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

[craviduce]

Jonathan Mayo's turn this week

https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/mlb-pipel ... e-coverage

Jamie Arnold, LHP, FSU

[nmstar]

Jonathan Mayo's turn this week

https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/mlb-pipel ... e-coverage

Jamie Arnold, LHP, FSU

The most interesting part about the write up for pick #5 was hearing that there is buzz that Ike Irish might be in play here (or somewhere in the top 10) on an underslot deal. Reportedly he did not turn in his medical info which would allow a team not to have to offer him 75% of slot value for a pick. Can't say I'd be in favor of that or not but it would be amusing to see people freak the heck out if that happened. It would make the drama around the 2nd round pick much higher that is for sure.

[kyace]

Good chance Mariners are going to under slot for a player such as Irish or SS Steele according to what I’m hearing. With the 35 comp pick and with $18 million to play with they would like to go after a high profile high schooler that falls due to sign ability issues with that 35 pick. They did this last year and got hs pitcher Sloan who they think will be a tor pitcher like Kirby or Gilbert soon.
I think they take Irish as they lack right hand power and see him as someone who could raise fast while they still have their pitching staff intact. That also would allow them to trade Harry Ford.
I’m starting to think there is a chance that Holiday may fall to Cards as I think Rockies may grab Hernandez or Arnold.

[nmstar]

Good chance Mariners are going to under slot for a player such as Irish or SS Steele according to what I’m hearing. With the 35 comp pick and with $18 million to play with they would like to go after a high profile high schooler that falls due to sign ability issues with that 35 pick. They did this last year and got hs pitcher Sloan who they think will be a tor pitcher like Kirby or Gilbert soon.
I think they take Irish as they lack right hand power and see him as someone who could raise fast while they still have their pitching staff intact. That also would allow them to trade Harry Ford.
I’m starting to think there is a chance that Holiday may fall to Cards as I think Rockies may grab Hernandez or Arnold.

Interesting, Seattle may have one of the largest budgets of any team so they have a lot of options. One small correction, Irish is a lefty bat.

[TraveledLessRoad]

To me, the most interesting part of the article was the underlying mention (a couple of times) that Holiday could fall to us at 5. Or, at least he lays out a scenario where that could actually happen.

[TraveledLessRoad]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/20 ... b300&ei=22

This one has us taking Willits at #5

[craviduce]

Good chance Mariners are going to under slot for a player such as Irish or SS Steele according to what I’m hearing. With the 35 comp pick and with $18 million to play with they would like to go after a high profile high schooler that falls due to sign ability issues with that 35 pick. They did this last year and got hs pitcher Sloan who they think will be a tor pitcher like Kirby or Gilbert soon.
I think they take Irish as they lack right hand power and see him as someone who could raise fast while they still have their pitching staff intact. That also would allow them to trade Harry Ford.
I’m starting to think there is a chance that Holiday may fall to Cards as I think Rockies may grab Hernandez or Arnold.

If they take Irish...that puts Holiday/Willits and Arquette in play at #5.

I expect two LHP off the board with #1 and #2. Colorado picking the other LHP (Arnold) gives us several opportunities with hitters. My worst fear is they go underslot with Summerhill (Arizona)...he's a good hitter...but I think we deserve a bit more with that bat at @ #5

[kyace]

This may be the most unsure draft in recent memory. There is no consensus top pick and not even a top five. I believe teams are just as unsure as the fans and are debating what route to take. Washington’s decision will go a long way in deciding how things fall. Angels normally take college players who can contribute quickly so most likely a college pitcher. Seattle’s decision is the next huge deciding pick. I would be shocked if they took a college pitcher. They could still take the safe pick in Arquette since he does check a lot of boxes in what they need. They could use a rh bat that can cover third base in a few years or sooner.
I’m starting to think that Nats take Anderson and Angels go with Doyle or Arnold. However if the Nats don’t take a college pitcher and don’t take Holliday then things could get very interesting.

[TraveledLessRoad]

Duce- I asked this earlier in the thread and didn’t get a reply from anyone, but is there any world where we’d take a swing at Jace Laviolette at #5? It’s a reach, but no one can deny that he has potentially the most lethal power bat in the draft. Since there really isn’t anyone we’re in love with at #5, why not go with highest-upside player

[Shady]

Duce- I asked this earlier in the thread and didn’t get a reply from anyone, but is there any world where we’d take a swing at Jace Laviolette at #5? It’s a reach, but no one can deny that he has potentially the most lethal power bat in the draft. Since there really isn’t anyone we’re in love with at #5, why not go with highest-upside player

That's a really good question. It's really going to be interesting to see where LaViolette goes.

[craviduce]

Duce- I asked this earlier in the thread and didn’t get a reply from anyone, but is there any world where we’d take a swing at Jace Laviolette at #5? It’s a reach, but no one can deny that he has potentially the most lethal power bat in the draft. Since there really isn’t anyone we’re in love with at #5, why not go with highest-upside player

I ask this..."In a draft that is so many levels below last seasons draft in regards to top tier talent, why on earth do we want to draft a guy @ #5 who would probably go 2nd round in 2024?"

Seriously...why would we want to do that?

I've exhausted too much time on Jace...in this very thread with Shady the Troll...who then after 3 months of squawking "LaViolette" over and over again after everyone of my posts, decided to jump on my Seth Hernandez wagon, using some of my points about Hernandez.

I wish Jace the best of luck...where ever he's picked....I hope not #5.

----

edit ~ does he deserve to go 2nd round? Probably not, but players were falling out of the 1st round last year for much less.

[Aday96]

If they do go the high school SS route who do you all favor out of Willits, Parker, Carlson.

Seems like Willits has best all around tools, Parker best bat, and Carlson best glove and arm currently.

[craviduce]

If they do go the high school SS route who do you all favor out of Willits, Parker, Carlson.

Seems like Willits has best all around tools, Parker best bat, and Carlson best glove and arm currently.

you explained it perfectly, Aday....to a "T". I've watched Carlson a bit this year, so much to like about his game, his competition was Top 25 in the nation all Spring Long. He fell off offensively a smidge as the year went along, but not enough to hurt his Top 10 stock.

I've tried to follow the Parker Brothers from Purvis, bits and pieces here and there. An old classmate said this to me, 4A baseball in southern Mississippi doesn't offer the best of competition, but JoJo did shine on the summer and fall circuit all-star series. That could sell me on a "yes" to JoJo.

Willit's to your point, best all around tools...and he's the youngest, with perhaps the highest upside in the draft. His competition wasn't great this spring either, so there's always that thorn.
------

cases can be made for each.....I'd go Willits, Parker, Carlson....and Carlson and Parker are really close . I'm drafting Willits and Parker for their bats, and moving them to other spots on the field...CF/3B/2B...where ever. If I draft Carlson, he's sticking at SS., I worry about the bat later.

[Aday96]

If they do go the high school SS route who do you all favor out of Willits, Parker, Carlson.

Seems like Willits has best all around tools, Parker best bat, and Carlson best glove and arm currently.

you explained it perfectly, Aday....to a "T". I've watched Carlson a bit this year, so much to like about his game, his competition was Top 25 in the nation all Spring Long. He fell off offensively a smidge as the year went along, but not enough to hurt his Top 10 stock.

I've tried to follow the Parker Brothers from Purvis, bits and pieces here and there. An old classmate said this to me, 4A baseball in southern Mississippi doesn't offer the best of competition, but JoJo did shine on the summer and fall circuit all-star series. That could sell me on a "yes" to JoJo.

Willit's to your point, best all around tools...and he's the youngest, with perhaps the highest upside in the draft. His competition wasn't great this spring either, so there's always that thorn.
------

cases can be made for each.....I'd go Willits, Parker, Carlson....and Carlson and Parker are really close . I'm drafting Willits and Parker for their bats, and moving them to other spots on the field...CF/3B/2B...where ever. If I draft Carlson, he's sticking at SS., I worry about the bat later.

Good stuff, Crav. I honestly would be perfectly fine with any of those three at 5. All of them have pretty good potential to be quality players down the road.

Will be interesting if the cards have the option between those three and say Arnold and Arquette still on the board. I'd assume they'd go Arnold, but I may lean the potential from the hs trio.

[82birds]

If they do go the high school SS route who do you all favor out of Willits, Parker, Carlson.

Seems like Willits has best all around tools, Parker best bat, and Carlson best glove and arm currently.

you explained it perfectly, Aday....to a "T". I've watched Carlson a bit this year, so much to like about his game, his competition was Top 25 in the nation all Spring Long. He fell off offensively a smidge as the year went along, but not enough to hurt his Top 10 stock.

I've tried to follow the Parker Brothers from Purvis, bits and pieces here and there. An old classmate said this to me, 4A baseball in southern Mississippi doesn't offer the best of competition, but JoJo did shine on the summer and fall circuit all-star series. That could sell me on a "yes" to JoJo.

Willit's to your point, best all around tools...and he's the youngest, with perhaps the highest upside in the draft. His competition wasn't great this spring either, so there's always that thorn.
------

cases can be made for each.....I'd go Willits, Parker, Carlson....and Carlson and Parker are really close . I'm drafting Willits and Parker for their bats, and moving them to other spots on the field...CF/3B/2B...where ever. If I draft Carlson, he's sticking at SS., I worry about the bat later.

one thing I like about Willits is he is a switch hitter

[Shady]

Duce- I asked this earlier in the thread and didn’t get a reply from anyone, but is there any world where we’d take a swing at Jace Laviolette at #5? It’s a reach, but no one can deny that he has potentially the most lethal power bat in the draft. Since there really isn’t anyone we’re in love with at #5, why not go with highest-upside player

I ask this..."In a draft that is so many levels below last seasons draft in regards to top tier talent, why on earth do we want to draft a guy @ #5 who would probably go 2nd round in 2024?"

Seriously...why would we want to do that?

I've exhausted too much time on Jace...in this very thread with Shady the Troll...who then after 3 months of squawking "LaViolette" over and over again after everyone of my posts, decided to jump on my Seth Hernandez wagon, using some of my points about Hernandez.

I wish Jace the best of luck...where ever he's picked....I hope not #5.

----

edit ~ does he deserve to go 2nd round? Probably not, but players were falling out of the 1st round last year for much less.