2025 MLB Draft: BPJ Staff Draft 1.0

The 2025 MLB draft is less than two weeks away. At Baseball Prospect Journal, Dan Zielinski and Logan Quinton have actively covered the draft prospects in this year’s class.

The two Baseball Prospect Journal writers have conducted a staff draft for the first time this draft cycle. As you read the staff draft, you will notice it is a mix between college and high school players.

A staff draft is different than a traditional mock draft. The results tend to be a personal preference over what actually might happen. We are making the picks based on our evaluations of each prospect and what we would do if we were selecting for that specific team.

Here is a look at our first staff draft for the 2025 MLB draft cycle:

1. Nationals: Ethan Holliday, SS, Stillwater (Okla.) HS

DZ: Holliday has the talent and pedigree. He is a complete player and the best prospect in the 2025 MLB draft. While the Nationals could take a college arm that might move through a system quicker, I have the Nationals taking the player with the most upside.

2. Angels: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU

LQ: It feels like the top college arm will be gone in the first two slots. Anderson lands with the Angels in this mock. The left-hander performed at a high level on college baseball’s biggest stage. The organization has a knack for college options at the top, and they shouldn’t change course with a promising lefty who could be a fast-mover.

3. Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State

DZ: Arquette is a proven college performer at a premium position. He boasts a well-rounded toolset, and players with those attributes and track record are always sought after.

4. Rockies: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.)

LQ: If the Nationals don’t select Holliday, he could very well be in Colorado at pick No. 4. But in this mock, the most polished prep in the class lands in the mountains. It may sound unconventional, considering it’s not a power bat. But Willits has a strong hit tool, to go along with a great defensive skill set. He’ll be a fast-mover through the lower levels of pro ball and could be a staple in the middle infield for the Rockies for years.

5. Cardinals: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State

DZ: Arnold is a polished college arm with intriguing potential. He is a 6-foot-1, 191-pound lefty who throws a mid-90s fastball and quality slider from a low three-quarters arm slot. College hitters talk about how they had difficulties when they faced Arnold. While Arnold was inconsistent at times this spring, he is a safer college pitcher than others, boasting a high floor and top-two starter potential in a rotation.

6. Pirates: Billy Carlson, SS/RHP, Corona HS (Calif.)

LQ: Pittsburgh has done very well with the pitching demographic in recent drafts, and that’s certainly a tempting option with some fascinating arms available. But the Pirates go with the top high school bat on the board in this mock. Carlson will stick on the left side with his strong arm and superb fielding skills.

7. Marlins: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (Miss.)

DZ: Parker has shot up draft boards this spring due to his well-rounded ability. He boasts his above-average hit tool and strong defensive skills. Some believe he might be the best prep shortstop in this year’s draft class.

8. Blue Jays: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee

LQ: It sounds like Toronto is looking for arms. With this pick, they select the top college arm available. Doyle was a Golden Spikes Finalist and won SEC Pitcher of the Year honors during his lone season at Tennessee. It’s the best fastball in the class, and the southpaw also flashes some off-speed at times. He also has a good feel for the splitter.

9. Reds: Ike Irish, C, Auburn

DZ: Irish is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitting catcher known for his advanced offensive tools. His exceptional contact skills and low strikeout rate set him apart. Defensively, his best attribute is his above-average arm strength. He can stick behind the plate in the future. He also is a candidate to potentially move through a system quickly.

10. White Sox: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (Calif.)

LQ: Several people are comfortable with Hernandez being a top-five pick in this year’s draft. The California prep has an advanced pitch mix and adores his changeup. He can also hurl a mid-90s fastball effectively. In this mock, he falls to the Southside.

11. Athletics: Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee

DZ: The Athletics are eyeing college performers, and Kilen is one of the best college position players in the 2025 MLB draft class. Kilen is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound left-handed hitter known for his above-average bat-to-ball skills. He uses a relaxed, slightly crouched stance and quick, compact left-handed swing to drive the baseball into the gaps and hit for some power.

12. Rangers: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona

LQ: When talking about hit tools, Summerhill, along with Kilen, are in a tier of their own from the college ranks. They go back-to-back, with the Rangers selecting the outfielder from Arizona. Summerhill has a path for center field, but can play the corners extremely well. As mentioned, Texas is buying the hit tool.

13. Giants: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

DZ: Bremner entered the year as one of the top college arms in the class with legitimate top-10 pick potential. Although he got off to a slow start due to inconsistencies with his secondary pitches, he finished strong, delivering a string of impressive outings over his final seven appearances. His fastball, breaking ball is one of the top best one-two punches in this class.

14. Rays: Kayson Cunningham SS, Johnson HS (Texas)

LQ: Cunningham carries a strong hit tool with a good feel for the zone, offensively. In the dirt, he flashes a promising upside with the glove and arm. Some think Cunningham is the best prep hitter in the class. The Texas high schooler has intangibles for a middle infielder.

15. Red Sox: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest

DZ: Houston is a complete player, with his “weakest” tool being his power potential. He is strong defensively and will remain at shortstop long-term. Offensively, he profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter due to his strong contact skills.

16. Twins: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (Ala.)

LQ: Like Cunningham, Hall leads with hitting and athleticism. The Twins are getting more speed with Hall. The Tennessee commit has a ton of buzz, and Minnesota feels like a perfect fit for the makeup.

17. Cubs: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma

DZ: Witherspoon has all the tools to be a frontline starter in the major leagues. He has an above-average fastball and slider combination. His fastball touches 99 mph, while his slider is a huge swing-and-miss pitch. He could go as early as the top 10.

18. Diamondbacks: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon (Wash.)

LQ: It’s a big bat from the left side, and a huge arm from the right hand. Neyens showcases extreme power at times, but there may be questions about staying power for the hit tool. Nonetheless, can you imagine an infield with Neytens and Jordan Lawlar in a few years? The Diamondbacks see that as a reality.

19. Orioles: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (Ga.)

DZ: Pierce offers a well-rounded toolset and is receiving interest all throughout the teens. He has a polished hit tool, plus speed and strong defensive ability.

20. Brewers: Jace Laviolette, OF, Texas A&M

LQ: The Brewers have a taste for college. Back in January, Laviolette was projected to go No.1 overall. The outfielder was productive in 2025, but the swing-and-miss concerns dropped him down in the first round. If you’re Milwaukee, you’re buying the power. It’s double-plus.

21. Astros: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS (Calif.)

DZ: Fien didn’t have a standout spring, but he was widely regarded as the top pure high school hitter on the summer showcase circuit. There’s buzz among scouts that he could be selected earlier than this spot, including in the teens.

22. Braves: Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas

LQ: Another year, another fascinating arm selected by the Braves. Wood inflated the helium by finishing a strong campaign with Arkansas. It’s not a lengthy resume, but a no-hitter in Omaha raises eyebrows. The right-hander has Strider-like traits. That’s enough for the Braves to do what they do best.

23. Royals: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sunset HS (Ore.)

DZ: Schoolcraft has an easy operation and a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound lefty also mixes in a quality slider and changeup. He profiles as a pitcher in pro ball, but he could be an intriguing two-way player if a team opted to go that direction. At the plate, the left-handed hitter boasts above-average raw power with a short swing. The Royals have the money and picks (also holding pick No. 28) to add high-end prep talent in the first round. Their scouting director also isn’t afraid to go the prep route.

24. Tigers: Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian HS (NC)

LQ: There’s a lot of talk about Hammond’s power and arm. The Tigers have room to select someone that doesn’t have to be a quick riser.

25. Padres: Slater de Brun, OF, Summit HS (Ore.)

DZ: He may not have imposing size, but he’s a skilled hitter with speed and solid outfield defense. His profile fits well at the top of a lineup, with the potential to be a consistent table-setter. Plus, it’s the Padres – they love prep players.

26. Phillies: Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest

LQ: Conrad is one of the college sleepers in this draft. The past season was cut short due to injury, but it’s a first-round pick that could yield a ton of value. The Phillies could be getting a steal with Conrad at 26.

27. Guardians: Andrew Fischer, 1B/3B, Tennessee

DZ: Fischer’s calling card is his above-average power to all fields, driven by a left-handed swing that combines bat speed, natural loft and the strength packed into his 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame. The biggest knock on Fischer is that he profiles as a first baseman in pro ball. It is a first-round bat, though.