Utah Baseball Enters 2025 Looking To Build On Pac-12 Progress
Feb 13, 2025, 12:31 PM
Utah Utes players talk to their coach Gary Henderson on the pitcher's mound during the college baseball game between the Utah Utes and the Brigham Young Cougars at Miller Park Complex in Provo on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. (Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
(Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – As Utah baseball opens its Big 12 era, D1Baseball has recognized five Utah Utes as prospects to watch in 2025. After holding their first practice on January 24, Gary Henderson’s Utes hope to make waves in their final season at Smith’s Ballpark.
Despite losing the program’s stolen bases leader, Kai Roberts, and closer, Micah Ashman, Utah returns a talented core and enough reinforcements to challenge in a new conference home.
D1baseball.com released its Big 12 Conference preview on Thursday, January 23. Three Big 12 teams, Oklahoma State (No. 17), Arizona (No. 21), and TCU (No. 23), landed inside the Top 25.
RELATED: Core Jackson Named CBN All-Canadian First Team
5️⃣ guys from our squad have been named among @d1baseball preseason top prospects in the @Big12Conference
🎟️ https://t.co/vHfcj77Zn4
📰 https://t.co/yu61nzckBJ#GoUtes— Utah Baseball (@utahbaseball) January 23, 2025
Returning pitcher Merit Jones and shortstop Core Jackson lead a Utah baseball team that looks to shed its underdog label in the Big 12.
Joining the duo is heavy-hitting outfielder Kaden Carpenter. Colter McAnelly returns for his sophomore season after cementing a starting role in his first season in Salt Lake. Freshman Dillon Fine looks to be Utah’s next breakout starting pitcher as he battles for a role on the staff.
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Merit Jones | Junior | Starting Pitcher
The Idaho Falls, Idaho native showed massive growth throughout 2024. After striking out 49 in 13 starts as a freshman, Jones became Henderson’s primary Friday starter early in the season. He made 13 starts, ending the year with a 3-5 record and a 5.66 earned run average in 68.1 innings.
RELATED: Utes Projected 12th In First Big 12 Preseason Poll
Jones entered his name into the 2024 MLB Player Draft and was selected by the Minnesota Twins with the 608th selection in the final round. Jones chose not to sign, returning to Salt Lake to raise his draft stock this spring.
Core Jackson | Senior | Shortstop
Jackson returns to the Utah lineup after earning Pac-12 All-Conference and being named to the Canadian Baseball Network All-Canadian First Team following his junior season.
Core Jackson (Wyoming, ON) with Utah Utes @utahbaseball #18 in D1Baseball’s Top Big 12 Prospects for upcoming 2025 MLB Draft.
Named to the Pac-12 All-Conf. Team in 2024, Jackson started 52 games at shortstop a year ago, slashing .363 / .463 / .516,..https://t.co/BWfYbPQ5gx— Canadians in US College Baseball (@CollegeBaseba12) January 24, 2025
Jackson excelled after being inserted into the leadoff spot by head coach Gary Henderson. The Wyoming, Ontario, Canada native slashed .363/.463/.516 with 78 hits, 15 doubles, and 41 RBI. Jackson was also a menace on the base paths, finishing tied for second in the conference with 17 stolen bases.
Kaden Carpenter | Junior | Outfielder/DH
The former American Fork Caveman played 51 games in 2024 (35 DH, 9 OF) and figures to be an even more significant part of the lineup this spring. Roughly the size of a barge, Carpenter slashed .278/.374/.481 on the year with nine doubles, three triples, six home runs, 26 RBI, and 16 walks.
The Utah County product has started 60 games for the Utes as he prepares for his junior year. He has eight long balls and 37 RBI. His career average is .276.
Colter McAnelly | Sophomore | Starting Pitcher
Utah Athletics’ Rookie of the Year in 2024, McAnelly was named to the Preseason Pac-12 Impact Freshman team by D1Baseball.com. The Cheyenne, Wyoming product lived up to the billing with a solid first campaign.
McAnelly ended the year with a 5-4 record and a 4.76 ERA in 51 innings. He was fourth on the squad with 45 strikeouts.
Dillon Fine | Freshman | Pitcher
Dillon Fine, the lone Utah freshman to earn recognition, joins the Utes after finishing a decorated career at Homedale High School in Caldwell, Idaho. A four-year letter-winner as a quarterback and safety, Fine excelled on the diamond.
The 6’3 righthander was named the Idaho 3A State Player of the Year in 2024 after going 12-0 with a 0.37 ERA and 126 strikeouts. Fine was named All-Conference all four years at Homedale and earned conference MVP honors twice.
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Utah baseball opens the 2025 season on Valentine’s Day with a four-game series against Pepperdine on Friday, February 14. Utah opens its final season at Smith’s Ballpark on March 18 against Northern Colorado.
Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on Twitter and Instagram at @bpreece24.
