UNC Baseball trio among top-100 college prospects for the 2025 MLB Draft
![Jun 2, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels pitcher Cameron Padgett (15) pitches against the Louisiana State Tigers in the eighth inning of the Div. I NCAA baseball regional at Boshamer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Camarati-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels pitcher Cameron Padgett (15) pitches against the Louisiana State Tigers in the eighth inning of the Div. I NCAA baseball regional at Boshamer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Camarati-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3600,h_2025,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/206/01j3apdpdzshnb6tttt7.jpg)
Yes, the 2024 MLB Draft has just passed, but that doesn't stop D1 Baseball from looking ahead to next year's draft class.
The D1 Baseball staff released their 2025 top 100 college prospects list, one that includes three returning UNC baseball players.
Luke Stevenson is the highest-rated Diamond Heel, as he comes in at No. 11 overall on the list. The rising sophomore, who will be draft-eligible due to his age, became an instant starter for the Tar Heels, as he took over the reigns behind the plate and impacted the game on both sides of the ball.
As a freshman, Stevenson posted a .284 batting with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs. In 65 games, the left-handed swinging catcher drew 48 walks, as he was able to get on base in a variety of ways. Defensively, Stevenson handled the Tar Heels pitching staff well and showcased his strong arm talent on multiple occasions.
Left-handed pitcher Folger Boaz also is viewed as a top-30 prospect, as he came in at No. 29 overall on the list. Prior to suffering a season-ending injury, Boaz was inserted into the Diamond Heels Friday night starter spot, as the injury to Jake Knapp opened up the opportunity for the left-hander. He showed flashes of how good he can be, and will return for his sophomore season hoping for a clean bill of health.
Right-hander Cameron Padgett comes in at No. 94 on the list, as he's a guy who can definitely see an increased role in Scott Forbes' pitching staff heading into his junior season. Mainly used as a reliver, Padgett has made a few starts during his UNC baseball career, and could challenge for a spot in next season's rotation. If he isn't used as a starter, expect Padgett to be a late-inning/multi-inning reliever for the Diamond Heels for the 2025 season.
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