Kiley McDaniel covers MLB prospects, the MLB Draft and more, including trades and free agency.
Has worked for three MLB teams.
Co-author of Author of ‘Future Value’
Who are the best starting pitchers in college baseball? I normally approach this question from a scouting perspective — in consultation with scouts — focusing on who will be the best players years from now.
But the aim here is to rank college starting pitchers based on who I would want starting a game in Omaha with the highest stakes, against the best lineups. I do this regularly for MLB’s best pitchers, and this is essentially the college equivalent.
So, this isn’t a prospect list — I lean more on current ability rather than in the future, but obviously there is some overlap. And I’m not ranking purely on statistics; otherwise, St. Joseph’s lefty Colton Book — with his 85-89 mph fastball, 1.70 ERA and 87 strikeouts — would be on here.
These are the 20 collegiate starting pitchers I would want to give the ball in a do-or-die game against one of the top lineups in the country in the Men’s College World Series. Due to the portal (and a number of other reasons), this list is SEC-heavy (seven of the top 10 players), and the pitchers are mostly draft-eligible for the first time this year. But there are some intriguing exceptions. Let’s get to it.
1. Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
Junior, 20 years old, 51.0 IP, 2.47 ERA
Doyle has been a dominating presence in the SEC this season, pepping the top of the zone with his 94-97 mph heater that peaks at 99 mph, used 71% of the time. There are still some long-term questions about the consistency of his secondary stuff, what he looks like deeper in games and his command, but in college, relying on this direct approach is working quite well.
2. Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
Sophomore, 20 years old, 57.1 IP, 3.92 ERA
Anderson is a classic crafty lefty with four pitches and lots of strikes, but he also looks ready to go in the top half of the first round this summer, because his stuff is above average by pro standards. He’s susceptible to a bad start since his fastball works at the top of the zone, but he’s arguably the best bet in college baseball when the stakes are highest.
3. Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
Junior, 20 years old, 52.0 IP, 2.08 ERA
Witherspoon continues the SEC flavor at the top and comes with the most velocity, sitting 95-98 mph and also peaking at 99 mph. There’s a whiff of Dylan Cease in the delivery and shapes in his arsenal, using three different breaking balls and the occasional changeup.
4. Jaime Arnold, LHP, Florida State
Junior, 21 years old, 41.1 IP, 2.40 ERA
Arnold is the top prospect for the 2025 draft and has performed well this year, but he hasn’t quite dominated like some of the top college prospect arms of the past. One of his issues is that his lower slot creates so much horizontal movement (with both his sinker and sweeper) that he has some trouble hitting his spots reliably and staying in the zone.
5. Pico Kohn, LHP, Mississippi State
Senior, 22 years old, 49.2 IP, 3.26 ERA
Kohn is our first pitcher who isn’t a projected first rounder. He was eligible for last year’s draft, but he was still coming back from Tommy John surgery, so this is his first full healthy season since 2022. He has solid stuff — a 91-93 mph fastball and an 80-84 mph bullet slider — but relies mostly on those two pitches.
6. Cade Obermueller, LHP, Iowa
Junior, 21 years old, 53.2 IP, 2.18 ERA
Obermueller was also eligible for last year’s draft due to his age, and he is the son of former big league righty Wes Obermueller. Cade had some command issues last year, but he has righted the ship this season and should be an early pick. Like Arnold, he’s a lower slot lefty who gets into the mid-90s, and he has a knockout sweeper.
7. Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
Sophomore, 19 years old, 39.2 IP, 3.63 ERA
Peterson isn’t eligible until the 2026 draft, and he was one of the top prep arms in the 2023 draft to get to campus. Peterson was solid as a freshman, but now his numbers match his big stuff, which has improved since high school: 94-97 mph heater that has hit 99 mph and an 83-87 mph slider that’s his best secondary.
8. Joey Volini, LHP, Florida State
Junior, 22 years old, 52.2 IP, 2.39 ERA
Volini attended the same high school as fellow Noles rotation mate Arnold — Jesuit High School in Tampa, which has also produced Lance McCullers, among others. Volini was a draft-eligible sophomore last year at USF, but he pitched mostly in relief with middling numbers. This year, he’s dealing as starter despite similar 88-92 mph velocity.
9. Zach Root, LHP, Arkansas
Junior, 21 years old, 49.2 IP, 3.62 ERA
Root was a high-profile transfer from East Carolina who was one of the best prospects to hit the portal. He has posted as expected this season and should land in the back half of Round 1 of the MLB draft. Root has lively stuff (92-94 mph, touching 97 mph along with a solid slider, curveball and changeup) and a solid feel.
10. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, LSU
Junior, 20 years old, 47.2 IP, 3.78 ERA
Eyanson was another high-profile transfer (coming from UC San Diego) after a solid showing in the summer where his stuff was a bit livelier in short stints. There’s still plenty of raw stuff here, sitting 92-94 mph, peaking at 96 mph, with strong miss rates on his slider, curveball and splitter. He’s the clear second-best starter on a loaded LSU pitching staff behind Anderson.
The next 10
11. Trey Beard, LHP, Florida Atlantic 12. Joseph Dzierwa, LHP, Michigan State 13. Dax Whitney, RHP, Oregon State 14. Aidan Knaak, RHP, Clemson 15. Marcus Phillips, RHP, Tennessee 16. Patrick Forbes, RHP, Louisville 17. Cole Gilley, RHP, Indiana 18. Ethan Norby, LHP, East Carolina 19. Logan Lunceford, RHP, Wake Forest 20. Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
We are tracking all remaining undefeated teams in DI women’s volleyball for the 2025 season. Only Nebraska is left standing after Texas fell to Texas A&M in a five-setter on Friday, Oct. 31.
Since 1981, there have been only four programs — five teams — to finish a season undefeated and win a national title: Penn State (2008, 2009), Southern California (2003), Nebraska (2000) and Long Beach State (1998).
READ MORE: Every undefeated national champion in college volleyball history
Penn State holds the longest win streak in DI women’s volleyball history with 109 match victories from 2007-10, with the Nittany Lions winning four consecutive titles (2007 through 2010). The 2009 title team is the most recent undefeated champion.
Will there be another team to etch its name into history this season? Follow along here:
Undefeated DI women’s volleyball teams in 2025
Rankings are from the AVCA:
No. 1 Nebraska (32-0): The Huskers’ extend their win-streak to 32 after most recently sweeping Kansas State on Saturday, Dec. 6 in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Next: vs. Kansas (NCAA Tournament)
Here’s everything you need to know regarding the 2025 NCAA DII women’s volleyball championship, including selection show info and schedule for the entire tournament.
BOSTON, Mass. – The Providence College men’s and women’s track teams competed at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener at Boston University on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. The women’s team was paced by junior Maeve O’Neill (Cork, Ireland) who won the 600 meters in 1:28.09.
Also for the women’s team, junior Kiera Hall (Christchurch, New Zealand) won her heat and finished 14th in the mile (4:54.98). Friar senior Cara Laverty (Derry, Ireland) finished 20th in the 3,000 meters in 9:25.43 while freshman Gemma Galvin (Clare, Ireland) placed 40th in the 3,000 meters in her first collegiate indoor race in 9:41.57.
For the men’s team, senior Zane Powell (Auckland, New Zealand) and sophomore Daniel Prescott (Christchurch, New Zealand) ran in the 3,000 meters. Powell finished 54th (8:09.62) while Prescott placed 63rd (8:13.87).
In the 5,000 meters, sophomore Elliott Pugh (Tauranga, New Zealand) won his heat in 14:08.90 while sophomore Ryan LoCicero (Bloomfield, N.J.) placed third in the same heat in 14:19.00.
The Friars return to action on Jan. 17 at the Harvard Beantown Challenge in Cambridge, Mass.
For more information on the Providence College men’s and women’s indoor track teams, follow @FriarsXCTrack on X and Instagram.
NCAA Volleyball Tournament: Match times, opponents for Nebraska and Creighton
REPORTING FOR KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN. I’M JOHN GRINVALDS. CREIGHTON. VOLLEYBALL. BACK IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT FOR THE 14TH STRAIGHT SEASON, BLUE JAYS HAVE THEIR SIGHTS SET ON MAKING IT TO THE FINAL FOUR, AND THAT PURSUIT BEGINS TONIGHT IN OMAHA. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN’S MATT SOTTILE LEIGH IS LIVE OUTSIDE DJ SOCAL ARENA WITH THE STORY. HEY MATT. HEY, QUANECIA. HEY, ROB. IT MAY BE FRIGID OUTSIDE OF DJ SOCAL ARENA, BUT INSIDE THIS BUILDING, THE BLUE JAYS ARE RED HOT. THEY HAVE WON 44 OF THEIR LAST 45 MATCHES HERE AT HOME, MAKING THEM NEARLY UNBEATABLE THIS SEASON. A 25 AND FIVE RECORD AND A SIXTH STRAIGHT BIG EAST TOURNAMENT TITLE EARNED THE BLUE JAYS THE RIGHT TO HOST MATCHES AT HOME, AND THE PLAYERS KNOW THAT COULD PROVE TO BE A BIG ADVANTAGE. OH MY GOSH, WE LOVE PLAYING AT CREIGHTON IN FRONT OF OUR HOME FANS. I MEAN, I THINK IT GIVES US WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT HOME COURT ADVANTAGE. I THINK OUR FANS REALLY BRING IT. THE CREIGHTON COMMUNITY JUST SHOWS UP FOR US AS A WHOLE, AND IT JUST FEELS SO GREAT TO BE SUPPORTED IN OUR OWN GYM. SO WE’RE SO EXCITED. I OBVIOUSLY LOVE PLAYING IN SOCAL AND I’M SO EXCITED TO GET ONE LAST WEEKEND HERE. THE JAYS ARE HOSTING MATCHES HERE AT HOME FOR THE FIFTH STRAIGHT SEASON. THAT PUTS THEM IN ELITE COMPANY. THEY ARE ONE OF JUST SEVEN SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY THAT CAN SAY THAT RIGHT NOW, UTAH AND NORTHERN IOWA ARE SQUARING OFF INSIDE THE BUILDING. CREIGHTON AND NORTHERN COLORADO WILL TAKE CENTER STAGE AFTER THAT. REPORTING OUTSIDE DJ SOCAL ARENA MATT SOTTILE KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN SPORTS. THANKS, MATT. YOU’RE RIGHT, IT DOE
NCAA Volleyball Tournament: Match times, opponents for Nebraska and Creighton
Updated: 9:59 PM CST Dec 6, 2025
Editorial Standards ⓘ
Nebraska and Creighton are moving on in the 2025 NCAA Volleyball Tournament.The Huskers will play Kansas on Friday at 8:30 p.m. at the Devaney Center in the third round of the tournament.NU swept both LIU and Kansas State in the first two rounds in Lincoln.The Jays will face Arizona State in the regionals on Thursday at noon in Lexington.The match will be broadcast on ESPN2.Creighton took down Northern Colorado in five sets in the first round and UNI in four sets in the second round at the D.J. Sokol Arena. Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
LINCOLN, Neb. —
Nebraska and Creighton are moving on in the 2025 NCAA Volleyball Tournament.
The Huskers will play Kansas on Friday at 8:30 p.m. at the Devaney Center in the third round of the tournament.
NU swept both LIU and Kansas State in the first two rounds in Lincoln.
The Jays will face Arizona State in the regionals on Thursday at noon in Lexington.
The match will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Creighton took down Northern Colorado in five sets in the first round and UNI in four sets in the second round at the D.J. Sokol Arena.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania track & field program opened the 2025-26 indoor season with a series of standout performances at the Penn Opener, highlighted by multiple event victories, three school records, one Ivy League record, and the nation’s leading women’s shot put mark.
Freshman Jessica Oji delivered the standout performance of the meet, winning the shot put with a mark of 17.72m (58′ 1.75″). Oji’s mark set a new Ivy League indoor record, Penn school record, and currently ranks first in the NCAA.
Adannia Agbo added another record-breaking performance in the triple jump, winning the event with a school-record jump of 13.05m (42′ 9.75″), ranked second in the NCAA.
On the men’s side, senior Jake Rose led the way winning the heptathlon with a school-record total of 5647 points. Rose won six of the seven events, recording personal-best marks in long jump (7.12m (23′ 4.5″)) and high jump (1.92m (6′ 3.5″)).
First-year standout Joseph “Tiago” Socarras added the first school record on the track this season, winning the 1000m with a time of 2:20.39.
Penn closed the competition with a fifth school record, as the 4x400m relay team of Leo Francis, Nayyir Newash-Campbell, Tiago Socarras, and Ryan Matulonis ran 3:09.78 to claim victory.
First Place Times/Marks
Penn controlled the men’s 3000m race claiming four of the top five places including a winning time of 8:09.33 from Nick Carpenter.
Freshman Rianna Floyd won the 300 meters at 38.75, then returned to anchor the winning 4x400m relay (3:45.22) with teammates Jailyn Milord, Sofia Swindell, and Mary Ramey.
Evangeline Thomson cleared 3.92m (12′ 10.25″) to claim victory in the women’s pole vault.
Ryan Matulonis recorded a personal-best 60m hurdles time of 7.96, finishing first.
Thomas Bucks made his debut in the red and blue stripes claiming first in pole vault at 4.90m (16′ 0.75″). Leo Francis won the long jump at 6.92m (22′ 8.5″).
Up Next
Penn track and field will return from winter break in January hosting the Penn Select on Jan. 10 at the Ott Center.
Top Five Results
Women’s
Shot Put
1. Jessica Oji – 17.72m (58′ 1.75″) *Ivy Record, School Record, Ranked 1st in NCAA
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – No. 1 Nebraska volleyball advanced to the Sweet 16 with a sweep of Kansas State on Saturday night (25-17, 25-21, 25-16).
The Huskers (32-0) will host a second weekend in Lincoln, beginning with the Kansas Jayhawks in the Regional Semifinal on Friday, Dec. 12 at 8:30pm. The winner will play either Louisville or Texas A&M in the Regional Final.
Andi Jackson and Harper Murray led the Huskers with 10 kills apiece in a game where Nebraska had to step outside its comfort zone to defeat the Wildcats.
“Kansas State played great. They really challenged us in a lot of areas,” head coach Dani Busboom Kelly said. “I thought this was one of the first matches in awhile that we had to gut it out with our serve and pass and floor defense.”
After taking the first set, 25-17, Kansas State took control in Set Two. Wildcats setter Ava Legrand hit the Huskers with a set over to take a 10-9 advantage. The Papio South native had four kills in set.
Despite a late 4-0 run from KSU, Nebraska closed out the frame on a 3-0 run with a Jackson-Murray block serving as set point, 25-21.
Kansas State opened the third set in front 5-3 before Nebraska went to work, compiling runs of 8-1 and 6-1 to take a 23-13 advantage. Taylor Landfair drilled a kill off the block for match point, sending the Huskers on to the Sweet 16 for a 14th straight season.
BOSTON/WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Vera Sjöberg (8:43.06) is now the eighth fastest 3k athlete in NCAA history as she shattered the twenty-two-year-old school record held by Shalane Flanagan in the women’s 3000m. Sjöberg is not only the first woman in school history to run a sub-nine-minute 3k, but she also broke the record by 17 seconds.
Carolina notched four event wins at the Winston-Salem Season-Kickoff meet, including a podium sweep of the women’s weight throw, as Kosi Umerah (21.00m) became the third woman in program history to throw 21 meters. Umerah has the sixth-farthest throw in the NCAA this season. McKynzie Mauney (18.10m) moved into eighth all-time. Tommy Kitchell, the throws coach was making his coaching debut as well. Tyler Collins and Kyle Archie debuted for the Tar Heels by winning the women’s and men’s high jump, giving the jump squad an event sweep. Nick Pennington (4.95m) kicked off the winning ways as he won the men’s pole vault this morning.
W-S Season-Kickoff Recap
Nick Pennington (4.95m) opened the day in Winston-Salem with a win in the men’s pole vault. Today’s win marked his first career indoor victory, while giving him his third overall career victory. On the women’s side, Maddy Kelley (3.80m) and Peyton Berryman (3.80m) took second and third in their season debut.
Ethan Richter (17.26m) led the way for the men’s shot put crew, finishing in second. Carolina had three freshmen make their debuts: Jason Noel (13.39m), Cooper Williams (16.35m), and Nse Uffort (15.63m). The latter two also advanced to the finals. Skyler Bohlman (13.32m) finished in third on the women’s side.
Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener
At the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, Aiden Neal set a four-second PR in the men’s 3k, breaking eight minutes for the first time in his career with a 7:59.11 as he took 23rd overall.
Sydney Masciarelli (4:33.20) made her season debut in the Women’s Mile Invitational, leaping from tenth to second all-time in the women’s mile as she finished third.
Colton Sands lowered his 5k personal record by over nine seconds, improving his own second-fastest time in program history that he set last year.
Results
Winston-Salem Season Kick-Off
Women’s Weight Throw
1. Kosi Umerah, 21.00m (68-10.75)
2. McKynzie Mauney, 18.10m (59-04.75)
3. Gracie Bolick, 17.08m (56-00.5)
Men’s Shot Put
2. Ethan Richter, 17.26m (56-07.50)
5. Cooper Williams, 16.35m (53-07.75)
6. Nse Uffort, 15.63 51-03.50
14. Jason Noel, 13.39m (43-11.25)
Women’s Shot Put
3. Skylar Bohlman, 13.32m (43-08.50)
Men’s Pole Vault
1. Nick Pennington, 4.95m (16-02.75)
Women’s High Jump
1. Tyler Collins, 1.74m (5-08.50)
Men’s High Jump:
1. Kyle Archie, 2.04m (6-08.2)
Women’s Pole Vault
2. Maddy Kelley, 3.80m (12-05.50)
3. Peyton Berryman 3.80m (12-05.50)
BU Season Opener Results
Women’s 3k Invitational
2. Vera Sjöberg, 8:43.06 [Program Record]
Men’s 5k Invitational
5. Colton Sands, 13:17.88 [Second All-Time]
Women’s Mile Invitational
3. Sydney Masciarelli, 4:33.20 [Second All-Time]
6. Makayla Paige, 4:41.46
Men’s 3k
23. Aiden Neal, 7:59.11
For all the latest UNC Track & Field news, photos, and videos, follow on X, Instagram, and Facebook
1. Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
2. Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
3. Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
4. Jaime Arnold, LHP, Florida State
5. Pico Kohn, LHP, Mississippi State
6. Cade Obermueller, LHP, Iowa
7. Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
9. Zach Root, LHP, Arkansas
