3 players whose MLB Draft stock exploded in the College World Series

MLB Draft prospects who improved their stock: Rhett Lowder –  Wake Forest

A sure-fired top-ten pick after the CWS, the right-hander from Wake Forest only solidified his name in Omaha by pitching toe-to-toe with projected #1 overall pick from LSU, Paul Skenes. While Lowder doesn’t have the velocity to pump his fastball by hitters in the high 90s like Skenes, his fastball acts almost like a sinker to hitters in the mid-90s. To complement the fastball, Lowder has two of the best off-speed pitches in college baseball that he uses to get one of the highest swing-and-miss rates in baseball. His changeup that comes in at 87-88 mph is widely considered to have the most movement of any secondary pitch in this year’s draft.

A native of Albemarle, NC, Lowder finished the 2023 season 4th in the country in ERA with a 1.87 in 120.1 innings pitched and 143 strikeouts which broke the school’s record. While always highly sought after by MLB clubs, front offices had yet to see him under the bright lights in Omaha as the Demon Deacons haven’t appeared in the World Series since 1955. When the stars aligned, for Lowder to square off with Skenes at the Greatest Show on Dirt, it was hyped as the best pitching matchup in the history of the College World Series.

Indeed, the face-off of two megastars did not disappoint. In an 11-inning thriller that ultimately knocked Wake out of the CWS, Lowder tossed 7 complete innings and only allowed three hits in complete domination of the nation’s best lineup featuring Dylan Crews and Tommy White. Combined with his opening round start over Stanford, in 12.1 innings of work in Omaha, Lowder allowed two runs and struck out 12 batters at the World Series.

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Look for Lowder’s name to be called early in the first round and shot up to the majors by the end of next season, potentially by the Reds at No. 7 overall.