The first month of the college baseball season has brought early movement to the 2026 MLB Draft prospect rankings, as several players have surged up the board with strong performances and growing scouting buzz.

While the top of the rankings has remained relatively stable, a handful of college players have made significant jumps since the previous update in December. Those risers include impact hitters and pitchers from across the country, many of whom are beginning to solidify themselves as early-round prospects.

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Among the biggest movers are players from the SEC, Big 12 and Big West who have climbed double-digit spots in the rankings. Their early-season performances and continued development have helped reshape parts of the Top 100 list as the draft picture slowly begins to come into focus.

Here are the five biggest risers among college players in the latest update.

Chase Brunson, OF, TCU

Brunson made the largest jump among college players, rising 15 spots from No. 43 to No. 28 in the updated rankings.

Brunson has been TCU’s starting center fielder since his freshman season and continues to improve offensively. In 2025, he hit .313/.391/.549 while increasing his home run total from four to 12. The 6-foot-3 outfielder, who was originally drafted by the Blue Jays, handles fastballs well and pairs solid contact skills with a disciplined approach. Though capable in center field, he could shift to a corner outfield spot at the next level.

Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee

Kuhns climbed 14 spots, moving from No. 36 to No. 22 as his draft stock continues to rise early this season.

Kuhns flashed premium stuff as a freshman at Tennessee, earning a spot in the weekend rotation and posting a 23.7% strikeout rate. The 6-foot-3 right-hander averages 94 mph and touches 98 with his fastball. He complements it with a high-spin curveball, slider, cutter and changeup, giving him one of the deeper arsenals in the class.

Tegan Kuhns is a weapon

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Zion Rose, OF, Louisville

Rose also surged 14 spots in the rankings, jumping from No. 37 to No. 23.

Rose, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound outfielder at Louisville, began his career as a catcher before shifting primarily to the outfield. A strong right-handed hitter, he combines bat speed and solid bat-to-ball skills with pull-side power. 

Over two seasons, Rose has hit .337/.419/.565 with 18 home runs and earned a Team USA selection in 2025. He profiles best as a corner outfielder.

Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas

Helfrick moved up 12 spots in the update, climbing from No. 45 to No. 33.

Ryder Helfrick broke out for Arkansas in 2025, hitting .305/.420/.616 with 15 home runs as the Razorbacks’ starting catcher. The 6-foot-1 backstop features plus bat speed and pull-side power and earned a Team USA invite after the season. 

His biggest areas for improvement remain his contact against spin and the overall polish of his defensive game.

Ryder Helfrick to dead center 📷
A solo shot to straightaway center adds another run for Arkansas at Globe Life Field ⚾️ The hogs are calling!

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Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

Flora made one of the biggest moves near the top of the board, rising from No. 15 to No. 4 in the latest rankings.

Flora may be the one prospect who could bump Roch Cholowsky or Grady Emerson from the No. 1 pick come July. He's established himself as the best college pitcher in the draft. 

Flora moved into UC Santa Barbara’s rotation in 2025 after beginning his career as a reliever. The 6-foot-4 right-hander features elite arm speed and a mid-to-upper-90s fastball that touches 100 mph. 

He pairs it with a sweeping slider that generates consistent swing-and-miss, forming one of the most electric fastball-slider combinations in college baseball.

When Does The 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Start?

The first/regional round of the 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship will be May 29-31, with times and locations TBD.

The NCAA Super Regional action will be held June 5-7, again, with times and locations TBD.

The last eight teams standing will head to the 2026 Men's College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, from June 12-22 to battle through a combination of double-elimination and best-of-three competition until a champion emerges.

How To Watch More Of The 2026 College Baseball Season On FloCollege

College baseball in 2026 will be streamed on FloCollege and the FloSports app for select Division I preseason tournaments and for much of the Division II and Division III seasons. 

Recent NCAA Division I Baseball National Champions

• 2025 – LSU
• 2024 – Tennessee
• 2023 – LSU
• 2022 – Ole Miss
• 2021 – Mississippi State
• 2020 – No Tournament 
• 2019 – Vanderbilt 

When Is The 2026 MLB Draft?

The MLB Draft begins the Sunday of MLB All-Star Week, which is being held in Philadelphia from July 11-14.

No. 20 Tennessee vs. Arizona State Baseball Highlights | 2026 Amegy Bank College Baseball Series

Watch the highlights of No. 20 Tennessee vs. Arizona State Baseball at Globe Life Field for the 2026 Amegy Bank College Baseball Series on FloCollege.

Missed The 2025 Shriners Children’s College Showdown?

Revisit everything that happened during the 2025 Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, from Feb. 14-16. It all streamed live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. 

Replays, highlights and breaking news from the event are available on both platforms. 

Curious About What Happened During The 2025 Amegy Bank College Baseball Series?

Revisit everything that happened during the two weekends of play at the 2025 Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, from Feb. 21-March 2. It all streamed live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. 

Replays, highlights and breaking news from the event are available on both platforms. 

FloBaseball Archived Footage

Video footage from FloBaseball events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloBaseball subscribers.

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