Way Too Early MLB Mock Draft

The 2025 MLB Draft will take place on July 13th during the MLB All-Star break, leaving plenty of time for rankings to shift as draft positions solidify. Most high school seasons have yet to begin, but early movement has already occurred in the college season. Unlike last year, the top college hitters have struggled out of the gate, sparking discussions about the possibility of no college bats being selected in the top five. If that happens, it would be the first time since 2022, a year with a below-average college hitting class. While some intriguing college hitters are climbing draft boards, the strength of this class lies in college pitching and the high school talent, which are expected to dominate the top of the draft.

 

1. Washington Nationals – Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State

My mock draft style focuses more on organizational fit than the best talent available. I try to match up what player makes the most sense for what the organization prefers and also has a history of developing well. With that said, my best player available right now is Liam Doyle. However, based on the Nationals’ historical trends, I think they would select Jamie Arnold at 1st overall.

The main reason I think the Nationals lean Arnold is his track record of success compared to Doyle’s meteoric rise early this season. 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. So far this season, the pitch has generated only a 27% 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 58% whiff rate.

The development of his 3rd pitch is one to track, and so far this season it has been impressive. He added a splitter, which is generating a 54% 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 at 1st overall.

 

2. Los Angeles Angels – Tyler Bremner, RHP, UCSB

The Angels have a history of taking safer profiles that are close to being MLB-ready. At the number 2 selection, they are going to have a choice between a lot of options, but Bremner feels more their speed than some of the higher ceiling options. Bremner is an above-average arm across the board. So far this season, he is pitching to a 2.96 ERA with 26 strikeouts and 6 walks in 24.1 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 54.3% whiff rate so far this season. He combines that pitch with impressive fastball velocity, as he averages 95.6 mph, topping out at 98.4. The fastball is not an elite swing-and-miss offering, as it has only generated a 24.1% whiff rate, but he commands it really well. The slider is an above-average offering with a 30.4% whiff rate but is not as dominant as the changeup. The combination of swing-and-miss stuff, with plus strike-throwing ability will the Angels comfortable with him this high.

 

3. Seattle Mariners – Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee

Liam Doyle is this class’ rocket ship. Coming into the season, you would have been laughed out of the room if you mentioned him being taken in the top 5. Now, it seems like a foregone conclusion.

Doyle came out the gates hot. In his first 4 starts, he threw 20.1 IP, giving up 1 run while striking out 45 and walking just 5. Complete dominance. He has slowed a little over his last two starts, but he is still flashing the necessary stuff to have his name called in the top 5.

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 94.9, and his max velo is up to 99.5. The pitch has generated an outstanding 48.2% whiff rate on the season. Combine that with a slider that is flashing plus, generating a 31% whiff rate, and a splitter that is generating a 40.7% whiff rate, and you have all the requisites for a top selection. The marriage with the Mariners would make too much sense here.

 

4. Colorado Rockies – Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater (OK)

I love this pick for so many reasons. Not only is Ethan Holliday the son of former Rockies legend, Matt Holliday, but his skill set would thrive at Coors Field. Unlike his brother, Jackson, Ethan is a power-over-hit prospect. Standing in at 6 foot 4, 200 lbs, Ethan has present big-league raw power. The power has not shown up consistently in game against the top competition, but that should come with age and maturity.

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, but he has the highest potential in the class. I believe Jackson was the safe bet to becoming a productive big leaguer; Ethan isn’t as safe of a bet, but his potential is higher.

 

5. St. Louis Cardinals – Billy Carlson, SS/RHP, Corona (CA)

The first of three Corona High School prospects mocked in the 1st round, Carlson is an impressive athlete. I watched him 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 drafteable 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 foot 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 – Jace Laviolette, Texas A&M, OF

Anybody who follows college baseball will know the season has not gone as planned for anybody associated with Texas A&M. The preseason consensus #1 team has struggled to start the season, and Laviolette is included in that. He has never been a high-average hitter, but he has seen his average drop from .305 to .284, and he has not showcased nearly as much power early as he did last year. His slugging percentage has dropped from .726 to .581, and he has only hit 6 home runs.

With that being said, the track record for success is there. I am not bullish on the hit tool, mostly because he has never hit above .305 in college, which is far from elite, but the power is legit. Even in a down year, he is averaging 93 mph exit velocity while only chasing 16.3% 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. For good measure, Laviolette is also making contact with 78.7% of the pitches that he swings at, which is above average for a power hitter. The numbers might not be ideal, but Laviolette would make a ton of sense for the Pirates, who are in need of ready-made MLB offensive talent.

 

7. Miami Marlins – Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (CA)

Corona High School is going to be this season’s Wake Forest, with a race to see how many top 10 selections they end with. Hernandez has a great opportunity to be selected in the top 5, but I have him going to Miami here at 7.

Hernandez is your typical prep right-handed arm, but just a little more polished. Standing at 6 foot 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 who have historically preferred college prospects.

 

8. Toronto Blue Jays – Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina

Catchers and the Toronto Blue Jays have a historically successful relationship. Those catchers historically have come from the Venezuela pipeline, but Stevenson fits the mold of a catcher the Blue Jays would covet.

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 pitcher staff is an old-school scouts’ dream. But the data also loves Stevenson. His numbers have not changed much on the surface, as he is hitting .284—identical to his 2024 output—and has not displayed elite power. However, the underlying metrics are impressive.

So far this season, he is averaging a 97.7 mph exit velocity, which puts him around the top of this draft class. Combine that contact quality with a 12.3% 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 72.6% contact rate, but the combination of defense and power from a premium position is one that very few teams will want to pass on.

 

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. Well, he has answered those, and then some.

Last year at Louisville, he managed to hit 9 home runs in 54 games while only striking out 22 times. He also had a free-swinger mentality, walking only seven times during the whole season. 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? It’s not that easy, right?

Well, Kilen has made it look that easy. Through 21 games, he has already matched his home run total with 10. Combine that with 20 walks, and only 6 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 is averaging 91.7 mph exit velocity with an 84.1% contact rate, and a 17.9% chase rate. 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. The Joey Gallo’s of the world are things of the past.

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 – 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.

So far, Summerhill is averaging 91.7 while improving his bat-to-ball skills and swing decisions. He is currently rocking an 87.3% contact rate while only swinging at 15.3% of pitches out of the zone. Those trends are positive and have been a huge part of his .414 average to start the season. The home run production has not shown up yet with only 2, but the progress is obvious. Even if the power never shows up this spring, you are buying stock in a prospect heading in the right direction.

 

11. Athletics – 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. I don’t think the A’s are that organization, but they need pitching and Witherspoon would be the best available here.

Witherspoon has a fun combination of pitches. He features a fastball with plus potential, averaging 96.1 mph, topping at 98.8. As a slightly undersized arm, he is able to attack the top of the zone with a -3.97 VAA. His most used secondary pitch is a slider/cutter offering that reaches 91 mph and has generated a 38.2% whiff rate. He also flashes a changeup and curveball that both flash potential with the CB generating a 50% whiff rate, and the CH generating a 66.7% whiff. He hardly uses them, but shows they have the potential to get outs.

 

12. Texas Rangers – Aiva Arquette, MIF, Oregon State

Arquette entered the season as the heir apparent to last year’s 1st overall pick, Travis Bazzana. At the beginning of the year, it seemed like he was going to take that opportunity and solidify himself in the top 10. He has slowed recently, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be taken high.

Arquette’s main development need was to hit the ball in the air more often. Last season, he averaged a 93.1 mph average exit velocity but only hit 12 home runs. The reason why was a 26.5% barrel rate. This year, that number has improved, but not substantially. He has risen it up to a 32.1% rate and has increased his slugging from .574 to .618. He is a free swinger and has regressed a little in the contact department with a 75% contact rate and a 23.7% chase rate. Arquette entered the year as a top-15 pick, but an opportunity to rise to top 5-10 with improvement. So far this year, he has been more of the same, which is a major positive, just not enough to rise.

 

13. San Francisco Giants – Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn

Will Buster Posey select a catcher with his first selection of President of Baseball Operations? Wouldn’t that be something? With Stevenson off the board, next in line would be Ike Irish from Auburn.

Irish mashes. 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. The success hasn’t been great this year, but there are some underlying data points that make him an intriguing prospect.

Irish is averaging a 96.4 mph exit velocity on the season. On top of hitting the ball extremely hard, he also makes a ton of contact with an 81.2% contact rate. What is the reason for starting the season with only 3 extra-base hits? An 11.6% barrel rate.

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.

 

14. Tampa Bay Rays – Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest

Marek Houston feels like a player who thrives under the Rays development system. The things Houston does well have not always shown up in the box score. 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 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.

So far this season, he is hitting .407 with 8 home runs and 8 doubles in 23 games. Combine that with only 11 strikeouts and 17 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 88.9 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 86% contact rate,  plus defense, and speed would make any organization ecstatic.

 

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 foot 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 – Ethan Petry, 1B/OF, South Carolina

The Twins are unpredictable when it comes to draft preferences. Since 2020, they have selected everything from prep right-hander to safe college bat, and everything in between. I wouldn’t call them risk takers or risk averse. With that said, I went with a prospect that just feels like a Twin.

Ethan Petry has been in South Carolina’s starting lineup since Opening Day of his freshman year. He has been one of the best power hitters in South Carolina’s storied history and entered the year with 44 career home runs and a .350 career average. While he struggled with a small sophomore slump, this season he is back to being himself. Petry is hitting .375 with 5 home runs and 8 doubles while walking more than he strikes out. He has shown impressive contact quality with a 95.1 mph average exit velocity, and impressive contact skills with a 77.8% rate. Petry has a little bit of a free-swinger mentality, which could hinder his production at the next level, but his present power and contact skills warrant a selection here.

 

17. Chicago Cubs – Dean Curley, SS, Tennessee

The Cubs really have a type. Matt Shaw and Cam Smith were almost identical data profiles. They both showcased above-average contact skills and contact quality. This year the player who fits that mold is Dean Curley, and he is one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects in this class.

Curley truly is a data darling. So far in the 2025 season, he has averaged 94.4 mph exit velocity while making contact with 79.3% of pitches he swings at and only chased 15.4% of pitches out of the zone. A truly deadly combo. Throw in the fact that he is a draft-eligible sophomore, no different than Cam Smith was in 2024, and you have the added benefit of age on your side. Last year my favorite prospect in the latter half of the 1st round was Carson Benge. The early front-runner this year is Curley. I wouldn’t fault a team selecting him in the top 10.

 

18. 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 so far in 2025, he has been less productive. He only has seven extra-base hits with a .333 average and 1 stolen base. Not exactly the progress many expected this year. Cannarella is regressing.

With all that said, Cannarella fits with the Diamondbacks. He is an undersized left-handed hitting center fielder with plus bat-to-ball skills (79.1% 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.

 

19. Baltimore Orioles – Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana

I have always felt like I have a good read on how the Orioles operate. They stay true to their process, contrary to public perception, as evidenced by this offseason. In the draft room, they have a type. While many have expected them to take a pitcher to strengthen their future on the mound, they continue to prioritize offensive profiles, which they have identified and developed better than any in the league since Elias & co. took over. This year, I expect no different.

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.

All of that is to say, Devin Taylor to the Orioles makes a ton of sense. He has been extremely productive with a .378 average and 8 home runs in 22 games. The data emphasizes the quality of his skillset. He is averaging a 93.8 mph exit velocity while making contact with 79.4% of pitches he swings at. The Orioles would have a field day with that profile. The bigger question is if Taylor continues to play so well, will he be available at 19?

 

20. Milwaukee Brewers – Kayson Cunningham, SS, SA Johnson (TX)

If the Brewers have prioritized anything in the draft, it is athleticism. They are not afraid of prep talents, and more times than not prefer to take pitchers in the later rounds because of how good their in-house development is. The best athlete available at this point in the mock is Kayson Cunningham.

Cunningham is your typical hit-over-power prospect. He has arguably the best hit tool in this prep class and flashes really impressive bat-to-ball skills. Standing at 5 foot 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 playing pepper at the prep level, creating no need to chase power. His speed and hit tool combo will make him a hot commodity come July.

 

21. Houston Astros – Nolan Schubart, OF, Oklahoma State

Nolan Schubart is a fascinating case study. He has massive flaws in his game, which led to 62 strikeouts in 49 games last year, but all he does is produce. Last year he slashed .370/.513/.838 with 23 home runs while battling injuries. This is after hitting .338 with 17 home runs and 20 doubles as a freshman. He has continued to produce this year, making him a fascinating case.

When evaluating talent, there is a balance between what a player has done versus what they can do at the next level. I like to define this as “transferable traits.” You need to find what skills translate to the next level and which ones don’t. This is why we see players hit .400 in the SEC, but .210 in Low-A, while others hit .350 in the SEC, and .280 at the big league level. Certain players can just “out athlete” their competition but struggle to do the same on a level playing field.

That is my concern with Schubart. He crushes the ball, with a 96.4 mph average exit velocity this season. He also only swings at strikes with a 17.7% chase rate. The problem is what happens, or what doesn’t happen, when he swings the bat. Last season, he rocked a whopping 62.9% contact rate. This season, that number has improved and is getting closer to the respectable territory, up to 66.9%. It seems there was an offseason emphasis on Schubart flattening out his swing, which has limited his power production, but improved his contact rate. A worthy price to pay in the eyes of MLB organizations. If you are buying the improvements, Schubart has some of the best potential in the class. Some teams wouldn’t want a profile like his in the 10th round. It’s all preference.

 

22. Atlanta Braves – Patrick Forbes, RHP, Louisville 

Forbes has been one of the best early-season storylines for this draft class. Always featuring premium stuff, he has seemingly found his stride in the Louisville starting rotation. So far this spring, he is pitching to a 3.19 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 9 walks in 31 IP. This is coming off a season where he had a 3.72 ERA with only 32 strikeouts and 15 walks in 29 IP. The improvements are evident.

Forbes features premium velocity, averaging 95.1 mph on the fastball, topping out at 99,7 mph. The pitch has flashed 70 grade with a 33.7% whiff rate, and a -3.9 VAA. Hitters are having a hard time squaring it up. He has also flashed a slider that is playing plus with a 37.2% whiff rate. The concern with Forbes is the fact that he is a 2 pitch guy right now. He only needs those 2 pitches, and they are both really good, but that 3rd offering will need to develop to get rid of the reliever risk label he that is going to carry.

 

23. Kansas City Royals – 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 was he going to regain his freshman-year form? So far in 2025, he looks better.

To start the season, he is slashing .402/.495/.837/1.332 with 10 home runs and 8 doubles. He is very close to matching his career high of 14 home runs from both his freshman and sophomore seasons. This production is coming off a Summer in the Cape Cod, where he was one of the best players and showcased impressive power with wood.

Aloy has some free-swinger mentality to him, which with their selection of Jac Caglianone, doesn’t seem to bother the Royals. He swings at 28.6% of pitches out of the zone, but I believe you can chase if you don’t swing and miss, and Aloy doesn’t. This season he has a 79.2% contact rate, showing impressive bat-to-ball skills. Combine that with a 90.8 average exit velocity, and you have a very intriguing prospect who is going to stick at SS.

 

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 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 scout’s 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 in at 6 foot 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 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 – Brady Ebel, SS, Corona (CA)

The Phillies haven’t shown a major affinity for a certain type of profile, but they definitely prefer prep talents. For a while, I thought they liked high-ceiling prospects either on the mound like Andrew Painter and Mick Abel or Aiden Miller at the plate. However, their selection of Dante Nori goes against the grain. For this selection, I went somewhere in the middle.

Ebel is currently a hit-over-power prospect, but with a 6 foot 3, 190 lb frame, it is easy to imagine there is more power in the tank. He is the son of Dodgers 3rd base coach, Dino Ebel, so there is a feel for what it takes to be a big leaguer. He doesn’t do anything great right now, but as he matures both physically and mentally, multiple plus tools are not out of the question. Ebel is a prospect who does everything really well and could easily grow into doing everything great.

 

27. Cleveland Guardians – Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)

If there are two things the Guardians prioritize in drafting, it is age and bat-to-ball skills. The acquisitions usually come through the international market, but the Guardians always have multiple prospects who hit from both sides of the plate with plus bat-to-ball and defensive skills. That is the mold Willits fits perfectly.

Willits was a reclassification from the 2026 class, and he will most likely be the youngest player selected in this draft. Age has been a commodity for the Guardians historically. Right now Willits is a hit-over-power prospect, but with a 6 foot 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. This marriage makes way too much sense, the most likely reason it wouldn’t happen is if Willits is selected at the top of this class. The profile just fit the Guardians too well to pass up the opportunity to match them up.

 

Prospect Promotion Incentive Picks

 

28. Kansas City Royals – Cameron Appenzeller, LHP, Glenwood (IL)

Big physical left-handed pitcher feels right for the Royals. Appenzeller stands at 6 foot 6, 180 lbs, so there is a ton of projected to his frame. His selection will be on the belief that he can add velocity. Right now, he is topping out at 94, but the pitch plays up due to life at the top of the zone. He combines that with a slider that flashes plus as well as a changeup. There are command concerns due to his long levers, but when he is in the strike zone, his stuff is dominant. He could be a prospect that would thrive in a college development system and be a top 5 pick in 3 years.

Compensation Picks

 

29. Arizona Diamondbacks – Slater de Brun, OF, Summit (OR) 

I have already discussed in detail the D-Backs’ affinity for undersized left-handed hitting outfield prospects, and de Brun fits the mold. Two of the most common comps at the time of the draft are Corbin Carroll and Slade Caldwell. Who were both drafted by? You guessed it, the D-Backs. Standing in at 5 foot 10, 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 D-Backs.

 

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 – Henry Godbout, 2B, Virginia

Godbout also fits the Orioles’ preferred prospect profile. The power is not crazy prevalent, with an average of 89.6 mph exit velocity on the season. Not elite by any measure, but good enough. Where Godbout really intrigues me is his 90.9% contact rate. He truly has plus bat-to-ball skills. If any team can get more power out of the profile, he has the potential to make a massive impact at the next level. Where he makes sense with the Orioles is the fact that they are not afraid to take non-premium position prospects. While some would be scared of a 2B prospect, the Orioles just want 9 guys that rake.

Still no pitcher for the O’s, and yes that is intentional.

 

32. Milwaukee Brewers – Korbyn Dickerson, OF, Indiana

Dickerson is a fast riser in the 2025 class. He was in the conversation for the late 1st round, but it was more organizational preference that led me to drop him to 32 rather than the best available talent.

Dickerson transferred to Indiana after playing sparingly as a redshirt sophomore and has seized his opportunity. So far this season, he is hitting .378/.460/.786 with 11 home runs in 22 games. The data is extremely positive as he has averaged 94.2 mph exit velocity with a 79% contact rate. There is a little bit of chase in his game with a 22.8% rate, but that will clean up with continued playing time. This feels very similar to the Brewers’ selection of Blake Burke, where they grab an advanced bat to pair with an athletic 1st round selection.

 

Photo by MLB.com | By Carlos Leano