College Baseball Rankings: UCLA Remains No. 1 After Week 2 Upsets & Shocks

Kent State’s improbable run continued this past week, extending beyond a near-upset of LSU to a series victory on the road against Tennessee. The result sent the Volunteers tumbling seven spots to No. 20 in the D1Baseball.com Top 25 rankings, a stark reminder of the volatility that defines the early college baseball season.

The top of the rankings, however, remained largely stable. UCLA maintained its hold on the No. 1 spot after a dominant sweep of TCU, while LSU solidified its position at No. 2 with an 8-0 start to the season – their best under coach Jay Johnson. The Bruins and Tigers, along with the teams immediately behind them, demonstrated their early season strength, but further down the list, significant shifts were underway.

TCU experienced a particularly rough week, falling 11 spots in the rankings after a midweek loss to UT Arlington followed by the series sweep at the hands of UCLA. Meanwhile, Southern Miss and Oklahoma emerged as the week’s biggest risers, each climbing eight positions. Louisville’s departure from the Top 25 paved the way for Ole Miss to enter the rankings at No. 25.

Top Plays

LSU’s offensive firepower continues to impress and Jake Brown is quickly becoming a name to watch. The outfielder showcased his power with a towering home run during the Tigers’ recent games.

Jake Cannon Brown Everybody 💣@JakeBrown_14 | SECN +

UCLA isn’t lacking in power either. Roch Cholowsky is living up to the pre-season hype, consistently delivering clutch hits, including a recent home run that extended the Bruins’ lead.

Roch goes dead center 🤯

Player to Watch

Jackson Flora, RHP, UCSB

Right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora is rapidly ascending draft boards, and for good reason. The junior has consistently touched 100 mph in his appearances, showcasing impressive velocity and control. Currently ranked No. 4 in Kiley McDaniel’s MLB draft rankings, Flora’s performance is drawing significant attention from scouts. The question now is whether he can sustain this level of dominance and potentially overtake Cholowsky as the top prospect.

FLO-STATE 🌊

Games to Watch

No. 10 Florida at No. 17 Miami

Game 1: 7 p.m. On Friday (ACC Network Extra)
Game 2: 6 p.m. On Saturday (ACC Network Extra)
Game 3: 1 p.m. On Sunday (ACC Network Extra)

This in-state rivalry promises a high-stakes series between two top-ranked teams. While Miami boasts a perfect 9-0 record, Florida enters the series with a strong 7-1 mark. The Hurricanes’ potent offense, led by Alex Sosa and Daniel Cuvet, who have combined for 12 home runs and 30 RBIs, will pose a significant challenge to the Gators’ pitching staff. Expect a high-scoring affair in Coral Gables.

Updated Top 25

1. UCLA Bruins

Previous rank: 1
Record: 6-1
Next game: vs. Tulane, 8 p.m. On Tuesday

College Baseball Rankings: UCLA Remains No. 1 After Week 2 Upsets & Shocks

2. LSU Tigers

Previous rank: 2
Record: 8-0
Next game: vs. McNeese, 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday (SEC Network+)