JUCO Dreams, Draft Surprises & Your Weekly Recruiting Rundown
The 2025 MLB Draft delivered some surprises . . .
. . . and a whole lot of insight for parents trying to navigate the college baseball world. The Washington Nationals stunned everyone by taking 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits first overall, making him the youngest No. 1 pick in history. But outside of that headline, the draft was dominated by college-developed talent. Polished arms, versatile infielders, and players with college-level discipline made up the majority of early selections. A record 17 shortstops were taken in the first round, and most of them weren’t high school kids—they were battle-tested college athletes.
That shift is no accident. With the draft trimmed to 20 rounds (down from 40 just a few years ago), teams aren’t gambling on raw high schoolers the way they used to. They’re investing in players who’ve already proven they can compete at the next level—guys who’ve logged innings, faced elite pitching, and shown maturity on and off the field. JUCOs, mid-majors, and even D2 programs were well represented, proving once again that if you can play—and develop—you can get noticed.
For parents, the draft should be a reality check. Exposure is great, but it doesn’t replace readiness. Scouts aren’t looking for players with flashy uniforms or big social media followings—they’re looking for grinders with skills, strength, and a clear developmental arc. The takeaway? The path to the draft isn’t about hype. It’s about preparation, patience, and finding the right place to grow.
Takeaways:
Development > Hype: Choose programs where your athlete can grow, not just be seen.
JUCOs and Mid-Majors Are Legit: Many draftees came from outside the Power 5—opportunity is everywhere.
College Reps Matter: The draft favored players with real game experience, not just raw potential.
Versatility Wins: Up-the-middle defenders (shortstops, catchers, CFs) with athleticism and maturity are in high demand.
Parents, Players, Coaches, Trainers . . .👇
. . . take your game to the next level with the Baseball Bluebook app! 🔥 Discover programs, connect with the right people, and get seen by the decision-makers. Your journey starts here—are you in the book?
🎯Bluebook Coach Spotlight
Dusty Hart Is Building More Than Just Ballplayers at Blinn
If you think JUCO baseball is the fallback plan, Coach Dusty Hart of Blinn College is here to blow that myth out of the park. With a national title under his belt and a roster built to battle with the best, Hart has turned Blinn into one of the top launchpads in college baseball. Competing with giants like LSU and Texas for talent, he’s not just chasing stars—he’s developing them. “It doesn’t even matter what name is on the front of the jersey,” he says. “The goal stays the same: play good baseball, every single day.”
But it’s not just about talent—it’s about teaching 18-year-olds how to live the baseball lifestyle. That means weights, sleep, nutrition, mental toughness, and the discipline to keep stacking bricks even when the payoff is years away. “College becomes a lifestyle,” Hart explains. “You’re building a house—brick by brick. The big league guys? They’ve just laid more bricks than you have.” With roster spots tighter than ever post-COVID and the MLB draft trimmed from 40 rounds to 20, Hart’s message is loud and clear: don’t wait for an opportunity—work for one.
The best part? He doesn’t care where you’re from. Texas, Colorado, New York—if you can play, Blinn’s listening. Scholarships are limited, but walk-ons who bet on themselves and buy into the culture are the ones who push the program from good to great. “The difference-makers are the guys who just won’t take no for an answer,” Hart says. “Put your head down, go to work, and if it’s meant to be, it’ll be.” Spoken like a coach who’s built a program—and a legacy—one brick at a time.
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🔁⚾ The Coaching Carousel
🔹 Dartmouth College - Blake McFadden (Interim)
After 36 seasons and over 650 wins, legendary Dartmouth head coach Bob Whalen has retired, handing the reins to longtime assistant Blake McFadden, who will serve as interim head coach for the 2025–26 season. McFadden, known for developing standout pitching talent, has been a key part of the program since 2018 and now steps in to guide the Big Green into a new era while honoring Whalen’s storied legacy.
🔹 Georgia College & State University - Jeff Pelkey
Georgia College has officially appointed Jeff Pelkey—most recently the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Flagler College—as its new head baseball coach, marking a significant hire for the Bobcats. Pelkey brings eight seasons of experience in the Peach Belt Conference, a history of developing standout pitchers (seven All-PBC arms in six years), and a reputation as both a strong recruiter and culture builder. Athletics Director Wendell Staton praised Pelkey's alignment with GCSU's academic and community values, as well as his proven track record of producing both winning teams and quality young men.
🔁🥎 The Coaching Carousel
🔷 Mount Mary (NAIA) - Kaleigh Roop
Mount Mary University officially appointed Kaleigh Roop—formerly the head coach at NCAA Division III Mount Aloysius College—as its new head softball coach and assistant athletic director. Roop brings a strong track record of player development: at Mount Aloysius and Sarah Lawrence College, she helped develop standout pitchers and led teams deep into postseason play. A two-sport alum of Mount Aloysius herself, Roop combines her competitive roots with a decade of coaching experience across NAIA, NCAA DII/DIII, and high school programs, making her an ideal fit to lead Mount Mary’s program forward.
MLB Hot Takes
The All-Star Game didn’t just light up cameras—it made history. For the first time ever, the midsummer classic ended in a 6–6 tie and was decided by a “swing‑off.” The National League pulled off a nail-biter victory, thanks to Kyle Schwarber’s three consecutive homers, earning him MVP honors and electrifying fans during a legendary showdown. Meanwhile, in the Home Run Derby, crowd favorite Oneil Cruz launched a record-tying 513‑foot bomb and delivered nine of the ten longest homers of the night before falling in the semis—a performance that reminded everyone he's a special talent to watch.
Across the league, fireworks kept popping. The Yankees surged in a wild 12–9 comeback against the Braves, capped by Trent Grisham’s walk‑off grand slam—just what the AL East contender needed Over in Pittsburgh, the White Sox completed their first sweep of the season, pounding the Pirates 7–1 and showing they aren’t messing around post-All-Star break. Tensions flared too: MLB is probing Braves coach Eddie Pérez after he seemingly signaled pitchers to target Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr.—a reminder that baseball’s war of nerves is alive and well.
Thousands of players and Coaches are already in the book. The real question is . . . are you?
