2025 Major League Baseball Mock Draft 1.0

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 3-20 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 is my first attempt at a full Mock Draft for 2025.

1. Washington Nationals: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)

Ethan Holliday could be the favorite for this spot but I have the Nationals cutting a deal in this scenario. Washington has spent #1 overall picks on Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper before so they aren’t strangers to picking this high. Willits reclassified and the 17-year-old would be the youngest #1 pick ever. He’s a switch-hitter and could be a plus defender with a polished bat.

2. Los Angeles Angels: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee

The Angels have been very college heavy of late and while Corona, California prep righty Seth Hernandez is intriguing here, college seems to be the route. They’ve been tied to Liam Doyle and the 20-year-old southpaw and he has the best fastball in college baseball with a four pitch mix.

3. Seattle Mariners: 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 Seth Hernandez spot but Arnold throws lots of strikes and seems pretty safe here.

4. Colorado Rockies: Ethan Holliday, 3B, Stillwater HS (OK)

This is the dream scenario for the Rockies and the floor for Ethan Holliday. He’s a big, physical prep third baseman and he resembles his father more than Jackson does. Holliday possesses premium left-handed power and profiles to hit 30 or more per season.

5. St. Louis Cardinals: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU

Anderson has starred as a Sophomore for LSU this year and the 20-year-old seems like a lock for the top ten at this point. This is his big breakout after undergoing Tommy John surgery during his senior year of high school. Anderson has an athletic delivery and multiple plus offerings.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)

The Pirates have been linked to Aiva Arquette and multiple preps. 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.

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

The Marlins have been tied to Willits and Carlson so Parker is a bit of a consolation prize here. 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: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State

Arquette could ultimately go much higher than this as the best college hitter in the class. 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.

9. Cincinnati Reds: 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 could go much higher than this but the Reds would likely end his fall.

10. Chicago White Sox: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (GA)

The White Sox would like to land a shortstop and there are a few off the board. 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.

11. Oakland Athletics: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma

The Athletics would have to be thrilled with this outcome as Witherspoon has emerged as the top 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.

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 SEC play but he clubbed 13 homers with a .352/.459/.578 triple slash on the year.

14. Tampa Bay Rays: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (TX)

Rays 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.

15. Boston Red Sox: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oaks (CA)

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 Boston would be betting on the bat here.

16. Minnesota Twins: Ike Irish, C, Auburn

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.

17. Chicago Cubs: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona

The Cubs should know Summerhill well as he starred for Whitney Young High School in Chicago before attending 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.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian HS (NC)

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.

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: 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.

21. Houston Astros: Gavin Kilen, 2B, Tennessee

Kilen is likely a second baseman but 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.

22. Atlanta Braves: Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas

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 the 20’s and the Braves love taking pitching notoriously.

23. Kansas City Royals: 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.

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

The Tigers have taken lots of prep players 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: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset HS (OR)

Schoolcraft is a massive two-way player who likely gets drafted to perform on the mound. The Padres haven’t been shy about taking prep lefties.

26. Philadelphia Phillies: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA)

Phillies have been high school heavy of late and Neyens has power potential at the hot corner.

27. Cleveland Guardians: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

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.

Prospect Promotion Incentive Pick

28. Kansas City Royals: Matthew Fisher, RHP, Evansville Memorial HS (Indiana)

The Royals received this pick for Bobby Witt Jr.’s MVP exploits. Fisher is a really physical and athletic righty from Indiana. The Royals have taken multiple pitchers from the midwest of late.

Compensation Picks

29. Arizona Diamondbacks: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas

The Diamondbacks went with a power hitting prep infielder with an earlier pick and they go a bit safer here.

30. Baltimore Orioles: Sean Gamble, OF, IMG Academy (FL)

Gamble is an Iowa product who transferred to IMG Academy and he’s played center field and done nothing but hit.

31. Baltimore Orioles: 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.

32. Milwaukee Brewers: Jack Bauer, LHP, Lincoln-Way East HS (IL)

Bauer is a 6-3, 190 pound southpaw who has hit over 100 mph with his fastball this spring. There are some command concerns as well.

Competitive Balance Round A

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: Andrew Fischer, 1B, Tennessee

Fischer shows big time all fields power but lacks a defensive home and could end up at first base.

37. Tampa Bay Rays: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina

Tampa Bay goes with a college catcher with tools after taking a prep hitter with their first pick.

38. New York Mets: J.B. Middleton, RHP, Southern Mississippi

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

39. New York Yankees: Riley Quick, RHP, Alabama

The Yankees took a college righty from the SEC last year and follow it up with another one in 2025.

40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Mason Neville, OF, Oregon

The Dodgers pick again at #41 overall but they use their first selection on a polished college bat from the west coast.

44. Chicago White Sox: Jaden Fauske, OF, Nazareth Academy (IL)

Fauske has lots of support higher than this but the White Sox know him well. He’s a local guy and played on their Area Codes Team. 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.

76. Chicago White Sox: Landon Schaefer, SS, Fayetteville HS (AR)

Schaefer is another player from the White Sox’s Area Codes team and they could focus on more prep players here. The 6-3, 185 pounder keeps getting better and he boasts strong performances with wood bats. Schaefer is an average runner and he likely moves to third base but he also has 25+ home run potential.