Former Tar Heels Kane Kepley and Luke Stevenson Earn Baseball America Recognition

Some draft picks take some time to acclimate to the professional setting. Baseball players might just have the toughest journey, as these players typically start within the lower levels of their respective organization and must work their way up the ranks to reach that goal of being a Major Leaguer.

The 2025 draft class has featured some standout performances thus far from players who are more than ready for the challenges of professional baseball. With the 2025 season coming to a close, Baseball America tabbed the top 10 standout pro debuts from this year's draft class, a list that includes two former UNC baseball stars.

In fact, the two former Tar Heels, Kane Kepley and Luke Stevenson, claimed spots among the top four among the list!

Kepley was the second-highest rated player on the list, trailing only Dax Kilby of the New York Yankees. The Chicago Cubs' second round pick has been an on-base machine in High-A ball, recording 29 hits, 25 walks and 9 hit by pitches over 29 games (131 plate appearances). He posted a .299 batting average to go along with two homers and 15 RBIs while also showcasing his speed on the base paths by swiping 16 bags.

While the power hasn't fully shown up yet, Stevenson was ranked as the No. 4 player on this Baseball America list. The former Tar Heel has hit for a high average, posting a slash line of .280/.460/.860. In 22 games (100 plate appearances), Stevenson recorded 21 hits and 23 walks, proving that he can get on base in a variety of ways.

Tar Heel fans aren't surprised at all to see both Kepley and Stevenson thriving at the professional ranks. Both players were outstanding during their time in Chapel Hill and showed fans the potential they have to eventually be great professional baseball players.

The early results have been great for both players as they aim to rise up the minor league system starting in 2026.