College Daily Sheet: Friday 04/04/25 - Colton Book Writes Another Chapter in Breakout Season
The College Daily Sheet team continues with their non-stop coverage as the Friday slate provided another round of standout performances, late-inning drama, and breakout moments from stars across the country.
Friday night brought another stacked slate of college baseball, with standouts from across the country flashing big tools and clutch performances. One of the top college arms in the country dominated once again, while rising bats continued to trend upward, including a pair of power-packed performances from the Lodise cousin's and a big bounce-back game from Virginia’s Jacob Ference. As Jamie Arnold continued to solidify his case as a potential top overall pick, striking out 10 over five dominant innings against one of the deepest lineups in the country.
In the Midwest, Cade Obermueller delivered a complete-game gem with 12 strikeouts, while Dylan Carey and Cole Wagner helped power statement wins. On the mid-major front, Bryce Blevins and Jacob Morrison turned in headline-worthy outings on the mound, and Marshall Lipsey kept his breakout campaign alive with a two-homer night out of the leadoff spot. As draft boards evolve and conference races heat up, Friday proved once again that impact talent can come from anywhere.
Here are the top performers and standout players from Friday’s slate of games!
Colton Book continues to put together one of the most impressive pitching campaigns in the country, and Friday was just the latest chapter. In the second game of a doubleheader for Saint Joseph’s, Book shoved yet again, firing seven shutout innings in a tight, low-scoring affair, completely stifling the Bonnies. The game was defined by strikeouts and tense moments, but Book was in total control from the jump.
That’s now three starts this season with 13 or more strikeouts, and seven quality starts in eight outings. He handed the ball over to the bullpen after locking it down through seven, giving St. Joe’s exactly what they needed in a pivotal A-10 matchup. The stuff on the mound won’t blow anyone away on paper, his fastball sits in the upper 80s, but it clearly plays up thanks to solid spin metrics and his outstanding extension, which creates tough angles and deception for hitters.
Book’s breakout becomes even more remarkable when you look at where he came from. Prior to transferring to Saint Joseph’s, his career at Stony Brook was a mixed bag. Across four years (three seasons), he posted a 7.01 ERA in 24 appearances. His most productive stint came as a freshman in 2022 (5.19 ERA in 50.1 IP), but he didn’t pitch in 2023 and was limited to just one inning in 2024.
Now? He’s reinvented himself.
Book currently owns a 1.87 ERA, 64 strikeouts to just 10 walks, and a .169 BAA through 43.1 innings, sporting a 5-1 record. He’s missing bats at a high rate, commanding the zone, and showing the kind of late-career breakout that makes scouts take notice. If he keeps this up, don’t be surprised if Book hears his name called on Day 3 of the draft, and possibly finds his way into pro ball with a legitimate opportunity to prove this breakout is for real.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
