MLB Mock Draft 2.0
Welcome to my second mock draft of 2025 as I take on the daunting task of forecasting the 2025 MLB Draft. A whole lot can change between now and July 13th as college conference tournaments are getting underway shortly. This mock draft is an interesting combination of what I feel is going to happen, what the industry feels is going to happen, and what I would do if I was in these team’s shoes. I’ll have two more mock drafts before the real thing, one coming in mid-June and one more coming in early-July when everything is close to set in stone. My previous mock draft was done on calltothepen.com where I have been contributing since the beginning of 2025. I encourage you to check out that site for MLB coverage as well as some more draft coverage from myself. That mock draft can be found here.
1. Nationals: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
Previous mock: Jamie Arnold
For the majority of 2025, Arnold has seemingly been the favorite to go first overall, but a lot of recent mocks have Ethan Holliday shifting back to the top. The hit tool for Holliday is still a little to fringy for me to comfortably place him here and I still believe Arnold is the best player in this year’s draft. He has continued to post well deep into conference play and has the best arsenal among any pitcher in this class. I expect the Nationals to take a fast mover they can fit into this current contention window they should be stepping into within the next year or so, and Arnold certainly fits the bill. Rumor has it they could also be looking to cut an underslot deal with a college player anyway, so Arnold still makes sense to me here.
2. Angels: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
Previous mock: Kyson Witherspoon
Arquette’s previous placement: #5, Cardinals
It’s hard not to see the Angels taking a fast moving college bat with their first pick, and Aiva Arquette is certainly that. I think he’s the clear-cut best bat in the college class this year with a healthy combination of hit and power. Despite his size and questions on whether or not he sticks at shortstop long term, he’s showing a lot more feel at the position and the belief is now that he has a 50/50 shot at remaining at short.
3. Mariners: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)
Previous mock: Seth Hernandez
Willits’s previous placement: #6, Pirates
The Mariners have found recent success taking up the middle athletes in the first round with Cole Young in 2022 and Colt Emerson in 2023. With a loaded high school shortstop class, it’s looking more and more like Seattle might go back to that well. In my opinion, Willits is the best player in the high school position player class, and if the Mariners feel the same I would expect Willits to fall here. He’s young for the class as he reclassified from 2026 and has an advanced hit tool from both sides of the plate as a switch-hitter. Certainly a dynamic talent for his age.
4. Rockies: Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater HS (OK)
Previous mock: Ethan Holliday
As stated previously, there are some concerns with Holliday’s hit tool but the power has the potential to be among the best in the game. You’re typically taking the elite tools over the high floor at the top end of the draft, and Holliday’s power has flashed 70 grade. He’s expected to move off of shortstop as he continues to grow, but that means he’s also going to grow into more power. He has shown some solid feel for shortstop which leads many to believe he can be an advanced defender at third base when he eventually makes that move. It’s hard to see Holliday falling any further than this simply because of the first overall consideration he’s gotten from the industry as of late, and as I mentioned in my previous mock, it would be fun to see him selected by the same team his dad spent multiple years with.
5. Cardinals: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
Previous mock: Aiva Arquette
Anderson’s previous placement: N/A
The Cardinals simply do not draft out of the high school class, and with the crop of college arms at the top end of this draft, I’ve got the lefty out of LSU landing with the Cardinals here. St. Louis has only selected a total of six high school players since the start of 2021, four of which didn't even sign, and only one that was selected within the top five rounds. Could they potentially pivot this year? Sure, but there isn’t a whole lot of evidence that they will. Anderson has a true starter’s profile and has been one of the top risers in the class this year. It’s three above-average offerings along with some physical projection and a smooth delivery. Anderson is perhaps the safest starter in the class.
6. Pirates: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)
Previous mock: Eli Willits
Carlson’s previous placement: #7, Marlins
Billy Carlson has routinely been linked to the Pirates for what seems like the past couple of weeks now, and draws a lot of similarities to Konnor Griffin - Pittsburgh’s first round selection a year ago. He’s an elite athlete with a lot of physical projection and is potentially the best defender in the class. There’s some holes in the swing, but there was for Griffin as well and the Pirates have seemingly been doing a good job of fixing those. He’s a slam dunk to stick as a plus shortstop and has already shown an uptick in power at the plate.
7. Marlins: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (CA)
Previous mock: Billy Carlson
Hernandez’s previous placement: #3, Mariners
I don’t see Hernandez falling much further than this, so the Marlins might get a steal with him here. They’ve dipped into the high school class with their first two picks in each of the last two drafts, and have also had early returns on their high school pitchers with Noble Meyer and Thomas White in 2023. The high school pitcher demographic has been the riskiest group of players to select from, but we also haven’t seen anything like Hernandez since Jackson Jobe in 2021.
8. Blue Jays: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
Previous mock: Tyler Bremner
Witherspoon’s previous placement: #2, Angels
Witherspoon was looking like arguably the next best college pitcher behind Arnold early on this season, but as the demographic has gotten a little more muddy throughout the season, Witherspoon’s ranking has naturally dropped a bit. The resurgence of the high school position player class doesn’t help his case either, but I still think he’s a fringe top ten pick. He has one of the better fastballs in the class and a growing arsenal with feel for multiple secondaries. He’s another arm that feels like a sure fire starter at the next level. The Blue Jays got a steal with Trey Yesavage with their first round pick last year which looks to be paying off, so they could be very confident with taking another college arm here.
9. Reds: Jace Laviolette, OF, Texas A&M
Previous mock: Gavin Kilen
Laviolette’s previous placement: #12, Rangers
After a slow start to the season, Laviolette continues to get better as the Aggies get deep into conference play and has been hitting himself back into top ten consideration. He has the best game power in the college class which is going to be hard to pass on regardless of the questionable hit tool. Along with the massive frame, Laviolette continues to show solid athleticism both in the field and on the bases, so he’s not as risky of a pick as he’s been made out to be. If teams don’t overthink it, he should slot into the back half of the top ten.
10. White Sox: Kayson Cunningham, SS/2B, Johnson HS (TX)
Previous mock: Marek Houston
Cunningham’s previous placement: #14, Rays
In my opinion, Cunningham is the first high school shortstop off the board after the first tier (Willits, Holliday, Carlson) has been selected. The White Sox have kept their strategy pretty simple over the last couple of years with their first few picks - pitchers and shortstops - and it has worked. With all of the shortstops on the board here, it’s going to be tough to pass on one. I previously had Marek Houston out of Wake Forest falling here, but a slump over the last couple of weeks in conference play has raised some red flags for scouts. Cunningham has one of the best hit tools in the entire draft along with 60 grade speed that will certainly play up due to his gap-to-gap line drive approach. It’s a lot of polish at the plate for Cunningham along with feel for both positions up the middle where he’s believed to be above-average at the next level.
11. Athletics: Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana
Previous mock: Devin Taylor
Devin Taylor is a name that for some reason has gone under the radar in the college position player class, with many mocks having him as a mid-first rounder at best. He’s among the best hitters when it comes to hit and power combination, and as I stated in my last mock, that’s a combination the A’s are looking for. Taylor has walked nearly double the amount of times he has struck out this year, while consistently getting to his 60 grade power. The speed and defense is probably what will keep him out of the top ten, but we could easily look back on him as the best bat in this class.
12. Rangers: Gavin Kilen, 2B, Tennessee
Previous mock: Jace Laviolette
Kilen’s previous placement: #9, Reds
Kilen has been one of the top risers in the college class this year and finds himself in the conversation alongside Laviolette and Taylor for the best college bat behind Aiva Arquette. Many mocks have Kilen landing somewhere in the back half of the top ten so it’s tough to see him even falling this far. If he’s here, I think the Rangers take him. They’ve stayed away from the high school class with their first couple of picks in recent drafts, and although the class is much stronger this year, Kilen is going to be a much safer option.
13. Giants: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina
Previous mock: Luke Stevenson
I said it in my last mock and I’ll say it again - it’s Buster Posey’s first year at the helm as the president of baseball operations for the Giants, so why wouldn’t he take a catcher? Jokes aside, this is the clear-cut top catcher in the class and might be the best catching prospect since Henry Davis in 2021. He’s very advanced defensively with one of the best arms in the game along with above-average pop in the bat. There are some holes in the hit tool, but he does display a very mature approach at the plate that should mitigate some of the risk in taking a higher strikeout guy.
14. Rays: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (GA)
Previous mock: Kayson Cunningham
Pierce’s previous placement: #26, Phillies
The Rays typically stick with the high floor up the middle types with their first round selections which is why I had them taking Cunningham in my previous mock. With Cunningham off the board here, I would fully expect them to turn to the other high school shortstops, and Pierce probably fits the mold of what they’re looking for most. It’s above-average tools across the board for Pierce with some physical projection and plenty of polish at the plate. Among the group of first round high school shortstops, he has one of the better shots at sticking at shortstop long term.
15. Red Sox: Jojo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS)
Previous mock: Kruz Schoolcraft
Parker’s previous placement: N/A
Another big riser in this year’s draft, Parker has one of the better bats in the high school class, but with some more defensive volatility. He’s closer to being maxed out in terms of physical projection if he wants to stick at shortstop, but the expectation is that he will move to third or second at the next level regardless. He has an above-average arm that should play at third along with a hit and power combination that fits the third base profile. The Red Sox aren’t strangers to drafting and developing high school infielders, so I would imagine plenty of these names are on the top of their draft boards.
16. Twins: Ike Irish, OF/C, Auburn
Previous mock: Dean Curley
Irish’s previous placement: N/A
The Twins have stuck with bats for the most part in the first couple rounds of recent drafts, whether college or from the high school ranks, and Irish might be the best bat available here. He has an excellent combination of hit and power and has seen steady improvement it his game year over year at Auburn. His defensive home is a question mark as he has seemingly moved off of catcher this year, but has a good shot at being an impact bat in a corner outfield spot long term.
17. Chicago Cubs: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest
Previous mock: Brendan Summerhill
Houston’s previous placement: #10, White Sox
The bat for Houston was what helped him shoot up draft boards earlier this year, but it has tapered off a bit in conference play as he has slowly moved towards the back half of the first round. He has made some improvements in the bat from his sophomore year that you have to like, but this is a player that is still probably going to earn his value elsewhere. He is arguably the best defender in all of the class and is a stolen base threat as well. The Cubs have shown a recent track record of taking a college player with their first pick to save some money for high school players with their next couple of picks.
18. Diamondbacks: Steele Hall, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)
Previous mock: Cam Cannarella
Hall’s previous placement: N/A
The Diamondbacks recent track record tells us that they prioritize high level athletes, and that has panned out well for them as of late. Perhaps the best athlete available here, and one of the top risers in the high school class is Steele Hall. Hall is a great defender at shortstop that should stick there long term along with some of the best speed in all of the class. The bat needs some polish, but there is a lot of physical projection here that can turn him into an average to above-average big league hitter. He’s young for the class too as he reclassified from the 2026 draft and won’t turn 18 until shortly after the draft.
19. Orioles: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
Previous mock: Cameron Appenzeller
Doyle’s previous placement: #38 (CB-A), Mets
Given the way Doyle has skyrocketed as a draft prospect this year, it’s hard to see him falling this far, but he still could. He has been the most dominant pitcher in college baseball in 2025, but does come with some reliever risk. He’s heavily dependent on his fastball and has a pretty high-effort delivery he utilizes to get to his velo. Regardless, there’s present raw tools here that can be developed into a serious impact arm at the next level if done right. The Orioles have two more first round picks after this, so it seems likely that they would take a college arm to save some money on a few high school players that should be available later on.
20. Brewers: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS (CA)
Previous mock: Xavier Neyens
Fien’s previous placement: #23, Royals
This pick simply comes from the fact that I don’t see Fien falling out of the top 20. This is a kid that has been floated in top ten, and even top five conversations throughout the season, but gets lost in the shuffle of high school infielders. He has played shortstop for much of his high school career but will most likely be shifting over to third base full-time where his above-average arm will play well. The bat is among the best in the high school class and it showed against top competition in summer ball last year.
21. Astros: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
Previous mock: Ethan Conrad
Aloy’s previous placement: #39 (CB-A), Yankees
The Astros have leaned heavily on college bats in recent drafts, and there will be a solid crop to choose from here in the back half of the first round. Aloy is a player that has caught a lot of steam as conference play as heated up. The bat checks out and while the hit tool was his main concern, it has looked better than it was given credit for earlier on in the season. There’s plenty of power projection for Aloy as he rivals Aiva Arquette for the most power among the college infield class. He has shown better feel for the shortstop position as well where it’s now believed he can stick as an average defender at the next level.
22. Braves: Cameron Appenzeller, LHP, Glenwood HS (IL)
Previous mock: Aaron Watson
Appenzeller’s previous placement: #19, Orioles
One thing you can typically count on every year is the Braves dipping into the high school class, and they have also been the team least afraid of taking high school arms. I originally had them taking Aaron Watson, a strong right handed high school arm, but with Appenzeller being available here in this updated mock draft, I see him landing with the Braves. Appenzeller stands in at 6’6” with a projectable frame and a mid-90s fastball. Offspeed and breaking stuff have flashed above-average results. He was a two-sport athlete in Illinois as a standout on the basketball court, so now with the ability to focus solely on baseball, you’ve got to bet on the ceiling here.
23. Royals: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset HS (OR)
Previous mock: Gavin Fien
Schoolcraft’s previous placement: #15, Red Sox
Schoolcraft was looking like a potential top ten pick earlier on in the season but has lost some steam as the high school infield class as well as the college hitter class has had plenty of risers. I still believe Schoolcraft is worthy of top ten consideration, but it’s looking more realistic that he lands somewhere in the back half of the first round. Although he’s classified as a two-way player, he should transition to pitching full-time upon his introduction to pro ball. He’s a carbon copy of Noah Schultz a few years ago, standing in at 6’8” with a low slot and some crossfire from the left side of the mound. Moves very well for his size to and is looking like a slam dunk to stick as a starter. Biggest question on his profile is how his fastball translates at the next level.
24. Tigers: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA)
Previous mock: Max Belyeu
Neyens’s previous placement: #20, Brewers
The Tigers have hit on their last three first round picks to come from the high school ranks, and with the high-profile options still available here, I can see them landing Neyens. Offensively, Neyens draws a lot of similarities to Bryce Rainer, Detroit’s first round pick a year ago. It’s plus raw power in the bat along with a fringy hit tool that is held up by a strong approach at the plate. He can play shortstop but will play third base long term as he continues to grow and has the arm to do it.
25. Padres: Jack Bauer, LHP, Lincoln-Way East HS (IL)
Previous mock: Brady Ebel
Bauer’s previous placement: N/A
Perhaps the biggest question mark with the highest upside in this year’s draft is Jack Bauer. Alongside the Braves, the Padres are the team you can always count on to take a high schooler. On top of that, they also typically look for the elite tools and high ceilings rather than the safer options, so if Bauer is going to be a first rounder, it’s more than likely that the Padres are going to be the team to roll the dice. If you’re unfamiliar with Bauer, it’s an 80 grade fastball that has topped out at 102 mph from the left side - something that has never been done at the high school level. The big uptick in velocity from last year has raised some red flags about injury risk down the road and his command is unproven. He has shown some feel for a changeup and a slider, but for the most part seems to be heavily dependent on the fastball for now. He’s certainly a high-risk, high-reward option, so I think it’s a 50-50 toss up that he lands in the first round.
26. Phillies: Sean Gamble, 2B/OF, IMG Academy (FL)
Previous mock: Daniel Pierce
Gamble’s previous placement: N/A
As stated in my previous mock draft, the Phillies have tended to stick with athletic, up the middle types, and with Daniel Pierce off the board here, Gamble seems like the top option to pivot to. He’s a high-floor player with above-average tools across the board along with defensive versatility. His skills might be best served in center field where he has spent plenty of time, but is also believed to be able to provide above-average defense at second base, or even average defense at shortstop at the next level. Offensively, he’s more of a line drive hitter but has an above-average hit tool that should help him grow into more game power as his approach and body matures.
27. Guardians: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Previous mock: Tre Phelps
Bremner’s previous placement: #8, Blue Jays
Tyler Bremner came into the 2025 season with high expectations and was also looking like the second best college arm behind Jamie Arnold. Some mid-season struggles raised some red flags which is why Bremner has slipped on plenty of boards, but he has put together a solid junior campaign regardless. I still think he sneaks into the first round, but could find his way back into the middle of the first round with a strong finish to his season. The calling card for Bremner is his elite changeup that teams are going to have a hard time passing on. It’s rare an amateur pitcher has a changeup as good as Bremner’s which lays some solid frame work for him as a starter at the next level. The fastball is great as well and he has shown above-average command. Could potentially be a “steal” candidate if he falls this far. I would imagine the Guardians would love to get Bremner in their pitching lab if he’s available here.
*** To account for every team’s first pick, I’m skipping to the Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers picks at numbers 38-40.
38 (CB-A). Mets: JB Middleton, RHP, Southern Miss
Previous mock: Liam Doyle
Middleton’s previous placement: N/A
It’s tough to point out a clear-cut strategy that the Mets have deployed over the past couple of drafts, so this might either be a situation where they are taking the best player available, or taking budget into account. I had them taking Liam Doyle in my first mock who is obviously off the board earlier in this edition, so Middleton should be a solid college arm option here. Middleton is in the same tier of college arms as guys like Riley Quick and Anthony Eyanson who could be available here too. It’s tough to forecast what’s happening between pick 28 and 38, so Middleton feels like a safe option.
39 (CB-A). Yankees: Andrew Fischer, 1B/3B, Tennessee
Previous mock: Wehiwa Aloy
Fischer’s previous placement: N/A
The Yankees leaned heavily on college pitchers in last year’s draft, so while I don’t expect them to use their first pick on a pitcher, I do expect them to turn to the remaining available college hitters who they have for the most part favored over the past couple of years. Andrew Fischer projects to potentially be available here and has been a big riser throughout the season. It’s 60 grade power from the left side for Fischer with an improved hit tool that has helped him tap into more of that power this year. He’s a question mark defensively as he has the arm for third base but lacks the range and athleticism for the position so he has been stuck at first base with Tennessee. The Yankees are definitely betting on the bat if they’re taking Fischer here.
40 (CB-A). Dodgers: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina
Previous mock: Caden Bodine
On the day that I’m writing this, Dalton Rushing is making his big league debut for the Dodgers, so it’s only right that I stick with a college catcher for the Dodgers here. Bodine is the only catcher with any buzz at this portion of the draft while Luke Stevenson and Ike Irish should be as good as gone by the time it’s the Dodgers turn to pick. Bodine is a hit over power bat that his seen little uptick in his power output, but an extreme uptick in his hit tool. Defensively, he needs some polish behind the plate, but his strong and accurate arm should keep him there for the time being. The power is going to have to play more at the next level for him to truly make an impact, but he feels like the type of player the Dodgers can get in their system and get the most out of.
