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Kiley McDaniel
The 2025 MLB draft begins Sunday, so let’s venture how the primary spherical might play out with my mock draft 3.0.
The drama begins proper on the high this yr, because the Washington Nationals have a tough resolution to make with the No. 1 decide per week after firing their general manager.
In a yr and not using a slam dunk high participant, Oklahoma highschool star Ethan Holliday (sure, a son of former major leaguer Matt) and a bunch of school left-handers (LSU’s Kade Anderson, Tennessee’s Liam Doyle and Florida State’s Jamie Arnold) rank among the many high prospects within the class.
Which route will the Nationals go — and the way will the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners observe with the No. 2 and No. 3 picks?
That is my next-to-last mock draft of the 2025 draft cycle, with an up to date 3.1 model coming hours earlier than Spherical 1 begins Sunday. And bear in mind, that is the order through which I feel the gamers will come off the board, whereas my draft rankings are the order through which I would decide the gamers.
Extra protection: Mock draft 2.0 | Big question for all 30 teams
Watch: Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN
1. Washington Nationals
Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
Rank: 1
There may be loads of uncertainty at this decide after the firing of GM Mike Rizzo. The impact, should you consider the excitement within the trade, is that Anderson is now a little bit extra prone to be the decide. I feel it stands at a couple of 55% likelihood it will likely be Anderson, 35% for Ethan Holliday and 10% for Eli Willits/others.
Willits and perhaps Liam Doyle appear to be the main cut-rate choices moderately than prep ace Seth Hernandez, which can be one other impact of interim GM Mike DeBartolo moderately than Rizzo being on the helm.
2. Los Angeles Angels
Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
Rank: 6
Doyle has been tied right here for some time, and with good cause: He would most likely take a below-slot deal and he’s a powerful candidate to be first participant to the large leagues on this whole class. Given his dominating fastball, he might get huge league hitters out proper now, and the Angels could also be aggressive and let him do exactly that, then see if they’ll make him a long-term starter.
Kade Anderson looks as if the highest man on the Angels’ board, although, and thus most likely could be the decide right here if he does not go No. 1. On this situation, I feel this resolution will come all the way down to Doyle, Jamie Arnold or greater reduce versus slot-in Ike Irish. I give Doyle the slight edge.
The Angels love Daniel Pierce however doubtless cannot land him. Keep watch over Mason Pike and Sam Horn because the starter targets together with principally any school arm with reliever threat at later picks: Brian Curley, Cade Obermueller, Chase Shores, Tanner Franklin, A.J. Russell, Lucas Kelly and Mason Morris.
0:55
Liam Doyle’s MLB draft profile
Kiley McDaniel explains what makes Tennessee’s Liam Doyle one of many high prospects on this yr’s MLB draft.
3. Seattle Mariners
Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (CA)
Rank: 4
The tide appears to be turning with the Mariners now good with taking Hernandez right here, regardless of the spotty outcomes of prep righties within the draft, after canvassing a large group of gamers.
Jamie Arnold could be the runner-up and I feel Kade Anderson is the highest participant on their board, so these three are the principle targets. Ike Irish, Aiva Arquette, Liam Doyle and JoJo Parker appear to be the secondary choices, I consider in that order.
Keep watch over Lucas Kelly, Josh Flores and Jake Munroe at later picks.
Ethan Holliday, 3B, Stillwater HS (OK)
Rank: 2
It has been lengthy rumored, perhaps because the evening of the draft lottery on the MLB winter conferences, that Holliday would not get previous this decide, each due to crew choice and his father Matt’s historical past in Colorado.
If Holliday does not go No. 1 to the Nationals, that is very doubtless his touchdown spot — and I would not be stunned if he obtained the largest bonus on this draft and the largest bonus on this draft period to engineer this end result for the Rockies.
If Holliday does go No. 1 total, Kade Anderson and Jamie Arnold are believed to be the opposite primary choices right here, doubtless in that order. If all three of these gamers go forward of the Rockies, I feel it could be Kyson Witherspoon or presumably Aiva Arquette because the decide.
1:10
Ethan Holliday’s MLB draft profile
Kiley McDaniel explains what makes Ethan Holliday one of many high prospects on this yr’s MLB draft.
Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)
Rank: 3
I feel the Cardinals’ board seems fairly much like mine, with Kade Anderson and Ethan Holliday within the high two spots, then Willits third. I feel he’ll be the decide right here on this situation, however the different main choices could be a close to coin flip with Jamie Arnold, or a slight reduce with Ike Irish.
Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
Rank: 9
It sounds just like the Pirates will take Seth Hernandez right here, if he does not go No. 3 to the Mariners. As a secondary plan, I feel Pittsburgh is leaning towards a school hitter. Arquette has been talked about right here for months, with Ike Irish as the choice, and pitcher Jamie Arnold one other goal if he will get right here.
JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS)
Rank: 7
I feel Miami is seeking to land Eli Willits and has Parker as a backup possibility with Jamie Arnold as a goal if he slips. I am going to lean Parker over Arnold right here however I feel, on this situation, these two gamers go in these subsequent two picks in some order. Billy Carlson, Ike Irish and Andrew Fischer seem to be the opposite backup choices.
Keep watch over Mason Pike, Will Rhine and Hunter Allen at later picks.
Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
Rank: 5
Arnold entered the yr as the highest prospect on my board however was hit a little bit tougher than anticipated, so the takes from groups range a bit greater than you’d count on. Like I stated above, I feel JoJo Parker and Arnold go back-to-back on this situation, however Arnold has an actual likelihood to go No. 2 or No. 3. Ike Irish and Kyson Witherspoon are secondary choices.
1:05
Jamie Arnold’s MLB draft profile
Kiley McDaniel explains what makes Florida State’s Jamie Arnold one of many high prospects on this yr’s MLB draft.
Ike Irish, RF, Auburn
Rank: 11
Irish goes to go round right here, however I am going to admit I am undecided who the Reds go along with right here within the occasion Seth Hernandez and Liam Doyle aren’t obtainable.
Steele Corridor, Billy Carlson and Kyson Witherspoon are the opposite main choices related right here whereas Josh Hammond is an extended shot and JoJo Parker is related but in addition off the board on this situation.
Keep watch over Evan Hankins at a later decide.
Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)
Rank: 8
Carlson is in play to various levels at most picks beginning round No. 5, with a flooring round No. 12 and scorching spots from 8 to 10, so that is proper round what he needs to be anticipating.
The White Sox stands out as the highest on JoJo Parker and his brother Jacob, however I do not assume they’ll get JoJo all the way down to their decide. Steele Corridor, Josh Hammond and Gavin Fien are additionally tied right here in a really prep hitter-heavy combine, with prep LHP Kruz Schoolcraft a protracted shot/later overpay risk.
Keep watch over Gavin Turley and Mason Ligenza at later picks.
11. Athletics
Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
Rank: 10
Just like the Reds, I’ve some names tied to the A’s decide, however that is concerning the level the place the draft is far tougher to foretell. I feel the A’s are leaning towards pitching, and Witherspoon’s flooring is true round right here so he represents a pleasant worth.
I do assume that is prone to be a school participant, and Brendan Summerhill, Wehiwa Aloy and Gavin Fien (the A’s drafted his older brother Dylan final yr) have been talked about right here all spring.
Keep watch over Jase Mitchell, Micah Bucknam and Tanner Franklin at later picks.
Steele Corridor, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)
Rank: 13
I feel that is the place Billy Carlson undoubtedly stops if he slides. Corridor looks as if the following goal, with Gavin Fien additionally talked about, so it appears prone to be a prep place participant.
Keep watch over Talon Haley, Mason Pike, Josh Owens and Micah Bucknam at later picks.
Brendan Summerhill, CF, Arizona
Rank: 14
I feel this decide seems like a lefty hitter from the school ranks (like final yr’s decide James Tibbs). Whether or not that’s Summerhill, this spot being the ground for Ike Irish, and a potential excessive level for Andrew Fischer or Charles Davalan.
Keep watch over Will Rhine and Taitn Grey at later picks.
Jaden Fauske, RF, Nazareth Academy HS (IL)
Rank: 31
The Rays nonetheless have two further picks on high of the allotted three on Day 1, even after trading one away for reliever Bryan Baker on Thursday. I feel their main targets listed here are Billy Carlson and Steele Corridor, however they each aren’t obtainable on this situation, so the Rays could attempt one other Xavier Isaac gambit: taking a man they actually like who doubtless will not be obtainable by their subsequent decide and is not anticipated to go this excessive, then banking some financial savings and spreading it round to different picks.
I’ve the Rays tied to various prep place gamers for later picks and it looks as if this technique would land them not less than yet one more of these than they’d get in the event that they performed this decide straight, perhaps with Josh Hammond or equally named prospects Gavin Fien or Gavin Kilen, three different gamers the Rays have curiosity in.
Keep watch over Dean Moss, Matthew Fisher, Taitn Grey, Sean Gamble, Landon Harmon, Brady Ebel and Brisen Tweedy at later picks.
Gavin Fien, 3B, Nice Oak HS (CA)
Rank: 12
Fien has a great likelihood to land right here, as lengthy rumored. I feel he is underrated attributable to uneven spring after he was one of many higher hitters on the summer season circuit. Xavier Neyens and Gavin Kilen (whom the Pink Sox nearly signed out of highschool) have additionally been related right here.
Gavin Kilen, SS, Tennessee
Rank: 20
We’re now fairly securely within the realm of creating educated guesses primarily based on a crew’s historical past and what different groups assume they will do. Minnesota likes this type of participant, a medium-tools, medium-framed school infielder with a powerful efficiency report (Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, Kyle DeBarge, Tanner Schobel, Kaelen Culpepper simply within the high three rounds of the previous three drafts).
I feel that is about the place Gage Wooden comes into play, a little bit decrease than some followers could count on, attributable to some issues about his shoulder difficulty earlier this spring and a potential aid match long run. Caden Bodine, Tyler Bremner and Marek Houston are additionally talked about right here.
Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian HS (NC)
Rank: 17
The Cubs lean towards exit velos/athleticism on the subject of excessive schoolers and Hammond is among the higher examples within the class. That is proper concerning the center of his vary, together with Xavier Neyens, an analogous, left-handed model of Hammond who can also be related to the Cubs. Arkansas teammates Wehiwa Aloy and Gage Wooden are additionally talked about right here together with Tyler Bremner.
Keep watch over Cooper Flemming, Josh Flores and Jake Munroe at later picks.
Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina
Rank: 23
Rumors are selecting up that Bodine would be the decide right here (if obtainable) to then arrange some prep picks afterward. Josh Hammond, Tate Southisene and Slater de Brun are the main targets from that group at this decide and the following one.
Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
Rank: 15
After Thursday’s commerce for one more comp decide, giving Baltimore three complete, this decide is a bit more prone to be a slot-or-below school participant because the O’s doubtless accumulate highschool gamers down the board except they’ll float a premium expertise to this decide.
Aloy suits the Orioles’ tendencies and is a pleasant worth right here. I feel they’re focusing on Jaden Fauske, Dax Kilby, Tate Southisene and Xavier Neyens at these comp picks after which Mason Ligenza, Will Rhine and Ethan Rogers after that.
Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest
Rank: 22
I’ve the Brew Crew tied to a few shortstops right here: Daniel Pierce, Coy James and Houston. James looks as if he’ll go within the comp spherical and could be the curveball decide of the primary spherical, like Milwaukee pulled final yr in taking Braylon Payne. That is concerning the center of the ranges for Pierce and Houston.
Jace LaViolette, CF, Texas A&M
Rank: 21
Houston is tied to largely power-over-hit prospects with standout athletic testing right here like Xavier Neyens, Tate Southisene and Wehiwa Aloy. Charles Davalan and Slater de Brun are two gamers who do not slot in that bucket that the Astros are additionally on.
Keep watch over Jase Mitchell, Matt Ferrara, Matt Miura, C.J. Hughes, Josh Flores and Tyler Finkbeiner at later picks.
Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Rank: 18
Bremner is within the combine for some groups selecting forward of right here, however I feel that is his doubtless stopping level. Gage Wooden, Marek Houston, Tate Southisene, Josh Hammond and Daniel Pierce additionally get talked about right here.
Keep watch over Ty Peeples, Jaiden LoRe and Micah Bucknam at later picks.
Gage Wooden, RHP, Arkansas
Rank: 16
This might be the ground for Josh Hammond if he obtained this far and looks as if it will likely be a strong touchdown spot for Wooden, doubtless paired with a highschool participant at Kansas Metropolis’s subsequent decide at No. 28.
Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (GA)
Rank: 19
I feel Detroit takes a highschool prospect with not less than one if not each of its first two picks, right here and No. 34 total. Coy James is also a shock decide right here, identical to Milwaukee’s first-round decide, however I feel it is extra doubtless certainly one of them takes James within the comp spherical.
Jaden Fauske (gone on this situation), Aaron Watson, Dax Kilby, Kayson Cunningham, Slater de Brun, Tate Southisene and Cooper Flemming are tied to Detroit’s first two picks from the highschool facet. Andrew Fischer, Anthony Eyanson and J.B. Middleton are school gamers tied to those two picks.
Quentin Younger, 3B, Oaks Christian HS (CA)
Rank: 36
The Padres like to swing for upside and are tied to names who match that this yr, with Younger probably the most excessive model. He has 80-grade energy projection and an infield match, however huge questions on his contact potential.
Kruz Schoolcraft, Kayson Cunningham, Dax Kilby, Josh Owens and Slater de Brun is my greatest guess on the order they’ve their different main highschool targets ranked. Anthony Eyanson, A.J. Russell and Ethan Conrad are school gamers nonetheless obtainable right here that the Pads have some curiosity in selecting.
Keep watch over Will Rhine, Angel Laya, Dixon Williams and Josh Tate at later picks.
Matthew Fisher, RHP, Evansville Memorial HS (IN)
Rank: 44
This one could be one other curveball, however the Phillies doubtless cannot get Fisher to their second decide and could be arrange for an over slot transfer at their subsequent decide(s), much like what they did final yr. Andrew Fischer can also be talked about right here. Alec Blair (a high 100 basketball recruit within the nation) and Sean Gamble are among the many prep place gamers they might goal to maneuver down the board.
Tate Southisene, SS, Fundamental HS (NV)
Rank: 37
The Guardians are exhausting to learn right here and could possibly be going beneath slot with a school participant, comparable to Kane Kepley, Devin Taylor or Andrew Fischer, to arrange a spending bonanza down the board with their further picks. Aaron Watson and Dax Kilby are different prep targets who will not make it to their subsequent picks.
Keep watch over Miguel Sime Jr., Jase Mitchell, Cade Crossland and Luke Hill at later picks.
28. Kansas Metropolis Royals
Aaron Watson, RHP, Trinity Christian HS (FL)
Rank: 32
Watson is certainly one of many prep arms tied to the Royals, like Matthew Fisher (if nonetheless on the board), and Watson ought to go within the subsequent few picks if he is not the decide right here. Anthony Eyanson can also be a scorching title right here. Tate Southisene, Angel Cervantes and Malachi Witherspoon are additionally related to the Royals.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks
Slater de Brun, CF, Summit HS (OR)
Rank: 34
Tate Southisene (picked twenty seventh on this situation), de Brun and Kayson Cunningham are the first targets right here, significantly if the Diamondbacks take a school participant with their first decide, and Arizona ought to get certainly one of them right here.
He’ll be a troublesome signal, however regulate Ryan Mitchell at a later decide — or presumably even right here if their board blows up.
30. Baltimore Orioles
Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (Wa.)
Rank: 26
Neyens is a risk to go within the teenagers or early 20s, however the Orioles’ bonus pool muscle ought to have the ability to allow them to drift him all the way down to this decide.
31. Baltimore Orioles
Andrew Fischer, 3B, Tennessee
Rank: 24
Fischer might go a lot larger, however ought to discover a house proper round right here if he is nonetheless on the board.
32. Milwaukee Brewers
Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (Texas)
Rank: 25
That is nice worth for the Brewers, which is what they do extra usually than nearly another crew. There are some spots above right here, like Detroit, Philly, Arizona and San Diego, that Cunningham might go, with a flooring round right here, so Milwaukee may must go over slot to get Cunningham down right here.
Jaden Fauske (gone on this situation), Coy James, Charles Davalan, Devin Taylor and Cooper Flemming are all talked about with the Brewers at this decide. The Brewers are tied to various gamers down the board: Blaine Bullard, Luke Hill, Brady Ebel, Remo Indomenico, C.J. Hughes, Tyler Finkbeiner and Brisen Tweedy.
33. Boston Pink Sox
Marcus Phillips, RHP, Tennessee
Rank: 40
Dax Kilby, Michael Oliveto and Xavier Neyens might all land right here as properly.
Keep watch over Kaleb Wing and Peter Mershon at later picks.
34. Detroit Tigers
Coy James, SS, Davie County HS (N.C.)
Rank: 69
I feel that is the most certainly touchdown spot for James. Dax Kilby, Cooper Flemming, Anthony Eyanson and J.B. Middleton are all left from the listing talked about at their earlier decide.
Keep watch over Jake Munroe, Caleb Leys, Jaiden LoRe and Ethan Rogers at later picks.
35. Seattle Mariners
Zach Root, LHP, Arkansas
Rank: 48
Root is in play at a bunch of spots within the 20s and 30s and sure goes by 40 if he lasts previous this decide. Max Belyeu and Patrick Forbes are additionally talked about right here. If the Mariners wish to take three pitchers with their first three picks, there is a shot Malachi Witherspoon continues to be there within the second spherical.
36. Minnesota Twins
Devin Taylor, LF, Indiana
Rank: 39
Taylor’s flooring appears to be the Mets’ two picks after this, so this can be a good worth for Minnesota. Michael Oliveto and Charles Davalan are different targets nonetheless on the board, whereas Xavier Neyens and Jaden Fauske are gone on this situation.
Keep watch over a possible overpay at a later decide in Ty Peeples.
37. Baltimore Orioles
Dax Kilby, SS, Newnan HS (GA)
Rank: 28
I feel the majority of potential targets within the comp and second rounds was a part of the Orioles’ motivation so as to add this decide from the Rays. Kilby’s flooring is in a few picks, so that is one other good worth.
Keep watch over Landyn Vidourek at a later decide.
Patrick Forbes, RHP, Louisville
Rank: 33
Forbes has curiosity all by way of the 20s and 30s and sure goes by the top of the comp spherical. Devin Taylor, Zach Root and Marcus Phillips aren’t obtainable but in addition match right here. J.B. Middleton would appear to be the runner-up.
Keep watch over Tanner Franklin, Josh Flores and Wyatt Vincent at later picks.
J.B. Middleton, RHP, Southern Miss
Rank: 42
This might be the ground for Andrew Fischer and sure Dax Kilby. Max Belyeu, Michael Oliveto and A.J. Russell are another targets who’re prospects right here, as are collegiates who go proper after this in Anthony Eyanson, Charles Davalan and Malachi Witherspoon.
Keep watch over Ethan Rogers, Matt Ferrara and Sam Horn at later picks.
Cam Cannarella, CF, Clemson
Rank: 27
There is a rumor that if each are on the board, the Dodgers will take Jack Bauer and Quentin Younger at these two picks — actually the 2 highest-ceiling gamers within the draft. For leisure’s sake, I hope that occurs.
As a result of Younger was picked earlier on this projection (as have been L.A. targets Coy James, Marcus Phillips, Aaron Watson and J.B. Middleton), Cannarella suits and has been talked about right here a lot of the spring. Max Belyeu and Charles Davalan will go quickly if they are not taken right here. Kruz Schoolcraft is one other excessive upside prep participant the Dodgers are on.
Keep watch over James Ellwanger, Shane Sdao and Mason Ligenza as targets at later picks.
41. Los Angeles Dodgers: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sundown HS (OR)
42. Tampa Bay Rays: Anthony Eyanson, RHP, LSU
43. Miami Marlins: Charles Davalan, LF, Arkansas
44. Chicago White Sox: Ethan Conrad, RF, Wake Forest
45. Colorado Rockies: Sean Gamble, 2B, IMG Academy HS (FL)
46. Miami Marlins: Josh Owens, SS, Windfall Academy HS (TN)
47. Los Angeles Angels: Max Belyeu, RF, Texas
48. Athletics: Alex Lodise, SS, Florida State
49. Washington Nationals: J.D. Thompson, LHP, Vanderbilt
50. Pittsburgh Pirates: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina
51. Cincinnati Reds: Taitn Grey, C, Grimes Neighborhood HS (IA)
52. Texas Rangers: Michael Oliveto, C, Hauppauge HS (NY)
53. Tampa Bay Rays: Dean Moss, CF, IMG Academy HS (FL)
54. Minnesota Twins: Brandon Compton, LF, Arizona State
55. St. Louis Cardinals: Cooper Flemming, SS, Aliso Niguel HS (CA)
56. Chicago Cubs: Josiah Hartshorn, LF, Orange Lutheran HS (CA)
57. Seattle Mariners: Malachi Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
58. Baltimore Orioles: Mason Neville, CF, Oregon
59. Milwaukee Brewers: Chase Shores, RHP, LSU
60. Atlanta Braves: Kane Kepley, CF, North Carolina
61. Kansas Metropolis Royals: Riley Fast, RHP, Alabama
62. Detroit Tigers: Mitch Voit, 2B, Michigan
63. Philadelphia Phillies: Alec Blair, CF, De La Salle HS (CA)
64. Cleveland Guardians: Jordan Yost, SS, Sickles HS (FL)
65. Los Angeles Dodgers: Aidan West, SS, Lengthy Attain HS (MD)
66. Cleveland Guardians: Cade Obermueller, LHP, Iowa
67. Tampa Bay Rays: A.J. Russell, RHP, Tennessee
68. Milwaukee Brewers: Dean Curley, 3B, Tennessee
69. Baltimore Orioles: Korbyn Dickerson, CF, Indiana
70. Cleveland Guardians: Aiden Stillman, LHP, Trinity Prep HS (FL)
71. Kansas Metropolis Royals: Angel Cervantes, RHP, Warren HS (CA)
72. St. Louis Cardinals: Briggs McKenzie, LHP, Corinth Holders HS (NC)
73. Pittsburgh Pirates: Ethan Petry, 1B, South Carolina
74. Colorado Rockies: James Quinn-Irons, CF, George Mason
75. Boston Pink Sox: Jake Prepare dinner, CF, Southern Miss