2025 MLB Mock Draft 2.0

The 2025 Major League Baseball Draft will take place on Sunday July 13th live from Atlanta, Georgia in advance of the All Star festivities. In a change this year, the first three rounds will take place on night one of the draft while rounds 4-20 will conclude on Monday July 14th. Previously, the 20 round baseball draft consumed three calendar days.

The Washington Nationals have the #1 overall pick in the 2025 draft and that slot comes with a record bonus slot of $11,075,900. The Los Angeles Angels will pick second while the Seattle Mariners will be choosing third. The teams with the largest bonus pools throughout the entire draft are the Mariners with a total pool of $17,074,400 and the Tampa Bay Rays with a pool of $16,699,400.

The White Sox finished with the worst record in baseball in 2024 but lottery rules prevent them from selecting in the top nine in back-to-back seasons. They hold the first overall selection in rounds 2-20. The club has $12,777,555 to spend on the class with the incorporation of their 5% overage. The 10th overall pick is slotted for $6,238,400.

Here was my first attempt at a full Mock Draft for 2025. Mock Draft 2.0 is below.

1. Washington Nationals: Ethan Holliday, 3B, Stillwater HS (OK)

The Nationals aren’t likely to make their decision until the day of the draft and there will be multiple players in the mix. This could ultimately be a quick moving starting pitcher but Holliday is very much in the mix to follow in his brother’s footsteps and go #1 overall.

2. Los Angeles Angels: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU

The Angels have taken lots of college performers and quickly moved them to the big leagues. Anderson is a 6-2, 190 pound southpaw who starred as the best pitcher in college baseball last season. He could pitch in the big leagues later this season.

3. Seattle Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State

The Mariners decide to go with the top college hitter in the class instead of the next best arm. The 6-5, 220 pounder hits from the right side and could stay at shortstop. Arquette has shown a plus hit tool with the potential for 25+ homer power.

4. Colorado Rockies: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (CA)

Hernandez is the best pitcher in the class but comes with the stigma of being a prep right hander. The 6-4, 190 pounder has true #1 starter potential with elite stuff, a loose delivery and great command. He’s a projectable power arm with premium stuff and multiple plus pitches.

5. St. Louis Cardinals: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State

The 6-1, 190 pounder southpaw has been steady all season and has displayed a high 90’s fastball with a plus sweeper and feel for a changeup. This could be another prep infielder spot but Arnold throws lots of strikes and seems pretty safe here.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Eli Willits, SS, Fort-Cobb Broxton HS (OK)

Willits reclassified and the 17-year-old would be the youngest #1 pick ever if he were to cut a deal with the Nationals. He’s a switch-hitter and could be a plus defender with a polished bat. The Pirates have been linked to prep bats throughout the process.

7. Miami Marlins: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS)

The Marlins have been tied to prep bats throughout the process. The best prep hitter in Mississippi this year, the 6-2, 200 pounder has shown hitting ability and athleticism. Parker could have a plus hit tool with average power but he likely moves off of shortstop as a professional.

8. Toronto Blue Jays: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee

They haven’t been tied to Liam Doyle but the 20-year-old southpaw has the best fastball in college baseball with a four pitch mix. He could move to the big leagues quickly for Toronto.

9. Cincinnati Reds: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma

The Reds could go many different directions here with the next prep shortstop or college bat off the board. Ultimately, I went with the best college righty in the class. The 6-2, 205 pounder has shown a fastball that gets into the high 90’s consistently with multiple plus offerings. Improved command and mechanics have him firmly in the top ten discussion.

10. Chicago White Sox: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)

The White Sox have been tied to the prep shortstop group. They’d love if Billy Carlson got to this spot but I’m not sure just how likely it is. Carlson might be the best shortstop in the class and he should definitely stay at the position. With athleticism, bat speed and plus defense, the California prep has lots of tools. He will be 19-years-old soon after the draft. Steele Hall and JoJo Parker are other names to monitor at this spot.

11. Athletics: Ike Irish, C, Auburn

The Athletics have done well with a focus on college bats lately. Irish isn’t likely to catch in the big leagues but his bat is good enough in a weak college class of hitters to go in this range. The switch-hitter could maximize his offensive upside with a move to the outfield.

12. Texas Rangers: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)

Hall is another prep hitter who reclassified for 2025. The 17-year-old shows plus-plus speed and he can definitely remain at shortstop. There are some hit tool concerns but the Alabama prep displays a quick, right-handed swing and he could have 15 homer potential.

13. San Francisco Giants: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest

The 6-3, 205 pounder is the best defensive shortstop in the 2025 class. Houston hits from the right side and was great in the Cape Cod League as well. Houston hasn’t been as strong in ACC play but he clubbed 13 homers with a .352/.459/.578 triple slash on the year.

14. Tampa Bay Rays: Gavin Kilen, SS, Tennessee

The Rays could go almost any direction in this spot but they opt for the college bat early to focus on preps with their next two picks. Kilen could stay at shortstop and he’s one of the best hitters in the SEC. There’s a lack of wood bat success in the profile the left-handed hitter could be quick to the big leagues with average power.

15. Boston Red Sox: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas

There are some rumors about interest in California prep infielder Gavin Fien but Boston has taken a lot of college bats in recent years. This time, they opt for the Golden Spikes winner.

16. Minnesota Twins: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona

The 6-3, 200 pounder could play center field and he was an All Star on the Cape last year. He flashes as a dynamic player on both sides of the ball. Summerhill is a Chicago area product from Whitney Young High School.

17. Chicago Cubs: Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas

This is a similar move to when the Cubs drafted the rising Cade Horton out of Oklahoma. Wood is a bit of a pop up prospect due to his eletric stuff and he hasn’t thrown many innings in college. There’s helium for him to go in this range.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (TX)

Arizona could go a bunch of directions but settle on a polished infielder from Texas. Cunningham will be 19-years-old on draft day and likely ends up at second base as a professional. The infielder has a stellar hit tool and he doesn’t swing and miss often.

19. Baltimore Orioles: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M

LaViolette could go higher than this as he was pre-season favorite to go #1 overall. He has huge power with a left-handed swing and he should be able to handle center field. There are very real swing and miss concerns but the Orioles took Vance Honeycutt in 2024 and the players have some similarities.

20. Milwaukee Brewers: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (GA)

Pierce is an 18-year-old with a great approach at the plate who controls the strike zone and makes contact to all fields. The 6-0, 185 pounder has 12-15 homer potential with plus speed and he’s a definite shortstop long-term. He’s been lauded for quality makeup as well as a coach’s kid and he should add more strength as he gets older.

21. Houston Astros: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA)

Neyens has premium power potential from the left side and he should stay at third base. There are some hit tool concerns but the Astros have been linked to the Pacific Northwest prep for some time.

22. Atlanta Braves: Tyler Bremner, RHP, California Santa Barbara

The Braves love taking pitching in the first round. Bremner still could go much higher than this but Cleveland ends his fall. Lots of teams have reliever questions due to his lack of extension but he’s been good down the stretch.

23. Kansas City Royals: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset HS (OR)

Brian Bridges and company in Kansas City love big lefties. Schoolcraft is a massive two-way player who likely gets drafted to perform on the mound.

24. Detroit Tigers: Slater de Brun, OF, Summit HS (OR)

This Oregon prepster fits the mold of what the Tigers have done in recent years and de Brun is a 17-year-old undersized outfielder from the Pacific Northwest. He can really hit though and likely stays in center field long-term.

25. San Diego Padres: Dax Kilby, SS, Newman HS (GA)

Dax Kilby had a tremendous showing at the scouting combine. He’s a polished Georgia prep who should be in the mix with the other first round shortstops. Padres continue their run of taking high school players.

26. Philadelphia Phillies: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oaks HS (CA)

The Phillies are another team who prioritize prep talent in the first round. Fien was great on the showcase circuit last year but wasn’t as good this spring. The 6-3, 200 pounder likely profiles at third base and the Phillies would be betting on the bat here.

27. Cleveland Guardians: Andrew Fischer, OF, Tennessee

Fischer shows big time all fields power but lacks a defensive home and could end up at first base. He fits what Cleveland usually looks for in the offensive profile.

Prospect Promotion Incentive Draft Pick

28. Kansas City Royals: Josh Owens, SS, Providence HS (TN)

Owens is a 6-3, 185 pound left-handed hitter who is currently a hit over power guy but he possesses plus-plus speed and big tools.

Compensation Draft Picks

29. Arizona Diamondbacks: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina

The Diamondbacks go a little safer with their second pick after taking a prep guy in the teens earlier.

30. Baltimore Orioles: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina

Stevenson is the best catcher in the class and he’ll be 20-years-old on draft still. The left-handed hitting backstop has plus power potential from the left side.

31. Baltimore Orioles: Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest

Conrad would’ve gone higher than this but he missed the majority of the season with a shoulder injury. He makes lots of hard contact and possesses big time left-handed power. He likely plays in an outfield corner.

32. Milwaukee Brewers: Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana

Taylor has some defensive concerns and he’s likely slated for left field but he has prodigious left-handed power and on-base ability.

Competitive Balance Round A Draft Picks

33. Boston Red Sox: Cam Cannarella, OF Clemson

Cannarella was a pre-season top ten type but he’s been nursing a shoulder injury all season. He can hit and plays center field.

34. Detroit Tigers: Tate Southisene, SS, Basic HS (NV)

The Tigers continue their recent trend of nabbing prep players.

35. Seattle Mariners: Aaron Watson, RHP, Trinity Christian HS (FL)

The Mariners took a college southpaw in the first round and follow it up with a high-upside prep righty similar to their strategy in 2024.

36. Minnesota Twins: Riley Quick, RHP, Alabama

The Twins follow up their Summerhill pick with a big right hander also from the college ranks.

37. Tampa Bay Rays: Josh Hammond, SS, Wesleyan Christian HS (NC)

Hammond could go higher than this but the Rays push him down the board here. Hammond has plus raw power with the ability to hit 25 homers annually. The 6-1, 210 pounder hits from the right side and likely finds a home at third base as well. Power over hit profile could appeal to teams in this range.

38. New York Mets: Anthony Eyanson, RHP, LSU

Eyanson is a 6-2, 210 pounder with a fastball that gets up to 98 mph. He’s a good athlete with a plus slider as well.

39. New York Yankees: JB Middleton, RHP, Southern Mississippi

Up arrow arm for the Yankees and their pitching development team. Middleton could end up going in the 20’s.

40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Quentin Young, SS, Oaks Christian HS (CA)

A huge upside swing for the Dodgers here by taking the 6-6, 225 pound nephew of the famous Young brothers. He has shown huge exit velocities and physicality and he’s just 18-years-old after reclassifying.

41. Los Angeles Dodgers: Patrick Forbes, RHP, Louisville

Forbes is a 6-3, 225 pound righty who avergaed nearly 15 K/9 this season at Louisville. He has a big fastball and multiple pitches.

42. Tampa Bay Rays: Jack Bauer, LHP, Lincoln Way East HS (IL)

Bauer hits triple digits from the left side with his fastball but he’s always struggled with command. The Mississippi State recruit could go in this range. The 6-3, 190 pounder displays good mechanics but must throw more strikes.

43. Miami Marlins: Jaden Fauske, OF, Nazareth Academy (IL)

The 6-3, 200 pounder has basically moved off of catcher but should start his career in center field before moving to a corner. The LSU commit has lots of showcase success and he’s been a disciplined hitter as an amateur. The left-handed hitter has 20+ homer potential.

White Sox Draft Picks

44. Sean Gamble, CF/SS, IMG Academy (FL)

The White Sox would love for Gamble to get down to this spot in a similar fashion to former Michigan prep Caleb Bonemer last year. Gamble is an Iowa product who transferred to IMG Academy and he’s played center field and done nothing but hit.

76. Taitn Gray, C/OF, Dallas Center-Grimes HS (IA)

Gray is a 6-4, 220 pound Iowa prep who catches but could move to the outfield. He has displayed huge velocity and was a combine standout. The left-handed hitter has some of the biggest power in the prep class. He might not make it to this spot.