The 2025 MLB draft is just over a month away, set to begin on July 13 in Atlanta. With the spring season largely wrapped up, there’s now greater clarity on the players projected to go in the first round. Over the next few weeks, teams will intensify their evaluations as they finalize their draft boards.
A lot has changed since we did our first mock draft before the start of the season. Here’s our second mock draft for the 2025 MLB draft cycle:
1. Nationals: 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.
2. Angels: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
Anderson has gone from a spot starter last year to arguably the best pitcher in college baseball this season. The lefty ranks second in the country in strikeouts. He has a quality four-pitch mix, headlined by an above-average mid-90s fastball. He attacks the strike zone and looks capable of handling a starter’s workload after missing his senior season in 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
3. Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
Arquette is a quality hitter best known for his ability to barrel up the baseball from the right side consistently. He boasts a quality hit tool and emerging power. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound college junior played second base in his first two years at Washington before excelling at shortstop in the Cape Cod League and with Oregon State this spring due to his smooth actions and above-average arm strength.
4. Rockies: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
Arnold is a 6-foot-1, 191-pound lefty who throws a mid-90s fastball and quality slider from a low three-quarters arm slot. He attacks the strike zone and rarely issues walks. He needs to develop more consistency with his changeup, but he has all the ingredients to be a quality top-of-the-rotation starter in pro ball
5. Cardinals: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS
Willits is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound switch-hitting shortstop known for a well-balanced skill set. He has a quality approach and contact skills, with the ability to hit line drives to all parts of the field. Defensively, he has quality instincts with respectable athleticism. Willits was a top player in the 2026 class before he reclassified.
6. Pirates: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
Doyle shot up draft boards this spring, putting his name in consideration as the top pitcher in this year’s class. He has one of the best fastballs in the draft class due to its velocity (high-90s), movement and ability to miss bats. He also mixes in three quality secondary pitches.
7. Marlins: Billy Carlson, SS/RHP, 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: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS
Hernandez is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound righty with frontline starter potential. Some scouts believe he might be the best prospect in this year’s draft class. But drafting a prep righty is the riskiest demographic. On the mound, he throws a mid-90s fastball, quality changeup and a swing-and-miss curveball from an athletic and repeatable delivery. He attacks the strike zone with his pitch mix.
9. Reds: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest
Houston is a complete player. 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.
Read a detailed feature story on Marek Houston and his skill set here.
10. White Sox: 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 top 20 picks.
Read a detailed feature story on Jace LaViolette and his skill set here.
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. 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.
Read a detailed feature story on Gavin Kilen and his skill set here.
12. Rangers: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (Miss.) HS
The Rangers are in on prep performers. Parker showcased his well-rounded skill set, including his above-average hit tool and strong defensive skills, to really improve his draft status.
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: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson (Texas) HS
Cunningham is a 5-foot-9, 170-pound shortstop with arguably the best hit tool in the prep class. He uses a quick left-handed swing and consistently squares up the baseball to drive the ball to all parts of the field. He boasts strong plate discipline and has thrived against premium pitchers. Defensively, Cunningham has a strong arm, quality speed and notable instincts that will give him a chance to remain at shortstop in pro ball.
15. Red Sox: Ike Irish, C, Auburn
Irish is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitting catcher known for his advanced offensive tools. With simple mechanics and a quick, efficient swing, he consistently drives the ball into the gaps. His exceptional contact skills and low strikeout rate set him apart. Defensively, his best attribute is his above-average arm strength. He has worked diligently to improve his receiving skills.
Read a detailed feature story on Ike Irish 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: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) HS
The Diamondbacks aren’t shy about targeting high-upside prep talent early, and Hall fits that mold. 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.
19. Orioles: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek (Ga.) HS
The Orioles have consistently prioritized hitters in the first round, having not selected a pitcher in the opening round since 2018. Pierce offers the kind of well-rounded profile they covet, featuring a polished hit tool, plus speed and strong defensive ability. High school third baseman Xavier Neyens (Mount Vernon, Wash.) is also a name to watch in this range.
20. Brewers: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina
The Brewers often lean toward college players in the first round and are once again linked to that route. Stevenson, a draft-eligible sophomore, offers big upside. The left-handed hitting catcher has impressive power potential and hits the ball hard, though he’ll need to refine his approach against off-speed pitches. Defensively, he profiles well behind the plate thanks to his strong arm, receiving skills and high baseball IQ.
21. Astros: Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest
The Astros have taken a college hitter in the first round every year since 2018, and Conrad fits that mold. 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.
Read a detailed feature story on Ethan Conrad 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. 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/1B, Sunset (Ore.) HS
Schoolcraft has an easy operation and a fastball in the mid-90s. He also mixes in a quality slider and changeup. At the plate, the left-handed hitter boasts above-average raw power with a short swing. Due to his athleticism, he is also a quality defender at first base. 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: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak (Calif.) HS
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.
26. Phillies: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
Aloy made strides both offensively and defensively this spring. While he carries some risk, he impressed in SEC play and earned SEC Player of the Year honors. He may ultimately shift to second base, where his bat could stand out.
27. Guardians: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina
Bodine is a well-rounded catcher. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound switch-hitter is known for his advanced contact skills, disciplined approach and developing power. Behind the plate, he’s an above-average defender with a strong arm and solid receiving and blocking abilities.
Read a detailed feature story on Caden Bodine and his skill set here.
***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.
