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Xavier Neyens

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On The Clock: Interview with 2025 MLB Draft Prospect Xavier Neyens

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In this episode of On the Clock, hosts Jared Perkins and Tyler Jennings sit down with 2025 MLB Draft prep prospect Xavier Neyens from Mount Vernon, Washington, to discuss his journey and experiences in amateur baseball. Xavier shares insights into his baseball beginnings, playing with Cascade Crush, and later joining Trotsky, which marked his entry into the national circuit. He describes how participating in various tournaments, including Perfect Game National and events in Arizona and California, helped him grow as a player. His commitment to the sport is evident as he reflects on the excitement of being invited to the MLB All Star Game High School Home Run Derby and his time spent competing alongside top talent from across the country.

Xavier talks about his summer, packed with tournaments like WWBA in Georgia and the USA Baseball events. He recounts notable moments, such as hitting a home run at USA trials and learning from both his successes and struggles on the field. Emphasizing the importance of mental resilience, Xavier mentions how conversations with mentors like Austin Shenton helped him stay grounded during tough games. He highlights the camaraderie he shares with fellow players and how these experiences not only develop his skills but also allow him to create lasting memories with his teammates.

In addition to baseball, Xavier discusses his off-field interests and how they provide balance in his life. He shares that he enjoys basketball, building Lego sets, and spending time outdoors, which help him reset mentally. Looking ahead to 2025, he aims to continue improving his athleticism and refining his skills, with a particular focus on sticking at shortstop. The episode wraps up with rapid-fire questions, where Xavier reveals his favorite local food spot, his all-time favorite home run, and a playlist of potential walk-up songs for his final high school season. The hosts express excitement for his future and wish him success as he continues his baseball journey.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2025-mlb-draft-3b-of-xavier-neyens/id1733326436?i=1000672492319

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3HgZel1eTql4v287U0ACzq?si=3bd2047f323d4628

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2025 MLB Draft: Top 30 Prep Prospects

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It’s finally August and the 2024 MLB Draft signing deadline has passed, so it’s time to dig further into next year’s class. We’ve already put out our Top 30 College prospects list a month ago, and as we’ve gotten our live looks in on the prep class, we meticulously built our Top 30 Prep list.

There is a disclaimer to be said here: the summer circuit is still underway. East Coast Pro is currently ongoing and Area Codes start up in short order. There’s a lot that will change between now and the next rankings update and the same will be said about the college list when we update it. Those updates will come in due time. Until then, we’re proud to release our first rendition of our 2025 prep list to give our readers an early glimpse into our rankings for the new draft cycle.

1. 3B Ethan Holliday, Stillwater (OK)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 210

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 yr 4 mo

Commitment: Oklahoma State

Hometown: Stillwater, OK

The younger brother of 2022 first overall pick Jackson, Ethan is already more physical and displaying louder tools than Jackson did at this stage. Offensively, Holliday's toolset is as loud as it gets. He has excellent pitch recognition and mature plate discipline, paired with a buttery smooth left-handed swing. Holliday is relatively passive and stays within the zone, garnering walks at a frequent rate, plus he's gotten better at shortening his swing and becoming more direct to the baseball. He's already posted triple-digit exit velocities on the regular in-game, too, including a 111 MPH bolt during 18U trials. Scouts expect Holliday to add more muscle to his frame as he matures physically, enhancing his power potential. There's not much to hate on that side of the ball. As a defender, many believe his ultimate home will be third base, as his physical frame is better suited for the position. He's shown solid range and fluidity in his game on the dirt and his strong arm would fit perfectly at the hot corner. He's looking like the lead candidate for 1.1 at this point. If Holliday elects to attend school, he'll stay home and attend Oklahoma State.

2. 3B/OF Xavier Neyens, Mount Vernon (WA)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 205

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 8 MO

Commitment: Oregon State

Hometown: Mount Vernon, WA

It's not too often that the state of Washington is home to one of the top prospects in the country, but Neyens is putting himself in rare territory with his tools and performance. With an advanced approach, top of the scale bat-to-ball skills, and loud power from the left side, Neyens' offensive potential is sky-high. His approach is very mature for his age, staying inside the zone and racking up walks in the process. The power itself grades out as plus with natural loft and loud bat speed, playing to all fields. He creates a tight coil with his core during his load, allowing his body to rotate rapidly and allowing his hands to explode through the zone. Against premier pitching, he's already tattooed baseballs at 108 MPH. It's loud. Neyens has the tools to stick at the hot corner, though some scouts express concern about the footwork at the position, as it can get rather clunky. With that note out of the way, Neyens has the soft hands and strong arm to handle the position. If he moves off third base, he'd get a chance in a corner outfield position. Neyens is currently committed to the West Coast powerhouse of Oregon State.

3. RHP Seth Hernandez, Corona (CA)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 195

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 19 YR

Commitment: Vanderbilt

Hometown: Chino, CA

At this stage of the 2025 cycle, there's no better arm in the class than Hernandez. At 6'4, 195 pounds, Hernandez has plenty of projection remaining to his frame and his operation is as easy as they come. He's very athletic and moves fluidly down the mound with loud arm speed. His fastball has sat in the low-to-mid 90s thus far, though he's gotten up to 96-98 MPH in shorter stints and projects to sit closer to that mark as he fills out his frame. He gets solid extension and fills up the strike zone, as well as showing a tendency to miss bats on the top rail. His change-up is one of the best in the country, a low-80s parachute that flashes plus with a ton of sinking action and velocity separation from the heater. He'll mix in a bigger curveball in the upper-70s and a firmer cutter/slider hybrid in the mid-to-upper-80s, both of which possess spin rates near 2,700 RPMs. The mix of pure stuff, projection, and athleticism make him the best arm in a prep class that lacks dynamic arms. Hernandez is on the older side of the class and will be 19 on draft day. If he gets to campus, he'd be eligible as a sophomore at Vanderbilt.

4. SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)

Height: 6’1

Weight: 175

b/t: S/R

Draft Day Age: 17 YR 7 MO

Commitment: Oklahoma

Hometown: Fort Cobb, OK

A recent reclass from the 2026 ranks, the switch-hitting Willits projects to fit at the top of lists with a very solid toolset at his disposal. The son of former Angels outfielder Reggie, Eli has the chance to be a legitimate switch-hitter at the next level, as he's shown quality polish from both sides of the plate. Both swings are compact and short to the baseball with the right side featuring more bat speed and pop while the left side has more hitter-ish traits on display. He'll split the gaps on a regular basis from both sides with flatter swing planes, but he's shown an ability to lift the baseball. It's a very polished approach, too. He's an athletic specimen in the field, as well, showcasing solid range and enough tools to stick at shortstop long-term. Willits has even had some run in center field this summer at the 18U Trials. He's an average to above-average runner on the basepaths and has the chance to be a base-stealing threat. He is committed to attending Oklahoma, where his dad is a coach.

5. OF Ty Peeples, Franklin County (GA)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 185

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 yr 8 mo

Commitment: Georgia

Hometown: Lavonia, GA

There may not be a bigger rise over the past year in this class than Peeples. He's gotten more physical and there's more on the way, as his 6'2, 185 pound frame is still rather projectable. We'll start with the tools at the plate, which are as smooth as they come. It's a gorgeous left-handed swing with quick hands, budding bat speed, and whippiness through the zone. He keeps it simple with little movement pre-pitch and he utilizes an optimized bat path and great rotation in his swing. Adjustability to off-speed pitches isn't a problem for him, either. As he continues to grow, he'll add more power, though there's already present thump in the stick. There's a good chance that he'll hit for average and power at the next level. Peeples has the tools to be a center fielder right now, though he's destined for a corner outfield spot as he matures physically. He has very solid route running, above-average speed, and a strong, accurate arm. Peeples is committed to Georgia, less than an hour from his hometown of Lavonia.

6. OF Brock Sell, Tokay (CA)

Height: 6’1

Weight: 185

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 8 MO

Commitment: Stanford

Hometown: Stockton, CA

While his last name may tell you otherwise, now's a great time to begin buying stock in Brock Sell. Sell is an exceptionally twitchy athlete on the field and his game has blossomed over the past year, turning into one of the highest upside profiles in this class. His swing is as simple as they come. There's very few wasted movements in his load and the bat explodes through the zone, lacing line drives to all fields. He can be aggressive and expand the zone a bit, but there's minimal swing-and-miss to his game and he does a great job of consistently getting the barrel to the baseball. It's a hit-over-power profile right now, though he's begun to tap into more pull-side juice. His hands are very quick and there's impressive bat speed there. Sell has been clocked as an above-average to plus runner and has the defensive chops to make a legitimate case to stay in center field. The arm strength is certainly there, getting into the low-90s from the outfield, plus he's hovered around 90 MPH on the bump. He is older for the class and committed to Stanford, which is something to keep an eye on, but the tools look too good to pass up right now.

7. SS Lucas Franco, Cinco Ranch (TX)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 175

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 2 MO

Commitment: Texas Christian

Hometown: Katy, TX

An athletic and projectable infielder, Franco has risen up the ranks over the past year thanks to a solid toolset. Franco is a great athlete with a long, lean body type that oozes projection. Franco has very quick hands and rotates well, displaying budding bat speed and fluidity throughout his left-handed swing. There's some loft already present and utilizes his lower half well, meaning there's a solid chance that he achieves average or better power as he grows into his body. His contact quality is improving as time goes on and his plate discipline is already advanced for his age, keeping whiffs and chases to a minimum. He's got the defensive chops to stay at shortstop, as he has soft hands, fluid motions, and a strong arm across the diamond. As he fills out, he may have to move to the hot corner. He's an above-average runner, as well. Franco is committed to attending Texas Christian.

8. OF Dean Moss, IMG Academy (FL)

Height: 6’0

Weight: 182

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 19 YR 2 MO

Commitment: Louisiana State

Hometown: Atherton, CA

After traveling across the country to attend IMG Academy, Moss has put himself at the top of the pecking order for outfielders in this class. While he's smaller-statured, don't let the size fool you. Moss possesses loud power to his pull side with excellent bat speed and very quick hands. His left-handed swing is tightly wound, allowing him to burst through the zone and turn on pitches to right field with authority, as well as some opposite-field pop. While the power itself is impressive, Moss' plate discipline is advanced for his age and he loves to take his walks. Moss' pure hit tool is rather polished and he displays very little warts, staying within the zone and adjusting to off-speed pitches very well. He's done a great job of keeping the strikeouts at bay this summer. With average speed and an average arm in the outfield, Moss is destined for a corner outfield position at the next level. He is on the older side of the class, as he'll turn 19 a couple of months prior to the draft, making him eligible as a sophomore at Louisiana State if he chooses to attend classes.

9. SS/OF Coy James, Davie County (NC)

Height: 6’0

Weight: 185

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 4 MO

Commitment: Mississippi

Hometown: Advance, NC

James is one of the more potent offensive profiles in this draft class. A potential leadoff sparkplug type of bat, James has torched opposing pitching this summer, including a record performance at 17U WWBA in Georgia, where he set a record with 22 hits throughout the tournament. While he can be aggressive and reluctant to take walks, James has excellent barrel consistency and outstanding bat-to-ball skills that will allow him to hit for average at the next level. He's beginning to grow into legitimate juice, too. He'll show the ability to lift the ball to his pull side with very quick hands, giving him a chance to hit 15+ home runs as a professional. There's a solid chance he can stick at shortstop, as he's shown off great range, smooth actions, and a sound internal clock at the position. In the off chance that he moves off the position, he'll likely end up at second base, though he's gotten some run in center field this summer. James is currently committed to attending Ole Miss.

10. SS/RHP Billy Carlson, Corona (CA)

Height: 6’1

Weight: 175

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 11 MO

Commitment: Vanderbilt

Hometown: Corona, CA

A two-way athlete out of the loaded Corona High School roster, Carlson may just be the best shortstop defender in the class. Carlson possesses smooth, rangy actions at the "six" with bounce, soft hands, and a quick release across the infield. His arm is very stout and grades out as plus or better at the position, too, leaving little doubt that he'll stick at the position long term. At the plate, his swing can get a bit steep, but there's not a ton of whiff concerns, and stays within the strike zone. He's beginning to lift the ball more and there's robust power in the bat thanks to loud bat speed. His athleticism and arm strength translate on the mound, as he's been up to 96-97 MPH already with fluidity down the mound. The secondaries are promising, as he throws a quality mid-70s curveball with depth and a mid-80s change-up with solid fading life. He's thrown strikes at a solid clip, too. There's a ton of upside if everything works out with Carlson. He is currently committed to attending Vanderbilt and projects to be on the older side of the class.

11. LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset (OR)

Height: 6’8

Weight: 215

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 18 yr 2 mo

Commitment: N/A

Hometown: Beaverton, OR

A gangly, uber-projectable southpaw from Oregon, Schoolcraft reclassed from the 2026 class and now projects as one of the best two-way players in the class. There's more upside on the mound right now, as the 6'8, 215 pound lefty has exquisite body control and projects to throw much harder as he grows into his frame. He's primarily sat in the low-90s, though he's maxed out at 97 MPH, with solid extension down the hill and a heater that jumps on hitters quickly. He'll miss a bevy of bats during outings with it thanks to a lower release and hop at the top of the zone. He had a grip change with his slider that now sits in the mid-80s with cutter-esque firmness and an ability to command it gloveside. The change-up has solid feel and shape, too. As he learns to sync up his frame more, expect more strikes. He's also a power-hitting first baseman with legit feel for the barrel and loud power potential given the projection. Schoolcraft remains uncommitted as he enters his senior year.

12. SS/OF Sean Gamble, IMG Academy (FL)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 185

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 19 YR

Commitment: Vanderbilt

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

If you're looking for the best pure athlete in this class, look no further than Sean Gamble. An Iowa native who resides at IMG Academy, Gamble is incredibly twitchy on both sides of the ball. We'll start at the plate, where he's got some of the loudest bat speed and power in this prep class. His hips explode open, allowing his hands to race through the zone with impressive barrel lag. He's had exit velocities with wood up to 108 MPH in-game settings already this summer and given the frame, it wouldn't be a shock to see higher numbers. He has excellent torque and rotation in his swing, though the hit tool does lag behind a bit. He's working on refining his approach and becoming more patient, especially on breaking balls. In the field, Gamble has the tools to be a potential corner outfielder, though his plus speed gives him a chance in center field with a strong arm. If the outfield doesn't work, Gamble has seen time in the infield, projecting best at second or third base. He is committed to Vanderbilt.

13. SS Kayson Cunningham, Johnson (TX)

Height: 5’10

Weight: 178

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 19 YR

Commitment: Texas

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Despite the smaller stature that Cunningham possesses, he has a case for having the best pure contact hitter in the entire prep class. Cunningham covers the zone exceptionally well, keeping the whiffs and chases at bay. It's a smooth, direct left-handed swing with a good bit of bat speed and an all-fields approach at the dish. There is some pop in the bat, mainly to the pull side and he'll work the gaps for extra bases, but his swing is more suited for line drives right now. He should add some lift to his swing in due time, but he'll profile best as a power-over-hit type. Cunningham is a plus runner underway and has good range at shortstop with smooth hands and a strong arm. There's a chance he could move to the other side of the second base bag, but it's hard to envision him leaving the dirt up the middle. Cunningham recently flipped his commitment from Texas Tech to Texas.

14. OF Slater De Brun, Summit (OR)

Height: 5’9

Weight: 180

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 1 MO

Commitment: Vanderbilt

Hometown: Bend, OR

Slade Caldwell was just taken in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, but it looks like he's been cloned and moved to Oregon as Slater de Brun. de Brun's body is very similar to what Caldwell is, as he's a smaller, yet physical outfielder with exceptional speed and an excellent approach at the plate. There's very little to hate at the plate, as de Brun has posted incredibly healthy contact rates and rarely expands the zone, getting on base frequently where he can be a basepath menace. His bat speed is top-notch, though the swing plane is more suited for line drives to the gaps than fly balls over the fence. His speed is double-plus, if not better. He's had home-to-first times clocked between 4.05-4.15 seconds on the regular, displaying an incredible second gear and he has the makings of a very difficult out. That speed translates to center field, where he figures to stick long-term with strong route-running, instincts, and a strong arm. There's a lot to love here and it would not be a shock to envision this profile in the first round in 2025. He is younger for the class at 18.1 years old and is committed to attending Vanderbilt.

15. RHP Josh Hammond, Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC)

Height: 6’1

Weight: 215

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 9 MO

Commitment: Wake Forest

Hometown: High Point, NC

The son of High Point skipper Joey Hammond, Josh burst onto the scene as an arm after a loud showing during the 2023 summer circuit. While the command itself is a work in progress and will need refinement, he has the makings of a true power pitcher. He has a very strong lower half down the mound, as well as extremely quick arm speed and fluidity down the mound. The low-90s heater has touched 96 MPH in the past calendar year, coming in like a bowling ball and boring in on right-handed hitters. He'll change the shape slightly and add more riding life, too. However, it's the low-80s slider that has the most upside. It's a beast of a pitch, featuring nasty sweep and bite that has left hitters floundering on occasion. It may be a plus pitch at the end of the day. The CH has heavy fade and there's feel to throw strikes, too. Hammond also has tools at the plate, including impressive juice in the stick. He is committed to attending Wake Forest.

16. LHP Cameron Appenzeller, Glenwood (IL)

Height: 6’5

Weight: 180

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 5 MO

Commitment: South Carolina

Hometown: Springfield, IL

At 6'5, 180 pounds, Appenzeller is insanely projectable and projects to be one of the best southpaws in the class. Appenzeller's delivery is incredibly easy and he oozes athleticism on the bump, creating fast arm speed and a slingy action to a lower release. As a result of the low release, he generates quite a bit of armside run on the fastball, sitting in the 88-92 MPH bucket and tickling 93-94 MPH in shorter spurts. When in the zone, the pitch jumps on batters and he'll execute on the top rail for whiffs. Given the projection, there's a good chance Appenzeller could reach 95+ MPH in due time. His upper-70s sweeper flashes solid bite and spin traits and his low-80s change-up has heavy fade against right-handed hitters, too. He commands all three pitches well and may ultimately need a firmer breaker to give himself a "bridge pitch." He's a legitimate data darling who should continue to garner interest as he adds muscle to his lanky frame. Appenzeller is currently committed to attending South Carolina.

17. SS Brady Ebel, Corona (CA)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 190

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 17 YR 11 MO

Commitment: Louisiana State

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA

The son of longtime Angels third base coach Dino Ebel, Brady is one of the more famous bats in this class. Ebel is renowned for his maturity and contact prowess at the dish, though he's had some issues with contact and chases this summer. His sweet left-handed swing is very repeatable with a quick, direct path to the baseball that is built for line drives presently. He doesn't sell out for a ton of power and while it's a hit-over-power profile now, he'll grow into more power as he begins to fill out his lean frame. He's got the defensive chops to stick on the left side of the dirt, too. He may grow off of shortstop once he physically matures, but Ebel has excellent hands, rangy actions, and a strong arm to handle the position. If he outgrows shortstop, he'll fit in at third base. He will be one of the youngest bats in the class, too, as he won't turn 18 until late July. He is committed to attending Louisiana State.

18. C/UTL Jaden Fauske, Nazareth Academy (IL)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 205

b/t: L/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 7 MO

Commitment: N/A

Hometown: Willowbrook, IL

An infielder from the state of Illinois, Fauske boasts one of our favorite swings in the whole class. It's a lovely left-handed swing with loose wrists, quick hands, and a whippy barrel through the zone. There's very few flaws in his approach, as he's got excellent barrel control and will utilize the whole field to his advantage. It's hit-over-power right now, but as Fauske continues to grow into his body, we should see higher power output. He's already beginning to register exit velocities into the triple digits and he's shown some pull side power in game with quality bat speed. Expect the bat to be the money-maker in his profile. Defensively, he's logged a ton of innings behind the plate, where he's an average defender with a quick exchange and average arm strength. He's gotten more run in the dirt recently, mostly as a utility type when he's not catching. He's currently one of the top uncommitted bats in the country.

19. RHP Angel Cervantes, Warren (CA)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 193

b/t: r/r

Draft Day Age: 17 YR 10 MO

Commitment: UCLA

Hometown: Lynwood, CA

One of the youngest players in the class, Cervantes is an intriguing arm out of southern California. Cervantes is a great athlete with a fluid delivery and a clean arm swing with little to no effort down the mound. It's led by a low-90s fastball that has a downhill plane with some ride and run to it. Given the projection of Cervantes' frame, he could reach the mid-90s in due time. The change-up is the best pitch in his arsenal and it's a contender for the best cambio in the class. It's a higher spin offering that hits the brakes halfway to home plate in the upper-70s to low-80s, diving away from lefties. He'll throw in a curveball with high spin and shape manipulation, throwing both a vertical and sweepy curveball. Cervantes projects to be one of the youngest players in this class, as well. He is committed to attending UCLA.

20. 2B/SS Josh Gibbs, Forsyth County (GA)

Height: 6’0

Weight: 180

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 7 MO

Commitment: Georgia

Hometown: Cumming, GA

Gibbs is a lean, athletic infielder out of the state of Georgia who is really explosive on both sides of the ball. An XBH machine to start the 2024 summer circuit, there's quite a bit of noise ongoing during his load, but the timing of his swing is exquisite and the twitchiness in his profile really stands out. Gibbs possesses electric bat speed as a result of uber-quick, whippy hands, and loud body coil during his swing. Despite how noisy everything is, Gibbs stays in the zone and waits for his pitch, drawing walks and getting to the barrel often. As he fills out his frame, expect more power gains. There's a really good likelihood that Gibbs is capable of staying on the left side of the dirt, namely at shortstop. He's a great runner and utilizes his range on the dirt, showcasing soft hands and a rather strong arm across the diamond. The overall upside here is super enticing. Should Gibbs go to school, he'd enroll at Georgia.

21. C Brayden Jaksa, Irvington (CA)

Height: 6’6

Weight: 210

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 5 MO

Commitment: Oregon

Hometown: Fremont, CA

At 6'6, 210 pounds, Jaksa is not your typical catching prospect. Jaksa has an extra large frame with proportionate strength and long levers to his body, giving him ample projection to his figure. While he's gangly, he does a great job of controlling his limbs and body on both sides of the ball. At the plate, his plate discipline has very little warts and there's a ton of power projection in the stick. He stays within the strike zone and maintains a high contact rate thanks to a consistent bat path through the zone. He has a heavy barrel through the zone with natural loft and leverage, allowing him to tap into legitimate all fields power that should grade out as above-average or plus when all is said and done. Behind the dish, Jaksa is rather mobile for his size thanks to quality athleticism. He's a good receiver with a strong arm, as well. He's got a good shot to stick back there, but if he has to move positions, he fits as a first baseman or corner outfielder. Jaksa is committed to attending Oregon.

22. 3B/OF Quentin Young, Oaks Christian (CA)

Height: 6’5

Weight: 215

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 4 MO

Commitment: Louisiana State

Hometown: Camarillo, CA

Another reclassification from the 2026 ranks, Young is as tooled up as they come. Young is an extremely tall, lanky prospect with a ton of projection remaining to his frame, plus he's an excellent athlete on the field. The raw power in his profile is one of the more enticing in the class, grading out as easily plus and some may even put a double-plus grade on it. It's a heavy barrel with a ton of bat speed and torque in the swing, allowing the ball to fly off the bat. The hit tool is a work-in-progress, as an inconsistent bat path and whiffs hamper him. He'll need to iron out the kinks to live up to the sky-high offensive potential. Defensively, he has loud arm strength and projects best as a third baseman or right fielder as a result. His footwork at third base needs some work, but he has good range and actions at the position. Young is related to former big leaguers Delmon and Dmitri Young and will now be on the younger side of the class. He is committed to Louisiana State.

23. RHP Landon Harmon, East Union Attendance Center (MS)

Height: 6’5

Weight: 188

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 10 MO

Commitment: Mississippi State

Hometown: New Albany, MS

One of the biggest risers in this year's summer circuit, Harmon possesses one of the best fastballs in the entire class. The heater jumps out of the hand from a wide angle thanks to Harmon's crossfire and catches hitters by surprise, darting away from righties with slight cutting action and some riding life. He's already been up to 98 MPH in brief stints, quickly settling into the low/mid-90s across longer outings. He has electric arm speed and controls his body well down the mound, allowing him to throw a solid amount of strikes that should get better as he becomes more polished. His breaking ball has been a bit inconsistent, jumping between an upper-70s slurve and a firmer low-80s slider, but there's upside in the pitch as there's some late depth and sweep when it's on. As he develops further, there's a good chance he'll generate a power slider. There is a change-up in there, though it's rarely used. Harmon is currently committed to attending Mississippi State.

24. OF Anthony Pack Jr., Millikan (CA)

Height: 5’10

Weight: 175

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 6 MO

Commitment: Texas

Hometown: Lakewood, CA

If you're looking for a Dillon Head/Braylon Payne clone in this class, look no further than Anthony Pack Jr. Pack is an exceptional athlete with a ton of twitch on both sides of the ball. At the plate, Pack is a bit more of a slasher profile, though he's got extremely quick hands, tight rotation, and bat speed that separates him a bit from his peers. He's employed more of a line-drive approach in recent viewings and while there's some swing-and-miss, Pack is patient and racks up his walks. He'll attack the gaps and utilize his plus speed to his advantage, plus there's some pull side juice, too. He's a fit in center field long term thanks to the aforementioned plus speed, which enables him to get excellent reads off the bat and chase down fly balls with ease. He has the chance to be an exceptional defender when all is said and done. Overall, there's a lot to like with the profile and there's a good chance he's a Day 1 prospect. Pack is committed to the University of Texas.

25. RHP Marcos Paz, Hebron (TX)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 220

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 7 MO

Commitment: Louisiana State

Hometown: Carrollton, TX

Paz is a Texas arm with a ton of traits that lead to a starting role as a professional player. Unfortunately, Paz underwent Tommy John surgery in early July, taking him out through next summer and clouding his future a bit. He's more of a physical specimen at 6'2, 220 pounds, Paz has a low-effort delivery with a lightning-quick right arm and an arm swing that's a bit reminiscent of Chase Burns, allowing him to command gloveside with ease. His stuff is very impressive, led by a fastball that has been up to 97 MPH this spring. He'll usually sit in the 91-95 MPH pail and the pitch has solid carry upstairs, as well as good command. His slider profiles as one of, if not the best, breaking ball in the class. Sitting in the low-80s, Paz generates loud spin numbers and hitters struggle to connect thanks to the late bite and sweep out of the zone. There's a mid-80s change-up that has solid fade and tumble, projecting as average or better. More strikes will come as he gets more consistent with his delivery. Paz is committed to attending Louisiana State.

26. 1B/OF Josiah Hartshorn, Orange Lutheran (CA)

Height: 6’2

Weight: 220

b/t: S/l

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 5 MO

Commitment: Texas A&M

Hometown: Anaheim, CA

Orange Lutheran continues to churn out quality prospects, as Hartshorn is the next in a long line of top prospects to hail from the school. A physical figure in the box, Hartshorn is incredibly athletic for his size and projects to be on the younger side of the class at 18.5 on draft day. Hartshorn hit exclusively as a right-handed hitter last summer and decided to flip to the left side in 2024, strictly hitting as a lefty this summer. Hartshorn's bat speed stands out and while the swing can get a bit handsy, he coils his body very well and produces loud power off the bat. There's very little whiffs in his profile, as well, especially against heaters. He's a solid average or better runner and has the athleticism to handle a corner outfield spot, where he's shown the arm strength to handle right field. Should he outgrow his athleticism, he would fit best at first base, though that doesn't seem to be in the cards just yet. Should he make it to campus, he'll attend Texas A&M.

27. RHP River Hamilton, Sam Barlow (OR)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 185

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 9 MO

Commitment: Oregon State

Hometown: Woodvillage, OR

Could Hamilton become the next big arm out of Oregon? There's a chance it could happen, as the uber-projectable right-hander has a lot to like. Built like a twig, Hamilton's entire delivery is rather loose and athletic, moving fluidly down the mound with a bit of effort at release. It reminds us of Cole Schoenwetter's delivery a bit. The fastball has a chance to be very, very loud. Already sitting in the low-90s consistently, Hamilton's heater generates a ton of vertical carry, averaging close to twenty inches of ride and he's shown an ability to add run down in the zone. He's been throwing strikes with it, too. There's a chance for a plus offering here as it jumps out of his hand. The low-80s breaking ball can get inconsistent, but at its best, he generates solid sweeping action with late bite away from righties. His mid-80s change-up has solid fading life, too. Command can come and go, though given the athleticism, there's a good chance it'll continue to improve. Hamilton is committed to attending Oregon State.

28. OF Brock Ketelsen, Valley Christian Schools (CA)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 195

b/t: L/L

Draft Day Age: 17 YR 11 MO

Commitment: Stanford

Hometown: Scotts Valley, CA

Ketelsen is a bit of an unknown, but his mix of tools and projection makes him a quality prospect at this stage in the cycle. At 6'4, 195 pounds, Ketelsen is rather lanky and features a lot of twitchy actions in his game. A left-handed bat, Ketelsen has very impressive bat speed and displays accuracy with his barrel through the zone, staying short and direct to the baseball. There's already present strength and power in the profile, mainly to the gaps and pull side, though as he adds weight to his frame, expect the power to tick up. His hips open up violently and there's natural loft to the swing. In the field, he's likely a corner outfielder at the next level, though he's able to cover a ton of ground thanks to his lengthy stride and quality speed. He runs like a gazelle in the outfield and shows defensive maturity, giving him a solid outlook with the glove. He has also seen time on the bump, getting up to 92 MPH from the left side. Ketelsen is one of the youngest players in the class, too. With that said, he is a Stanford commit, which is something to keep an eye on come draft day.

29. C Trent Grindlinger, Huntington Beach (CA)

Height: 6’3

Weight: 195

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 11 MO

Commitment: Mississippi State

Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA

Grindlinger has quietly had one of the better summer circuits of anyone in the class, hitting at every stop he's been at. A physical catching prospect from Huntington Beach, Grindlinger is one of the best catch-and-throw guys in this class. He has solid athleticism and moves well behind the dish with a very strong arm, throwing out would-be base stealers with ease on numerous occasions. He's a near-lock to stay behind the plate long term. At the plate, he does expand the zone a bit, but he does a great job of fighting off strikeouts. It's a powerful swing with solid bat speed and he's shown an ability to adjust to off-speed pitches, handling them well this summer. He'll pepper the gaps with line drives and there's considerable raw juice in the bat during his BP rounds, primarily targeting his pull side. It's a fun profile to dive into. He'll be on the older side, as he'll turn 19 during All-Star Weekend in 2025, though he's got the tools to be signed away from his Mississippi State commitment.

30. RHP Grayson Boles, Saint Augustine (CA)

Height: 6’4

Weight: 215

b/t: R/R

Draft Day Age: 18 YR 9 MO

Commitment: Texas

Hometown: San Diego, CA

At 6'4, 215 pounds, Boles looks every bit like a future workhorse starter. A projectable athlete on the bump, Boles moves fluidly down the bump and repeats his delivery well. While he's more of a low-90s arm currently, he's shown mid-90s velocity in shorter stints this summer and the pitch possesses a lively nature, especially on the top rail. There's some flatness with his approach angle and as he matures, the expectation is that he may sit more in the mid-90s. That's an excellent recipe for a heater that projects to miss quite a bit of bats. He's flip-flopped between an upper-70s curveball and a low/mid-80s gyro slider, both of which have quality depth and project well. He's used more of the slider this summer, flashing short shape with nasty bite when he's on. There's a fading mid-80s cambio in there, too. Given the athleticism and repetition of his delivery, there's a good chance he'll grow into more strike-throwing. A SoCal native, Boles is committed to attending Texas.

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2025 MLB Draft: Too Early Players to Watch

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As the old saying goes, on to the next. The 2024 MLB Draft wrapped up just a few days ago, and everyone on the MLB Draft team at Prospects Live is working hard to prepare you all for the 2025 MLB Draft! We will have plenty of content coming your way, even during the summer and fall. Our fearless leader, Tyler Jennings, is already out catching some of the top prep guys at the USA 18u. We hope to have some coverage of fall ball for you as well and we are planning to interview coaches from across the NCAA to bring you insights on what to expect for some teams and draft prospects for the 2025 season!



With that said, I thought now would be a good time to bring you some way-too-early MLB Draft prospects to watch for 2025. Most people know about the Ethan Holliday’s and Jace LaViolette’s of the world, but here are a few other top guys to keep your eye on.


Top 30 Collegiate Players | Top 30 Prep Players

COLLEGE

OF Devin Taylor - University of Indiana 

Athlete with legitimate power. That’s the best way to describe Taylor. The Indiana outfielder has etched himself as one of the best college bats in the NCAA. He hit 20 home runs and drove in 54 to the tune of a .357/.449/.660 slash line. The power comes from his bat speed and strength, and he isn’t afraid to show it to all parts of the field. When I caught Taylor last year in live looks, he struggled at the plate due to issues with chasing out of the zone and velocity up. He rolled over a lot of pitches or popped things up. But that could’ve been weather-related, as both days were insanely cold with massive wind gusts. Despite his struggles, he was trying to make things happen for his team, whether bunting for a base hit, taking a walk, or trying to cause chaos on the base paths. Even though he’s a below-average runner, he wasn’t afraid to try and take an extra base. There is a good chance he mans centerfield in 2025, but he likely ends up at as a left-field type at the next level. 


1B Henry Ford - University of Virginia

Henry Ford was by far the most fun bat I saw last year. All the kid does is hit and hit the ball hard. In a stacked Virginia lineup, he was arguably the best bat as a freshman. He’s a towering presence in the box with his 6’5, 220lb frame. It’s a tall, muscular build with broad shoulders. Even more, he’s super athletic for his size. What stuck out to me most at the plate was how patient he was. He doesn’t let that patience make him overmatched, and he doesn’t strikeout a ton. There is excellent barrel control as he gets barrel-to-ball with ease. It’s a very mature and polished approach at the plate. He played at first base for the Cavaliers since they were stacked, but he is athletic enough that a move to third base could be in his future. He has a powerful arm that would play well over there. He could find himself flying up even higher on draft boards with another strong spring. 


RHP Tyler Bremner - UC Santa Barbara

FUN. That’s the main word I can come up with to describe Bremner’s stuff. It’s an electric factory on the mound. During the season, Bremner was mid-90s with his fastball. Tyler caught him at USA Collegiate National Team, where he was sitting 96-98. Shorter stint, but it lets you know that the upper-90s might be achievable in longer stints in due time. He pairs that fastball with a couple of plus secondaries. The slider is disgusting, and his low-to-mid 80s changeup has a ton of spin and depth. He throws all his pitches with confidence and excellent command. He’ll embark on a junior campaign where he will continue building on an already fantastic pitch mix. Bremner has all the makings you want to be one of the best arms in the 2025 MLB Draft class. He’ll get some solid competition from Florida State’s Jamie Arnold and prep-arm Seth Hernandez, though. 


LHP Shane Sdao - Texas A&M

I always love a projectable left-hander and Sdao has that written all over him. He’s got a solid fastball that has been up to 96 MPH but lives mostly in the low-90s. He pairs it with a slider that has some incredible sweep. Tyler was on the case this year and reported that it got a 44% whiff rate in 2024. He’s got a mid-80s change-up to round out his three-pitch arsenal. After a stellar sophomore campaign where he struck out 55 batters across 48.2 innings to the tune of a 2.96 ERA, he is likely headed to the rotation for the Aggies in 2025. He’ll look to see if he can get his stuff to tick up a bit. 

HIGH SCHOOL

3B/OF Xavier Neyens,  Mount Vernon (WA)

It’s quite easy to start with Xavier Neyens on this list. Many see Ethan Holliday as the country's consensus number-one overall prep player, but Neyens is making a ton of noise to take his spot. We caught him at the MLB All-Star High School Home Run Derby, where he launched absolute nukes (with loaded bats for the record). It’s a beautiful left-handed swing and just fun to watch him take hacks. As I mentioned, our Tyler Jennings was at the USA Complex to catch 18u, and Neyens may have hit the longest wood bat HR from a prep he’s ever seen. The ball went out at a 108 mph EV and went 440 feet. Those are some absurd numbers from a prep bat. The tools outside of the power are elite as well. It’s a very mature approach at the plate with a unique ability to get barrel-to-ball. On top of that, he’s got a powerful arm, giving you the hope he can stick at third. He’s committed to Oregon State, but another strong spring, and he’ll likely be hearing his name called at the top of the MLB Draft, possibly even 1.1. 


OF Ty Peeples - Franklin County (GA)

We talked about Neyens's nice swing, but Peeples also has a smooth swing that is fun to watch. He’s risen up MLB Draft boards for 2025 fairly quickly, and we aren’t even into the next high school season. Peeples has a good approach at the plate and a feel for the strike zone. He can get good barrel-to-ball thanks to his bat control and quick hands. He’s already got a good power presence, but with his frame, there is still tons of room to grow, which gives you a lot to project in the future. Peeples has an accurate and on-point arm in the outfield and gets good reads on balls. He’s likely projected to be a corner outfield as he has the tools and athleticism to stick out there and be a presence. 



RHP Seth Hernandez - Corona (CA)

Budgeoning stuff. That’s the name of the game for Seth Hernandez. He’s eclipsed himself as the number one arm in the country, and it is easy to see why. Tyler caught him at USA 18u just recently, and the fastball was 96-98 mph with tons of carry. It was a shorter stint, and he usually is in his low to mid-90s. That’s fantastic for a prep arm with much room to grow and a very buttery operation. He pairs that fastball with a slider and a changeup. The slider has spin rates above 2,700 RPMs, and Tyler saw it with a ton of velocity that was 85-98 mph, giving it the action of a cutter. His changeup is even filthier and creates great deception off his fastball. It drops out of zone and has a ton of depth to it. As of now, Hernandez is committed to Vanderbilt, but he expects to be one of the first arms off the board. It seems highly unlikely that he will make his way to campus. 

RHP Angel Cervantes - Warren (CA)

Projection, Projection, projection. That’s the name of the game for Cervantes, who is one of the youngest players in the 2025 MLB Draft class. He’s got a low-90s fastball that is usually around 92-93 mph. He can work it down in the zone on both sides of the plate. There is a lot of room for growth in his frame, leading you to believe that he could reach the mid-90s soon. He’s got an advanced feel for his secondaries, especially his changeup, which is probably his best pitch. He tops his pitch mix off with a curveball that varies shape occasionally. It’s got plenty of spin. The delivery is fairly smooth and polished for a kid his age.