Big Ten Baseball Power Rankings 2025: Way-too-early Top 7 College Baseball Pitchers Projections

Big Ten teams are getting ready for the 2025 college baseball season, and this early, they are restructuring their rosters to form a competitive lineup next year. Out of these selections, seven pitchers are expected to pull off a breakout year as they have chips on their shoulders, being the likely superstars on their rosters.

Here are the seven pitchers who may likely step up to the plate, throw superb starts and help their teams win next season.

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Way-too-early Top 7 Big Ten College Baseball Pitchers Projections

#7 Simon Bargo, RHP, Ohio State

Simon Bargo transferred from Campbell to Ohio State after suiting up in 14 games with the Fighting Camels. Bargo recorded his only win in a three-inning start against Duke on April 23.

The 6-foot-5 hurler earned a three-inning save against Valparaiso in March. Bargo finished the season with 23 strikeouts and 32 walks in 25.1 innings. A longer pitching duty with the Buckeyes in the Big Ten could help him improve his 8.88 ERA this past season.

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#6 Will Walsh, LHP, Nebraska

Nebraska utility man Will Walsh will play another Big Ten season with the Cornhuskers after a solid 2024 where he went 5-4 with a 5.06 ERA. Walsh appeared in 28 games, 10 of them starts, for the Huskers and pitched 58 2/3 innings.

The 6-foot-4 ballplayer struck out 43 batters and surrendered 10 walks. He allowed a .266 batting average this past season. Walsh accumulated a 10-7 record with a 4.73 ERA in 63 appearances (18 starts) for the Cornhuskers.

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#5 Frankie Sanchez, RHP, Penn State

Frankie Sanchez prepares to pitch for Penn State in the Big Ten (Image via Instagram/@frankiesanchezz20)

Frankie Sanchez pitched 37.2 innings in 13 games (nine starts) this past season for Penn State. The 6-foot right-hander went 2-3 with a 7.65 ERA. Sanchez struck out 27 batters and surrendered 21 walks.

It was a far cry from his superb 2023 performance with Southern New Hampshire, where he played 16 games (six starts) and had an 8-1 record and 2.44 ERA. He had 71 strikeouts and recorded a complete game and two saves to cap his all-around performance for the Penmen.

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#4 Deron Swanson, LHP, Indiana

Deron Swanson hopes to carry his 2024 pitching magic with the NAIA school University of St. Francis to Indiana as he transfers to a Division I program in the 2025 NCAA baseball season. The 6-foot-3 left-hander from Fort Wayne went 10-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 14 starts this past season for the Cougars.

Swanson pitched for 74 2/3 innings and struck out 8.2 batters per nine innings while recording a 1.25 WHIP. In three seasons with St. Francis, he holds a 17-14 record in 44 games (35 starts) and a 4.73 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 173.1 innings. He is expected to boost the Hoosiers' pitching staff in the 2025 Big Ten season.

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#3 Fisher Johnson, RHP, USC

Fisher Johnson had a 1.50 ERA in 11 games for USC this past season (Image via USC Trojans website)

Fisher Johnson had fewer appearances for USC this past season, but he was effective during those stretches. He played 11 games for the Trojans, going 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings pitched.

Johnson only allowed a batting average of .152 during those limited appearances and came up with nine strikeouts. The right-hander will go into his fourth season with USC, trying to prove he can carry the team on his shoulders as it moves to the Big Ten.

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#2 Omar Melendez, LHP, Maryland

Omar Melendez appeared in 14 games (six starts) and went 5-2 with a 4.64 ERA in 52 1/3 innings played. (Image via Maryland Terrapins website)

Left-handed pitcher Omar Melendez was used as a starter and reliever this past season and excelled in both spots. The incoming Maryland senior appeared in 14 games (six starts) and went 5-2 with a 4.64 ERA in 52 1/3 innings played. Melendez came up with two saves and struck out 44 batters.

The 6-foot-6 Puerto Rico native allowed opponents' batters to hit an average of .285 against him and surrendered 21 walks. The Alabama State transfer could serve as the Big Ten team's top three starter in the coming season.

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#1 Joseph Dzierwa, LHP, Michigan State

Dzierwa appeared in 14 games for the Michigan State Spartans and went 6-3 with a 4.07 ERA in 84 innings. (Image via IMAGN)

Joseph Dzierwa continued where he left off in his freshman year with an outstanding performance on the mound in his sophomore season with Michigan State. Dzierwa appeared in 14 games, all of them starts, for the Spartans and went 6-3 with a 4.07 ERA in 84 innings.

The 6-foot-7 lefty was a terror on the mound, striking out 91 batters and surrendering only 27 walks and a .230 batting average. In two seasons with the Spartans, Dzierwa is 11-6 with a 4.30 ERA. The incoming junior is expected to lead the Michigan State pitching staff in the 2025 Big Ten season.