Every year hundreds of talented JUCO players transfer to NCAA Division I four-year colleges around the country looking to make an impact. Last season on the mound, no JC transfer had a greater impact than Brian Holiday (Oklahoma State). The 6-foot right-hander was a dominant performer, posting every weekend and producing a 2.95 ERA in 113 innings for the Cowboys. He was also the highest drafted four-year college player (3rd round, 80th overall pick; Cardinals) who played the previous spring in the junior college ranks.

Gage Miller (Alabama) is another prime example of what an immediate and profound impact a JUCO transfer can make on a four-year program. The infielder was the second highest overall player selected in the 2024 MLB Draft after batting in the middle of the Crimson Tide’s lineup, slashing .381/.474/.702 with 18 home runs. He was selected in the third round, 92nd overall by the Marlins.

Other impact performers and top five round picks included Louisiana’s RHP L.P. Langevin (4th round; Royals), Florida State’s OF/C Marco Dinges (4th round; Brewers), Miami’s LHP Herick Hernandez (4th round; Braves) and Coastal Carolina’s INF Sam Antonacci (5th round; White Sox).

As we move into the 2025 college spring season, here are 25 impact JUCO transfers that we’ll be closely watching. Some could become high round draft picks like those mentioned above, and others will simply impact their club as everyday regulars or conference starting pitchers. Our rankings are not solely based on prospect status, but a combination of their anticipated role and their current projected draft value. With this in mind, two-way players have the greatest potential value, followed by everyday players, potential starting pitchers and backend bullpen arms.

---

THE TOP FIVE:

1- Chris Arroyo, LHP/1B, Virginia (Pasco-Hernando CC, FL): A two-way talent, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound slugger is penciled in to start at first base and hit in the middle of the Hoos’ lineup. Arroyo is also a leading candidate for the Sunday starter’s role on the mound. He began his collegiate career at Florida, where he focused solely on pitching and tossed just 5.1 innings during his freshman season in 2023. This past spring at P-H Arroyo missed 12 games due to an injury, but still banged 19 home runs to go along with a .403 batting average. On the mound he went 5-4 with a 3.53 ERA and struck out 63 batters in 62 innings. A pro prospect in both roles, Arroyo’s top tool is his 70-grade raw power to go along with above average hit ability.

Jr. OF/1B Chris Arroyo
College: UVA
H/W: 6’2” 225

Physical ‼️Clobbers this ball to the pull side for a home run. Arroyo has been making a name for himself this fall. Showing the ability to get to his power in game. #MLBdraft || @DSeifertD1PBR || @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/Bc9dtQnrZs

— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) October 27, 2024

2- Cade Climie, 3B, Houston (Blinn JC, TX): The 6-foot-2, 225 pound right handed slugger was named the NJCAA World Series MVP as Blinn won the JUCO Natty in Grand Junction. He batted .394 with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs last spring and hasn’t stopped hitting. Climie also stood out this past summer in the MLB Draft League, batting .352 in 19 games for State College. Now in Houston, Climie opened even more pro scouting eyes with a loud fall in the batter’s box for the Cougars.

3- Brent Iredale, 3B, Arkansas (New Mexico JC): The Aussie batted .441 with 25 home runs, 78 RBIs and stole 24 bases last spring for the Thunderbirds. He continued to rake this fall in Fayetteville and is currently projected to start at the hot corner for the Razorbacks this spring. Iredale could become this season’s version of Gage Miller.

Of all the @RazorbackBSB hitters, newcomer Brent Iredale has been the most impressive during this two day look.

Five hard hit balls last night that resulted in a Sac Fly and four base hits, and another laser here today for a line out, Iredale has some stiffness to his swing, but… pic.twitter.com/MISaKMzSSB

— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) October 12, 2024

4- Ryan Wideman, CF, Western Kentucky (Georgia Highlands CC, GA): Five-tool talent went under the radar as a draft prospect last spring despite batting .414 with 15 home runs and 48 stolen bases for the Chargers. At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds he’s uber athletic and loaded with tools, the best of them as a plus-plus runner underway. His talents were on full display for the scouting industry against Tennessee this fall in Nashville as he gathered a pair of hard base hits, including a long home run, while also driving in three and stealing a pair of bags. Needless to say, he’s no longer under the radar.

Ryan Wideman @WKU_Baseball adds another RBI, his third of the night, on a hard hit FC.

Runs a 4.21 down the line.

Vols 5, Toppers 4, botm 7.@d1baseball @PB_DraftHQ pic.twitter.com/bIfeXfMvlz

— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) October 26, 2024

5- Cade Crossland, LHP, Oklahoma (Weatherford JC, TX): On a star-studded Sooners’ pitching staff, Crossland could ultimately become the ace with a mid-90s fastball and a double-plus changeup released with a super low effort delivery. A top three round talent, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound southpaw boasts high pitchability and fills up the strike zone. Beginning his collegiate career at Ouachita Baptist University in 2023, Crossland transferred to Weatherford where he became our No. 4-ranked JC prospect entering last summer’s draft – See the Top 50 here – after a sophomore season where he posted a 9-2 record, 2.37 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 68.1 innings.

---

RELATED CONTENT