Baseball Tribune's 2025 MLB Mock Draft 3.0
It's Draft Day
For those that have followed my work at IvyFutures (a moniker that stuck) and North Side Bound, you know how passionate I am about the MLB Draft. It's an area that I've followed to an almost obsessive degree for well two decades. That passion has led to incredible opportunities evaluating players and interacting with members of the scouting community. Learning and listening to those in the game and refining my process is a constant goal of mine. Expect to see a lot of MLB Draft content here. Thank you for checking out The Baseball Tribune.
In this mock I explore chatter from around the league and apply that with context based on historical drafting tendencies. It’s officially Draft Day so let’s get to the mock.
Mock Draft 3.0
Washington Nationals – Eli Willits - SS - Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)
Previous 1st round selections: Brady House (3B), Elijah Green (OF), Dylan Crews (OF), Seaver King -(IF)
Bonus Slot: $11,075,900
How the Nationals draft: Not afraid to go for upside despite risk. Ultimate ceiling appears to drive decision-making.
Mock 3.0: This is a play that I’ve kicked around and gotten some positive feedback. In a situation where the Nationals are in the middle of a regime change and negotiating with Boras clients Ethan Holliday and Kade Anderson, Eli Willits could present an opportunity. Willits isn’t eligible for the 75% minimum slot bonus and should pop extremely well on draft models. Even for a less model-heavy organization in Washington, Willits could sign for $7-8M and allow the Nationals to to spread a huge amount of cash around.
Mock 2.0: Seth Hernandez
Mock 1.0: Aiva Arquette
Los Angeles Angels – Kade Anderson - LHP - Louisiana State University
Previous 1st round selections: Sam Bachman (RHP), Zach Neto (SS), Nolan Schanuel (1B), Christian Moore (2B)
Bonus Slot: $10,252,700
How the Angels draft: Fast moving college performers and pitchers are the primary first-round targets by the Angels.
Mock 3.0: With Kade Anderson available and believed to be the top player on the Angels board, this feels like a great option. Anderson has a diverse pitch mix and SEC experience. The Angels are known for their quick promotions of prospects. Anderson could be in line for a rapid succession to the majors.
Mock 2.0: Aiva Arquette
Mock 1.0: Tyler Bremner
Seattle Mariners – Seth Hernandez - RHP - Corona HS (CA)
Previous 1st round selections: Harry Ford (C), Cole Young (SS), Colt Emerson (SS), Jonny Farmelo (OF), Tai Peete (SS), Jurrangelo Cijntje (SHP)
Bonus Slot: $9,504,400
How the Mariners draft: The past few seasons, Seattle has focused on high school talent and 2023 was a perfect encapsulation of that. But in 2024 they took an upward trending arm in Jurrangelo Cijntje. The ability to draft high in this draft via the lottery opens up a different bucket of players.
Mock 3.0: Hernandez carries the risk of being a prep righthander (that’s a tricky demographic), but there are some who feel he might be the best arm in the class. Asking around it appears folks in the industry believe Hernandez could be the Mariners top choice if Kade Anderson is off the board.
Mock 2.0: Willits
Mock 1.0: Jamie Arnold
Colorado Rockies - Ethan Holliday - 3B - Stillwater HS (OK)
Previous 1st round selections: Benny Montgomery (OF), Gabriel Hughes (RHP), Chase Dollander (RHP), Charlie Condon (3B)
Bonus Slot: $8,770,900
How the Rockies draft: It’s hard to track any sort of discernible traits the Rockies prioritize early. They’ve targeted multiple bats in the first and raw toosly outfielders. The past two drafts they targeted arms, but with very different profiles. I’d look at loud tools at this spot, especially power and velocity.
Mock 3.0: Very much sticking with Holliday to the Rockies. That’s been the buzz for weeks now, probably months. Colorado loves power and loud tools. Holliday’s family knows the Rockies organization well and he could position himself to receive the largest bonus in the class here.
Mock 2.0: Ethan Holliday
Mock 1.0: LaViolette
St. Louis Cardinals – Jamie Arnold - LHP - Florida State
Previous 1st round selections: Michael McGreevy (RHP), Cooper Hjerpe (LHP), Chase Davis (OF), JJ Weatherholt (IF)
Bonus Slot: $8,134,800
How the Cardinals draft: Not mentioned above, but the Cardinals have identified two-way players and developed them well. They aren’t afraid to take risky selections either. The Cardinals place a premium on height early in the draft. Every single pitcher (eight out of eight) drafted in the first five rounds in 2021, 2022, and 2023 was 6’2” or taller.
Mock 3.0: Jamie Arnold remains the selection here. He was believed to be in 1.1 conversations so him being available to Saint Louis could be a coup. Not every organization is going to value how well Arnold’s arm angle could play against advanced hitters, but Saint Louis selected Cooper Hjerpe with a first round selection only three years ago. Hjerpe looked good before his current injury sidelined him. Arnold could be a quick-mover for an organization that wants to be in consistent MLB prominence.
Mock 2.0: Jamie Arnold
Mock 1.0: Ethan Holliday
Pittsburgh Pirates - Aiva Arquette – SS - Oregon State
Previous 1st round selections: Henry Davis (C), Termarr Johnson (2B), Paul Skenes (RHP), Konnor Griffin (SS)
Bonus Slot: $7,558,600
How the Pirates draft: Pittsburgh had leaned towards safe future projections, but in the past two years the organization really leaned in to upside with Skenes and Griffin. Might they be leaning into upside physical traits within their team model?
Mock 3.0: Arquette is in the mix for the best college hitter in the class (Ike Irish makes a compelling argument) and is an up-the-middle defender which is a demographic the Pirates have invested in under Ben Cherington.
Mock 2.0: Billy Carlson
Mock 1.0: Dean Curley
Miami Marlins – JoJo Parker - SS- Purvis HS (MS)
Previous 1st round selections: Khalil Watson (SS), Jacob Berry (3B), Noble Meyer (RHP), PJ Morlando (1B)
Bonus Slot: $7,149,900
How the Marlins draft: It’s a new regime in Miami so I’m borrowing shades of both the Marlins and Rays (since Bendix came from Tampa Bay). Morlando was a player that had certain scouts pounding the table for and it’s interesting that Miami made him their first selection.
Mock 3.0: Same rationale applies here as in Mock 2.0. Parker is one of the most impressive high school bats and has been tied to the Marlins for awhile now.
Mock 2.0: A name that continues to “rise” in chatter is JoJo Parker. Parker is questionable to stay on the infield, but he’s in the discussions for best bat in the prep class. The Marlins under Peter Bendix targeted PJ Morlando early, who was respected for the bat over the defensive profile.
Mock 1.0: Billy Carlson
Toronto Blue Jays – Liam Doyle - LHP - Tennessee
Previous 1st round selections: Gunnar Hoglund (RHP), Brandon Barriera (LHP), Arjun Nimmala (SS), Trey Yesavage (RHP)
Bonus Slot: $6,813,600
How the Blue Jays draft: You have to respect the Blue Jays for just taking the guys that fall to them. They’ve been one of the few organizations willing to take an arm who had Tommy John surgery and didn’t come back yet.
Mock 3.0: Teams should never draft for need, but I can’t shake the feeling that Liam Doyle could offer both short and long term benefits to a Toronto Blue Jays team that needs to win this year to avoid a regime change. Doyle could be pitching in a big league bullpen later this season and then immediately convert back to a starting role next season. It’s a live arm and while there is some development to be had, the upside of Doyle could be enormous.
Mock 2.0: Liam Doyle
Mock 1.0: Seth Hernandez
Cincinnati Reds – Ike Irish - C/OF - Auburn
Previous 1st round selections: Matt McLain (SS), Cam Collier (3B), Rhett Lowder (RHP), Chase Burns (RHP)
Bonus Slot: $6,513,800
How the Reds draft: It’s a mixed bag for Cincinnati, but they’ve been an organization that’s been willing to pay up for talents that fall.
Mock 3.0: The Reds appear poised to snatch up falling targets and Irish could be in play from anywhere from 1.1-1.13. I like Jamie Arnold here tremendously if he’s available. He would fit the Reds drafting strategy.
Mock 2.0: Kade Anderson
Mock 1.0: Kyson Witherspoon
Chicago White Sox – Billy Carlson - SS - Corona HS (CA)
Previous 1st round selections: Colson Montgomery (SS), Noah Schultz (LHP), Jacob Gonzalez (SS), Hagen Smith (LHP)
Bonus slot: $6,238,400
How the White Sox draft: White Sox have been willing to bet on upside despite risk. It’s paid off with Montgomery and Schultz is one of my favorite 2022 selections. They went back to the lefty well with Hagen Smith last season. They also have a new regime, though Mike Shirley continues in his current role as Amateur Scouting Director.
Mock 3.0: The White Sox have been in the prep shortstop class. With JoJo Parker off the board, Carlson could be firmly in the mix. The left-handers (Doyle, Arnold, and Anderson) are all off the board as well and they would each make sense for an organization that has heavily invested in lefties.
Mock 2.0: Ike Irish
Mock 1.0: Liam Doyle
Sacramento Athletics - Steele Hall - SS - Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)
Previous 1st round selections: Maxwell Muncy (SS), Daniel Susac (C), Jacob Wilson (IF), Nick Kurtz (1B)
Bonus Slot: $5,985,100
How the A’s draft: Up the middle contributors. They’ve balanced between prep and college talents. In particular they favor contact rates and good defense. The organization has made some win-now moves with the imminent move to Sacramento followed by Las Vegas in mind. It’s worth monitoring to see if that philosophy trickles down to their draft philosophy.
Mock 3.0: The Steele Hall-Athletics connection has been growing in recent days and I’ll stick to that plan, but names like Bremner and Witherspoon could fit here.
Mock 2.0: Brandon Summerhill
Mock 1.0: Luke Stevenson
Texas Rangers - Kayson Cunningham - SS - Johnson HS (TX)
Previous 1st round selections: Jack Leiter (RHP), Kumar Rocker (RHP), Wyatt Langford (OF), Malcolm Moore (C)
Bonus Slot: $5,746,800
How the Rangers draft: Target college performers and ones from large conferences (mostly SEC). Established performers.
Mock 3.0: I’ve heard a great deal about HS shortstops with the Rangers and I think that’s where it ends up. The talent in this class appears to be tied up in the prep infielders. There was even feedback from Rangers folks that they could see the club stay in-state with their selection. I took that to mean it could be Kyson Cunningham or Jace LaViolette. Here we’re going with Cunningham.
Mock 2.0: Kyson Witherspoon
Mock 1.0: Marek Houston
San Francisco Giants – Gavin Kilen - 2B - Tennessee
Previous 1st round selections: Will Bednar (RHP), Reggie Crawford (LHP), Bryce Eldridge (OF/RHP), James Tibbs III (OF)
Bonus slot: $5,524,300
How the Giants draft: Loud tools and not afraid to tackle development challenges. Back-to-back two way players in the first round with Crawford and Eldridge. Last year they targeted a relatively safe college bat from a premier conference in James Tibbs III.
Mock 3.0: Relatively safe college bat from a premier conference? Gavin Kilen fits that to a tee. Kilen could be plan B for a number of clubs, but possibly Plan A here.
Mock 2.0: Gavin Kilen
Mock 1.0: Kruz Schoolcraft
Tampa Bay Rays – Wehiwa Aloy - SS - Arkansas
Previous 1st round selections: Carson Williams (SS), Xavier Isaac (1B), Brayden Taylor (3B), Theo Gillen (OF)
Bonus Slot: $5,313,100
How the Rays draft: Can we say to the beat of their own drum? Nick Bitsko (2020) Williams, and Isaac were gambles that not every team was comfortable with (though Bitsko was a hot name in 2020). Look, you doubt the Rays at your own risk, but it’ll be fascinating to see what they do in 2025.
Mock 3.0: Wehiwa Aloy is one of the rare college shortstops who likely sticks at the position long term and he has power. He could ultimately produce like an early career Willy Adames who started with Tampa Bay. The Rays have targeted power over hit recently.
Mock 2.0: Weiwa Aloy
Mock 1.0: Neyens
Boston Red Sox - Gavin Fien - SS/3B - Great Oak HS (CA)
Previous 1st round selections: Marcelo Meyer (SS), Mikey Romero (SS), Kyle Teel (C), Braden Montgomery (OF)
Bonus Slot: $5,114,200
How the Red Sox draft: Athletic up-the-middle players, especially on the infield. It’s a great demographic to pull from.
Mock 3.0: “I’ve got one more in me”. I believe Fien is an excellent fit with the organization and have heard them connected to both of the Gavins (Fien and Kilen) for awhile. I could see Witherspoon or Bremner here as well.
Mock 2.0: Gavin Fien
Mock 1.0: Gavin Fien
Minnesota Twins – Tyler Bremner – RHP - UC Santa Barbara
Previous 1st round selections: Chase Petty (RHP), Brooks Lee (SS), Walker Jenkins (OF), Kaelen Culpepper (SS)
Bonus Slot: $4,929,600
How the Twins draft: The Twins balance prep and college, but players fall into safer demographics. Chase Petty is the exception, but they traded him before the end of the year.
Mock 3.0: Bremner entered the season in top 5 consideration. The results have been good, not great with Bremner still showing off an impressive changeup and good velocity. He also isn’t walking hitters. It’s a profile that the Twins have worked with before and he could be a quick mover with some refinement in pro ball.
Mock 2.0: Bremner
Mock 1.0: Brendan Summerhill
Chicago Cubs – Ethan Conrad - OF - Wake Forest
Previous 1st round selections: Jordan Wicks (LHP), Cade Horton (RHP), Matt Shaw (SS), Cam Smith (3B)
Bonus Slot: $4,750,800
How the Cubs draft: we saw the Cubs prioritize players who the organization viewed as falling to them in Howard and Wicks, but unless something really crazy happened in 2022, they were very into the profile of Horton. This is an organization that has been willing to target upside with their top few selections over the past few years. In 2023 and 2024, the Cubs effectively sat back and waited for a top talent to fall. It’s an excellent strategy that many of the best organizations employ. Those plans resulted in Matt Shaw and Cam Smith, who both looked like impact players in their debuts. For position players, wood bat performance appears to carry significant weight.
Over the past two drafts, the Cubs have drafted 18 pitchers. Only 1 has been 6’0” or shorter. This is something to watch regarding pitching targets, but it also doesn’t imply the Cubs would rule out a shorter arm early in the draft. I’d strongly believe the Cubs had Jurrangelo Cijntje (listed at 5’11”) in the first round mix last year.
Mock 3.0: For a complete report, make sure to check out the Chicago Cubs 20-Round Mock Draft
17th pick slot value: $4,750,800
Projected bonus value: $4,000,800
Report: At the very end I considered two main players available, Conrad and Xavier Neyens. Ultimately I believe the Cubs would favor an underslot and I’ve felt since last fall that Conrad fits the Cubs model to a tee as long as medicals come out okay. He hit on the Cape, he lines up at a premium position (CF though may slide down to a corner), and his metrics line up. Conrad adapted to a bigger conference before his shoulder injury.
The elephant in the room when discussing metrics with players is that metrics like batted-ball data above was really the second generation of improved player analysis. First evaluators used production (mathematics according to Moneyball) to “cut through all that”, then batted ball metrics provided a deeper understanding and projection. Now teams also utilize biomechanics in a way that’s not truly quantifiable on the public side. I can’t speak to all that so my projection on Conrad or Neyens is based on a puzzle missing some pieces.
This move saves $750k and in a class like this, it’s best to load up with a lot of intriguing options in rounds 2-4.
There are a number of interesting preps that could make sense in this scenario: Neyens, Kayson Cunningham, Gavin Fien, Daniel Pierce, Josh Hammond come to mind. All would be exciting options. On the bat side, I wonder about Ethan Conrad and Andrew Fischer over Wehiwa Aloy.
But I’ve been wrong before so if Aloy is the selection it’s both very much a model selection and the worst kept secret in the draft.
Mock 2.0: Riley Quick
Mock 1.0: Patrick Forbes
Arizona Diamondbacks – Caden Bodine - C - Coastal Carolina
Previous 1st round selections: Jordan Lawler (SS), Druw Jones (CF), Tommy Troy (2B), Slade Caldwell (OF)
Bonus: $4,581,900
How the Diamondbacks draft: We’ve seen the Diamondbacks target higher ceiling prep talent early, but Troy was a pivot to loud college baseball hitter impact. They went back to the prep well with two out of three Top 35 selections last year.
Mock 3.0: It feels like the Bodine-Dbacks connection has grown incredibly strong since the Men’s College World Series. And with multiple picks in the top 35, a Bodine selection here could save some cash and push a player down
Mock 2.0: Daniel Pierce
Mock 1.0: Kayson Cunningham
Baltimore Orioles – Xavier Neyens - SS/3B - Mount Vernon HS (WA)
Previous 1st round selections: Colton Cowser (OF), Jackson Holliday (SS), Enrique Bradfield Jr (OF), Vance Honeycutt (OF)
Bonus Slot: $4,420,900
How the Orioles draft: Upper-tier batted ball numbers and hitters early. They aren’t afraid of whiffs and are an organization that appears to improve swing and miss from hitters during development, if need be. But they’ve also gravitated towards loud batted ball data.
Mock 3.0: Xavier Neyens is an intriguing infielder from the Washington high school ranks. He has incredible power and his knocks on the plate approach side are mostly from a lack of not swinging as much as he should. He’s too passive. I believe that’s a correctable skill. His chase rate of ~8% on the circuit is a bit falsely low because of it, but I believe that Neyens does show off a good eye at the plate. After the Bryan Baker trade, the Orioles are armed with the largest bonus pool in the draft. They have serious buying power. Here they take a player that fits their prior drafting philosophy while likely still going after huge profiles at 30 and 31. It’s aggressive and I seriously considered Ethan Conrad here.
Mock 2.0: Zach Root
Mock 1.0: Ethan Conrad
Milwaukee Brewers – Daniel Pierce - SS - Mill Creek HS (GA)
Previous 1st round selections: Sal Frelick (OF), Eric Brown Jr. (SS), Brock Wilken (3B), Braylon Payne (OF)
Bonus Slot: $4,268,100
How the Brewers draft: The Brewers have put an emphasis on contact skills early. All of Mitchell, Frelick, and Brown Jr. boasted strong bat-to-ball skills. They’ve been the beneficiaries of players who have fallen in the first round several times. Brock Wilken is a different profile, but stood out for his power and low chase rates.
Mock 3.0: Daniel Pierce may have landing spots all over the teens and early twenties. He’s been tied to the Brewers and boasted solid batted ball data on the showcase circuit. Those highest on Pierce believe he could be an all star shortstop. Coy James could be in play here. Marek Houston would also fit their prior drafting strategies.
Mock 2.0: de Brun
Mock 1.0: Kilen
Houston Astros – Andrew Fischer - 3B - Tennessee
Previous 1st round selections: (No 1st round picks in 2020 and 2021 because of cheating scandal punishments), Drew Gilbert (CF), Brice Matthews (SS), Walker Janek (C)
Bonus Slot: $4,122,500
How the Astros draft: The Astros have leaned very model-heavy with an emphasis on batted-ball and pitching metrics.
Mock 3.0: I’ve heard the Astros likely stick with prior drafting tendencies. Specifically heard Tate Southisene and they could be the high point for Charles Davalan, but I’m going with Fischer here. Fischer played 1B with Tennessee but only because of need and better defenders on the left side of the diamond. Offensively Fischer checks a ton of boxes.
Mock 2.0: Jace LaViolette
Mock 1.0: Devin Taylor
Atlanta Braves - Kyson Witherspoon - RHP - Oklahoma
Previous 1st round selections: Ryan Cusick (RHP), Owen Murphy (RHP), Hurston Waldrep (RHP), Cam Caminiti (LHP)
Bonus: $3,983,900
How the Braves draft: mix of college and prep and while they’ve leaned heavily pitchers the last several years I’m not sure that’s an organizational mandate.
Mock 3.0: Atlanta could go back to the well again this year with Schoolcraft or could be a landing spot for Gage Wood
Mock 2.0: Kruz Schoolcraft
Mock 1.0: Cam Appenzeller
Kansas City Royals – Jace LaViolette – OF – Texas A&M
Previous 1st round selections: Frank Mozzicato (LHP), Gavin Cross (OF), Blake Mitchell (C), Jac Caglianone (1B)
Bonus Slot: $3,852,100
How the Royals draft: The Royals trust their scouts and there’s not much of a discernable trend at this stage.
Mock 3.0: Royals dive into one of the more divisive prospects in several years. LaViolette. For as much ceiling as he shows on the diamond, there are hit tool questions. The track record for college hitters with a greater than 25% strikeout range is very poor. LaViolette’s is at 25.2%. Recent examples of higher strikeouts from college centerfielders in the first round discussion include Baltimore Orioles Vance Honeycutt (27.4% in 2024, 22nd to Baltimore) and Jud Fabian (29.3% in 2021 - didn’t sign 40th overall, 22.3% in 2024 - 67th overall).
Poking around it appears KC likes Josh Hammond as well, but like the mock illustrates, I believe he’d have significant offers. Cam Cammarella is another name to watch here.
Mock 2.0: Mason Neville
Mock 1.0: Cam Cannarella
Detroit Tigers - Quentin Young - 3B - Oaks Christian HS (CA)
Previous 1st round selections: Jackson Jobe (RHP), Jace Jung (2B), Max Clark (OF), Bryce Rainer (SS)
Bonus Slot: $3,726,300
How the Tigers draft: The Tigers employed a new scouting director, Mark Conner in 2023. After a decade with the Padres, Conner took the reins of drafts in Detroit. They went after preps early in 2023 (not a surprise based on Padres prior drafting). The Tigers brought in Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle in 23 and Bryce Rainer in 24.
Mock 3.0: Loud, LOUD tools that excite scouts. There are hit tool questions and I could see Young being more of a fit for the Padres at the next selection, but Conner left San Diego for Detroit. A good number of the prep infielders fit here.
Mock 2.0: Josh Hammond
Mock 1.0: JoJo Parker
San Diego Padres – Kruz Schoolcraft - LHP/1B - Sunset HS (OR)
Previous 1st round selections: Jackson Merrill (SS), Dylan Lesko (RHP), Dillon Head (OF), Kash Mayfield (LHP)
Bonus: $3,606,600
How the Padres draft: The Padres are a club that puts a premium on batted ball data, prep upside, and are not afraid of late-rising players
Mock 3.0: The Padres could pop someone like James Hammond even if they can’t get a prior deal agreed to. It’s an aggressive strategy and it’s happened before with San Diego. But Schoolcraft here has shades of when the Padres selected Kash Mayfield last year as the (arguably) top prep lefty in the class.
Mock 2.0: Steele Hall
Mock 1.0: Tate Southisene
Philadelphia Phillies - Gage Wood - RHP - Arkansas
Previous 1st round selections: Andrew Painter (RHP), Justin Crawford (CF), Aidan Miller (3B), Dante Nori (OF)
Bonus Slot: $3,492,200
How the Phillies draft: The Phillies put a heavy focus on prep talent from risky demographics (prep pitchers, players coming back from injury, cold weather bats, and center fielders waiting on projection).
Mock 3.0: A few of the buzzier pitchers are going later than expected in this mock. There are public questions on Wood related to medicals and I’m not privy to any medical knowledge here, but I could see a club who has taken players with medical concerns before like Philly biting on the upside. Even crazier? Wood could legitimately get a run out of the pen to finish out the year in the minors. Would the Phillies entertain the option of promoting him to their MLB pen even in a very remote possibility he forces his way up?
Mock 2.0: Nick Becker
Mock 1.0: Sean Gamble
Cleveland Guardians - Marek Houston - SS - Wake Forest
Previous 1st round selections: Gavin Williams (RHP), Chase DeLauter (OF), Ralphy Velazquez (C), Travis Bazzana (2B)
Bonus slot: $3,382,600
How the Guardians draft: “Cleveland is a model-driven club- they look for specific traits in hitting and pitching prospects. Age, athleticism, ‘famous’ (PG, Team USA, Cape Cod League, etc) game exposure, and cold weather/underdeveloped talent are traits that crossover both demographics. In hitters, the club targets middle-of-the-diamond talent with above-average or better speed, clean hitting mechanics, advanced contact skills, and advanced zone awareness. With pitchers, it is a similar approach: advanced pitch-ability; pitch sequencing, command, ease of delivery/clean mechanics, multiple pitches (more is better), high spin rates, above-average extension, and unique release points.”
-The excellent draft and prospects writer, Willie Hood.
Mock 3.0: Marek Houston entered the season with top five buzz, but the bat just hasn’t popped. It’s not showing the type of power that had people curious last fall. The defense and the overall profile still look good. Good zone awareness and contact skills from a middle-of-the-diamond profile leans into what Willie Hood outlined above. Feedback I’ve gotten is Houston won’t last this long so maybe this is a moot point but I’m skeptical.
Mock 2.0: Houston
Mock 1.0: AJ Russell
Kansas City Royals - Devin Taylor - OF - Indiana
Mock 3.0: Taylor is here for the bat. It’s a left-handed profile only and with limited defensive value. The batted ball metrics are really strong.Mock 2.0: Devin Taylor
Arizona Diamondbacks - Slater de Brun - OF - Summit HS (OR)
Mock 3.0: The Dbacks have targeted a lot of high school infielders and Arizona also invested in Slade Caldwell who is much shorter than Cunningham. Arizona can do a lot with multiple top 30 picks and leaning into two prep infielders isn’t a bad strategy. It’s about long term growth and outcomeMock 2.0: de Brun
Baltimore Orioles - Josh Hammond - 3B - Wesleyan Christian HS (NC)
Mock 3.0: Like in Mock 2.0, the Orioles use funds to buy down a high ceiling talent. I was told before not to expect Josh Hammond to last past the Rays, but now I believe it’s the Orioles who could present a significant offer to Hammond’s camp. Josh Hammond is a huge scouting favorite, boasting impressive physical tools and excellent showcase performance. Scouts opinions have changed dramatically with initial looks suggesting he’d stay on the mound and the spring shifting towards a future at the plate. Don’t be surprised if the Padres just take Hammond above however.
Mock 2.0: NeyensBaltimore Orioles - Jaden Fauske - C/OF - Nazareth Academy (IL)
Mock 3.0: Excellent batted ball metrics with some questions on position. He’s an OF for me and I believe he should be in the mix in the teens. Baltimore takes a safer selection in Conrad above and two huge prep swings in Hammond and Fauske.
Mock 2.0: Ethan ConradMilwaukee Brewers - Brendan Summerhill - OF - Arizona
Excellent batted ball metrics, but power questions. Summerhill is great value here and reminiscent of Sal Frelick, a prior Milwaukee draft selection.
38.New York Mets - Marcus Phillips - RHP - Tennessee
Mock 3.0: a smart pitching development team is going to bite here and look smart taking a super supinator in Phillips. I think the Mets make a ton of sense here.
40.Los Angeles Dodgers
Patrick Forbes - RHP - Louisville
Mock 3.0: Patrick Forbes is a high variance arm and has been tied to Los Angeles throughout the past few weeks. I believe they’d love Schoolcraft.