With the 2026 college baseball season only a few months away, I thought it would be a good time to spotlight some of the nastiest pitches we’ll see from draft-eligible arms this spring. The upcoming draft class is loaded with impact talent on the mound, and several pitchers have already separated themselves with individual offerings that could carry them into the big leagues.

This breakdown highlights the top 10 pitches in the class, which I compiled with input from the rest of our MLB Draft team. Each one not only stood out in the data but also has produced eye-popping results and projects as a legitimate weapon.

Today, we’ll dive into all 10 pitches, combining underlying metrics with live looks and scouting notes. All but one from this group also found their way into our top 50 college prospects list, so make sure to go check that out as well.

1. Aidan Knaak (Clemson) - Changeup

The way I see it, this is the single best pitch in the ‘26 draft class. Knaak consistently mowed down batters last season using elite deception showcased from his changeup. This delivery sits in the upper-70s and plays mostly to the arm side, with the plate discipline metrics from his 2025 campaign being what really jump off the page. Knaak’s offspeed produced a 50% whiff rate, 39% chase rate, and 40% CSW in his junior season while allowing a 58% ZCon (yes, you read that correctly). Also, in contrast to a lot of college pitchers, he shows confidence in the pitch against both sides of the plate, using it 35% of the time overall. From a metrics standpoint, Knaak’s changeup shows significant run, averaging 17” of horizontal break, but lacks the tumble seen in other elite offspeed pitches, with only 11” of IVB. Most notably, the strength of his pitch metrics lies in the separation between his fastball and changeup. There’s a whopping 14 MPH difference between the two pitches, along with a 9” gap in IVB and 5” in HB. Most importantly, the arm speed and action when dishing out the two offerings are essentially identical, which creates the all-crucial factor of deception that’s key for an elite offspeed. Armed with a legitimate 70-grade changeup and above-average command, Knaak will headline Clemson’s rotation this spring, putting him squarely in the spotlight as a potential first-rounder in 2026 as the rest of his arsenal develops.

2. Cameron Flukey (Coastal Carolina) - Curveball

Few pitches in college baseball spark as much intrigue as Cam Flukey’s main secondary. It’s an upper-70s breaker that plays off the rest of his arsenal very well with solid shape, despite control issues. At 6’6”, Flukey works from a very high release point that he repeats on both his fastball and curveball. The uniform slot adds to the deception, with the fastball showing crazy ride that makes the breaking ball look like it falls straight off the face of the earth. The shape is a little better than average, usually averaging around 11” of induced vertical break, but it’s reached up to about 18” of depth that buries at the end when at its best. Typically, when curveballs are rated this highly, there are elite spin rates involved, but that isn’t the case here. With the breaker typically hovering near 2150 RPM, increasing spin should be a focal point to unlock greater depth. Although the shape and metrics aren’t what pops off the page, the results from the 2025 campaign are. Opponents whiffed at the hook 49% of the time, a rate that held relatively steady in the postseason against three loaded lineups. Additionally, the curve didn’t allow much pop at all, with batters posting only a .261 slugging percentage against it. When paired with an elite heater that has top-notch command, this curveball is easily a 60-grade pitch, or potentially better. As certain qualities of this breaking ball continue to develop in Conway, it’s expected to be an offering that could single-handedly help Flukey rise on draft boards into the early first round this summer.

3. Jackson Flora (UCSB) - Slider

For those who love a flashy sweeping slider, Jackson Flora is a must-watch. He mostly only has a 3-pitch repertoire, highlighted by a slider that’s used roughly 40% of the time. Sometimes considered a sweeper, this breaking ball produced phenomenal results at UCSB last year while carrying the data to back it up. It has a frisbee-like shape coming out of a low arm slot, averaging 3” of IVB with 17” of HB and peaking at 26”. Helping Flora maintain that sweep are the above-average spin rates produced, typically sitting around 2550 RPM. Its velo most often lives between 82-85 with room to tick up as his tall, lanky frame continues to fill out. Although the competition faced by Flora was notably lesser than most others on this list, the returns on the breaking ball were still wildly impressive. Last season, the slider generated a 38% whiff rate, 40% CSW, and a 31% chase rate, underscoring its ability to miss bats both in and out of the zone. The more advanced metrics and underlying data also confirm what the eye test and counting stats show, reflected in the .272 xOPS allowed in Flora’s sophomore outings. Last year, Flora was overshadowed by recent #2 overall draft pick Tyler Bremner, and now will have a chance himself to have his name called early on the first day of the draft. With an offering like his wipeout slider, he’s got stuff that’ll have the attention of pro scouts across the country throughout his junior season.

4. Cam Flukey (Coastal Carolina) - Fastball

While Flukey’s curveball has already earned its place among the top five, his fastball joins the list as the first heater featured, further proving just how elite his set of offerings has the potential to be. Over the course of his sophomore season, Flukey’s 4-seam sat in the mid-90s, touching 98 at its peak. He uses his 6’6” frame really well to drive down the mound, consistently reaching about 6.5’ of extension on the heater. Beyond the velocity, there are just so many qualities of this pitch that stand out through a data-driven lens. On the surface level, he shows phenomenal command of the offering, paired with elite control that registered a staggering 75% strike percentage during the 2025 campaign. From a metrics standpoint, his upper ¾ arm slot results in a mostly north-to-south arsenal, highlighted by a remarkable average of 21” IVB on this bullet. The ball jumps out of his hand with riding life that plays especially well chest high and above, evidenced by a 45% chase rate in this location. Overall, the fastball posted a 33% chase rate and 30% CSW, both well above the average 4S. Coupled with the class’s top curveball, Flukey’s profile screams frontline potential and will be an undoubtedly fun watch for the reigning national runner-ups this spring.

5. Ethan Norby (ECU) - Slider

After four strong pitches from the right side of the mound, we finally have our first offering from a southpaw. Norby’s slider tends to hover between 78-81mph with real wipeout tendencies. His performance at East Carolina this past season caught the attention of many pro scouts, despite his smaller 5’9” frame. This breaking ball was the star of the show, tallying ridiculous rates of 42% whiff, 33% chase, and 44% CSW. He carried this dominance to Cary, NC, this summer, where, with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team he displayed even gaudier production, posting a 52% whiff rate and 54% chase rate. Beyond the results, the data and metrics on this breaker stand out above much of what you’ll see from a college arm. As mentioned, this is a true wipeout slider with averages of -1” IVB and 16” HB, while maxing at 24” HB with a whopping 3100 RPM of spin. Control and command are both highlighted as stellar tendencies of Norby’s slider, pounding the zone at an above-average clip and missing bats most often low and away. If scouts can overlook the clear size disadvantage, Norby has all the makings of a reliable starter at the next level. Each pitch in his arsenal complements the others, including a fringe-average cutter that serves as an effective setup for the breaking ball. Driven by this elite slider, Norby looks poised to dominate AAC competition for another season. 

6. Cole Tryba (UCSB) - Slider

There’s plenty of love for UC Santa Barbara arms on this list, but to switch things up, this one is from the left side. Cole Tryba has a lethal sweeping slider with a similar shape to his previously mentioned teammate’s breaking ball. It typically sits in the upper-70s with 17” of horizontal break, reaching as much as 24” at times, while maintaining a spin rate of roughly 2350 RPM. Tryba has been a consistent contributor for the Gauchos for a couple of years, but I want to talk about his standout production on the Cape this summer. Out of the bullpen, he posted a 1.07 ERA in 25.1 innings, driven largely by the disgusting nature of the slider. The breaker was dominant in his stint with Orleans, producing a 59% whiff rate and limiting opponents to only a 59% ZCon and .091 slugging percentage. In Santa Barbara, his main struggle with the slider has been control, yet he still managed to post a 34% whiff rate and 36% CSW due to its deceptive qualities and chase potential. This offering is exactly what you desire from a pitcher whose explosive mechanics are paired with such a low-to-the-ground operation. That combination of deception and explosiveness from his best pitch makes it easy to project Tryba stepping into an expanded role for UCSB in 2026.

7. Liam Peterson (Florida) - Slider

This breaking ball won’t blow you away with metrics, but it’s been one of the more effective offerings in the SEC. Peterson’s slider operates in the mid-80s with inconsistent depth that sometimes plays similarly to his curveball shape. This breaker, the only tight slider on the list, lives around 0” IVB and -5” HB, with the righty’s great feel for spin reflected in its 2700 RPM. In 2025 at Florida, this slider blossomed into a true put-away pitch, generating a 43% whiff rate and 40% CSW. Opponents slugged just .288 against it, and only .205 over the last two months of the season. The pitch ultimately limited opponents to a .538 OPS, cementing its status as one of the toughest pitches to see out of the hand. Much of what makes the delivery so effective is how it plays off Peterson’s other frequently used pitches. His arm slot, which ranges from ¾ to upper ¾, helps his fastball generate ridiculous ride and makes the slider appear to have more depth. Peterson prefers to bury his breaking balls low on his glove side, and if he can sharpen the command in those spots, the pitch has a chance to reach truly elite territory.

8. Jackson Flora (UCSB) - Fastball

For people who love high-octane gas, this is the kind of pitch that leaves hitters overmatched and fans impressed. Flora’s 4-seam has displayed plus-plus velos, working around 96-98 and reaching 100 in-game during his sophomore season. He locates the heater well, especially up in the zone where its exceptional carry and late ride helped produce a 36% whiff rate last season. As a whole, the shape can be unsteady, averaging out at around 17” IVB with 7” HB and 2450 RPM, but flashing top-tier upside at times with IVBs above 22”. To add on to the top-notch heat, the ball seems to explode out of Flora’s hand as he works down the bump exceptionally well, which could give the perception of velocities in the triple digits. While his overall whiff rate and chase rate on the heater may not leap off the page compared to the eye-popping raw metrics, those marks still sit comfortably above average for a fastball. When paired with the slider seen earlier on this list, Flora’s 4-seam is sure to help complete an arsenal that’s way beyond normal development for an amateur. With his long, loose frame still filling out and a level-headed presence on the mound, Flora’s fastball has the potential to consistently sit in the upper-90s and even touch triple digits as he continues to develop.

9. Wes Mendes (Florida State) - Changeup

Relative to consensus, this is certainly the pitch I’m the most bullish on. Although there are definitely a couple of glaring flaws, Wes Mendes’ changeup has shown nothing but promising qualities in his time in Tallahassee. This offering sits 79-82, with its main appeal being the separation from the heater. Between the two pitches, there’s a 13 mph gap in velo, along with an 11” difference in horizontal break and 17” in IVB, all while maintaining the same arm action and speed. Insanity. It’s a ridiculous profile, headlined by its double-plus shape with outstanding tumble and run. However, the primary concern, besides its limited use against lefties, is Mendes’ inability to command it. In the 2025 season, the offspeed only landed in-zone 22% of the time, which is an absurdly low mark. That said, a good number of the misses tend to skim the strike zone on his arm-side, which can be a nearly ideal location for a delivery with this much run. Coupled with that, when you’re inducing such high chase rates on the pitch, that takes a little pressure off the necessity to land it within the zone. On top of the elite shape and metrics mentioned earlier, the results this offering produced haven’t even been mentioned. Over the span of his sophomore campaign, he posted a whopping 52% whiff rate and only allowed a .103 batting average on the changeup, two exceptional marks for a pitch that he only threw 2% of the time in the season prior. The downside is certainly notable, and the criticism is fair. Still, for Mendes to post these results in his first year of really trying to turn the pitch into a reliable weapon suggests a very high ceiling if the control continues to develop.

10. Ryan Lynch (North Carolina) - Sinker

The last pitch to crack this list isn’t as flashy as most of the others, but it’s certainly one of the most productive, showing real projection for improvement this season. Over the summer and fall, Lynch’s sinker lived in the 94-97 mph range while touching 98 occasionally. Last season, the 2-seam lacked the movement you’d expect from such a low arm slot, but over the past few months it's developed into a true plus or even double-plus shape, highlighted by IVB numbers hovering around 0”. Additionally, this offering possesses most of the traits you’d value in any fastball. Lynch extends down the mound very well, helping his heater jump on batters quicker by creating an increased perceived velo. Uniquely, his sinkers play better up in the zone than most 2-seamers due to its remarkable carry. What you hope for out of an ideal sinker is increased ground ball production, which Lynch has gotten at a 56% clip in Chapel Hill and a 60% clip with the USA CNT this past summer. Combined with that, he hasn’t allowed much hard contact at all, with rare exceptions coming a couple of times in the 2025 postseason. With revamped movement and increased zip from his freshman season, Lynch projects to use his formidable 2-seam to launch himself into the role of a reliable weekend starter and day 1 draft pick in the summer of ‘26. 

HM: Chase Meyer’s Curveball, Tommy LaPour’s Fastball, Trey Beard’s Changeup