Let’s get into Mock Draft 2.0. There have been some changes since 1.0, and some major movers up and down the board.
1. Washington Nationals – Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater (OK)
The first and second picks are the flip of a coin to me. Partially because I think both orgs will most likely lean towards an underslot option, but also because neither the Nationals or the Angels can be trusted in their decision-making. With that said, Holliday is the choice here. If selected here, it will be the first time brothers are both selected first overall after Jackson was selected first overall by the Orioles.
Unlike his brother, Jackson, Ethan is a power-over-hit prospect. Standing in at 6’4″, 200 lbs, Ethan has present big-league raw power. Last summer, the power did not show up consistently in game against the top competition, but those concerns have been alleviated after an elite spring.
The question surrounding Ethan will be his ability to hit for average. There is a lot more swing and miss in his game, and as already mentioned, he struggled against some of the top competition last summer. He will need plenty of development to reach his ceiling, and I don’t know if the Nationals are the organization to maximize his potential. If it all clicks with Holliday, he has the potential to be a superstar with his raw tools.
2. Los Angeles Angels – Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
Arnold will have a shot to be selected number 1 overall, but if they go for Holliday, I would be shocked if the Angels passed on him. He is a college player who will be a safe bet to move fast through the Angels’ system, which has seemingly been a prerequisite for their 1st round picks.
You can see a full breakdown I wrote on Arnold here. Arnold’s best offering is his fastball, which does not light up the radar gun but still generates a ton of swing and miss, especially at the top of the zone. He is a low launch release with a -4.18 VAA, which creates the rising allusion for hitters. This season, the pitch only generated a 29.4% whiff rate, but last season it generated a 47.7% whiff at the top of the zone. Arnold’s slider has also flashed plus this season, generating a 46.3% whiff rate on the year.
The development of his 3rd pitch was the main question mark coming into the year, and it has seemingly been solved. He added a splitter, which is generating a 53.7% whiff rate, compared to his changeup, which generated an 18% whiff rate last season. Three plus pitches with plus command will be hard to pass up for a team desperate for MLB help.
3. Seattle Mariners – Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
Kade Anderson has had a massive season for the LSU Tigers. He has pitched to a 3.54 ERA with 145 strikeouts and just 24 walks in 89 IP. The meteoric rise has put him firmly in the conversation for SP1, and with the Mariners’ track record with pitching development, I think it would be a match made in heaven.
Anderson’s success this year has been primarily with his 4-seam fastball. The pitch has generated an impressive 38% whiff rate, with a 23.2% chase rate. It does not feature elite velocity, only averaging 93.1 mph, and topping out at 96.8, but it plays up due to 20.1 IVB.
Anderson also features 3 above-average to plus offspeed pitches. The slider has generated a 31.4% whiff rate this spring, while his curveball has generated a 32.8% whiff rate, and the change-up has generated an impressive 47.6% whiff rate. The ability to throw an elite fastball/change-up combo with above-average strike-throwing ability gives Anderson a high floor to start at the next level.
4. Colorado Rockies – Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
This selection will ultimately come down to who, between Doyle and Anderson, is available. The Rockies know they will never be able to sign free-agent starting pitching, so they have to prioritize it through the draft and development. With the selection and success of Chase Dollander, they have also realized they need to put a priority on high, vertically moving fastballs. Doyle fits that mold.
Doyle’s best pitch is his fastball, which has taken a massive leap this year. It was an effective pitch in 2024 with a 33% whiff rate, averaging 92.5 mph, topping out at 96.1. This season, he has seen a jump in velo, raising his average velo to 95.6, and his max velo is up to 99.5. The pitch has generated an outstanding 39.7% whiff rate on the season. Combine that with a splitter flashing plus with a 43.2% whiff rate, and you have 2 above-average to elite pitches. Doyle really struggled down the stretch, but the stuff has been impressive enough to warrant a top 5 selection.
5. St. Louis Cardinals – Billy Carlson, SS/RHP, Corona (CA)
Sticking with the same selection from the original mock draft here because the marriage makes too much sense. I watched Carlson play in person last Spring, and not only did he feature an effortless 97 off the mound, but he showcased impressive power, hitting a walk-off triple off the wall to the opposite field. For only seeing three innings, it was a lasting first impression.
Carlson has legit two-way skills. Like current Cardinal, Masyn Wynn, he may have to settle on one side of the ball, but he has draftable traits on the mound and as a hitter. For my money’s worth, I think he is selected as a hitter. He showcases impressive bat-to-ball skills with present bat speed. It is more of a line drive approach, standing in at 6’1″, 160 lbs, it is easy to see him growing into more power. Combine that with 70-grade arm strength and above-average defense up the middle, and it will be a hard profile to pass on. Worst case scenario, he moves to the mound if it doesn’t work.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates – Aiva Arquette, MIF, Oregon State
Arquette entered the season as the presumed successor to last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Travis Bazzana, at Oregon State. While he didn’t match Bazzana’s production, he showed enough growth to draw serious interest from a Pirates team in dire need of MLB-ready offensive talent at No. 6 overall.
Arquette’s main area for development was to hit the ball in the air more often. Last season, he averaged a 93.1 mph exit velocity but only hit 12 home runs. The reason was a 26.5% barrel rate. This year, that number improved, but not substantially. He has risen it up to a 32.1% rate, which has increased his slugging from .574 to .676. He is a free swinger with solid contact skills, with a 77.9% contact rate and a 22.9% chase rate.
Arquette entered the year as a top-15 pick, but an opportunity to rise to the top 5-10 with improvement. So far this year, he has been more of the same, but with the lack of college position player talent in this draft, he will be in serious top 5 conversations.
7. Miami Marlins – Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (CA)
Another selection is staying the same from the original mock. Hernandez is your typical prep right-handed arm, but just a little more polished. Standing at 6’4″, there is projection to his frame, but he already runs his fastball up to 97-98. He is an athletic mover, which allows him to repeat his mechanics, and fill up the zone with 4 pitches. Another positive for Hernandez that sets him apart from the typical prep righty is that his best secondary pitch is his changeup. Most prep arms throw wicked sliders as hard as they can, but Hernandez shows good feel for a changeup that allows him to neutralize left-handed hitters.
He also throws a curveball and slider that flash potential, but the combination of athleticism with a plus FB/CH combo makes him an intriguing name in the top 10. The Marlins have not been afraid of prep arms, so the selection of Hernandez makes the most sense compared to the teams ahead of them, which have historically preferred college prospects.
8. Toronto Blue Jays – Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn
Irish might be my favorite position player profile in the whole college class. Last season, he hit .319/.403/.627 with 14 home runs and only 29 strikeouts in 47 games. He then carried that momentum into the Cape with a solid summer. He then turned in an unbelievable second half of the season on the way to a .352/.457/.674 season with 16 home runs and 34 strikeouts in 50 games.
The combination of plus bat to ball skills, with above-average power is impressive. Irish averaged 94.4 mph exit velocity on the season. On top of hitting the ball extremely hard, he also has above-average contact with a 79.4% contact rate. When the original mock was written, Irish only had 3 extra base hits. Why? An 11.6% barrel rate. Well, from March 23rd on, he hit .381/.469/.784 with a 24.3% barrel rate. If those adjustments are legit, his best baseball may be ahead of him.
In my original mock, I concluded the Irish breakdown with this: “I can see this going two ways: either Irish starts to elevate the baseball and goes bonkers for the rest of the season, or a team takes his impressive data in hopes that he elevates the baseball. He is not a plus defender behind the plate, so it will be interesting to see where he plays, but the data tells a different story than the production. I am calling my shot on this one.”
Well, Irish answered the bell, and in return, is rising up draft boards because of it.
9. Cincinnati Reds – Gavin Kilen, SS, Tennessee
Another riser from the Tennessee Volunteers, Kilen came into the year with question marks about his quality of contact. He answered those questions in a big way.
Last year at Louisville, he managed to hit 9 home runs in 54 games while only striking out 22 times. Combine that with a free-swinger mentality, which led to him only walking seven times during the 2024 season. The question entering the season was, imagine what Kilen would be capable of if he kept those bat-to-ball skills and just simply swung at more strikes and hit the ball harder?
Well, Kilen has made that look easy. During the 2025 season, Kilen finished the year with 15 home runs and a .686 slugging percentage. Combine that power production with 26 walks and only 24 strikeouts, and you have a prospect who kept his bat-to-ball skills while improving his power and swing decisions. The data tells the same story. He finished the year with a 25.2% barrel rate, with an 83.3% contact rate and a 24.4% chase rate. After coming out of the gates hot, Kilen reverted back to his 2024 aggressive approach. It is not elite power output, but when we look at what pro organizations prefer, they want a combination of serviceable power with plus bat-to-ball skills. They believe they can get more power out of prospects if they make enough contact.
Kilen to the Reds makes a lot of sense because they have a lot of MLB-ready pitching talent. If they can start to combine that with some advanced bats, their window for success can be right around the corner.
10. Chicago White Sox – Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
Witherspoon is a really fun prospect, and in the right system, I wouldn’t be surprised if he became one of the top players in the class. The White Sox have really revamped their pitching development, and Witherspoon could be the next in line for top arms in the system.
Witherspoon has a fun combination of pitches. He features a fastball with plus potential, averaging 96.2 mph, topping at 99.3. As a slightly undersized arm, he is able to attack the top of the zone with a -4.43 VAA. His most-used secondary pitch is a slider/cutter offering that reaches 91.8 mph and has generated a 35.9% whiff rate. He also flashes a changeup and curveball that both flash potential, with the CB generating a 55.6% whiff rate, and the CH generating a 45.0% whiff. He hardly uses them, but shows they have the potential to generate swing and miss when he throws them.
11. Athletics – Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona
Another one of my risers this season, Summerhill has been extremely impressive to start the season. He came into the year as a potential top-10 pick, but I had my concerns. In 2024, he was solid with a .324 average, 8 home runs, and 16 doubles in 58 games. While he showcased the contact skills to be a top-10 pick, I wasn’t sold on the power. During the season, he averaged 87 mph exit velocity with metal while showcasing plus bat-to-ball skills and okay swing decisions. Those numbers have all improved.
While battling injuries this spring, Summerhill averaged 90.2 mph exit velocity while improving his bat-to-ball skills and swing decisions. He is currently rocking an 87.0% contact rate while only swinging at 19.1% of pitches out of the zone. Those trends are positive and have been a huge part of his .386 this season. The home run production did not show up with only 3, but the progress is obvious.
This selection would be very similar to the Athletics selection of Jacob Wilson. Elite bat-to-ball skills with questionable power. They have had success with that prospect type in the past, and I expect them to entertain the idea of going that direction again. Even without the power output, you are buying stock in a prospect heading in the right direction.
12. Texas Rangers – Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)
Willits was a reclassification from the 2026 class, and he will most likely be the youngest player selected in this draft. Many organizations value age when taking high school prospects, which will increase his profile, but the skills alone are top of the line either way.
Right now, Willits is a hit-over-power prospect, but with a 6’1″, 180 lb frame, it is easy to imagine him growing into more. That is always an obstacle for switch hitters, but at the very least, there is present plus bat-to-ball skills, and a projectable frame to add more power.
The Rangers have never really had a type, they are typically best player available, no matter the demographic. Grabbing Willits here would fit that mold.
13. San Francisco Giants – JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (MS)
In what will be a new era for the Giants, we do not have any history on their draft trends. In the past, they have seemingly prioritized bats in the early rounds, and Parker would be the best bat available at this point. Heck, Parker might have an argument to be the best overall hitter in the class, so getting him at 13 would be a no-brainer.
Parker is currently a hit over power left-handed bat, but standing in at 6’2″, 200 lbs, it is easy to imagine there is more power in the bat. His current approach is primarily gap-to-gap, line drive focused, which is why the consensus has him with a 60 grade hit tool. Those skills are a great foundation for a hitter because when you combine plus bat-to-ball skills, and add natural strength and muscle, that is typically when you get the most well-rounded prospects. Parker is one of the major risers in this class, and it is starting to feel like 13 might be the floor of where he is selected.
14. Tampa Bay Rays – Kayson Cunningham, SS, SA Johnson (TX)
One of the main skills the Rays want to use in their position player selections is athleticism. Last year, they selected Theo Gillen, who was one of the better athletes in the class, and this year Cunningham would fit that mold.
Cunningham is your typical hit-over-power prospect. He has one of the best hit tools in this prep class and flashes really impressive bat-to-ball skills. Standing at 5’9″, 170 lbs, there isn’t a ton of power to dream of, but there is bat speed and could grow into average power with maturity. So many young hitters like Cunningham can get away with a simple “just make contact” approach due to their speed and bat to ball skills. Cunningham’s ceiling will be determined by his ability to develop physically and learn how to become a more well-rounded hitter. At the least, his speed and hit tool combo will make him a hot commodity come July.
15. Boston Red Sox – Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon (WA)
The Red Sox offensive development has been impressive. It has not translated directly to wins at the big league level (yet!), but what they have accomplished with Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell is not by accident. Neyens could fall right in line with that trio of accomplished prospects.
Neyens is more like Anthony than Mayer and Campbell, as he is a physical 6’4″ left-handed power-hitting prospect with swing-and-miss concerns. There are questions about how well he will be able to hit, but the power is legit. Getting him into the Red Sox system and getting their developmental hands on him would be a recipe for success.
16. Minnesota Twins – Jace Laviolette, Texas A&M, OF
Anybody who follows college baseball will know the season did not go as planned for anybody associated with Texas A&M. The preseason consensus #1 team missed the postseason, and Laviolette was a part of those struggles. He has never been a high-average hitter, but he finished the season hitting .258, and did not showcase nearly as much power as he did the last two seasons. He finished the year with 18 home runs and a .576 slugging percentage, which is a far cry from the 29 he hit in 2024.
With that being said, the track record for success is there. I am not bullish on the hit tool, mostly because his best average for a season was .305, which is far from elite, but the power is legit. Even in a down year, he averaged 92.8 mph exit velocity while only chasing 17.2% of pitches out of the strike zone. Similar to Nick Kurtz last year, that is the combination of a modern-day power hitter in professional baseball. The contact rate is a massive concern, though. On the year, he finished with a 71.2% chase rate and a 25.2% K rate. If he is going to be anything more than a 3 true outcome player, the hit tool will need to be better.
The Twins feel like a perfect match. Being at 16, they will be more willing to bet on Laviolette’s talent that led to many believing he would be a top 5 pick. In a year where everything went wrong for the Aggies, Laviolette wasn’t able to stay on track for a successful season.
17. Chicago Cubs – Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak (CA)
While the Cubs have gone college bat in every draft recently, I believe Fien fits the mold of what they prioritize in a hitter. The common denominator between recent 1st round selections Matt Shaw and Cam Smith was above-average contact rates with above-average exit velocities. Fien falls into a similar mold.
As a 6’3″ corner infielder, you would imagine Fien is a power first profile, but he’s not. He does not chase power and prioritizes the ability to make consistent line drive contact, a similar approach to both Shaw and Smith. Fien’s ability to have the foundation of a solid hitter with an impressive frame makes it easy to imagine he has plus power in the tank. Combine that with the ability to stick at 3rd, and I think the Cubs would be a very good match for Fien.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks – Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest
Historically, the D-Backs have prioritized ball players over raw tools. They care about the ability to make consistent contact, play defense, and run, which happen to be all things Houston does really well. He played as a true freshman for a National Championship contender while hitting .220 simply because of his defense. But this year, Houston has shown up as a different guy. He was always tagged with the negative “good ball player” tag, but this year he is seeming more and more like a certified dude.
Houston finished the season hitting .351 with a career-best 12 home runs. Combine that with only 41 strikeouts and 43 walks, and you can see the massive strides he made. Coming into the year, there were questions about his potential to hit for power; he only hit 8 home runs all of last season, but he has proven those wrong. He isn’t clobbering the baseball, with only an 86.6 average exit velocity, but there is an art to pulling the baseball in the air with below-average exit velocities (i.e. Alex Bregman). Those advances of power, combined with an 82.5% contact rate, plus defense, and speed, will make any organization ecstatic.
19. Baltimore Orioles – Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina
The Baltimore Orioles need pitching, bad, but I would not expect them to change their draft strategy anytime soon. Their process is seemingly to take the safer bet, hitters, early in the draft who fit their desired profile, then try to find pitchers with outlier stuff later in the draft. While historically that is a sound process, the only part of that equation that has worked is the development of hitters, and the lack of pitching development is the reason they are having a horrible season with one of the best young cores in the league. I don’t see the decision makers opening their minds to any new ideas anytime soon.
With that said, as a draft-eligible sophomore, Stevenson shows impressive maturity, as he caught almost every single game for UNC as a freshman. His ability to play defense and command a pitching staff is an old-school scout’s dream. But the data also loves Stevenson. His numbers have slightly regressed this season, lowering his average from .284 to .268, but the power ticked up, finishing the year with 18 home runs. While the production is not elite, the underlying metrics are impressive.
So far this season, he is averaging a 96.2 mph exit velocity, which puts him around the top of this draft class. Combine that contact quality with a 15.1% chase rate, plus defense, and leadership, and you have a power-hitting, well-rounded catcher. He might never hit for a high average, with just a 73.1% contact rate, but the combination of defense and power from a premium position is one that very few teams will want to pass on. He fits the Orioles’ typical mold of first-round bats.
20. Milwaukee Brewers – Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville (AL)
Draft history shows that the Brewers prioritize athleticism in their first-round selections. Hall, the SS of Alabama, is one of the most athletic players in the class who is trending up.
After reclassifying from the 2026 class, Hall will be one of the youngest players on draft day. His best tools are his speed and defense, but he also showcases potential with the bat. It is a bat-to-ball focused approach, but considering he is 6 feet, 180 lbs, it is easy to imagine him growing into more power as he adds muscle. He has added 15-20 lbs of muscle this spring, and the results have been evident. Hall’s athleticism and ceiling will make him a great match for the Brewers.
21. Houston Astros – Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
Wehiwa Aloy came into this season with a lot of question marks. After transferring to Arkansas from Sacramento State, there was some regression in his game. This is expected for a player’s first season in the SEC, but the question remained: was he going to regain his freshman-year form? After winning the SEC Player of the Year, that question is seemingly answered.
He finished the season hitting .353/.437/.668 with 18 home runs and 17 doubles. This season is coming off a summer in the Cape Cod, where he was one of the best players and showcased impressive power with wood with 8 home runs in 21 games. The 2025 version of Aloy looks much more like the player many expected when he transferred to Arkansas.
Aloy has some free-swinger mentality to him, but historically, the Astros value production first and foremost. He swung at 29.1% of pitches out of the zone, which is concerning, especially considering his contact rate was 72.1% at the end of the year. Swinging and missing while chasing pitches out of the strike zone is a worrisome trend. He made up for it with a 91.4 average exit velocity, which gives you a potential three true outcome hitter who can stick up the middle. If the contact improves, he could be one of the top players in the class.
22. Atlanta Braves – Tyler Bremner, RHP, UCSB
The Braves have made a trend out of selecting pitchers in the first round of the draft, and I anticipate this year will be no different. Bremner is an above-average arm across the board. He finished this season pitching to a 3.49 ERA with 111 strikeouts and 19 walks in 77.1 IP. This is coming off a year in which he pitched to a 2.54 ERA with 104 strikeouts and 21 walks in 88.2 IP.
Bremner’s best pitch is his changeup, which is an effective swing-and-miss pitch to both righties and lefties. The pitch has generated a 46.3% whiff rate so far this season. He combines that pitch with impressive fastball velocity, as he averages 95.3 mph, topping out at 98.4. The fastball is not an elite swing-and-miss offering, as it has only generated a 29.1% whiff rate, but he commands it really well. The slider is an above-average offering with a 27.5% whiff rate, but it is not as dominant as the changeup. The combination of three above-average pitches with plus strike-throwing ability will intrigue the Braves this late in the first round.
23. Kansas City Royals – Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek (GA)
Pierce is your prototypical prep middle infield prospect. He showcases a gap-to-gap approach, focused primarily on bat-to-ball skills over power. There is more power in the frame to dream on as he matures and adds weight. The defense and speed are his calling card, and many who see him play in person say he has a high baseball IQ. His ceiling will ultimately depend on how much his approach matures. If he can maintain his bat-to-ball skills while adding power, he will be a prospect who can stick up the middle. Not that the Royals need a SS of the future, but his skillset would fit a safe selection at this point in the draft.
24. Detroit Tigers – Sean Gamble, SS/OF, IMG Academy (FL)
With the next 4 teams drafting, there is going to be a run on prep prospects, starting with Gamble to the Tigers. The Tigers have shown an affinity for prep prospects who showcase plus bat-to-ball skills and hit tools while also having above-average tools across the board. Gamble is an interesting combination of profiles similar to Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark. He doesn’t have the defensive skills or speed of Clark, but the offensive profile is similar. Both McGonigle and Clark have thrived with the Tigers, and Gamble would be in a position to do the same.
25. San Diego Padres – Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset (OR)
The Padres love their prep prospects, specifically ones with high ceilings. AJ Preller & Co. seemingly feel like there is a market inefficiency in prep talents who fall into the 20s. As more information becomes public, most teams want the peace of mind of knowing more about the players they draft. The Padres continue to trust their scouts’ eyes, or at the very least, trust the fact that these players in the early 2000s would be selected in the top 10, which is accurate.
Schoolcraft feels like a Padre. Standing at 6’8″, he showcases MLB-level tools on both sides of the ball. It seems that pitching is where he will settle due to his impressive combination of three plus pitches. The fastball runs up to 97 but doesn’t feature the modern-day life and spin that many look for. However, with his size, it plays up due to extension down the mound. His best offering is a slider that flashes plus and has legit two-plane break. Schoolcraft also features a changeup that flashes plus potential. There is concern about his ability to repeat his mechanics with his long limbs, but the fact that he is athletic enough to hit at the pro level should bode well for his future.
26. Philadelphia Phillies – Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian (NC)
The Phillies love high school talents. They don’t have a specific type of high school talent, selecting everything from high-ceiling arm in Andrew Painter to strike-throwing arm in Mick Abel. Or on the offensive side, a contact first hitter in Dante Nori or a power first bat in Aiden Miller. No matter the type, they just prefer high school talents.
Hammond is one of the fastest risers in this class. A 2-way talent committed to Wake Forest, Hammond is more likely to be selected as a position player. A physical presence at 6’1″, 210 lbs, Hammond is currently a power over hit prospect, but not by much. He showcases power to all fields, but not at the sacrifice of his contact skills. This spring, he has really focused on his approach, and it has led to improvements in his hit tool. The improvements in the hit tool will make Hammond a hot commodity this July, and the Phillies would make a lot of sense based on their track record.
27. Cleveland Guardians – Slater de Brun, OF, Summit (OR)
The Guardians seemingly prioritize contact skills over anything when drafting a position player. If you do not have a baseline of contact skills, they will not entertain the idea of drafting that player. Slater de Brun fits that mold.
Standing in at 5’1″0, 187 lbs, he has an undersized but maxed-out frame. That is going to limit his power potential, but there is present bat speed in the profile. The bat-to-ball skills and speed are where de Brun thrives. This would be business as usual with the Guardians.
Prospect Promotion Incentive Picks
28. Kansas City Royals – Mason Neville, OF, Oregon
Athleticism and power. While it was just one selection, the Royals taking Jac Caglianone in the 2024 draft showed that they will prioritize athleticism and power if it is available to them. Neville fits the bill and is likely to be available this far back in the draft.
Coming into the year, Neville had shown impressive power but lacked consistency. In the 2024 season, he hit 16 home runs and slugged .664, but that came with 60 strikeouts and a .268 average in 56 games. If Neville could refine his approach a little, many assumed he would be a big riser in the 2025 class.
Well, after a .293/.443/.745 season with 26 home runs and 16 doubles, it is evident that he improved. There are contact concerns from his 63 strikeouts, but that came with a 73.5% contact rate. Combine that with a 19.4% chase rate, and the foundation is there, even with the high strikeout numbers. Neville has one of the highest ceilings in the class and is trending in the right direction.
Compensation Picks
29. Arizona Diamondbacks – Cam Cannarella, OF, Clemson
Cannarella has been a favorite amongst people in draft circles after bursting on the scene with a .388 average as a true freshman while stealing 24 bases. He showcased plus bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline while playing plus defense in Center Field, all while impacting the game with his legs. Cannarella was the early front-runner for 1st overall pick, but as of now, it seems Cannarella’s peak was his freshman season.
The narrative coming out of 2024 was that Cannarella spent much of the season playing through a shoulder injury. That explained the decrease in production, including 0 stolen bases for a plus runner. That was supposed to be behind us. But 2025 has been more of the same. He only has 3 home runs with a .339 average and 6 stolen bases. Not exactly the progress many expected this year. Cannarella has regressed every year in college.
With all that said, Cannarella fits with the Diamondbacks. He is an undersized left-handed hitting center fielder with plus bat-to-ball skills (79.3% contact rate). He has the opportunity to grow into more power, and the D-Backs pride themselves on taking players of this prototype. If the trends continue, Cannarella very well could be available for the D-Backs at 29.
30. Baltimore Orioles– Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest
I had Conrad originally being taken by the Orioles at 19th overall. The reason for the move to 30 is that he is currently dealing with a shoulder injury that is going to keep him out for some time. I think if he comes back and produces the way he was, 19th overall will be in the conversation.
Conrad is the perfect Oriole prospect. He showcases impressive contact quality with a 91.9 mph average exit velocity while still making contact with 82.4% of pitches he swings at. The Orioles’ track record for success with prospects like Conrad will create the best scenario for both parties.
31. Baltimore Orioles – Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana
The Orioles’ offensive preference is a hitter who showcases above-average contact quality without any sacrifice of power. Think of it like a graph. They want someone above average in how hard they hit the ball (not necessarily elite), and above average in how often they make contact (again, not necessarily elite). They believe they can develop those types of hitters to maximize their power, without sacrificing contact skills, which they do at an impressive rate.
Taylor has been extremely productive with a .374 average and 18 home runs in 55 games. The data emphasizes the quality of his skill set. He is averaging a 93.9 mph exit velocity while making contact with 81.6% of pitches he swings at. Combine those two skills with a 17.2% chase rate. In all honesty, the only thing stopping the Orioles from getting him at 31 is if someone takes him sooner. That combination of skills is elite by any standard and fits exactly what the Orioles want in a prospect.
32. Milwaukee Brewers – Andrew Fischer, 1B/3B, Tennessee
In the 2024 draft, the Brewers selected Blake Burke later in the draft due to his impressive combination of bat-to-ball skills and power. Well, rinse & repeat, and the Brewers are taking a 1B from the Tennessee Volunteers again this season.
Fischer transferred to Tennessee from Ole Miss after flashing impressive power potential, but not hitting for a high average. This season, that narrative completely shifted. Not only did he continue to hit for power with 22 home runs and 14 doubles, but he combined that with a .340 average. He also lowered his strikeout totals from 53 to 37 and raised his walks from 35 to 58. Fischer became a complete hitter right before our eyes.
The data paints an impressive story for Fischer. He averaged a 93.4 mph exit velocity while making contact with 77.2% of pitches he swung. While 77.2% is not elite by itself, it is when you consider the power numbers Fischer put up. For good measure, he only chased at 18% of pitches outside the strike zone. That is an impressive combination of plate discipline, contact skills, and power. As with Taylor, the only way the Brewers don’t take Fischer here is if someone gets him in the top 15.
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on Instagram & Threads @kuwasemiller.bksy.social on BlueSky)
