Chicago Cubs 2025 MLB Mock Draft

Rank

Position

Name

Age

B/T

School

–

Writeup

LHP

Jamie Arnold

6’1

195

L/L

Florida State

–

After an excellent 2023 in which he was third in K% among college starters behind Chase Burns and Hagen Smith, Jamie Arnold has cemented himself in the conversation for the first handful of picks come July, in a class full of uncertainty around college bats.

Arnold is a unique look, with a lower release height and flat approach that give him tons of angles and deception to his delivery. Although slightly undersized, he’s a great mover and gets outstanding extension, adding to what is already a tough fastball that sits 93-95 mph and has touched 97 mph. There’s two different variations of the breaking ball currently, with his sweeper the better of the two, generating a whiff rate of more than 40% in 2024.

Arnold worked on a split change at Driveline in the offseason that has added a potentially potent third pitch to two plus offerings. It’s an easy delivery. Arnold is already a good strike thrower. This is a polished college profile that has the ceiling of a playoff caliber starter and a solid, mid-rotation floor thanks to his unique release traits and strong stuff.

Ethan Holliday

6’4

200

L/R

Stillwater HS, OK

Ethan Holliday has a chance to emulate his brother Jackson and go 1-1 in July. It’s easy to forget that at the beginning of the 2022 cycle, Jackson was a back of the first round type profile. An incandescent draft year forced him to the top of the pile.

Ethan is a very different player to Jackson, more physical with less defensive and hit-tool certainty. Holliday has easy plus raw power from a rhythmic, left-handed swing. After a ‘meh’ showcase circuit, the questions for Ethan are around some swing and miss in his profile, in addition to his eventual defensive home.

It’s likely he’s not a shortstop in the majors, the power should play at third or even in a corner outfield spot. It’s hard to envision him having a poor spring in high school baseball in Oklahoma, especially given the plus power and his strong approach at the plate. I think some of the fading of his profile is an overcorrection that’s likely to be ammended throughout the spring. He should be a shoe in for the first handful of names selected in July.

RHP

Seth Hernandez

6’4

190

R/R

Corona HS, CA

Prep right-handers are a risky demographic, certainly not one frequently taken in the top five picks, but Seth Hernandez has a chance to be the first since Jackson Jobe, in addition to creating history with Billy Carlson (see Carlson writeup).

It’s easy to see why, too. Hernandez has been on the radar for a long time and has the combination of present stuff, starter traits, and frame that offer any drafting team a mouthwatering long term opportunity.

Hernandez stands 6’4 and there’s still good weight that can be added to his frame. He moves well and gets down the mound, creating good extension. His fastball will sit in the mid-90s but has been as high as 100 mph. His changeup is a plus pitch, with a ton of fade to it and more than 10 mph velocity separation from his fastball. Hernandez also has an above average curveball and shows an affinity to spin the ball, in addition to a harder slider which lags behind the rest of his arsenal.

Add in his ability to be in the zone consistently and you have the type of profile that has potential playoff starter attached to it, and the highest ceiling of any arm in the class. Someone will bite early, despite the risk the demographic brings.

Billy Carlson

6’1

165

R/R

Corona HS, CA

–

Between Billy Carlson and Seth Hernandez, there’s an opportunity for draft history. Never have two prep players from the same high school been taken within the first ten picks of a draft, but that’s a distinct possibility in 2025.

Billy Carlson is a defensively polished shortstop prospect and one of the best prep profiles in this class. It’s plus shortstop defense and a laser arm at the position, both plus tools. He’s a smooth mover with soft hands and good footwork and for my money, the best defensive shortstop in the class, ahead of Marek Houston.

Offensively, it’s a hit over power profile currently. Carlson has a good approach and strong bat-to-ball metrics. While it’s line drive power right now, the bat speed is good and indicative that there is likely more on the way in terms of usable in-game power. Carlson’s ceiling likely lies in how you grade his power. I think it’s above average hit and power, with plus defense and a double plus arm. That’s a package that won’t last long in July.

Aiva Arquette

6’5

220

R/R

Oregon State

DOWN

Arquette hits from the right side. Fairly upright with a slightly open front foot and a shoulder high hand set, Arquette leverages a leg lift and stride in his swing. He’ll manipulate the height of both in counts where the pitcher has leverage. Since his prep career, he’s cut down on some of the noise in his pre-swing movement. The whole operation now looks fairly quiet.

Quality of contact was the driving force behind Arquette’s breakout season. A 90th percentile exit velocity of 107 mph was 92nd percentile in D1 baseball, with a max of 113 mph trailing closely behind (91st percentile). Arquette hits the ball hard, with consistency, and I’d argue there’s more to come if he can improve his swing decisions a shade in 2025.

Arquette demonstrates good bat-to-ball skills, too. An 80 percent contact rate in 2024 was supported by a solid 69.1 percent out of zone contact percentage (73rd percentile), although there is some swing and miss to hit game. His 13.1 percent in zone whiff rate was right around average.

Let’s talk about swing decisions, as that feels like the opportunity for refinement in 2025. Arquette is a fairly patient hitter. His 43.5 swing percentage (72nd percentile) is a good foundation. He can sometimes be a little passive in the strike zone and a little aggressive out of it. A 63rd percentile in-zone swing percentage and a chase rate approaching 27 percent are a little low and a little high respectively. If Arquette wants to maximize his strengths in 2025 (doing damage on contact), chasing breaking pitches less, and being more aggressive in-zone will help him get there. Arquette uses the whole field well, but some drafting teams may see an opportunity to wring out more damage from his skillset. A 50th percentile pulled fly ball rate is an untapped resource for teams who like to maximize pulled batted ball events.

Eli Willits

6’1

175

S/R

Fort-Cobb Broxton HS, OK

–

Originally a 2026 prospect who reclassified to the 2025 class, Willits will be one of the youngest prospects in the entire draft class. Willits comes from a baseball family, his father Reggie having played for the Angels. He now coaches at Oklahoma, where Eli is committed.

Eli is a switch hitter whose offensive polish stand out for a prospect so young. It’s a short, compact swing from both sides of the plate (although he’s better from the left side). It’s mostly gap power for now, but you’d like to think there’s more in the tank for a prospect who stands at 6’1, 175. Willits has some other useful tools. He’s a plus runner. The arm and glove are both average currently. If Willits can continue to add strength and develop his supplementary tools, it’s the profile of a big-league regular who sticks somewhere on the dirt.

Marek Houston

6’3

190

R/R

Wake Forest

–

Houston was an unheralded recruit who started immediately for Wake Forest as a freshman, locking up the shortstop position. If you watch him play defense, it’s easy to see why. It’s plus defense at shortstop, with good lateral quickness, soft hands, a great internal clock and a plus arm combining for a complete offensive profile. He’s 1B to Billy Carlson’s 1A defensively for shortstops in this class.

There’s plenty to like in the offensive profile, too. It’s a hit over power profile, headlined by strong bat-to-ball metrics and a history of walking more than he strikes out wherever he plays, including an excellent stint on the Cape after the 2024 season.

The ceiling for Houston hinges on what you think of the power. For much of his collegiate career, it’s been absent (35 grade). In 2025, he’s off to a more impactful start, almost matching his career high in home runs through non-conference play. The exit velocities (~104 mph) suggest that it might not be real, despite Houston adding 20 pounds of good weight in advance of the 2025 season.

Let’s see how things shape up in ACC play. At worst, it’s above average hit and run, with plus defense and a plus arm at shortstop. He’s a first half of the first round type guy in this class.

LHP

Liam Doyle

6’2

220

R/L

Tennessee

–

Doyle is one of the sharpest risers in the early going so far in the 2025 cycle. The Ole’ Miss transfer has cemented himself as the Friday night starter for the defending national champions, and it’s explosive stuff on the mound.

Doyle has an effortful delivery, but it seems to work well for him and he’s been in the zone plenty in the early going in 2025. His fastball is a unique, outlier shape, generating 20 inches of ride and he’s been cranking it up to 97 mph through the first few weekend of SEC play.

Doyle also uses a slider, and cutter, both of which are around average, and a changeup he’s continuing to develop a feel for. A bugaboo for Doyle has been maintaining his velocity throughout starts. It tends to fall off with all pitches sharply after ~45 pitches or so.

He’s had an exceptional start to the season. It’ll be worth monitoring whether Doyle can maintain his dominance through the gauntlet of the SEC schedule, but he’s hoisted his name into the first handful of arms to go off the board in July.

RHP

Kyson Witherspoon

6’2

210

R/R

Oklahoma

–

Witherspoon is in his second season at Oklahoma after transferring from JC prior to the 2024 season and looks to be in the midst of a major breakout. The stuff has always been loud. It’s a plus fastball that sits 95-97 mph but he can run it up close to triple digits at times. It’s complimented by a tight slider and an emerging changeup that produced plenty of miss in 2024.

Prior to the 2025 season, there was speculation about reliever risk with Witherspoon. Early in the season through the opening weekend of conference play, he’s doubled his strikeout rate and halved his walk rate. Tougher tests are ahead, but a continuation of this sort of performance will have him creeping up boards and in the mix for college SP3 or even SP2 in this class.

Gavin Kilen

5’11

190

L/R

Tennessee

–

Kilen is an undersized middle infield profile who has been one of the hottest college hitters on the planet in the early going of the 2025 season. Running an in zone contact rate north of 90% in 2024 is a strong platform on which to build. Kilen isn’t quite matching those bat-to-ball numbers in 2025, but he’s made an exciting trade off; a little less contact for quite a bit more power.

Through the opening weekend of conference play his 104 mph EV90 and 108 mph Max EV represent solid improvements on his 2024 season. There’s a ton of supplementary skills too: he’s patient, he doesn’t chase much, he can pull the ball in the air, and his contact numbers are still around 75th percentile in college ball.

The supplementary tools are solid, not outstanding, but if his power surge continues through the rest of the season, it’s a middle infield profile with an above average hit tool and solid average power. He won’t have to wait too long to find a home.

LHP

Kade Anderson

6’2

180

L/L

LSU

Anderson is another promising left-handed pitching prospect in a draft class full of them. After TJ surgery in his senior year of high school, he’s putting it all together in he early going as LSU’s Friday night starter.
Anderson’s fastball sits 92-94 mph, but has been as high as 96 mph, with ~19 inches of IVB from a pretty upright release. It’s a relatively smooth, simple delivery for Anderson, who could still hang 20 pounds of good weight on a slender frame.

Anderson shows an affinity for spin, too. His curveball sits in the high 70s-low 80s and generates spin rates of ~2800 rpms. Anderson has added a sweeper with around 17 inches of horizontal break in 2025, and has shown feel for a changeup.

This is a high-floored profile. A good frame, four usable pitches, consistent strike throwing, and an emerging track record of performance in the SEC. He’s a mid-to-back end type as a pro and likely starts getting consideration at the end of the first round.

Jace Laviolette

6’6

230

L/L

Texas A&M

–

Laviolette was one of the preseason favorites to go number one overall coming off the back of a monster ’24 season in which he put up a 1.175 OPS and hit 29 bombs in 68 games for a deep Aggies lineup.

Laviolette is upright and quiet in the box, with a slightly open stance an an efficient load that gives way to some serious bat speed. Laviolette ran a 109 mph EV90 in 2024 (max 116 mph) to go with a 92nd percentile chase rate (17%). He’s a borderline passive hitter with some swing and miss in the profile (21.2% IZ-Whiff%). That could be a dangerous combination as he enters pro ball.

Defensively, it’s not a centerfield profile for me. He’s made improvements defensively but it’s just an average arm better suited to a corner. This is a power-reliant corner profile already maximizing his pulled batted-ball events. There’s plenty to like but he wouldn’t be the first name off the board for me.

Kayson Cunningham

5’9

180

L/R

Johnson HS, TX

–

There’s always a sub-genre of prospects who give you clues about what organizations value in the draft, and Cunningham will be one in 2025. He’ll be 19 on draft day and is undersized, but Cunningham has one of the best pure hit tools in the entire class. It’s a short, adjustable stroke that showcases an ability to manipulate the barrel of the bat with consistency and cover the strike zone with outstanding effectiveness.
Cunningham might develop to average power, but it’s more of a gap to gap approach currently and he’s not afraid to use the whole field to his advantage.

Defensively, he’ll stick somewhere in the infield, even if it’s not at shortstop long term. There’s an above average arm and plus speed to go with solid-average glove work. What drafting organizations think of Cunningham’s potential to develop a half grade more pop might determine his draft ceiling, but the hit tool is legit and he should be among the first 10-15 selections in July.

3B/OF

Gavin Fien

6’3

200

R/R

Great Oaks HS, CA

–

Fien is a physical third base/outfield profile who has established himself as one of the most exciting prep bats in the class. The Texas commit stands 6’3, 200, and is riding the wave of an outstanding summer showcase circuit where he performed well everywhere he went.

Despite a slightly unorthadox look in the box with a high handset and pronounced leg kick, Fien is consistently on time. It’s line drive power with the type of physicality that portends more in a profile that could end up as one of the better hit/power combos in this draft class.

The rest of the tool set is a bit raw. There’s plenty of arm to stick at third, with just an average glove and speed. There’s not defensive certainty here yet which means he’ll have to continue to perform well with that bat, but he’s a prep profile on the rise this spring in a draft class with so few well rounded offensive profiles.

Joseph Parker

6’2

195

L/R

Purvis HS, MS

Joseph ‘JoJo’ Parker is a left-handed hitting prep infielder out of Mississippi who lit up the summer showcase circuit and has steadily moved up boards this spring. It’s a big league type frame at 6’2, 200 and an unusual setup at the plate for Parker, with a very narrow, open stance and an extreme barrel tip behind his head and shoulders.

Parker has a good eye and approach at the plate, with an above average hit tool and developing power. His other tools are mostly average. He’ll have a chance to stick at shortstop in the short to medium term, but might end up moving to another position on the dirt. This profile has a chance to be a strong hit/power combo if everything clicks. Joseph’s twin brother Jacob will also likely be a top 100 profile in this class.

Brendan Summerhill

6’3

205

L/R

Arizona

–

In a draft class that lacks high impact college bats, Brendan Summerhill might be a sweet spot where, skill, track record, and draft spot meet. Summerhill is a left-handed hitting outfielder who was productive in 2024. He posted a .950 OPS to go with 8 home runs (32 extra base hits) in addition to 31 walks and 36 strikeouts in 58 games. He backed this up with a strong summer on the Cape (.798 OPS).

Summerhill has a well-rounded offensive skillset. His EV90 (104 mph) and Max EV (110 mph) were both around 75th percentile in D1 baseball, and he’s already maximizing pulled batted ball events. Summerhill backs up solid impact with strong bat-to-ball skills. A 86% contact rate and 83rd percentile in zone whiff percentage are further buoyed by excellent out of zone contact, and the fact that Summerhill doesn’t chase too much (64th percentile).

The remaining questions in 2025 are the efficacy of Summerhill as a defensive centerfielder as a pro and how much power he can get to, as there seems to be more in the tank than he produced in 2024. He’s one of only a few college bats where hit and power might be above average in tandem, and firmly a first round prospect for me.

Wehiwa Aloy

6’2

200

R/R

Arkansas

–

Aloy came to Arkansas by way of Sacramento State, where he bagged WAC freshman of the year in 2023. He put together a strong first season for the Razorbacks, smacking 14 home runs on his way to an .841 OPS. He followed that up with an incandescent stretch on the Cape, clubbing 8 home runs and positing a .994 OPS in 21 games for Yarmouth.

Aloy has good bat speed and legit pop, especially to the pull side. He’s typically been a hyper aggressive hitter with some swing and miss in his profile. He susceptible to spin and off-speed pitches in general, with a few holes in his swing. He’s tamped down some of the noise in his operation in 2025. He sets up quietly at the plate, with a neutral stance and a toe tap timing mechanism. The expansive chase rate is a concern, and he’ll have to continue to sure up his defense to stick at shortstop as a pro.

In the early going in 2025, he’s carried over his incredible Cape stretch into the college season, cutting into his strikeout rate and putting up massive slugging numbers, while showing much improved defense at shortstop. He’s an up arrow prospect for me.

RHP

Tyler Bremner

6’2

190

R/R

UC Santa Barbara

–

Bremner will be a young-for-the-college class right hander in 2025 with a ton of starter traits. At 6’2, 190, there’s still room to add strength to a frame that’s highly athletic. Bremner is an elite mover with two plus pitches and a third that profiles as above average. His fastball sits 94-96 mph and tops out at 98 mph with good carry through the zone. His changeup is an elite, MLB ready pitch. It generates approaching 20 inches of horizontal movement and generates a ton of swing and miss (whiff rate north of 40% in 2024). His slider is a solid compliment to his fastball and above average while still being a distant third to the fastball/changeup combo.

If Bremner can post consistently through the 2025 season, he has a chance to be one of the the first few arms off the board. Regardless of his 2025 performances, his profile has a mix of traits that should have orgs interested within the first ten picks or so come July.

Xavier Neyens

6’4

200

L/R

Mount Vernon HS, WA

–

Neyens and Ethan Holliday have some similarities in their profiles, for me. Big power, some questions around the hit tool, and a lack of certainty over their long-term defensive home.

Neyens hails from the Pacific Northwest and has some of the best raw power in the class. There’s still more strength to hang on the frame, too. Neyens boasts a good approach at the plate too. He’ll take plenty of walks but can be borderline passive, at times. There is some swing and miss in the profile too, particularly against breaking pitches. This will be an area to monitor this spring as it’s a long levered swing.

While he’s not a great runner, Neyens is a good mover. It’s a plus arm that should at least give him a chance to stick at third base as a pro. If he can navigate some of the swing and miss concerns in the profile, it could be a monster offensive profile when it’s all said and done.

Ike Irish

6’2

210

L/R

Auburn

Irish mashed in 2024, hitting .319/.403/.627 (1.030) with 14 home runs (27 extra base hits), and almost as many walks (23), as strikeouts (29). Irish sets up open in the batter’s box, with a wide base. He has a stride into his swing that he’ll eliminate with two strikes. Irish has legit bat speed and he’s direct to the ball with consistency. Irish’s swing does play a little stiff, at times, and he has been prone to high ground ball rates, another outcome worth monitoring in 2025.

Defense is an area where remaining questions lie with Irish. It’s a plus arm but there’s work to do on receiving and game calling. His performance behind the dish in 2025 will be an important factor in his draft stock.

Similarly to Stevenson, Irish produces a lot of hard contact. His 106.1 90th percentile exit velocity (max 111.8) was 87th percentile in D1 baseball in 2024, with a .435 xWOBA, close to the top of the pack amongst college hitters (96th percentile). Irish has less questions about the hit tool than Stevenson, for me. He’s a much more aggressive swinger, but an ~83% contact rate is strong and his in zone whiff rate of 13% is much better than Stevenson’s (around average, nationally). Additionally, Irish has the ability to make good contact out of zone. The only real quibble you might have with his offensive profile is his propensity to chase. In 2024 he did so at a 26% clip. That’s a little high, but around average in D1 baseball. Still, that will be an area to monitor in 2025, as if he can real it in, it could be a monster offensive season.

Luke Stevenson

6’1

210

L/R

North Carolina

–

Stevenson is another intriguing draft-eligible sophomore eligible in 2025. He produced on an exciting Tar Heels squad in 2024, hitting .284/.420/.535 (.955) with almost as many walks (48) as strikeouts (55). Stevenson showed plenty of impact with the bat, too. He swatted 14 home runs (24 extra base hits) and drew positive reviews for a well-rounded skill set behind the dish, with a plus arm, ever-improving receiving, and solid pop times (1.9-1.95 seconds). Stevenson has a simple setup and operation in the batter’s box. It’s a medium high handset and a quiet load that gets him to good bat speed with consistency.

Stevenson was impressive in doing consistent damage at the plate in 2024. His 106.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity with 89th percentile in D1 (max 112.2 mph), his hard hit rate was 84th percentile, and his .397 xWOBA was 87th percentile, speaking to his ability to consistently get the fat part of the bat on the baseball. He also has a feel for getting out in front of the baseball (91st percentile pulled fly ball rate). There is some swing and miss to Stevenson’s game. His 18.5% in zone whiff rate was 23rd percentile and he struggled to make contact out of the strike zone (16th percentile). Thankfully for Stevenson, he makes good swing decisions, evidenced by a 90th percentile chase rate (17.8%). Stevenson is a fairly patient hitter, what I’ll be watching for in 2025 is if he can move his bat-to-ball skills forward a hair. All the other tools are in place for an impactful bat.

Stevenson is who I’d personally rank at the top of the college catching list as the season kicks off. While there are some questions about the hit tool to iron out, specifically some swing and miss in the profile, he makes good swing decisions and has a knack for finding the barrel. Add above average power and a fairly polished defensive profile and there’s a prospect you can feel confident will stick behind the dish.

Daniel Pierce

6’1

180

R/R

Mill Creek HS, GA

–

Daniel Pierce is a right-handed hitting prep shortstop prospect out of Georgia, committed to the University of Georgia. He’s one of the more polished defensive shortstop prospects in the class with smooth actions, quick lateral movement, and a plus arm that can make all the throws needed to stick there long term.

The bat isn’t yet as loud as some of the supplementary tools. It’s solid bat-to-ball and pure hitting skills, with a good eye and approach at the plate. A drafting organization will be betting his hit tool develops to, at worst, above average. At present, the power is fringy. Pierce is a plus runner too, adding more avenues to accrue value for a drafting team. The ceiling will be determined by how the bat develops.

Ethan Conrad

6’4

215

L/L

Wake Forest

–

Conrad has been one of the most impactful 2025 transfers thus far for 2025 after making the jump from Marist to Wake Forest. The only thing that has slowed his process is a hamstring injury right around the opening of conference play. If it all clicks for Conrad, he’s a well rounded college hitting profile in a class that lacks them.

It’s a big league frame at 6’3, 220. Conrad has a simple, repeatable left-handed swing that used to provide more gap-to-gap power, but has added some punch in the early going in 2025. Conrad hit 7 home runs in his first 21 games (approaching his college career high of 9). He tore up the Cape in a summer stint and runs and defends well for a prospect of his size.

It’s average or better tools across the board for me. Conrad is a name who, between his Cape summer and smooth transition to a tougher level of college competition, has vaulted himself into first round range in a college class with few balance profiles.

NOTE: Conrad will miss the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in April. There is not yet a timetable for his return to the field

Steele Hall

5’11

175

R/R

Hewitt-Trussville HS, AL

Hall is one of the buzziest name in the prep class. So despite being nestled close to 50th in the first few iterations of the consensus board, expect him to climb significantly as the cycle goes on. He also reclassified from the 2025 class, so he’ll be one of the youngest prospects in the class at 17 on draft day.

He’s a right-handed hitting, prep shortstop out of Alabama committed to Tennessee. Despite an undersized frame, Hall is an explosive athlete and an elite mover. He has bounce, lateral quickness and legit plus to double plus speed. Add a plus arm to the mix and he has a chance to stick at shortstop at the next level.

Offensively it’s a hit over power profile but the power is headed in the right direction, underpinned by a compact swing and improved bat speed. The power grade might get to average when it’s all said and done, with all of his other tools above average at least.

LHP/1B

Kruz Schoolcraft

6’8

215

L/L

Sunset HS, OR

–

Remarkably, Schoolcraft won’t be the only 6’8 left-handed starting pitching prospect in this draft class. What he will be, is the most famous and highest ranked.

The pacific northwest southpaw reclassified from a stacked 2026 class to 2025 and offers an easy to fall in love with profile. While he’s currently a legitimate two-way player, most evaluators prefer him as a pitcher.

His arsenal has taken a step forward in recent months, particularly his secondary pitches. His fastball has been up to 97 mph from the left side, although it’s a bit flat. His changeup is increasingly firm, maintaining ideal velocity separation from his fastball. There’s an above average slider in the mix too, particularly tough on lefties given the angle he’s coming from and how well he gets down the mound. It’s a solid delivery and strike throwing operation for someone with such long limbs. There’s present stuff and a ton of projection here.

Slater De Brun

5’9

195

L/L

Summit HS, OR

–

De Brun is another prospect who will give you clues about certain organizations draft tendencies, namely, which teams will stay away from small statured players. Coming in at 5’10, 190, there’s a little Slade Caldwell to the frame.

De Brun is a prepster from the pacific northwest currently commited to Vanderbilt. It’s a compact, tight, left-handed swing with excellent bat-to-ball skills and a good eye and approah at the plate. De Brun has pace, too. It’s easily plus speed, maybe a half grade more. That gives him good range in the outfield (despite a fringy arm) and makes him a menace on the base paths.

Time will tell whether he’s able to add a half grade more power. For now, he’s a table setter type profile with an above average hit tool, whose speed aids his supplementary tools as well.

RHP

Riley Quick

6’6

250

R/R

Alabama

–

Quick is another riser in the 2025 cycle on the pitching side. A physically imposing frame at 6’6, 250, the stuff and the results are starting to come together for the Alabama righty.

Quick’s fastball is a sinker that sits in the mid-90s. He can reach back for 98 mph. It generated a ground ball rate north of 60% in 2024 and it’s easy to see why, with the pitch creating 20 inches or so of run. Quick has a relatively low release height for his size. He mixes in a sweeper which is already above average and could be plus in time. His changeup, like his sinker, gets a ton of horizontal break.

Quick delivery is relatively consistent for such a physical pitcher. It’s easy to see him carrying a significant workload as a pro if he can stay healthy.
Quick will have to navigate the gauntlet that is conference play in the SEC. If he performs well, he’ll cement himself as a first round profile, the first half of the first round if he continues to shove.

Dean Curley

6’3

215

R/R

Tennessee

DOWN

Curley couldn’t have managed to have a more encouraging freshman season at Tennessee, handling shortstop for the eventual National Champion Volunteers in his age 20 season. Not too shabby. It was a loud offensive year, too. Curley hit .285/.386/.502 (.888) with 12 home runs (23 extra-base hits, nine stolen bases, 31 walks, and 47 strikeouts in 67 games.

It’s an efficient swing from Curley, who relies on quick hands and great rotation in a pretty right-handed stroke. A shoulder-high handset with some bat waggle gives way to a smooth load before a small step forward as he begins to unload. It’s generally a quiet operation in the box. Taking a peek into Curley’s 2024 data, it’s easy to see the appeal of the profile and how he might take off in 2025.

Curley’s offensive profile is driven by doing serious damage on contact. His 91.2 mph average exit velocity was 84th percentile in D1 baseball, with his 107.3 mph 90th percentile exit velocity (89th percentile), and 110.8 mph max exit velocity (81st percentile) putting him in the upper echelon of power hitters in this class. He’s also pulling fly balls at around a 31 percent clip, maximizing damage inflicting batted ball events.

While as a prep prospect some evaluators doubted his hit tool, there’s strong foundations in place there, too. Curley’s overall 80.4 percent contact rate is solid-to-good, this improves to ~88% in zone. You won’t be able to sneak fastballs past Curley, even at velocity, he does damage against them. There is still some swing and miss to his game, though. Curley swung and missed 12 percent of the time in the strike zone, which is good, not great (60th percentile). Out of the strike zone, his 63 percent contact rate was just average.

It’s notable that Curley is allowing pitchers to get leveraged counts against him too often. His 37 percent swing percentage is low. That’s not a bad thing, in and of itself, unless we add some more context. Curley’s swing percentage in the strike zone is just 59 percent (12th percentile). In short, there are occasions where he’s allowing pitchers to get ahead too easily. What I’ll be watching for in 2025 is if Curley can be more aggressive swinging at pitches in the strike zone, particularly those over the heart of the plate. That will maximize his strength of hitting the ball hard and do damage on contact.

RHP

Josh Hammond

6’1

205

R/R

Wesleyan Academy, NC

Hammond is a two-way prospect out of North Carolina, committed to Wake Forest. He’s athletic with a good frame and gets into his lower half well with a lot of rotation in his wind up. Stuff wise, it’s a fastball that’s been up to 95 mph with good life. Hammond has a low 80s sweeper that has a ton of horizontal movement, and a changeup that already exhibits some fade. The strike throwing has been solid, but there’s work to do in refining his command. Overall it’s good arm speed and a three pitch mix full of promise, with some projection remaining.

As a shortstop, Hammond has good actions and a plus arm. There’s good raw power and good speed in the profile too. Hammond is one of the better athletes in the prep class.

Devin Taylor

6’1

215

L/R

Indiana

–

Taylor might be one of the few college bats in the ’25 class who checks the hit/power combo satisfactorily, although I’d argue there’s still some areas for improvement in the former.

Taylor is a left-handed hitting corner outfield with an average arm and below average speed. In other words, that bat has to play. He put up monster numbers in his sophomore season for Indiana (20 HR, 1.109 OPS) and backed it up with a big Cape summer for Cotuit (5 HR, .907 OPS in 29 games).

There’s serious bat speed here from the left side. Taylor does damage consistently (106 mph EV90). He finds the barrel with consistency and is already effective in maximizing pulled fly balls.

There is some swing and miss in zone (16% in 2024), however, Taylor doesn’t chase a ton (24%) and his bat-to-ball skills translate well out of the strike zone. He’ll have to continue to mash in 2025, but doing so will cement his name somewhere in the first forty picks

SS/OF

Sean Gamble

6’1

190

L/R

IMG Academy

–

Gamble is a native Iowan who attends IMG Academy in Florida and has one of the best combinations of tools and athleticism in the prep class. The Vanderbilt committed left-handed hitter has cut down on some length in his swing and combines good bat speed with barrel adjustability to be able to leverage the whole field offensively.

Defensively, it’s to be determined where his best position will be. It could be centerfield, where his speed and athleticism plays. Gamble also has experience in the infield and could likely handle second or third base as a pro. Either way, Gamble is a legit power/speed threat who likely won’t last too long in July.

Andrew Fischer

6’1

200

L/R

Tennessee

–

Andrew Fischer is one of the more complete college hitting profiles in this class, having established a track record of performance and consistent improvement in both the ACC and SEC. A transfer from Ole’ Miss to Tennessee, Fischer has a physical frame at 6’1, 200 and an approach that’s consistently improved throughout his time in college ball. He takes his walks, and strikes out an acceptable amount. There’s a ton of bat speed and juice in the profile, Fisher had a 113 mph Max EV and a EV90 north of 106 mph in 2024.

Fischer has answered some questions about his hit tool so far in 2025. He’s become more selective at the plate and cut into his strikeout rate significantly. He has an above average arm, but the speed and defense are lacking. Being able to show he has a chance to stick at third base in 2025 would aid his draft stock, but the emerging hit power combo should have him in day one range regardless.

RHP

Patrick Forbes

6’3

220

R/R

Louisville

DOWN

Forbes has been one of the biggest surprises (pleasant) at the midpoint of the 2025 college season. His stuff has taken a jump forward and he’s one of a number of up arrow college arms in this class.

It’s a great frame at 6’3, 220. It’s big time arm talent too. It’s a fastball that sits 94-96 mph from a low release. It’s been as high as 98 mph. Forbes has a sweeper he throws in the high 70s-low 80s. There’s plenty of horizontal break on that pitch, he’ll need to firm it up some when he turns pro. He throws a changeup too, which has looked promising, although it could use a little more velocity separation from his fastball.

Forbes 2025 has been impressive. It’s also noteworthy that he was previously a two-way player and as such, hasn’t focused solely on pitching for that long. The frame and stuff is there for a pitching savvy organization to have success with. He has a chance to start at the next level.

LHP

Cameron Appenzeller

6’5

190

L/L

Glenwood HS, IL

–

In terms of frame and projection, there’s a little Dasan Hill in Cameron Appenzeller. The latter is a 6’5, 190 pound left-hander out of Illinois, committed to Tennessee.

His frame and operation point to plenty of projection if he can continue to add more good weight. It’s a clean, repeatable delivery from the left side coming from a three quarter slot. Appenzeller gets good deception on his delivery with a slightly longer arm stroke and a relatively low release.

His fastball typically sits 88-92 mph but he can run it up to the mid 90s. It’s likely he’ll sit there long term. There’s a good slider in the making. It’s sharp with two plane break. Long term it will need to firm up, as it currently sits in the high 70s. Appenzeller has shown feel for a changeup with some fade to it.

There’s development needed here, with the frame and the secondary pitches, but it’s easy to see how Appenzeller is an enticing draft profile. There’s plenty of starter traits here in one of the best projection lefties in this class.

Cam Cannarella

6’0

180

L/R

Clemson

DOWN

You’re getting good athleticism and some excellent tools if you take Cam Cannarella, who put together a memorable post-season performance for Clemson in 2024 playing through injury and averaged a 1.000 OPS through his first two seasons for the Tigers

A left-handed hitting centerfielder, Cannarella has an open stance and a medium-high hand set that gives way to a bit of a noisy swing. He’s on time with consistency and has a knack for finding the barrel, though with an excellent 51% HardHit% in his sophomore season. In 2024, his 90.6 mph Avg EV was 82nd percentile in D1. There’s less impact there than some other names at the top of the board, with a 102.9 mph EV90 being good not great. He’ll chase some, but the bat-to-ball skill, particularly in zone (9.1% IZ-Whiff%) are excellent. Defensively, it’s a sure centerfield profile with plus speed and good route running. The arm is fringy but he should be an above average to plus defender.

Cannarella is a tough eval, as it’s two below average tools, but we’re talking about three above average to plus tools at a premium defensive position. He’s a back end of the first round type profile, for me.

LHP

Zach Root

6’2

210

L/L

Arkansas

–

After two seasons at East Carolina, Root transferred to Arkansas and has posted consistently midway through the 2025 season. He’s a more unusual college pitching profile as his current value is dependent on a high-quality and diverse arsenal of secondary pitches. Root throws from the left side and has a funky delivery. He hides the ball behind his head, turning so forcefully that his left throwing shoulder is almost facing the batter as he winds up.

His fastball sits in the low 90s but has been as high as 96-97 mph. Despite the solid velocity, it doesn’t have great shape and doesn’t miss a ton of bats. Root has a ton of interesting secondary pitches. His changeup is exceptional and his slider is above average too, the changeup generating plenty of arm side movement.

You don’t see many lefties with such a well developed, diversified arsenal pre-draft. Root has performed consistently thus far in SEC play. He’s cementing himself as a day one arm.

LHP

Jack Bauer

6’3

185

L/L

Lincoln Way East HS, IL

–

Bauer went viral recently, hitting 101 mph six times and 102 mph once in his a recent outing. That’s rare arm talent for the 6’3 Illinois lefty and Virginia commit. Bauer’s fastball is a legit 70 grade pitch, it’ll sit 97 mph from a low launch. That’s already a velocity pop from the fall and he’s got two other interesting pitches too. He shows an affinity for spin, his slider will sit 81-84 mph with 2900 rpms of spin. There’s a changeup too, that sits 85-88 mph with some good fade, but it’s a tertiary pitch at the moment. Bauer has a long arm stroke that sometimes takes him offline and impedes his strike throwing. If he can get more consistent with his control, the sky’s the limit.

Caden Bodine

5’10

200

S/R

Coastal Carolina

–

Caden Bodine is a switch-hitting catcher for Coastal Carolina who just hits. In 2024, he put up a .328/.411/.523 (.933) line with nine home runs (29 extra base hits), 31 walks, and just 23 strikeouts. Bodine sets up in an open stance with a slight crouch and a handset right above his shoulders. He has a pronounced barrel tip and a moderate leg kick into his swing. Make no mistake, this is one of the best hit tools in college baseball. Bodine has quick hands and outstanding bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate.

You’re not going to get as much offensive impact from Bodine. His quality of contact is not as hard as Stevenson or Irish. His 103.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, as above average, but not by much (63rd percentile) and his 106.6 mph max exit velocity is just average. Bodine sprays the ball around the field from both sides of the plate. He’s not a pull heavy hitter currently (56th percentile pulled fly ball rate). What he does have is some of the best contact skills in college baseball. His overall contact rate of 89% is 95th percentile among college players, with an 88th percentile in zone whiff percentage and a 92nd percentile out of zone contact rate. He doesn’t chase much either (72nd percentile) and he performs from both sides of the plate.

If you’re a drafting team who sees adding strength and bat speed as an organizational player development strength and you believe in BOdine’s ability to stick behind the plate, he might be the option for you. For me, there are questions about his quality of contact despite the fact that he checks both the bat-to-ball and approach skill sets.

Bodine has one of the best hit tools in college baseball. He’s got an ideal frame for catching, although It’s an average skill set behind the plate, currently. I’d rank Bodine behind both Stevenson and Irish, as however much the catching skill set improves, I think it’s fair to question the amount of impact and thump the bat can produce.

OF/1B

Ethan Petry

6’4

235

R/R

South Carolina

–

Petry is another prospect who encapsulates the 2025 college hitting class; tons of power with some outstanding questions around the hit tool.

Petry is one of the more famous hitters in this class, after his explosive freshman campaign was followed up with a great second season for South Carolina. At 6’4, 230 pounds, it’s premium power from the right side. Petry cranked 44 home runs in his first two college season. The setup in the box is quiet, with a higher handset and open stance. His swing can get long and is prone to some swing and miss. Petry has a solid approach, taking plenty of walks, but has struck out a little more than you’d like to see. He’s made inroads into his K% early in the college season.

He doesn’t have a ton of value in the field, it’s below average corner outfield defense and slow foot speed, albeit with an above average arm. He’ll need to mash to maintain first round stock. reducing his high K% can go a long way to cementing his draft status.

Max Belyeu

6’2

210

L/R

Texas

–

Max Belyeu is a bat-first corner outfield prospect who had plenty of draft interest coming out of high school in Texas in the 2022 cycle. Then 18-years old, Belyeu was a wiry but strong 18-year old with a free swinging approach. After getting only a smattering of playing time as a freshman at Texas in 2023, he’s coming off an outstanding sophomore season in which he hit .329/.423/.667 (1.090) with 18 home runs (34 extra base hits), an 18 percent strikeout rate, while walking a respectable 11 percent of the time. Belyeu followed up his loud season with a modest Cape performance (.658 OPS in 18 games for Cotuit).

Fast forward to his junior year and Belyeu has added around 20 pounds of good weight. Belyeu has an aesthetically pleasing setup in the box. His stance is just on the open side of neutral with a shoulder high handset and very little in the way of pre-swing moves. He uses a small leg kick to start his swing, generating good bat speed in a loft-oriented, left-handed stroke. Belyeu’s swing helps him tap into above average power and he leverages the whole field well with access to consistent opposite field extra base impact.

The biggest strength of Belyeu’s profile is doing damage on contact. In 2024 Belyeu was 90th percentile or higher in D1 baseball for wOBA and expected damage. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 108 mph was 95th percentile, and his 112 mph max exit velocity was near the top of the scale in the college game. After launching 18 home runs (34 extra base hits) in 2024, Belyeu already has two home runs (five extra base hits) in his first six games of 2025. His power is particularly prevalent to the pull side.

Most outlets have graded Belyeu’s hit tool as average and that’s where there are some questions in the profile for me. Let’s start with the approach and swing decisions. Belyeu is a fairly aggressive swinger (44% swing% in 2024). He also tends to swing out of the zone a ton. In 2024, his chase rate was north of 30% (23rd percentile), a tendency that’s particularly prevalent against spin. While this is offset by a strong ability to make contact out of the strike zone, his propensity to chase is a consideration for drafting teams. There’s plenty of MLB organizations that have shown an ability to improve swing decisions; there’s work to be done there for Belyeu.

There’s also some questions around bat-to-ball skills, for me. Belyeu’s overall contact rate in 2024 was ~77%, which is good, not great. His 15% whiff rate in-zone was pretty high, too. Belyeu certainly has a chance for an average hit tool. His 2025 season may well answer some of these small questions in his offensive profile. I’m simply contending that there are a few more nuances to monitor with his hit tool than have been raised around his draft profile thus far.

Defensively, it is a more average set of tools. The glove is fine in the outfield, although his route running could use honing. The arm is around average. It’s likely a corner profile long term (left field).

Belyeu is bat-first corner profile with solid supplementary tools to guard his against some modest hit tool risk. If he can improve his swing decisions in 2025 and make even a small improvement in his bat-to-ball metrics, he’s an option for round one. If some of those challenges persist, I’d have him in the Comp A – round two range. For me, Belyeu is a microcosm of this class of college bats for me, plenty of impact with some opportunities to refine the hit tool

NOTE: Belyeu will miss the rest of the season after undergoing thumb surgery in April. There is not yet a timetable for his return to the field

RHP

Landon Harmon

6’5

195

R/R

East Union HS, MS

–

Harmon is a Mississippi-based right-handed prep pitcher committed to Mississippi State. At 6’5, 190 pounds, it’s a frame that screams projection, but there’s a ton of present stuff to get excited about.

Harmon’s fastball is a plus to double plus pitch. It’s topped out at 97-98 mph with some cut. There’s a pair of breaking balls currently, a hard slider and a curveball, the latter more of an average pitch. Harmon has shown some feel for a changeup, but that’s a ways behind the rest of his arsenal.

There’s development needed with the secondary pitches, but a ton to like about this profile. He’s a great mover on the mound, with clean, repeatable mechanics that contribute towards good strike throwing. If the breaking pitches can make strides, Harmon could be a force.

Jaden Fauske

6’1

200

L/R

Nazareth Academy HS, IL

–

Jaden Fauske is likely to be the first prep catcher off the board in July. The Illinois based, LSU commit hits from the left side in what is currently a hit over power profile. Fauske checks a lot of boxes offensively. He has good bat-to-ball skills. While his power is currently mostly to the pull side, he has good bat speed, indicating more in game power may be on the way. On top of all this, Fauske has a good track record against some of the better high school competition in the country.

Fauske has played in the outfield often recently. If a team is convicted he can stick at catcher, he’s a likely top 50 pick. He might be a tough sign away from LSU if he remains in that range on boards. High school catching remains one of the most challenging demographics to prognosticate.

Alex Lodise

6’1

190

R/R

Florida State

Alex Lodise has been on an incandescent heater for most of the 2025 season for Florida State. It’s a hyper aggressive approach in a profile that’s carried by his power. Lodise excels doing damage on contact, with a EV90 of around 108 mph and a 95th percentile hard hit rate. Lodise swings at everything. He chases too much and there’s some swing and miss in his game. The latter can be ameliorated by a drafting organization that can help him reign in his approach just a tick. There’s good bat speed, present pull side power and emerging defensive skill that gives him at least a solid shot of sticking at shortstop long term. Lodise has vaulted himself somewhere in the day one range this cycle.

Brandon Compton

6’1

225

L/L

Arizona State

–

Brandon Compton is a thickly built left-handed hitting outfielder out of Arizona State University, who has a corner outfield (left field) projection as a pro.

Compton had a great freshman season after redshirting post TJ surgery. He posted a 1.089 OPS with 14 bombs and a .661 SLG. He followed that up with a great stretch on the Cape, hitting .331/.414/.489 (.903) with 6 home runs in 38 games for Cotuit. Compton has great raw power, that hasn’t yet fully translated into his college game. He posts good exit velocities, underpinned by excellent bat speed and has a chance for plus power at the next level.

The supplementary tools leave something to be desired. It’s not a great glove or speed in the outfield and the arm is average. There’s swing and miss currently in his profile, with a 26 K% in 2024. His 2025 season will go a long way in demonstrating whether this is a bat-to-ball issue or simply a swing decisions and approach issue. Compton has a chance to cement himself as a back of the first round range name with a strong.

RHP

Angel Cervantes

6’2

190

R/R

Warren HS, CA

–

Cervantes is one of my favorite pitchers in this class, a pitchability prep right-hander who will be 17 years old on draft day. It’s a smooth, repeatable delivery from the 6’2 righty, who, at a slender 190 pounds, has plenty of projection left.

In terms of arsenal, Cervantes fastball sits 90-92 mph and has touched 94 mph. It has plenty of ride and plays well at the top of the strike zone. His changeup is one of the better changeups in the entire draft class. It has a ton of fade and drop and falls off the table, a legitimate swing and miss pitch he knows how to deploy well.

There’s work to do on the secondary pitches. He throws both a curveball and slider currently, with the shapes occasionally blurring. There’s really good feel for spin though. Both offerings regularly have excellent spin rates, an ability a pro organization will help him hone. Cervantes checks so many boxes for me; solid velocity, projection, a four pitch mix and an excellent mover on the mound. He’s a top fifty pick.

RHP

Aaron Watson

6’5

205

R/R

Trinity Christian Academy, FL

Watson is an up arrow prep right hander due to a mix of pitchability, frame, and developing stuff. He has a big league frame with projection left at 6’5, 210. It’s a smooth, fluid delivery which he repeats well. He can throw each of his offerings for strikes and his fastball, in particular, he can command well.

The heater has a ton of sink to it and sits 92-94 mph. You can see more velocity coming down the road. There’s two breakers, a slider in the low 80s which could be firmed up and a high 70s curveball, in addition to a split change which he uses sparingly. The is a pitchability over a stuff profile for now but it’s easy to dream in the later given the delivery and the frame. Watson is committed to Virginia which might be another challenging pact to break given his range on most boards.

Jordan Yost

6’0

180

L/R

Sickles HS, FL

–

Yost is a Florida commit and in a range on the board where he might be challenging to sign unless a team is willing to pay big to secure his signature. A left-handed hitting prep shortstop out of Florida, he’s been an up arrow name this spring. It’s a smooth, direct, left-handed swing, with good adjustability in the zone leading to strong bat-to-ball skills. Yost has a good approach at the plate too. All this adds up to what might eventually be a plus hit tool. The power lags behind significantly at the moment, it’s mostly gap-to-gap, but you’d think there’s additional strength to hang on a 6’0, 180 pound frame. Yost has above average speed and moves well, although might kick over to second base long term.

Brady Ebel

6’3

195

L/R

Corona HS, CA

–

Brady Ebel is the son of Dodgers long time third base coach Dino Ebel. He’ll be one of the youngest prospects in the entire draft at just 17 on draft day.

The LSU commit has plenty of tools to be excited about. It’s a simple, sweet left-handed swing in which he’s able to manipulate the barrel well and keep it in the zone a long time. It’s currently hit over power, but there’s plenty more to hang on his 6’3, 195 pound frame. It’s likely with some projection and his solid bat speed that there’s more power to come for Ebel.

Defensively, Ebel has an average glove. He doesn’t have good foot speed, although he does have a plus arm, soft hands, and solid actions in the infield. It’s likely he’ll slide over to third base long term, where he’ll need his power to come into play more for his offensive profile to fit seamlessly. This is young prep profile with four tools that are at least average, with a strong track record of performance. He won’t last long on day one.

SS/OF

Tate Southisene

5’11

180

R/R

Basic HS, NV

–

If the name Southisene sounds familiar, it’s because Tate’s older brother, Ty was a fourth round pick ($1 million) of the Cubs in 2024. Tate is more physical (at 5’11 so take that for what it’s worth). It’s a little bit of a noisy swing and Tate might not have quite as good a pure hit tool as Ty, but it’s much more power and a better on base percentage and overall approach at the same age.

The supplementary tools are good, too. Tate has clocked plus run times, and will likely settle into above average speed. There’s an above average arm too, and a glove that has spent time both in the infield and in the outfield. While there isn’t a standout tool here, there’s also nothing below average, so it’s likely a top 50 profile.

Mason Neville

6’3

200

L/L

Oregon

–

Neville is one of the biggest risers this spring on the college side. The former two-way prospect made it to campus at Arkansas, before transferring to Oregon ahead of the 2024 season. In 2025, he made significant steps forward at the plate, particularly with his approach, leading to better quality of contact.

Neville has cut his strikeout rate by over 10% about halfway through the conference slate and increased his walk rate 6%. He’s currently at 21 home runs, already surpassing his 2024 total by 5. There’s some swing and miss in his profile, particularly against offspead and breaking stuff, but the improvements year to year will have many organizations bullish about the offensive profile.

The supplementary tools are good too. It’s above average across the board with the foot speed, glove, and arm. Neville has manned all three outfield spots for the Ducks, and looks the part of a capable centerfielder at the next level.

Nicky Becker

6’3

180

R/R

Don Bosco Prep, NJ

Becker’s older brother, Eric, plays at Virginia, where Nicky is committed. A 6’3, 180 pound right-handed hitting shortstop, there’s a lot to link in the younger Becker’s profile.

It’s a hit tool underpinned by strong bat to ball skills and good bat speed. It’s easy to dream on at least average power long term given the frame and current bat speed. It’s already above average speed, too. Becker is a fluid mover at shortstop and has a good shot to stick there long term. Despite a potentially difficult commitment to navigate, this is yet another well rounded prep shortstop profile in a draft class that seems to be littered with them.

RHP

Marcus Phillips

6’4

250

R/R

Tennessee

–

Marcus Phillips worked primarily as a reliever in his first two seasons at Tennessee before transitioning into a starting role in 2025.

The fastball is tough. He can get a run and ride heater up to 100 mph, sitting at 97 mph with good extension from a lower release height. His breaking pitch is a power slider, with good horizontal break, that he throws in the 88-92 mph range, something that pro teams will covet. There’s also the makings of a good changeup, with a ton of horizontal break, but he throws it incredibly hard (92 mph) and there might not be enough velo separation from the fastball there.

Through his first nine starts he’s impressed. He’s striking out more hitters and walking less. The strike throwing had been a little spotty entering 2025. If he continues to shove through the rest of the SEC slate, he has an argument for some of the best pure stuff of any college arm.

Charles Davalan

5’8

170

L/R

Arkansas

–

Davalan is an undersized Canadian born transfer from FGCU. The headline here is outstanding bat-to-ball skills, but everything has taken a step forward this season for Arkansas and he’s helped buoy a much-improved Razorbacks offense.

Davalan is striking out at a ridiculous 5.5% clip. That’s even better than his 12.7% mark in 2025 and speaks to small but impactful improvements in his swing decisions. He’s chasing a bit less and swinging in-zone a bit more. In addition to helping his on base numbers, it’s allowed Davalan to access more offensive impact, posting batted ball events north of 110 mph in 2025. This is an unusual profile, carried by a really good hit tool. Several teams will be interested given his improvements against stiffer competition.

Daniel Dickinson

6’0

185

R/R

LSU

–

Dickinson was one of the better hitters in college baseball in his first two seasons at Utah State and he hasn’t missed a beat since transferring to LSU and upping the level of competition.

A compact frame underpins a direct, adjustable swing. Dickinson controls the barrel of the bat well and has good bat speed. Dickinson is able to leverage all fields in a profile that is well balanced. It’s a good approach at the plate, with more walks (13%) than strikeouts (12%) about halfway through SEC play. Dickinson shows good bat to ball skills and maybe average power. Defensively, it’s likely a second base profile long term. It’s a solid but unspectacular defensive package. Offensively, though, this is one of the most well rounded and balanced profiles of any draft eligible college hitter.

RHP

AJ Russell

6’6

200

R/R

Tennessee

–

Russell is going to be a high risk, high reward proposition for an organization in the 2025 draft. He has a great frame at 6’6, 200 pounds and one of the most metrically appealing fastballs in the class. He can run it up to 98 mph (although it sits mid-90s) with an extremely low release height from a wide angle. It’ll get run and carry up in the zone too, it’s a bit of a unicorn pitch. Russell has a second plus pitch in his slider, a tight sweeper that, given his release traits, is an uncomfortable experience, especially for right handed hitters. Russell get decent extension too, adding to the overall appeal. Russell has a changeup too, more of a third pitch at present.

So what’s the catch? Russell had internal brace surgery to repair his elbow last June. There’s a significant injury history here, and that, combined with the primarily two pitch mix, gives some reliever risk. It’s some of the better stuff in the class, though. If he clicks, he’ll give an org huge value.

LHP

Briggs McKenzie

6’2

190

L/L

Corinth-Holders HS, NC

–

McKenzie is a 6’2, 185 pound lefty out of North Carolina currently committed to LSU. It’s a lean, projectable frame and a buttery smooth delivery that’s repeatable with good deception. His fastball has ticked up since last summer, sitting 90-92 mph and tickling 94 mph. He’s able to spot it consistently for strikes up in the zone with good carry. McKenzie shows an affinity for spin, he throws a curveball in the high 70s to low 80s with good depth, in addition to a mid-80s changeup. This is a classic projection lefty profile. A lean frame, solid but not yet overwhelming stuff, with pitchability and plenty of strikes. He’s an up arrow arm this spring and could make his way into the comp round, especially if he maintains his velocity gains, or even adds a tick more.

RHP

Matthew Fisher

6’3

200

R/R

Evansville Memorial HS, IN

–

Fisher will be older for the prep class, 19 on draft, so eligible again as a sophomore if he goes to Indiana, where he’s the current headliner in the Hoosiers recruiting class.

A physical frame at 6’3, 200 pounds, Fisher has plenty of ingredients to like on the mound. His arsenal is carried by a cut and ride fastball he’ll get up to 94 mph. It’s easily his best pitch at the moment. Fisher has a sweepy slider, a curveball and a changeup for three secondary pitches to compliment the explosive fastball. While it’s by no means a finished product, it’s also good strike throwing in addition to a solid delivery. There’s plenty of starter traits here in an arm that been rising up boards all spring.

LHP

JD Thompson

6’0

185

R/L

Vanderbilt

–

JD Thompson is yet another name in a deep and diverse array of college left-handed pitchers in the 2025 class. In terms of frame, it’s more compact. Thompson stands at 6’0, 185 pounds with good strength and power in his lower half.

While Thompson doesn’t have a high octane fastball, it’s a whiff monster thanks to 18 inches of carry from a lower arm slot. The pitch typically sits in the 91-93 mph range, though he can crank it up to 95 mph. He commands to the pitch too, helping it be relatively dominant for the level.

His best secondary is his slider. It sits in the 78-81 mph range with good horizontal movement and ties up left-handed hitters frequently. There’s also a curveball and changeup in the mix, too. The changeup, in particular, has flashed above average with some fade and tumble. All of this comes from a delivery that is relatively smooth and repeatable.

Thompson has consistently posted in 2025. Through 66 IP, he has a 3.53 FIP striking out 31.5% of hitters and walking 7.5% against some of the strongest competition in the country. He’s set himself up as a day one name in July.

SS/OF

Quentin Young

6’5

215

R/R

Oaks Christian HS, CA

–

At 6’5, 215, Quentin Young (nephew of Delmon and Dmitri) is a physical monster with a ton of projection in a super athletic frame. A right-handed hitter, there’s a ton of raw power here, combined with some swing and miss concerns, particularly against off-speed stuff. It’s a violent swing and aggressive approach at the plate that could be reigned in to get to a little more refinement with his swing decisions and control of at-bats. He’s easily got a plus arm, and with infield and outfield experience that’s likely a 3B/RF profile in time.

How the hit tool develops and the pitch recognition, in particular, will likely govern Young’s ceiling. He’s committed to LSU which may be a tough connection to break, depending on where he’s taken.

Ryan Mitchell

6’0

180

L/R

Houston HS, TN

–

Mitchell is yet another well rounded prep shortstop in a class loaded with them. A left-handed hitter out of Tennessee, it’s a good frame ideally suited to the position with the possibility of adding a bit more strength. At the plate, Mitchell sets up with a high hand set. It’s a quick, direct swing underpinning an offensive profile that is a solid hit/power combo, with strong bat-to-ball skills the current carrying skill. There’s good awareness of the strike zone, to boot.

It’s average foot speed for Mitchell but he moves well, with good lateral quickness, a smooth glove, and an above average arm giving him a good shot to stick at the position in the medium to long term. This is another strong prep shortstop profile.

Kyle Lodise

6’0

180

R/R

Georgia Tech

–

Kyle Lodise, cousin of Alex, transferred to Georgia Tech from DII Augusta prior to the 2025 season as has crushed so far for the Yellowjackets. Kyle is a right-handed hitter whose showed a surprising amount of impact at the plate, swatting 14 home runs in his first 39 games of 2025. It’s a good approach at the plate too, Lodise is walking 13% of the time and striking out 17% of the time. It’s ultimastely like to be an above average hit tool and below average power.

Kyle has above average speed too, and enough glove to stick at shortstop, at least in the short to medium term. He’s vaulted himself into top 50 consideration with a great 2025 season.

Brock Sell

6’1

185

L/R

Tokay HS, CA

–

Sell is a good athlete and one of the best prospects out of northern California in this class. Any drafting team will also have to contend with a commitment to Stanford, which can be tough to break.

Sell is a 6’1 outfielder with a strong track record against good high school competition. Hitting from the left side of the plate, his offensive skill set is currently headlined by excellent bat to ball skills from a quiet, simple swing. He layered on more power and showed an ability to drive the ball in the air with more consistency last summer, and in time, he may get to fringe average power.

Sell also has plus speed which is a weapon on the base paths or defensively in the outfield. He has experience playing the infield too, so defensive versatility is another box to check for him. Given the plus speed and solid average arm, centerfield seems a likely defensive long term home, if a team can sign him away from Stanford.

Lucas Franco

6’3

185

L/R

Cinco Ranch HS, TX

–

Franco is yet another day one caliber prep shortstop prospect. A left-handed hitter out of Texas with a lean, 6’3 frame, there’s plenty to like in his profile. He’s been on the map for a while as a prospect.

Defensively, he has a good chance to stick at shortstop at the next level. While he has only average foot speed, he moves well laterally, with a quick first step, good footwork and an above average arm.

At the plate it’s a good approach from a simple left-handed swing. It’s good bat-to-ball skills and what might eventually constitute average in game power. Put all this together and you have a profile that looks solid average across the board, without having one slam dunk tool.

Henry Godbout

6’1

190

R/R

Virginia

–

Godbout is an infield prospect whose draft stock has fallen some in 2025 after a disappointing season at the plate. Godbout entered the season with an in-zone contact rate in the 90s, but, much like the majority of the Virginia lineup, struggled mightily out of the gate. He’s been an average hitter by wRC+ (98 compared to 138 in 2024) as we near the end of April.

It’s an offensive profile carried by a plus hit tool. It’s a simple setup and quick hands in the box, with limited raw or usable in gamee power. He’s a second baseman long term, with a solid enough glove, but no outstanding range or athleticism to speak of. There’s average speed and an average arm there too.

1B/OF

Henry Ford

6’5

220

R/R

Virginia

–

Henry Ford is a large human, standing 6’5. The Virginia first baseman is going to get some run in the outfield in the 2025 season, which could boost his draft stock some. Ford posted a 1.006 OPS with 17 home runs in his first season at Virginia.

There’s potential for an above average power/hit combo here. Ford’s 2024 max exit velocity was north of 112 mph and he has ample power, particularly to the pull side. He’s an aggressive hitter, who chases to much out of zone. That, combined with a stiff swing, make me a little wary of his profile, orange flags that a strong 2025 season can allay.

Nolan Schubart

6’5

225

L/R

Oklahoma State

–

Schubart was BIG 12 freshman of the year in 2023 and has an offensive profile that relies on enormous raw power. It’s top of the scale power, with a max exit velocity north of 116 mph in 2024 to underpin a 23 home run season and an .858 SLG (yes, you read that correctly). Schubart also has a discerning eye at the plate, rarely expanding the zone and ameliorating some of the concerns with the swing and miss in his profile.

Outside of the power, there’s few other tools in this profile. There’s also a ton of swing and miss. Schubart posted an overall contact rate in the 60s in 2024 and an in-zone rate in the 70s, both concerning. Additionally, it’s slow foot speed and a corner outfield profile at best (but more likely first base) defensively. If Schubart can navigate some of the contact concerns in 2025, we could be having a different conversation in July, but this is a high-variance, power reliant corner profile for me that’s more of a round 2 consideration.

Dean Moss

6’0

190

L/R

IMG Academy

–

Moss will be 19 on draft day, and keeps showing up on boards a little lower than I expect to find him based on the strength of his offensive profile. The LSU commit is currently at IMG Academy in Florida. He’s an outfielder with a strong, athletic frame that may be close to maxed out.

There’s plenty to like about the offensive tools, though. I really like the swing here. It’s a combination of a good hit tool, strong strike zone awareness and an ability to drive the ball exceptionally well, with some of the best bat speed in the class for a prep hitter. The supplementary tools are solid too. Moss has average speed, a solid arm and a good glove. My bet is he’ll at least start his pro career in centerfield if a team can keep him away from Baton Rouge.

RHP

JB Middleton

6’0

180

R/R

Southern Miss

–

Middleton is an undersized right-handed pitcher out of Southern Miss who was largely used as a reliever in his first two seasons before transitioning to a full time starter in 2025, with outstanding results.

It’s a fastball that will sit 93-95 mph but can be cranked up to 97 mph with solid ride at the top of the zone. Middleton also has a complimentary gyro type slider that he throws hard in the high 80s which generates plenty of whiffs. Finally there’s a changeup, a pitch that exclusively deployed against lefties and is possibly a little too firm given his fastball velo.

While Middleton isn’t facing the stiffest competition in the country, he’s posted consistently throughout 2025. It’s a K% approaching 30% and a walk rate of around 6% with a 2.77 FIP in early May. His ceiling will be dictated by how much a team feels like they can tweak the arsenal and continue to add velo.

RHP

Matt Scott

6’7

245

R/R

Stanford

–

Scott is a fascinating prospect because the stuff and performance have never quite lined up how you might expect. It’s an elite frame at 6’7, 245. He looks the part of a starting pitcher who can handle a formidable workload. His arsenal is headlined by an excellent fastball with elite carry. Scott doesn’t necessarily always get the best results with it because his command of the pitch can be spotty. There’s a split change too in addition to a hard bullet slider he throws in the upper 80s which a number of pro teams will love. It’s a solid arsenal of pitches all of which are, at worst, above average, with more in the tank.

He repeats his delivery well for someone his size but the strike throwing has been spotty. In 2025, he’s striking out less batters, although he has cut his walk rate. The stuff and frame are there for a good big league starter, but both control and command will have to improve if he’s to have pro success.

Korbyn Dickerson

6’0

205

R/R

Indiana

–

There’s no 2025 eligible bat who has done more for themselves through the first third of the season than Korbyn Dickerson. The Louisville transfer (and Twins 2022 draftee) has been cooking in 2025. He’s running a 110 mph EV90 with a 117 Max EV that’s near the top of the scale in college. Everything he hits is hard contact. While there’s some refinement to be had in the hit tool, he’s putting up above average bat-to-ball metrics while playing strong centerfield defense. He’s vaulted himself into first round consideration if he maintains his hot start.

2B/OF

RJ Austin

5’11

195

R/R

Vanderbilt

–

Austin is a name who appeared in the 30-50 range on most boards early in the draft cycle who has continued to slip due to poor performance in the SEC. He’s undersized but a terrific athlete with a ton of defensive versatility, having played anywhere from second base to center field for the Commodores. He’s a plus runner too and a consistent threat on the bases, having swiped 48 and counting in his last two seasons at an 84% clip.

Coming into the season, many evaluators were grading his hit tool as average. Now it looks less solid. There’s a ton going on with the swing and Austin has posted a 78 wRC+ through early May as SEC play winds down. That’s going to take him from T40 range to T100 range when it’s all said and done unless there’s a late surge.

RHP

Chase Shores

6’8

250

R/R

LSU

–

Chase Shores is a right-handed pitcher out of LSU who stands out in a crowd. He’s 6’8, 250 pounds and is an imposing figure on the mound. Shores throws from a low three-quarter slot that help his arm-side run heavy fastball play up even more. It sits in the 94-97 mph range, but he has been over 100 mph previously. Shores throws a slider with some depth and has a changeup too. It’s really a sinker, slider heavy profile with the changeup as a distinctive third offering.

The strikes can come and go with Shores too, it’s a BB% north of 11% on the 2025 season so far. You can see him developing into a monster with the right organization. The combination of frame, arm talent, and delivery deception make him a fascinating project for a team strong in pitching development.

Dax Kilby

6’3

190

L/R

Newnan HS, GA

–

Kilby is a well rounded prep shortstop who has consistently raised his stock with strong performances on the showcase circuit.

He sets up in an open stance and drift/kicks into a more closed one as he swings. It’s a pretty compact stroke from the left side of the plate that shows good ability to manipulate the barrel of the bat. It’s hit over power currently, with Kilby generating strong bat-to-ball metrics to back up a good approach at the plate with strong swing decisions.

Defensively, he might move off shortstop in time but he should stick somewhere in the dirt. It’s above average speed too. He’s a Clemson commit who is forcing his way into the (newly expanded) day one conversation.

Alec Blair

6’6

190

L/L

De La Salle HS, CA

–

Blair is a premium two sport athlete (baseball and basketball) whose profile is all about tools and projection. A physical frame at 6’6, there’s tons of room at add more strength as he’s currently 190. Blair is a little bit raw but there’s already above average power, likely with more to come. He runs very well for an athlete his size and an above average to plus arm will give him a shot in centerfield. At worst, defensively, he projects to be a strong right fielder.

There’s some refinement needed here. It’s a long swing with some swing and miss currently but there’s no doubting the supreme athletic potential. Blair is committed to Oklahoma for BOTH baseball and basketball and might be a tough sign away if he wants to continue playing both at a high level.

LHP

Joseph Dzierwa

6’7

180

R/L

Michigan State

–

Six foot eight left-handed starters don’t grow in trees. There’s an intriguing crop of lefties on both the college and prep sides in 2025. Joseph Dzierwa is a lesser known name who has done himself a world of good in the first third of the season. He’s mostly a two-pitch guy currently. His fastball has seen an uptick in velocity and his changeup is an absolute weapon. His slider is barely usable and needs a makeover if he’s to remain a starter in pro ball. Dzierwa has almost doubled his K-BB% from 2024 to 2025 while pounding the strike zone. He’s a fascinating ball of clay for a pitching savvy organization.

Brayden Jaksa

6’6

205

R/R

Irvington HS, CA

–

Jaksa is a right-handed hitting, prep catching prospect out of Northern California with plenty of interesting tools. The Oregon commit has a large frame at 6’5, 205 pounds. That’s of course, on the large side for a catcher in a demographic that’s notoriously hard to project.

It’s a low effort, smooth swing. Jaksa is already getting to above average power in game. There’s potential in the hit tool, too. Jaksa has a good approach and strong bat to ball skills, especially for such a tall player with whom you might imagine some holes in his swing. It’s an above average arm too. There’s plenty to polish in the overall catching skill set, but there’s also enough to like offensively that make him a potentially valuable pick if he can’t stick behind the dish long term.

LHP

Johnny Slawinski

6’3

185

L/L

Johnson City HS, TX

–

Slawinski is a 6’3, 195 pound southpaw currently committed to Texas A&M. He’s another up arrow arm this spring. It’s a little bit of a drift and drive action after his windup. Slawinski gets down the mound well and has some deception in his delivery from a bit of crossfire in his stride and his ability to hide the ball well. He doesn’t yet have overpowering velocity. His fastball will sit in the 90-93 mph range and has touched 94 mph. He consistently throws strikes with the pitch. There’s also a low 80s changeup with good fade and ideal velocity separation from his fastball. His breaking ball is a bit of a work in progress. It’s a slurvy pitch in the upper 70s that he may need to manipulate the shape of and will need to add more firmness to over time. Slawinski is an excellent mover on the mound with a fast arm. It’s easy to see the stuff taking a pretty significant step forwards. He’s a top one hundred type name in the class.

Kane Kepley

5’8

180

L/L

North Carolina

–

Kane Kepley is a diminutive, left-handed hitting outfielder who transferred to North Carolina after two excellent seasons at Liberty. Listed at 5’8, 180, Kepley is small but has plenty of assets. It’s plus speed and plus defense in center field. Those tools in and of themselves, give him plenty of value. He’s a threat on the base paths too, he’s stolen 58 bases and counting in his last two seasons at a 91% clip.

The offensive tool set is more limited. It’s a great approach, Kepley has almost maintained his outstanding walk rate in the step up to ACC play. He’s walking over 15% of the time this season. He rarely strikes out wither, with a K% under 10% this season. There’s almost no power to speak of (30 grade), but the speed, contact ability, and defense bring plenty of value to a table setting type of hitter.

LHP

Jared Spencer

6’3

195

L/L

Texas

–

Spencer is an Indiana State transfer who is a 2025 senior. Although he’ll be 22 on draft day, he’s caught plenty of attention this season with some tweaks to his arsenal and his stuff taking a step forward for the Longhorns.

It’s a good frame for a starter although there’s a lot of effort in the delivery for me. His fastball will sit in the mid-90s, although he’s run it up to 97-98 mph in shorter stints or when he’s revved up. There’s a firm, upper 80s bullet slider that plenty of teams will value, in addition to a changeup he added this spring. He’s performed consistently in the SEC which will help offset some of the relief risk in his profile. Spencer has done himself plenty of good so far in 2025.

RHP

Gage Wood

6’0

210

R/R

Arkansas

Wood is a right-handed starting pitching prospect out of Arkansas with an undersized frame who has transitioned from hard throwing reliever to starter in 2025.

Wood’s arsenal consists of a fastball that sits in the 94-96 mph range. It’s complimented by a pair of breakers, a curveball with plenty of drop and a solid average slider. There’s also a changeup there to make up a four pitch mix.

Wood’s surface numbers don’t look great in 2025 in a limited sample, but what’s under the hood looks better. It’s a 5.51 ERA in mid May (3.63 FIP) with a 43.5 K% and a 5.8 BB%. That’s really strong production in a loaded SEC. He’s vaulted himself into the top 100 in this class.

Nick Dumensil

6’2

205

R/R

Cal Baptist

DOWN

Dumensil had an explosive 2024 for Cal Baptist, putting up a 1.142 OPS whilst swatting 19 home runs (41 extra base hits), walking 20 times, and striking out 35 times in 61 games. He carried this incandescent season into the Cape, where he put up an .866 OPS in 36 games. Dumensil is a tremendous athlete. It’s serious bat speed from the right side with a simple swing that underpins a propensity to drive the ball to all fields.

Dumensil has quality bat-to-ball skills, posting a contact rate north of 90%. While it’s not top of the scale power, his 106 mph EV90 provides plenty of impact. The biggest orange flag with Dumensil is his swing decisions. His swing rate is north of 50% and his chase rate north of 30th, both astronomically high. He’ll need to reign in the aggressive approach some to thrive in pro ball, but the athleticism, bat-to-ball skills, and contact quality is in place

Coy James

6’0

190

R/R

Davie County HS, NC

–

James is a prep shortstop prospect out of North Carolina, committed to Ole Miss, who has had some uneven performances last summer after bursting onto the scene in a big way as an underclassman.

It’s a stocky, powerful frame and a right-handed swing that helps James produce good bat to ball skills and adjustability with the barrel. It’s potentially an 55/50 hit/power combination when it’s all said and done. While James could stick at shortstop long term, it’s more likely a second base defensive profile

SS/RHP

Mason Pike

6’0

190

S/R

Puyallup HS, WA

–

Pike is a two-way prep player from Puyallup HS in WA, a program that has had several previous draftees. As a hitter, he works from both sides of the plate, with above average raw power and a hit tool that has some questions attached. It’s an approach in the batters box that could use some refinement in terms of swing decisions. Defensively, Pike has played at shortstop or in the outfield. A plus arm will play in both. Despite not having outstanding foot speed, he’s a good mover and has a chance to stick at short in the medium term if an org drafts him as a position player.

On the mound, it’s a fastball that has been up to 97 mph but usually sits a few ticks lower. He has a solid slider to pair with it and some feel for a changeup with strike throwing that can come and go, at times. Pike is committed to Oregon State.

Trent Caraway

6’2

205

R/R

Oregon State

–

Caraway is a physical, right-handed hitting third baseman hailing from the same high school as former number one pick Royce Lewis. One of the better 2023 prep prospects to make it to campus, Caraway was off to a hot start in 2024 before a broken finger cut short his season. Now eligible as a sophomore, Caraway is an intriguing prospect with hit/power potential.

Caraway posted a .947 OPS in his freshman season and cleared 110 mph exit velocities. There’s some swing and miss in the profile, particularly against spin, but he’s shown bat-to-ball improvement in the last year that are encouraging signs for him to get to an average hit tool.

Defensively, he has a big arm. Despite being slow-footed he should be able to stick to third base as a pro. We’re still working with too small a sample size in college baseball for Caraway, but this could be an average hit, above average power corner infield profile.

Tre Phelps

6’2

200

R/R

Georgia

–

Phelps was a touted player in high school who made it to campus at Georgia and had an excellent freshman season in Athens, hitting .353/.441/.699 (1.140) with 12 home runs (33 extra base hits). He’s one of not many college prospects in the class who has the chance for above average hit and power. He maintained a ~90% in zone contact rate in 2024 (~80% overall). The quality of contact is good too. Phelps posted a max EV north of 112 mph in his freshman season. He is an aggressive hitter, though, who swings frequently and posted a 2024 chase rate approaching 28%. It’s likely a corner outfield spot long term with an average arm and fringy speed. If the bat can continue to advance, he’ll still provide plenty of value there.

Cooper Flemming

6’3

195

L/R

Aliso Niguel HS, CA

–

Cooper Flemming is a left-handed hitting shortstop prospect out of California currently committed to Vanderbilt. It’s a good frame at 6’3, 195 with solid athleticism. At the plate, it’s a hit over power profile for now. It’s a simple swing with good adjustability that showcases the ability to drive the ball the other way in addition to some pull side power.
Defensively, it’s good hands with an above average arm and a good internal clock. Flemming doesn’t have the best range or lateral quickness though, so a move to another position on the first might make sense in time.

RHP

Cam Leiter

6’5

205

R/R

Florida State

–

Cam Leiter (nephew of Al and Mark) has one of the best combinations of stuff and size in the entire 2025 class, with one major caveat; he hasn’t thrown a pitch in 2025 at the time of writing (mid May) due to injury.

Leiter began his career at Central Florida before transferring to Florida State ahead of the 2025 season. In limited innings he showed dominant stuff, in addition to some major warts. He struck out 35% of the batters he faced but also walked close to 14%. It’s a huge fastball that’s been up to 99 mph with good ride. His power slider is a plus pitch too, with a ton of downward tilt that generates silly whiffs. There’s a curveball he can land well for strikes and a changeup that lags behind the rest of his arsenal.

If Leiter can return prior to the end of the season it could do wonders for his draft stock. Teams will want to see a return to the type of stuff he showcased in 2024. If he can return and throw strikes at a good clip, it could boost his stock. It’s some of the best arm talent in the class in a high risk, high reward type profile.

RHP

Nate Snead

6’2

195

R/R

Tennessee

–

Nate Snead is a right-handed pitcher, originally from Wisconsin, now at the University of Tennessee via Wichita State. In 2025, he made the transition from full time reliever to starter, with solid results.

Snead’s arsenal is diverse. He has five pitches he can deploy. It’s headlined by an explosive fastball that has been as high as 101 mph but will typically sit 95-97 mph. There’s a low 90s cutter, an above average slider, average curveball, and below average changeup.

The diversity of Snead’s arsenal and the stuff don’t match up with some of his outcomes. He struggles to strike batters out (17.8 K% through mid-May) and although he throws plenty of strikes, he gives up hard contact on several of his pitches. Still, it’s a 3.95 FIP at the time of writing. Any drafting organization will need to do some work with sequencing and/or pitch shapes to get the most out of the considerable arm talent.

RHP

Anthony Eyanson

6’2

200

R/R

LSU

Eyanson has checked so many boxes as a starter; solid track record at UCSD, a good performance for the US Collegiate National Team, a solid stint on the Cape. All that before shoving for LSU in what will be his lone season in the SEC prior to being drafted.

Eyanson has a good frame at 6’2, 200 and an easy, repeatable delivery. It’s a fastball that sits in the 93-96 mph range typically with good riding life at the top of the zone. His slider has become a plus pitch. It sits in the low to mid 80s with a ton of drop and generates plenty of miss both in and out of the zone. There’s a curveball with good depth too, and a changeup, which is more of a developmental pitch. All of this underpinned by really solid strike throwing.

As the SEC tournament is set to kick off, Eyanson has started 14 games with a 2.01 FIP, a 36.1 K%, and a 9.0 BB%. That’s mighty impressive production that has catapulted him into the top 100 consensus players. I wound’t be surprised if he climbed even higher down the stretch of this cycle.

LHP

Cade Obermueller

5’11

175

L/L

Iowa

–

Obermueller was eligible (and drafted) as a sophomore in 2024 (Rangers, 19th round) but elected to return to school after a disappointing 2024 season for Iowa. That looks to have been an excellent decision for his draft prospects.

He’s an undersized left-handed starter who thrives by throwing from a low slot and creating challenging angles for hitters. The fastball has a wide velo range, sitting 91-94 mph, but he has cranked it all the way up to 98 mph. His slider is a plus pitch, it’s a ton of horizontal break and it’s death to both lefties and righties. Finally, there’s a seldomly used changeup in the mix too.

Obermueller has had a much improved 2025 season. A 3.06 FIP is paired with a 32.5 K% and manageable 9.4 BB%. This is a unique set of traits for an organization to mould.

RHP

James Ellwanger

6’5

205

R/R

Dallas Baptist

Ellwanger was a notable prospect prior to the 2023 draft and slipped due to signability challenges. He was taken by the Nats in the 19th round and is their type of prep power arm. It’s an intriguing combination of size, stuff, and refinement needed, particularly on the secondary pitches and with his control.

Ellwanger stands 6’5, 205, it’s a lean frame with more strength to add. Even so, he can run his fastball up into the high 90s with good ride and armside run. There’s a good curveball present too, an above average pitch, with a slider and changeup that haven’t proven to be as effective yet. Strike throwing has also been a challenge for Ellwanger, at times. Despite too many free passes (13.9% as conference toruney play gets underway), he’s performed solidly in 2025. It’s a 3.29 FIP and 31.8 K%. You’ll need a drafting organization who knows what they’re doing with pitchers, but the arm talent is considerable.

RHP

Gabe Davis

6’9

235

R/R

Oklahoma State

Davis is a three year starter at Oklahoma State. It’s a unique frame. Davis stands at 6’9, 235 pounds. The ball is coming from a steep angle. In terms of arsenal, it’s three pitches, but only two of them are usable currently. His fastball will sit in the 94-96 mph range, but Davis has run it up to 100 mph previously. There’s a tight slider he throws in the 88-92 mph range. While Davis has a changeup, that’s not much of a usable pitch currently.

There are also strike throwing issues here. Davis is striking out ~23% of hitters as conference tourney play opens. That’s not as high as you might expect to see for a pitcher with such impressive velocity. Davis is walking 11.3% of hitters. That will need to improve significantly if he’s to make an impact as a pro.

There’s a ton of reliever risk here between the arsenal and the strike throwing, but someone will take a chance on the size and velo somewhere in the first five rounds.

Max Williams

6’2

195

L/L

Florida State

–

Williams is a left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder who has played at Florida State for the past two season after beginning his collegiate career at Alabama.

Although not a huge frame, there’s plenty of strength and bat speed in Williams’ offensive game. He sets up in a low crouch at the plate, with an extremely wide base and can get caught off balance at times.

He has other assets too. It’s above average wheels and a solid average arm that lends themselves well to a corner outfield spot as a pro given his above average power.

He’s improved his approach in 2025 and cut his K% by around 7% to 13.6% at the time of writing. A 120 wRC+ and 17 home runs and counting at the time of writing in the ACC is solid production. He’s likely a top 100 player if he has a strong end to the season.

LHP

Ben Jacobs

6’0

200

L/L

Arizona State

–

Ben Jacobs is another left-handed college starter in a class loaded with them. He started his collegiate career at UCLA (he’s a native of SoCal) before transferring to Arizona State ahead of the 2024 season.

When Jacobs is on, he looks the part. It’s a good fastball that sits in the 92-94 mph range with good life at the top of the strike zone. He can crank that pitch up to 95-97 mph, but won’t usually sit there in games. There’s a pair of breakers, an above average slider and a curveball, both of which could be firmed up as he transitions into pro ball (both have generated whiffs). There’s also a changeup that sits in the low 80s and has good horizontal action.

There have been some strike throwing inconsistencies for Jacobs, in 2024, it was a 12.4 BB% and it looks like a similar mark in 2025. There’s a smooth, repeatable delivery here, though, and a K% north of 30% in 2024 and 2025 should excite drafting orgs. It’s likely a back end starting pitching profile here with plenty of room for growth with more consistent strike throwing and refinement of the secondary pitch shapes.

Gavin Turley

6’2

200

R/R

Oregon State

–

Turley has some of the better tools on the college side in this year’s class, with standing questions about how much he’ll hit as a pro.

A good athlete at 6’2, 200, Turley has prodigious power from the right side of the plate, underpinned by serious bat speed. He can use the whole field and is consistently able to drive the ball, following up a 19 home run season as a sophomore with 15 and counting in his junior season.

There are some questions around the hit tool with Turley. He chases and leaves the zone too much, and there’s some work to do on pitch recognition, particularly against spin and breaking stuff. He’s cut his strikeout rate in 2025 (27.3% to 21.7% at the time of writing). Even so, there’s some swing and miss in this profile. Turley does have a good approach and takes his walks, with a BB% north of 16% in both of his past two seasons. A plus arm and above average speed give him other tools to produce value, too. If a drafting org can iron out the hit tool challenges, he could be a real problem as a pro hitter.

RHP

River Hamilton

6’3

200

R/R

Barlow HS, OR

–

Another draft cycle, another projectable arm from the pacific northwest with a ton of projection. Hamilton is a right-handed pitcher who flipped his college commitment from Oregon State to LSU.

It’s a great frame a 6’3, 200 pounds with plenty of room for more strength and size to be added. Hamilton has a low effort delivery with a loose arm action. His fastball has been up to 95 mph and one would think there’s plenty more in the tank here. There’s an above average slider and an average changeup in this profile too.

Hamilton checks tons of boxes for starter traits: good frame, projection, present stuff. His ability to throw this spring has been somewhat limited by injury so it might be tough to break his commitment to LSU

LHP

Uli Fernsler

6’4

205

L/L

Novi HS, MI

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Fernsler is one of the most polished prep pitchers in the entire draft class. A Michigan prep lefty with a strong, projectable frame, Fernsler stands 6’4, 205 pounds. There’s a ton to like in the profile and he’s been one of the sharpest risers on the prep pitching side this cycle. The fastball isn’t overpowering yet. It sits 89-91 mph and gets up to 93 mph but has good carry at the top of the zone and comes from a pretty flat angle. You can see him adding more to it, too.

There’s also an above average changeup too. It has good sink and fade and sits in the low 80s. Finally, there’s a sweepy slider that isn’t yet as consistent as the rest of his arsenal. Fernsler will be 17 on draft day. There’s polish and projection here, even if the present stuff isn’t overpowering.

Brock Ketelsen

6’4

200

L/L

Valley Christian HS, CA

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Ketelsen is a two-way prep player out of California with a ton of projection in what liiks like it will be a big league type frame. He’s 6’4, 200 pounds and currently committed to Stanford. On the mound it’s a loose, repetable delivery with a fastball that sits in thr 88-93 mph range, a curveball in the high 70s and feel for a solid changeup, with pretty consistent strike throwing for a prospect who hasn’t spent that much time pitching.

In the field, there’s tools to like. He’s an above average runner with a plus arm, the type of athletic profile that has a good chance to stick in centerfield defensively. Offensively, it’s a profile headlined primarily by a solid approach, good plate discipline and good bat-to-ball skills. One could see more power coming down the line with added size and strength. Signing Ketelsen away from his Stanford committment might be the most challenging aspect of an appealing atheltci profile.

RHP

Tanner Franklin

6’5

230

R/R

Tennessee

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File Franklin’s name under the ‘most improved’ category in 2025 after transferring from Kennesaw State to Tennessee and ironing out some of the extreme effort in his delivery.
It’s a premium pitchers frame at 6’5, 230 pounds. His fastball will sit in the mid-90s but has been as 102 mph with big riding life at the top of the zone. Franklin also offers a freakish cutter, a pitch he throws 90-92 mph, one of the hardest in college baseball and one that will appeal to pro teams. There’s a slider here too, but the fastball/cutter combination are his two best pitches currently.

Franklin has struck out north of 30% of hitters in both 2024 and 2025, the real development has been the control. In his two years at Kennesaw State, he walked over 20% of hitters. As conference tournament play opens, that mark is just 5% in 2025, a truly remarkable improvement. There’s still work to do on command and reliever risk in this profile, but if Franklin can continue to develop his arsenal, he has a chance to be a monster arm.

100

3B/OF

Boston Kellner

6’0

200

R/R

Hamilton HS, AZ

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Kellner is a hybrid third baseman/outfielder with a track record of impressive thump at the plate. It’s a good swing, short and direct to the ball. There’s significant pull side power here, although it doesn’t always show up in games just yet. Kellner has strong bat-to-ball skills too, underpinned by the simplicity of his swing. He’s an above average runner with solid arm. He’s shown solid defense at third base, but it’s a profile that could lend itself to defensive versatility given his solid all around tools.

Chicago Cubs 2025 MLB Mock Draft

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