Dominick Carbone quietly put together one of the most efficient pitching seasons in the country in 2025, posting a 2.36 ERA over 42 innings with elite command metrics (1.93 BB/9, 67.4% first-pitch strikes). The 5'10" lefty's fastball sits 91-94 mph and touches 95 at times, but plays above that velocity thanks to his low three-quarter arm slot and heavy sink that generates an elite 35.0% chase rate. Carbone's separator is his strike-throwing precision and advanced feel for sequencing. He pairs his fastball with a tight breaking ball at 83-85 mph en route to posting a 11.14 K/9 while limiting hard contact. The lack of changeup usage and a relatively small sample size (42 IP) create durability questions and lower the floor slightly, making his 2026 workload critical to proving he can handle a full starter's role. If he maintains the command and efficiency over increased innings, he profiles as one of the safer arms in the class with a realistic floor as a back-end starter or high-leverage reliever.

Ryan Lynch is is a name to follow after posting a ridiculous 0.56 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 32 innings in 2025. He showcased command and bat-missing ability that were both slightly above average. The arsenal is headlined by a heavy cut-ride fastball that sits low 90s and touches 93-94 mph with 20”+ of IVB. The main concern is whether the modest velocity and elite results over a relatively small sample size will regress over a larger workload. He is also on the older side for this draft. Arsenal wise, he could benefit from a changeup and/or a cutter shape to go along with his existing slider and curveball. If Lynch can take a significant step forward over a larger workload in 2026, he profiles as a high-floor back-end starter or multi-inning reliever whose pitchability and strike-throwing compensate for below-average velocity.

Hayden Johnson is a physically imposing 6'5", 215-pound southpaw who missed bats at an elite rate in 2025, posting a dominant 12.91 K/9 and 32.9% strikeout rate over 38.1 innings. The arsenal is anchored by a fastball that sits 91-93 and touches 95 mph, playing up due to some funk in the delivery. Arsenal refinement seems to be the next leap for Johnson in 2026. Last season, his slider and curveball blended at times, and he had no armside secondary offering (change, split, etc.) The command profile can also take a step forward at the next level, as a 4.23 BB/9 and elevated barrel rate (17.4%) suggest he can lose the zone and get punished when he is too fastball heavy in hitters counts. If he can reduce free passes while polishing a complete arsenal over a full starter's workload in 2026, Johnson profiles as a potential mid-rotation starter with strikeout upside and size to handle innings and more velocity.

Cameron Flukey checks all the boxes. He has the pro-ready frame, fastball quality, and ability to miss bats with his secondaries. Flukey's fastball plays above the radar gun due to elite ride and a unique visual, while his slider and curveball serve as two true put-away weapons that neutralize both right- and left-handed hitters when he’s ahead in counts. Would like to see the cutter/slider creep into the 86-89 mph range in pro ball. When you combine size, durability, strike-throwing, and a clear starter’s foundation, Flukey offers a safer path to mid-rotation value than all of of the riskier upside arms in the class.

I have Bodine slotted as a long term catcher, but if not there’s enough athleticism to assume 2B or the outfield would be a possibility. While the power here lacks, 106.6 mph max EV, the contact quality is great. He has great launch distributions, a 91 mph average EV, and barrels the baseball at an average clip. My evaluation is that he’ll produce XBHs at a level beyond his raw power moving forward. His whiff rates are great, rarely whiffing in-zone as well as handling spin and velocity well. The swing decisions are firmly above-average, and he’ll continue to hit for average at a high level as well as limiting strikeouts.