Black College Nines has highlighted the top freshman baseball players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) ahead of the 2025 season. This year’s freshman class shows significant potential for making an immediate impact on their respective teams.
These freshmen took full advantage of their opportunities during the fall season, emerging as players who can contribute substantially right away. Many of these athletes are likely to become fan favorites quickly, so it’s wise to get to know them early.
With support from head coaches and their staff, we evaluated the freshmen’s performances during fall ball and considered the potential impact each player could have on their team this year.
Based on these assessments, we are excited to highlight the top impactful freshmen, along with honorable mentions, for the upcoming 2025 HBCU baseball season.
Here’s a rundown on each prospect that fans should keep an eye on:
Delaware State University
Hassan Turner – Hassan had a great fall season and showed tremendous strides in adjusting to college pitching. Hassan possesses a great throwing arm and is a very solid athletic defender in the outfield covering a lot of ground and gets great reads and jumps on balls off the bat.
Brandon Boyd – Brandon swung a hot bat with power all fall as one of the most consistent hitters. Brandon also displayed his value to the team on the mound pitching well in the fall season.
University Arkansas Pine Bluff
Major Spence – is a two-way player LHP/1B from Dallas, TX. Spence has a chance to pitch quality innings and be a good LHH 1B for UAPB.
North Carolina A&T University
Mekai Griffin – RHP Big physical arm and very athletic. Showed all the things you want to see from a freshman physically. His FB was regularly 90-92 most of fall, with feel for his off speed. He is working to develop that true out pitch, but the slider has potential to be a dynamite pitch. Showed himself to be a reliable, mature player for a freshman excited to see him compete for starting opportunities this spring.
Tyler Smith – Catcher Strong frame, switch hitter. Played really well all fall, swings the bat with bad intentions from both sides of plate, will be a threat both right handed and left handed. His catching/throwing really improved over course of fall, and also showed a unique maturity for the game ( handling pitchers). Expect Smith to make an early impact this spring in lineup and behind the plate.
Texas Southern University
Bubba Moya – Moya, a way two-player will see time as a quality left-handed bat and work out of the bullpen.
Bluefield State University
JR. Powell (C) – South Boston, VA. Hailing from Randolph-Henry High School, JR. Powell had an impressive run with the Statesman, contributing to their back-to-back regional runner-up finishes. A standout player, he earned a first district selection for two consecutive years.
Daniel Pepke – A 6′ 2″, 225 pounds two-way player (RHP/1B) from South Park High School Pittsburgh, PA. 
Lincoln University (PA)
Isaiah Negron – Negron’s ability on the mound will provide some real impact to our team. His small stature is quickly forgotten as he sits 84-86 and will routinely get into the low 90’s his 3 pitch mix FB, SL, SP makes for an uncomfortable AB.
Claflin University
Aiden McDaniel – has a ton of ability and plays the game in mature fashion. Also made tremendous strides from the fall.
Florida Memorial University
Brandon Roman – A local talent from the Miami area. His fastball can be surprising, and he possesses the ability to locate pitches effectively and strike out batters.
Prairie View A&M University
Sonnier Moses – Middle infielder who showed tremendous potential by making plays in the infield this fall that raised plenty of eyes. He demonstrated an ability to play the game in a flashy way that the coaching staff was extremely impressed with. He has the potential to push for playing time for this upcoming season. As he continues to get stronger, he will be a great addition to the panthers infield.
Honorable Mention:
Talladega College
Joshua Catala Santos FR OF – A 4-tool player capable of excelling as an outfielder. Santos adds speed to the lineup, and his above-average running ability makes the team stronger defensively and offensively.
Morris College
Jonathan Warren, Jalen Scott, Joshua Cummings, Ja’Maure Manigo, and Jabari Thompson Jr.
University Arkansas Pine Bluff
Jason Moss – Jason is from the Bahamas, a 6.2 runner that has a chance to earn playing time in the infield.
Charles Morris – Morris has a lot of potential to make an immediate impact on the program. He has the ideal size and power to be a difference maker. The coaching staff look forward to seeing how Charles develops and the impact he makes on the program.
North Carolina A&T University
Bruce Wyche – Physical player made a compelling case to be the best player of the fall. He is a freshman that will see a lot of OF opportunities in spring.
Jordan Bright – Jordan, RHP made marked improvements over the course of complete fall. He was consistently 90-93 touching better numbers at times. Strikes are a premium and he showed week in/week out improvement in his command.
Texas Southern University
Collin Dennis – The young lefty is primed to be used as a reliever as well as a starter. Dennis’ four pitch mix allows him to be very effective against lefties and righties.
Lincoln University (PA)
Ethan Craig – Craig is a physical presence on the mound and has the ability to provide a huge impact on our pitching staff. He sits 85-87 and will flash some low 90’s with some serious run on his FB. He has a strong 4 pitch mix that features his FB, and SL but also can go to his split and CB to keep hitters off balanced.
Mississippi Valley State University
Malik Kemp – RHP LaGrange High School (GA) Physical RHP who has shown a low 90’s fastball. Improved mechanics this fall has helped his offspeed become more consistent.
Logan Darnell- RHP Rockwood Summit (MO) Decorated prep pitcher who played for Nick Herrin and the National Inevitable Athletics. He will be a workhorse from day one. Will be in rotation to start the season.
Mac Floyd – OF/ RHP Lutheran South (MO) Had a great fall defensively and offensively. Hit over .400 in the fall. Will get innings on the mound as well because of his ability to command zone.
Delaware State University
Santino Harwood – Santino displayed a solid glove defensively at SS and swung a hot bat with gap power during the fall season.
Jeremy Vest – Jeremy had a very consistent fall pitching season commanding his pitches well and keeping hitters off balance.