How to improve OSU's exceptional '25 Recruiting Class

Oregon State’s exceptional 2025 recruiting class has had people’s attention for several years. It is not a “Johnny come lately” class, the coaches got off to a fast start building the class beginning back in 2021 and have kept the momentum going for three years. The class is currently holding 13 solid commitments with 5 carrying a Top-100 national ranking with the various baseball websites. Seven of the twelve recruits play multiple positions including six with pitcher listed as their secondary position.

The class has a strong Pacific Northwest flavor with 3 of the Top-5 players in the state of Washington, including the Top-2 with OF/3B Xavier Neyens, SS Mason Pike, and number 4 or 5 ranked OF Gage Thompson. Baseball America considers Neyens the 3rd most dangerous power hitter among USA prep players. He is also considered to possess the 5th best throwing arm among American high school players. Perfect game ranks him the 3rd best prep prospect in the country and some project him to be one of the first 10 high school picks in the ’24 MLB Draft. Pike is not far behind with the 3rd rated infield arm among US preps and a lofty number 22 national ranking with Rawlings-Perfect Game. He is also emerging as a standout pitcher touching 95 mph with a wicked breaking ball and good command. Thompson is skilled, fast and versatile, he can play both the infield and outfield positions. Perfect Game ranks him the 189th best prospect nationally.

In Oregon, 4 players are included in Prep Baseball Report’s Oregon Top 10 with number 1 ranked RHP River Hamilton, a touted strike-out machine, C Mark Wiepert, an athletic power hitting prospect ranked number 284 nationally with Prep Baseball Report. Crafty LHP Calvin Gregory is ranked number 7 in Oregon by Perfect Game and his recent physical growth has his fastball steadily ticking up to compliment his four pitch arsenal. Multi-sport athlete and RHP Fischer Barber is the class “sleeper” with 90 mph heat and 3 effective pitches, and the over used “high ceiling” tag.

Of the four California commits, SS /CF Ryan Holmes is an elite hitter and smooth fielding shortstop that is ranked 28th nationally by Perfect Game. He is listed as the 10th best prospect in California. RHP/3B Ethan Porter has helium with MLB Scouts. Big, fast and exceptionally quick bat with a huge power projection. A gifted athlete, Porter plays for nationally ranked number 16, Huntington Beach HS. He is ranked number 93 nationally with Prep Baseball Report and is the 21st best prospect in California. His HBHS Oiler and future OSU teammate, 1B John Petrie is ranked number 263 nationally by Prep Baseball Report and is the No. 41 ranked prospect in California. OF Win Gurney is a multi-sport athlete, and emerging baseball talent with a fast bat and loud home run power.

Add CIF Kameron Beck, Perfect Game’s 5th ranked Utah Bomber and you have a class brimming with talent and slugging potential. Seven of these recruits have been knocking it out of the ballyard since they were sophomores. It’s stacked with power.

The class is probably not complete, there will be additions and possible portal and/or Junior college transfers added to the group prior to 2025 fall enrollment.\A good question might be, is it possible to strengthen this outstanding class? Why not?. Starting here at home, there are currently two intriguing 2025 prep prospects in Oregon that are uncommitted. Either or both, would impact this class.

First, Kruz Schoolcraft is a 6-8, 215 pound LHP from Sunset HS in Beaverton. Schoolcraft has been a form of phenom since the 8th grade. Rawlings-Perfect Game has him ranked #14 Nationally and the #1 prospect in Oregon. He is ranked 3rd in Oregon in the Prep Baseball Report rankings behind Barlow's #1 River Hamilton.. Kruz is an outstanding student and has visited OSU and is receiving recruiting interest from the Beavers. He’s an outstanding student. He could also be an additional MLB Draft risk being ranked the 17th best draft prospect in the 2025 class by Baseball America. He plays summer ball for USA Prime National and has been named to 20 All Tournament teams in the past 3 years. An All American selection with Perfect Game, he was a standout at the 2022 Area Code Games.

A 2022 Perfect Game Select Festival participant, the 6-foot-8, 215-pound Schoolcraft is an impressive athlete with a long and loose delivery. He has been up to 93 mph with his fastball to go with a sweeping mid-70’s breaking ball and a baffling change up. He will also mix in a slider. A poised competitor, Kruz has good command of his arsenal and pounds the strike zone with regularity.

Second, Gabriel Coltman is a 6-5, 230 pound RH corner infielder playing at Lincoln HS in Portland. He is Class of 2025, and presently ranked the #1 Power prospect in the land (Class of 2025) by Baseball America.

Recently at the Perfect Game National Underclass Showcase in Ft. Meyers, FL. He unleashed some jaw dropping power for a high school junior to be. With a wood bat, he took 30 cuts and produced 13 home runs. Including tape measure blasts of 417’, 444’, 446’. 450’. The metrics captured by a high-speed Trackman system were mind boggling, The exit velos and launch angles were; 116.3 mph/ launch 32.5 degrees, 115.6 mph/ launch 39.4 degrees, 111.8 mph/ 43.7 degrees launch, and 111.1 mph/ 35.5 degrees launch. Metrics on some of his other HR blasts were, 403’/ 93 mph/ 32” launch, 401’/ 101.8 mph/ 41.8 launch, 391’/ 93 mph/ 32.1 launch, 386’/ 103.3/ 50.9 launch, 381’/ 96.9 mph/ 29,8 launch.

Coltman plays more at 1B than in the outfield. His biggest tool is his enormous right-handed power, regularly posting exit velocities well in excess of 100 mph. Coltman was outstanding at the year ending 2023 Perfect Game National Showcase Main Event and is definitely poised for a big breakout campaign in 2024.

At 230 pounds, Coltman has recorded an eye-catching 6.88 Sixty, OF throwing velo of 90.2 mph, and at one event he averaged 103 mph exit velo. Coltman attended both the OSU and UO high school hitting clinics and prospect camps in 2023. At the OSU Camp, he hit 5 of 18 pitches out of Goss Stadium, 3 more off the LF wall and 3 more in the deep outfield gaps. He is currently ranked #4 in Oregon by Prep Baseball Report. Coltman is an excellent student. He has substantial interest from college recruiters and Professional Scouts. Our coaches know who he is.