2025 MLB Draft: Top 10 Draft Board
An early look at the top prospects for next year’s draft.
With the end of the 2024 Major League Baseball season fast approaching, it is a good time to start preparing for the events on the baseball calendar next year, such as the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft. Over the past two seasons, I published analysis on top draft prospects such as Chase Burns, Hagen Smith, Walker Jenkins, Chase Dollander, and Trey Yesavage, and I am planning on expanding my draft coverage over the next year and going into greater detail in analyzing the top draft prospects in amateur baseball. The first installment of this series will be this post, the publication of my first draft board of the Top 10 prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft at the present moment. This board will be expanded and elaborated upon more as the upcoming season progresses, and the goal is to have a comprehensive and interactive draft board available come draft day next season. With that being said, onto the draft board!
Top 10 Board:
1. Jace LaViolette (OF - Texas A&M):
6’6”, 230 pounds
Bats L, Throws L
FV: 55
A physically imposing outfielder with significant power potential and a well-rounded skill set, Jace LaViolette projects to be one of the first prospects selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. His combination of size, power, and plate discipline makes him an intriguing prospect for the upcoming draft, and he could be a lock to be selected #1 if he can display that he can play center field at the professional level.
At the plate, LaViolette displays a simple yet effective stance, utilizing a simple load, stride, and fire operation that allows him to generate in-game power to all fields. Given his frame and the power he displayed over the course of his college career, LaViolette possesses plus-plus raw power and whether or not he is able to tap into it in-game at the next level will play a large role in determining his ceiling as a professional.
While LaViolette displays good plate discipline and swing decision ability which should allow him to draw walks and swing at ideal pitches, there is room for improvement in his overall contact ability. While LaViolette’s operation at the plate is ideal for driving pitches low in the zone for power, I question whether he will be able to consistently make contact on velocity at the top of the zone once he faces higher-quality pitching. Having access to his underlying zone-contact data would provide more clarity in analyzing this potential area of improvement, however, if LaViolette is able to lower his strikeout rate from the 24.3% strikeout rate he displayed last season, then it should provide signal that he has improved his contact ability and there will be more confidence that he will be able to tap into his power in-game.
While LaViolette has played center field in college, his size suggests that a move to a corner outfield spot is likely at the professional level. However, if he is able to maintain his defensive skills to stay in center field, it would boost his value given the added positional value of playing up the middle of the field.
Overall, Jace LaViolette profiles as a potential middle-of-the-order power bat with the upside of a top draft pick. His combination of plus power, advanced plate discipline, and physical presence make him one of the more intriguing offensive prospects in the class. His development in terms of contact ability and defensive value will be key factors in determining his ultimate ceiling and draft position.
2. Cam Cannarella (OF - Clemson):
6’0”, 170 pounds
Bats L, Throws R
FV: 55
A well-rounded outfielder with plus defensive ability and a strong hit tool, Cam Cannarella projects to be one of the top prospects selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. Cannarella’s ability to play two premium positions effectively, combined with his offensive potential, makes him one of the most attractive prospects for the upcoming draft.
At the plate, Cannarella’s hit tool grades as above-average, with his excellent zone contact contact rates (91% overall, 92% against fastballs in 2024) demonstrating his ability to put the bat on the ball consistently. Displaying a slightly open stance at the plate, Cannarella displays a slight twitch in his hand load which is worth monitoring to see if this causes issues making contact against pitches with high velocity in the future. While his ability to produce power in-game grades as below-average, there is potential for improvement in this area if he adjusts his approach to pull more fly balls, raising his overall offensive ceiling.
Defensively, Cannarella grades out as plus as he has shown an excellent ability to play center field and projects to stay at the position at the next level. Cannarella has also played shortstop in the past, and I would imagine that he would still be able to play the position effectively on occasion. His ability to play plus defense at two “up-the-middle” premium positions adds a good amount of defensive value to his overall profile. Cannarella also displays above-average speed, and while he did not steal any bases in 2024 (likely due to a torn labrum he suffered in February), he projects to be a threat on the basepaths in the future and this plus speed adds to his defensive value in center field.
Overall, Cam Cannarella profiles as a potential impact player at the next level, particularly due to his combination of plus defense at premium positions and a strong hit tool. If he can tap into more power and fully recover from his torn labrum injury in 2025, there is potential for him to be selected at the top of the draft next season.
3. Seth Hernandez (RHP - Corona HS, CA):
6’4”, 190 pounds
FV: 55
One of the most promising pitching prospects in the 2025 draft class is Seth Hernandez from Corona High School in California. With an impressive fastball-slider combination and a projectable frame, Hernandez has the potential to be a top draft pick and the upside to become a frontline starter at the next level.
Hernandez’s arsenal is headlined by a plus fastball that sits 96-99 MPH and has touched 100 MPH. With a projectable frame and room to add more strength, there’s potential for Hernandez to consistently hit triple digits by draft day. His slider, also grading as plus, complements the fastball well with its bullet/gyro shape and projects to be another plus offering. Hernandez also possesses a good changeup, a trait that is less common to find in high school pitchers.
Hernandez displays a repeatable delivery which bodes well for his projection as a starting pitcher at the next level. As mentioned earlier, Hernandez still has room to add more strength to his frame and the added velocity will only help the performance of his already outstanding arsenal. Hernandez’s athleticism also stands out, as he has played OF, 3B, and 1B, with some analysts considering him to be a legitimate offensive prospect as well (albeit with a much lower ceiling than his potential as a starting pitcher). Currently, Hernandez’s command lags behind his stuff, however, I am confident that his command ability will improve with more repetitions and experience on the mound, particularly once he focuses on solely pitching.
While high school right-handed pitchers can be a volatile demographic at the top of the draft due to potential injury risks and a long developmental timeline, Hernandez’s combination of present stuff and future projection makes him arguably my favorite prospect in this draft class (my first detailed prospect analysis of the draft class will be of Hernandez). With continued development, Hernandez has the potential to become the best pitcher out of this draft class.
4. Tyler Bremner (RHP - UC Santa Barbara):
6’2”, 170 pounds
FV: 55
With a solid three-pitch mix headlined by a plus changeup, Tyler Bremner projects to be the top collegiate right-handed pitcher to be selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. Bremner’s repeatable delivery and deceptive mechanics, combined with his pitch arsenal, suggests that he has the potential to be a starting pitcher at a next level.
The three main pitches in Bremner’s arsenal are his fastball, slider, and changeup. Bremner’s fastball sits 93-96 MPH, has touched 97 MPH over the past season, and projects as an above-average offering due to its “ride” and movement from Bremner’s high ¾ arm slot. Bremner’s slider (82-86 MPH) is versatile, as he is able to utilize the pitch for both whiffs and called strikes. There’s potential for this pitch to improve to plus with added velocity or more horizontal movement. His changeup is arguably the best pitch in his arsenal, and according to Bremner himself, it is his favorite pitch to utilize. Having a plus changeup in his arsenal provides Bremner with a swing-and-miss offering that he can utilize to left-handed hitters, which is critical as a starting pitcher.
Bremner’s delivery suggests that he can remain a starting pitcher at the next level. It’s repeatable, under control, and his deceptive mechanics, starting with his hands below the belt and effectively hiding the ball, add to his effectiveness and could make his pitches play up.
Overall, Tyler Bremner profiles as a potential mid-rotation starter with room for growth. His combination of a solid three-pitch mix and good command make him an attractive prospect, and he projects to be one of the first pitchers selected in the 2025 MLB Draft.
5. Aiva Arquette (SS - Oregon State):
6’4”, 200 pounds
Bats R, Throws R
FV: 55
With an intriguing combination of hitting and defensive ability, Aiva Arquette projects to be one of the top shortstop prospects to be selected in the 2025 draft. Arquette’s solid hit tool and power potential, combined with his defensive ability, provides him with the potential to have a well-rounded profile which will make him an attractive target atop draft boards come draft day.
Offensively, Arquette’s hit tool grades as above-average, demonstrating good adjustability at the plate. He shows particular aptitude for getting into his lower body to handle low pitches and maintains a low in-zone whiff rate, suggesting solid contact skills. His power also grades as above-average, with reports of a Max. EV of 113 MPH, placing him in line with numerous Major League hitters. I believe there is still some room to add to his frame, which indicates that he has potential to add a little bit more power in the future.
Defensively, Arquette has experience at multiple infield positions, including shortstop, second base, and third base. While his fielding currently grades as average, his desire to play shortstop moving forward is noteworthy. If he can stick at shortstop long-term, it would increase his value as a prospect. Even if he doesn’t stick at shortstop long-term, I believe he possesses the offensive potential to clear the higher bar for offensive production required at third base.
Overall, Aiva Arquette profiles as a promising shortstop prospect with an above-average bat and room for growth. His ability to hit for both average and power, combined with his defensive ability, makes him an attractive prospect in the upcoming draft. His development defensively, particularly at shortstop, and his ability to translate his raw power into game power will be key factors in determining his ultimate ceiling at the next level.
6. Ethan Holliday (3B - Stillwater HS, OK):
6’4”, 195 pounds
Bats L, Throws R
FV: 55
Arguably the most highly touted prospect in this draft class, Ethan Holliday possesses an impressive baseball pedigree and significant offensive potential. While his hit tool has shown some concerns over the summer, his power potential and baseball background make him an intriguing prospect for the upcoming draft.
Offensively, Holliday’s profile is a mix of exciting potential and current concerns. Holliday’s raw power can be graded as double-plus with a recorded exit velocity of 111 MPH in-game over the summer. Holliday has also displayed a disciplined approach at the plate, drawing walks and making selective swing decisions. One point of concern in his offensive profile has been his hit tool, as he produced a concerningly low zone-contact rate of 71% over 92 plate appearances during the showcase circuit this summer. Not only does this low zone-contact rate raise concerns about a high strikeout rate, but it also raises concerns that Holliday won’t make enough contact to get to his outstanding raw power in-game. The quality of pitching only gets more difficult as Holliday makes his way up the professional ladder, so improving his zone-contact abilities will be critical for Holliday if he intends to live up to his lofty offensive potential. Granted, 92 plate appearances over a summer is a small sample size, and Holliday can make his way up this draft board if he shows improvement in his bat-to-ball ability against quality pitching.
While Holliday is listed by some analysts as a shortstop, it is unlikely that he will stick there at the Major League level and he projects to play either third base or corner outfield in the future. His above-average arm will play well at either third base or a corner outfield position. This move down the defensive spectrum places further weight on the improvement/bounceback of Holliday’s hit tool, as prep third base/corner outfield prospects with hit tool questions are profiles that typically do not appear on top of draft boards.
Overall, Ethan Holliday profiles as a high-upside prospect with some risk. His combination of power potential, disciplined approach, and strong baseball bloodline make him an intriguing talent. However, the questions about his hit tool, particularly his ability to make consistent contact, add volatility to his profile. Given his strong baseball bloodline, I am betting on the makeup (admittedly, from afar) and I am optimistic that he will be able to resolve these hit tool questions moving forward. Holliday’s development in terms of contact ability will be a key factor in determining his ultimate ceiling and draft position, and if he can address these concerns, he has the potential to develop into an impact player at the Major League level.
7. Xavier Neyens (3B - Mount Vernon HS, WA):
6’4”, 200 pounds
Bats L, Throws R
FV: 50
With exceptional raw power, Xavier Neyens stands alongside Ethan Holliday as one of the top two prep hitters in the 2025 draft class. His power potential and athleticism make him an intriguing draft prospect with room to move up boards if he makes improvements to his offensive approach.
The standout tool in Neyens’s profile is his raw power, with arguably the most raw power among high school bats in the class. This is evidenced by his impressive bat speed metrics from the 2023 Area Code Games (70.5 MPH average, 79 MPH peak), and a notable 440-foot home run w/ 108 MPH exit velocity he hit over the summer at the USA Baseball complex.
While Neyens will likely possess double-plus raw power at maturity, his hit tool currently grades as below-average, primarily due to the need to improve his bat-to-ball skills. Similar to Holliday, Neyens produced a low zone-contact rate of 74% over 62 plate appearances during the showcase circuit this summer. While he experienced difficulty making contact on pitches in the zone, Neyens displayed an extremely disciplined approach at the plate over the summer, with a remarkably low 9% chase rate. While this low chase rate bodes well for him maintaining a solid floor of on-base ability, his overall swing rate of 27% (!) suggests that he is too passive at the plate, potentially leading him to fall behind in counts frequently.
Defensively, Neyens projects to stay at third base long-term, with his above-average arm boding well for the requirements of the position. His experience as a two-way player in high school, including pitching and catching, speaks to his overall athleticism and adds to his projectability as a hitter once he focuses solely on hitting.
Overall, Xavier Neyens profiles as a high-upside power-hitting prospect. If he can refine his hit tool to better tap into his power in games and find the right balance between discipline and aggression at the plate, Neyens could develop into an impact bat at the professional level.
8. Devin Taylor (OF - Indiana):
6’0”, 194 pounds
Bats L, Throws R
FV: 50
With an intriguing hit-power combination, Devin Taylor projects to be among the top collegiate outfielders selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. His offensive profile makes him an interesting prospect for the upcoming draft, though there is pressure on his bat to perform at the next level given concerns about his defensive profile.
Offensively, Taylor’s profile is highlighted by his above-average hit and power grades. Taylor is loose and athletic in the box with a swing geared for loft that allows him to tap into raw power in-game, and demonstrates good plate discipline and pitch recognition early in counts, however, he tends to get aggressive later in at-bats, leading to chases and a 25% strikeout rate in the CCBL. Improving his approach in these situations could be key to reaching his offensive ceiling.
Defensively, while Taylor is likely to play center field next season for Indiana, he projects to play in a corner outfield spot at the professional level. This transition puts pressure on his bat to produce, as corner outfielders have a higher offensive bar to clear than center fielders, and creates some volatility in Taylor’s overall profile.
Overall, Devin Taylor profiles as a potential above-average Major League regular with a bat-first profile. His power-hit potential is intriguing, and further development in terms of his plate discipline and pitch recognition will be key factors in determining his ultimate ceiling and draft position.
9. Jamie Arnold (LHP - Florida State):
6’1”, 165 pounds
FV: 50
With two plus pitches from a unique delivery, Jamie Arnold projects to be the top left-handed pitching prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft. Arnold’s combination of deception, stuff, and command makes him an intriguing draft prospect with the potential to be a high-impact arm at the next level.
A key component of Arnold’s effectiveness is his unique delivery. Throwing from a ¾ arm slot with a long arm swing and very low release point (4.5’ release height), Arnold’s delivery creates deception and challenging angles for hitters. Reaching velocities up to 97 MPH, his fastball’s effectiveness is amplified by his low release point, which creates a vertical approach angle that is conducive to generating swing and misses on pitches located up in the zone. Reports of up to 21 inches of horizontal movement further enhance the pitch’s potential, potentially making it a “unicorn” offering that’s both rare and effective.
Arnold’s slider grades as above-average, featuring significant sweeping action and sitting in the upper 80s. This pitch has proven effective against both left-handed and right-handed hitters, and Arnold can use the slider both as a swing-and-miss pitch and for a called strike when located in the zone. His ability to consistently locate both his fastball and slider enhances their effectiveness and speaks to his potential as a starter at the next level.
The addition of a third pitch to his arsenal, such as a cutter or changeup, could further elevate Arnold’s profile, particularly against right-handed hitters. Overall, Jamie Arnold profiles as a potentially high-impact left-handed pitcher with a unique combination of deception, stuff, and command that gives him a solid foundation to build upon moving forward.
10. Eli Willits (SS - Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, OK):
6’1”, 165 pounds
Bats S, Throws R
FV: 50
A young, projectable shortstop prospect with an intriguing combination of skills and pedigree, Eli Willits is one of the more intriguing prospects available to be selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. His recent reclassification to the 2025 class makes him one of the youngest prospects in the class, suggesting significant room for development and projectability.
Offensively, Willits shows promise as a switch-hitter with a simple, short swing from both sides of the plate. His loose, athletic stance in the batter’s box contributes to good bat control and adjustability, leading to an above-average hit tool grade. While his power currently grades as below-average, there’s potential for growth in this area as he adds strength to his frame.
Defensively, Willits projects as a shortstop long-term with demonstrated versatility present to play a solid center field. This ability to play two premium positions speaks to his athleticism and defensive potential, resulting in his defensive abilities grading out as above-average.
Overall, Eli Willits profiles as a potentially impactful middle infielder with a well-rounded skill set and lots of projectability. At just 17.6 years old on draft day, Willits will be one of the youngest players in the 2025 class, having reclassified from the 2026 class. This youth, combined with his already projectable frame, suggests significant room for development relative to most of the class, and will be an attribute that will surely be appealing to model-driven organizations. In addition, Willits’ background as the son of former MLB outfielder Reggie Willits potentially indicates plus makeup and a strong foundational understanding of the game (allowing for evaluators to more confidently project on future development). Eli Willits is one of my favorite prep prospects in the 2025 class, and his blend of youth, projectability, and current tools suggests significant potential for Willits moving forward.
Thanks for reading!
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Photo credits to USA Today, Nick Koza, Clemson Athletics, UC Santa Barbara, University of Washington, The Oklahoman, USA Baseball, Indiana Athletics, Tallahassee Democrat.