9/8/24

2025 Draft - B/R's Way-Too-Early 2025 MLB Mock Draft

 



B/R's Way-Too-Early 2025 MLB Mock Draft –

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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:

Mack Ade said...

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

Tom Brennan said...

I also imagine that we will slip places due to the lux tax penalty, and end up around 30?

D J said...

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.

Mack Ade said...

D J - probably not. Close, but no cigar

Remember1969 said...

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.

TexasGusCC said...

When I hear Matt Scott, I think Mike Scott. Still haunted by him I guess