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OMAHA -- I'm attending my favorite baseball event, the College World Series. It's my 33rd trip to Omaha, where I've enjoyed 300 or so games, but my first since 2019. The pandemic and then the MLB Draft Combine schedule made it difficult to attend the last seven CWS but I'm thrilled to be back.
The College World Series can last 14-17 games, which is plenty of time to make memories that can last a lifetime but not a lot of runway to leave an impression on scouts. Almost all of the prospects have been evaluated all spring, as well as in previous seasons and in summer play.
Despite the limited opportunity, four players have generated plenty of positive momentum in the first four days of Omaha:
Joey Volchko, RHP, Georgia (MLB's No. 73 Draft prospect) -- Volchko has shown electric stuff but not much ability to harness it, from his days as a California high schooler to two disappointing seasons at Stanford and even while serving as Georgia's No. 1 starter in 2026. But he pitched the best game of his life against Texas on Saturday, striking out a career-high 15 and allowing just an unearned run on four hits and a walk in a complete-game 7-1 victory. He delivered 84 of 114 pitches for strikes and got 21 swings and misses: 12 on an unhittable upper-80s slider, five on a mid-90s fastball and four on a low-80s curveball. Don't be surprised if a team that believes in its ability to refine pitchers pops him in the supplemental first round.
Owen Hull, OF, North Carolina (No. 158) -- Hull came into Omaha on a roll after going 9-for-13 in the Super Regionals, including four doubles and the walk-off blow in the decisive third game against Southern California. The George Mason transfer offers one of the best combinations of physicality (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and athleticism in the college class, though scouts don't love his unorthodox left-handed stroke or his bat speed. He has made improvements to both over the course of the season, tapping into more power, and is doing a better job of making the most of his plus speed in center field. He hit a game-tying home run in North Carolina's opening win over Mississippi and delivered two key hits in a victory over West Virginia, positioning the Tar Heels as the favorite to win it all. He looks like a solid second-rounder now.
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Taylor Rabe, RHP, Mississippi (No. 90) -- Hull's homer was the only blemish on Rabe's outing against a deep North Carolina lineup, as he allowed just two hits and that lone run while striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings. His mid-90s fastball was crisp and hit 99 mph, his upper-80s cutter was nasty and his mid-80s changeup was effective as well. He walked a season-high four against the disciplined Tar Heels, yet still ranks fourth in NCAA Division I with a 7.0 K/BB ratio. He struck out 14 in six innings against Texas A&M in his final regular-season outing, and has allowed just four runs while fanning 37 in 24 2/3 frames during four postseason starts. Mississippi used him and not possible first-rounder Cade Townsend as its No. 1 starter down the stretch, and Rabe may have pitched himself into the supplemental first round.
Deiten Lachance, C, Oklahoma -- Lachance homered 31 times in two seasons at McLennan (Texas) CC before transferring to Oklahoma, where he didn't go deep until April 9. He has gone on a tear since with 16 homers in his last 29 games, including a blast against Alabama in the Sooners' CWS opener, and his right-handed power is real. He moves well enough behind the plate for a 6-foot-5, 231-pounder and features a strong arm, so he has a chance to make it as a catcher. He's not on MLB Pipeline's Draft Top 200 but could go in the third or fourth round.