How Top MLB Prospects in Mock Drafts Performed in College World Series
LSU pitcher Kade Anderson confirmed his spot high on all MLB draft boards with his performance at the College World Series.
Anderson tossed a complete game shutout in Game 1 of the championship series against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.
Being the No. 1 overall pick is not out of the question for Anderson, and if he doesn't land with the Washington Nationals, he shouldn't have to wait long to hear his name.
The Los Angeles Angels, who pick at No. 2, have a history of picking the top collegiate arms and expediting them to the majors, a trend that fits Anderson more than anyone.
Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
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Kade Anderson completed the 2025 college baseball season with a 12-1 record and 180 strikeouts in 119 innings.
The left-handed hurler produced 16 strikeouts in 16 innings during his two outings in Omaha versus the Arkansas Razorbacks and Coastal Carolina.
Anderson allowed a single run on six hits in those starts. His second appearance against Coastal allowed LSU to pick up a one-game lead in the best-of-three championship series that the Tigers won in Game 2.
Anderson's best organizational fit might be the Angels at No. 2 because the American League West side has a history of rushing college pitchers to the majors.
However, he might not last that long on the draft board. ESPN.com's Kiley McDaniel projected Anderson to be the No. 1 overall pick to Washington in his latest mock draft.
Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
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Aiva Arquette put in a pair of multi-hit performances in Omaha for the Oregon State Beavers.
Most mock drafts have the shortstop as the first collegiate hitter off the board, but when that happens is a mystery.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter placed Arquette at No. 3 to the Seattle Mariners in his latest mock draft, while McDaniel has Arquette landing with the Pittsburgh Pirates at No. 6.
Arquette's draft position is dependent on how much the teams in the top five value pitching.
Anderson, Florida State's Jaime Arnold and Tennessee's Liam Doyle could all easily land in the top five, which would then push down Arquette's draft position to no fault of his own.
Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas
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Gage Wood's no-hitter against the Murray State Racers was the best individual performance of the College World Series.
Wood is projected to be a mid-first-round by all industry experts.
Reuter placed Wood with the Tampa Bay Rays at No. 14, McDaniel mocked him to the Minnesota Twins at No. 16 and MLB.com's experts have him at No. 22 to the Atlanta Braves.
Reuter explained that Wood had the biggest jump in stock in Omaha.
"No player did more to boost his stock during the 2025 college baseball postseason than Wood, who threw just the third no-hitter in College World Series history when he struck out 19 batters while blanking Murray State."
The 19-strikeout no-hitter solidified Wood's position as a first-round pick. He won't reach the top 10, but the top 15 is within reach because of the pitching needs in the middle of the first round.
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