2025 MLB Mock Draft 1.0: A Test in Futility

The MLB Draft Lottery has come and gone, clarifying how teams will prepare for the draft in July. This means we can finally start throwing our darts at the board and hoping we hit the bullseye. It’s a practice in futility this far out, but it’s a fun activity that will give readers an idea of what we think is happening at this stage.

While the idea of going through to pick 43 is enticing, we’ve opted to stick with the first 27 picks. The reason for this is simple: the Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers will drop ten spots due to luxury tax penalties. Picks 28-32 will consist of compensation picks for qualifying offers and PPI, though those picks aren’t set in stone yet except for the PPI pick to the Royals and the compensation pick to the Brewers for Willy Adames. There will be intriguing draft strategies, as the Rays, Brewers, and Orioles will have three picks in the top 50, though it’s too far out to piece names together for this. We hope you enjoy this mock, which is free to the public!

---

1. Washington nationals - OF Jace Laviolette, Texas A&M

2. Los Angeles Angels - LHP Jamie Arnold, Florida State

3. Seattle Mariners - SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)

4. Colorado Rockies - 3B Ethan Holliday, Stillwater (OK)

5. St. Louis Cardinals - RHP Tyler Bremner, UC Santa Barbara

6. Pittsburgh Pirates - OF Cam Cannarella, Clemson

7. Miami Marlins - SS Billy Carlson, Corona (CA)

8. Toronto Blue Jays - 3B/OF Xavier Neyens, Mount Vernon (WA)

9. Cincinnati Reds - C Ike Irish, Auburn

10. Chicago White Sox - RHP Seth Hernandez, Corona (CA)

11. Sacramento Athletics - SS Kayson Cunningham, Johnson (TX)

12. Texas Rangers - OF Devin Taylor, Indiana

13. San Francisco Giants - OF Ethan Conrad, Wake Forest

14. Tampa Bay Rays - OF Brendan Summerhill, Arizona

15. Boston Red Sox - C Luke Stevenson, North Carolina

16. Minnesota Twins - SS Aiva Arquette, Oregon State

17. Chicago Cubs - LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset (OR)

18. Arizona Diamondbacks - 3B/OF Tre Phelps, Georgia

19. Baltimore Orioles - SS Brady Ebel, Corona (CA)

20. Milwaukee Brewers - LHP Cameron Appenzeller, Glenwood (IL)

21. Houston Astros - C Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina

22. Atlanta Braves - RHP Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma

23. Kansas City Royals - 3B/OF Andrew Fischer, Tennessee

24. Detroit Tigers - SS Dean Curley, Tennessee

25. San Diego Padres - OF Slater De Brun, Summit (OR)

26. Philadelphia Phillies - OF Dean Moss, IMG Academy (FL)

27. Cleveland Guardians - SS Marek Houston, Wake Forest

2025 MLB Draft Top 75 Collegiate Prospects: Conference Breakdowns (SEC - Part 1)

We recently released our top 75 college prospects and throughout the fall we have been bringing you some top prospects within each conference. For this edition, we will dive into some of the top prospects across the SEC.

35 players from 11 different schools hail from the nation’s premier college baseball conference with our Top 75 prospects list. Defending national champions Tennessee lead the way with six players while Arkansas is just behind the Vols with five. LSU and Texas A&M each have four. Below are the eighteen SEC players who ranked in the Top 40 of our Top 75.

Full Top 75 List: https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/9/21/2025-mlb-draft-top-75-collegiate-prospects

HITTERS

OF Jace Laviolette - Texas A&M

Prospects Live Ranking: #1

Jace Laviolette is the prototypical left-handed power bat that MLB organizations love. He’s athletic enough to play centerfield, which is likely where he’ll remain for the Aggies as he anchors perhaps the nation’s best lineup. Strikeouts remain a small concern, but he’s improved since his freshman season in drawing walks and getting on base. The Texas slugger took the summer off following Texas A&M’s loss in the National Championship to Tennessee despite an invite to participate in Team USA for the second time. That rest will be critical as he looks to solidify his #1 overall pick potential. With his ability on the basepaths and in the field, Laviolette is a legitimate five-tool player at the college level. If the organization that drafts him can figure out a way to cut down on the strikeouts while maintaining his hit and power tool, the big lefty could be a future five-tool prospect at the pro level.

C/OF Ike Irish - Auburn

Prospects Live Ranking: #9

Ike Irish is the top-rated college catcher ahead of the 2025 draft. Unlike North Carolina’s Luke Stevenson, however, there are some questions as to Irish’s future at the position. The Michigan native is another left-handed hitter with a very good hit tool. As a freshman in the ACC, Irish hit .361 with 31 extra base hits. He struggled with a nagging injury at times during his sophomore campaign, but still managed to hit .319 and more than double his home run total from the previous season. Despite the plus hit tool and extra base hit numbers, there are concerns about his ability to hit for power given his tendency to hit ground balls at a high rate. Defensively, Irish has a strong arm and has improved his receiving skills, but it’s likely his future lies as a corner outfielder. Regardless of his future position, he’ll be the most feared bat in the Auburn lineup during the 2025 season. 

Ike, Ike, baby‼️

Just some Sunday yardwork for our guy.

B6 | Auburn 6, UConn 2 pic.twitter.com/4LK7rWT8xA

— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball) March 3, 2024

3B/OF Andrew Fischer - Tennessee

Prospects Live Ranking: #17

After a year at Duke and a year at Ole Miss, Andrew Fischer is in Knoxville to play for Tennessee in his draft eligible year. Fischer joins fellow top draft prospects Dean Curley and Gavin Kilen in a loaded infield. It remains to be seen exactly where Fischer will play as Curley and Kilen are better defenders due to Fischer’s limited range. He could see time at third and first for the Vols, but perhaps his future lies in a corner outfield position at the next level. The New Jersey native enjoyed a breakout season at the plate for the Rebs last season, slugging 17 home runs in 49 games while hitting .282. Fischer, who mashes fastballs and likes to pull the ball, will likely eclipse 20 home runs for Tennessee in 2025. He’s yet to hit .300 as a college player, but playing in a loaded lineup should help boost his offensive numbers next season.  

3B Dean Curley - Tennessee

Prospects Live Ranking: #16

Dean Curley is a draft eligible sophomore who played shortstop for Tennessee on the way to winning their first National Championship in school history last season. The California native hit .285 with 23 extra base hits as a true freshman while stealing 9 bases. He became the first freshman in school history to hit three home runs in a game on March 6th against Kansas State. Curley is projected to play the hot corner at the next level but will likely stay at shortstop for the Vols in 2025 unless Ariel Antigua forces Curley to shift to 3rd base. After his fantastic first year, the former freshman All American is poised to have an even bigger sophomore campaign. His pull-side power and impressive bat speed should see him improve on his home run total and I expect to see his average rise well above .300 in this loaded Tennessee lineup.    

Dean Curley tonight:

Grand Slam ✅
3 Run HR ✅
2 Run HR ✅

True freshman. Rumor has it that his roommate is Tungsten Arm O’Doyle pic.twitter.com/sU9DoU9bw9

— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) March 6, 2024

2B/SS Gavin Kilen - Tennessee

Prospects Live Ranking: #17

Gavin Kilen enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign for Louisville in 2024 as he hit .330 with 23 doubles and 9 home runs. He showed flashes of decent power last year, but is more of a gap-to-gap doubles hitter than a slugger. Five of his nine home runs last season came in a 10-day stretch between March 6th and March 16th. Kilen only hit three home runs in conference play but could improve on those numbers in a new environment. The Wisconsin native has the range, arm, and quickness to play shortstop at the next level, but it’s probable that Tennessee employs Kilen at second base with either Dean Curley or even Ariel Antigua manning shortstop. Don’t be surprised if Tony Vitello utilizes his high contact rate at the top of the order to serve as a table setter for the Vols’ big boppers. Wherever he hits in the lineup, he should produce solid offensive numbers while playing stellar defense at second.

UT RJ Austin - Vanderbilt

Prospects Live Ranking: #19

RJ Austin has been a mainstay in the Vanderbilt lineup since arriving on campus ahead of the 2023 season. In 122 career collegiate games Austin is a career .296 hitter with 39 extra base hits and 32 stolen bases. He has steadily improved since arriving on campus and has been showing signs of more power. The biggest mystery surrounding RJ Austin is determining what position he’s going to play. While representing Team USA and playing on the Cape this summer, he saw time at both third base and center field. He’s been dealing with a shoulder injury this fall, so Vanderbilt has been DHing him in scrimmages. Despite that lingering issue, he’s produced well at the plate with multiple hits. He’s athletic enough to play almost anywhere on the diamond for the Commodores but I really like the skill set he has for the outfield. Regardless of where he plays the field, his bat and baserunning capabilities will be essential to Vanderbilt’s success in 2025.

RJ Austin gets every stitch of this center-cut FB and hammers it over the Monster in LF for a 3-run HR. Easy bat speed, extends beautifully though the baseball, and does a nice job of really rotating and finishing his swing. pic.twitter.com/Ky45TYqmny

— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) February 16, 2024

SS/3B Jalin Flores  - Texas

Prospects Live Ranking: #25

Jalin Flores opted to come back to school instead of entering last year’s draft as an eligible sophomore. After struggling over 45 games as a freshman in which he hit .175 with just 6 extra base hits, Flores broke out in a big way in 2024. The San Antonio native started 60 games for the Longhorns and hit .340 while slugging 22 doubles and 18 home runs as Texas once again reached an NCAA Regional. He’s become a more aggressive and pull-happy hitter, but it’s led to major success. Flores will continue to play shortstop for the Longhorns and has the ability to play there at the next level, though he could shift to third base as a pro as well. New Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle must be ecstatic to have Flores and the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year Max Belyeu back on the team ahead of 2025. 

OF Max Belyeu - Texas

Prospects Live Ranking: #26

Much like teammate Jalin Flores, Max Belyeu enjoyed a breakout campaign as a sophomore in 2024. He only played in 15 games as a freshman, amassing just 20 at-bats, but won a starting job heading into his second year and flourished. The slugging outfielder hit .329 with 34 extra base hits and captured the Big 12 Player of the Year Award for his efforts. He’s an aggressive hitter that tends to lift the ball at a high rate, resulting in quite a few fly balls. Belyeu had a decent summer playing for Team USA and up in the Cape Cod League. He played center field for the Cotuit Kettleers while hitting a double and two home runs in 18 games. He’s likely a corner outfielder at the next level, but needs to continue to improve his defense heading into 2025. I expect to see even better offensive numbers from him in 2025 as he headlines a talented Texas lineup joining the SEC.

SS Wehiwa Aloy - Arkansas

Prospects Live Ranking: #28

Wehiwa Aloy transferred to Arkansas after an incredible freshman year at Sacramento State where he slashed .376/.427/.662 with 34 extra base hits enroute to winning the WAC Freshman of the Year Award. He took a bit of a step back as a sophomore in his debut season for the Razorbacks, slashing .270/.355/.485 with just 23 extra base hits. Aloy is a very aggressive hitter with great bat speed and above-average power that could lead to better numbers in 2025. The Hawai’i native flashed that power this summer in the Cape Cod League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox as he clubbed eight home runs in just 81 at-bats. His performance on July 4th against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks was the first three-homer game in the Cape since 2021 and the first YD three-homer game since 1982. It’s possible that Aloy has the tools and physicality to play shortstop at the next level, but it’s more likely he’ll shift to third or second base in the future. Given the adjustments to his stance ahead of the Cape season and the results that ensued, it’s reasonable to expect improvements on Aloy’s numbers in 2025.  

3B Tre Phelps - Georgia

Prospects Live Ranking: #30

Tre Phelps is a draft eligible sophomore who had a fantastic debut season in Athens for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2024. In 42 games, he slashed .355/.442/.686 with 23 extra base hits. While his incredible bat speed and power potential is impressive, what stands out is his ability to put the ball in play. He’s a little over aggressive in his approach and yet rarely strikes out– K-ing just 15 times in 136 at-bats in 2024. Phelps has the physique and tools to play at a number of positions, including third base where he’s spent most of his time with Georgia. There’s a good chance he could be a corner outfielder at the next level. The Bulldogs have an impressive roster heading into next season, but with Charlie Condon moving on to the next level, it’ll be Tre Phelps who becomes the most feared bat in the Georgia lineup. 

TRE PHELPS HOME RUN!!!!

📺 https://t.co/QaF81Klywx (ESPN+)#GoDawgs | @TrePhelps1 pic.twitter.com/8CmpHVOfw6

— Georgia Baseball (@BaseballUGA) June 3, 2024

2B Daniel Dickinson - LSU

Prospects Live Ranking: #32

Daniel Dickinson is one of the latest blockbuster transfers that have made their way to Baton Rouge to play for Jay Johnson and LSU. In two years at Utah Valley, the middle infielder slashed .369/.458/.627 with 63 extra base hits and 42 stolen bases in 113 games. Dickinson will be making a jump in competition from the WAC to the SEC, but don’t be surprised to see him be a spark plug atop the LSU lineup. The Washington state product has elite contact ability and lines the ball to all fields with gap-to-gap power. When he gets on, his speed enables him to wreak havoc on the bases though I’d expect to see his stolen base numbers dip as the SEC has some elite defensive catchers. Michael Braswell will likely remain at shortstop for the Tigers while Dickinson– who projects as a second baseman at the next level anyways– will be his double play partner on the right side.    

1B/OF Ethan Petry - South Carolina

Prospects Live Ranking: #37

Ethan Petry has been known for his gaudy home run numbers since arriving in Columbia as a freshman in 2023 and he’s continued to produce for the Gamecocks throughout his career slashing .341/.471/.686 with 44 home runs in 124 games. It should be noted that some of Petry’s numbers dipped as a sophomore and his strikeouts rose. This regression could be attributed to some holes in his swing as pitchers adjusted to his weaknesses. The power will always be there, but the hit tool looks to be average at best. If his Cape Cod performance is any indication, however, he could play himself into a higher ranking with a big 2025. Over the summer Petry led the Cape in homers, on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS enroute to winning both the MVP and Best Prospect Awards. In 31 games up north he slashed .360/.480/.760 with 7 doubles and 11 home runs. Defensively, he’s probably not a corner outfielder at the next level but could transition to a role at first base.

Folks, Ethan Petry has done it again.

Gets a breaking ball down in the zone and absolutely does not miss it for a grand slam to blow this game wide open. Easy swing, easy juice.

Dare I say it....1.1 2025? pic.twitter.com/x5JbrcyPPK

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 7, 2023

2B Ryan Black - UGA

Prospects Live Ranking: #40

Ryan Black is another big name transfer heading from the WAC to the SEC for his draft eligible season. In two years at UT-Arlington, Black slashed .308/.413/.476 with 51 extra base hits in 113 games. He’s a line drive hitter with decent bat speed that puts the ball in play. He has decent pop for a college bat but provides value as more of a gap-to-gap doubles hitter. The Texas native’s tools make him an ideal tablesetter in a really good Georgia lineup. It’s worth noting that his numbers dipped significantly over his sophomore season as he hit and walked less. The jump in competition from the WAC to the SEC will be something to keep an eye on. Black doesn’t have the arm strength or the range to play shortstop at the next level, but he should be able to provide adequate defense at second base.

PITCHERS

RHP Kyson Witherspoon - Oklahoma

Prospects Live Ranking: #27

Kyson Witherspoon had a good debut season for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2024 as a sophomore, going 8-3 with a 3.71 ERA over 11 starts. The Jacksonville native amassed 90 strikeouts in 80 innings while allowing 40 walks. In a short stint over the summer in the Cape Cod League, Witherspoon pitched 9 innings and gave up just one earned run while featuring the fastball/slider combo that’s been so successful. The righty ace’s fastball sits at 95 and reaches upper 90s, while the mid-80s slider features a tight break. When he misses with the fastball, it tends to sail up, which could get him in trouble. Witherspoon also has a solid changeup that sits in the high 80s. The arm action is a bit clunky and there are some command issues, but overall, Witherspoon is currently the top pitching prospect in the SEC ahead of 2025. He’ll need to continue to improve his command as Oklahoma joins the tougher SEC gauntlet.

RHP Kolten Smith - Georgia

Prospects Live Ranking: #33

Kolten Smith enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign under pitching guru and first year head coach Wes Johnson. While he had opportunities as a freshman in 2023 and threw 25.2 innings over 12 appearances, Smith was a bonafide key member of the staff in 2024. The Florida native went 9-3 while striking out 105 batters in 69.2 innings pitched last year. He walked just 20 hitters. Smith utilizes both a mid-80s slider and a low-80s curveball to complement a fastball that’s risen into the mid-90s. He also mixes in a decent changeup when necessary. The improvement of Smith’s command between his freshman and sophomore seasons might indicate the potential for another jump in production in 2025. Smith is the best pitching prospect in a loaded Georgia staff and has the mentorship of one of the best pitching minds in the country in Wes Johnson. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Smith emerge as a dark horse candidate for SEC Pitcher of the Year before the season is said and done.

RHP AJ Russell - Tennessee

Prospects Live Ranking: #35

AJ Russell had a disappointing 2024, as an elbow hampered him throughout the year. After an incredible freshman campaign that saw him go 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 24 appearances, Russell was supposed to be a key member of the weekend rotation. He dazzled with 10 strikeouts in 4.1 innings against Texas Tech on opening weekend, and went three shutout innings against Albany a week later. But after just two SEC appearances, Russell didn’t pitch again until the SEC tournament when he pitched against Vanderbilt and LSU. He did not take the mound during the CWS run. The big righty has an impressive fastball with armside life and a low 80s sweeping slider that complements the fastball well. Russell has a changeup as well, but needs to improve command and the pitch itself to make it more effective. If he can get healthy and take the mound in 2025, it’ll be a big boost both for the defending National Champions and his personal draft stock.

AJ Russell. 29 pitches. 25 heaters.

6 Ks to start the game 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/dyTDlNe2nZ

— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) February 17, 2024

LHP Kade Anderson - LSU

Prospects Live Ranking: #38

Kade Anderson is a draft eligible sophomore that became a key piece on LSU’s pitching staff as a freshman when he went 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 18 appearances. He was at his most impressive on March 6th, his third outing for the Tigers. Against Southeastern Louisiana, Anderson went five innings and gave up zero earned runs while striking out 13 hitters. His low 90s fastball can touch 96 and I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts sitting closer to mid-90s as he continues to improve his craft. Anderson also features a high-70s curveball that could turn extremely lethal as he improves command. If you’re looking for a potential breakout sophomore pitcher that could vie for postseason awards, here is the guy as he looks to be part of LSU’s weekend rotation. A big sophomore season as a starting pitcher could propel Anderson into the first round of the 2025 MLB draft.

LHP JD Thompson - Vanderbilt

Prospects Live Ranking: #39

JD Thompson was a key member of Vanderbilt’s rotation as a sophomore last year, going 5-2 with 74 strikeouts versus just 18 walks in 52 innings pitched. His arsenal features a low-90s fastball from the left side that batters have trouble picking up on due to his ability to hide the ball. If he adds a little more consistent velocity to that pitch, it’s going to be one of the best fastballs from the left side in the country. The native Texan pairs the fastball with low-80s cambio and two breaking balls- a low 80s sweeping slider and a mid-70s curveball. It’s a legitimate four pitch mix that he can throw for strikes and all four pitches generate whiffs at a high rate. If he maintains his production for 2024 or improves on it, there’s no doubt Thompson will be a day one pick in the 2025 MLB draft.

2025 MLB Draft: Top Draft Prospect Transfers

The transfer portal and NIL have created the notion that we expect lots of change each college baseball offseason. It has also significantly changed the recruiting process and how teams approach the MLB Draft. Regardless of your opinion on the matter, this is where the current landscape stands. 

The 2025 college baseball transfer portal saw a lot of high-end talent on the move, with many expected to be potential top draft picks for the 2025 MLB Draft. Here are a few names you should be watching. Rankings of the transfer portal players are thanks to our friends over at 64 Analytics: www.64analytics.com 

HITTERS

3B/OF ANDREW FISCHER (OLE MISS TO TENNESSEE)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #2

The Tennessee Volunteers were quiet on the transfer portal, and then, all of a sudden, they landed two of the top bats in the entire transfer class in Fischer and Kilen. We will start with Fischer, who provided some serious pop for Ole Miss. Fischer began his collegiate career at Duke in 2023 before transferring to Ole Miss for his sophomore year. Fischer is a bat-first prospect who generates a ton of power, as he’s seen max EVs up to 113 mph. Fischer generates most of his power to the pull side. He couples that with decent barrel-to-ball skills and the ability to get on base, as he sports a near 14% BB rate. Defensively, Fischer’s home is a bit unknown because he’s a bit clunky at third base, but has the arm strength to handle the position if he can improve there. He should fill in nicely in the heart of the Volunteers lineup.

SS GAVIN KILEN (LOUISVILLE TO TENNESSEE)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #4

The Volunteers lost a ton of bats in the MLB Draft, but hit the transfer portal hard and should be able to stave off some of those missing pieces. Kilen will play a major role in that. He produced some of the best contact rates in the NCAA last year, posting some insane contact and in-zone contact rates. He’s a bit aggressive, which led to a high chase rate, but that didn’t lead to significant Whiff or an increase in strikeouts, he has put up pretty good numbers in both categories. The big thing about Kilen’s offensive game is he saw a rise in pull-side power, with his max exit velocity getting up to 111 mph. Defensively, Killen has solid range at shortstop and enough arm strength to stick at the position. His quick reaction time helps him get to the ball with ease. He should be a solid contributor to the Volunteers looking to be repeat National Champions.

Tennessee doesn't just rebuild, they reload.

Welcome to Rocky Top, Gavin Kilen. pic.twitter.com/XvEJ8o5bvD

— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) July 4, 2024

OF KANE KEPLEY (LIBERTY TO NORTH CAROLINA)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #8

The Tar Heels are getting one of the best contact hitters in the transfer portal. At Liberty, Kepley made some insane numbers contact wise. It doesn’t matter where you throw it, there is a good chance that Kepley will hit it. He utilizes the opposite field quite a bit as well.  The 5’8, 170lb outfielder doesn’t possess much raw power but still puts up decent overall exit velos. He’s a plus runner who can track a ball down decently in the outfield. That speed has also led to 20+ steals in one season at Liberty and two summer ball seasons. The lack of power, as mentioned, limits his ceiling, but he has a very safe floor due to his speed, defensive ability, and ability to make contact.

INF AIVA ARQUETTE (WASHINGTON TO OREGON STATE)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #10

The Washington Huskies saw many players enter the portal, with Head Coach Jason Kelly leaving for Texas A&M. Arquette was definitely one of the top players to leave the Huskies and a massive get for Oregon State. Arquette put on a show in his second year with the Huskies, showcasing a solid combination of power and bat-to-ball skills at the plate. He continued that this summer in the Cape Cod League, where he slashed .291/.357/.437 with a .793 OPS. Most of his power came pull side, but he did showcase the ability to drive the ball the other way as he hit about five home runs to centerfield or right. Arquette also has incredible plate coverage and does a fantastic job getting balls down and away. He can sometimes be aggressive, which leads to increased chase rates. Defensively, he plays a good second base, but given his 6’4, 220lb frame, there is a good chance he will make his way to the hot corner in the long term. In the Cape, he played most of his games at shortstop, with a few at third base. He’s definitely one to watch in 2025, as his already solid toolset and projection could have him skyrocketing. 

C BRADY NEAL (LSU TO ALABAMA)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #13

A significant loss for LSU, Neal was a force behind the dish for the Tigers, slashing .276/.409/.578 with a .986 OPS. Neal heads to Alabama, where he will give Head Coach Rob Vaughn a solid contributor and consistent leader behind the dish and in the lineup. Neal possesses extreme raw power from the left side and hits the ball very hard to the right side of the field, and has pretty good exit velo numbers to the poolside. Neal needs to improve his ability to make consistent contact so he can tap more into that raw power. He strikes out at a higher clip than you’d like to see. He offsets some of those issues with a fairly decent walk rate. Regardless, the 5’10, 193lb Neal can stick behind the plate thanks to his strong arm and athleticism. The upside with the bat is what you want to say for a potential catcher in the draft, regardless of some of the swing-and-miss concerns.

INF RYAN BLACK (UT ARLINGTON TO GEORGIA)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #15

Hits the ball hard. That about sums it up. Line drives are the name of the game for Black. He had some decent exit velocities and put his name on the map as a mid-major hitter. Black can generate hard contact with all parts of the field and has most of his hits to the right side. He couples that with very low Chase and Whiff rates. It’s an excellent approach at the plate, and he will be tough out for pitchers. Black should easily stick at second base because he is quick and makes plays. He lacks some range and has average arm strength, which likely limits him to second. He’s not the fastest runner and it’s average at best so his ceiling on the basepaths is limited. He’ll have the opportunity to face some much tougher pitching as he joins Georgia and the SEC.

INF DANIEL DICKINSON (UTAH VALLEY TO LSU)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #16

LSU, as always, had a time with the transfer portal. Daniel Dickinson may have been one of their best grabs this portal season. Like Ryan Black, Dickinson has some of the most insane contact rates in the country. His Whiff rates are off the charts well, and he struck out less than 10% of the time at Utah Valley. He’s been tapping into his power more, thanks to his quick hands and ability to get barrel-to-ball. It still taps out about fringe-average, but he could improve on that. He couples that with the ability to hit the ball hard. He did run into some struggles this summer in the Cape, but he maintained his elite approach at the plate, boasting excellent walk and strikeout rates, leaving me less concerned. However, he will be tested by some of the best arms in the nation in the SEC. Dickinson seems slated to be a second baseman due to his solid range and quick feet, but his arm will hold him back from playing on the left side of the diamond. 

More major transfer news: First Team All-WAC and Third Team All-American 2B Daniel Dickinson has entered the portal. Slashed .367/.469/.661 with 14 2B, 18 HR, 53 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases. Legit MIF body, day 1 upside in 2025. Currently with team USA. pic.twitter.com/JlcvjM5Pnm

— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) June 28, 2024

OF ETHAN CONRAD (MARIST TO WAKE FOREST)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #169

.388/.433/.486/.920. That’s one hell of a Cape Cod League slash line. Yes, I know it is fairly hitter-heavy in college summer leagues, but that’s still impressive for a guy who was at Marist last year. Conrad has been a force for the Red Foxes for the last two years and will take his talents to a Wake Forest team that needs some offensive pop. It’s a really fun and beautiful left-handed swing that has a good amount of raw pop. He chases quite a bit due to his aggressiveness on the plate, but he takes advantage of mistaken pitches when he connects. Despite his aggressiveness, he tends to have a very good feel for the strike zone. He’ll be tested in the SEC, but as mentioned earlier he has shown in a small sample size he can keep up with better arms. He pairs that solid ability at the plate with plus speed and had double-digit steals over the last two seasons at Marist. He’s a fringe-average defender with a strong arm who could be a very solid right fielder at the next level.

PITCHERS

LHP CADE FISHER (FLORIDA TO AUBURN) 

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #1

Cade Fisher was easily one of the most exciting names to enter the transfer portal this offseason and is a massive get for the Auburn Tigers. Pitching Coach Everett Teaford must be stoked to add him to that rotation. The former Florida Gator has a solid three-pitch mix that includes a fastball in the low-90s but has seen a max velo of 95 mph. He has some really good carry to that pitch. He pairs that with a slider and changeup. His slider has a ton of horizontal movement and absolutely fools hitters when he’s on with his command and control. The changeup plays well off his fastball and is a pretty good second secondary for him. Fisher comes at hitters with a low slot arm angle, creating some deception on his pitches. After a strong 2023, some command issues hurt Fisher in 2024, and his overall numbers took a step back. Fisher’s release point would vary, and the combination of walks and giving up hard contact led to him giving up quite a bit of runs. Fisher had a small sample size of three games in the Cape Cod League and flashed more success there in a hitter-friendly league. He opens up as a favorite to be in the rotation for the Auburn Tigers. 

LHP ZACH ROOT (ECU TO ARKANSAS)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #3

A massive loss for ECU is a huge gain for the Arkansas Razorbacks who will have some stacked pitching going into 2025. Root found a ton of success during his tenure at ECU, pitching to the tune of a 3.82 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 63.2 innings for the Pirates. Root has a pretty well-filled out lower half that’s paired with quick arm actions. It’s a somewhat funky delivery that helps him get some deception. His fastball sits in the in the low-90s, but has been up to 97 mph. His secondaries are really what make him a threat on the mound. He goes to his change-up the most often as he’s willing to utilize it in any account tude to his good feel and command of the pitch. He hides the ball well with his funky delivery and the pitch drops away and out of the zone on hitters. His other secondary he goes to often is a slider, which has some cutter action to it at times, has some serious bite to it and he’s generated a ton of Whiff and Chase on this pitch as well. He rounds out the arsenal with a sweepy curveball. It’s a fun arm on it’s way to Fayetteville and a very successful season will boe well for the rising junior.

TRANSFER: East Carolina LHP Zach Root is committing to the University of Arkansas. @ChoateMason had it.

Root threw 68.1 IP in 2024 punching 76 tickets + walking just 21. Up to 96. Slider can be 'plus'.

Root currently ranks as the no. 63 prospect for the 2025 Draft at @FSS_PLUS pic.twitter.com/d8XXdB1t17

— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) July 1, 2024

LHP LANDON BEIDELSCHIES (OHIO STATE TO ARKANSAS)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #5

Another big arm heading to Arkansas. You’ll see that’s a common theme in this article on the pitching side. The Razorbacks snag one of the best starters in the BIG10. The 6’3, 225lb Beidelschies is a physical presence on the mound, and he isn’t afraid to attack hitters with his fastball/slider combo. Beidelschies fastball has been in the 90-94 MPH range and has even topped at 98 mph. It’s his go-to pitch, as he utilized it nearly 60% of the time and missed bats with it a ton. As mentioned earlier, he pairs that fastball with a very nasty slider, which he goes to just over 30% of the time. Its sharp bite helps him get some decent Chase and Whiff on the pitch. He also has a change-up and curveball, which he’s utilized much less frequently, but both have the makings of rounding out a solid four-pitch arsenal. There is some relief risk if he doesn’t polish up those other secondaries, but the projection is there and he will look to find success against some of the toughest bats in the SEC. 

RHP EVAN CHREST (JACKSONVILLE TO FLORIDA STATE)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #9

Chrest isn’t as highly ranked as the other arms, but there is plenty of intrigue. The numbers in the stat sheet aren’t the prettiest, but the data behind them will interest most teams. His slider clocks in well above 2800 RPMs and induces a ton of chase. He’s got a developing fastball that sits in the low-90s and has topped out at 95 MPH. The two-pitch combo has helped him generate decent strikeout numbers, as he’s punched out 74 batters over 68.2 innings. He commands the slider decently as well. His changeup rounds out his three-pitch mix nicely, generating some decent Whiff on the pitch. He’s a bit undersized, coming in at 6’0, 180lbs and heading into his junior year, there might not be as much projectability left. But the already decent three-pitch mix and decent command for all of them will have teams interested on draft day. 

LHP LIAM DOYLE (OLE MISS TO TENNESSEE)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #11

Doyle joins his Ole Miss teammate Andrew Fischer in making his way to Tennesee, giving the Volunteers a high strikeout rate arm to add to their rotation. Doyle has put up some insane strikeout numbers between Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss the past two seasons, striking out 153 batters in 111.1 innings. Doyle’s fastball ranges from 90 to 94 and has topped at 96 MPH. The metrics behind it make it an electric fastball that gets by hitters. The pitch averages over 20 inches of vertical carry, and he has decent extension on the pitch. His secondaries are a bit behind his fastball, but he has two secondaries in slider/sweeper and cutter. The slider is in the low-80s, and he’s still working on commanding the pitch better, as he is with most of his secondaries. He also has a splitter he’s flashed but hasn’t thrown nearly as much as the pitch still needs quite a bit of development. The 6’2, 220lb lefty is a presence on the mound and while there might not be a ton of room for growth, there is still lots of projection left in his arsenal that he will look to continue to build on at Tennessee. 

Tennessee just landed a DUDE in Ole Miss LHP Liam Doyle. 😤 pic.twitter.com/MwjtIQcpyd

— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) July 10, 2024

RHP JACOB MAYERS (NICHOLLS TO LSU)

64 Analytics Portal Rank: #12

Prospects Live Draft Rank: 

LSU lost a few arms to the MLB Draft as expected, but they still have plenty of incoming talent, including Jakob Mayers, who makes his way to campus from Nicholls. His fastball is explosive as it has a ton of spin, giving it lots of carry in the zone. It’s averaged 91-95 MPH, but has topped out at 97 MPH. He utilized his fastball at extremely high rates last year, but still generated a decent amount of Whiff with it and put in insane strikeout numbers as he punched out 106 batters in 70.2 innings. He did the same thing in his freshman year, striking out 105 batters in 75.2 innings. The next step for Mayers is going to be really developing his secondary pitches to give him more weapons. He’s flashed a decent slider that with some polish could be a very good second pitch for Mayers. 

2025 MLB Draft: Top 30 Collegiate Prospects

With the overlapping of draft class occurring this summer, it’s only right that we begin to introduce our 2025 lists as the summer circuit is ramping up. Today, we’ll release our initial Top 30 College list and for the readers, it’s open to the public! As the summer progresses and we get more looks, we’ll expand this list (and our Top 30 Prep list) to 50 players in a system similar to how we navigated the 2024 cycle.

We’ve gotten some eyes on the 2025 class already and it’s mostly comparable to the 2024 class as a whole. Jace LaViolette, a huge thumper out of Texas A&M, leads the way, followed closely by a couple of other notable outfield prospects. There’s a few players on this list in the transfer portal and they are denoted properly in their reports. As we get a better grip on understanding this class, expect plenty of changes in due time.

---

1. of jace laviolette, texas A&M

height: 6’6

Weight: 230

b/t: L/L

Draft Day age: 21 yr 7 mo

hometown: Katy, TX

At 6'6, 230 pounds, LaViolette is an extremely physical left-handed bat with some of the most robust power in the entire country. LaViolette has already cranked 50 home runs in his collegiate career and he may end up amongst the likes of Eddy Furniss and Frank Fazzini on the all-time list in the NCAA ranks. It's a controlled, yet violent, left-handed swing with a ton of bat speed and an optimal bat path for doing damage, as he's a legitimate all-fields power threat and has cleared the 115 MPH exit velocity threshold in 2024. His hips clear out quickly, allowing him to get leverage in his swing and do significant damage. The plate discipline is also solid, as he rarely expands the zone and has a knack for racking up the walks. Yes, strikeouts are part of his game, but he's got time to polish up the bat-to-ball skills. Despite his size, he moves quickly on the basepaths and in the field. He's manned center field for the Aggies in 2024, though a move to a corner outfield position is likely in the near future.

---

2. OF Cam Cannarella, Clemson

height: 6’0

weight: 180

b/t: L/r

draft day age: 21 yr 10 mo

hometown: Hartsville, sc

Cannarella stepped onto campus as an infielder, but a road block in the Clemson infield gave him an opportunity in center field that he has not relinquished. A gamer in every sense of the word, Cannarella is a dangerous hitter with some of the best contact skills in the entire country. It's a lovely left-handed swing built more for line drives right now, but he's shown flashes of raw power to the gaps and to his pull-side. He did become a bit more aggressive in 2024 compared to 2023, but he has quality barrel control and shows patience, drawing walks aplenty. He's got above-average speed, though he didn't flash it a ton on the bases due to an injury this year. However, that speed translates to center field, where he has excellent route-running and quality defensive chops. Expect Cannarella to go high in this draft.

---

3. OF Devin Taylor, Indiana

height: 6’1

weight: 215

b/t: L/R

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Cincinnati, OH

A physical left-handed bat, Taylor is a legitimate power threat with burgeoning raw juice and he lets his quality athleticism play on the field. He built upon a stellar freshman campaign at Indiana with a .357/.449/.660 slash line and blasting twenty home runs, the first Hoosier to do so since Alex Dickerson smacked twenty-four in 2010. His swing features substantial bat speed and he'll deposit the baseball to both sides of the field, utilizing the opposite field more in 2024. He's already displayed exit velocities touching the 110 MPH barrier, as well. He does expand the zone a bit, but there's little warts to his contact skills and he draws a copious amount of walks. He'll likely get a chance to man center in a bigger capacity in 2025, though given his average speed and route-running, he may be a better fit in left long term. It's hard not to like this profile.

---

4. C Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina

height: 5’10

weight: 197

b/t: s/R

draft day age: 21 yr 7 mo

hometown: Haddon Heights, NJ

A switch-hitting catcher out of New Jersey, Bodine has been one of the best pure hitters in college baseball. Bodine's barrel awareness and bat-to-ball skills are top of the charts from both sides of the plate, as he ran a contact rate of 89% in 2024, including a 94% (!) in-zone contact rate. He has quick hands from both sides and will prioritize an all-fields approach, rarely selling out for power. His power likely grades out more as fringe-average to average, though he'll run into a home run every once in a while. He has the prototypical size for a backstop and has impressed in his time on campus. It's a solid throwing arm with improving blocking skills and he has athletic movements behind the plate. Most believe he'll stick back there long term as a result.

---

5. RHP Tyler Bremner, UC Santa Barbara

height: 6’2

weight: 180

b/t: r/R

draft day age: 21 yr 2 mo

hometown: san diego, CA

Highly projectable, super athletic, burgeoning stuff. That's the menu for Bremner, who turned in a stellar sophomore campaign in the Big West, striking out 104 batters and walking just 21 in 88.2 innings. His stuff took a big jump during the pre-season, with his fastball sitting in the mid-90s with significant carry up in the zone. He should be throwing in the upper-90s more consistently in due time, as he’s already touched 98 MPH this summer. His slider took a huge step forward after struggling his freshman year, jumping into the mid-80s consistently with late bite and sweep. The change-up is unique with high spin traits, though he shows a ton of confidence in the pitch and it dives hard to the dirt in the low-80s, acting almost like a screwball. It projects as a double-plus offering. Let’s not forget that Bremner commands the zone really well. There’s potential for three above-average or better pitches with above-average command. He’s our SP1 right now for that reason.

---

6. LHP Jamie Arnold, Florida State

height: 6’1

weight: 191

b/t: l/l

draft day age: 21 yr 3 mo

hometown: Tampa, fl

After a rough freshman campaign in Tallahassee, Arnold exploded onto the draft scene in 2024, striking out 159 batters in 105.2 innings to the tune of a 2.98 ERA. Arnold generates a ton of scap retraction in his delivery, but he's on time with his arm and he creates a tough angle to the plate with a slingy release. His fastball rarely cracked 90 MPH in 2023, but he's now into the mid-90s with a very low release height and a flat approach angle that has allowed the heater to miss bats aplenty. His mid-80s slider can be downright diabolical, flashing late bite and sweep. It tunnels well off the heater and he's shown an ability to backfoot it to righties consistently. His change-up lags behind the one-two punch, thrown roughly 4% of the time in 2024 with slight fading life and will need more development in 2025. He'll need more of a tertiary offering to keep hitters off the FB/SL, but the whole package screams starter. He’ll be wildly popular in 2025.

---

7. c Ike Irish, Auburn

height: 6’2

weight: 203

b/t: l/R

draft day age: 21 yr 7 mo

hometown: Hudsonville, MI

One of the most decorated recruits to make it to campus after the 2022 draft, Irish has cemented himself as one of the best SEC hitters in two years since. Irish has a beautiful left-handed swing that's direct to the baseball with quick hands and loud bat speed. He's begun to pull the baseball more in 2024 after displaying more of a gap-to-gap approach in 2023, tapping more into robust raw power. He does swing at a high rate, meaning his walk rate isn't too high, but he doesn't strike out a ton, either. Defensively, he's shown a loud arm behind the plate and has improved on his blocking skills. He'll see more time back there in the future and he could man first base or a corner outfield spot, too. It's a bat-first profile with a ton like offensively.

---

8. OF Gavin Turley, oregon State

height: 6’1

weight: 185

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 21 yr 8 mo

hometown: Chandler, AZ

One of the toolsiest players in the entire class, Turley is an impressive athlete with a ton of power at his disposal. It's extremely loud bat speed and pull-side juice with leverage and loft, tapping into it easily in-game already. His hips open explosively thanks to his twitchy nature, which allows him to possess these kind of tools at the plate. With that said, he's struggled with contact in Corvallis and while the contact improved slightly in 2024, strikeouts are a huge concern in his game and he'll need to polish up the bat-to-ball skills. Turley is a very strong runner and displays a cannon right arm in the outfield, which will allow him to handle right field at the next level. If Turley hits in 2025, he'll be one of the first names off the board.

---

9. RHP Matt Scott, Stanford

height: 6’7

weight: 247

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Redding, CT

A walking mountain of a human being, Scott is an uber-physical right-hander that traveled across the country to attend Stanford. There's not a ton of warts in his mechanics. They're loose and easy, showcasing quality body control for his size, and there's little effort overall. The fastball jumped in velocity over the off-season, topping out at 98 MPH and sitting consistently in the mid-90s. The pitch possesses insane carry on the top rail, averaging above 20 inches of vertical movement. He does have a steeper angle to the plate due to his high release, but the pitch still misses bats at a high rate. His primary secondary is a cutter-esque slider in the upper-80s with two-plane break and late bite. He'll tinker with a splitter, as well, which has graded out well. His command comes and goes, but one would expect him to grow into more of it given the mechanics.

---

10. 1b/3b henry ford, virginia

height: 6’5

weight: 220

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 20 yr 11 mo

hometown: Charlottesville, va

A draft-eligible sophomore, Ford is built much like an automobile mechanic. He's extremely physical with plenty of strength throughout his frame and he's a solid athlete despite his size. Ford has quality barrel control and has a ton of bat speed and loft, allowing him to tap into legitimate plus power in-game. He stays short and direct to the baseball and doesn't have a ton of swing-and-miss to his game, either. He's a first baseman right now given how deep Virginia is offensively, but his athleticism is good enough to get a shot to work at third base in the future. He's got the range and footwork necessary to make it happen, as well as a strong arm. He'll be an exciting prospect to watch next spring.

---

11. OF Brendan Summerhill, arizona

height: 6’3

weight: 195

b/t: L/R

draft day age: 21 yr 8 mo

hometown: Chicago, il

Summerhill is a long, lanky specimen that saw one of the biggest jumps in production in this class. As a freshman, Summerhill struggled to make consistent contact and had a whiff rate of 30%. He slashed that number by over half in 2024, finding a more consistent bat path and whiffing at just a 14% rate in 2024. Summerhill's bat speed and loft are noticeable at first glance, pulling the ball in the air consistently and flashing above-average exit velocities. He's held his own against heat upstairs and spin, too. There's a lot to like with his offensive profile and he is in line for a monster 2025 campaign. In the field, he profiles as a future average runner with added muscle and with his strong arm, he's likely destined for right field.

---

12. 1b/of Nolan Schubart, oklahoma State

height: 6’5

weight: 233

b/t: L/R

draft day age: 21 yr 2 mo

hometown: Durand, mi

A lanky, physical specimen from Michigan, Schubart has blasted the cover off the baseball in his two years in Stillwater. He has prodigious power from the left-hand side of the plate with a beautiful swing with great leverage and natural loft. He stays inside the baseball and will pummel it to all fields, eclipsing the 110 MPH exit velocity barrier regularly. He doesn't expand the zone often, chasing at a minute rate of 21%, but there's contact questions to be answered due to a hefty whiff rate. He'll need to polish up the pure contact skills this summer, but the power is the pure selling point. On the defensive side, Schubart has spent time in left field, though given the body and speed, he's likely destined for first base.

---

13. ss marek houston, wake forest

height: 6’3

weight: 185

b/t: r/R

draft day age: 21 yr 2 mo

hometown: Nokomis, fl

Houston turned a corner in 2024, becoming one of the most improved bats in the entire class. After enduring some struggles as a freshman, Houston became a leadoff sparkplug for Wake Forest, slashing .326/.434/.516 and recording more walks than strikeouts. His plate discipline is pristine and features little warts. He has some of the best contact rates in the class and he stays inside the zone, slapping the ball to the all fields. He'll utilize his fantastic speed on the basepaths, as well, as he's recorded times to first base around 4.15 seconds. He's a surefire shortstop at the next level, as well. He has a great internal clock with excellent range and motions, as well as a strong arm. If there's one complaint, it's his 30-grade power, though with added weight, he may be able to get to 40-grade juice.

---

14. LHP Shane Sdao, Texas A&M

height: 6’2

weight: 170

b/t: L/L

draft day age: 21 yr 9 mo

hometown: Montgomery, TX

An uber-projectable southpaw, Sdao turned heads in a loud sophomore campaign that has seen him split time between the bullpen and the rotation. Sdao's arm speed really stands out at first glance, maintaining it with all three of his pitches and working quickly down the bump with some deception. The fastball has solid carry up in the zone with some slight cut, working primarily in the low-90s, though Sdao has reared back for 96 MPH on occasion. The low-80s sweepy slider is the best secondary and got whiffs at a 44% clip in 2024. There's some lift in the pitch shape and he's shown an ability to backfoot the pitch to righties. He turns over a quality mid-80s cambio, as well. The expectation is that Sdao will be a starter in 2025 and he's due for an uptick in stuff with added mass to his frame.

---

15. RHP Gabe Davis, Oklahoma State

height: 6’9

weight: 225

b/t: R/r

draft day age: 21 yr 8 mo

hometown: Choctaw, ok

At 6'9, 225 pounds, Davis is a behemoth of a human being and provides an interesting look on the mound. He's uber-projectable and controls his body rather well for his size, though there's still some kinks to work out with his delivery. He’s a bit stiff moving down the mound, but his wide angle to the plate generates difficult at-bats for hitters. After having a release height under six feet in 2023, Davis raised his release by half a foot, which hampered the fastball whiff rates a bit. With that said, he gets a ton of extension and sits in the mid-90s consistently, bumping 99 MPH at his peak. It's his cutter-esque slider that takes the headlines, though. It sits in the upper-80s and flashes tight shape and depth, becoming more of a cutter once it approaches 90 MPH. He's tinkered with a change-up and a bigger curveball, both sitting in the low-80s. Should the command turn the corner, Davis is in contention for being the best arm on the board.

---

16. OF Max Belyeu, Texas

height: 6’2

weight: 210

b/t: l/R

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Aledo, tx

After having just twenty at-bats in 2023, Belyeu cemented himself as one of the better collegiate players in the 2025 class, slashing .329/.423/.667 in 59 games and earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors. He's got a physical frame with projection remaining and his barrel feel is amongst the best in the Big 12. He does chase a bit too much, but there's not a ton of swing-and-miss to his game and handles velocity and spin rather well. There's a bit of Kyle Tucker in his swing, as well. The power itself has stood out, too, as his 90th percentile EVs are in the upper echelon of college bats and he'll smash the ball to all fields. In the field, he's likely relegated to left field due to a subpar throwing arm and average speed.

---

17. INF Henry Godbout, Virginia

height: 6’2

weight: 190

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 21 yr 8 mo

hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Godbout has one of the most polished hit tools in the entire ACC. Godbout has little issues at the plate and hammers fastballs, only whiffing on them 5% of the time in 2024. He doesn't chase a ton and he'll grind out walks, though his power is nothing more than fringe-average at best. He's an excellent rotator and should grow into more power as he matures physically, though he does have a stiff lower half and will need to utilize it more in 2025. Defensively, Godbout has manned second base for Virginia, where he's been a sound defender with solid range and instincts. Given Griff O'Ferrall's departure this summer, Godbout will more than likely get reps at shortstop in 2025 for the Cavaliers.

---

18. RHP Cam Leiter, Florida State

height: 6’5

weight: 218

b/t: R/R

draft day age: 21 yr 5 mo

hometown: Bayville, NJ

The latest Leiter to work his way through the ranks, Cam transferred from UCF to Florida State and found immediate success in the rotation. While an injury cut his season short to just seven appearances, Leiter's stuff took a big jump forward under new coaching. Leiter's fastball has gotten up to 99 MPH and he'll hold mid-90s velocity deep into starts, missing bats thanks to a low release and elite extension despite modest shape. The upper-80's/low-90s slider is dynamic, flashing tight spin and late bite, while the low-80s curveball has a ton of depth and high spin. He'll tinker with a change-up to lefties, as well. Command is a work-in-progress, but given the easy operation and athleticism, he should grow into more strikes in due time. If healthy in 2025, Leiter has the chance to be the first arm off the board.

---

19. c luke stevenson, north carolina

height: 6’1

weight: 200

b/t: l/r

draft day age: 20 yr 11 mo

hometown: wake forest, NC

Stevenson was highly touted out of high school last summer, but he chose to uphold his commitment to North Carolina and it has paid dividends for the freshman. He's eligible as a sophomore due to his age in 2025 and he's in line to be one of the first backstops off the board. He's built like a stereotypical catcher with a stout lower half and present strength throughout his body. He's got explosive motions out of the crouch and handles the run game well, showcasing a strong arm and pop times to second have been clocked at 1.9-1.95 seconds. He's a standout receiver, as well. At the plate, Stevenson has shown off legitimate pull-side juice and has a keen eye at the plate, racking up walks aplenty. He has a heavy barrel through the zone and stays direct to the baseball, and while he's shown some struggles with off-speed pitches, finding a catcher with the feel to hit like Stevenson is hard.

---

20. 3b/of andrew fischer, Tennessee

height: 6’1

weight: 205

b/t: l/r

draft day age: 21 yr 1 mo

hometown: Manasquan, nj

After a fantastic freshman campaign at Duke, Fischer transferred to Ole Miss where he didn't skip a beat against better competition. He's a physical left-handed bat with a ton of juice in the bat, most notably to his pull-side. It's a violent swing with natural loft and bat speed, allowing Fischer to pull the ball in the air with dangerous intent. He does have a bit of bat-to-ball woes, namely struggling a bit with spin, but Fischer draws a copious amount of walks and gets the most out of the barrel. In the field, Fischer isn't the fleetest of foot, displaying some choppy footwork and limited range at third base, but he has a strong enough arm across the diamond to at least start his professional career there. Fischer will play for Tony Vitello in 2025 as either a third baseman or an outfielder.

---

21. UTL RJ Austin, Vanderbilt

height: 5’11

weight: 193

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Atlanta, ga

One of the more decorated athletes to make it to campus after the 2022 draft, Austin is a gritty prospect that has become a bit more physical during his tenure in Nashville. He's been a bit positionless in 2024, playing a myriad of positions given the depth in Vanderbilt's lineup. With that said, he fits best in the dirt, though he can get some play in the outfield, too. At the plate, he's grown into his power and has average or better pop in the bat. All of the power plays to the pull-side, though he'll utilize the opposite field gap when able to. He's a high contact, moderate chase bat with a good eye at the plate, keeping strikeouts to a minimum. His twitch on both sides of the ball should continue to stand out as long as he doesn't outgrow the athleticism he has.

---

22. 3b tre phelps, georgia

height: 6’2

weight: 204

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr

hometown: Kennesaw, ga

A draft-eligible sophomore, Phelps pushed his way into the Georgia lineup with an impressive performance in a limited sample size, slashing .355/.442/.686 with ten home runs. Phelps has impressive bat speed and very quick hands, as well as generating leverage and loft in his swing. This allows him to tap into his raw power, which grades out as above-average to plus. He does have some issues with spin and will expand the zone often, but he kept the strikeouts to a minimum in 2024. As a defender, Phelps has the tools to stick at third base, as he possesses solid hands, range, and a strong arm across the diamond. If he moves off the hot corner, he'll pick up work in a corner outfield position.

---

23. INF Daniel Dickinson, Louisiana State

height: 6’0

weight: 180

b/t: R/r

draft day age: 21 yr 7 mo

hometown: Richland, WA

Hailing from Utah Valley, Dickinson has quietly been one of the best hitters in college baseball the past two years. Dickinson has grown into his body more on campus and has *elite* contact skills from the right side of the plate. There's some twitch in his profile and very quick hands, staying direct to the baseball and lacing the ball to all fields. He likes to hammer the gaps and utilize his speed on the bases, though he's tapped more into his power and projects as fringe-average to his pull-side. While he does chase a bit more than you'd like, Dickinson's plate coverage is otherworldly and he handles everything well, including higher-end velocity when he comes across it. As an infielder, Dickinson projects more as a second baseman. He has good range and footwork, though the arm strength isn't the greatest and likely hampers his ability to stick at shortstop. Dickinson will be taking his talents to Baton Rouge and play in LSU’s infield in 2025.

---

24. INF Gavin Kilen, Tennessee

height: 5’11

weight: 185

b/t: l/r

draft day age: 21 yr 3 mo

hometown: Milton, WI

A highly decorated recruit out of high school, Kilen enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign where he slashed .330/.361/.591 with nine home runs in 54 games. His pure contact skills are exceptional, producing a contact rate around 85% in 2024, including an astonishing 93% in-zone contact rate. He has a consistent barrel path through the zone and has grown into some thump, primarily displaying over-the-fence power to the pull-side and he'll hammer the gaps for doubles. It's an extremely polished bat. In the field, Kilen profiles up the middle. He's shown a good arm across the diamond at shortstop and moves well laterally, though he could move to second base later on. After two years at Louisville, Kilen will transfer to Tennessee and join Tony Vitello’s infield for 2025.

---

25. RHP Kolten Smith, Georgia

height: 6’3

weight: 210

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr 6 mo

hometown: Ocala, FL

A projectable and athletic specimen, Smith has enjoyed a breakout campaign under new head coach Wes Johnson. Smith more than doubled his strikeout rate in 2024, jumping to a 33.9% clip in 69.2 innings of work for the Bulldogs. Smith sequences his arsenal nicely, as both breaking balls in his arsenal saw usage over 20% of the time in 2024. Smith's firm slider in the mid-80s has sharp bite and stays short to the plate, flashing some late sweep, too. His low-80s curveball has little hump out of the hand and drops to the dirt from a high release, catching hitters out front. Both project as above-average pitches. His heater has gotten into the mid-90s more consistently, flashing some carry up in the zone and holding velocity deep in starts. He'll flash a firm change-up, too. He's still a bit raw overall, though his arm speed stands out and he's commanded the ball much better than in 2023.

---

26. INF Mason White, Arizona

height: 5’11

weight: 176

b/t: L/r

draft day age: 21 yr 9 mo

hometown: Tucson, AZ

Despite White's shorter stature, he is one of the more powerful bats in this draft class. There's quite a bit ongoing during his load, but White's hands are explosively quick and he launches the barrel through the zone at insane speed, allowing him to tap into legitimate plus raw power to all fields. There are questions about the pure contact skills, though. He added more aggression to his approach in 2024 and began chasing more frequently, plus his whiff rate did jump up slightly. He'll need to improve upon this for there to be legitimate first round buzz. In the field, he's a fringy runner and has limited range, making him a projected second baseman at the next level.

---

27. 3B Trent Caraway, Oregon State

height: 6’2

weight: 202

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr 3 mo

hometown: Dana Point, CA

One of the most prized prospects to make it to campus after the 2023 draft, Caraway would've been in contention for being the best freshman in the country had a broken finger not sidelined him for two months. He's a masher in every sense of the word. Uber-physical, loud bat speed, and robust power to his pull-side. He's already cleared the 110 MPH exit velocity threshold on numerous occasions and his barrel feel should continue to improve as he gets more at-bats under his belt. He does have contact issues and he's aggressive, which is something to keep an eye on in 2025 as a draft-eligible sophomore. He has the arm and range to stick at third base long term, though as he matures physically, he may be destined for a corner outfield position.

---

28. INF Cade Kurland, Florida

height: 5’11

weight: 190

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr 4 mo

hometown: Tampa, FL

An early enrollee at Florida, Kurland had a fantastic freshman campaign for the Gators. A middle-infield thumper, Kurland's power stands out at first glance. He'll utilize both sides of the field with impressive bat speed and he's shown great barrel feel thus far, though his swing gets long and he'll need to polish up the hit tool in 2025. He's aggressive and will chase often, leading to strikeouts piling up and a walk rate that scouts want to see raised. Defensively, he's built for second base at the next level, but given his physicality, there's a chance he may outgrow the position and get a tryout at the hot corner.

---

29. RHP Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma

height: 6’0

weight: 205

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 20 yr 11 mo

hometown: Jacksonville, fl

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Witherspoon attended Northwest Florida State College before transferring to Oklahoma with his twin brother, Malachi. While Malachi boasts the louder pitch mix, Kyson excelled in a starter's role for the Sooners in 2024, striking out 90 batters in 80 innings to the tune of a 3.71 ERA. His arm action can get stabby and inconsistent, causing some command woes, but his FB/SL duo is dynamic. He's run the heater up to 98 MPH with hop at the top of the zone and the slider features solid bite and two-plane break in the upper-80s. He's also flashed a fading cambio to lefties in the upper-80s, missing a good amount of bats. A jump in command with a cleaner arm action bodes well for his potential.

---

30. 1B/OF Ethan Petry, South Carolina

height: 6’4

weight: 235

b/t: r/r

draft day age: 21 yr

hometown: Land O’ Lakes, fl

Petry burst onto the scene as a freshman at South Carolina, smashing 23 home runs and slashing .376/.471/.733 in 63 games. 2024 was much the same in the power department, as he hit 21 home runs in 61 games, but opposing pitching exploited some holes in Petry's swing, causing a drop in pure contact and a rise in strikeouts. He did walk at a higher clip, but he was susceptible to velocity up in the zone and spin. With that said, it's all-fields juice when he's on and if he can polish up the hit tool in 2025, the ceiling is sky-high offensively. Defensively, he's improved a bit in right field for the Gamecocks, but given his large frame and middling speed, he's bound to move back to the infield at first base. A return to his 2023 form will help his draft stock immensely in 2025.