Just Baseball’s 2025 MLB Mock Draft 2.0

We are less than a month away from the MLB draft, so why not attempt another test in futility?

Things are starting to become a bit clearer, though we’ve still got a long way to go in terms of completing the puzzle. The discourse over the 1.1 pick will continue up to the final moments of July 13th. In this mock, Tyler and Conor attempt to dissect the murky waters of this class and utilize industry chatter and trends to put together this piece.

1. Washington Nationals – SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS

Slot Value: $11,075,900

The Nationals are keeping things sealed, to say the least. There’s not a ton of confidence in who the correct pick is at this moment, though the likelihood that a haircut deal happens here is evident.

We’ll bank away from others and go with Eli Willits here, though it’s a dart throw, assuming he provides the biggest haircut for the Nationals. It comes down to either him or Ethan Holliday on the prep side. Collegiately, Kade Anderson and Aiva Arquette are the likeliest of the bunch.

2. Los Angeles Angels – LHP Kade Anderson, Louisiana State

Slot Value: $10,252,700

It’s the world’s worst-kept secret that the Angels will select a player capable of moving at light speed through their system. They’ve been heavy on pitching throughout the spring, so any of the three left-handers makes sense here.

Anderson has had more helium than almost any player of the entire draft cycle and would be an excellent addition to a system currently lacking in SP depth. Also, keep an eye on Aiva Arquette here if they pivot to a bat.

3. Seattle Mariners – SS Aiva Arquette, Oregon State

Slot Value: $9,504,400

The Mariners do like Kade Anderson, and if the Angels do not select him, he’s the likely pick here.

However, the Angels pick in this scenario, and while they are connected to some high-upside prep guys, Arquette is viewed as the safest collegiate option here. He’s a legitimate shortstop with robust power, even if there are some questions to be answered. JoJo Parker and Seth Hernandez would make sense, too.

4. Colorado Rockies – SS/3B Ethan Holliday, Stillwater HS

Slot Value: $8,770,900

No player-team connection in the first round makes more sense than Ethan Holliday and the Colorado Rockies, for many reasons. Beyond the family connection, the Rockies organization is in desperate need of a dopamine boost amidst a record-breaking (in the worst way) season.

Even if Holliday were to move off shortstop, the offensive tools will play beautifully at third base in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field.

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

Slot Value: $8,134,800

The Cardinals have taken a profile similar to Arnold’s in the past, though that was a different regime, and Arnold is arguably a step better than Hjerpe was. FWIW, Bloom has only taken one college arm in his career (Brendan McKay).

While Arnold has had his hiccups in 2025, especially with his heater, the track record is there. Arquette is heavily rumored here, plus Seth Hernandez makes a ton of sense here, even with the scary nature of his demographic.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates – SS Billy Carlson, Corona HS

Slot Value: $7,558,600

The Pirates added a premium athlete in the form of Konnor Griffin with their first selection of ’24 and could wind up doing the same with Corona (Calif.) standout Billy Carlson in this draft.

Carlson has been up to 97 on the mound from the right side, but his future is on the dirt where his buttery smooth actions and bounce make shortstop his undeniable long-term home. I see some Carson Williams (TB) in Carlson’s game, who’d immediately give the Bucs two of the most exciting young prospects in all of baseball.

7. Miami Marlins – SS/3B JoJo Parker, Purvis HS

Slot Value: $7,149,900

Parker is arguably one of this draft class’s most slept-upon players. He has suitors throughout the top ten and even has connections to the top five. Miami has scouted him heavily, and if he’s here, this is a likely spot.

Some scouts have gone as far as putting a 70 on the hit tool, and there’s burgeoning power, plus he could grow into more athleticism and handle the left side of the dirt. It would be a huge win for this regime.

8. Toronto Blue Jays – RHP Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma

Slot Value: $6,813,600

It sometimes feels like Witherspoon can get lost in the shuffle among the three college lefties (Anderson, Doyle, Arnold) and Seth Hernandez, but don’t be surprised if he winds up as one of the best starting pitchers from this class.

The former Sooner is a great athlete with a dynamic one-two punch via a riding fastball and bullet slider, as well as tons of experience against advanced competition (SEC, Cape, Team USA). Toronto would be more than happy to snag him here if they fear there’s too much reliever risk in Liam Doyle’s profile.

9. Cincinnati Reds – RHP Seth Hernandez, Corona HS

Slot Value: $6,513,800

Yes, we understand that Hernandez has the tools and stuff to go off the board much earlier, but again, the prep pitching demographic is amongst the most volatile in the draft. It requires a ton of patience, which not a ton of teams possess.

Cincinnati has done this before with Hunter Greene, reaping the rewards now. This is likely Hernandez’s floor, but it’s a solid fit nonetheless. If Hernandez goes well higher, Ike Irish and Liam Doyle make a ton of sense.

10. Chicago White Sox – LHP Liam Doyle, Tennessee

Slot Value: $6,238,400

Watching Liam Doyle pitch is, to put it simply, must-see TV. It’s brash, in your face, and there are a lot of moving parts.

It’s hard to know exactly which direction the White Sox are leaning here (potentially turning to His Holiness for guidance?), but they’ve had some success developing southpaws with loud stuff (Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith) and could decide to continue the trend here.

11. Athletics – OF/C Ike Irish, Auburn

Slot Value: $5,985,100

If Ike Irish were to drop out of the top ten picks, the Athletics would pounce on the opportunity to add his bat to their prospect pool. Irish very well could race through the minor leagues, as it’s one of the more potent offensive profiles, though where he’ll play long term is up for debate. He’ll get a chance to catch at the next level, but his likely place is in the outfield.

Brendan Summerhill and Marek Houston are other names to keep track of here.

12. Texas Rangers – OF Brendan Summerhill, Arizona

Slot Value: $5,746,800

Despite losing a fight with a water cooler earlier this season, Arizona’s Brendan Summerhill possesses one of the highest floors of any bat in the ’25 class. It’s a fluid swing from the left side with a great feel for the barrel and projectable frame that could lend itself to at least average power in the future.

Combined with a good chance to stick in center field, it’s hard to see Summerhill getting out of the first 15 picks. Local product Kayson Cunningham is also likely to be under consideration at this spot.

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

Slot Value: $5,524,300

There’s not much more upside to tap into with Houston, but he’s a safe option for the Giants that can stick at shortstop and has the bat-to-ball skills to hit for average at the next level. He’s relatively filled out and the pop is limited, but it’s a profile that can stick at shortstop.

The Giants may value some of the higher upside prep shortstops, like Steele Hall.

14. Tampa Bay Rays – SS Steele Hall, Hewitt-Trussville HS

Slot Value: $5,313,100

The Rays love themselves a twitchy, prep middle infielder, and Alabama native Steele Hall certainly checks those boxes.

Hall is already one of the youngest players in the class and will appeal to several model-driven teams in this range. Another prep SS, Daniel Pierce (Ga.), could be in the mix here, as well.

15. Boston Red Sox – 2B/SS Gavin Kilen, Tennessee

Slot Value: $5,114,200

The likelihood that Kilen drops out of the top fifteen is very low at this stage. His new approach boosted his draft stock massively, plus he’s shown the ability to play shortstop at the next level.

It’s a step away from their recent trends, as Boston tends to go for toolsy preps, which makes Xavier Neyens a popular suggestion here.

16. Minnesota Twins – OF Jace LaViolette, Texas A&M

Slot Value: $4,929,600

It would have been hard to believe mocking LaViolette at this spot before the season, but it’s looking more and more like a possibility as we approach draft day. While the criticisms of the swing/miss and approach are completely valid, the floor for an athlete of LaViolette’s size, combined with double-plus raw power, makes him, at worst, an extremely valuable platoon outfielder at the major league level.

17. Chicago Cubs – RHP Tyler Bremner, UC Santa Barbara

Slot Value: $4,750,800

Bremner’s late-season resurgence may mean he goes higher than this, but the Cubs miss out on Steele Hall in this scenario. They love athletic upside, which makes Daniel Pierce a legitimate possibility.

However, Bremner is a potentially high-floor starter with a 70 change and a solid heater. If the Cubs can rework his slider, there’s a chance he can return to 2024 form.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks – 2B/SS Kayson Cunningham, Johnson HS

Slot Value: $4,581,900

It may be tempting for Arizona to snag another undersized prep outfielder (Slater de Brun) here, but instead, we’ll add a dynamic athlete on the infield in Texas native Kayson Cunningham.

It’s a smaller frame, but Cunningham does an excellent job at limiting swing/miss from the left side and is a plus runner with good range and a nonzero chance to stick at shortstop.

19. Baltimore Orioles – 3B/OF Xavier Neyens, Mount Vernon HS

Slot Value: $4,420,900

Neyens fits the Orioles’ mold to a tee. They love finding guys with the ability to punish the baseball and draw a copious amount of walks in the process, which is what Neyens is capable of.

It feels like a bit of a match made in heaven this far out. If Jace LaViolette makes it this far, this is a likely destination for him, too.

20. Milwaukee Brewers – SS Daniel Pierce, Mill Creek HS

Slot Value: $4,268,100

This is the range we’re most likely to see teams choose their preferred prep SS profile and for those reasons, Mill Creek (Ga.) SS Daniel Pierce lands with Milwaukee.

Pierce is an explosive athlete with solid actions on the dirt and could grow into more power as he matures physically.

21. Houston Astros – SS Wehiwa Aloy, Arkansas

Slot Value: $4,122,500

Aloy likely hears his name called higher than this, which leaves the Astros looking for a college arm with quality fastball characteristics.

However, Aloy’s profile shares some similarities to Brice Matthews. It’s a huge power bat from the right side with a better glove at the “six.” This is a fit that makes too much sense.

22. Atlanta Braves – RHP Riley Quick, Alabama

Slot Value: $3,983,900

Quick is an imposing presence on the mound (6-foot-6, 260 pounds) and has made a quick recovery from elbow surgery during the ’24 season.

There’s a lot to like with the profile, pitchability, and shapes, which Atlanta could pounce on here should they continue their trend of six consecutive pitchers with their first selection.

23. Kansas City Royals – 3B/RHP Josh Hammond, Wesleyan Christian Academy

Slot Value: $3,852,100

The Royals have a hefty bonus pool to play with this summer, which means a splash is likely.

Hammond has a ton of suitors in the early twenties, and while he’s likely a third baseman, it’s hard to ignore the pop and tools in the dirt. He’s athletic and provides high upside, which Brian Bridges loves.

24. Detroit Tigers – 3B Gavin Fien, Great Oak HS

Slot Value: $3,726,300

The brother of A’s farmhand, Dylan, Fien has skyrocketed up boards with a strong showing on last year’s summer circuit. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Fien is extremely physical in the box with ample bat speed and an ability to generate tons of loft. The actions on the dirt are somewhat clunky, but the arm strength will play at third base or right field in the future.

The current Texas commit would be an excellent addition to a young, talent-rich Tigers system as the major league club is currently setting the pace in the American League.

25. San Diego Padres – OF Slater de Brun, Summit HS

Slot Value: $3,606,600

This may be a very interesting spot in this draft. Yes, the Padres love preps, but they’ve also got the third-lowest bonus pool total in this class. This may handicap them from going for a big fish.

However, de Brun seems to be a realistic option. It’s a toolshed from the left side that’s eerily similar to Slade Caldwell from a year ago. Time will tell how things shake out here, but there are a few college options to consider here for once.

26. Philadelphia Phillies – C Luke Stevenson, North Carolina

Slot Value: $3,492,200

Stevenson enters the draft as an eligible sophomore and checks all the boxes of your prototypical college catching prospect.

There are some contact concerns, but also enough power and defensive ability to feel confident that the former Tar Heel can advance fairly quickly through his future team’s system.

27. Cleveland Guardians – C Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina

Slot Value: $3,382,600

Bodine is a finished product, and he’s an unorthodox catcher with a plus hit tool and minimal pop, but he’s a legitimate catcher with insane receiving skills.

He’s ended the season on a high note and likely pushes himself into the backend of the first, and Cleveland tends to pick these kinds of profiles. It’s not a surefire thing, but Bodine could rush through the minors.

28. Kansas City Royals – LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset HS

Slot Value: $3,282,200

Schoolcraft is undeniably one of the best names in this draft and though he’s spent time as a two-way player, there’s currently more upside on the mound. It’s a monstrous frame (6-foot-8, 230 pounds) with a fastball up to 97 and huge extension down the mound.

He’s more of a project than some of the other prep arms from the class, but certainly one that the Royals would feel that their patience would be justified based on the Oregon native’s immense upside.,

29. Arizona Diamondbacks – 1B/OF Andrew Fischer, Tennessee

Slot Value: $3,191,100

Fischer likely helps the Diamondbacks save some money with Cunningham at 18, but Fischer should be viewed as more than that.

His approach is sublime, and while the exit velocities don’t pop off the page, Fischer lifts the ball regularly and pulls it with authority. He’s a bit positionless, but that shouldn’t be a huge detractor in his profile. The bat plays.

30. Baltimore Orioles – OF Mason Neville, Oregon

Slot Value: $3,113,300

Perhaps no transfer portal change of scenery benefitted a player in terms of draft value than outfielder Mason Neville’s move from Fayetteville to Eugene.

The former Duck possesses explosive bat speed and, while susceptible to his share of swing/miss, is a good enough athlete to stick in center field. Baltimore has a track record of developing bats and could be a great fit if they buy into Neville not being a one-year wonder.,

31. Baltimore Orioles – OF Cam Cannarella, Clemson

Slot Value: $3,042,800

Cannarella struggled at the start of the year, and the lack of power is a concern, but make no mistake here, Cannarella found his stride late. He finished the season on a 22-game hitting streak and still has the defensive prowess at the “eight.”

While it’s not high-end talent like we saw coming into the year, Cannarella could benefit from getting fully healthy and tweaking the swing.

32. Milwaukee Brewers – LHP Zach Root, Arkansas

Slot Value: $2,970,900

After snagging prep SS Daniel Pierce at pick 20, the Brewers go to the college pitching well in the form of standout Arkansas southpaw Zach Root.

While he’s up to 99 with the fastball, Root’s secondaries flash more potential – with an above-average changeup and slider, he misses a ton of bats. The pure stuff and pitchability lend points to a high floor and would put the bow on a nice haul for Milwaukee within the first 32 picks.

33. Boston Red Sox – SS/OF Sean Gamble, IMG Academy

Slot Value: $2,898,300

Here’s the toolsy prep that was mentioned as a possibility at 15. Gamble is one of the twitchiest guys in this class with pristine power from the left side and an ability to play center, though the hit tool has always been a question mark.

He may go higher than this, but Gamble’s toolset is tantalizing and could allow Boston to buy him down slightly.

34. Detroit Tigers – OF Ethan Conrad, Wake Forest

Slot Value: $2,827,300

Conrad would be off the board much higher than pick 34 if not for a shoulder injury that limited him to just 21 games this spring. It’s a pretty left-handed swing combined with an advanced plate approach and disruptive ability on the basepaths.

35. Seattle Mariners – C/OF Jaden Fauske, Nazareth Academy

Slot Value: $2,758,300

Fauske fits the mold of previous Mariners draft picks with athleticism and tools. He’s a physical lefty with an advanced approach, the ability to play somewhere up the middle, and burgeoning power moving forward.

He’ll likely command some dough from the M’s, which certainly makes this pick feasible with Arquette being the first pick in this scenario.

36. Minnesota Twins – SS Alex Lodise, Florida State

Slot Value: $2,692,000

This won’t be the first time you hear the name “Lodise” called in the 2025 draft, as Alex’s cousin Kyle is another likely Day 1 selection. After winning ACC Player of the Year in 2025, Alex figures to find a home somewhere in the 30-50 range come draft day.

It’s currently a power-over-hit profile, and improvements defensively give more probability of him sticking at short long-term.

37. Tampa Bay Rays – 2B/3B Dean Curley, Tennessee

Slot Value: $2,631,400

Curley has come down to earth after a remarkable freshman campaign, and his defensive woes are well-documented, but there’s uber-quick hands with power from the right side.

He’s either a second baseman or a third baseman, but if the Rays can polish up the hit tool, there’s significant upside here. His tools are similar to previous picks, like Carson Williams. Ryan Mitchell is a potential fit here, too.

38. New York Mets – RHP Gage Wood, Arkansas

Slot Value: $2,569,400

If you’re looking for the ability to miss bats with the fastball, look no further than Arkansas’ Gage Wood. The secondaries haven’t quite caught up with the fastball but Wood would (see what I did there?) likely flourish as a starter in a strong Mets pitching development environment.

39. New York Yankees – 2B/SS Ryan Mitchell, Houston HS

Slot Value: $2,509,500

Mitchell is amongst the buzzier names in this class presently, and while his name is attached to teams higher up, this is a high upside play for the Yankees. Mitchell is incredibly twitchy with standout contact abilities and bat speed, though he may be a second baseman at the next level.

The Yankees have the lowest bonus pool in this class, which makes this a tough scenario.

40. Los Angeles Dodgers – RHP Patrick Forbes, Louisville

Slot Value: $2,443,600

In my first watch of Forbes this spring, “Dodger” was the first word that came to my mind. The former Louisville standout has touched triple-digits on the fastball with an athletic, low-launch delivery and boasts promising secondaries. A strong showing in Omaha could vault Forbes even higher, depending on how much teams have confidence in his starter profile.,