2025 MLB Mock Draft: Projecting Every First Round Pick

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32. Milwaukee Brewers – OF Slater de Brun, Summit HS (OR)
Slot Value: $2,970,900
Slater de Brun is a classic Brewers play—undersized, athletic, and wildly skilled. He’s a premium center-field defender with a plus run tool and some of the best bat-to-ball skills on the prep side. The power is fringy, but that hasn’t stopped Milwaukee from betting on this type before (think Frelick, Ortiz, Turang). De Brun adds to the Brewers’ pipeline of high-contact, high-motor outfielders with a chance to make an impact at the top of a lineup.
The post Just Baseball’s 2025 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 appeared first on Just Baseball.
2025 MLB Mock Draft: Projecting Every First Round Pick
It’s that time of year again!
With the MLB Draft just two months away, the guessing game begins once again. Let’s be clear: nothing in this mock is etched in stone. Projections in May rarely age well by July, but that’s half the fun. We’re leaning into the chaos of the draft landscape, playing matchmaker based on early intel, team strategy trends, and player performance this spring.
This cycle feels particularly unpredictable—rising slot values have forced teams to get crafty, especially those with multiple picks. So in our first mock of the season, we explore a few bold scenarios, a few cost-cutting options, and plenty of upside swings. Buckle up—it’s going to be a ride.
Thanks to Just Baseball for this slideshow article's stats, analysis, and insights.
1. Washington Nationals – LHP Jamie Arnold, Florida State
Slot Value: $11,075,900
The top overall pick rarely signs for full slot anymore, and with the bonus pool north of $11 million, expect the Washington Nationals to seek value here. While high schoolers like Ethan Holliday and Konnor Griffin will dominate headlines, the board may break differently on draft day.
Enter Jamie Arnold. The Florida State southpaw has been untouchable of late—1.42 ERA with a 44:10 K:BB ratio over his last five starts. He offers a polished arm, a modest price tag, and legitimate Friday-night SEC-level stuff that can anchor a rotation. The Nats could cut a deal here and swing big later.
Don't rule out someone like Aiva Arquette or even a prep like Eli Willits, but if Washington plays the value game, Arnold makes sense.
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2. Los Angeles Angels – SS Aiva Arquette, Oregon State
Slot Value: $10,252,700
The LA Angels haven’t exactly hidden their preferences over the years—they love quick-moving college bats, and Arquette checks every box.
The Oregon State shortstop is one of the more complete players in the class: power, polish, poise. He’s slugged 17 home runs this spring, showing improved contact skills and plenty of athleticism to stick at short. His ability to produce loud contact while handling the rigors of the position makes him a dream fit for a system that’s fast-tracked college hitters before.
If the Angels stick to script, Arquette should be right at the top of their board.
3. Seattle Mariners – RHP Seth Hernandez, Corona HS (CA)
Slot Value: $9,504,400
The Seattle Mariners loves upside on the mound, and Seth Hernandez brings as much of it as any prep arm in recent memory.
At 6-foot-4 with a fastball touching 100 and two high-spin breaking balls, Hernandez has been electric this spring. He’s drawn comps to Jackson Jobe with a smoother delivery and better present command. There’s projection left in the frame and an ability to throw strikes, something rare in this demographic.
If the Nationals pass, Seattle could pounce and let their development pipeline do the rest.
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4. Colorado Rockies – 3B Ethan Holliday, Stillwater HS (OK)
Slot Value: $8,770,900
It’s not hard to connect the dots here. The Colorado Rockies are rebuilding, and the next Holliday is right there waiting.
While Ethan doesn’t have Jackson’s polished feel to hit just yet, the raw tools jump off the page—left-handed power, a long frame, and defensive versatility. He’s more boom-or-bust than his older brother, but Coors Field is where hitters go to thrive. It’s a ceiling play, and Colorado needs to be swinging for stars.
5. St. Louis Cardinals – SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)
Slot Value: $8,134,800
Willits doesn’t carry the national hype of other prep names, but his all-around profile could make him a steal.
A switch-hitting shortstop with center field versatility, Willits brings dynamic tools to the table. He’s an instinctual defender and a contact-first bat with sneaky pop. The St. Louis Cardinals have a history of developing middle infielders and could stash Willits as a long-term play alongside recent top pick JJ Wetherholt.
A college southpaw like Kade Anderson or Liam Doyle is another possibility here, but Willits’ upside may prove too tempting.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates – SS Billy Carlson, Corona HS (CA)
Slot Value: $7,558,600
The Pittsburgh Pirates have stocked up on arms in recent drafts. Now it’s time to add a foundational bat.
Carlson’s right-handed swing generates loft and power without sacrificing contact. He’s one of the best defenders in the class with a 97 mph arm to match. His offensive game has taken a big leap forward this spring, and his overall polish makes him one of the safer prep bets in this class. The Pirates could double down on another top-flight high school shortstop after seeing Konnor Griffin hit the ground running in pro ball.
7. Miami Marlins – 2B/SS Kayson Cunningham, Johnson HS (TX)
Slot Value: $7,149,900
The Miami Marlins have taken a prep-heavy approach in recent drafts, and Cunningham fits that mold perfectly.
A Texas commit with elite bat-to-ball skills, Cunningham has one of the most advanced hit tools in the class. He stays within himself, uses the whole field, and has shown flashes of sneaky pop. Defensively, he could handle shortstop or second, with enough athleticism to impact the game on the bases, too.
If Miami sticks to its recent approach, this feels like a no-brainer.
8. Toronto Blue Jays – LHP Kade Anderson, LSU
Slot Value: $6,813,600
The Toronto Blue Jays have quietly built one of the more stable pitching pipelines in the game, and Anderson is the kind of college arm that fits right in.
The LSU southpaw has been overpowering at times—eight double-digit strikeout games and 124 Ks in 76.1 IP. His fastball reaches 97, his changeup is advanced, and the breaking ball is coming along nicely. He could move quickly through the minors with a backend floor and mid-rotation ceiling.
This is a Jays-type pick through and through.
9. Cincinnati Reds – OF Jace LaViolette, Texas A&M
Slot Value: $6,513,800
Few hitters in the country bring more raw juice than LaViolette.
A left-handed masher with 70-grade power, LaViolette has shown defensive value in the outfield but has been inconsistent at the plate, particularly against left-handed breaking stuff. Still, the power is real, and the profile is similar to past Cincinnati Reds picks like Sal Stewart and Cam Collier.
If Cincinnati wants to gamble on the bat, this could be their guy.
10. Chicago White Sox – RHP Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma
Slot Value: $6,238,400
Witherspoon has flown up draft boards this spring and now finds himself squarely in top-10 conversations.
The Oklahoma righty features a fastball that approaches triple digits and a slider that’s sometimes been borderline unhittable. His fastball/slider combo is devastating when it’s on, and he’s shown enough with a changeup and curve to suggest a full starter’s arsenal.
The Chicago White Sox have leaned pitching early in drafts, and Witherspoon’s upside fits that mold.
11. Oakland Athletics – 2B Gavin Kilen, Tennessee
Slot Value: $5,985,100
The Athletics have a habit of targeting polished college players who move quickly, and Kilen fits that template to a tee.
The Tennessee infielder has elite contact skills and improved plate discipline this spring, while showing a bit op than he had in 2024. He’s a steady defender who could handle shortstop in a pinch but likely fits best at second.
With Jacob Wilson already entrenched in Oakland, Kilen could form one of the most reliable middle infields in the AL before long.
12. Texas Rangers – LHP Liam Doyle, Tennessee
Slot Value: $5,746,800
Few players have boosted their stock this spring like Doyle.
The Tennessee lefty has dominated SEC hitters, leading the nation in strikeout rate and total punchouts. His heater has more life than it did at Ole Miss, and his whiff rates are through the roof. Doyle’s uptick in stuff and control makes him one of the most intriguing college arms on the board.
The Texas Rangers love polished power arms, and Doyle is both.
13. San Francisco Giants – OF/C Ike Irish, Auburn
Slot Value: $5,524,300
Irish may not stick behind the plate, but his bat will play anywhere.
The Auburn slugger has been one of the most consistent producers in the college ranks, showing a professional approach, sneaky power, and the kind of left-handed swing that’s tailor-made for Oracle Park. He’s caught in spurts, but likely profiles in left or right long-term.
The San Francisco Giants have favored college bats early. If Irish is available here, it’s a great match.
14. Tampa Bay Rays – SS Steele Hall, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)
Slot Value: $5,313,100
The Tampa Bay Rays love projectable prep hitters, and Hall brings upside in spades.
At just 17, Hall has bat speed, range, and room to grow into more pop. His swing is short and compact, though there’s still some polish to be added mechanically. On defense, he glides at shortstop and shows early signs of being a plus runner.
Tampa has made a living betting on tools in the prep ranks—Hall is right in their wheelhouse.
15. Boston Red Sox – RHP Tyler Bremner, UC Santa Barbara
Slot Value: $5,114,200
The Boston Red Sox have struggled to develop arms internally, but Bremner could help change that narrative.
The Gaucho right-hander throws one of the best changeups in the class and now pairs it with a fastball touching 95 and a slider that’s improved dramatically. He’s a smooth mover with excellent pitchability and has maintained solid numbers despite some mechanical tweaks to his fastball shape.
There’s a sturdy floor here—and potentially more if Boston can unlock that last bit of velo and shape.
16. Minnesota Twins – 3B/OF Xavier Neyens, Mount Vernon HS (WA)
Slot Value: $4,929,600
This one fits the Minnesota Twins’ DNA like a glove. Xavier Neyens is all upside—long, lean, and loud in the box. Minnesota has leaned hard into power over the past few seasons, often willing to live with the whiffs as long as the ball leaves the yard. Neyens fits that mold.
The 6-foot-4 Washington prep product flashes big raw juice and an approach that’s more mature than the strikeout numbers might suggest. There’s projection left in the frame, and with a system that’s embraced boom-or-bust bats, this is a swing for the fences in every sense.
17. Chicago Cubs – SS Wehiwa Aloy, Arkansas
Slot Value: $4,750,800
Wehiwa Aloy feels like a Chicago Cubs kind of player. Chicago hasn’t touched the prep side early in the draft since 2020, and that trend continues here with a polished college bat who’s really opened eyes this spring. Aloy tweaked his approach early in the year and saw immediate results, though SEC play brought him back to earth a bit. Still, the right-handed pop is legit, and the glove is steady on the left side. He hammers anything on the inner half and should continue to punish mistakes. If a guy like Tyler Bremner had fallen, the Cubs may have pivoted, but in this version, Aloy is the right blend of floor and ceiling.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks – SS Marek Houston, Wake Forest
Slot Value: $4,581,900
Wake Forest just keeps pumping out Day 1 talent, and Marek Houston is the latest Demon Deacon trending toward the first round. The Arizona Diamondbacks could use some infield stability, and Houston checks a lot of boxes. He’s a plus runner, a sure-handed shortstop, and his on-base chops are among the best in the class. The added power this year—he’s already eclipsed his career high in home runs—only raises his stock. This would be a best-player-available scenario for the D-backs, who are a bit harder to project but could strike gold here.
19. Baltimore Orioles – 3B Dean Curley, Tennessee
Slot Value: $4,420,900
This pick has strategic upside. With three first-round selections, the Orioles have some financial wiggle room, and Curley could be a value grab at 19. He looked like a top-15 guy early this spring but hit a skid in SEC play. Even so, the underlying data remains strong—Curley posts above-average EVs, works counts, and uses all fields. He’s walked at a high clip and shown enough defensive versatility to handle short or third. If the Baltimore Orioles plan to go big on a prep at 30 or 31, Curley could help balance the books without sacrificing too much upside.
20. Milwaukee Brewers – RHP Riley Quick, Alabama
Slot Value: $4,268,100
If there’s a pitching archetype the Milwaukee Brewers love, it’s this one: Quick arm, multiple fastballs, and a chance to add a nasty wrinkle in the lab. Riley Quick fits that bill. He runs the fastball up into the mid-90s, shows flashes of a cutter, and the changeup has actually been his most effective weapon this spring. With 57 strikeouts in 51 innings, he’s been efficient and intriguing. This is the kind of profile the Brewers have succeeded with—athletic, projectable, and already showing a feel for sequencing.
21. Houston Astros – OF Brendan Summerhill, Arizona
Slot Value: $4,122,500
Summerhill was tracking toward a top-15 pick before a broken hand put a damper on his spring. Since returning, he hasn’t missed a beat. The hit tool has long been the calling card, and scouts still believe there’s power coming once the frame fills out. If he gets to even average pop, you’re looking at a 55-hit, 50-power corner outfielder. That’s real value here—especially for a Houston Astros club that moved on from Kyle Tucker in the offseason. If Summerhill’s medicals check out, this could be a savvy get.
22. Atlanta Braves – SS Daniel Pierce, Mill Creek HS (GA)
Slot Value: $3,983,900
The Atlanta Braves continue their prep-heavy trend with a local product who’s had helium all spring. Daniel Pierce has been one of the fastest risers in the class, thanks in large part to an offensive game that’s really come alive. He’s got explosive hands, a whippy barrel, and has shown he can turn around velocity. There’s still some noise in the swing, but it works. Add in plus defense and legit foot speed, and he looks like the kind of prep shortstop a team builds around. The Kellon Lindsey comparisons are apt—Pierce might be more athletic, too.
23. Kansas City Royals – 3B/RHP Josh Hammond, Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC)
Slot Value: $3,852,100
The Kansas City Royals' draft strategy in 2024 blended analytics and old-school tools, and they doubled down here with a fascinating two-way player. Josh Hammond’s name has been buzzing all spring as the bat has come alive. He’s still up to 99 on the mound with a wicked slider, it’s the offensive gains—better swing decisions, improved contact- that have teams rethinking his path. The Royals have two picks in the top 30, so this is a sensible swing on upside. Whether he sticks as a two-way player or not, the ceiling here is very real.
24. Detroit Tigers – LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset HS (OR)
Slot Value: $3,726,300
Prep arms with Schoolcraft’s size and feel don’t come around often. At 6-foot-8, the Oregon lefty has touched 97 and shows excellent feel for a tight low-80s slider. There are concerns about fastball spin and carry, but the extension makes the pitch play up. Add in a serviceable changeup and clean delivery, and you’ve got the makings of a high-upside lefty. The Detroit Tigers moved Jackson Jobe quickly through the system—don’t be shocked if they try something similar with Schoolcraft.
25. San Diego Padres – SS JoJo Parker, Purvis HS (MS)
Slot Value: $3,606,600
This is the most San Diego Padres pick of all time. They haven’t taken a college player in the first round since 2016, and JoJo Parker sitting here at 25 feels like a steal. A legitimate top-20 talent, Parker has turned in strong batted-ball metrics all spring and shown emerging game power. There’s a real chance he sticks at short, though he could shift to third or right field long term. With no second-rounder, San Diego might float Parker here with an over-slot offer. The upside makes it worth the gamble.
26. Philadelphia Phillies – OF Ethan Conrad, Wake Forest
Slot Value: $3,492,200
Wake Forest could land multiple first-rounders this year, and Conrad’s breakout makes him a strong candidate to join that list. He’s been one of the most productive hitters in the country, and while the over-the-fence power hasn’t shown up in bunches, the OBP and plate discipline certainly have. His left-handed swing is picturesque, and there’s belief that more pop will come with pro instruction. Philly has leaned offense early in recent years, and Conrad fits that mold—polished, productive, and projectable.
27. Cleveland Guardians – LHP Cameron Appenzeller, Glenwood HS (IL)
Slot Value: $3,382,600
This is such a Guardians pick. Appenzeller’s not lighting up radar guns yet—he’s 91–94—but at 6-foot-6 and just 180 pounds, there’s so much room for more. He’s deceptive from a lower slot, repeats well, and shows natural feel for spin. The Cleveland Guardians have developed velocity and polish as well as anyone, and this pick screams “developmental bet.” Don’t be surprised if he’s throwing mid-90s gas and carving in a couple of years.
28. Kansas City Royals – OF Mason Neville, Oregon
Slot Value: $3,282,200
Neville might be the best athlete still on the board here, and the Kansas City Royals need help in the outfield, both short and long term. He’s a twitchy, explosive power-speed threat who has come into his own this spring with improved plate discipline and loud contact. That 20% walk rate and 114 mph max EV jump off the page. If the hit tool holds, you’ve got a potential impact regularly. The risk is real, but the reward might be even greater.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks – 1B/OF Andrew Fischer, Tennessee
Slot Value: $3,191,100
With Christian Walker gone, Fischer makes a lot of sense for the Arizona Diamondbacks at the back of the round. He’s a bat-first masher with one of the best approaches in college baseball, and while he’s a bit limited defensively, the offensive profile could carry him. He destroys velocity and consistently lifts the ball to the pull side. This pick mirrors how the D-backs handled their first three first-rounders in 2024—go get a college bat, then evaluate for upside on Day 2.
30. Baltimore Orioles – 3B Gavin Fien, Great Oak HS (CA)
Slot Value: $3,113,300
Here’s your big prep splash. Gavin Fien has turned in a monster spring, and the Baltimore Orioles could be positioned to float him here after saving a bit at 19. His swing is compact and explosive, and he’s shown the ability to square up high velocity with ease. There’s still rawness to the approach, but the physical tools are loud. He’d be the latest in a growing line of young hitters Baltimore could mold into a future middle-of-the-order piece.
31. Baltimore Orioles – OF Devin Taylor, Indiana
Slot Value: $3,042,800
Back-to-back upside plays for the Orioles. Devin Taylor is a strong, left-handed slugger who just broke Indiana’s career home run record. He’s got bat speed, power to all fields, and a grinder’s mentality that fits right into Baltimore’s culture. Taylor’s approach fits the O’s data-forward model well, and while he’s probably limited to a corner, the offensive ceiling is enticing. This could be a sneaky-good value.
32. Milwaukee Brewers – OF Slater de Brun, Summit HS (OR)
Slot Value: $2,970,900
Slater de Brun is a classic Brewers play—undersized, athletic, and wildly skilled. He’s a premium center-field defender with a plus run tool and some of the best bat-to-ball skills on the prep side. The power is fringy, but that hasn’t stopped Milwaukee from betting on this type before (think Frelick, Ortiz, Turang). De Brun adds to the Brewers’ pipeline of high-contact, high-motor outfielders with a chance to make an impact at the top of a lineup.
The post Just Baseball’s 2025 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 appeared first on Just Baseball.
2025 MLB Mock Draft: Projecting Every First Round Pick
It’s that time of year again!
With the MLB Draft just two months away, the guessing game begins once again. Let’s be clear: nothing in this mock is etched in stone. Projections in May rarely age well by July, but that’s half the fun. We’re leaning into the chaos of the draft landscape, playing matchmaker based on early intel, team strategy trends, and player performance this spring.
This cycle feels particularly unpredictable—rising slot values have forced teams to get crafty, especially those with multiple picks. So in our first mock of the season, we explore a few bold scenarios, a few cost-cutting options, and plenty of upside swings. Buckle up—it’s going to be a ride.
Thanks to Just Baseball for this slideshow article's stats, analysis, and insights.

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