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

[craviduce]

MLB.com releases their Full 1st Round mock. Their first since December.

good analysis and insight as to how the Teams are leaning. Some teams are obvious with their wants/desires/strategies....the Angels for example, made it known they were looking for a big UnderSlot deal with a College pitcher....now MLB.com is reporting/suggesting they're targeting LHP. Arnold wouldn't be underslot, not a lot, but Doyle and Anderson would be. The Guardians were tied to 2 players last season, Bazzana and Wetherholt, and no one else.

I like reading mocks like this...you get an idea of how teams think....it's not set in stone they'll draft like this. You'll start to see other mocks from other pundits soon

LHP Jamie Arnold, FSU, falls to us ...

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-2 ... raft-may-6

note ~ LaViolette was 1-18, 9 K's last week if you include A&M's Tuesday night game. Consensus around the mocks/pundits/scouts(who report to teams) is he's extremely streaky with an Aluminum Bat, and that would likely be exasperated with a Wooden Bat. So far, he likes even Months like April, the 4th month. Struggles in the Odd Months.

[Othawhitemeat]

MLB.com releases their Full 1st Round mock. Their first since December.

good analysis and insight as to how the Teams are leaning. Some teams are obvious with their wants/desires/strategies....the Angels for example, made it known they were looking for a big UnderSlot deal with a College pitcher....now MLB.com is reporting/suggesting they're targeting LHP. Arnold wouldn't be underslot, not a lot, but Doyle and Anderson would be. The Guardians were tied to 2 players last season, Bazzana and Wetherholt, and no one else.

I like reading mocks like this...you get an idea of how teams think....it's not set in stone they'll draft like this. You'll start to see other mocks from other pundits soon

LHP Jamie Arnold, FSU, falls to us ...

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-2 ... raft-may-6

note ~ LaViolette was 1-18, 9 K's last week if you include A&M's Tuesday night game. Consensus around the mocks/pundits/scouts(who report to teams) is he's extremely streaky with an Aluminum Bat, and that would likely be exasperated with a Wooden Bat. So far, he likes even Months like April, the 4th month. Struggles in the Odd Months.

Would be super stoked with Arnold. If did not get him, would love if Hernandez or Holliday slid down (doubtful)

[craviduce]

MLB.com releases their Full 1st Round mock. Their first since December.

good analysis and insight as to how the Teams are leaning. Some teams are obvious with their wants/desires/strategies....the Angels for example, made it known they were looking for a big UnderSlot deal with a College pitcher....now MLB.com is reporting/suggesting they're targeting LHP. Arnold wouldn't be underslot, not a lot, but Doyle and Anderson would be. The Guardians were tied to 2 players last season, Bazzana and Wetherholt, and no one else.

I like reading mocks like this...you get an idea of how teams think....it's not set in stone they'll draft like this. You'll start to see other mocks from other pundits soon

LHP Jamie Arnold, FSU, falls to us ...

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-2 ... raft-may-6

note ~ LaViolette was 1-18, 9 K's last week if you include A&M's Tuesday night game. Consensus around the mocks/pundits/scouts(who report to teams) is he's extremely streaky with an Aluminum Bat, and that would likely be exasperated with a Wooden Bat. So far, he likes even Months like April, the 4th month. Struggles in the Odd Months.

Would be super stoked with Arnold. If did not get him, would love if Hernandez or Holliday slid down (doubtful)

if the rumors are true on the Angels and a few others ahead of us, at least 1 of those 3 will be their at #5.

I'm with you...I'm happy with any of those 3

[craviduce]

mocks are pouring in now, finally

Prospects Live ~ Eli Willits, SS, Ft. Cobb-Broxton HS, Okla.



paywall for the write up, sorry.

If the top 4 fell like this Crav, are you taking Willits at #5 or someone else? Love reading your insights. Thanks!

you asked an awesome question, and I could only answer it before not knowing much about Willits and apparently not everything about Carlson. Callis(MLB.com) says that Willits is a better hitter, more complete SS of the two. Carlson will likely need a swing change, but that can be easy. Konnor Griffin (9 pick by Pirates last year) did a swing change, and he looks good so far with Bradenton.

wanted to pass the info on to you, Cardinalsfever44. Willits might be the smarter play....initially? Flip of the coin? It's probably a win with either of them...but it should take while ....at least 4 seasons.

[craviduce]

New York Times , Keith Law

New Mock

1. Nationals ~ Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Corona HS, Calif
2. Angels ~ Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
3. Mariners ~ Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
4. Rockies ~ Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
5. Cards ~ Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
6. Pirates ~ Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS, Calif
7. Miami ~ Eli Willits, SS, Ft Cobb-Broxton, Okla.
8. Blue Jays ~ Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS, Calif.
9. Reds ~ Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
10. White Sox ~ JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS, Mississippi
11. A's ~ Jace LaViolette, CF, Texas A&M
12. Rangers ~ Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
13. Giants ~ Marek Houston, SS, WF
14. Rays ~ Gavin Fien, SS, Great Oak HS, Calif.
15. Red Sox ~ Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona


Law's pick analysis for the Cardinals. Good insight.

Player Profile
School: Oklahoma, Bats: R, Throws: R
I’m fairly confident we see at least four college pitchers taken in the top 10. I don’t think the Cardinals would be on any of the high schoolers in this range except Holliday in the unlikely event he got here. I think they’d take the best pitcher available over Arquette here, given who those arms are likely to be.

--------

we have now Callis and Law offering insight into what they're hearing each team is targeting, and in some cases "may" be targeting.
I'd expect this trend to continue.

Angels targeting Liam Doyle in both mocks. Underslot deal, and that fits the rumblings that Baseball America was talking about last week with their 2nd Staff Mock

[Monsieur De Treville]

I'm having a tough time with this draft.

Last season I was all in on JJ at a fairly early stage. But man...this one is tough. I mean, high school kids are tough to predict. And with the college pitchers...well...guys like Thompson & Hjerpe have me a little gun-shy.

It's unreasonable I know...but...I tend to like the safe, near sure-thing type of pick. I don't see that this year. Hope I'm wrong.

[craviduce]

I'm having a tough time with this draft.

Last season I was all in on JJ at a fairly early stage. But man...this one is tough. I mean, high school kids are tough to predict. And with the college pitchers...well...guys like Thompson & Hjerpe have me a little gun-shy.

It's unreasonable I know...but...I tend to like the safe, near sure-thing type of pick. I don't see that this year. Hope I'm wrong.

you nailed it. It's a weak draft up top when the prospects are graded. It's tough picking #5 this year. Some of the cream is starting to rise to the top, but as for the Knee Knocking we got with the Top 8 picks last season....I'm thinking that draft was an anomaly.

This is a great draft to be drafting # 15-20.

I count on the Angels, Rockies, or the Mariners to cause one of the Top 4 to fall into our laps. Every team has their own drafting orders, and their draft history helps us figure that out. One of those teams will make a reach and draft UnderSlot.

I think or I'm counting on the Nationals drafting Holliday. Or he goes #3

[craviduce]

If anyone has ESPN+, they updated their draft coverage. I'm not sure what they updated. Draft board or Mock Draft would be appreciated. They updated a couple weeks back, so if it's that, then no need to copy/paste that.

Thanks!!!

[TraveledLessRoad]

Duce- (I think) you've said there is no Hagen Smith or Chase Burns type of pitcher in this draft. Do Doyle, Arnold or Hernandez have "Ace" type potential or are these guys all likely solid MLB pitchers that at best could slot in at 3 in an MLB rotation?

[craviduce]

Duce- (I think) you've said there is no Hagen Smith or Chase Burns type of pitcher in this draft. Do Doyle, Arnold or Hernandez have "Ace" type potential or are these guys all likely solid MLB pitchers that at best could slot in at 3 in an MLB rotation?

Hernandez has future ace potential.

Arnold has the arsenal. I don't mind #3-#5 pitchers...if they have a good stretch, we call them "Aces" as fans . Tomato Tomotto , right?

Doyle is the question mark...the different type of fastballs he commands is impressive, but the secondary offspeed pitches are the elephant in the room. He's having a GREAT year, no doubt, but for most of this season, he's thrown some semblance of a fastball (low to mid 90's) 70% of the time.

Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU, in my opinion has a better "Ace" chance than Doyle...at the moment. Doyle could develop the Curve or Sliders of all Curves and Sliders ...but he has the most "Closer/Backend BP" floor than others

On Anderson, he has a complete arsenal, most teams will like.

[Strummer Jones]

New York Times , Keith Law

New Mock

1. Nationals ~ Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Corona HS, Calif
2. Angels ~ Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
3. Mariners ~ Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
4. Rockies ~ Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
5. Cards ~ Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
6. Pirates ~ Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS, Calif
7. Miami ~ Eli Willits, SS, Ft Cobb-Broxton, Okla.
8. Blue Jays ~ Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS, Calif.
9. Reds ~ Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
10. White Sox ~ JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS, Mississippi
11. A's ~ Jace LaViolette, CF, Texas A&M
12. Rangers ~ Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
13. Giants ~ Marek Houston, SS, WF
14. Rays ~ Gavin Fien, SS, Great Oak HS, Calif.
15. Red Sox ~ Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona


Law's pick analysis for the Cardinals. Good insight.

Player Profile
School: Oklahoma, Bats: R, Throws: R
I’m fairly confident we see at least four college pitchers taken in the top 10. I don’t think the Cardinals would be on any of the high schoolers in this range except Holliday in the unlikely event he got here. I think they’d take the best pitcher available over Arquette here, given who those arms are likely to be.

--------

we have now Callis and Law offering insight into what they're hearing each team is targeting, and in some cases "may" be targeting.
I'd expect this trend to continue.

Angels targeting Liam Doyle in both mocks. Underslot deal, and that fits the rumblings that Baseball America was talking about last week with their 2nd Staff Mock

I would hope we'd go with Hernandez in this situation. Witherspoon is not a BAD pick, but I'd like to shoot for the moon with a pick this high. Especially since we're out of the top 10 regardless for the '26 Draft.

[Shady]

I'm having a tough time with this draft.

Last season I was all in on JJ at a fairly early stage. But man...this one is tough. I mean, high school kids are tough to predict. And with the college pitchers...well...guys like Thompson & Hjerpe have me a little gun-shy.

It's unreasonable I know...but...I tend to like the safe, near sure-thing type of pick. I don't see that this year. Hope I'm wrong.

you nailed it. It's a weak draft up top when the prospects are graded. It's tough picking #5 this year. Some of the cream is starting to rise to the top, but as for the Knee Knocking we got with the Top 8 picks last season....I'm thinking that draft was an anomaly.

This is a great draft to be drafting # 15-20.

I count on the Angels, Rockies, or the Mariners to cause one of the Top 4 to fall into our laps. Every team has their own drafting orders, and their draft history helps us figure that out. One of those teams will make a reach and draft UnderSlot.

I think or I'm counting on the Nationals drafting Holliday. Or he goes #3

"I count on the Angels, Rockies, or the Mariners to cause one of the Top 4 to fall into our laps". craviduce, who would the other two be after Holliday and Arnold?

[craviduce]

I'm having a tough time with this draft.

Last season I was all in on JJ at a fairly early stage. But man...this one is tough. I mean, high school kids are tough to predict. And with the college pitchers...well...guys like Thompson & Hjerpe have me a little gun-shy.

It's unreasonable I know...but...I tend to like the safe, near sure-thing type of pick. I don't see that this year. Hope I'm wrong.

you nailed it. It's a weak draft up top when the prospects are graded. It's tough picking #5 this year. Some of the cream is starting to rise to the top, but as for the Knee Knocking we got with the Top 8 picks last season....I'm thinking that draft was an anomaly.

This is a great draft to be drafting # 15-20.

I count on the Angels, Rockies, or the Mariners to cause one of the Top 4 to fall into our laps. Every team has their own drafting orders, and their draft history helps us figure that out. One of those teams will make a reach and draft UnderSlot.

I think or I'm counting on the Nationals drafting Holliday. Or he goes #3

"I count on the Angels, Rockies, or the Mariners to cause one of the Top 4 to fall into our laps". craviduce, who would the other two be after Holliday and Arnold?

I'm using Law's words....his Top 4 in his mock...Doyle or Anderson are going to the Angels....and I don't consider either as Top 4.

Hernandez and Arquette would be the other two

[craviduce]

Duce- (I think) you've said there is no Hagen Smith or Chase Burns type of pitcher in this draft. Do Doyle, Arnold or Hernandez have "Ace" type potential or are these guys all likely solid MLB pitchers that at best could slot in at 3 in an MLB rotation?

if you want an Ace type you can rally around come draft day....Kyson Witherspoon. He has the fiery presence/attitude that Chris Carpenter had. Quite fun to watch him come off the mound. I've enjoyed watching him pitch this year. His brother is the #2 starter for OU, quite the pair on the weekends for OU.

He's a RHP, so the appeal from pundits isn't there....they do love them some LHP.

Witherspoon is one of those picks where you wished you picked 8-10...you'd feel better about him there than 5....but I wouldn't be unhappy with him at 5 either.

[Shady]

Duce- (I think) you've said there is no Hagen Smith or Chase Burns type of pitcher in this draft. Do Doyle, Arnold or Hernandez have "Ace" type potential or are these guys all likely solid MLB pitchers that at best could slot in at 3 in an MLB rotation?

if you want an Ace type you can rally around come draft day....Kyson Witherspoon. He has the fiery presence/attitude that Chris Carpenter had. Quite fun to watch him come off the mound. I've enjoyed watching him pitch this year. His brother is the #2 starter for OU, quite the pair on the weekends for OU.

He's a RHP, so the appeal from pundits isn't there....they do love them some LHP.

Witherspoon is one of those picks where you wished you picked 8-10...you'd feel better about him there than 5....but I wouldn't be unhappy with him at 5 either.

Would you prefer Witherspoon over Arnold?

[craviduce]

Duce- (I think) you've said there is no Hagen Smith or Chase Burns type of pitcher in this draft. Do Doyle, Arnold or Hernandez have "Ace" type potential or are these guys all likely solid MLB pitchers that at best could slot in at 3 in an MLB rotation?

if you want an Ace type you can rally around come draft day....Kyson Witherspoon. He has the fiery presence/attitude that Chris Carpenter had. Quite fun to watch him come off the mound. I've enjoyed watching him pitch this year. His brother is the #2 starter for OU, quite the pair on the weekends for OU.

He's a RHP, so the appeal from pundits isn't there....they do love them some LHP.

Witherspoon is one of those picks where you wished you picked 8-10...you'd feel better about him there than 5....but I wouldn't be unhappy with him at 5 either.

Would you prefer Witherspoon over Arnold?

if Arnold is healthy, then Arnold. He's had a full work load for a long time. Sometimes that works against you. Just a side concern.

Unless, of course, I had a greater plan to save a few dollars to go after higher priced/fringe HS players in the following rounds. We do have a bigger budget this year... Bonus wise.