innings while punching out ten opposing hitters. The fastball topped out at 86 mph and sat in the 82-85 mph range most of the game. His breaking ball was his primary off-speed, living 72-75 mph. Weiss keeps his body under control throughout his delivery, helping him with his good command on the mound. He uses his lower half well with a nice leg drive and gets his hips through, guiding his backside. He pitched with confidence and stayed ahead of hitters most of the game. Hayden...
Tournaments | Story | 10/19/2026

PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
The WWBA World Championship remains one of the premier events on the draft calendar as all 30 major league organizations descend on Jupiter to evaluate some of the top talent in amateur baseball. The event serves as a pivotal checkpoint in the scouting process, giving established prospects an opportunity to further elevate their stock while lesser-known names have a chance to put themselves on the radar of various organizations. This year was no exception, as several players made strong impressions and positioned themselves for increased attention heading into the spring. With that being said, let’s dive into a few draft risers and sleepers who stood out in Jupiter. Calum Andersen (‘27,CAN) had his A stuff working today running the FB to 96 mph with a devastating horizontal SL at 85 mph that can break bats. Mixed in a late breaking 12/6 curveball at 78 mph that induces weak...
Tournaments | Story | 10/20/2026

Jupiter Recap: Stars Being Stars

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers With the 2026 WWBA World Championship in the rearview mirror, we're going to begin our breakdowns of 4 different subcategories, beginning today with the Stars Being Stars category. Most of the players below are household names or were teetering on the edge of such recognition, using Jupiter as their launching pad. From Perfect Game All-Americans to some serious helium names for the MLB Draft, the PG crew breaks them all down below.  ‘27 Samir Mohammed (FL) racked up 11 Ks thru 5 IP on 75% strikes. FB lived 98-99, T100 w/ tons of ASR & life thru the zone. Hit 99 mph 10+ times incl his final pitch of the outing. Had his sharp vert CB on a string & faded the CHG effectively vs LHHs (clip). #LSU commit. @PG_Draft #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting)...
Tournaments | Story | 10/21/2026

Jupiter Recap: Uncommitted...For Now

Kyler Peterson
Article Image
WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers | Jupiter: Stars Being Stars Gets your reads in now because by the time you reach the end, some of the talent in this article might be giving their commitments to a college somewhere across the country. Every player below did something that caught out scout's eye and should certainly be on the radar for college coaches, if they aren't already.  Braxton Sykes (2028, Brunswick, Ga.) tossed a total of six innings down in Jupiter, collecting six strikeouts while failing to allow either a hit or earned run during his tenure on the mound. The 6-foot-2 right-hander showcased an impressive three-pitch mix with excellent feel to locate in every part of the strike zone. His fastball lived in the mid- to upper-80s mph range with more velocity to project for as Sykes continues to add strength and...
Tournaments | Story | 10/23/2026

Jupiter Recap: The Next Wave

Kyler Peterson
Article Image
WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers | Jupiter: Stars Being Stars | Jupiter: Uncommitted...For Now | Jupiter: Breakout Prospects You don't have to look too hard into the future to see what the prep game has in store as the players below are already showing tools beyond their years. With a slew of 2028 and 2029 grads more than holding their own in Jupiter, the scene for the upcoming summer has already had some groundwork laid out for what should be an exciting couple of years to come.  ‘28 Alan Zimmerman (FL) racked up 5 Ks w/ just 1 H allowed thru 3 shutout frames. Lived 89-90 T91 w/ lots of life thru the zone & some ASR. Dropped in a 12/6 breaker for Ks (clip). Projectable 6’3” mold. #Uncommitted @PG_Uncommitted #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG https://t.co/KTDFpGK49y — Perfect Game Scout...
Tournaments | Story | 10/22/2026

Jupiter Recap: Breakout Prospects

Kyler Peterson
Article Image
WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers | Jupiter: Stars Being Stars | Jupiter: Uncommitted...For Now There's truly nothing better than a prospect staying fresh, making the trip to Jupiter and fully taking advantage of the opportunity to perform in front of all 30 MLB teams over the course the tournament. Some of the players below were already on the radar but took their status to the next level, while others made scout and recruiters do a double take and add themselves to follow lists.  Benjamin Faigin (2027, Monroe, N.J.) showed off some serious stuff on the mound in Jupiter, pitching with a ton of energy and confidence. The 6-foot southpaw ran his fastball up to 95 mph, sitting comfortably in the low-90s with good carry through the strike zone. He went to a more vertical curveball when ahead in counts, sequencing the...
Loading more articles...