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Top 30 Prospects for 2025 MLB Draft

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Jace LaViolette is one of a few players involved in the early conversation to go #1 overall in the 2025 MLB Draft.

As the high school and collegiate baseball season rapidly approaches, even as snow is falling throughout a lot of the South, let’s take an early look at the top 30 early-season prospects for the 2025 MLB Draft. The draft was recently changed to a two-day event starting July 13. That is still several months away, but over the course of the next two weeks, teams will be compiling lists similar to this, ranking players in a preseason order to prepare themselves for the travel schedule and where to prioritize looks.

This draft promises to be an interesting one with no clear cut favorite to go #1 to the Washington Nationals at the start of the year, but there is a nice mix of high-end and notable high school players, such as Jackson Holliday‘s younger brother Ethan Holliday (OK) and College World Series star Jace LaViolette of Texas AM.

This list will change over time as certain players rise and fall, but these are the main names connected to the 2025 MLB Draft heading into the scouting season.

Tier 1 of Early Favorites to Go #1 Overall in the 2025 MLB Draft

1.  Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M

The early favorite to go 1-1 in the 2025 MLB Draft. Checks a lot of boxes that teams in the new model of the draft covet. Good athlete, even with his 6’6″ frame, looks to be at least an average defender in right field, and shows power to profile as someone who may hit in the middle of the lineup one day. There are some swing-and-miss questions on pitches in the zone, but he has shown an ability to walk, and he offers an elite power tool in the bat.

2. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State 

Starter potential with a solid track record of success in college, was third in strikeouts last year in the country behind two 1st rounders in 2024 (Chase Burns/Hagen Smith). Works with a fastball in the mid-90s and can occasionally reach back for more, mixes with a slider that flashes above average at times and a workable changeup. Has the mentality on the mound to move quickly and the strike-throwing ability to have success quickly in pro ball.

3. Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater (Okla.) HS 

The first prep player on the list, and arguably most famous as the brother of one of the top young players in MLB. He is a different player than Jackson, as he is bigger (6’4″ and 220 pounds compared to 6′, 185 for Jackson). Their name isn’t the only similarity, as Ethan also possesses strong exit velo numbers with promising power in the bat. The questions with him are with the bat and what position he winds up playing. When I saw him at Team USA he primarily worked at 3B/1B and he doesn’t appear to have the athleticism to stay up the middle. While he did not have a great summer, similar to Jackson in his draft year, the tools and the pedigree keep him at the top of this list.

4. Cam Cannarella, OF, Clemson

Premium athlete with the ability to stick in center field long term and projects to be a plus CF.  Excellent at the plate as well with an outstanding contact rate (91%) and a solid swing and miss rate. He’s the type of profile that will likely see him climb his way into first-pick consideration with a similar skill set to former Nationals first-rounder (2023 #2 pick) Dylan Crews.

2025 MLB Draft: Tier 2

5.  Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara 

The second college starter has one of the more elite pitches in college baseball in his changeup. But, does not have quite the success and track record as a starter as Arnold. Flashes a plus fastball and slider to go along with his change. He has swing-and-miss stuff that teams covet and could see himself climb into top-3 territory with a strong 2025 season.

6. Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina

This is a little about position, as catchers always climb up the board, but Luke offers a similar power tool as LaViolette with the ability to stay behind the dish. A draft-eligible sophomore, he hit in the middle of one of the best offenses in the country as a freshman.

7.  Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS, Temecula, Calif. 

Arguably the best pure prep hitter on the circuit last year, shined with Team USA and showed ability to hit at all times. There is promising power in the bat as well. He’s athletic but unlikely to stick at SS long term and appears to have the tools to play 3B. Teams that covet a high contact rate will seek him out, and a strong spring could propel him higher than this.

8.  Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS 

A two-way guy coming into this spring, as someone who also offers plus raw power with the bat, but he is a higher-ceiling pitching prospect because of the projection to his frame as a starter with a fastball that can get into the upper 90s mixed with a hard breaking ball that has swing and miss potential.

9.  Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona

Solid contact rate with the chance to stick in CF. There is not current big power in the swing but he has shown a feel to hit with speed that translates to the field.

2025 MLB Draft: Tier 3

10.  Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS, San Antonio 

Smaller stature guy, but that hasn’t scared teams away in the past who show Kayson’s ability to stick up the middle on the dirt long term. Has an excellent defensive profile with quick feet and solid glove work. There is a quality hit tool here as well, albeit with light power, but players who have a chance to play SS don’t last long on the board.

11.  Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon (Wash.) HS 

Big tools from a longer, rangier athletic look. Possesses high-end power in the bat, but his swing can be a bit long at times, which caused him to struggle to get to some contact this summer. But the power is real and he has the tools to be an elite defender at third.

12.  Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, Fort Cobb, Okla. 

The second player on this list with big league lineage, as he’s the son of former big leaguer Reggie Willits. One of the youngest prospects in the draft, just recently turning 17, displays high-end athleticism with a chance to profile as an infielder with a chance to stay at SS long term. The bat showed promise this summer, and a strong spring can help improve his stock as well.

13. Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest 

The best defensive shortstop in the college ranks, and maybe in the draft, has excellent range and instincts at SS with the ability and arm to throw off-platform and from deep in the hole. The bat is a bit light but he has displayed a solid contact rate. He has a frame to add some size and strength to possibly tap into more power.

14. Max Belyeu, OF, Texas 

An elite hitter with some power in the bat. The type of player whose stock can jump into the top 10 with another productive year and flashes of more power.

15. Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana 

There is big power in the bat, but he had a bit more swing and miss in the Cape than he did at Indiana. The bat is likely average, but the chance for plus power in the bat is real and this is where college performers go.

16. Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sunset HS, Beaverton, Ore.

Another two-way who will likely be more coveted as an arm. The 6’8″ prep product generates a fastball that has been up to 97 with a promising low 80s slider. There is big power in his bat as well, but needs to show the ability to hit consistently this spring to be a first-round bat.

17.  Aiva Arquette, 2B, Oregon State 

Big body frame who has shown an ability to play multiple infield positions. There is solid power and bat-to-ball skills here. The Washington transfer shows a lot of promise if he can continue to hit and show more power.

18. Billy Carlson, SS/RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS 

Though Carlson flashes a mid-90s fastball and a plus curveball, he’s more attractive as a shortstop who could wind up with five solid-or-better tools.

19.  Dean Curley, SS, Tennessee

Had an outstanding freshman campaign with a big College World Series, helping his team win the National Championship. He has a bigger shortstop profile similar to Troy Tulowitzki with pop in the bat and feel to hit. The type of player who climbs in the draft with another productive season.

20. Ike Irish, C, Auburn 

There are some questions about his long-term prospects of sticking defensively behind the plate, but there are few questions about the bat. He could slide if teams think he is more of a contact-oriented 1B as opposed to a bat-first catcher.

21. Tre Phelps, OF/3B, Georgia 

Another sophomore-eligible college player with a limited track record, as he didn’t start from day one. With almost as many home runs (12) as strikeouts (15), there is promise with the bat and he has shown some positional versatility, playing some second base and outfield.

22. Brady Ebel, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS 

Ebel lacks prototypical tools but has excellent baseball lineage, with his father being the third base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the fact that he is the third player from the same high school on this list means he will be seen a lot this spring. Has a lean projectable frame but shows great baseball feel and instincts, without much of a carrying tool. But there is promise with the bat and projection to the body for power.

23.  Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest 

A transfer from Marist, has always hit, but needs to show the power in the bat, would should be easy in the friendly confines of Wake Forest, to stick in the first round. Produced well in the Cape, finishing second in hitting. However, profiles more as a corner outfielder despite leading the nation in triples in 2024.

24. Slater de Brun, OF, Summit HS, Bend, Ore. 

Probably higher than most but this kid’s energy and makeup on the field will be a favorite of scouts. Smaller but he is an 80 runner, and has the tools to stay in CF, with a below-average throwing arm. He knows who he is as a player, gets on base, and hits the ball the other way. But he is a real threat on the base paths.

25. Sean Gamble, SS/OF, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. 

Versatile player in the field, but questions remain about his long-term position. The bat has the potential to be average with average power. It’s a quality left-handed swing and if he shows continued power with the bat into the spring, he has a chance to be a first-rounder.

26.  Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma 

Working with a mid to upper-90s fastball and a power slider, he has the chance to move up boards with a strong spring. There is a lack of proven college starters in this draft, and that could help his stock.

27. Trent Caraway, 3B , Oregon State 

Has shown solid ability with the bat and his contact rate, but needs to show more power this spring to lock himself into the first round.

28. Gavin Kilen, 2B, Tennessee

Bat-first 2B with excellent feel to hit and the ability to use the whole field. Showed solid promise with some pop at Louisville, his previous school, and now more eyes will be on him paired up with his double play-mate in Curley.

29. Ethan Petry, 1B, South Carolina

Big-time power to profile at first, hitting 11 home runs in 125 plate appearances in the Cape. It’s a power-over-hit profile with some swing-and-miss concerns, but the elite raw power and success in the SEC legitimize him as a first-round prospect. He plays some right field for USC but his future is at first base.

30. Nolan Schubart, OF, Oklahoma St

Another power-first profile that teams are in search of, hitting 23 home runs last year. Like Petry, he is a power-over-bat profile as a corner OF, but it is elite power if he can continue to show a solid contact rate, one tool that teams seek out in the first round.

The 2025 MLB Draft is not until July, and teams at this point of the season are meeting and compiling their top 100 or so players, as the spring collegiate season is about a month away. This list will change as scouts start to compile looks, and is just an early season outlook on what may happen by the time of the draft in July. While there are some front runners at the top of the draft, there is no clear-cut favorite heading into the spring and a lot will change, including surprise players that take jumps up this list.

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