THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,420 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,420 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Story | 1/20/2014

Preseason College All-Americans

Perfect Game Staff



If sheer number of Perfect Game Preseason College All-Americans is any indication, Virginia could have an amazing campaign in store this spring.

The Cavaliers lead all college baseball teams with five players on our Preseason All-America first and second teams, with utility player Nick Howard and outfielder Derek Fisher leading the charge on the first team. Meanwhile, Brandon Downes and Mike Papi earned second team honors.

Interestingly, Papi is the lone Cavalier to earn All-American honors to end last season, while also beginning this year with equal expectations and honors.

Several other talented players are in the same situation as Papi. Indiana’s Kyle Schwarber, LSU’s Alex Bregman and Aaron Nola, Oregon State’s Michael Conforto, North Carolina State’s Carlos Rodon and Louisville’s Nick Burdi earned first team honors to end last season, while North Carolina State’s Trea Turner and UCLA’s David Berg earned second team honors, with Turner moving up to first team to begin 2014.

As for teams with representatives on the two All-America squads, Virginia clearly leads the way, with Oregon State (3), North Carolina State (2) and Indiana (2) trailing with some strong representatives.

Without further ado, the 2014 Preseason College All-Americans, based partly on previous production and always heavy on projection.

ALSO SEE: Where do the All-Americans stack up as prospects?



First Team

    Photo: IU Athletics

Catcher
Kyle Schwarber, Indiana

2013 Stats:

.366 AVG, 10 2B, 1 3B, 18 HR, 54 RBI, 42 BB, 37 SO


Several college baseball coaches have said Schwarber is the best pure hitter they’ve seen in many seasons. Schwarber, though, is a complete player in every sense of the word. Schwarber, ranked as the No. 7 prospect for the upcoming draft, is a 6-foot, 240-pounder, who’s extremely consistent offensively, good defensively and possesses plus raw power. With Schwarber and Travis in the middle of the Indiana lineup, there’s no doubt the Hoosiers are expected to make a return trip to the College World Series this spring.









    Photo: IU Athletics

First Base
Sam Travis, Indiana

2013 Stats:
.316 AVG, 22 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 57 RBI, 39 BB, 33 SO

Travis didn’t receive as much fanfare as Schwarber last season. One reason for that is that he hit several points lower than Schwarber, but still managed to smack 10 homers and knock in 57 runs while nursing a broken hamate bone for much of the season. Travis, ranked No. 41 in our college prospects list, has big-time raw power and packs a punch in his 6-foot, 210-pound, frame. Entering the season 100-percent healthy and ready to go, look for Travis to tally very good offensive numbers this season.









    Photo: Kansas State Athletics

Second Base
Ross Kivett, Kansas State

2013 Stats:
.360 AVG, 15 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 39 RBI, 29 BB, 27 SO, 26 SB

If there’s a Johnny Football in college football, Kivett might just be that guy in college baseball. The consummate dirtbag baseball player, the outstanding senior middle infielder surprised many when he turned down the Cleveland Indians as a 10th-round pick this past summer to return for another campaign. Kivett is a good defender and brings a consistent and productive offensive approach to the table. The senior also possesses some speed, as indicated by his 26 stolen bases last season. K-State needed this key piece back to make a run at the CWS in June.








    Photo: UCI Athletics Media Relations

Third Base
Taylor Sparks, UC Irvine

2013 Stats:
.360 AVG, 11 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 50 RBI, 6 BB, 40 SO, 7 SB

Sparks had one of the most impressive turnarounds in college baseball last season. As a freshman in 2012, he batted .202 with just three homers and 12 RBIs in 124 at bats. However, the rising junior hit .360 last season with big-time raw power. Sparks, who has a pro body at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, impressed observers this past summer and enters the spring as the nation’s No. 26 prospect.










    Photo: NC State

Shortstop
Trea Turner, NC State

2013 Stats:
.368 AVG, 13 2B, 4 2B, 7 HR, 42 RBI, 38 BB, 31 SO, 30 SB

North Carolina State lefthanded pitcher Carlos Rodon might be the nation’s elite pitcher and prospect, and the headliner for the Wolfpack. But plenty of coaches out there would take Turner over anyone else in college baseball. Turner, a lanky 6-foot-1, 171-pounder, has exceptional speed, an advanced offensive approach and is a more than adequate defender. He’s truly one of the electrifying players in college baseball, and it’s a good reason why he’s our No. 3 prospect entering the season.









    Photo: Ethan Erickson

Outfield
Michael Conforto, Oregon State

2013 Stats:
.328 AVG, 14 2B, 1 3B, 11 HR, 47 RBI, 41 BB, 47 SO, 6 SB

There are only a couple of hitters in college baseball that would be more feared than Conforto. Conforto is a pure hitter and has advanced skills in other areas, too. Conforto has an elite arm in left field, and offensively, he led the Beavers last season with big-time power despite hitting in a home ballpark that typically isn’t conducive to amazing power numbers. Conforto has a stocky/compact frame and is expected to have a productive spring as the nation’s No. 17 overall prospect.









     Photo: Virginia

Outfield
Derek Fisher, Virginia

2013 Stats:
.293 AVG, 12 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 48 RBI, 28 BB, 40 SO, 8 SB

Fisher has yet to live up to his full potential, but all the pieces are there to accomplish that goal as a junior this spring. Fisher is a 6-foot-3, 210-pounder, who has an impressive skill set, most notably very solid raw power. Fisher should excel at the plate with plenty of help around him in this year’s Virginia lineup. For now, the talented junior is ranked the nation’s No. 6 college prospect.










    Photo: USF Athletics

Outfield
Bradley Zimmer, San Francisco

2013 Stats:
.320 AVG, 12 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 29 BB, 31 SO, 19 SB

Bradley’s brother, righthanded pitcher Kyle Zimmer, was a first-round pick in the MLB draft two summers ago. Bradley could be the next Zimmer to receive that honor should he put together a strong spring, which by the way, is expected. Zimmer has a very lengthy frame at 6-foot-5, 205-pounds and impressed scouts this past summer on the Cape Cod League with his ability to consistently put the bat on the ball. Zimmer has good instincts in the outfield, and also possesses above average speed.









    Photo: Louisiana State

Designated Hitter
Alex Bregman, Louisiana State

2013 Stats:
.369 AVG, 18 2B, 7 3B, 6 HR, 52 RBI, 24 BB, 25 SO, 16 SB

Bregman had absolutely no problem meeting lofty expectations last season. Bregman entered the season as a heralded freshman and didn’t disappoint, displaying very good gap power, an advanced offensive approach, and of course, doing a nice job at the shortstop position. Bregman gets placed at the designated hitter spot because of Turner, but make no mistake about it, he’s an advanced overall player and likely the top MLB draft prospect for the 2015 college class.









  Photo: Virginia

Utility
Nick Howard, Virginia

2013 Stats:
.323 AVG, 3 HR, 38 RBI  |  3.38 ERA, 61.3 IP, 52 K, 15 BB

Howard put together an impressive 2013 campaign for the Cavaliers, but UVa. head coach Brian O’Connor says he had an outstanding fall, particularly on the mound, and is ready to take the next step forward. Though Howard is listed as Virginia’s No. 3 starting pitcher going into the spring, he could be the team’s elite starter from a talent standpoint. All the tools are there for Howard to have dominant numbers both at the plate and on the mound in 2014.











    Photo: NC State Athletics

Starting Pitcher
Carlos Rodon, NC State

2013 Stats:
2.99 ERA, 132 1/3 IP, 184 K, 45 BB, .200 OPP BA

It really doesn’t get any better than Rodon in college baseball. Rodon has a physical frame at 6-foot-3, 234 pounds, and is incredibly difficult to hit, especially when he has the slider working from the left side. Rodon has a fastball into the mid-90s, a solid slider in the mid- to upper-80s, and a low-80s changeup that continues to develop. Assuming he has a good 2014 campaign, look for Rodon to be the top overall pick in the MLB draft next summer.









    Photo: East Carolina

Starting Pitcher
Jeff Hoffman, East Carolina

2013 Stats:
3.20 ERA, 109 2/3 IP, 84 K, 39 BB, .243 OPP BA

Though it remains a long shot in the eyes of many, Hoffman is one pitcher who could unseat Rodon as the top overall pick in next summer’s MLB draft. Hoffman, a 6-foot-4, 192-pounder, has elite stuff, and coach Billy Godwin feels like he has a chance to put all the puzzle pieces together once and for all this spring. Hoffman has a fastball anywhere from 94-97, with the ability to touch 98, while he possesses a good low-80s curveball and developing low-80s changeup. Perhaps no pitcher includes as much intrigue entering the spring as Hoffman.









    Photo: Vanderbilt

Starting Pitcher
Tyler Beede, Vanderbilt

2013 Stats:
2.32 ERA, 101 IP, 103 K , 63 BB, .187 OPP BA

The former Blue Jays first-round pick out of high school should emulate that selection next summer in the MLB draft, and for good reason. Beede is already one of the nation’s elite pitchers, and most would say he hasn't reached his full potential. Beede has a fastball anywhere from 90-95, along with an always-improving 80-83 curveball. Beede also has a very good changeup in the low-80s, but improved command is something he's striving for in '14. Beede is ranked the nation’s No. 5 college prospect.









    Photo: Louisiana State

Starting Pitcher
Aaron Nola, Louisiana State

2013 Stats:
1.57 ERA, 126 IP, 122 K, 18 BB, .188 OPP BA]

The Tigers had one of the nation’s best teams and rotations last season, and it should be much of the same this spring with Nola and lefthanded pitcher Cody Glenn leading the charge. Nola, a 6-foot-1, 183-pounder, is Mr. Command out on the mound, as evidenced by his incredibly low walk total from last season. From a stuff standpoint, Nola has a fastball that typically sits in the low-90s. However, he can get up to 94 at times. Meanwhile, his curveball sits in the upper-70s, along with a low-80s changeup.









    Photo: Rice

Relief Pitcher
Zech Lemond, Rice

2013 Stats:
2.02 ERA, 75 2/3 IP, 71 K, 21 BB, .207 OPP BA

The Owls have a tough decision on their hands entering the 2014 campaign. Head coach Wayne Graham has flirted with the idea of putting Lemond in the weekend rotation instead of a key relief role. However, the Owls, for now, are set on keeping the outstanding righthanded pitcher in the bullpen. Lemond is so valuable on the back-end of things with a low- to mid-90s fastball and outstanding spike curveball. Additionally, Lemond possesses a very deceptive motion.









    Photo: Louisville

Relief Pitcher
Nick Burdi, Louisville

2013 Stats:
0.76 ERA, 35 2/3 IP, 62 K, 13 BB, .192 OPP BA

It’s not often a reliever is chosen in the top 10 picks of the MLB draft, but Burdi will put that consistent trend to the test next summer. Burdi, a strapping 6-foot-4, 215-pounder, will be very hard to turn down. He’s one of college baseball’s elite pitchers with a fastball in the mid- to upper-90s, touching 100 at times. He also possesses a slider in the low-90s and good overall stuff. Surprisingly, the UL coaching staff strongly believes Burdi will be even better as a junior than he was as a sophomore last season.









Second Team

Pos. Name School AVG OBP SLG R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
C Grayson Greiner South Carolina .298 .365 .424 32 61 10 2 4 38 5
1B Casey Gillaspie Wichita State .299 .447 .517 49 70 16 1 11 46 5
2B Brian Anderson Arkansas .325 .448 .488 47 68 12 5 4 36 6
3B Alex Blandino Stanford .268 .340 .453 31 48 10 1 7 32 2
SS Branden Cogswell Virginia .346 .464 .451 55 63 11 4 0 22 12
OF Brandon Downes Virginia .316 .393 .569 67 80 20 7 10 59 6
OF Dylan Davis Oregon State .335 .379 .502 45 86 22 3 5 61 9
OF Ian Happ Cincinnati .322 .451 .483 41 66 13 1 6 36 25
DH Mike Papi Virginia .381 .517 .619 57 67 15 3 7 57 6
UT A.J. Reed Kentucky .280 .378 .519 30 60 8 2 13 52 1


Pos. Name School ERA W-L CG SV IP H SO BB
SP Justin Garza Cal State Fullerton 2.03 12-0 0 0 115.0 84 95 17
SP Luke Weaver Florida State 2.29 7-2 0 0 98.1 78 119 19
SP Brandon Finnegan Texas Christian 3.18 0-8 2 0 79.1 74 86 35
SP Andrew Moore Oregon State 1.79 14-2 3 1 131.0 93 72 28
RP David Berg UCLA 0.92 7-0 0 24 78.0 55 78 11
RP Jonathan Holder Mississippi State 1.65 2-0 0 21 54.2 33 90 17
UT A.J. Reed Kentucky 4.04 2-8 0 0 82.1 100 52 15

Give us your feedback
College | Story | 4/28/2026

College Players of the Week: April 28
Craig Cozart
Article Image
April 28th Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Jarren Advincula, IF, Georgia Tech  It is well documented how good the Georgia Tech offense was in 2025, so when the Yellow Jackets added Jarren Advincula from the transfer portal in the off-season, the expectations went through the roof for ’26.  Somehow, the team and Advincula have not only met but exceeded those expectations in virtually every way.  Advincula, the 6-2/195 infielder from Santa Clara, CA, has been a fixture in the middle infield and is an elite defender with the leather.  He shows natural instincts for the game and as the season has progressed, he has found himself inserted into the 3-hole in their powerful lineup.  Hitting from the left-side of the plate, Advincula put together an impressive week as Tech took down Georgia in the mid-week and swept Wake Forest on the weekend.  He was...
Read More
Leagues | Story | 4/28/2026

Iowa Spring League Notebook: Week 5

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Dawson Weller (2027, Ottumwa, IA) showcased his two-way potential with a strong performance this weekend. On the mound, worked two clean innings while striking out 3 consistently living in the zone and getting ahead with first-pitch strikes. Showed the ability to control tempo and attack hitters throughout the outing. At the plate made a big impact in the same game, collecting two doubles and a home run. Displays quick hands through the zone with the ability to connect on an uphill path and generate carry off the barrel. A well-rounded showing that highlighted impact on both sides of the ball. Will Frederiksen (2026, Bettendorf, IA) had a loud weekend at the plate, launching 2 home runs and showing real impact with the bat. Generates plenty of juice in the swing with a simple, controlled load that allows him to stay on time. The swing works clean through the zone and produces strong...
Read More
College | Rankings | 4/26/2026

College Top 25: April 27

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
It was another weekend of upsets, upheaval and consequential series victories across the nation.  After the dust settled, the UCLA Bruins (39-4) remain the No. 1 team in the nation after their (3-1) week stepping outside Big Ten play, taking a series against Sacramento State.  Their perfect (21-0) start in conference play is still intact with three weekend series to go.  UNC (36-8) sticks at No. 2 this week after they went across town to take on archrival Duke, winning that series and finishing the week with a (3-1) record.  The No. 3 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (36-7) showed their moxie by coming back from large deficits multiple times and swept conference foe Wake Forest, extending their lead in the ACC standings to 2-games.  The Texas Longhorns (32-9) are No. 4 in the poll this week after winning a tightly contested series on the road against Vanderbilt. ...
Read More
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 4/24/2026

2026 MLB Draft Reports: Top 100

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
PG Draft: Top-100 Reports (April Update) 1. Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA R-R, 6-2/202, Chandler, AZ Previously Drafted: Never Drafted Roch Cholowsky has consistently ranked at the top of the class throughout the cycle due to the safety and upside of the profile. Defensively, he is a plus defender at shortstop with soft hands, consistent actions, and quality range. Not only should he stick at the position long term, he should excel there at the next level. Offensively, there is a strong mix of hit and power potential from the right side of the plate. The swing is a bit unorthodox with a shorter finish, but Cholowsky consistently finds the barrel and drives the ball with authority to all fields. He has strong bat to ball skills with impact. He has walked more than stuck out during his collegiate career, giving him a high on-base ability. The run tool is the only tool that doesn’t jump...
Read More
Draft | Rankings | 4/24/2026

2026 MLB Draft Board: Top 400

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Rk. Name Level Pos. B-T School Hometown State Commitment 1 Roch Cholowsky C SS R-R UCLA Chandler AZ 2 Grady Emerson H SS L-R Fort Worth Christian Argyle TX Texas 3 Vahn Lackey C C R-R Georgia Tech Suwanee GA 4 Jackson Flora C RHP R-R UC Santa Barbara Pleasanton CA 5 Jacob Lombard H SS R-R Gulliver Schools Miami FL Miami 6 AJ Gracia C OF L-L Virginia Monroe NJ 7 Ace Reese C 3B L-R Mississippi State Canton TX 8 Eric Booth Jr. H OF L-L Oak Grove Bassfield MS Vanderbilt 9 Justin Lebron C SS R-R Alabama Miramar FL 10 Drew Burress C OF R-R Georgia Tech Perry GA 11 Gio Rojas H LHP L-R Marjory Stoneman Douglas Coral Springs FL Miami 12 Ryder Helfrick C C R-R Arkansas Discovery Bay CA 13 Chris Hacopian C SS R-R Texas A&M Potomac MD 14 Cameron Flukey C RHP R-R Coastal Carolina Egg Harbor Township NJ 15 Cole Carlon C LHP L-L Arizona State Tempe AZ 16 Jared Grindlinger H LHP/OF L-L Huntington...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 4/23/2026

Kash Shaikh Named Perfect Game CMO

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME NAMES KASH SHAIKH CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER AND HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL   Sanford, Florida (Thursday, April 23, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that Kash Shaikh has been named the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Head of International. In this role, Shaikh will serve on Perfect Game’s executive leadership team, overseeing global marketing, brand strategy, creative, partnerships and sponsorships, while leading the company’s international P&L and expansion. Shaikh brings more than two decades of experience building brands, businesses and communities across sports, media and consumer...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 4/22/2026

PG Softball Battle for the Belt

Article Image
Perfect Game Softball Battle for the Belt April 18-19, 2026 Des Moines, Iowa It was a cold and very windy weekend, but the girls still came out and put in their best efforts. If you wanted the place to see some of the state’s top talent, this was the tournament to be at. The 18u division was quite the slugfest! The Ankeny Centennial 18U -Kennedy team took down a tough Iowa Alliance Select-Benge team in the championship. Both teams had double digit homeruns on the weekend. In the 16u division the Iowa Aries CE Fire Black took control of the game from the start and never let up on the gas, taking down a solid Alliance Select- Harper team. 18U Division Kori Lincicum (2026 Ankeny, IA) of the Centennial Jaguars- Kennedy and Drake Bulldog softball commit was the weekends MVP Pitcher. Lincicum defeated a tough Alliance team in the championship game finishing with that game with 11...
Read More
High School | General | 4/23/2026

Northeast High School Notebook

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
In a season that has already had many exciting matchups across various events, we as a staff would like to highlight or “Shout-Out” notable performers along with an Uncommitted Spotlight and Team Spotlight.  Uncommitted Spotlight: Mason Rosenberg, 1B, 2027, Bishop Eustace Prep  Uncommitted Mason Rosenberg (2027, NJ) has been an absolute force within the Bishop Eustace lineup, as the left-handed hitting slugger is hitting .481 through eleven games including six homers. The strength has vastly improved, allowing for Rosenberg to impact the baseball with authority to all fields. Couple that with improved speed and athleticism, this uncommitted 2027 can be a welcomed addition to a class looking for offense.  Team Spotlight: Northern Burlington (9-0) Northern Burlington is once again off to a hot start, as the Greyhounds sit at 9-0 thus far and have continued to...
Read More
Juco | Rankings | 4/22/2026

JUCO Top 25: April 22

Blaine Peterson
Article Image
Another week down and Johnson County continues their torrid run to remain at number 1. They're 46-2 on the season with multiple hitters over 25 bombs which is astonishing for the level as the Cavs have announced themselves as title favorites. Just a couple of weeks left heading down the stretch and our field remains mostly the same with the two additions of midwest powerhouse Iowa Western and the Warriors of East Central who will have a tough test Wednesday in Poplarville against fellow Mississippi adversary Pearl River in a mid-week double header.   Rk. School Record 1 Johnson County (KS) 46-2 2 Gaston (NC) 47-3 3 Walters State (TN) 42-10 4 McLennan (TX) 38-8 5 Southern Nevada (NV) 33-9 6 Chipola (FL) 39-9 7 Blinn (TX) 33-12 8 Florida Southwestern (FL) 32-13 9 Florence-Darlington (SC) 42-10 10 Pearl River (MS) 39-9 11 Cloud County (KS) 40-4 12 Cochise (AZ) 39-11 13 Midland (TX)...
Read More
College | Story | 4/23/2026

Coppy's Corner: April 23 POY Deep Dive

John Coppolella
Article Image
Each week I huddle with Vinnie Cervino and Craig Cozart  to discuss Top-25 rankings and Players of the Week. In Coppy’s Corner, I dive deeper into these Players of the Week, providing analysis from 20+ years working in baseball front offices at the highest level.     Player of the Week: Tague Davis – University of Louisville  Between 2016-2022, the University of Louisville produced 14 players taken in the Top 5 Rounds of the MLB Draft, seven of whom were taken in the 1st Round. The Cardinals haven’t produced a Top 5 Rounds pick since 2022, but that will change soon with Davis. Still only 20 years old and not draft-eligible until 2027, Davis continued his assault on college baseball this weekend with a 7-for-12 performance that included 5 HR. On the 2026 season, Davis is hitting .389 AVG / .489 OBP / .911 SLG / 1.392 OPS. That’s a 400+...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.