And so it begins…
Let’s make one thing very clear. The purpose of this mock draft is NOT to get every pick right. Or even, well, any of the picks right. Instead, this mock is being used as an exploratory framework for how things could go haywire in July. Lots of picks will surprise you, and most won’t come to fruition, but if we can’t be creative and nutty in May, when can we?
Top 400 Players in the 2025 Draft
With comprehensive, data-driven scouting reports
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following rankings and evaluations by FSS PLUS are based on subjective analysis and industry sources, and do not influence, are not influenced by, or are affiliated with the opinions and reports of Future Stars Series scouting and development staff.
1. Washington Nationals
Aiva Arquette, SS — Oregon State
HOMETOWN: Honolulu, Hawaii
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: R-R
Let’s start with the obvious here. Ethan Holliday is the hands-down favorite to go No. 1 overall for myriad reasons. Won’t list them here, because, well, Arquette is the mocked selection. But so we’re clear, Holliday is, and for good reason, the Vegas frontrunner in this spot.
This will be a mock draft built on the idea Arquette can save the Nationals enough money to warrant the selection. And he’s a very, very good player in his own right. If the Nationals can get enough confident intel that the Angels won’t select Arquette at 2, they could conceivably save around $1.2 million with this pick and spread it out later. Even cutting $1.2 million off Arquette’s bonus, he’d still receive $9.8 million, the largest signing bonus in Draft history. This draft is flush with intriguing high school talent. Gaining access to more of it in any way you can might be worth the exercise.
Arquette’s bat took mammoth strides during his sophomore year, parlaying that success into 2025 in Corvallis. It now represents one of the most complete sticks in the country. There are bat-to-ball skills and huge exit velocities, both of which were shown off on the Cape too. Arquette has a steady approach and a willingness to use right field, a rare trait for players his size.
Arquette has been far more impressive at shortstop than a lot of evaluators believed he would be entering the year. It’s probably still 50/50 whether he’s a shortstop at the next level, but most evaluators are convinced he’ll stay on the dirt.
Arquette at 1 should afford the Nationals to stretch their bonus pool into the second and third rounds, something they did successfully with the selection of Seaver King in 2024.
2. Los Angeles Angels
Ike Irish, C — Auburn
HOMETOWN: Hudsonville, Michigan
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 203
BAT/THROW: L-R
There’s been some buzz that the Angels may try and get creative with their first pick. Irish is enjoying a breakout campaign and has been one of the more complete hitters in the country this season. He could, conceivably, head straight to Double-A and contribute in Los Angeles as early as spring 2026.
This is obviously a pick that zigs while the rest of the industry prefers to zag, but this mock draft isn’t about getting every pick correct. That time will come. This one is about exploring unique outcomes. The Angels need outfielders. Now. Irish certainly would fit that billing at 2. Seth Hernandez makes sense here, as do a number of high school shorstops on under-slot deals.
3. Seattle Mariners
JoJo Parker, SS/3B — Purvis (MS)
HOMETOWN: Purvis, Mississippi
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 193
BAT/THROW: L-R
The typical high school bats get the most play at this spot, but what if Seattle went after the player that more closely resembles their model picks of the past few years? Parker was the most exceptional high school hitter in the country last summer with elite whiff rates and an approach well beyond his years. Sound like Colt Emerson? If Seattle thinks Parker will stay on the dirt, and the metrics and performance suggest he’s the most sound high school bat in the class, and they can save money selecting him here whilst spreading more money out to picks 35 and 59, why not? It makes about as much sense as any other option. That said, if Seth Hernandez and Ethan Holliday are available at this pick, well…
4. Colorado Rockies
Ethan Holliday, 3B — Stillwater HS
HOMETOWN: Stillwater, Oklahoma
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 210
BAT/THROW: L-R
The next Holliday in a long line of decorated impact bats, Ethan follows in his older brother’s footsteps and could become the No. 1 pick this year. But he’s got some work ahead of him in the spring. He’s a much more imposing hitter than his brother was at this same stage with far more projection in the power department than Jackson had/has. He’s already getting a majority of his reps at third base, and shortstop is all but out the window. The hit tool needs to improve, but even if it’s a 40-grade hit tool and 70-grade power, it plays in the top 5 picks.
Holliday is a fluid defender with above-average arm strength and is quick enough to play a strong right field like his father (Matt) if things shake out that way. There will undoubtedly be pressure on the bat considering his already-off-the-middle-of-the-field profile, but scouts and analysts like myself are bullish on the athlete in the box, the projection in the stick, and what the whole package could look like a year from now.
The purpose of this mock draft is to get creative and do things that go against the grain. But Holliday getting past the Rockies at pick No. 4 would be an exercise in insanity.
5. St. Louis Cardinals
Seth Hernandez, RHP — Corona HS
HOMETOWN: Chino, California
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: R-R
Hernandez might not even be available this late in the Draft but they would welcome another pitching prospect as they’ve found more and more success in developing that profile of late.
The thing that immediately stands out about Hernandez at this stage is his mature pitch-ability and his natural talent to pound the strike zone. He’ll work in the low 90s, grabbing 96 with solid spin and carry through the zone. His best weapon currently is a low-80s slider with solid depth and some sweep, as well as an upper-70s changeup, killing spin well.
Chaim Bloom and Randy Flores have rarely gone for pitching in their respective positions over the years, but a value like Hernandez at this spot would probably tip the scales of intrigue.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
Billy Carlson, SS — Corona
HOMETOWN: Corona, California
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 178
BAT/THROW: R-R
This feels like a nice landing spot for Carlson when you consider some of the pillars the Pirates have preyed on over the past few drafts (three cheers for alliteration). Carlson has big tools, a good frame, plays a premium position and has plenty of untapped potential. His swing may require some work at the next level, but the Pirates’ brass saw the same intrigue in Konnor Griffin in 2024. Willits is the obvious secondary fit, however Carlson probably tops the Oklahoma bluechip from a ceiling perspective.
7. Miami Marlins
Eli Willits, SS — Fort Cobb-Broxton HS
HOMETOWN: Fort Cobb, Oklahoma
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 175
BAT/THROW: B-R
Willits is such a phenomenal fit for the fish that it’s hard to suggest any other player currently on the board than this one at 7. Carlson makes sense if he’s here. As does Parker and Fien if both shortstops are off the board. Based on the language and historical precedence, a high school bat just feels like the direction for Miami in the first round, especially considering it’s likely the strength at the top of this class.
8. Toronto Blue Jays
Brendan Summerhill, OF — Arizona
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: L-R
Summerhill is a long-levered, angular outfielder with a sweet, lofty left-handed swing and some present game power largely due to his feel for backspinning the baseball. He’s peaked at 110 mph in terms of exit velocities as a sophomore, but proponents of the profile point toward his leaner frame with strength projection on the horizon as a reason to believe there’s louder contact in the tank. It’s a quiet swing with pull-side authority with almost zero holes in his stroke. Summerhill broke his hand and missed much of the 2025 season and hasn’t posted the same exit velocity quality this spring, but it’s in there somewhere.
Summerhill posts elite whiff rates and is among the best in the country in terms of in-zone swing-outcome production. There’s a whole lot of polish here and there may be more impact on the way.
Summerhill enjoyed a .324/.399/.550 sophomore campaign with the Wildcats and did a ton of damage on the Cape all while playing a steady centerfield. Rumors swirling that the Jays are looking for ways to save some money with their first pick to buy talent down into the third round. This would be a good way to do it, and Summerhill is a good player as-is.
9. Cincinnati Reds
Jamie Arnold, LHP — Florida State
HOMETOWN: Tampa, Florida
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: L-L
Arnold would be a tremendous get. He’s a metric darling with outlandish release traits and three pitches that project to ‘plus’ right now. Arnold has a chance to pitch in the big leagues in 2026.
Surely the Reds wouldn’t expect a name like Arnold to be available to them with the No. 9 pick. An organization that has long chased up-the-middle athletes would have to think long and hard about pitching in this spot. But Hunter Green and Nick Lodolo represents examples of yesteryear where this front office has been more than willing to chase hurlers.
10. Chicago White Sox
Liam Doyle, LHP — Tennessee
HOMETOWN: Derby, New Hampshire
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: L-L
This scouting regime didn’t draft Garrett Crochet or Chris Sale, but ignoring the success both have had coming through the Windy City would be a silly omission in reality. Doyle could be off the board as early as pick No. 1 in this draft. If he slips to pick No. 10, the White Sox should be thrilled.
11. The Athletics
Tyler Bremner, RHP — UC Santa Barbara
HOMETOWN: San Diego, California
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: R-R
The Athletics love a college performer and Bremner has come on strong toward the end of the season. He’s got spots all over the Top 20 picks. They’d do well to land his services at 11.
LaViolette would have to get consideration in this spot, as would a guy like Liam Doyle.
12. Texas Rangers
Xavier Neyens, 3B — Mount Vernon HS
HOMETOWN: Mount Vernon, Washington
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 208
BAT/THROW: L-R
Whenever you’re picking this high in the draft you need to go for ceiling and upside. Size, impact, physicality or up-the-middle dynamic traits are a must. Neyens may have the loudest bat of any prep in the 2025 class. It’s comfortably ‘plus’ power with a baseball card that has pummeled guys two years older than him on the showcase circuit for a few years now.
His defensive position is still in question, though he’s made strides at third base and is a good enough athlete to project a potential average glove at the hot corner. If that doesn’t bore out Neyens has a very strong arm and could make for an imposing right fielder. Still, you’re buying the bat here. Neyens has a chance to develop into a guy with 35-plus homer upside and a left-handed stick to boot.
Neyens could come off the board a few picks earlier than this and some believe he could be paid down to the Competitive Balance A rounds. He’s a bit of a mystery from a draft perspective right now. Everything is bigger in Texas and Neyens’ homers fit the bill. There’s also been some buzz about a surprise in this spot, so back-pocket that for later.
13. San Francisco Giants
Jace LaViolette, OF — Texas A&M
HOMETOWN: Katy, Texas
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 238
BAT/THROW: L-L
The Giants love a big conference performer with big tools and few hit the mark like LaViolette. Massive power, a 6-foot-6-inch frame and centerfield tools, he checks a lot of the same boxes previous Los Gigantes picks tick. He’ll need work in pro ball to iron out what has been too much swing and miss, but San Francisco may be up to the task. They’ve taken risks and shots on players like Reggie Crawford and Dakota Jordan in the past, LaViolette has a higher ceiling than any of them.
14. Tampa Bay Rays
Gavin Kilen, SS — Tennessee
HOMETOWN: Milton, Wisconsin
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 180
BAT/THROW: L-R
Kilen’s brand is that of a sound hitter with impact still coming. He is extremely aggressive in the box and tends to swing at more pitches than he probably should resulting in well-below average chase rates. Still, he battles, draws long counts, and has largely avoided bloating his strikeout rates. There’s real feel to hit with elite bat-to-ball skills and a willingness to use all fields.
Kilen saw his exit velocities make huge strides in 2024 and again in 2025 highlighted by a peak batted-ball event north of 111 mph. He’s growing into average raw power and could be a threat to hit north of 15 homers in 2025.
A good bat and a good get for the Rays.
15. Boston Red Sox
Gavin Fien, SS — Huntington Beach
HOMETOWN: Temecula, California
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: R-R
We simply cannot in good faith allow the top remaining infielder from Southern California make it past the Boston Red Sox. That’s not allowed.
16. Minnesota Twins
Kade Anderson, LHP — LSU
HOMETOWN: Madisonville, Louisiana
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 188
BAT/THROW: L-L
The Twins like their hitters and this is as good a landing spot as any for a guy like Marek Houston, but Anderson is probably set to go a good bit higher than pick 15. Hard to envision him slipping much further than this. So yes, Minnesota, this is a bit of a floor pick more than it is fit pick/prediction. You ended up with a really good player. If not Anderson, Minnesota has done considerable due diligence on high school infielders.
17. Chicaco Cubs
Steele Hall, SS — Hewitt-Trussville (Al.)
HOMETOWN: Trussville, Alabama
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 182
BAT/THROW: R-R
The Cubs love tools and they love athletes and in this case they get arguably the most exciting player in the Draft. An 80-grade runner with an ever-evolving bat, Hall has a chance to turn into something resembling Trea Turner as he continues to mature.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks
Kyson Witherspoon, RHP — Oklahoma
HOMETOWN: Jacksonville, Florida
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: R-R
The Diamondbacks have plenty of money to spend in this Draft. Landing a strong pitcher with their first pick and then going gangbusters with pick 29 would be right out of the Snakes playbook. Witherspoon could be off the board several spots higher than this anyways, so the value is excellent.
Playoff Teams
19. Baltimore Orioles
Zach Root, LHP — Arkansas
20. Milwaukee Brewers
Kayson Cunningham, SS — Johnson
21. Houston Astros
Wehiwa Aloy, SS — Arkansas
22. Atlanta Braves
Marek Houston, SS — Wake Forest
23. Kansas City Royals
Luke Stevenson, C — North Carolina
24. Detroit Tigers
Mason Neville, OF — Oregon
25. San Diego Padres
Sean Gamble, OF — IMG Academy
26. Philadelphia Phillies
Slater de Brun, OF — Summit
27. Cleveland Guardians
Josh Hammond, SS — Westchester Country Day
28. Kansas City Royals (PPI Pick for Bobby Witt Jr.)
Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP — Sunset
29. Arizona Diamondbacks
Aaron Watson, RHP — Trinity Christian Academy
30. Baltimore Orioles (Compensation for losing Anthony Santander)
Ethan Conrad, OF — Wake Forest
31. Baltimore Orioles (Compensation for losing Corbin Burnes)
Andrew Fischer, 1B — Tennessee
32. Milwaukee Brewers
Matthew Fisher, RHP — Evansville Memorial
COMPETITIVE BALANCE A ROUND
33. Boston Red Sox
Marcus Phillips. RHP — Tennessee
34. Detroit Tigers
Patrick Forbes, RHP — Louisville
35. Seattle Mariners
Daniel Pierce, SS — Mill Creek
36. Minnesota Twins
Devin Taylor, OF — Indiana
37. Tampa Bay Rays
Tate Southisene, SS — Basic
38. New York Mets (Pick falls 10 spots for exceeding luxury tax by $40m+)
Korbyn Dickerson, OF — Indiana
39. New York Yankees (Pick falls 10 spots for exceeding luxury tax by $40m+)
Gage Wood, RHP — Arkansas
40. Los Angeles Dodgers (Pick falls 10 spots for exceeding luxury tax by $40m+)
Nicky Becker, SS — Don Bosco Prep
41. Los Angeles Dodgers
AJ Russell, RHP — Tennessee
42. Tampa Bay Rays
Dean Curley, 3B — Tennessee
43. Miami Marlins
Dax Kilby, SS — Newnan
END OF COMPETITIVE BALANCE A ROUND
- MLB Draft: Mock Draft 1.0 - May 14, 2025
- 2025 MLB Draft slot bonuses/bonus pools announced - April 24, 2025
- MLB Draft Profile: Mason Neville - April 21, 2025
