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New York Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Final MLB Mock Draft 2025: Kade Anderson still at 1; where will Ethan Holliday land?
This is my 'final' draft mock for 2025, with the scare quotes there because I'll update this over the next 24 hours if I hear anything relevant to any of these picks. The true first round is 27 picks, but in this mock I go down through pick 30 as I've heard a few more rumors on the teams drafting in the compensation round. As always, I draw on what I hear from industry sources and my own understanding of what certain teams value in the draft to assemble this projection. My own opinions and evaluations of players do not factor into it. Where I'm truly just speculating, I note it. For full scouting reports on these players, check out my Big Board, ranking the top 100 players in the draft class. I'm leaving Anderson here, because ultimately I think the Nats will pick the player with the best balance of probability and upside, but I have heard that Eli Willits is much more in the mix at pick 1 than I'd thought before — and that several other teams have Willits at No. 1 in their draft models, probably because he's the youngest player in the class. If it's not either of those two, I think it'll be Aiva Arquette. Ethan Holliday doesn't seem as likely today. I believe it's Hernandez, Liam Doyle or Kade Anderson here, with an outside chance it's Jamie Arnold. Everyone seems to think the Angels are taking a pitcher, although I heard they met with Eli Willits again in the past few days. My sense is that Arquette is second on Seattle's board, after Kade Anderson. I don't think they'd take Liam Doyle. If Arquette and Anderson are gone, they could go Eli Willits, or maybe try to do a deal with someone further down, possibly with a college guy like Ike Irish. The rumor has been that the Rockies would even consider going over slot to get Holliday, which I understand since I have him as the top prospect in the class. If he's not here, I believe they'd go college pitching — Kade Anderson, Liam Doyle or Jamie Arnold. I'm assuming Kade Anderson and Ethan Holliday are gone here no matter what, in which case my guess is they take Willits over Kyson Witherspoon. I've heard recently that the Pirates are more inclined to go college than high school. That could mean Doyle, Jamie Arnold or Ike Irish. If Seth Hernandez gets here, the Pirates are a possibility. The Marlins are one of the only teams in the top 10 I've heard primarily on high schoolers all spring, mostly the shortstop group with Eli Willits, Carlson and JoJo Parker, along with right-hander Seth Hernandez. It's shortstops or college pitching here. I believe they'd take Liam Doyle or Kyson Witherspoon but not Jamie Arnold. I've had them with Billy Carlson in previous mocks and still think they'd do that, and I believe the Jays are Eli Willits' absolute floor. The Reds are the opportunists of the top 10 — as far as I can tell they're the most flexible and are looking to see who might fall to them. I don't have them limited to any player type, although I haven't heard them on any high school arms (even Seth Hernandez, but maybe they just think he's long gone by pick nine). I've heard the White Sox on Arnold, Liam Doyle, Steele Hall, Kruz Schoolcraft and JoJo Parker. I worry that the Arnold/Doyle rumors are just because everyone assumes the White Sox will take any good lefty with a funky delivery. Hall to the Athletics seems likely at this point — Hall is going in this range and he's on the A's short list. I've also heard the A's several times with Tyler Bremner, and more recently with Luke Stevenson. They have also been connected with Wehiwa Aloy. I think the Rangers are JoJo Parker's floor, or maybe Steele Hall's floor, but they can't be both because they have only one floor to give. I've also heard them with Daniel Pierce, so it seems like they're on the high school shortstop train. I've had the Giants with Bremner in almost every mock, but I don't think it's some mortal lock that they take him — it's just the most plausible scenario here almost no matter what I do ahead of them. This is also the area of the draft where the second tier of college bats — Gavin Kilen, Marek Houston and perhaps Jace LaViolette — comes into play. This is more based on my understanding of the Rays' draft model than specific rumors; the only firm thing I've heard is that the Rays are much more likely to go college than high school. I've heard the Rays with Cooper Flemming a few times, but that could be for pick 42. I know they're interested in JoJo Parker, who I don't think has any chance to get here. I don't think the Red Sox are anti-pitching — like some teams — but with their first pick they appear more likely to go hitter than pitcher, and more likely to go college than high school. I wonder if they'd consider high schooler Gavin Fien, however, since his batted-ball data was among the best from the showcases last year. (I mean, I'd take him here, but it's not my pick.) Witherspoon could go anywhere from No. 5 to the late teens, which isn't a reflection on his ability but on the broad disagreements scouts and teams have on how to rank players beyond the top three or four. I've heard the Twins on several of the main high school shortstops, including Daniel Pierce, and I would imagine (without specific intel) that they'd be on Marek Houston. This pick is going to be whoever the draft model selects — although, to be fair to the model's feelings, its past few first-round picks all look pretty good right now. I think this run from 15-19 or so has teams on very similar players, primarily hitters with excellent batted-ball characteristics and good swings. Bodine could also be their target at pick 29, which they received for losing Christian Walker in free agency. I've heard them with Slater de Brun and Kayson Cunningham as well. The Orioles traded for an extra pick on Thursday, giving them the largest bonus pool and four of the top 37 selections. There's been a ton of speculation on who they might be trying to 'buy down,' or if they're trying to sign someone seen as unsignable (Alec Blair? Sean Gamble?). I could see them trying to get three players they considered at 19 — so maybe Neyens, Jace LaViolette and one of a handful of others I'll talk about at pick 30, promising one of them a first-round bonus if they get to picks 30-31. More of a best-player-available guess here than any specific intel. The Brewers do typically value players with strong batted-ball data, but not always. They had one of the two most surprising picks in the first round last year when they took the young Texas high school outfielder Braylon Payne; if they were to go that route, that could mean Quentin Young or Jaden Fauske, but I'm just spitballing. I believe the Astros will take a college hitter here, which, if true, would mean LaViolette, Marek Houston, or maybe Charles Davalan or Mason Neville. I haven't heard them with any of the college catchers (Caden Bodine, Luke Stevenson). I've also heard them with Gage Wood a few times, but I don't know if Wood is going in the first round given the shoulder injury that cost him about six weeks earlier this spring. I've written previously that the Royals are Steele Hall's floor, and I think Schoolcraft may be their top choice. They pick again at 28 and could try to float someone down a few picks and go under slot here, maybe for one of the next tier of college arms. It would make sense for the Tigers to change gears and take a college player — Riley Quick? — who'll help the big-league club sooner, now that they're contending again, but Mark Conner has thrived when he's used high picks on high-ceiling prep players. I threw Sean Gamble's name out there in the last mock for similar reasons. If Kruz Schoolcraft got here, I think they'd take him, but if they're on another high school arm for this pick (Angel Cervantes?) I'm not aware of it. If any team would just say 'screw it' and take Wood despite the medicals, it's probably the Phillies. I speculated on Anthony Eyanson going here in my last mock, and that remains plausible. I have to think Gavin Fien stops here in the unlikely event he falls that far. I've heard the Royals like Lombardi, who definitely fits some of the things they like in players (especially as a very athletic, two-way guy), and I don't think he gets to their next pick at 61. I've also heard the Diamondbacks with Ryan Mitchell here. The Orioles pick at 30 and 31, then again at 37. They have enough money to pay pretty much anyone they want in the draft. Young, Alec Blair, Jaden Fauske, Ethan Conrad (who was heading for the first round before shoulder surgery), even Uli Fernsler could all be in play if they want, although I have only had people link the Orioles to the first two. Conrad just makes too much sense. Maybe Cam Cannarella should be in this list, for similar reasons (he didn't look like himself all spring after shoulder surgery). One additional note — I have heard the Los Angeles Dodgers particularly want Louisville right-hander Patrick Forbes, if he should get to their picks at 40-41. (Photo Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Photos: Mike Janes, Danny Parker / Four Seam Images via Associated Press)
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Men's College World Series 2025: 10 future MLB draftees who stood out this week in Omaha
The Men's College World Series final, a scintillating, best-of-three showdown between Coastal Carolina and LSU, gets rolling on Saturday. I just got back from a four-day stretch in Omaha, where I saw seven games featuring seven different teams. Here are my thoughts on some of the most impressive draft prospects I got eyes on. 1. Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State When Cal Ripken is the physical comparison for a shortstop, you know you're dealing with something unique. Arquette is long and lean, kind of like Alec Bohm or a shorter James Wood, except the Oregon State shortstop moves like a gazelle. It's an even taller version of young Carlos Correa, but the defensive fluidity that Arquette showcases despite his 6-foot-5 string-bean-ness is remarkable. One evaluator compared it to how Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama had a late teen growth spurt, so he knows how to handle the basketball. Advertisement Arquette made one play in the CWS that was simply beautiful. Some people think he'll have to move to third, but I'm bullish about him sticking at the game's most important infield spot. At the dish, Arquette turned in a magnificent junior season, hitting 19 long balls to go with a .354 average and a 1.115 OPS. There are legitimate concerns about his chase rate and how his long levers might make it harder for him to catch up with pro-level velocity, but the offensive ceiling here is impressive, as Arquette showcased with this absolute laser beam against Louisville on Tuesday. Most evaluators have Arquette pegged as the top college bat on the board. He won't get past the top 10 picks. 2. Gage Wood, SP, Arkansas Wood's final start as a college pitcher was potentially the single greatest outing in college baseball history: A 19-strikeout no-hitter in a College World Series elimination game. That performance captured headlines, but Wood, on the injured list from Feb. 23 until April 18, was already shooting up draft boards. Advertisement He's undersized but incredibly physical, and his fastball has the potential to be downright special. During the no-hitter, Wood's fastball sat between 95 and 97 mph with plus carry from a low release point. The best version of that type of heater is Spencer Strider. Some evaluators think Wood, given his smaller stature and lack of a reliable third pitch, will eventually move to the bullpen. But if he can stick as a starter, there's something Strider-y about his effective two-pitch mix. Wood, a country kid from the Arkansas backwoods, also proved himself to be a supreme competitor in Omaha. He'll get taken in the first round. Aiva Arquette, Gage Wood, Kade Anderson and Jacob Morrison left a lasting impression with their performances in Omaha. (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports) (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports) 3. Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina Bodine has been the leader and best player on a Coastal Carolina team that has won 26 games in a row and is now just two wins away from a national championship. As a pitch-receiver, the New Jersey high school product is about as advanced as a college catcher can be. He has a sophisticated understanding of pitch framing and the physical ability to steal strikes in all parts of the zone. Bodine also gets plaudits for his laser arm and leadership qualities. Defensively, this is what a future Gold Glove catcher looks like. Advertisement Offensively, it's a weirder assortment of tools. Bodine, a switch-hitter, launched only five home runs this season, despite playing in Coastal Carolina's historically offense-friendly park. Yet the overall slash line of .326/.459/.473 was still awesome, particularly for a catcher. That's because Bodine has plus, maybe even plus-plus, contact ability and feel to hit. One evaluator I spoke with had Bodine ranked as the No. 1 college position player in the class. Altogether, it's a fascinating, unusual profile, but Bodine is a surefire first-round pick who shouldn't get past the Phillies at No. 26. 4. Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas Aloy was one of the season's more remarkable stories. He, alongside his brother Kuhio, propelled the Razorbacks to Omaha while turning Fayetteville, Arkansas, into an unlikely outpost of Hawaiian culture. Along the way, Wehiwa cracked 21 homers and won SEC player of the year. And while he showed well offensively in Omaha — this backside blast was particularly sweet — I'm actually lower on Aloy now than before I saw him live. The raw juice, particularly to the opposite field, is awesome, but there's a lot of whiff and chase here for a player that I think is probably a third baseman instead of a shortstop. Aloy has a strong, only-gonna-get-strong upper half. And while that enables his light-tower power, it also makes him a top-heavy defender at shortstop. That said, I think he has a chance to be pretty good at the hot corner, considering his rocket arm. If he stays at shortstop, the ceiling is Willy Adames with a worse glove: high power, low average, lots of strikeouts and elite makeup that helps everything play up. 5. Kade Anderson, SP, LSU Unfortunately, Anderson had already thrown by the time I touched down in Nebraska, but the video of his 7-inning, 7-strikeout, 1-run performance against Arkansas tells the story: The southpaw is widely regarded as the top college arm in this class. He has four pitches — fastball, slider, curveball, changeup — that grade out at average or above. The standouts are the fastball, which is comfortably in the mid-90s, and the wipeout slider. Scouts also love Anderson's fluidity and athleticism. The ceiling here is a touch lower than some of the other first-round arms in this class, such as high schooler Seth Hernandez or Tennessee lefty Liam Doyle, but Anderson looks like a guaranteed big-league starter. Another fantastic outing in the CWS finals — he's set to start Game 1 on Saturday — could push him all the way up to the No. 1 pick. 6. Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona Summerhill's Wildcats were eliminated by the time I arrived in Omaha, so I didn't get to see him play, but scouts like his combo of athleticism, hit tool and power projection. He didn't hit for much juice this season, but evaluators generally think Summerhill's 6-foot-3 frame will grow into more power. He's another likely first-rounder. 7. Zack Root, SP, Arkansas Root was up to 99 mph in the super regional against Tennessee, but the southpaw typically sits in the mid-90s. He's got a long, loopy, high-70s breaker in the Kershaw style (not that good, of course), but his most important pitch is a rapidly improving changeup that allows him to get opposite-handed hitters out. Expect his name to be called anywhere between the comp rounds and the third round. 8. Charles Davalan, OF, Arkansas Built kind of like Corbin Carroll, Davalan's profile is somewhere on the scale between Sal Frelick and Jarren Duran. Unfortunately, you probably know his name because he dropped the line drive that allowed LSU to come back and reach the finals. But this guy is a grinder, an old-school scout favorite, with a fiery engine and impressive physicality for somebody his size (5-foot-9). His early pull-side blast in the super regional against Tennessee's Liam Doyle was the type of in-box move that makes you believe in a player. Advertisement It's also worth noting that Davalan, who transferred to Arkansas after a year at Florida Gulf Coast, is originally from the Montreal area and thus hasn't been facing high-level arms for that long. I'm pretty in on this dude and think he'll carve out a nice big-league career as an undersized corner outfielder with some punch. 9. Jacob Morrison, SP, Coastal Carolina You might've missed Morrison's dominant MCWS start, considering he took the mound mere minutes after the Rafael Devers trade rocked the baseball world. But the very large Coastal righty was brilliant against Oregon State, tossing 7 2/3 innings with no walks, seven strikeouts and just one earned run. Advertisement At a marionette-y, herky-jerky 6-foot-8, Morrison reminds me a bit, from a movement standpoint, of Baltimore's Felix Bautista. The fastball isn't nearly that special, but Morrison is a sensational competitor who should make the most of his stuff. He was one of college baseball's best arms this year — 2.08 ERA in 104 innings — and he's rising up draft boards based on his MCWS showing. He'll start Game 2 of the championship series and should be drafted in the first three rounds. 10. Jared Jones, 1B, LSU Since a horrible 0-for-5 with five strikeouts in Game 1 of the MCWS, Jones has been a force. He has clobbered two homers so far in the tournament, and he walked off Arkansas with an RBI laser in that dramatic semifinal game. But as a pro prospect, I'm out on Jones. Known lovingly as 'Bear' because of his enormous, 6-foot-4, 245-pound frame, Jones has been able to physically overwhelm opposing pitchers during his college career. Unfortunately, pro ball is flush with these types of players, and I'm not exactly sure what Jones' separator is. I don't love his adaptability in the box, and I think he's a butcher at first. Maybe he turns into Pete Alonso — another clunky, hulking SEC slugger — but I'd let another team take that risk. A few quick thoughts on two future draftees Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA The current favorite to go first overall next year, Cholowsky turned down millions as a high schooler in the 2023 draft to attend UCLA. And he has been a superstar since the second he stepped foot on campus. The son of a pro scout, Cholowky is very mature for his age, as a player and as a leader. He's a stupendous defender at short, with a glove that comfortably rates as plus. Keep an eye on this guy. Dax Whitney, SP, Oregon State Whitney also turned down a bunch of money (in the 2024 Draft) to play college ball. The Idaho high school product has a very deceptive windup with a special, high-ride fastball and a big, overhand curve. He's a potential 1-1 guy for the 2027 MLB Draft.
New York Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Louisville walks off Oregon State to stay alive in College World Series
OMAHA, Neb. — Louisville nearly gave away victory Tuesday at the College World Series, then the Cardinals snatched it back from Oregon State in a wild finish to an elimination game. A sacrifice fly by Eddie King Jr. with one out in the bottom of the ninth walked it off for Louisville, 7-6, advancing the Cards to face Coastal Carolina — unbeaten in two games at the CWS and riding a 25-game winning streak — on Wednesday at Charles Schwab Field. Advertisement The Beavers head home after a three-game stay in Omaha, but only after things got frantic in the ninth inning. Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette, projected by The Athletic's Keith Law as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, opened the top of the ninth with a first-pitch home run to cut the Louisville lead to 6-4. CARDS WALK IT OFF #MCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @LouisvilleBSB — NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 17, 2025 Oregon State loaded the bases, still with no outs, and evened the score as Tyce Peterson's ground ball slid under the glove of Louisville shortstop Alex Alicea into left field. The Beavers were on the verge of taking their first lead of the game but failed to get runners home from second and third base as Louisville reliever Tucker Biven notched two strikeouts and coaxed an infield pop-up. Alicea led off the ninth with a walk for Louisville. A catcher's interference call and Oregon State's misplay of a bunt loaded the bases before King lofted a fly ball to center field that allowed Alicea to tag up and score easily, securing victory. The Beavers finished 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position. (Photo of Jake Munroe: Dylan Widger / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Men's College World Series 2025: Coastal Carolina, Oregon State notch wins, LSU on pace for record Jell-O shot sales
The 2025 Men's College World Series kicked off Friday, with No. 13 Coastal Carolina earning the first win of the tournament over Arizona and No. 8 Oregon State outlasting Louisville in the late game. Oregon State 4, Louisville 3 Oregon State had a win in hand entering the ninth inning — and didn't let some misadventures stop them from advancing in the winner's bracket. Advertisement Gavin Turley hit a walk-off double to give his team a 4-3 win after the Beavers blew a two-run lead in the top of the ninth. Aiva Arquette, one of the top prospects for the 2025 MLB Draft, set it up with a one-out single, then motored first-to-home on Turley's line drive into left field. Turley and Arquette were the heroes of the bottom of the ninth and the goats of the top. Defensive blunders from both players allowed Louisville to tie the game, with a missed dive from Turley turning into a triple and a bad throw from Arquette giving the Cardinals another man on third, who later scored. The miscues nearly spoiled a great outing from star freshman Dax Whitney, who struck out nine across 5 1/3 innings while allowing three hits and a single run. The lanky right-hander with big heat and a bigger curveball outlasted the Cardinals' Patrick Forbes in a battle of future MLB Draft picks. Whitney was ranked as the No. 56 prospect of the 2024 MLB Draft by MLB Pipeline. The No. 57 prospect, Boston Bateman, got $2.5 million from the San Diego Padres. Whitney has more than helped his stock this season and now projects as a future first-round pick after earning second-team Freshman All-America honors. Advertisement Curiously, the first 15 hits of this game were all singles, with Rose getting the first extra-base hit of the game with his leadoff triple in the ninth inning. The Beavers got their first runs when they opened the bottom of the fourth with four straight singles. Louisville got one run back in the sixth with its own rally but then handed Oregon State an insurance run when shortstop Alex Alicea booted a potential double-play ball with the bases loaded. With the victory, Oregon State advances to face Coastal Carolina in the next round, while Louisville will get Arizona in the loser's bracket on Sunday. Coastal Carolina 7, Arizona 4 The Chanticleers, who came into the CWS with the best record in Division I, overcame a 4-4 tie with a few clutch doubles in the bottom of the eighth to keep their 24-game winning streak alive. Advertisement It was a quiet first inning for both teams. But in the second inning, Coastal Carolina had a huge opportunity, loading the bases off a muffed infield catch by Arizona pitcher Owen Kramkowski. Outfielder Wells Sykes took advantage, hitting a two-run single to put the Chanticleers on the board. Arizona came alive in the top of the fourth, starting with a solo homer from shortstop Mason White. Then the Wildcats hit back-to-back doubles, sending catcher Adonys Guzman home to tie the game 2-2. In the bottom of the fifth, a single from Chanticleers right fielder Blagen Pado sent second baseman Blake Barthol home for a 3-2 lead. Coastal Carolina is known for getting hit by pitches; the team has been hit by an NCAA-leading 170 pitches this season. But in the sixth inning, it was Arizona who took advantage of getting hit. Chanticleers reliever Cameron Flukey hit three batters, allowing the Wildcats to load the bases and score a game-tying run before they recorded an out. Advertisement Then a grounder from second baseman Garen Caulfield sent White home to give Arizona a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Chanticleers catcher Caden Bodine drove in a run to make it 4-4. The two teams stayed locked in a tie for the next two innings off some strong defensive play, with Flukey settling in. In the bottom of the eighth, with the Chanticleers sitting on two outs, it looked like the game would come down to the final inning. Then Coastal Carolina's offense broke through. It started with Sykes getting on second on a hit that landed right on the line. Left fielder Sebastian Alexander then hit an RBI single to send Sykes home for a 5-4 lead. Another huge double from Barthol sent Alexander and Bodine, who was intentionally walked, home to give the Chanticleers a 7-4 lead heading into the ninth. Arizona wasn't done yet, as designated hitter Andrew Cain earned a double with some bold running, and first baseman Tommy Splaine got a base hit. But a huge double-play ended the game and sent Coastal Carolina to the winners' bracket. Advertisement The men's College World Series has one of the most entertaining side plots of any NCAA championship: the Jell-O shot competition at Rocco's, where patrons compete annually to see which school's fan base can consume the most Jell-O shots. LSU, which set the record with 68,888 Jell-O shots purchased in 2023, is off to an early lead after the first day of the MCWS, with a monstrous 4,410 shots as of 10 p.m. CT. That tally is far ahead of last year's pace, setting LSU up for another record victory. However, Murray State and Coastal Carolina are also on a roll, coming in at 2,180 and 1,753 shots, respectively, after a back-and-forth Friday. Regardless of who wins, all three schools are currently on pace to break LSU's 2023 record.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oregon State opens College World Series with 4-3 walk-off win over Louisville
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Aiva Arquette scored from first base on Gavin Turley's drive into the left-field corner in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Oregon State a 4-3 walk-off victory over Louisville in the College World Series on Friday night. The Cardinals had tied the game with two runs in the top half before Oregon State recorded its fourth walk-off win of the season and second in four games. Advertisement The Beavers (48-14-1), back in Omaha for the first time since they won the national title in 2018, will play Coastal Carolina on Sunday after the Cardinals (40-22) meet Arizona in an elimination game. Arquette, a projected first-round pick in the MLB amateur draft next month, had had a rough night in the field before delivering his third base hit of the game with one out in the ninth. Turley then sent the first pitch from Jake Schweitzer (4-2) on a line into the corner. Left fielder Zion Rose tried to cut the ball off but couldn't come up with it, allowing Arquette to be waved home. Oregon State's dugout emptied, and Turley was drenched with a bucket of sports drink in the on-field celebration. In the Beavers' super regional opener last week, Turley scored the winning run on AJ Singer's walk-off single in a 5-4, 10-inning win over Florida State. The Cardinals, who trailed 3-1, stranded runners at third base in the sixth and seventh innings and couldn't score after getting their leadoff man on base in the eighth. Advertisement They broke through to tie it in the ninth against Kellan Oakes (5-0). Rose tripled to left when the ball got past Turley and rolled to the wall and Tague Davis followed with an RBI single. Alex Alicea reached on shortstop Arquette's throwing error and ended up on third when catcher Wilson Weber lost his grip on the ball as he tried to get Alicea at second. Kamau Neighbors drove in Alicea for the tying run with his liner to center before Oakes got a strikeout and groundout to end the inning. Oregon State starter Dax Whitney was nearly untouchable the first two times through the Louisville order. He mixed mid-90 mph fastballs with knee-buckling curveballs and changeups to strike out eight of the first 11 batters he faced, and the only hits against him through five innings were a couple balls poked through the infield. The 6-foot-5 right-hander from Blackfoot, Idaho, finished with nine strikeouts and left with one out in the sixth and two runners on base. Advertisement Louisville starter Patrick Forbes matched zeroes with Whitney through three innings, fanning five of the first nine he faced. He finished with 10 strikeouts and was replaced by Justin West with bases loaded in the sixth after he issued his only walk. West ended the inning with two strikeouts, but not before Canon Reeder made it 3-1 when Alicea couldn't pick up his sharply hit grounder. ___ AP college sports:
