2025 MLB Draft Room ~ Thread, Mocks, Discussion, Draft Boards

[redbirdfan51]

Is Billy any relation to Dylan?

[craviduce]

Is Billy any relation to Dylan?

nothing I can find.

Dylan has a younger brother named Tanner. He played for LBSU and then Texas in 2023. He wasn't drafted.

[Cranny]

https://pitcherlist.com/way-too-early-mlb-mock-draft/

Cardinals ~ Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)

this is the best up-to-date mock draft we've seen all season, especially with the college prospects. It has all the fast risers, all the decliners. And the picks seem to make sense for each team....or he at least tries to make it make sense, I'm sure fans can find a flaw with at least a few picks.

Good Read, enjoy.

my only knock is the Highschool side of the prospects could better...I guess he set the College Bar so high, that that might be the problem

The Cards are severely lacking in power bats. There will be several good ones available at #5. We don’t need a high schooler who won’t be ready for 5 years. Look at Baez. We need a proven college bat.

[craviduce]

https://pitcherlist.com/way-too-early-mlb-mock-draft/

Cardinals ~ Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)

this is the best up-to-date mock draft we've seen all season, especially with the college prospects. It has all the fast risers, all the decliners. And the picks seem to make sense for each team....or he at least tries to make it make sense, I'm sure fans can find a flaw with at least a few picks.

Good Read, enjoy.

my only knock is the Highschool side of the prospects could better...I guess he set the College Bar so high, that that might be the problem

The Cards are severely lacking in power bats. There will be several good ones available at #5. We don’t need a high schooler who won’t be ready for 5 years. Look at Baez. We need a proven college bat.

Drafting at #5 vs. Drafting a kid with severe swing and miss concerns who dropped 30-40 spots on all draft boards to #54 back in 2021..... highly comparable, Cranny.

You want a power bat, you said that a few days ago, I tried showing you that those don't exist like last season. The power guys give up too much in other categories and their draft stock drops. Petry and Taylor are going to be good players. Petry will be a 2 tool player, Taylor a 1-2 tool player....you can't draft those at #5. By your own comp (Josh Baez), you don't want the other power bats, they're Josh Baez in waiting/training ... IE: Neyens, Holliday....too much swing and miss, low Avg....but high EV/Power Swings and still in HS

This draft is heavy with level swings, who come with pull/ line drive power judging by their EV, which are extremely low vs. previous drafts. Their avg EV's are okay, but aren't up there with Condon, Caglianone, Bazzana, Wetherholt. These type of players are Kilen, Curley, Houston....they'll get drafted high b/c they offer a defensive skill set, and are rather athletic/quick, especially for their size.

Level swings is the New META...it is what teams are desiring in 2025. Increase the contact rate, and if the ball goes over the fence, so be it.

At #5, you expect more than Taylor and Petry ...as fans, we should demand more.

Note...I like Taylor and Petry a lot, but not enough to draft them at #5.

[HorseTrader]

https://pitcherlist.com/way-too-early-mlb-mock-draft/

Cardinals ~ Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)

this is the best up-to-date mock draft we've seen all season, especially with the college prospects. It has all the fast risers, all the decliners. And the picks seem to make sense for each team....or he at least tries to make it make sense, I'm sure fans can find a flaw with at least a few picks.

Good Read, enjoy.

my only knock is the Highschool side of the prospects could better...I guess he set the College Bar so high, that that might be the problem

The Cards are severely lacking in power bats. There will be several good ones available at #5. We don’t need a high schooler who won’t be ready for 5 years. Look at Baez. We need a proven college bat.

Drafting at #5 vs. Drafting a kid with severe swing and miss concerns who dropped 30-40 spots on all draft boards to #54 back in 2021..... highly comparable, Cranny.

You want a power bat, you said that a few days ago, I tried showing you that those don't exist like last season. The power guys give up too much in other categories and their draft stock drops. Petry and Taylor are going to be good players. Petry will be a 2 tool player, Taylor a 1-2 tool player....you can't draft those at #5. By your own comp (Josh Baez), you don't want the other power bats, they're Josh Baez in waiting/training ... IE: Neyens, Holliday....too much swing and miss, low Avg....but high EV/Power Swings and still in HS

This draft is heavy with level swings, who come with pull/ line drive power judging by their EV, which are extremely low vs. previous drafts. Their avg EV's are okay, but aren't up there with Condon, Caglianone, Bazzana, Wetherholt. These type of players are Kilen, Curley, Houston....they'll get drafted high b/c they offer a defensive skill set, and are rather athletic/quick, especially for their size.

Level swings is the New META...it is what teams are desiring in 2025. Increase the contact rate, and if the ball goes over the fence, so be it.

At #5, you expect more than Taylor and Petry ...as fans, we should demand more.

Note...I like Taylor and Petry a lot, but not enough to draft them at #5.

About time they go back to hit the ball consistently. That type of thinking might also lead to more hit & run and few more steals. (along with fewer strikeouts)

[craviduce]

https://pitcherlist.com/way-too-early-mlb-mock-draft/

Cardinals ~ Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)

this is the best up-to-date mock draft we've seen all season, especially with the college prospects. It has all the fast risers, all the decliners. And the picks seem to make sense for each team....or he at least tries to make it make sense, I'm sure fans can find a flaw with at least a few picks.

Good Read, enjoy.

my only knock is the Highschool side of the prospects could better...I guess he set the College Bar so high, that that might be the problem

The Cards are severely lacking in power bats. There will be several good ones available at #5. We don’t need a high schooler who won’t be ready for 5 years. Look at Baez. We need a proven college bat.

Drafting at #5 vs. Drafting a kid with severe swing and miss concerns who dropped 30-40 spots on all draft boards to #54 back in 2021..... highly comparable, Cranny.

You want a power bat, you said that a few days ago, I tried showing you that those don't exist like last season. The power guys give up too much in other categories and their draft stock drops. Petry and Taylor are going to be good players. Petry will be a 2 tool player, Taylor a 1-2 tool player....you can't draft those at #5. By your own comp (Josh Baez), you don't want the other power bats, they're Josh Baez in waiting/training ... IE: Neyens, Holliday....too much swing and miss, low Avg....but high EV/Power Swings and still in HS

This draft is heavy with level swings, who come with pull/ line drive power judging by their EV, which are extremely low vs. previous drafts. Their avg EV's are okay, but aren't up there with Condon, Caglianone, Bazzana, Wetherholt. These type of players are Kilen, Curley, Houston....they'll get drafted high b/c they offer a defensive skill set, and are rather athletic/quick, especially for their size.

Level swings is the New META...it is what teams are desiring in 2025. Increase the contact rate, and if the ball goes over the fence, so be it.

At #5, you expect more than Taylor and Petry ...as fans, we should demand more.

Note...I like Taylor and Petry a lot, but not enough to draft them at #5.

take your power bats in the 2nd or 3rd round.

I'd take Carlson, or his teammate Hernandez at #5 if I'm going HS. Holliday gives me pause b/c of his struggles this summer with a Wooden Bat vs. peers who were on his talent level.

Arnold, Doyle, and even Bremner I would be fine with. Front of the rotation starters are a GEM these days.

Kilen (if he gets back soon from injury) is probably one the most well rounded prospects....he's improved in all aspects of hitting/power...I'm not sure if this season is an outlier or not....and what gets exposed from him once he gets to AA or AAA?

Houston is one of those line drive/level swing hitters....terrific athlete, quick, defensive gem....I wouldn't mind him or Kilen at this point, but I like the ones I listed above better.... Arnold, Carlson, Hernandez, Doyle and Bremner

[craviduce]

https://pitcherlist.com/way-too-early-mlb-mock-draft/

Cardinals ~ Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)

this is the best up-to-date mock draft we've seen all season, especially with the college prospects. It has all the fast risers, all the decliners. And the picks seem to make sense for each team....or he at least tries to make it make sense, I'm sure fans can find a flaw with at least a few picks.

Good Read, enjoy.

my only knock is the Highschool side of the prospects could better...I guess he set the College Bar so high, that that might be the problem

The Cards are severely lacking in power bats. There will be several good ones available at #5. We don’t need a high schooler who won’t be ready for 5 years. Look at Baez. We need a proven college bat.

Drafting at #5 vs. Drafting a kid with severe swing and miss concerns who dropped 30-40 spots on all draft boards to #54 back in 2021..... highly comparable, Cranny.

You want a power bat, you said that a few days ago, I tried showing you that those don't exist like last season. The power guys give up too much in other categories and their draft stock drops. Petry and Taylor are going to be good players. Petry will be a 2 tool player, Taylor a 1-2 tool player....you can't draft those at #5. By your own comp (Josh Baez), you don't want the other power bats, they're Josh Baez in waiting/training ... IE: Neyens, Holliday....too much swing and miss, low Avg....but high EV/Power Swings and still in HS

This draft is heavy with level swings, who come with pull/ line drive power judging by their EV, which are extremely low vs. previous drafts. Their avg EV's are okay, but aren't up there with Condon, Caglianone, Bazzana, Wetherholt. These type of players are Kilen, Curley, Houston....they'll get drafted high b/c they offer a defensive skill set, and are rather athletic/quick, especially for their size.

Level swings is the New META...it is what teams are desiring in 2025. Increase the contact rate, and if the ball goes over the fence, so be it.

At #5, you expect more than Taylor and Petry ...as fans, we should demand more.

Note...I like Taylor and Petry a lot, but not enough to draft them at #5.

About time they go back to hit the ball consistently. That type of thinking might also lead to more hit & run and few more steals. (along with fewer strikeouts)

that's what we're seeing in College this season, Horse Trader....dramatic drop in K's for the Level Swing crop of prospects. DRAMATIC drop. I don't know if it's an outlier or not...we'll see

[craviduce]

Just Baseball's midseason Top 200 list with a terrific synopsis for each player. Click on the player, you'll get the synopsis. This a GREAT read and gives you a better feel/understanding of the athletic Highschool crop. Also, it's really good to see info on Justin Steele (Alabama HS SS who has been getting rave reviews the last two months)

Enjoy!!!

https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb-draft/ ... try-100645

[Cranny]

Just going by history. Baez has struggled. High schoolers Gorman and Walker still haven’t stepped forward at the major league level. But everyone is excited about the arrival of college player Wetherholt in the next year or two. We need that kind of excitement right now with the #5 pick.

[craviduce]

Just going by history. Baez has struggled. High schoolers Gorman and Walker still haven’t stepped forward at the major league level. But everyone is excited about the arrival of college player Wetherholt in the next year or two. We need that kind of excitement right now with the #5 pick.

how many of those, Walker, Gorman, Kaminsky, Carlson, Kozma were the #5 pick in the draft? You have a risk no matter the age of the player. You can hit on the Max Clark's, Jackson Holliday's, Jobe's, etc at #5. Don't handicap, nor underslot yourself with the #5 pick.

The Clark's, ,Holliday's of the world didn't spend much time in the minors...you get a chance to draft those types at #5....the world looks a lot different at #5 than #22.

We have no history with HS players at #5 in the draft.

[Futuregm2]

Just going by history. Baez has struggled. High schoolers Gorman and Walker still haven’t stepped forward at the major league level. But everyone is excited about the arrival of college player Wetherholt in the next year or two. We need that kind of excitement right now with the #5 pick.

So you’re saying we should draft a JUCO position player in the 13th round every year.

[Cranny]

I’m simply saying that I’m more excited about the Wetherholts and Scotts than the Baezes and Fletchers. And that we’re hurting for hitters in the system who have some pop. Especially outfielders.
That’s all. I’m a fan of Chase Davis and hope we get an OFer to match his ceiling coming through the system soon. If it’s at #5, fine. If it’s in the second or third round, that’s fine too.

[craviduce]

I’m simply saying that I’m more excited about the Wetherholts and Scotts than the Baezes and Fletchers. And that we’re hurting for hitters in the system who have some pop. Especially outfielders.
That’s all. I’m a fan of Chase Davis and hope we get an OFer to match his ceiling coming through the system soon. If it’s at #5, fine. If it’s in the second or third round, that’s fine too.

those OF with Pop aren't making it, at the moment, to #5 in the draft. Maybe the Georgia boys will Bang their way to the Top 10 in the draft...a couple of very old 23 yo Grad Students who lead the NCAA in all power categories....I doubt it, but they could.....they're not even Top 100....at the moment. Their best hope is Arte Moreno drafting them at #2...he loves college reach picks for the Angels.

It's still early....anything can happen. I'll reiterate that the Power First bats with low Miss Rates don't exist this draft....and if they do, they're a rarity, and are rated much lower on draft boards than #5.

I was going to race that Horse in the Kentucky Derby, but we've seem to have Beaten it to death.

[Futuregm2]

I’m simply saying that I’m more excited about the Wetherholts and Scotts than the Baezes and Fletchers. And that we’re hurting for hitters in the system who have some pop. Especially outfielders.
That’s all. I’m a fan of Chase Davis and hope we get an OFer to match his ceiling coming through the system soon. If it’s at #5, fine. If it’s in the second or third round, that’s fine too.

We have no idea if Wetherholt will even have as good of a season as Walker had offensively in 2023. And Scott has a career .502 OPS right now. Watching Jordan Walker come up through the system was quite exciting. I’d take another talent like him every day of the week and twice on Sunday. You’re not going to hit on all of them. College players fail just like HS players do.

Since 2010, the best #5 overall pick was OF Kyle Tucker, a high schooler. The next most successful was a college LHP Drew Pomeranz. The third was another high schooler, OF Riley Greene.

[Cranny]

I’m simply saying that I’m more excited about the Wetherholts and Scotts than the Baezes and Fletchers. And that we’re hurting for hitters in the system who have some pop. Especially outfielders.
That’s all. I’m a fan of Chase Davis and hope we get an OFer to match his ceiling coming through the system soon. If it’s at #5, fine. If it’s in the second or third round, that’s fine too.

We have no idea if Wetherholt will even have as good of a season as Walker had offensively in 2023. And Scott has a career .502 OPS right now. Watching Jordan Walker come up through the system was quite exciting. I’d take another talent like him every day of the week and twice on Sunday. You’re not going to hit on all of them. College players fail just like HS players do.

Since 2010, the best #5 overall pick was OF Kyle Tucker, a high schooler. The next most successful was a college LHP Drew Pomeranz. The third was another high schooler, OF Riley Greene.

All I’m saying is that with a college player from a major conference you have 3 more years to go on and analyze. And the chances are, a college player at #5 probably has a better chance of helping the the major league Cardinals sooner than the high school kid.
That’s all.

[craviduce]

I’m simply saying that I’m more excited about the Wetherholts and Scotts than the Baezes and Fletchers. And that we’re hurting for hitters in the system who have some pop. Especially outfielders.
That’s all. I’m a fan of Chase Davis and hope we get an OFer to match his ceiling coming through the system soon. If it’s at #5, fine. If it’s in the second or third round, that’s fine too.

We have no idea if Wetherholt will even have as good of a season as Walker had offensively in 2023. And Scott has a career .502 OPS right now. Watching Jordan Walker come up through the system was quite exciting. I’d take another talent like him every day of the week and twice on Sunday. You’re not going to hit on all of them. College players fail just like HS players do.

Since 2010, the best #5 overall pick was OF Kyle Tucker, a high schooler. The next most successful was a college LHP Drew Pomeranz. The third was another high schooler, OF Riley Greene.

All I’m saying is that with a college player from a major conference you have 3 more years to go on and analyze. And the chances are, a college player at #5 probably has a better chance of helping the the major league Cardinals sooner than the high school kid.
That’s all.

then you'll currently love Gavin Kilen, Aiva Arquette, and Marek Houston. Not the best power, but some is there. They won't be anchoring the #4 spot in the lineup anytime soon, but they're your best college hitters...at the moment.