B/R's
Way-Too-Early 2025 MLB Mock Draft –
LINK-
1.
Colorado Rockies: SS Ethan Holliday, Stillwater HS (OK)
After
Jackson Holliday went No. 1 overall in the 2022 draft, his younger brother
could also be the first name off the board when the 2025 draft kicks off.
The
6'4", 195-pound shortstop has a smooth swing, disciplined approach and the
potential for 30-homer power as he grows into his projectable frame.
Even if
he outgrows shortstop, his offensive ceiling is high enough for him to be a
superstar at the hot corner.
2. Miami
Marlins: OF Jace LaViolette, Texas A&M
LaViolette
established himself as one of the top prospects in the 2025 draft when he
posted a 1.047 OPS with 21 home runs as a true freshman.
After an
early run in the Cape Cod League and with Team USA ahead of his sophomore
season, he hit .305/.449/.726 with 29 home runs this spring for a Texas A&M
squad that reached the College World Series.
The
6'6", 230-pound outfielder will need to cut down his strikeout rate after
whiffing 81 times in 68 games at a 24.3 percent clip, but his elite-level
production in the SEC makes him a strong candidate to be the first college
player off the board.
3. Los
Angeles Angels: OF Cam Cannarella, Clemson
Cannarella
showed elite bat-to-ball skills as a true freshman in 2023 when he hit
.388/.462/.560 with 26 extra-base hits and 24 steals.
The
6'0", 170-pound outfielder showed more playable power as a sophomore,
hitting .337/.417/.561 with 16 doubles, 11 home runs and 60 RBI in 58 games.
Cannarella
also profiles as a standout defensive center fielder and should provide
significant value with his glove.
4.
Washington Nationals: SS Brady Ebel, Corona HS (CA)
Ebel
profiles as one of the best pure hitters in the 2025 draft class, and he won't
turn 18 years old until after his name is called on draft day.
The
6'3", 190-pound shortstop is high school teammates with right-hander Seth
Hernandez, who could be the first prep pitcher off the board, so scouts have
already seen plenty of him heading into his senior campaign.
5.
Toronto Blue Jays: C Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina
Bodine
hit .347/.432/.564 with 37 doubles, 20 home runs and 118 RBI in 116 games
during his first two seasons at Coastal Carolina, tallying more walks (65) than
strikeouts (44) in the process.
Aside
from his polished offensive game, he is also an above-average defensive catcher
with a plus throwing arm and good receiving skills.
Franchise
catchers don't come along every year, but Bodine has that kind of potential.
6. Texas
Rangers: RHP Tyler Bremner, UC Santa Barbara
Bremner
got knocked around to the tune of a 5.37 ERA during his freshman season, but it
was backed by a strong 80-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 55.1 innings.
The
6'2", 190-pound right-hander took a huge step forward this past spring,
moving into the rotation full-time and going 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA, 0.88 WHIP
and 104 strikeouts in 88.2 innings.
Bremner's
lively upper 90s fastball is backed by a strong changeup/slider combination,
and he checks all the boxes to be a top-of-the-rotation starter.
7.
Detroit Tigers: OF Ethan Petry, South Carolina
Petry has
been a standout offensive performer in the SEC over his first two seasons at
South Carolina, posting a .341/.471/.686 line with 44 home runs and 128 RBI in
124 games as a two-year starter.
He has
continued to raise his profile by putting up a gaudy .360/.480/.760 line with
11 home runs in 31 games in the Cape Cod League this summer.
The
6'4", 230-pound slugger might end up limited to first base defensively,
but his bat will play anywhere.
8.
Pittsburgh Pirates: OF Devin Taylor, Indiana
After a
terrific freshman season and a strong run in the New England Collegiate
Baseball League that summer, Taylor took another step forward as a sophomore,
hitting .357/.449/.660 with 20 home runs this spring.
The
6'0", 215-pound outfielder has registered elite exit velocity numbers
while also showing a disciplined approach. And after logging a .907 OPS over
116 plate appearances in the Cape Cod League this summer, all signs point to
him being a top-10 selection.
9.
Cincinnati Reds: LHP Jamie Arnold, Florida State
After
scuffling to a 6.34 ERA with a 13.0 percent walk rate as a freshman, Arnold
took a significant step forward in the 2023 Cape Cod League before turning in a
breakout sophomore campaign.
The
6'1" southpaw went 11-3 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 159-to-26
strikeout-to-walk ratio in 105.2 innings this spring, slashing his walk rate to
5.8 percent while showcasing swing-and-miss stuff.
The
development of his changeup alongside a solid fastball/slider combination could
take Arnold's game to another level.
10.
Chicago White Sox: 3B Xavier Neyens, Mount Vernon HS (WA)
Neyens is
a big 6'4", 205-pound third baseman with some of the best raw power in the
2025 prep class and the bat-to-ball skills to maximize his in-game production.
There is
some swing-and-miss to his game, but he is also willing to work a walk and the
natural loft in his swing gives him an unmistakable power profile. He is also a
solid prospect on the mound, but his focus will likely be on hitting.
11.
Oakland Athletics: SS Wehiwa Aloy, Arkansas
Aloy hit
.376/.427/.662 with 14 home runs as a freshman at Sacramento State before
transferring to Arkansas ahead of his sophomore campaign.
His
production dropped a bit with the uptick in competition in the SEC, but he
still hit .270/.355/.485 while matching his home run total with 14 long balls.
A strong
run in the Cape Cod League this summer that included a .309/.352/.642 line and
eight home runs in 21 games has moved Aloy squarely into the top-10
conversation.
12.
Chicago Cubs: RHP Seth Hernandez, Corona HS (CA)
Hernandez
checks all the boxes teams look for in a prep pitching prospect. He has a
highly projectable 6'4", 195-pound frame, clean mechanics, good command,
an electric fastball, an advanced changeup and a good feel for spinning a
breaking ball.
If
there's a knock, it's that he will be 19 years old on draft day and there is
always significant risk with right-handed high school pitchers, but he has a
chance to be the best pitcher in this draft class.
13. Tampa
Bay Rays: 3B Trent Caraway, Oregon State
Caraway
was the No. 74 prospect on Baseball America's predraft rankings heading into
the 2023 draft, but a strong commitment to Oregon State and the ability to be
draft-eligible as a sophomore led to him making it to campus.
A broken
finger cost him two months during his freshman season, but he hit
.339/.431/.516 in 72 plate appearances when healthy and logged an .811 OPS with
four home runs and 21 RBI in 28 games in the Cape Cod League.
Caraway's
huge raw power and plus bat speed could make him one of college baseball's
breakout stars in 2025.
14. San
Francisco Giants: SS Coy James, Davie County HS (NC)
James is
having a standout summer on the showcase circuit and should enter his senior
season as one of the top prep prospects in the country.
The
6'0", 185-pound shortstop has an aggressive approach at the plate, but he
makes consistent hard contact and is just starting to tap into his power
potential.
James
also has the quickness and athleticism to stick at shortstop, which could help
separate him from some of the other top shortstops in the high school class.
15. St.
Louis Cardinals: OF Dean Moss, IMG Academy (FL)
Moss is
on the older end of the prep prospect scale, and he will likely be limited to a
corner outfield spot with average athleticism and arm strength, but he can
flat-out hit.
Despite
his unassuming 6'0", 182-pound frame, he has loud raw power and also shows
a willingness to work a walk that belies his age.
Moss fits
the type of offensive prospect the Cardinals have focused on in recent years.
16. New York Mets: RHP Matt Scott, Stanford
A towering 6'7", 247-pound right-hander, Scott has clean
mechanics for a pitcher his size and a lively fastball with electric life up in
the zone.
His numbers last season do not jump off the page with a 5.96 ERA and
1.36 WHIP, but he did rack up 103 strikeouts in 80 innings.
With more consistent command and an uptick in his secondary stuff,
he could fly up draft boards next spring.
17.
Seattle Mariners: OF Gavin Turley, Oregon State
Turley
has impressive raw tools across the board, and he hit .277/.412/.589 with 19
home runs and 74 RBI in 61 games during his sophomore season at Oregon State.
The
6'1", 185-pound outfielder stands out for his plus power, but he also runs
well and has a cannon arm in right field.
He will
need to make strides with his 27.3 percent strikeout rate to solidify his
status as a first-round pick, and a strong showing in the Cape Cod League was a
good first step.
18.
Boston Red Sox: RHP Cam Leiter, Florida State
Leiter
posted a 4.92 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 56.2 innings as a freshman at UCF, then
transferred to Florida State where his stuff ticked up in his sophomore
campaign.
He
finished 5-1 with a 4.63 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 35 innings over seven starts
before injuries cut his season short, but he was bumping 99 mph with his
fastball while showcasing good secondary stuff.
His
command still needs to improve, but his clean mechanics make it easy to
envision another step forward.
19.
Atlanta Braves: RHP Josh Hammond, Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC)
The
Braves are one of the few teams that have not shied away from taking high
school pitching in the first round in recent years.
Hammond
is a 6'1", 215-pound right-hander with one of the best fastballs in the
prep class, and he was touching 96 mph with his fastball this spring while
showing good late life on the pitch.
He
doesn't have a ton of projection remaining, but he's a good athlete and should
be able to further refine his present stuff.
20.
Kansas City Royals: OF Ty Peeples, Franklin County HS (GA)
Peeples
has some serious helium heading into his senior season, and he offers one of
the more projectable offensive profiles among prep hitters.
He has a
picturesque left-handed swing and plenty of room to add further strength to his
6'2", 185-pound frame, though his present power is already playable.
Peeples
has the speed and instincts to stick in center field, which only raises his
ceiling further.
21. San
Diego Padres: SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)
Originally
one of the top prep prospects in the 2026 draft class, Willits reclassified in
May and will now be eligible for 2025.
He is a
switch-hitter with a smooth, compact swing from both sides of the plate and a
polished overall approach in the batter's box.
His
father, Reggie, played in the big leagues for six seasons with the Angels and
is currently a coach at Oklahoma where he is committed.
22.
Minnesota Twins: C Ike Irish, Auburn
Irish is
a bat-first catcher who could also potentially fit at first base or a corner
outfield spot, though he has improved as a receiver and has a strong arm behind
the plate.
One of
the better prep prospects to make it to campus in 2023, he has turned in two
impressive seasons at Auburn, posting a 1.030 OPS with 14 home runs this past
spring.
Irish
continued to boost his stock this summer by hitting .325/.438/.433 in 144 plate
appearances in the Cape Cod League.
23.
Houston Astros: RHP Chase Shores, LSU
Shores
posted a 1.96 ERA in 18.1 innings of work as a freshman before undergoing Tommy
John surgery and missing the entire 2024 campaign, so he is something of an
X-factor heading into the 2025 season.
The
6'8", 245-pound right-hander touched 100 mph with his fastball in his
limited action freshman year, and he could fly up boards with a healthy start
to next spring.
24.
Arizona Diamondbacks: OF Brock Sell, Tokay HS (CA)
Sell is a
quick-twitch athlete whose stock is on the rise after a strong junior year, and
while he currently offers a hit-over-power profile offensively, there is more
in the tank as far as his power is concerned.
He has
quick hands at the plate, plus speed on the bases and the defensive chops to
stick in center field.
The
D-backs have had success drafting players with his skill set in the past.
25.
Milwaukee Brewers: 3B/OF Quentin Young, Oaks Christian HS (CA)
A
tooled-up 6'5", 215-pound outfielder, Young has some of the most
tantalizing raw power in the 2025 draft, and he will also be one of its
youngest players after reclassifying from the 2026 class.
His hit
tool is still developing and he needs to refine his game top-to-bottom, but the
raw tools are star-caliber.
He is the
son of former top prospect and 10-year big leaguer Delmon Young,
26. New
York Yankees: 1B/OF Nolan Schubart, Oklahoma State
With an
imposing 6'5", 233-pound frame and significant raw power, Schubart fits
the profile the Yankees have often targeted when drafting late in the first
round.
He hit a
gaudy .370/.513/.838 with 23 home runs and 68 RBI in 49 games this spring,
though he has work to do cutting down a 27.4 percent strikeout rate.
Schubart
will likely be limited to first base at the next level, so his offensive game
will carry his value.
27.
Philadelphia Phillies: SS Lucas Franco, Cinco Ranch HS (TX)
A wiry
6'3", 175-pound shortstop, Franco has one of the most projectable frames
of any Day 1 prospect in the 2025 draft class.
He has a
smooth left-handed swing with some natural loft that should one day lead to
plenty of extra-base power. He also has all the defensive tools to stick at
shortstop, though he could shift to third base if he outgrows the position once
he packs on muscle.
Franco is
a developmental prospect, but one with serious upside.
28.
Baltimore Orioles: RHP James Ellwanger, Dallas Baptist
Ellwanger
had a forgettable freshman season at Dallas Baptist, posting a 6.11 ERA with 23
walks and 11 strikeouts in 17.2 innings over eight starts, but he was one of
the breakout prospects in the Cape Cod League this summer.
The 6'5',
200-pound right-hander posted a 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 22-to-5
strikeout-to-walk ratio in 13 innings facing some of college baseball's most
talented hitters, and the draft-eligible sophomore is trending up in a big way
heading into the 2025 season.
29.
Cleveland Guardians: SS Marek Houston, Wake Forest
After
hitting just .220 as a freshman, Houston put together a breakout sophomore
season as the starting shortstop and leadoff hitter for Wake Forest.
He hit
.326/.434/.516 with 25 extra-base hits and 57 runs scored in 54 games while
solidifying his status as a sure-fire shortstop at the next level.
Houston
doesn't offer much in the way of over-the-fence power, but his contact skills,
athleticism and defense give him a high floor.
30. Los
Angeles Dodgers: LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset HS (OR)
One of
the best two-way players in the 2025 draft after reclassifying from 2026,
Schoolcraft is a projectable 6'8", 215-pound left-hander with tremendous
upside on the mound and intriguing power potential as a first baseman.
The
Dodgers love high upside and loud tools, especially drafting late in the first
round, and he offers one of the more intriguing packages of skills in the
entire class.
6 comments:
I know it is too early to predict the next draft but I put this info up here so all of you can begin to familiarize yourself with these players
I also imagine that we will slip places due to the lux tax penalty, and end up around 30?
Is there a pathway for the Mets to get under that penalty for next year? Picking at 30 is not a good place to be in the 2025 draft.
D J - probably not. Close, but no cigar
Good stuff, Mack. Thanks for your efforts in introducing us to these names and bios. Matt Scott - hmm . .a combo of Matt Allan and Christian Scott?? You gotta love the size and the 'electric life up in the zone' if you don't love the ERA and WHIP at this point. It will be interesting watching these guys in the spring seasons before the draft.
When I hear Matt Scott, I think Mike Scott. Still haunted by him I guess
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