With fall baseball soon coming to an end, freshmen across the country have been able to showcase their talent for their respective programs. In what is the case each season, a number of freshmen will make a sizable impact in their first year on campus. While some have begun to carve out a meaningful role, others will play their way into one as the season progresses. It still isn’t exactly crystal clear who is going to start on day one, but below you will find 10 freshmen who are poised to make an impact in 2025.
Schmidt had legitimate first-round interest in last July’s draft, but he sent shockwaves through the baseball world when he announced on night one of the draft that he would be attending LSU. The No. 22 ranked prospect on the final BA 500, Schmidt has an impressive arsenal that includes a mid-90s fastball that has been up to 98, a low-to-mid-80s changeup that right now is a work-in-progress and—the headliner—a devastating low-80s curveball. Many had the pitch tabbed as the best of its kind in last year’s draft, and it is a high-spin offering with spin rates routinely in the 2,900+ range, big-time depth and a sharp 12-to-6 shape. It gets whiffs both in and out of the zone, and Schmidt has shown he can also land the pitch for strikes.
LSU’s rotation is deep, but Schmidt this spring is poised to log his fair share of innings.
It’s hard to think of a freshman hitter who has had a louder fall than Carns. The 6-foot backstop had top-three round draft interest, but instead opted to honor his commitment to Florida State. This fall, Carns has been one of the Seminoles’ best hitters and is on track to be in the opening day lineup. He’s a high-level athlete who has plenty of hand speed at the plate and has routinely flashed his all-fields power.
Carns’ athleticism also translates well behind the dish, where he moves well laterally and boasts a strong arm. The Seminoles also have Jaxson West at catcher. Carns’ toolset profiles well in the outfield where his athleticism, speed and arm all translate.
Jay Abernathy, SS, Tennessee
Getting Abernathy to campus was a big win for head coach Tony Vitello and his staff. Abernathy is a quick-twitch athlete who’s a 70-grade runner and boasts advanced bat-to-ball skills. Right now he is more of a “slash-and-dash” hitter, but he could grow into more impact if he’s able to add strength and physicality to his frame. He puts pressure on opposing defenses and projects as a leadoff table…