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Juco  | Story  | 9/23/2024

JUCO to 4 Year Impact Transfers

Blaine Peterson      Troy Sutherland     
Photo: Brent Iredale (Arkansas Baseball)
For one last time we run through this 2024 PGJC class with a fine-toothed comb to see who could play significant roles and impact the game at the four-year level. The first few years of the twenty round draft have brought us a mixed bag in terms of sheer numbers of Juco players drafted, but the shift in draft ideology has yielded positive results in terms of both NJCAA players either selected straight away or the NJCAA alum providing well-seasoned college level results in lineups and rotations across the nation. We would like to take one last opportunity to both highlight and forecast some of the guys we think have the tools and situation to make an instant impact at the four-year level. 
 
1. Brent Iredale, IF, Arkansas  
Looking through the top 5 on the JC to NCAA list takes some level of nuance with tools having to match situational fit. At the top, it's clearly Brent Iredale. After two monster seasons at New Mexico, he will finally have a chance to be an impact player at the highest collegiate level. Early reports out of Fayetteville are wildly positive. It would be a HOMERUN for the Hogs to find high level production at the hot corner, especially after the loss of standout third baseman, Jared Sprague-Lott.  
 
2. Cade Crossland, LHP, Oklahoma 
Capping off what has been a strong few years for the Sooners in Juco portal, they land a polished left-handed starter in Crossland. Its a low effort operation with well repeated mechanics and high-level command of three-pitches. As he gets to the higher levels, I anticipated the arsenal to be geared toward forcing soft contact with the standout changeup and breaking ball while jabbing with the fastball. He will sit comfortably in 90-93 range and could grow into more velocity with further development. Crossland was a vital piece on one of the best JC teams in the nation in 2024 and will also be joined in Norman by fellow Weatherford teammate Dayton Tockey. 

3. Kevin Mannell, RHP, Mississippi State 
The headline arm of the class is right-hander, Kevin Mannell who pitched for Cloud County in 2024 and makes the trek down to Starkville to bolster a depleted staff. With the exits of Jurrangelo Cijntje and Kahl Stephen as well as a big relief piece, Colby Holcombe, there are meaningful innings to be had. Its easy to make a case that Mannell could find himself as a weekend guy in SEC right off the bat if he pitches well enough throughout the fall. As far as what to expect, A big loose arm with deceptive arm stroke and whippy release that produces low to mid 90’s gas with life and excellent spin traits to the off-speed repertoire. 
 
4. Riley Nelson, 1B, Vanderbilt 
Anytime Tim Corbin and company dig into the JC space it attracts eyeballs. What the Commodores are getting in this JC pickup has obvious intrigue. Nelson has been a riser throughout both his years at the level and could only improve with SEC development at his disposal. Playing in the Arizona gauntlet is a battle for any prolific bat trying to make it to the next level, but the cream rises to the Top in State 48 like no other. Nelson has significant power from the left-side with no shortage of bat to ball. Defensively he has provided standout results and should have no problem carrying that on to his time in the ‘Ville. 
 
5. Conner Ware, LHP, Louisiana State 
There may not be a more intriguing arm in this class than the one of Conner Ware. At his best he can sit in the 93-95 range with excellent ride through the glove, command remains consistent whether he is pitching in the low 90’s or at the top of his ranges. He pairs a very good breaking ball off of it with legit depth and swing and miss capabilites. High end spin traits to the whole arsenal including the 3000+ breaker as well as the projectability headline the prospect profile. As for opportunity... it may be tough for him to grind out an immediate starting role although that's what he projects best as. Ware could’ve very easily been the first Juco arm drafted if there had not been signability concerns. If the stars align, this southpaw has frontline potential. 



6. Tanner Reaves, IF/OF, LSU
Reaves heads to LSU this season after spending the past 2 seasons at Blinn. A place he became an All-American and National Champion at. After posting a career .398 batting average with 28 home runs and 142 RBI at the Juco level he'll look to step in an contribute right away for the Tigers. The left-handed hitter will bring a blend of hit and power from the left side as well of plenty of experience and positional versatility. Look for Reaves to find his way into the lineup while playing both 2B, 3B and LF. 

7. Chase Williams, OF, Florida State
A standout freshman season at Northwest Florida that led to both an opportunity to play at Florida State and an MLB Draft selection. The switch-hitting centerfielder will bring a ton of athleticism to the Seminole roster. After showing the ability to hit from both sides of the plate and some of the better bat speed in all of Juco a season ago, he'll bring some prospect pedigree to an always ultra talented Florida State roster. 

8. Blaise Priester, C, LSU
Priester returns to LSU this season after spending 2022 season in Baton Rouge as well. The power hitting catcher with a strong arm will bring 2 years of catching experience at the junior college level where he was a career .377 hitter with 14 HR's. Look for him to slot in an compete for at-bats right away for LSU in 2025.

9. Justin Thomas , OF, Arkansas
One of the top pro prospects at the junior college level last season will head to Arkansas for 2025. He'll bring previous SEC experience (Georgia) and a full season of Juco experience to the Razorbacks lineup. This is a dynamic outfielder that has speed and can hit for power. After hitting .393 with 14 home runs and 35 stolen bases in Fort Myers last season he certainly will bring some high level talent to Arkansas for 2025. 

10. Hollis Porter , 1B, Maryland
He set the single season record for home runs (20) at Pearl River last season and will bring that power hitting prowess to Maryland for 2025. This is a middle of the order run producing presence that should slot in and give the Terrapin lineup a boost right away. Look for him to become one of the Big Tens  premier power hitters this season. 
 
 
Rk. Name Pos. B/T JUCO Hometown St. 4-Year School
1 Brent Iredale  IF  R-R  New Mexico  Sydney  AUS  Arkansas 
2 Cade Crossland  
 LHP R-L Weatherford Rockwall TX Oklahoma
3 Kevin Mannell  RHP  R-R  Cloud County  Topeka  KS  Mississippi State 
4 Riley Nelson  1B  L-R  Yavapai  Trophy Club  TX  Vanderbilt 
5 Conner Ware  LHP  L-L  Pearl River  Madison  MS  LSU 
6 Tanner Reaves  IF  L-R  Blinn College  Bonham  TX  LSU 
7 Chase Williams  OF  S-R  Northwest Florida  Elmore AL Florida State 
8 Blaise Priester  C  R-R  Meridian  Denham Springs  LA  LSU 
9 Justin Thomas  OF  R/R  Florida SouthWestern  Glennville  GA  Arkansas 
10 Hollis Porter  1B  L-R  Pearl River  Hurley  MS  Maryland 
11 Clayton Freshcorn  RHP  R-R  McLennan  Waller  TX  Texas A&M 
12 Brandon Arvidson  LHP  L-L  San Jac  Dripping Springs  TX  Tennessee 
13 Rom Kellis  C/3B  R-R  Florence-Darlington Tech Lexington  SC  North Carolina 
14 Colin Linder  RHP  R-R  Northwest Florida  Suwanee  GA  Arizona State 
15 Thomas Crabtree  RHP  R-R  Pearl River  Collierville  TN  Tennessee 
16 Mathis Meurant  SS  S-R  Cochise  Vaires sur-Marnes  FR  Arizona 
17 Brandon Stone  RHP  R-R  Johnson County  Lenexa   KS  South Carolina 
18 Richard Bonomolo Jr CF  R-R  Wabash Valley  Haverstraw  NY  Alabama 
19 Edwin Toribio  3B  R-R  College of Central Florida  Statesboro  GA  FIU 
20 Jake Bennett  C/1B  R-R  San Jacinto  Crestwood  KY  Dallas Baptist 
21 Ethan Guerra  MIF  S-R  Paris  Olathe  KS  Arizona 
22 Robert Fortenberry  LHP  L-L  Weatherford  Frisco  TX  Mississippi State 
23 Karter Muck  RHP  R-R  Central Arizona  Kansas City   MO  Arizona 
24 Brenden Fry  OF  L-R  Neosho  Fort Collins  CO  SIUE 
25 Gehrig Goldbeck  SS  L-R  Kansas City Kansas  Kansas City   KS  Missouri 
26 Samuel Christiansen  1B  L-L  South Mountain  Mesa  AZ  Oklahoma 
27 Joey Morton  1B/OF  L-L  Crowder  Nottingham  PA  Campbell 
28 Dagen Brewer  C/1B/DH  R-R  Johnson County  Topeka  KS  Pitt State 
29 Joey Colucci   RHP   R-R  Harford CC  Purcellville  VA  Virginia 
30 Cade Climie 3B R-R Blinn Sugar Land TX Houston

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