The MLB Draft is upon us.
Some things are beginning to crystallize. Short lists are being carved out. War room meetings are behind us. It’s crunch time. Things will start to become clear as Sunday approaches. For now, this is what we’re hearing. I can’t encourage you enough to read the fine print.
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
Kade Anderson, LHP — LSU
HOMETOWN: Madisonville, Louisiana
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 188
BAT/THROW: L-L
While Ethan Holliday has long been the frontrunner in this spot, the industry seems to think Washington will go pitching. The Nationals cut their list from five prospective players down to three on Saturday morning with the hopes of landing on a favorite by Sunday morning. This pick will likely come down to negotiating a signing bonus figure as the Draft nears.
A large contingent of high-level scouts inside the industry actually believe Eli Willits will be the pick in this spot. So keep an eye on that. I’ll go with Anderson to avoid the outlier divergence. But don’t be surprised if Willits is the name on the card.
2. Los Angeles Angels
Eli Willits, SS — Fort Cobb-Broxton HS
HOMETOWN: Fort Cobb, Oklahoma
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 175
BAT/THROW: B-R
Willits has been a popular name inside of the top two picks in recent days with a number of different coincidences and buzzy smoke pointing toward the Angels going the prep route. I have heard Billy Carlson in this spot as well on Saturday morning. If Liam Doyle doesn’t go in this spot, his landing spots can be difficult to find.
3. Seattle Mariners
Seth Hernandez, RHP — Corona HS
HOMETOWN: Chino, California
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: R-R
I think Seth Hernandez and Tyler Bremner are the odds on favorites here assuming Anderson is gone. The buzz of Parker and Irish has dissipated of late.
4. Colorado Rockies
Ethan Holliday, 3B — Stillwater HS
HOMETOWN: Stillwater, Oklahoma
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 210
BAT/THROW: L-R
Holliday will almost assuredly go to the Nationals or to the Rockies. Colorado might even be willing to over-slot Holliday to get him down to Denver. If not Holliday, the Rockies do like Florida State left-handed pitcher Jamie Arnold and believe his accoutrement of weapons and traits will work at Coors Field.
5. St. Louis Cardinals
Ike Irish, C/OF — Auburn
HOMETOWN: Hudsonville, Michigan
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 208
BAT/THROW: L-R
I think the Cardinals would prefer Willits get to this spot, but with all the noise for him ahead of this pick, we’re going to shift to another player in the Cardinals’ sights. Irish is in play, but Oklahoma righty Kyson Witherspoon is getting a ton of play here too. This is Witherspoon’s ceiling and a potential under-slot deal.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
Aiva Arquette, SS — Oregon State
HOMETOWN: Honolulu, Hawaii
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: R-R
I’ve heard college bats and Hernandez in this spot. Billy Carlson checks a lot of the same boxes Konnor Griffin did in 2024. Feels like this spot could be in for a surprise.
7. Miami Marlins
JoJo Parker, SS/3B — Purvis (MS)
HOMETOWN: Purvis, Mississippi
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 193
BAT/THROW: L-R
It seems to be Willits, Parker, and Carlson a whole lot in this spot.
If Irish finds a way down to the No. 7, this could be his floor.
8. Toronto Blue Jays
Billy Carlson, SS — Corona
HOMETOWN: Corona, California
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 178
BAT/THROW: R-R
It sounds like Carlson and Arnold heavy in this spot with a handful of other names being kicked around if case neither makes it. Based on how new Scouting Director Marc Tramuta liked to attack the draft during his days in New York, I’d imagine Carlson is more his flavor.
9. Cincinnati Reds
Jamie Arnold, LHP — Florida State
HOMETOWN: Tampa, Florida
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: L-L
Arnold and Doyle both find themselves available in this spot, and that would come as a surprise. There seems to be confidence, at least from inside the Reds organization, on Arnold’s ability to succeed in Cincinnati.
The Reds have consistently drafted players who profile up the middle of the field early in drafts. This is the part of the draft where things begin to muddy up a bit.
10. Chicago White Sox
Steele Hall, SS — Hewitt-Trussville (Al.)
HOMETOWN: Trussville, Alabama
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: R-R
I think the White Sox are trying to find a way to save a little money here and go big-game hunting at pick 44. They’ve been connected heavily to Carlson and Hall over the course of the last few days.
11. The Athletics
Tyler Bremner, RHP — UC Santa Barbara
HOMETOWN: San Diego, California
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: R-R
Bremner could be off the board 8 picks prior to the Athletics selecting, so I don’t feel great about this one. Steele Hall is in the mix, as are a few other college performers.
12. Texas Rangers
Liam Doyle, LHP — Tennessee
HOMETOWN: Derby, New Hampshire
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: L-L
As much as folks in the industry want to attach the Rangers to high school shortstops, I think their active mindset is opportunistic patience. That opportunity may end up being a high school shortstop, but we’ll see what’s left. It’s hard to imagine someone of note doesn’t slip into their lap.
Doyle grades out well in Texas. They’ve completely revamped the player development on the pitching side in recent years. Hard to know if Doyle falls this far, but it’d be a good fit.
13. San Francisco Giants
Gage Wood, RHP — Arkansas
HOMETOWN: Batesville, Arkansas
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: R-R
The Giants are all over the map but seem to have settled more on the college market if the latest rumors are true. Bremner, Witherspoon, and Wood all get buzz in this spot.
14. Tampa Bay Rays
Gavin Kilen, SS — Tennessee
HOMETOWN: Milton, Wisconsin
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 180
BAT/THROW: L-R
The Rays are always chasing established hit tools and up-the-middle tools. Kilen is an awesome fit from that perspective. They’re expected to dive heavy on the preps with their later picks, with names like Cooper Flemming and Jaden Fauske on the short list.
15. Boston Red Sox
Kyson Witherspoon, RHP — Oklahoma
HOMETOWN: Jacksonville, Florida
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: R-R
It’s difficult to find a specific landing spot for Witherspoon, but there are surely opportunistic organizations like the Red Sox waiting in the wings to see what falls their way. Fien is brought up in this spot quite a bit, and Xavier Neyens shouldn’t be discounted either.
16. Minnesota Twins
Marek Houston, SS — Wake Forest
HOMETOWN: Nokomis, Florida
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: R-R
This is a popular landing spot for Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad, however, rumors of Marek Houston landing in the Twin Cities have sparked up of late. It’s possible he could be had in this spot for a slight underpay in order to land more high-profile talent later in the draft.
Kilen being on the board is a bit of a surprise in this spot, though he doesn’t last much longer in this scenario.
17. Chicago Cubs
Wehiwa Aloy, SS — Arkansas
HOMETOWN: Wailuku, Hawaii
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: R-R
I think the Cubs would much prefer college pitching fall to them in this spot, but not in this scenario. The Cubs are heavily tied to Aloy as a model-driven team tied to power and defense. Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad gets buzz here, too, as a model-friendly pick.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks
Caden Bodine, C — Coastal Carolina
HOMETOWN: Haddon Heights, New Jersey
HEIGHT: 5-10
WEIGHT: 197
BAT/THROW: R-R
There’s quite a bit of smoke here. The Diamondbacks, without question, covet Bodine and see similarities to what Daulton Varsho once was in Arizona. An under-slot deal here also positions the Snakes to land bigger high school talent with pick 29.
Playoff Teams
19. Baltimore Orioles
Brendan Summerhill, OF — Arizona
High schoolers are mentioned here, but this sounds as though it’ll be the floor for Bodine as well.
20. Milwaukee Brewers
Gavin Fien, SS — Tennessee
This seems to be the floor for Gavin Fien if he falls this far. I’ve heard Wake Forest OF Ethan Conrad connected here of late.
21. Houston Astros
Xavier Neyens, SS — Mount Vernon
Neyens gets mentioned here quite a bit. College standouts like Aloy, Gamble, Southisene, and Wood serve as other options.
22. Atlanta Braves
Slater de Brun, OF — Summit
The Braves have been connected to de Brun for a while and purportedly like his tenacity and spark. That said, there are multiple players connected here, and Atlanta is said to be hoping a college arm lands in their lap.
23. Kansas City Royals
Kayson Cunningham, SS — Johnson
The Royals are hoping to find a way to get Cunningham down to this spot. Schoolcraft is linked to the Royals a lot and likely serves as a Plan 1(B). Kansas City is purportedly big-game hunting with their two picks in the first round and plans to be aggressive with their money.
24. Detroit Tigers
Coy James, SS — Davie County
I don’t feel great about this, but an under-slot deal for James is something that sounds like it’s been kicked around.
25. San Diego Padres
Sean Gamble, OF — IMG Academy
Gamble gets a lot of love in this spot, but there has been some late buzz around right-handed pitcher Angel Cervantes, perhaps being in play.
26. Philadelphia Phillies
Jace LaViolette, OF — Texas A&M
LaViolette has purportedly been tumbling in war rooms and could be in play this late or later in the Draft. I haven’t specifically connected the Phillies to LaViolette, but he’s a hard talent to walk away from.
27. Cleveland Guardians
Daniel Pierce, SS — Mill Creek
28. Kansas City Royals (PPI pick for Bobby Witt Jr. MVP)
Josh Hammond, SS — Westchester Country Day
Hammond remains a major play in this spot, but the Royals may have to fend off considerable financial overtures from the Orioles for Hammond. Of course, they could just draft him anyway and dare him to walk away from an enormous signing bonus and go to school.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks
Ryan Mitchell, SS — Houston
The Diamondbacks are tied to high school upside here with Mitchell being high on their preferred list.
30. Baltimore Orioles (Compensation for losing Anthony Santander)
Andrew Fischer, 1B — Tennessee
If Bodine doesn’t go 19, this or pick 31 will likely be North Carolina catcher Luke Stevenson. Neyens is a target here, as is Fien. However, it would take a pretty penny to get him this far down the board. It’s unlikely the Orioles walk away from this draft with just one high schooler in the Top 37 picks, so something in this mock is destined to break.
31. Baltimore Orioles (Compensation for losing Corbin Burnes)
Luke Stevenson, C — North Carolina
The Orioles have a ton of players connected to them in this range. Tennessee first baseman Andrew Fischer, Stevenson, Tennessee infielder Dean Curley, Arizona outfielder Brendan Summerhill and Hauppauge catcher Michael Oliveto all get talked about.
32. Milwaukee Brewers
Ethan Conrad, OF — Wake Forest
Davie County shortstop Coy James has been brought up as a target here, as has hard-throwing prep lefty Jack Bauer.
COMPETITIVE BALANCE ‘A’ ROUND
33. Boston Red Sox
AJ Russell, RHP — Tennessee
The Red Sox found a lot of success with grabbing a unique release trait college arm with their second pick in 2024 and it wouldn’t surprise us if they went that route again. A renewed commitment to pitching development in Boston, driven by Craig Breslow, Kyle Boddy, and Andrew Bailey (among many, many others), would do well with the likes of Wood, Phillips, Tennessee right-hander Marcus Phillips, or Southern Miss right-hander JB Middleton.
34. Detroit Tigers
Michael Oliveto, C/OF — Hauppage
Preps are the flavor of the week in this spot and Oliveto gets as much run as anyone at pick 34. Quentin Young is also talked about as an option here.
35. Seattle Mariners
Riley Quick, RHP — Alabama
Dreams of Pierce, Hammond, Fien or Hall falling to this spot exist. It should come as no surprise if the Mariners once again elect to blow up their bonus pool and buy down one of those three names with an enormous signing bonus overture. Pierce has the best chance of lasting into the mid-20s range, which would likely illicit a phone call by Seattle into his representation. They like Quick, and they like Tennessee RHP AJ Russell.
36. Minnesota Twins
Devin Taylor, OF — Indiana
A giant mix of college bats and high school arms are the flavor in this spot. Keep an eye on McClennan shortstop Sherman Johnson II at some point with the Twins.
37. Baltimore Orioles
Brendan Summerhill, OF — Arizona
This is the pick acquired from the Rays in the Bryan Baker deal. It’s hard to image the Orioles go with four college guys with their first four picks. But alas.
38. New York Mets
Tate Southisene, SS — Basic
The Mets are purportedly looking to spread their money out this year and bring in several high school talents they like.
39. New York Yankees
Alex Lodise, SS — Florida State
There are several names in this spot connected to the Yankees. The Lodises, Wood, Arizona State outfielder Brandon Compton, and plenty of high school shortstops too.
40. Los Angeles Dodgers
Patrick Forbes, RHP — Louisville
Keep an eye on this spot. There are rumors the Dodgers are trying to pull down a big fish to this spot and underpay players with their next two selections. Blair is brought up on occasion, as is Evansville Memorial right-hander Matthew Fisher.
41. Los Angeles Dodgers
Quentin Young, SS — Oaks Christian
42. Tampa Bay Rays
Cooper Flemming, SS — Aliso Niguel
Fauske gets mentioned in this spot a lot.
43. Miami Marlins
Cam Cannarella, OF — Clemson
Miami is mentioned with a whole bunch of high school pitching inside the Top 100 picks, but the opportunity to snag Cannarella here stands out.
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