We’re not solely rolling on all cylinders within the Majors and the Minor Leagues proper now, however the school baseball season as effectively. In December, MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis put out his first official mock draft for the 2025 class, however loads has modified since then. The analysis course of has advanced with new data over the previous 4 months, so it is a good time for an replace.
On the newest episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Callis and Jonathan Mayo took turns making their picks for the primary 10 Draft choices. It is necessary to notice this isn’t a real mock draft — picks are based mostly on who the Draft skilled would take quite than who we venture the groups will truly decide — but it surely does present a glimpse into how a lot the panorama has modified over the previous 4 months. Be prepared for a shock or two as effectively.
Highschool gamers are closely represented on the prime right here, a sign of how early-season performances make the picks differ from the High 100 Draft rankings. We have included the participant’s rating from that record in parentheses right here.
1. Nationals — Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater HS (OK) (No. 1)Callis: Totally different participant than his brother, constructed extra like his dad (Matt). He’s huge and bodily. In all probability desires to be at third base with energy there. Received off to a bit of little bit of a gradual begin this yr after a tough spring, however I feel he’s been higher lately. There have been three guys I used to be contemplating with this decide, however I’m going to take Ethan Holliday, No. 1 general.
2. Angels — Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (CA) (No. 5)Mayo: I get my No. 1 man right here. I’m going to take the right-hander from Corona Excessive College, who checks off just about each field that you’d wish to see from a pitcher, aside from the truth that he’s a highschool right-hander. However he has measurement, he has ridiculous stuff, he’s obtained three-plus pitches when all is claimed and performed, if not 4. He’s obtained command. He’s obtained make-up, that aggressive streak. I had a scout from Southern California who I used to be speaking to about him, and I consider the quote was one thing alongside the strains of, “If he’s not being mentioned at 1-1, what are we doing?”
3. Mariners — Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State (No. 3)Callis: I feel Arnold has the very best ground, and people are the one three guys I’d think about with the No. 1 decide proper now. From an upside standpoint, I feel you’ll be able to dream a bit of larger on Ethan Holliday and Seth Hernandez, however Jamie Arnold, that is most likely the best decide of the entire Draft that we’re going to do right here. He’s a lefty, I feel he’s going to get to the large leagues in a short time, he’s obtained plus stuff, he’s obtained no less than strong management, he’s obtained a monitor report of efficiency. So this may be the one decide the place I don’t sigh making an attempt to determine who I’m going to take.
4. Rockies — Aiva Arquette, 2B/SS, Oregon State (No. 7)Mayo: The facility is exhibiting up, there was a bit of swing-and-miss, however his protection has been actually actually good. He’s answered the questions on his potential to play shortstop. So now we’ve got a man who can play a premium place with energy potential. His OPS is north of 1.000 proper now and he can proceed to get sizzling as they get into convention play and I feel cement his spot within the prime 5 of the Draft.
5. Cardinals — Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest (No. 16)Callis: Marek is without doubt one of the greatest defensive shortstops on this school class. The uncommon school shortstop the place he’s a professional, legit, huge league shortstop. No one is questioning his potential to do this. What’s fascinating is he’s already obtained 10 house runs, he’s slugging .667, he’s obtained 15 steals in as many makes an attempt. He made a concerted effort within the offseason to get stronger, change his method, promoting out a bit of bit extra for energy, so I feel you’re getting a plus defender at shortstop who’s going to hit 15-20 homers and be an honest hitter on the plate.
6. Pirates — Billy Carlson, SS/RHP, Corona HS (CA) (No. 12)Mayo: Not everyone seems to be satisfied he’s a High 10 decide, there’s been some questions concerning the hit device. It looks like it’s extra timing than the rest, the swing is okay. He can flat-out play shortstop. He’s obtained a plus arm, he’s as much as mid-90s off the mound, so I’m going to take that bundle. I had one long-time space professional scout say he’s the very best beginner defensive shortstop he’s ever seen. He’s seen a number of good beginner shortstops so I really feel good, no less than from a ground standpoint. And there’s clearly some ceiling with a highschool man with a great swing, and there’s the power to influence the baseball sooner or later.
7. Marlins — JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS) (No. 86)Callis: JoJo’s having an incredible spring. He’s all the time been a man who’s been in a position to hit. He’s getting stronger, the arm is getting higher, he’s working a bit of bit higher. You’re feeling higher about his probabilities to have the ability to play shortstop.
8. Blue Jays — Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sundown HS (OR) (No. 9)Mayo: That is banking on the truth that he’s going to get in a groove and throw the best way he did over the summer time and even within the fall. He’s 6-8, lefty, the instruments are there to have plus fastball, plus slider, he’s obtained a great changeup. He’s actually fascinating as a result of he’s a legit two-way man too, ridiculous energy, but when I’m taking him right here, I’m placing him on the mound and simply letting that potential fly. It’s been a bit of uneven, however I feel he’s proven sufficient to stay round.
9. Reds — Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona (No. 10)Callis: He’s a fairly strong participant throughout the board. He’s damage, I suppose he’s going to overlook a month. However I similar to the all-around potential. He solely had two homers in 23 video games, however he had six triples, 5 doubles, was hitting .409, controlling the strike zone. I appreciated him coming in, I feel it’s a fairly excessive ground.
10. White Sox — Quentin Younger, 3B/OF, Oaks Christian HS (CA) (No. 37)Mayo: In speaking to scouts on how he’s regarded this spring, he’s made a number of enhancements. He’s making actually good swing selections. He’s enjoying actually good protection. He’s a giant man who’s enjoying shortstop in highschool, and I don’t assume that’s the place he’s going to play, however he’s regarded actually good and energetic defensively. He’s made bodily changes — he’s hitting a bunch of homers. So I feel he’s moved himself into that prime half of the primary spherical.
