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As the 2024 MLB draft continues through Tuesday, the scouting departments for all 30 teams will gradually turn their attention to 2025 very soon.
The 2025 class looks to be stronger at the top than this year’s group. There is also the possibility for a high school player to go No. 1 overall for the second time in three years.
Jackson Holliday was selected out of Stillwater High School by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022. His younger brother, Ethan, from the same school will be draft eligible next year.
The strength of the class is very much on the position player side, particularly college outfielders. Here is a very early prediction for the 2025 draft, with the order determined based on Tankathon’s most recent standings.
Miami Marlins: Ethan Holliday, SS, Stillwater High School (Oklahoma)Colorado Rockies: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&MLos Angeles Angels: Cam Cannarella, OF, ClemsonWashington Nationals: Brady Ebel, SS, Corona High School (California)Toronto Blue Jays: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal CarolinaTexas Rangers: Coy James, SS, Davie High School (North Carolina)Detroit Tigers: Ethan Petry, OF, South CarolinaSan Francisco Giants: Dean Moss, OF, IMG Academy (Florida)Cincinnati Reds: Chase Shores, RHP, LSUChicago White Sox: Devin Taylor, OF, IndianaOakland Athletics: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona High School (California)Chicago Cubs: Lucas Franco, SS, Cinco Ranch High School (Texas)Pittsburgh Pirates: Marcos Paz, Hebron High School (Texas)Tampa Bay Rays: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, ArkansasArizona Diamondbacks: Gavin Turley, OF, Oregon StateSan Diego Padres: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson High School (Texas)Houston Astros: Sean Gamble, SS/OF, IMG Academy (Florida)Kansas City Royals: Ike Irish, C, AuburnNew York Mets: Xavier Neyens, 3B/RHP, Mount Vernon High School (Washington)St. Louis Cardinals: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa BarbaraBoston Red Sox: Josh Gibbs, SS, Forsyth Central High School (Georgia)Minnesota Twins: Josh Hammond, RHP, Westchester Country Day High School (North Carolina)Seattle Mariners: Trent Caraway, 3B, Oregon StateAtlanta Braves: Brock Sell, OF, Tokay High School (California)Milwaukee Brewers: Matt Scott, RHP, StanfordNew York Yankees: Cade Fisher, LHP, FloridaLos Angeles Dodgers: Mason White, SS, ArizonaBaltimore Orioles: Cam Leiter, RHP, Florida StateCleveland Guardians: Billy Carlson, SS/RHP, Corona High School (California)Philadelphia Phillies: Cannon Peebles, C, Tennessee
Best High School Player: Ethan Holliday
One benefit of being a freshman on the same high school team as the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft is it means scouts have been paying close attention to everything you’ve been doing for years.
While that could also be dangerous because any bad stretch will be scrutinized heavily, Holliday has largely been able to avoid any rough moments. He’s already listed at 6’4″ and 210 pounds as a 17-year-old.
Holliday has consistently shown big power from the left side of the plate. There is very little wasted movement in his swing, with terrific bat speed and a short stroke through the zone.
Perfect Game Scout @PG_Scouting
’25 SS Ethan Holliday (OK) gets ALL of this one, leaving the yard to CF for a 3-run HR (103 EV/414 FT). Ball explodes coming off, really easy juice. #GoPokes commit #NatElite @PGMidwestBB pic.twitter.com/Xl96uIwKee
Even though Holliday is currently playing at shortstop, his size will almost certainly move him off the position as he gets into pro ball. He will either end up at third base or a corner outfield spot, where there is more than enough offensive potential for him to project as an All-Star-level player.
Jackson Holliday, Royce Lewis, Mickey Moniak and Brady Aiken are the only high school players taken No. 1 overall since 2013. Ethan has a great chance to join that group next year if he continues to put up strong performances on the showcase circuit.
Best College Player: Jace LaViolette
If Holliday doesn’t go No. 1 overall, Jace LaViolette would seem to have the inside track on that spot. The Texas A&M standout was on the Golden Spikes watchlist going into the 2024 season and took steps forward from his freshman campaign to think he could win the award next year.
LaViolette hit .305/.449/.726 with 29 homers and seven stolen bases in 68 games. He has more speed and baserunning acumen than that stolen base total would suggest. The 20-year-old swiped 18 bags as a freshman.
But the real draw here is the power. LaViolette probably has the best combination of raw power and in-game power in the entire class. He gets to it with ease, as there is very little load and stride before he uncorks on the ball with solid plate coverage and pitch recognition.
Texas A&M Baseball @AggieBaseball
Tie game courtesy of Lord Tubbington 👑#GigEm x @JaceLaViolette2 pic.twitter.com/FXC6pd7eqL
LaViolette isn’t a great athlete and might end up playing first base, but he’s got the best offensive profile of any college hitter in the 2025 class that will make him an early pick.
Sleeper No. 1 Pick: Caden Bodine
Typically, a switch-hitting college catcher renowned for his bat-to-ball skills would be a lock to go No. 1 overall.
Caden Bodine has done nothing but hit wherever he’s played. He had a 1.065 OPS in 56 games as a freshman at Coastal Carolina and followed it up with a .933 OPS in 60 games last season.
Peter Flaherty III @PeterGFlaherty
When it comes to pure hitters in the 2025 class, catcher Caden Bodine (@CoastalBaseball) is among the best. In 2023, he slashed an impressive .367/.456/.609 with 11 doubles, 17 home runs, 47 RBIs, and a walk-to-strikeout ratio of 34-to-21. Bodine carried his hot hitting over to… pic.twitter.com/GrJJnWHN6s
Bodine is more of contact hitter who will spray the ball to all fields rather than someone who is likely to hit 25-plus homers, but he has enough power to project as more than just a slap hitter.
The biggest thing that might keep Bodine from being the No. 1 pick is his defense behind the plate. Specifically, if he has the arm strength to contain opponents from running. He has shown the ability to receive well and is an adequate framer.
If the team that ends up picking at the top of the draft believes strongly enough in Bodine as a long-term catcher in pro ball, he could end up being the top pick because the bar for offense at the position is so low and his hit tool would be special for virtually any spot on the field.
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