
Top College Hitters Projected as Early Picks in 2027 MLB Draft
Three standout collegiate batters are emerging as the most coveted prospects for the 2027 MLB Draft, each boasting impressive statistics and accolades.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Landon Hairston across Baseball.

Three standout collegiate batters are emerging as the most coveted prospects for the 2027 MLB Draft, each boasting impressive statistics and accolades.
After a breakout season that saw him hit .400 with 28 home runs, sophomore outfielder Landon Hairston has decided to stay for his junior year, bolstering a Sun Devils team that will field a dramatically reshaped roster.

The 2026 MLB Draft revealed evolving front‑office philosophies, bold moves by traditional powerhouses, and the growing impact of the NIL era on player availability.

Sophomore catcher/second baseman Gavin Kelly from West Virginia posted a .382 average, 19 homers and 63 RBI, earning All‑American honors and a semifinalist nod for major awards. Perfect Game now projects him as a top‑10 pick, and analysts see a possible top‑spot if he sustains his surge.

Landon Hairston becomes the first member of his family to wear the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team uniform for the 2026 season, carrying forward a baseball lineage that stretches across four generations and multiple continents.

Gavin Kelly’s .382 batting average, 19 home runs and 63 RBIs earned him a place on the U.S. roster for the first ever World Collegiate Baseball Championship, where he will join teammates under coach Dan Hartleb and face off against Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan.

Gavin Kelly, a sophomore at West Virginia University, has been selected to represent Team USA in the first ever World Collegiate Baseball Championship in Taichung City, Taiwan, a tournament that will showcase elite collegiate talent from around the globe.

Chase Fralick and Jackson Sanders, both recent Auburn standouts, were named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team following an intensive training camp, and will compete in the upcoming World Championship against Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan.

The Stars secured a 5‑1 win in the fourth game of the series, building a 3‑1 lead as key performances from Flinn, Valincius and Williford highlighted the contest.

LSU’s 2027 schedule includes a high‑profile non‑conference series in Las Vegas, where the team will test its championship‑winning roster against a mix of seasoned programs and rising stars.

The Stripes rallied to a 2-1 victory over the Stars in the second game of the 2026 Collegiate National Team Training Camp series, evening the matchup at one game apiece.

Georgia’s catcher Daniel Jackson was crowned the 2026 Golden Spikes Award winner, capping a season that propelled the Bulldogs to their most successful campaign and a College World Series appearance.

Georgia’s baseball program added four transfer commits, celebrated catcher Daniel Jackson’s Golden Spikes Award, and saw former quarterback Stetson Bennett vie for a Rams backup role.

University of Georgia junior catcher Daniel Jackson captured the 2026 Golden Spikes Award, highlighting a record‑breaking season that propelled the Bulldogs to a historic win total and positioned him as a top prospect for the upcoming MLB Draft.

A look at the season highlights and award-winning credentials of the three finalists for college baseball’s premier honor

After setting new single‑season records for RBIs and total bases, Janicki helped Troy reach its first College World Series and now aims to represent the United States at the World Collegiate Baseball Championship in Taiwan.
Arizona State's standout sophomore, Landon Hairston, has committed to returning for a junior season in 2027, a move that could reignite the program's quest for a College World Series berth after decades of near misses.

Baseball America’s latest awards highlight Landon Hairston’s record‑breaking performance and Nu’u Contrades’ standout contributions, underscoring Arizona State’s rise as a national contender

Landon Hairston of Arizona State University has been named the 2026 National Player of the Year by Baseball America, finishing a season with 28 home runs and a .400 batting average while remaining a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. His achievement adds to a storied program history of 15 previous winners and marks a unique decision to return for another year.

Georgia's Daniel Jackson has been named college baseball's national player of the year by Perfect Game, boasting a .389 average, 31 home runs, 86 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. His historic season places him among the elite in NCAA history and sets the stage for a marquee opening game against Texas in the College World Series.

Baseball America’s 2026 College All‑America teams highlight a concentration of talent from powerhouse programs, with Georgia Tech and Texas each placing three players on the first team. Standout hitters and pitchers from across the nation earned recognition, setting the stage for an exciting MLB draft.

Arizona State’s sophomore outfielder Landon Hairston has been named 2026 College Player of the Year by Baseball America, posting a .400/.509/.860 line, 28 home runs and a .570 wOBA, positioning him to potentially become the first two‑time winner.

Landon Hairston, a First Team All‑American outfielder, has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 Golden Spikes Award, marking the tenth time a Sun Devil has reached the award’s final round.
Arizona State outfielder Landon Hairston has been recognized as the Division I National Player of the Year by Just Baseball, capping a season that saw him top the nation in slugging percentage and shatter the school’s home run record.