TEAM USA TOP 10
Baseball America|September 2023
This year's Collegiate National Team had a tough act to follow after a historic 2022 group
CARLOS COLLAZO
TEAM USA TOP 10

USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team annually puts together a roster of the best players in the country, making it a must-see for scouts as they preview the upcoming draft class.

The 2022 team was one of the most talented scouts had seen in years. It featured Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, Wyatt Langford, Jacob Wilson, Rhett Lowder, Kyle Teel, Jacob Gonzalez, Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Brayden Taylor-nine of the top 20 players drafted in 2023.

The same was not true of Team USA in 2023. That's because the 2024 draft class looks like a down group compared to the historic 2023 group.

There are still plenty of intriguing players on this year's top 10 ranking, though each player comes with a few more question marks that will need to be addressed during the fall and next spring season.

1 JJ WETHERHOLT

2B-WEST VIRGINIA 

Age: 20. HT: 5-10. WT: 190. B-T: L-R.

Wetherholt is one of the best pure hitters in the country. That was on full display this spring with West Virginia when he led the country in hitting while slashing 449/.517/.787 with 16 home runs and 36 stolen bases. He was named Big 12 Conference player of the year. Wetherholt went 8-for-24 between Team USA scrimmages and games against Taiwan and Japan, with three home runs, six walks and six strikeouts.

Wetherholt's speed wasn't on display as much with Team USA this summer. He nursed a hamstring injury and didn't run much in scrimmages-but his feel for the barrel and impactful hands were quite obvious. At 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, Wetherholt might not seem large, but he's well built and strong and puts a charge into the ball with strong wrists and forearms. His clean lefty swing features a slightly uphill path.

2 BRADEN MONTGOMERY

OF/RHP TEXAS A&M 

Age: 20. HT: 6-3. WT: 215. B-T: B-R.

Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Baseball America.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Baseball America.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BASEBALL AMERICASe alt
THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
Baseball America

THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM

MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
Baseball America

LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER

On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Baseball America

ORGANIZATION REPORT

Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
TOP 10 NL EAST
Baseball America

TOP 10 NL EAST

From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
Baseball America

PREPARATION PAYS OFF

lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
MAKING THE GRADE
Baseball America

MAKING THE GRADE

Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
TOP 10 NL WEST
Baseball America

TOP 10 NL WEST

Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Baseball America

Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.

Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.

time-read
2 mins  |
August/September 2024
ROAD BLOCK?
Baseball America

ROAD BLOCK?

Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha

time-read
4 mins  |
August/September 2024
ROYALS REVIVAL
Baseball America

ROYALS REVIVAL

A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound

time-read
6 mins  |
August/September 2024