On 12-5-24, MLB.com posted their top 100 prospects in the
upcoming draft. Beginning 2-2-25, we will post it in backward order, ending
with the pick for 1.1
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2025/draft/ -
#2 Jace LaViolette
OF Texas A&M
21/years old
6' 6” 230
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 65 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 |
Field: 50 | Overall: 60
Few high schoolers in the 2022 class could match LaViolette's
combination of physicality and athleticism, but swing-and-miss concerns left
teams hesitant to buy him out of his Texas A&M commitment. Three years
later, he's a candidate to become the first four-year college outfielder to go
No. 1 overall since Darin Erstad in 1995 and should surpass Asa Lacy (No. 4 in
2020) as the highest-drafted Aggie ever. He set a school freshman record with
21 homers in 2023 before going deep 29 times and leading Texas A&M to the
Men's College World Series Finals last year.
Possessing as much raw power as anyone in the Draft,
LaViolette is built to crush balls with a quick left-handed stroke, the
strength and leverage in his impressive 6-foot-6 frame and a focus on launching
pitches to his pull side. He also makes quality swing decisions and established
an Aggies record with 64 walks in 68 games last spring. The lone flaw in his
offensive game does scare some teams, however, because he frequently swings and
misses within the strike zone, even on fastballs.
Remarkably athletic for his size, LaViolette posts solid run
times out of the batter's box and is even quicker once he gets going. He played
the outfield corners as a freshman before moving to center field last spring,
with most evaluators projecting him to spend the bulk of his big league career
in right. His power and solid arm strength fit the right-field profile to a
tee.
2-26-25 –
MLB mock draft 2025: Projecting first round for 2025 MLB
Draft
https://sportsnaut.com/mlb/mlb-analysis/lists/mlb-mock-draft-2025/
1. Washington Nationals: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
The Washington Nationals can go in a variety of directions
with the first pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, with no clear-cut top prospect right
now. Infielder Ethan Holiday, out of Stillwater High School offers tantalizing
potential and could add an outstanding left-handed bat to the future Nationals
lineup. However, we take things in a different direction. Jace LaViolette
offers a faster timeline to the big leagues and he might be the best hitter in
the class. He boasts 70-grade power on the 20-80 scouting scale with
above-average athleticism, especially for his size (6-foor-6). Already 21 years
old, LaViolette could be part of the Nationals lineup in 2027.
Jace LaViolette stats (2024): .305/.449/.726, 1.175 OPS, 29
home runs, 81-64 K-BB ratio
2-10-25
FLO Baseball - 2025 MLB Mock Draft 1.0-
https://www.flobaseball.tv/articles/13555752-2025-mlb-mock-draft-10-nats-stunner-with-the-no-1-pick
3. Seattle Mariners: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
Baseball
If there’s a dream scenario of this draft, it’s the Mariners,
a team that has no business picking third, given the championship expectations
and talent on the roster, getting arguably the best prospect in the draft in
the 6-foot-6, 230-pound center fielder from Texas A&M.
LaViolette hit .305/449/.726 with 16 doubles and 29 home runs
for the Aggies and nearly single handedly dragged the lineup to the cusp of a
national championship after Braden Montgomery suffered an injury in the
super-regional round.
Maybe he moves to right field, but he has the athletic
ability to stick at center field. This could be the easiest pick in the draft.
If the draft goes as most experts think, Arnold and Bremner
will be available and could entice the Mariners to move one of their current
rotation members for more offensive help knowing that a pitcher is in the
pipeline for the 2026, or 2027 season, at the very latest.
Of all the draft prospects, LaViolette is the one I would
pick as the quickest to the majors based on exit velocity and his ability to
hit to all sides of the field.
He struck out 81 times and 156 times in two seasons, and that
swing-and-miss number is why teams didn’t aggressively go after him in 2022 as
a high school player. But he did set a record with 64 walks in 68 games with
the Aggies.
2-4-25 –
https://futurestarsseries.com/2025-mlb-draft-top-300-prospects/
1. Jace LaViolette, OF -- Texas A&M
HOMETOWN: Katy, Texas
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 230
BAT/THROW: L-L
One of the more physical players in this class, Laviolette
shows over-the-fence power to all fields and a powerful left-handed swing. The
6-foot-5-inch Aggie hit 21 homers as a true freshman and stole 18 bases. He
parlayed that teenage performance into 29 more homers as a sophomore adding
seven stolen bases for good measure.
Laviolette personifies the lefty-loop zone. The bat path is a
joy to watch, and conducive to utilizing his double-plus raw power. LaViolette
has fluid motions at the plate and violent hips that clear, making way to
significant thump. Already very strong, LaViolette figures to be one of the
slugging mainstays in the class. In terms of his approach, LaViolette posted
well-above-average chase rates as a teenager, and although his contact rates
leave a bit to be desired, he has a ton of time to polish up those skills. His
flyball rates tend to ensure a hefty slash line regardless of any
swing-and-miss he'll display.
Defensively, he's destined for a corner where his
above-average speed projection and above-average throwing arm will stick
long-term. LaViolette glides in the outfield and has shown tremendous feel for
routes and spatial awareness. He can play an average centerfield in a pinch
too.
1-28-25 –
MLB 2025 Mock Draft 2.0: Predictions for Every 1st-Round Pick
2. Los Angeles Angels: OF Jace LaViolette, Texas A&M
A 24.3 percent strikeout rate and 81 strikeouts in 68 games
last season is all that is keeping LaViolette from being the no-doubt No. 1
overall pick in the 2025 draft class. Even with those modest swing-and-miss
concerns, he still hit .305/.449/.726 with 29 home runs and 78 RBI as a
sophomore in the SEC. A step forward in his contact rate this spring could make
the decision a lot tougher for the Nationals, while the Angels are in a great
spot to sit back and see who falls.
1-22-25 –
Just Baseball: 2025 MLB Draft – Top 80 College Prospects
https://www.justbaseball.com/college/mlb-draft-top-college-prospects/?s=03
1. Jace LaViolette – OF – Texas A&M Aggies
HT/WT: 6’6/230 | Bat/Throw: L/L | School: Texas A&M |
Age: 21.7
At 6’6, 230 pounds, LaViolette is an extremely physical
left-handed bat with some of the most robust power in the entire country.
LaViolette has already cranked 50 home runs in his collegiate career and he may
end up amongst the likes of Eddy Furniss and Frank Fazzini on the all-time list
in the NCAA ranks.
It’s a controlled, violent, left-handed swing with a ton of
bat speed and an optimal bat path for doing damage, as he’s a legitimate
all-fields power threat and has cleared the 115 MPH exit velocity threshold in
2024.
His hips clear out quickly, allowing him to get leverage in
his swing and do significant damage. The plate discipline is also solid, as he
rarely expands the zone and has a knack for racking up the walks.
Yes, strikeouts are part of his game, but he’s got time to
polish up the bat-to-ball skills. Despite his size, he moves quickly on the
basepaths and in the field.
He split time between all three outfield positions in 2024,
though he logged a majority of his innings in center. His size, actions, and
arm strength are suited better for a corner outfield position and that’s where
scouts envision his future home.
1-17-25 –
College Baseball Player Of The Year Award Predictions For
2025
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/college-baseball-player-of-the-year-award-predictions-for-2025/
Player of the Year: Jace LaViolette (Texas A&M)
Michael Earley said one of his first priorities upon being
named head coach at Texas A&M over the summer was to ensure that outfielder
LaViolette would spend his junior season in College Station. It was a task that
he quickly accomplished.
Why the rush?
“Because that kid’s special,” Earley told Baseball America.
“I have not seen a player in college baseball—me personally, I’m sure other
people have arguments for other players—who is that big, that strong, the fast,
has a plus arm. I go back to his speed. I’m not sure people know just how fast
he is. He’s the fastest guy on this team and maybe the fastest player I’ve ever
coached. He stole 18 or 19 (bases) his freshman year, and he didn’t steal a ton
last year just because we were trying to keep him healthy. But, the point is,
he’s a real five-tool player.”
LaViolette slashed .305/.449/.726 with 29 home runs, 78 RBI
and 64 walks against 81 strikeouts en route to BA First-Team All-American
status as a sophomore last year. He enters 2025 as our preseason pick for
Player of the Year and stands a great chance to be the first player off the
board in this year’s draft.
1-16-25 -
An Early Look at the Top 30 Prospects for the 2025 MLB Draft
https://lastwordonsports.com/baseball/2025/01/15/top-30-prospects-2025-mlb-draft/#google_vignette –
1. Jace LaViolette,
OF, Texas A&M
The early favorite to go 1-1 in the 2025 MLB Draft. Checks a
lot of boxes that teams in the new model of the draft covet. Good athlete, even
with his 6’6″ frame, looks to be at least an average defender in right field,
and shows power to profile as someone who may hit in the middle of the lineup
one day. There are some swing-and-miss questions on pitches in the zone, but he
has shown an ability to walk, and he offers an elite power tool in the bat.
1-9-25 –
Perfect Game USA
@PerfectGameUSA
2025 PG College Preseason Player of the Year
@JaceLaViolette2
1-8-25 –
2025 MLB Draft: Preseason Top 75 Collegiate Prospects —
Prospects Live
1. OF Jace Laviolette, Texas A&M
Height: 6’6
Weight: 230
B/T: L/L
Draft Day Age: 21 YR 7 MO
Hometown: Katy, TX
At 6'6, 230 pounds, LaViolette is an extremely physical
left-handed bat with some of the most robust power in the entire country.
LaViolette has already cranked 50 home runs in his collegiate career and he may
end up amongst the likes of Eddy Furniss and Frank Fazzini on the all-time list
in the NCAA ranks. It's a controlled, violent, left-handed swing with a ton of
bat speed and an optimal bat path for doing damage, as he's a legitimate
all-fields power threat and has cleared the 115 MPH exit velocity threshold in
2024. His hips clear out quickly, allowing him to get leverage in his swing and
do significant damage. The plate discipline is also solid, as he rarely expands
the zone and has a knack for racking up the walks. Yes, strikeouts are part of
his game, but he's got time to polish up the bat-to-ball skills. Despite his
size, he moves quickly on the basepaths and in the field. He split time between
all three outfield positions in 2024, though he logged a majority of his
innings in center. His size, actions, and arm strength are suited better for a
corner outfield position and that's where scouts envision his future home.
December 23, 2024
Top 50 college baseball prospects for 2025 MLB draft, per
D1Baseball
1 Jace
LaViolette OF Texas A&M
12-23-24
White Sox 2025 MLB Draft Notebook 1.0
https://www.futuresox.net/2024/12/23/white-sox-2025-mlb-draft-notebook-1-0/
2. Los Angeles Angels: Chase LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
The Angels love taking college bats and they get the best one
in the class with this selection. LaViolette is a 6-6, 230 pound outfielder who
has hit 50 homers in two college seasons. It’s a right field profile with
premium power and lots of walks from the left side.
12-10-24 - FSS PLUS:
2025 MLB Mock Draft: So it begins…
https://futurestarsseries.com/2025-mlb-mock-draft/
1. Washington Nationals
Jace LaViolette, OF — Texas A&M
HOMETOWN: Katy, Texas
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 230
BAT/THROW: L-L
LaViolette currently ranks as the No. 1 player in the 2025
class according to our rankings and there’s no reason not to have him in this
spot this early.
LaViolette has established himself as arguably the top
college bat currently available in the 2025 Draft. It’s size, it’s physicality,
it’s left-handed with borderline elite-level power. There’s a strong approach
offensively, above-average run times on the bases and in the field, as well as
the chance to play centerfield if only at a fringy level as a pro. Still, he’s
tailor-made for right field at the next level where he’d be an asset
defensively in almost every way.
LaViolette has shown some swing-and-miss in his game (albeit
not an alarming amount of whiffs), but with another year of seasoning, he could
see that take a jump in his draft-eligible junior campaign.
8/11/24 - Sports Gambling Podcast - 2025 Mock Draft
1.3 - At 6-6, 230 pounds, LaViolette is super physical and
possesses all five tools. It’s a beautiful uppercut left-handed swing that has
50 home runs through two seasons in College Station. During his sophomore year,
LaViolette posted a .305 average and a 1.175 OPS. His above-average speed and
arm strength suggest he could stick in centerfield or could handle RF.
2. Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
While Holliday might be viewed as the top overall prospect in
the 2025 MLB Draft, LaViolette is the clear-cut top college bat on the board.
In two years at Texas A&M, he has hit 50 home runs, including 29 last
season as the Aggies made a run to the final game of the College World Series
finals.
LaViolette’s power looks like it will seamlessly translate to
the big leagues, and he will probably be a fast riser through the minors after
being drafted. He is a legitimate candidate to surpass Holliday with the top
pick, too.
