2025 MLB Mock Draft 1.0: A Test in Futility

The MLB Draft Lottery has come and gone, clarifying how teams will prepare for the draft in July. This means we can finally start throwing our darts at the board and hoping we hit the bullseye. It’s a practice in futility this far out, but it’s a fun activity that will give readers an idea of what we think is happening at this stage.

While the idea of going through to pick 43 is enticing, we’ve opted to stick with the first 27 picks. The reason for this is simple: the Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers will drop ten spots due to luxury tax penalties. Picks 28-32 will consist of compensation picks for qualifying offers and PPI, though those picks aren’t set in stone yet except for the PPI pick to the Royals and the compensation pick to the Brewers for Willy Adames. There will be intriguing draft strategies, as the Rays, Brewers, and Orioles will have three picks in the top 50, though it’s too far out to piece names together for this. We hope you enjoy this mock, which is free to the public!

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1. Washington nationals - OF Jace Laviolette, Texas A&M

2. Los Angeles Angels - LHP Jamie Arnold, Florida State

3. Seattle Mariners - SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)

4. Colorado Rockies - 3B Ethan Holliday, Stillwater (OK)

5. St. Louis Cardinals - RHP Tyler Bremner, UC Santa Barbara

6. Pittsburgh Pirates - OF Cam Cannarella, Clemson

7. Miami Marlins - SS Billy Carlson, Corona (CA)

8. Toronto Blue Jays - 3B/OF Xavier Neyens, Mount Vernon (WA)

9. Cincinnati Reds - C Ike Irish, Auburn

10. Chicago White Sox - RHP Seth Hernandez, Corona (CA)

11. Sacramento Athletics - SS Kayson Cunningham, Johnson (TX)

12. Texas Rangers - OF Devin Taylor, Indiana

13. San Francisco Giants - OF Ethan Conrad, Wake Forest

14. Tampa Bay Rays - OF Brendan Summerhill, Arizona

15. Boston Red Sox - C Luke Stevenson, North Carolina

16. Minnesota Twins - SS Aiva Arquette, Oregon State

17. Chicago Cubs - LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset (OR)

18. Arizona Diamondbacks - 3B/OF Tre Phelps, Georgia

19. Baltimore Orioles - SS Brady Ebel, Corona (CA)

20. Milwaukee Brewers - LHP Cameron Appenzeller, Glenwood (IL)

21. Houston Astros - C Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina

22. Atlanta Braves - RHP Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma

23. Kansas City Royals - 3B/OF Andrew Fischer, Tennessee

24. Detroit Tigers - SS Dean Curley, Tennessee

25. San Diego Padres - OF Slater De Brun, Summit (OR)

26. Philadelphia Phillies - OF Dean Moss, IMG Academy (FL)

27. Cleveland Guardians - SS Marek Houston, Wake Forest

On The Clock: 2025 MLB Draft - 3B Murf Gray, Freno State

In this episode of On the Clock, Tyler Jennings and Jared Perkins sit down with Fresno State’s and 2025 MLB Draft prospect Murf Gray, a standout athlete making waves in amateur baseball. Murf opens up about his journey, which began in his hometown, following the footsteps of his older brothers. Driven by a strong work ethic and a commitment to constant improvement, he reflects on the early influences that shaped him, including his decision to stay close to home and play for Fresno State. Highlighting the program’s rich history and his love for the community, Murf shares how his time at Fresno State has helped him grow as both a player and a leader.

The conversation dives into Murf’s breakout performance in the Cape Cod League, where he excelled at the plate and learned invaluable lessons in patience and focus. He reveals how the motto "head down, breath out" became a guiding principle, allowing him to stay calm and trust his abilities in high-pressure situations. Beyond the stats, Murf emphasizes the importance of resilience, describing how he handles ups and downs during the season. He also provides a glimpse into his aspirations for 2025, both personally and for Fresno State, as he aims to lead the team back to the playoffs and continue the Bulldog tradition of hard-nosed, team-first baseball.

Beyond the diamond, Murf showcases his well-rounded personality. He talks about his mentors, including a hitting coach who pushed him to new heights, and his passion for staying grounded through hobbies like video games, swimming, and friendly blackjack games with family. Fans also get to learn about his inspirations in baseball, as he names Matt Chapman, A-Rod, Pablo Sandoval, and Chipper Jones as his Mount Rushmore of third basemen. From his favorite home run moments to potential walk-up songs for next season, Murf’s story is a perfect mix of humility, talent, and ambition, making him a player to watch in the upcoming draft season.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2025-mlb-draft-3b-murf-gray-fresno-state/id1733326436?i=1000678147893

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xUoamh1iqf9hdEKoDwkbE?si=qxTusoQPQOGbwZi1q53SPQ

On The Clock: 2025 MLB Draft - OF Nick Dumesnil, Cal Baptist

In a recent episode of the Prospects Live podcast, hosted by Jared Perkins and Tyler Jennings, Cal Baptist standout Nick Dumesnil opened up about his journey through the ranks of amateur baseball. From his beginnings at Huntington Beach High School, where he competed on a national stage, to his collegiate rise at Cal Baptist, Nick shared how his passion for the game shaped his path. He highlighted the pivotal decision to attend Cal Baptist, driven by a strong connection with the coaching staff and the school’s unique blend of intensity and faith integration. This foundation laid the groundwork for his growth on and off the field, enabling him to thrive in a highly competitive environment.

A key chapter in Nick’s development came through his experience in the Cape Cod League, a proving ground for top college talent. Facing elite pitchers daily, Nick honed his skills and refined his mechanics, adjusting his hand load to improve timing and precision at the plate. Beyond technical adjustments, he emphasized the value of learning from his teammates and focusing on quality over quantity in his training. These experiences propelled him from limited freshman playing time to a breakout sophomore season, marked by consistent at-bats and a renewed sense of confidence. Nick's journey is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and seizing new opportunities on the diamond.

Off the field, Nick spoke about his love for fitness, competition, and spending time at the beach. He credits mentors at Cal Baptist and teammates for fostering a fearless mindset, helping him play with passion and authenticity. The episode wrapped up with light-hearted rapid-fire questions, showcasing Nick’s personality, favorite baseball memories, and aspirations. As he continues his journey in baseball, fans can look forward to seeing his competitive drive and love for the game push him to new heights, both for Cal Baptist and beyond.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2025-mlb-draft-of-nick-dumesnil-cal-baptist/id1733326436?i=1000677309406
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ylLPXKHreXUHQUHRVaSFM?si=7f7f8d1d1975434c