MINK League unveils first Top 30 Player Ranking

The MINK released its first-ever Top 30 Player Ranking highlighting the top talent from one of the premier summer college baseball league's in the country.

LJ Hatch, a former professional baseball player with experience as a scouting director and player development coach, worked in conjunction with league officials to produce the comprehensive list with insight into each player.

St. Joseph reeled in the most spots of any team with nine, headlined by catcher Boston Bruce ranked No. 1 in the MINK. Following the Mustangs, Chillicothe has six players in the top 30, Nevada and Carroll landed four apiece, North Missouri has three, while Joplin and Clarinda each have two players in the rankings.

With the Top 30, Hatch provided his explanation for how he compiled the list: This ranking directly connects raw on-field production with positional importance and the reality of college competition. Instead of relying on empty box-score stats, we built a model to compare everyone fairly on a single scale. Position players are graded on their run-creation ceiling using On-Base + Slugging (OPS), while pitchers are converted into a matching value based on run prevention.

To ensure this list translates to winning baseball, our formula factors in defensive premium and competition level. Players who handle high-value defensive positions, like premium catching or up-the-middle infielders and outfielders receive heavy prioritization. Furthermore, players facing elite Division I and premium Junior College pitching get a distinct bump over lower-tier programs. The result is a completely blended, data-driven power board that rewards defensive utility, high-stakes performance, and elite raw tools.

1. Boston Bruce (SO | Johnson County CC, St. Joseph Mustangs) earned the Number 1 spot on our board by pairing elite numbers with the highest level of competition in junior college baseball. As the everyday catcher for a JCCC team that capped a 67-3 record with the NJCAA Division I National Championship, Bruce hit .412 across 113 career games while anchoring a historically dominant lineup.  His 1.247 OPS demonstrates game-changing power and elite run-creation. He also handled one of the best pitching staffs in all of junior college.Coupled with his high school pedigree as a former top-50 prospect in Kansas (Prep Baseball State Ranking: State 41), Bruce offers an unmatched combination of proven, championship-level production and a premium raw analytical profile. 

2. Jaison DeLamar (FR | Iowa Western CC, Joplin Jailbirds) locks down the Number 2 spot on the board, establishing himself as the top-ranked freshman in the data set. Playing his debut season at perennial powerhouse Iowa Western, DeLamar made an immediate impact by hitting .364 over 20 games. His elite bat speed and strength generated a massive 1.199 OPS which confirms his game-changing middle-of-the-order potential. Furthermore, our model heavily values his defensive utility as an athletic, premium outfielder with an elite throwing arm. Backed by an immense high school pedigree. Carrying a 394 national ranking out of Arkansas, DeLamar perfectly blends top-tier raw tools, immediate high-level junior college production, and immense future upside.

3. Slater Hooke (SO | Jefferson College, Chillicothe Mudcats) secures the Number 3 spot on our board. Hooke proved to be an absolute ironman and middle-of-the-order force during his sophomore campaign, logging heavy run production over 40 games. He put up a highly impressive .358 batting average and combined it with a massive 1.137 OPS, demonstrating the exact type of consistent, high-impact extra-base power teams crave. Beyond his elite bat Hooke is a flexible athlete on the defensive side of the ball. Capable of playing clean defense across the field while flashing an elite 91 mph throwing arm, Hooke offers an incredibly stable floor and immediate championship utility to the Mudcats' lineup.

4. Hayden Oliver (FR | Fort Scott CC, Carroll Merchants) locks down the Number 4 spot on our board as a premium, high-upside freshman out of Arkansas. Stepping into the notoriously competitive Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC), Oliver made an immediate statement by blasting his way to a massive 1.102 OPS across 31 games. Clearing the elite 1.100 threshold against front-line JUCO velocity as a true freshman is an incredibly rare feat that highlights his elite raw power and barrel control. He gives the Merchants a highly productive, middle-of-the-order run producer with immense future upside for their summer campaign.

5. Jaxson Book (FR | Iowa Central CC, Carroll Merchants) steps into the Number 5 spot on the board after making an impact during his true freshman campaign in Iowa. Book proved his offensive efficiency by logging production over 24 games, showcasing consistent gap-to-gap damage that helped him clear a benchmark 1.030 OPS. Flashing a selective eye and a powerful swing, he generated high-level run production and multi-base hits at an accelerated pace for a first-year collegiate player. He heads to the Merchants this summer as a highly productive lineup asset with proven junior college extra-base capability.

6. Koby Wagers (FR | North Central Missouri College, Chillicothe Mudcats) locks down the Number 6 spot on our board following a highly productive freshman season. Wagers provided durable, high-impact offense over 45 games, proving to be a reliable fixture in the lineup. He posted a strong .314 batting average and cleared the benchmark with a 1.023 OPS, underscoring his capability to generate extra-base hits and consistent run production at the junior college level. He joins the Mudcats this summer as a proven freshman contributor who brings elite middle-of-the-order traits and consistent run-creation to the team's offensive core.

7. Wyatt Doak (FR | SIU Edwardsville, St. Joe Mustangs) lands on the board after logging valuable developmental innings at the Division I level during his true freshman season. The left-hander worked through 13.1 innings pitched across 7 appearances, gaining high-stakes exposure against elite varsity hitters. Armed with a deceptive fastball that runs up to 93 mph from the left side, Doak has shown the raw, explosive tools that make him a highly projectable arm for the Mustangs' staff. He possesses an elite athletic background as a former multi-time Missouri state track medalist, and he heads into the summer as a high-ceiling southpaw ready to refine his command and unlock his front-line potential. 

8. Cash Messenger (FR | Allen CC, Nevada Griffons) secures his spot on the board after completing his true freshman season in the highly competitive Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC). Messenger proved his offensive efficiency by logging production over 25 games, showing advanced barrel control and a selective approach at the plate. He consistently generated high-level run production for a first-year collegiate player, finishing the year with a strong 0.994 OPS to fall just shy of the elusive 1.000 benchmark. Carrying a former State 108 ranking out of Kansas, Messenger joins the Griffons this summer as a highly projectable, run-producing asset with proven junior college extra-base power.

9. Cooper Westra (FR | Johnson County CC, St. Joe Mustangs) takes the Number 9 spot on the board, adding another premium arm from JCCC's national championship roster. Westra proved to be a highly effective weapon out of the bullpen during his true freshman season, logging 19 appearances and 13.1 innings pitched. He maintained a strong 3.79 ERA and a crisp 1.37 WHIP, showcasing advanced composure for a young pitcher in high-stakes environments. Armed with a fastball that fills up the zone around 86 mph, Westra heads to the Mustangs this summer as a proven winner capable of dominant relief performance.

10. Caden Klumpp (FR | Coffeyville CC, Nevada Griffons) wraps up the top 10 after an impactful freshman season in the KJCCC. Klumpp proved his durability and offensive consistency by logging valuable production over 26 games for the Red Ravens. He consistently found ways to impact the scoreboard, showing advanced bat speed and a mature approach that translated into a highly efficient 0.955 OPS. Heading to Nevada for the summer, this local Missouri product gives the Griffons another proven, high-upside freshman bat capable of anchoring the middle of the lineup and creating heavy run production.

11. Max Wagers (SO | North Central Missouri College, Chillicothe Mudcats) steps up as a headline sophomore anchor on our power board. A true workhorse on the mound, Wagers logged a heavy workload for NCMC, tossing 56.2 innings pitched across 12 appearances. He consistently attacked hitters with a powerful pitch mix, flashing a high-impact high 80's fastball. Finishing his sophomore campaign with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP, Wagers brings critical durability, veteran poise, and high-strikeout stuff to the Mudcats' rotation for the summer stretch.

12. Alex Somaza (FR | North Central Missouri College, Chillicothe Mudcats) steps onto the board after a highly efficient freshman campaign. Somaza made the most of his opportunities, logging production over 19 games and proving to be an elite spark plug whenever his number was called. He absolutely tore up opposing pitching to the tune of a .433 batting average, pairing his elite contact skills with a massive 1.092 OPS. Showing a mature approach and advanced barrel control for a first-year collegiate player, Somaza heads to the Mudcats this summer as a premium, high-efficiency bat ready to inject heavy run-production into the lineup.

13. JP Gonzalez (FR | North Central Missouri College, Chillicothe Mudcats) locks down his spot on the board after a highly productive freshman season alongside his NCMC teammates. Gonzalez proved his offensive efficiency by logging production over 13 games, maximizing his opportunities at the plate. He posted a strong .310 batting average and combined it with an excellent 0.922 OPS across 49 plate appearances, showing advanced barrel control and extra-base capability for a first-year collegiate player. He joins the Mudcats this summer as a proven freshman contributor ready to bring consistent run-production to the lineup.

14. Chris Coy (FR | Omaha, St. Joe Mustangs) joins the board as a highly versatile two-way freshman asset out of the Division I ranks. On the mound, the freshman arm got his feet wet with 3.1 innings pitched across his appearances. Carrying a highly touted State 38 pedigree out of Missouri, this local product brings valuable division one depth and multi-positional upside to the Mustangs' roster this summer.

15. Eden Myers (FR | Metropolitan CC, St. Joe Mustangs) locks down his spot on the board after a highly productive freshman campaign in Missouri. Myers proved to be an efficient offensive spark plug, logging production over 15 games and maximizing his 52 plate appearances. He absolutely tore into opposing pitching to the tune of a stellar .362 batting average, combining his elite contact skills with an excellent 0.921 OPS. This local Missouri product heads to St. Joe this summer as a proven freshman bat capable of forcing his way into the lineup and providing high-level run production.

16. Brayden Luikart (SR | Missouri Southern State, St. Joe Mustangs) enters the summer as a premier, high-ranking veteran anchor for the Mustangs. Luikart put together a massive, highly durable senior campaign, weaponizing his elite bat over a staggering 106 games played. He posted a stellar .362 batting average and paired it with a lethal, extra-base-heavy 1.069 OPS. Holding a highly respected State 15 ranking out of Missouri, this local product returns to St. Joe as the number 16 overall ranked player on the board. Bringing proven, top-tier middle-of-the-order production and elite durability to the Mustangs' championship push.

17. Austin Andersen (FR | Des Moines Area CC, Carroll Merchants) locks in his spot on the board as a highly productive freshman asset for the Merchants this summer. Andersen made an immediate impact during his first year of collegiate ball, proving to be an efficient offensive spark plug over 41 games played. He showcased a heavy barrel and excellent gap-to-gap power, generating extra-base damage to the tune of a strong 0.908 OPS. Carrying a State 122 ranking by Prep Baseball out of Iowa, this local product heads to Carroll as the number 17 overall ranked player on the board, ready to bring proven run-producing capabilities to the middle of the Merchants' lineup.

18. Seth Winkler (JR | Missouri Western State, St. Joe Mustangs) comes off the board at number 18 as a high-impact, veteran addition to the Mustangs' summer roster. Winkler put together an excellent junior campaign just down the road at MWSU, anchoring the lineup over 38 games played. He was a model of consistency at the dish, flashing a high-contact stroke to finish with a stellar .338 batting average and a heavy, run-producing 1.006 OPS. A prospect out of Illinois, this experienced junior bat gives St. Joe an elite, middle-of-the-order producer who knows exactly how to drive the baseball.

19. Braylen Nystrom (SO | UW-Stevens Point, Carroll Merchants) locks down the number 19 spot on the board as a highly versatile, dynamic two-way sophomore asset. On the bump, Nystrom proved to be a reliable option, logging 20 innings pitched across his appearances finishing with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. He was even more lethal at the plate, anchoring the offense over 45 games played where he weaponized a heavy barrel to post an excellent 0.983 OPS. Nystrom brings elite multi-positional depth and impact capability to the Merchants' roster.

20. Jordi Ventura (JR | Northwest Missouri State, Chillicothe Mudcats) comes off the board at number 20 as a premium, high-impact veteran addition to the Mudcats' lineup. Ventura put together a stellar junior campaign in the MIAA, anchoring his college offense over 54 games played. He was a force at the dish, treating opposing pitching to a highly productive .333 batting average and pairing it with a heavy, run-producing 0.972 OPS. Bringing an international spark all the way from Maracay, Venezuela (VZ), this experienced junior bat gives Chillicothe a proven, top-of-the-order threat ready to drive the offense this summer.

21. Keaton Bell (FR | William Woods, North Missouri Naturals) comes off the board at number 21. Bell put together a phenomenal true freshman season. He absolutely lit up opposing pitching, showcasing an elite contact bat to finish with a .367 batting average and pairing it with a highly productive 0.970 OPS. This local Missouri product heads to the Naturals this summer as a proven, high-ceiling young hitter.

22. Landin Midgett (JR | Pittsburg State, Joplin Jailbirds) Midgett put together a highly productive junior campaign in the competitive MIAA, serving as a reliable offensive anchor over 45 games played. He was a model of consistency at the dish, flashing a high-contact stroke to hit a stellar .315 batting average while generating extra-base damage to the tune of a strong 0.967 OPS. This Kansas product heads to Joplin this summer as a proven, high-impact veteran bat ready to drive the middle of the Outlaws' lineup.

23. Andrew Young (FR | Missouri Southern State, Clarinda A's) Young made a seamless transition to the college game during his true freshman season. He worked his way into 33 games, giving opposing pitching fits with a clean .306 batting average. He did plenty of damage when he connected, too, racking up extra-base hits to fuel a 0.957 OPS. 

24. Shane Mailloux (SO | William Penn U, Nevada Griffons) Mailloux heads to Nevada this summer as the third-ranked player on a loaded Griffons roster. He was an absolute workhorse for William Penn this past spring, penciled into the lineup for 45 games. He was a consistent presence with the bat slashing a .338 batting average. He combined that elite contact with plenty of damage, turning in a 0.952 OPS. Hailing all the way from California, this West Coast product gives Nevada a highly durable, run-producing bat with plenty of collegiate experience under his belt.

25. Evan Bradshaw (FR | Skyline CC, Clarinda A's) Next on the list at number 25 is Evan Bradshaw, who steps into the Clarinda roster after a highly productive freshman campaign out west. He was a constant fixture on the field, getting the nod in 32 games and proving to be a reliable spark for his team. Bradshaw showed off a smooth, consistent swing to turn in a strong .311 batting average, while managing a solid 0.806 OPS to keep the line moving. A former State 165 ranked  recruit out of California, this West Coast import gives the A's a steady, high-contact bat with great instincts at the plate.

26. Lucus Eddleman (FR | Moberly Area CC, North Missouri Naturals) claims the Number 26 spot on our board as a premier freshman out of Missouri. Despite a limited sample size of 12 games at MACC, Eddleman absolutely torched opposing pitching to the tune of a .429 batting average. His explosive barrel control and selective eye generated a massive 1.167 OPS, proving he possesses the raw, elite run-creation traits required to anchor a collegiate lineup. On top of his elite offensive efficiency, our evaluation model bumps his value based on his upside as a highly athletic, projectable infielder who can stick on the dirt. 

27. Micah Kobuszewski (RS SR | Missouri Western State, St. Joe Mustangs) Coming in at number 27, Kobuszewski brings an invaluable veteran presence to the Mustangs as a seasoned redshirt senior. He was an absolute fixture on the diamond for Missouri Western this past spring, grinding through a demanding 50-game schedule. Kobuszewski weaponized a highly advanced approach at the plate, punishing opposing pitchers to the tune of a .343 batting average. He backed up that elite contact tool with plenty of extra-base thump, wrapping up his campaign with an 0.924 OPS. This veteran bat gives St. Joe a proven, battle-tested producer who can ignite the middle of the order.

28. Riku Kitagawa (FR | Indian Hills CC, Nevada Griffons) Holding down the number 28 spot on the board, Kitagawa brings an exciting international dynamic to the Nevada roster this summer. Making the journey all the way from Japan, the true freshman catcher gained valuable experience working into 19 games for a highly competitive Indian Hills program this past spring. While he's still acclimating to college pitching, he showed a steady approach and a willingness to put the ball in play to anchor a 0.784 OPS. With an intriguing athletic profile and solid developmental upside, Kitagawa gives the Griffons a high-potential young option behind the dish.

29. Zack Craft (RS FR | Metropolitan CC, St. Joe Mustangs) Stepping up at number 29, Craft gives the Mustangs a high-upside option who spent the spring adapting well to junior college baseball. He earned his way into 29 games for MCC, showing great discipline and situational awareness at the dish to turn in a .269 batting average. He made his hits count, keeping the offense moving while racking up a solid 0.737 OPS over the course of the season. A local product holding a State 278 Prep Baseball ranking out of Missouri, Craft adds excellent depth and young talent to the St. Joe summer roster.

30. Michael Mulhollon (JR | Missouri Southern State, North Missouri Naturals) Closing out the top 30 on your list, Mulhollon gives the Naturals a highly imposing presence on the mound. The 6-foot-4 junior left-hander was a major part of the pitching staff at MSSU this past spring, logging 51.2 innings pitched and showing the ability to work deep into ballgames. He attacks hitters with a heavy fastball that touches 90 mph velocity, missing plenty of bats along the way. While working through a competitive schedule, he held his own to post a 5.23 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Carrying a high-end 433 national rank from Prep Baseball out of  high school in Wisconsin, Mulhollon brings elite size, velocity, and top-tier college experience to the North Missouri rotation.