The recently concluded MLB draft has left its mark on college baseball, with several programs emerging as winners while a few others faced setbacks. The draft's impact on both rostered players and incoming recruits will shape the landscape of college baseball in the coming years.

One notable trend is the declining number of prep players drafted in the top 10 rounds, reaching a historic low this year. This means that fewer elite players are being siphoned off from college baseball before they even have a chance to compete at the collegiate level. Moreover, with the first eight picks of the draft all collegiate players, the prospects for college baseball continue to look promising.

Among the winners is LSU, which secured the highest-ranked prep pitcher, William Schmidt, who opted to remove his name from draft consideration. Despite losing four players to the draft, LSU's recruiting class remains strong, boasting nine players on the top 500 draft prospects list. Additionally, several undrafted players, including Michael Braswell, Jared Jones, and Josh Pearson, will be returning to Baton Rouge, ensuring a talent-rich roster.

Oregon State also had a successful draft, producing seven draft picks and claiming the first overall pick with second baseman Travis Bazzana. The program's ability to retain top recruits, such as righthander Dax Whitney, demonstrates its continued prowess in player development.

Notable mentions go to Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, Georgia, Texas A&M, Mississippi, and Vanderbilt, as they all had positive outcomes from the draft, either by retaining their recruits or welcoming important players back from their current rosters. These programs have managed to strengthen their teams further in the upcoming seasons.

While most programs experienced favorable outcomes, a few faced setbacks. Notre Dame saw its top recruit, Cameron Sullivan, and another commit, Brendan Tunink, drafted by MLB teams. Moreover, the departure of lefthander Jack Findlay, who opted for pro ball after recovering from Tommy John surgery, adds to the challenges faced by the Fighting Irish.

The draft results bring a mix of excitement and concern for college baseball programs. While colleges are already aware of the risks of losing recruits, the impact of the draft can still have significant consequences. However, this year's draft showcased the strength of college baseball's talent pipeline, with top-ranked players receiving attractive signing bonuses, thereby enhancing the recruiting possibilities.

The MLB draft may have solidified the position of college baseball as a strong and thriving sport at the highest level. As the sport moves forward, the future appears bright, with talented rosters and elite prospects making college baseball an exciting and competitive venture.