Two big NM prep baseball stars are moving to Arizona

With both eyes directed with laser focus toward their futures, New Mexico’s talent drain will be Arizona’s talent gain.

Probably the two most elite prep baseball prospects in New Mexico from the Class of 2027 are leaving to finish their prep careers in the Phoenix metro area.

Big-hitting Colton Floyd, 17, one of the key contributors on Sandia’s 2025 Class 5A state championship team and a Texas A&M commit, is joining defending Arizona Class 6A state champion Corona del Sol in Tempe.

Los Lunas outfielder J.J. Utash, who has committed to the University of Texas, is transferring to Williams Field High in Gilbert and in fact already has made the move.

Both say the fertile Arizona soil, as it relates to grooming baseball prospects for the next level(s), factored heavily into their decisions.

“In my opinion, it’s better competition for me to prepare for the (2027 MLB) Draft and hopefully raise my stock,” said the imposing 6-foot-5, 235-pound Floyd, who is leaving Albuquerque on Saturday. “If I don’t get drafted, I’ll be prepared for A&M, and just trying to be the best baseball player I can. In Arizona, it’ll take me to a new level.”

Utash, during the Covid pandemic, established some solid relationships on a club level with players and coaches in Arizona, including Williams Field coach Jeff Landry.

“He is super good at developing players,” said the 6-4, 205-pound Utash. “Me and my family thought it would be better to head out here and be coached by coach Landry and develop me so I can head to Texas and be a contributor right away.”

The current NIL environment most certainly figures heavily — metaphorically and literally — into these transfers. Even if neither turns pro after their prep careers, and both of them could potentially become a high-round pick, there is a considerable amount of money to be made when they both arrive in Texas to begin their college careers, and the move to Arizona could enhance their NIL value.

“That’s a fair thing to say,” Utash said. Landry coached Utash at the club level.

“We want to do what’s best for us and what our future holds,” Utash said. “Playing better competition is definitely a huge factor.”

Floyd and Utash are just two of the latest New Mexico athletes who have departed the state’s prep ranks in order to find something in another state that is more attuned with their needs as they prepare to transition to Division I sports. Eldorado’s Bella Hines (LSU) and Los Lunas’ Jalin Holland (now at Colorado) both did something similar before their senior years.

“He’s got a great opportunity with what he’s been offered in Texas. He is very aware of what he needs,” said Josh Utash, J.J.’s father. “If Texas is where you’re wanting to be, (this move) gets you in front of the right coaches to prepare you for SEC baseball.”

Utash hit .526 last spring for the Tigers, who were a state semifinalist. He had an OPS of 1.502.

Floyd also hit .526 and had a slugging percentage of 1.105, and looks every bit like a future Major Leaguer. He hit eight home runs and drove in 42 runs for Sandia. Of note, he was intentionally walked eight times just during the playoffs, a simply astonishing – and, frankly, unheard of – number for a New Mexico hitter. Floyd’s monster bat had become THAT fearsome to opposing dugouts.

“At least from the hitting side, (the move) will help me. I’ll face better pitchers,” Floyd said.

Floyd said he had been thinking about such a move for a couple of years.

“It was kind of a joke, I went out there over the (Christmas) break, trained with a couple of big leaguers, hit with them … baseball out there is different,” Floyd said. “That sealed the deal for me. If I want to do this at the highest level, this is going to help me.”