The 2025 MLB draft begins today! With so much parity among the top prospects, the first round could unfold in a number of ways. Here’s my final mock draft of the cycle, shaped by industry feedback and the latest draft trends.
You can view my previous mock drafts here.
1. Nationals: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
I have had Anderson as the top pick for weeks, and I am stick with that pick. Anderson doesn’t have as much upside as some of the prospects in this draft class, but he is the top college pitcher in the class with the potential to fly through the minor leagues.
2. Angels: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
The Angels always go against the grain. While Tennessee’s Liam Doyle is a strong possibility, Arnold is the better overall pitcher with less risk. Prep shortstop Eli Willits is in play if the Angels decided against taking a college player.
3. Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
The Mariners are connected to numerous names here, especially prep righty Seth Hernandez. Arquette is a well-rounded shortstop that can move through the farm system relatively quickly.
4. Rockies: Ethan Holliday, SS, Stillwater (Okla.) HS
Holliday is the top player in the 2025 MLB draft class. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound left-handed hitter uses simple, low-effort mechanics and a quick swing to drive the ball with authority to all parts of the field. Defensively, Holliday is athletic, with smooth defensive actions and a strong arm.
Holliday is the son of former MLB star Matt Holliday and brother of Jackson Holliday, the star shortstop prospect for the Baltimore Orioles who went first overall in 2022. It seems like the Rockies won’t let Holliday get past them.
5. Cardinals: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS
Willits is the top prep shortstop in the class. The other top shortstops are in play, along with college pitchers at this spot.
6. Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS
Hernandez is in play throughout the top five picks. But drafting a prep righty is a risk choice, even with his frontline starter potential. The Pirates appear content taking the best player on the board, which would be Hernandez in this spot. i
7. Marlins: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS
Scouts rave about Carlson’s athleticism and bat speed from the right side at the plate. He currently uses a line-drive approach with a smooth swing but has the potential to develop quality power. Defensively, Carlson likely will stick at shortstop due to his athleticism and above-average arm strength.
8. Blue Jays: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
The Blue Jays are connected to numerous demographics. This feels like a spot one of the top college arms will go. If they go a different direction, look at the high school shortstop class, headlined by JoJo Parker.
9. Reds: Ike Irish, C, Auburn
Irish is an intriguing option throughout the top 10. He can hit, and depending on where he goes, he could command a below-slot deal. The Reds are looking at college performers. If Hernandez would somehow fall to No. 9, the Reds would likely take him.
Read a detailed feature story on Ike Irish and his skill set here.
10. White Sox: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (Miss.) HS
Parker has shot up draft boards over the last few months, even to the point where he’s getting some interest in the top five. The White Sox continue to be connected to the high school shortstop class. It feels like the White Sox will ultimately take a prep player at this spot, if the draft unfolds like I anticipate.
11. Athletics: Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee
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. UCSB righty Tyler Bremner is a name to watch here, even though they haven’t drafted a pitcher in the first round since 2016.
Read a detailed feature story on Gavin Kilen and his skill set here.
12. Rangers: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek (Ga.) HS
Pierce offers the kind of well-rounded profile they covet, featuring a polished hit tool, plus speed and strong defensive ability. The Rangers are really looking at prep shortstops at this spot.
13. Giants: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
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.
14. Rays: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) HS
The Rays aren’t afraid to take up-the-middle high school players. This year, they appear likely to continue that trend. Hall is the best prep left on the board, and the Rays have interest in him. The 17-year-old reclassified for this year’s draft and brings a dynamic skill set to the table. He’s an elite runner with the athleticism and defensive instincts to stick at shortstop in pro ball.
15. Red Sox: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest
The Red Sox have been linked to college players. Houston is one of the handful of college position players in the mix here. Arkansas right-handed pitcher Gage Wood and UCSB righty Tyler Bremner also are in play.
Read a detailed feature story on Marek Houston and his skill set here.
16. Twins: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona
The Twins are connected with college position players in the first round. Summerhill is a well-rounded college performer who is expected to fall within this range of the draft.
17. Cubs: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
The Cubs have been linked to Bremner for a while, and the right-hander remains an intriguing draft prospect. He 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.
18. Diamondbacks: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
The Diamondbacks are eyeing college players at this spot. Coastal Carolina catcher Caden Bodine and Arkansas righty Gage Wood are in play here as well.
19. Orioles: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak (Calif.) HS
After acquiring pick No. 37 from the Rays in Thursday’s Bryan Baker trade, the Orioles now have a record $19.14 million bonus pool. They’ve been tied to hitters here, and Fien offers big upside. Despite a quiet spring, he was the top pure high school hitter on the summer circuit, and scouts think he could go even earlier.
20. Brewers: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina
The Brewers often favor college players in the first round and are again linked to that route. Bodine is a well-rounded, switch-hitting catcher with advanced contact skills, plate discipline, and emerging power. He’s an above-average defender with a strong arm and solid receiving. If he’s still on the board, he’s an option you probably can’t pass on.
Read a detailed feature story on Caden Bodine and his skill set here.
21. Astros: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
LaViolette entered the season as arguably the top prospect in the draft. He has size and hits for power, but he swung and missed too frequently this spring, impacting his draft status. He is a polarizing prospect and could go anywhere in the first round.
Read a detailed feature story on Jace LaViolette and his skill set here.
22. Braves: Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas
Wood missed two months earlier this season with a shoulder impingement, but he’s been soaring up draft boards of late, especially after his historic 19-strikeout no-hitter at the College World Series. He features first-round stuff, highlighted by a swing-and-miss arsenal, a mid-90s fastball that touches 98 mph, and a sharp power curve.
23. Royals: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset (Ore.) HS
I have had Schoolcraft to the Royals for over a month, and I am going to stick with that. He offers a ton of potential. They also are considering a high school shortstop in this spot. The Royals have the money and picks (also holding pick No. 28) to add high-end prep talent in the first round.
24. Tigers: Slater de Brun, OF, Summit (Ore.) HS
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.
25. Padres: Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian (N.C.) HS
The Padres have drafted a prep player with their first pick in nine straight drafts. They seem likely to continue that streak in the 2025 MLB draft. Hammond was a two-way player who developed into a first-round player as a hitter this spring.
26. Phillies: Sean Gamble, 2B/OF, IMG Academy
The Phillies have taken a high schooler in the first round in each of the last five years. Gamble is an exciting and well-rounded prospect. There are numerous prep players in play and some college names pop up, including Ethan Conrad.
27. Guardians: Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest
The 6-foot-4 center fielder missed most of the season with a shoulder injury but still offers first-round talent. He’s a polished hitter with above-average speed and consistently makes hard contact. While his in-game power is still developing, scouts believe his size and approach point to more power to come.
Prospect Promotion Incentive Picks
28. Royals: Tate Southisene, SS, Basic (Nev.)
Compensation pick
29. Diamondbacks: Kayson Cunningham, SS/2B, Johnson HS
30. Orioles: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon (Wash.) HS
31. Orioles: Jaden Fauske, OF, Nazareth Academy (Ill.)
32. Brewers: Cam Cannarella, OF, Clemson
***The Mets, Yankees and Dodgers had their top picks in the 2025 MLB draft pushed back 10 spots as a penalty for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the competitive balance tax.
Read more in-depth stories on top 2025 MLB draft prospects at Baseball Prospect Journal.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 10 years. Hehas interviewed 580 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while hehas appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
