The Collegiate National Team Training Camp began on June 25. Unlike year’s past when one team would represent the CNT on the summer circuit, this summer two teams were formed. One named the International Friendship Series team was composed of mainly 2025 draft-eligible prospects. The other named the Summer League Tour team was rostered with mostly 2026 draft-eligibles.

After training camp was complete, the two teams squared off in the annual Stars vs. Stripes series. Following this series, the International Friendship Series team competed in the 21st USA vs. Chinese Taipei and the Summer League Tour team played in a four-game tour against select teams from the Appalachian League and Coastal Plain League.

Day One Draft Prospects of the International Friendship Series team:

1. Nolan Schubart, OF, Oklahoma State- Led the CNT Friendship Series in batting average and on-base percentage, going 6-for-10 with 12 walks. Two of those six hits were home runs. Big, strong and left-handed Schubart is a bit funky at the plate, giving off a Freddie Freeman vibe with the way he makes it work. Against Chinese Taipei he was super disciplined at the plate after struggling a bit during the Stars & Stripes series against the higher velocity arms of his CNT teammates. Defensively, he profiles to left field but has definitely improved since my late February look at Globe Life during Week Two of the Scouting Trail. However, he still grades as a below average average with 40-grade throw and run tools. Regardless, his breakout performance further strengthened his projection to the first round for next summer’s draft and makes him a strong candidate to become a 2025 version of Condon/Caglianone/Kurtz with 70+ raw power and the ability to control the zone.

2. Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech- Smaller framed at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, but super strong with explosive bat speed and swing path with lift that produces consistent over the fence power. Burress impacted the CNT Friendship Series squad in all areas, batting .357 (5-for-14) with three stolen bases in three attempts. He’s a plus runner underway and ran a 4.33 home to first base. He can turn around the fastball and launched an impressive bomb during the summer finale – 106 mph exit velocity moonshot – 412’ to left center field. Defensively, he covers ground in center field for above average range. After an excellent freshman season for the Yellow Jackets (.381/.512/.821, 25 HR, 67 RBI, 8 SB) and continued high-level performance this summer, Burress is currently one of the top college prospects for the 2026 draft.

3. Max Belyeu, OF, Texas- The 2024 Big 12 Player of the Year, Belyeu is a natural hitter with plus raw power. He routinely put on a show in batting practice, but did not get to his pop during game action against Chinese Taipei (4-for-13, all singles). He especially struggled at the plate against back foot breaking pitches and changeups. Belyeu profiles to right field with a plus-to-better arm to go along with above average running speed and good instincts on the base paths. He stole four bases in the five-game series and overall has a very good feel for the game. Overall, there isn’t anything Belyeu doesn’t do at least average and he’s well on his way to becoming a first round pick in 2025.

4. Dean Curley, SS, Tennessee- The Vols everyday shortstop as a freshman in 2024, Curley will likely slide over to the hot corner next season where his 70-grade arm will continue to highlight his tools’ package. Also included in the 6-foot-3, 210-pounders’ toolset is plus raw power and improving bat-to-ball skills. He showed a patient approach and saw the ball well with very few chases and good knowledge of the strike zone. After a very successful true freshman season at the plate (.285/.386/.502, 12 HR) Curley is a pick to click as a soph-eligible in 2025. On top of his tools and high-level performance he carries himself well on and off the field and has great makeup.

5. Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana- A starter for the Hoosiers since he arrived on campus two years ago, Taylor has produced 36 home runs in those two seasons. For a quick comparison, Kyle Schwarber hit 24 combined during his first two seasons and 32 between his sophomore and junior seasons. Despite secondary tools that include 30-run speed and fringe present defense, Taylor tracks the ball really well at the plate with a balanced, smooth swing and very good bat to ball skills (13.3% strikeout rate in 2024). He has a strong top hand, good bat speed and excellent extension through the ball that produces power at impact.

6. Daniel Dickinson, INF, Utah Valley/LSU- Although he struggled with results at the plate (1-for-16, .063 batting average), Dickinson showed good athleticism, an easy swing and strong game presence. His batting practice swing was especially impressive, showing loft power through the middle of the field produced by consistent barrels and a natural feel for finding it. He also really back spun the ball well to the right center field gap. Defensively, he showed fair actions and near average arm strength, a bit light for the left side of the infield, but more than enough for second base or the outfield. He also stole some bases with good instincts and average to a bit above speed.

7. Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina- The 5-foot-10, 200-pound switch-hitting catcher showed occasional pop and good bat-to-ball from both sides of the plate. Defensively, Bodine has a quick and accurate arm with above average strength. He’s also a high level receiver with a soft block that redirects in front of the plate. Although low-key and not flashy with tools, Bodine is well-rounded and consistent in all parts of his game. College catchers like him rarely get out of Day One of the draft, and he looks to be no exception in 2025.

8. Brooks Bryan, C, Troy- Bryan went from an out of shape freshman who hit .217 with four home runs to a much more trim physique as a sophomore who clubbed 18 home runs and drove home 83 while batting 280. A bit stiff, but country-strong with above average bat speed the left handed slugger has near 70-grade raw power to all parts of the park. He hit a pair of backside home runs during the two-game Stars & Stripes series before adding another against Chinese Taipei. There’s nothing fancy about his approach and setup at the plate. It’s simply a grip-n-rip that works well for him, although some pro scouts have concerns about the action to his load. Behind the plate he blocked and received really well, while showing plus arm strength with average accuracy. Overall, Bryan projects to become an above average defender at the professional level. He also possesses great intangibles and was a very popular teammate during his time with the CNT.

9. Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest- Tall and athletic with a build similar to Trea Turner, Houston is a plus defender with a developing bat at this point in his career. During batting practice Houston showed easy pull power with some length to his swing, but struggled to make hard contact at the plate during game action. His load has some stiffness and his barrel can get long and loopy. It’s an opposite field in the air, pull on the ground spray chart. Defensively is where he excels. He’s a high level, athletic defender who seemed to make the really good play look easier than the routine play. He has very good hands, above average range and solid average-to-plus arm strength, although the arm strength is produced through a higher than normal release point for infielders. Houston profiles similar to Alika Williams (37th overall from Arizona State) in 2020 or more recently, Griff O’Ferrall (32nd overall/Virginia) in 2024.

10. RJ Austin, UTL, Vanderbilt- Austin is a super versatile defender with explosive speed that he can get to during games, but loses some scouting points within the industry due to his rigid movements. He stole 27 bags for Vanderbilt this past spring and seven more for the CNT between the Stars & Stripes and Chinese Taipei series. He also ran a 4.22 home to first from the right side. At the plate he showed an inconsistent plan, but still managed to consistently reach base. Defensively, he’s a Chris Taylor-type with at least average arm strength that he must go and get through a high slot. Overall, Austin is more of a very good baseball player than toolshed, but he does have tools that he can get to and is a top performer, similar to Joshua Kuroda-Grauer who was selected in the third round, 75th overall by the Oakland A’s a few weeks ago.

Additional draft talent of the International Friendship Series team:

Anthony Martinez (UC Irvine) is a bat first prospect who can really hit. He uses all fields and sprays around the yard with a handsy swing. Limited defensively to first base. Grambling State’s Kyle Walker is a plus runner and steady defender who saw limited playing time during the Chinese Taipei series, but produced a pair of singles in six at-bats.

Top Prospects of the International Friendship Series team:

Daniel Cuvet, 3B, Miami (2026)- Six-foot-3, 235-pound corner infielder who physically resembles former MLB All-Star Andres Gallaraga. A right handed hitter with a pure stroke and plus power, Cuvet is one of the top hitters in the college class for the 2026 draft. He set a Miami freshman home run record with 25 round-trippers, while also batting .351 with a .385 ISO. Defensively at third base, he is limited by his range, but has more than enough arm strength (plus) and sure hands. If he’s able to remain at the hot corner over the long term, Cuvet has top half of the first round potential in 2026.

Gavin Grahovac, 3B/OF, Texas A&M (2026)- Grahovac is more athletic than Cuvet, but he must make some adjustments at the plate where he struck out 29% of the time this past spring. Standing 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Grahovac physically reminds of former Texas Tech standout Josh Jung. Although a free swinger, he has a sound swing, big time pop from the right side and most everything off his bat is hard contact – when there is contact. His contact rate against righthanded curve balls was especially poor this past spring with a 52% whiff rate (3rd percentile). Defensively, Grahovac will need to become more fluid and consistent at the hot corner, but there’s more than enough athleticism and arm strength to make it happen. Worst-case scenario over the long term he becomes at least an average defender at a corner outfield. Regardless, his development will be a fun watch over the next two seasons.

Henry Ford, 1B- Virginia (2025)- Another ACC slugger, Ford is a converted prep catcher now playing first base. He also received some time in the outfield for the CNT, but first base looked to be his natural position and where he projects to become a plus defender at the pro level. However, he will spend this fall for Virginia in the outfield to provide greater versatility to the team, while also likely increasing his draft value. In the batter’s box the right handed hitter has a beautiful stroke with great extension. As a true freshman, Ford batted .336 with 27 home runs and just a 18% strikeout rate. To top off his potential first round hit/power package, Ford has off-the-charts makeup and was a favorite of the USA CNT staff for these qualities.

Tre Phelps, OF, Georgia (2025)- Yet another upcoming sophomore who is draft-eligible by age for 2025, Phelps has five-tool potential. He batted .353 as a true freshman for the Bulldogs this past spring and also led the Summer League Tour team with a .385 average (5-for-13) with a triple and one home run. He’s an aggressive, early count hitter with a balanced and quiet hit approach. There’s plus raw juice in his swing and he gets to it during games (11 doubles, 12 home runs this spring). Phelps can also turn around any fastball and he’s a plus runner underway. In the outfield he’s presently an average defender with average arm strength, but also showed good actions on the dirt and looked playable at third base. Phelps also plays with passion and is a flair-for-the-moment dude. He’s a fast-rising Day One prospect for 2025.

Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama (2026)- Impressed defensively throughout the summer tour, Lebron is a natural defender with good instincts, quick hands and plus arm strength. He makes it look easy at shortstop and in all likelihood will remain there over the long term. At the plate he has a longer swing with fair bat speed. He also did not see the ball well during the trials or tour as the right handed hitter was late on numerous fastballs, but he did barrel a hanging curveball for a triple the opposite way. Lebron has top 30 overall pick potential, but without showing above average to plus raw power, it becomes a tough profile for that pick range.

AJ Gracia, OF, Duke (2026)- A D1 Baseball Freshman All-American First Teamer, the lefty slugger sets up with an upright and open stance. He then takes a longer stride to the ball and finishes violently, attacking the baseball producing plus raw power. Throughout his process, there’s also very good strike zone awareness and just a 14.1% chase rate (89th percentile) this past spring to go along with an elite 6.1% chase rate for the CNT, albeit in a very limited sample size of 25 pitches. While batting .305 in 278 plate appearances, Gracia also set the Duke freshman home run (14) and RBI (58) records. Defensively, he profiles well to right field where he has a plus arm and solid range. Overall, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound left handed hitter is a potential Day One bat in 2026.

Zion Rose, OF, Louisville (2026)- The athletic 6-foot, 200-pound multi-tool talent is a versatile defender who is rumored to be hanging up his catching gear at this point in his career. As a plus runner underway with at least average arm strength, Rose profiles to center field. From the right side he ran a 4.34 H-1B on a groundout to shortstop. At the plate he’s a super aggressive, early count hitter who batted .380 with more walks (19) than strikeouts (18) as a true freshman this spring. Moving forward, Rose could tighten up his approach by being more selective and look to drive a particular pitch or one in a particular location, in hitter counts, instead of just looking to swing and put the ball in play. This will likely increase his power production and complete his dynamic, five-tool impact. Regardless, Rose is blessed with strong tools across the board and is quickly putting together a Day One resume for 2026.

Eric Becker, 3B/2B, Virginia (2026)- The 6-foot-3, 190-pound left handed hitter struggled in limited playing time with the CNT (five strikeouts in five at-bats during the four-game tour), but this past spring he showed strong bat-to-ball skills and in-game power. Becker hit .362 with nine doubles and eight home runs in just 127 at-bats as a true freshman for Virginia. His present average raw power should develop into plus over the next two years and give him more than enough juice to profile as a pro third baseman where he shows above average to plus arm strength.

Jamal George, C, Alabama State/Texas A&M (2025)- Fast-rising prospect who showed very athletic feet, above average blocking ability and above average arm strength behind the plate. Offensively, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound right handed hitter tied for the Summer League Tour team lead with four RBI after batting .310 with 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases for Alabama State this past spring. George will take his numerous talents to College Station and the SEC next season.

Kyle Johnson, OF, Duke (2026)- Two-way talent who was also featured in our pitchers of the Summer League Tour team last week, Johnson batted .253 in 94 plate appearances for the Blue Devils this spring. He did show some power with three home runs and six doubles, but his 35.1% strikeout rate was troubling. He also had a tough, albeit limited, time at the plate for the CNT with three strikeouts in just six at-bats.