The 2025 MLB Draft lottery is complete, and the Nationals secured the No. 1 overall pick. This year’s draft class boasts an abundance of talent, but there’s no consensus top choice, with several players vying for the honor of going first overall.
Here’s our initial mock draft for the 2025 MLB Draft cycle:
1. Nationals: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
The Nationals don’t necessarily need more outfielders, but it’s the MLB draft, and you don’t draft for need. LaViolette is the best player in this year’s class, as of right now.
LaViolette is a 6-foot-6, 230-pound left-handed hitting outfielder with above-average raw power to all fields. He doesn’t chase a lot out of the strike zone and tallies a lot of walks. He needs to limit his strikeouts and improve his overall bat-to-ball skills. But overall, he’s a tremendous hitter with star potential in the middle of the order. Defensively, LaViolette has mostly played center field at Texas A&M. He is a respectable athlete for his size and has a chance to remain at the position in pro ball.
Read a detailed profile on LaViolette’s skill set here.
2. Angels: Ethan Holliday, SS, Stillwater (Okla.) HS
Holliday underperformed a bit in the summer, but he is the top prep player in the 2025 MLB draft class. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound left-handed hitter uses simple, low-effort mechanics and a quick swing to drive the ball with authority to all parts of the field. Defensively, Holliday is athletic, with smooth defensive actions and a strong arm.
Holliday is the son of former MLB star Matt Holliday and brother of Jackson Holliday, the star shortstop prospect for the Baltimore Orioles who went first overall in 2022.
3. Mariners: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
Arnold is a 6-foot-1, 191-pound lefty who throws a mid-90s fastball and quality slider from a low three-quarters arm slot. He attacks the strike zone and rarely issues walks. He needs to develop more consistency with his changeup, but he has all the ingredients to be a quality top-of-the-rotation starter in pro ball.
4. Rockies: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Bremner is a premier college baseball pitcher. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound righty took a notable step forward, notching 104 strikeouts and 21 walks in 88 2/3 innings last year. He relies on a mid-90s fastball, which features late movement, changeup and slider. Both breaking pitches flash above-average potential, with his changeup as his go-to strikeout pitch. He uses a low-effort delivery and a three-quarters arm slot. He projects as a quality pro starter and has a realistic chance of being the first pitcher selected in the 2025 MLB draft.
5. Cardinals: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon (Wash.) HS
Neyens is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed hitter who profiles as a middle-of-the-order hitter in pro ball. His left-handed swing is built to hit for above-average raw power to all fields. He needs to continue refining his plate discipline, but he hits it hard when he connects. Defensively, Neyens has a strong arm and strong actions at third base.
6. Pirates: Cam Cannarella, OF, Clemson
Cannarella is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound center fielder boasts five-tool potential. The left-handed hitter makes consistent, hard contact and uses all parts of the field. He occasionally shows some power, but his game is built around hitting line drives in the gaps and making a difference with his speed on the bases. Defensively, Cannarella has above-average speed and strong instincts in center field. He has the tools to remain in center field long-term.
Read a detailed profile on Cannarella’s skill set here.
7. Marlins: Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana
Taylor is a 6-foot-1, 215-pound left-handed hitting outfielder known for his skills at the plate. He uses a simple swing to drive the baseball with authority due to his above-average raw power. He also displays outstanding plate recognition and quality strike zone discipline.
After handling a corner outfield spot in his first two years at Indiana, Taylor will play center field in 2025. He has respectable athleticism and average arm strength.
Read a detailed profile on Taylor’s skill set here.
8. Blue Jays: Billy Carlson, SS/RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS
Carlson, who is 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, is a legitimate two-way player after excelling on the showcase circuit throughout the summer.
Scouts rave about his athleticism and bat speed from the right side at the plate. He currently uses a line-drive approach with a smooth swing but has the potential to develop quality power. Defensively, Carlson likely will stick at shortstop due to his athleticism and above-average arm strength. On the mound, Carlson has a mid-90s fastball and a quality curveball. Scouts are split on his long-term future, as he has five-tool potential at shortstop and intriguing potential on the mound.
9. Reds: Aiva Arquette, 2B, Oregon State
Arquette is a quality hitter best known for his ability to barrel up the baseball from the right side consistently. He boasts a quality hit tool and emerging power. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound college junior played second base in his first two years at Washington. Arquette played shortstop in the Cape Cod League during the summer, excelling at the spot due to his smooth actions and above-average arm strength.
10. White Sox: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS
Willits is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound switch-hitting shortstop known for a well-balanced skill set. He has a quality approach and contact skills, with the ability to hit line drives to all parts of the field. Defensively, he has quality instincts with respectable athleticism.
Willits was a top player in the 2026 class before he reclassified. He is young for the class and has a unique background. He is the son of former Los Angeles Angels outfielder Reggie Willits, the associate head coach at Oklahoma. Willits is an Oklahoma commit.
11. Athletics: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona
Summerhill, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound outfielder, is a left-handed hitter with quality skills in all aspects of the game. He has a solid approach and shows emerging raw power, especially to the pull side. Defensively, Summerhill played right field for the Wildcats in the fall. He is quick, boasts a strong arm and has experience playing all three outfield positions.
12. Rangers: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS
Hernandez is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound righty with frontline starter potential. He throws a mid-90s fastball, quality changeup and a swing-and-miss curveball from an athletic and repeatable delivery. He attacks the strike zone with his pitch mix.
13. Giants: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sunset (Ore.) HS
Schoolcraft is an intriguing 6-foot-8, 215-pound two-way player with huge potential. He reclassified from the 2025 class, and scouts are split on his long-term position.
Schoolcraft has an easy operation and a fastball in the mid-90s. He also mixes in a quality slider and changeup. At the plate, the left-handed hitter boasts above-average raw power with a short swing. Due to his athleticism, he is also a quality defender at first base.
14. Rays: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson (Texas) HS
Cunningham is a 5-foot-9, 170-pound shortstop with arguably the best hit tool in the prep class. He uses a quick left-handed swing and consistently squares up the baseball to drive the ball to all parts of the field. He boasts strong plate discipline and has thrived against premium pitchers. Defensively, Cunningham has a strong arm, quality speed and notable instincts that will give him a chance to remain at shortstop in pro ball.
15. Red Sox: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest
Houston dedicated significant time during the offseason and fall to refining his offensive skill set, building on the progress he made as a sophomore. A right-handed hitter, he currently profiles as a contact-oriented player but shows the potential to develop more power as he continues to mature physically. Defensively, he excels at shortstop with above-average arm strength, solid range, and strong fundamentals, making him a dependable presence in the field.
16. Twins: Ike Irish, C, Auburn
Irish is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitting catcher known for his advanced offensive tools. With simple mechanics and a quick, efficient swing, he consistently drives the ball into the gaps. His exceptional contact skills and low strikeout rate set him apart. Defensively, his best attribute is his above-average arm strength. He has worked diligently to improve his receiving skills.
Read a detailed profile on Irish’s skill set here.
17. Cubs: Max Belyeu, OF, Texas
Belyeu is a quality left-handed hitter who can hit for average and power. He uses a quick swing to consistently barrel up the baseball and drive it into the gaps with authority. Defensively, Belyeu has respectable speed and a strong and accurate arm. He needs to refine his defensive action, and he could play center field long-term if he makes additional strides.
18. Diamondbacks: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina
Stevenson is a draft-eligible sophomore and boasts plenty of upside. The left-handed hitting backstop hits the baseball hard and shows plenty of power potential. He needs to refine his approach, especially against breaking pitches, but his ability at the plate is exciting. Defensively, he projects as a catcher long-term due to his high baseball IQ, strong and accurate arm, and receiving skills.
19. Orioles: Sean Gamble, SS/OF, IMG Academy
Gamble is a great athlete with a clean swing, which allows him to barrel the baseball from the left side. He hits the ball hard and will grow into more power as he matures physically. Gamble has above-average speed and a strong arm. Scouts seem to prefer him in the outfield, likely center field, but he has intriguing skills that could allow him to play an up-the-middle infield position.
20. Brewers: Nick Dumesnil, OF, California Baptist
Dumesnil is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound center fielder known for his strong hitting ability and above-average speed. He uses a short and simple swing to drive the ball into the gaps and for power consistently. He doesn’t strike out, showing a strong feel for the strike zone and quality pitch recognition. Defensively, Dumesnil’s speed and athleticism make him a standout in center field, allowing him to cover plenty of ground.
Read a detailed profile on Dumesnil’s skill set here.
21. Astros: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
Witherspoon uses a short, quick arm action and attacks from a three-quarter slot. The right-handed pitcher has a swing-and-miss mix, with a mid-90s fastball, above-average slider and an improving changeup.
22. Braves: Cameron Appenzeller, LHP, Glenwood (Ill.) HS
The 6-foot-6, 180-pound left-handed pitcher is an Illinois native with huge upside. Appenzeller can potentially become the best prep pitcher in the 2025 MLB draft class. He uses an easy and athletic delivery and has steadily increased his fastball velocity throughout high school. He sits in the low-90s, touching 94 mph, with his fastball, which generates swings and misses. He’s a player to watch this spring.
23. Royals: Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest
Conrad started his collegiate career at Marist, and now he is a top MLB draft prospect. Conrad is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound center fielder known for his well-rounded toolset. He has an advanced contact tool and consistently squares up the baseball. He also makes an impact with his above-average speed. Conrad doesn’t show tons of in-game home-run power, but scouts believe he can tap into more power as he continues to mature due to his size and approach at the plate.
Read a detailed profile on Conrad’s skill set here.
24. Tigers: Trent Caraway, 3B, Oregon State
Caraway was a top prospect out of high school but opted to attend college instead. Now, he’s once again a top prospect with first-round potential. The right-handed hitter is aggressive and can drive the ball with authority. Defensively, Caraway possesses above-average arm strength.
25. Padres: Brady Ebel, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS
Ebel is one of the younger players in the 2025 MLB draft class. He is one of the more polished hitters in the prep class, boasting a strong understanding of the strike zone, an ability to hit line drives and notable raw power. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound shortstop is a strong defender with quality arm strength and smooth defensive actions.
26. Phillies: Ethan Petry, OF, South Carolina
Petry was a top prospect out of high school but opted to attend college instead. Now, he’s once again a top prospect with first-round potential. The right-handed hitter boasts above-average raw power with an aggressive approach that leads to some swing-and-miss. He is an offensive-first player, and scouts are still unsure if he will play outfield or first base in pro ball.
27. Guardians: Dean Curley, SS, Tennessee
Curley showed encouraging ability in all facets of the game as a freshman at Tennessee last season. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound shortstop shows notable raw power from the right side and can drive the ball into the gaps from the right side. Defensively, Curley has above-average arm strength and smooth actions at shortstop. Scouts believe he will have a chance to stick at the position in pro ball.
28. Mets: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina
Bodine is a well-rounded catcher, causing scouts to project him as a likely early first-round pick in the 2025 MLB draft. He is a 5-foot-10, 200-pound switch hitter known for his advanced contact skills, strong plate discipline and emerging power. Defensively, Bodine is an above-average defender with a strong arm and quality receiving and blocking skills.
Read a detailed profile on Bodine’s skill set here.
29. Yankees: Dean Moss, OF, IMG Academy
Moss is a 6-foot, 180-pound left-handed hitter known for his quality offensive tools. He has quality mechanics, a notable approach and strong plate discipline. He has impressive bat speed and consistently finds the barrel to hit the ball with authority. Moss is a prep center fielder with the athleticism and instincts to handle the position moving forward.
Read a detailed profile on Moss’ skill set here.
30. Dodgers: Chase Shores, RHP, LSU
Shores dominated college hitters as a freshman in 2023 before suffering an injury and ultimately having Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2024 season. When healthy, the 6-foot-8, 245-pound right-hander boasts a high-90s fastball with a quality slider and changeup. He uses a low-effort delivery and throws from a three-quarters arm slot.
In addition to showing he’s fully healthy, Shores must show more consistency with his pitch mix and command and control. He has huge potential.
Want to learn more about the 2025 MLB draft class? Find all of our content here.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 10 years. He has interviewed 580 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
