With the 2025 MLB draft starting at 6 p.m. ET tonight, we are providing live, instant analysis of every draft pick as it happens, starting with the Nationals picking No. 1 overall. We will cover all 27 picks in the first round, plus the selections for the Mets (No. 38), Yankees (No. 39) and Dodgers (No. 40) to analyze the top pick for all 30 teams. As a reminder, you MLB Draft results page can be found here.

You can find Ben Badler’s analysis of each pick below.

1. Washington Nationals

Pick: SS Eli Willits
BA rank: 3

Reaction: Willits does a lot of things well. He’s ultra young after previously being a member of the 2026 class, he’s a switch-hitter who always seems to hit with good contact skills, has a mature offensive approach for his age and is an athletic shortstop who should stick in the middle infield with a high baseball IQ that shows in all facets of the game. The biggest question mark on Willits is how much extra-base impact he will grow into because it’s not elite bat speed or raw power—but he’s also still 17. The sum of the parts as a premium position player with a strong offensive track record and all-around instincts pushed him to the top of the first round.

Scouting Report: Willits boasts one of the better all-around profiles in the 2025 class. Originally a member of the 2026 class, he reclassified for 2025 and is now one of the youngest players in the class. He doesn’t turn 18 until December. Willits is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound switch-hitting shortstop who makes an impact all over the diamond. In the batter’s box, he has short, tight and compact swings from both sides of the plate and can shoot the ball on a line to all fields. He has a balanced swing with an advanced approach, good barrel control and makes contact against all pitch types with high-quality pitch recognition and timing. While Willits is more of a line drive hitter, he should have the bat speed and physical projection to develop average power to go with an above-average hit tool. Willits is a plus runner and impressive athlete who has the tools to be an above-average defender at shortstop as well as an impact baserunner. He ranges to both sides effectively and has an above-average arm that allows him to make difficult plays in the hole, with the arm versatility and body control to make all of the off-balance and in-between plays necessary for the position. Willits makes hard, aggressive turns on the bases, and his instincts show up there as well and should allow him to be a perennial basestealing threat. Unsurprisingly given the polish to his game at such a young age, Willits comes from a baseball family. His father Reggie was an outfielder for the Angels for seven years and is the associate head coach at Oklahoma, where Eli is committed and where his brother Jaxon is the team’s everyday shortstop. While there are players in the 2025 class with louder individual tools or bigger power upside than Willits, it’s difficult to point to another player who has a game as well-rounded. He’s in the mix to be the first overall pick. If that happens he’ll be the youngest 1-1 player ever drafted.

2. Los Angeles Angels

Pick: RHP Tyler Bremner
BA rank: 11

Reaction: Bremner is one of the best pitchers in the class, but it is a surprise to see him as the top pitcher off the board, particularly with LSU lefthander Kade Anderson available. Bremner had a stellar K-BB mark this season even after an up-and-down start to the spring. His fastball sits in the mid 90s and touches 98 with carry—and that’s his second-best pitch behind an outstanding changeup that has good separation off his fastball and lively fade. Bremner’s slider wasn’t as sharp this year as it was in 2024, so if the Angels think they can help him refine that pitch, then he could end up even better. It’s hard to say in the moment, but my bet would be the Angels get Bremner on an underslot deal that will allow them to spend more on players in later rounds and add more depth to a farm system that needs it.

Scouting Report: Bremner pairs some of the best control in the 2025 draft class with high-end stuff and a strong three-year track record with UC Santa Barbara. He cemented himself as one of the premier arms in the class after a lights-out 2024 season and a summer with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team and entered the 2025 spring neck and neck with Florida State’s Jamie Arnold in the race for starting pitcher No. 1 in the class. Bremner scuffled a bit early but finished the year strong—including six 10+ strikeout games in his last seven—and posted a 3.49 ERA with a 29.7 K-BB% that was good for No. 6 among all Division I arms. Bremner has a lean pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds and throws with a simple delivery that features a high leg kick and a three-quarters arm slot. His three-pitch mix is led by a fastball that averages 94-96 mph and will touch 98 with underlying qualities that could allow it to play up. The pitch has a loud overall movement profile—both with riding life and armside movement—a flat approach angle and generated a strong 33% miss rate in 2025. The centerpiece of Bremner’s arsenal is his double-plus, mid-80s changeup. It’s a high-usage, wipeout secondary he can locate effectively to both lefties and righties repeatedly to generate whiffs and weak contact. Bremner’s mid-80s slider flashes above-average, but the pitch backed up and was hit hard in 2025. He’s a plus control pitcher and high-probability starter who fits in the first round.

3. Seattle Mariners

Pick: LHP Kade Anderson
BA rank: 4

Reaction: After dominating at LSU as just a sophomore this season, Anderson has the combination of stuff and pitchability to move quickly, to the point where it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him pitching in the big leagues next year given the way teams have pushed the top collegiate picks in recent years. Between the delivery, four-pitch mix, strike-throwing and ability to miss bats, Anderson has the look of a starting pitcher who could fit toward the front end of a rotation. He had Tommy John surgery in high school, so there’s some durability risk here down the road, but for the Mariners, they should be getting someone who can quickly factor into the middle of their rotation or higher. If the Mariners wanted a college pitcher, I think they have to be excited that Anderson was still available here given the college-heavy Angels were picking one spot ahead of them.

Scouting Report: Following a 2024 freshman season in which he carved out a meaningful role, Anderson enjoyed a career year in 2025 when he was a first team all-SEC selection after posting a 3.18 ERA with 180 strikeouts to just 35 walks across 119 innings. Anderson has a slender frame at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds with some present strength in his lower half. He has a simple delivery in which he starts with his shoulders almost square to the first base dugout. Anderson begins his motion with an extremely small sidestep that leads into a high leg lift. He has a short and compact arm action and attacks from a high three-quarters slot with above-average arm speed. Anderson’s fastball sits in the 92-95 range, but has been up to 97 with plus carry in the top of the zone. The biggest revelation in Anderson’s arsenal in 2025 was his mid-80s slider—a pitch he threw just 2% of the time in 2024. It emerged as an above-average offering that flashes plus with lateral life, and garnered a 30% miss rate. Anderson’s upper-70s high-spin curveball is a plus pitch that has great pure spin rates, excellent depth and distinct shape from his slider. Anderson rounds out his arsenal with a mid-80s changeup that also took a step forward in his draft-eligible sophomore season. It’s an average fourth pitch that flashes tumbling life, and it’s especially effective against righthanded hitters. Anderson is a plus strike-thrower who has an above-average feel for his entire four-pitch mix. Perhaps the only blemish on Anderson’s resume is the fact that he’s already had Tommy John surgery. He’s a high-probability starter with physical projection, a blend of strikes and stuff that gives him midrotation upside and has a chance to be the first college pitcher off the board.

4. Colorado Rockies

Pick: SS Ethan Holliday
BA rank: 1

Reaction: Holliday has been the No. 1 high school player in the 2025 class since his sophomore year and hasn’t relinquished his place at the top since then. Why? He’s 6-foot-4 with a smooth, powerful lefthanded swing, high-end bat speed and an exciting combination of strike-zone judgment and power. The risk with Holliday is that, while he does a good job of staying within the strike zone, there is swing-and-miss to his game, so we didn’t see him truly dominate the summer the way you would love to see for the top high school player in the country. Then again, we could have said the same thing last year for Pirates first-round pick Konnor Griffin, who looks terrific so far. Holliday isn’t that type of athlete—he’s a shortstop now who could end up at third base, with some risk he ends up in an outfield corner—but if everything clicks, Holliday has a chance to develop into a slugger in the middle of a lineup who can get on base at a high clip and hit 30-plus home runs. 

Scouting Report: Ethan Holliday is the younger brother of Orioles second baseman and 2022 first overall pick Jackson Holliday. The Holliday brothers—sons of seven-time all-star outfielder Matt Holliday—have a chance to match or exceed the draft position that the Upton brothers achieved after B.J. was the No. 2 pick in 2002 and Justin went No. 1 in 2025. Ethan has been a high-profile player in the 2025 class for years. Scouts saw him as a freshman at Stillwater High when Jackson was the focus, and even then noted his advanced physicality. Ethan is built much more like his father than Jackson, with a hulking 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame and a different shade to his game. Holliday has tremendous ease with his lefthanded swing, which is smooth and powerful and comes with good rhythm and balance in the box. He has an excellent eye, tracks pitches well and is willing to take a walk when he’s pitched around—which is often. He also has a knack for using the entire field. Holliday has swing-and-miss tendencies that could impact the quality of his hit tool, but scouts are confident he has the power and patience to compensate. He generates easy power to all fields and doesn’t have to sell out to get to it, with a chance to develop into a 30-home run threat. Holliday is a below-average runner who takes a few steps to get going. He has the hands and arm strength for shortstop and improved his fielding consistency in 2025. He likely will outgrow shortstop and slide to third base, an outfield corner or even first base. Holliday’s offensive upside is as good as any hitter in the class.

5. St. Louis Cardinals

Pick: LHP Liam Doyle
BA rank: 8

Reaction: Doyle has an electric fastball from the left side that reaches 100 mph with carry to explode above barrels. He’s clearly one of the best pitchers available in the draft, but where there may be a split in how high people have him lined up is based on the delivery and the quality of his secondary stuff. It was a fastball-heavy attack that worked for Doyle in college, but I’m in the more optimistic camp in his ability to tease more value out of his secondary stuff in pro ball, particularly with a splitter that has good tumbling action.

Scouting Report: When hitters step into the box against Doyle, they know his fastball is coming but there’s not much they can do about it. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound lefthander and New Hampshire native has bounced around in college, first at Coastal Carolina in 2023, then at Ole Miss in 2024 and finally Tennessee in 2025. He surged up draft boards by being the most dominant arm in the country, with a 2.91 ERA over 16 regular-season starts and 89.2 innings. His 42.6% strikeout rate was the best mark in Division I. Doyle attacks hitters with a high-effort delivery that features a harsh fall-off to the third base side and looks more like a reliever, but he has pitched as a starter with solid control for three years. His arsenal is centered on a high-usage fastball that sits 95-97 mph and touches 100 with excellent riding life. It’s an easy plus pitch on velocity alone, but the life and the flat approach angle with which he throws it—in addition to his impressive ability to locate it at the top of the zone—makes it a 70-grade offering and one of the best fastballs in the class. Doyle’s secondaries are a bigger question. He throws a low-80s slider, an upper-80s cutter and a mid-80s splitter, all of which earn differing grades depending on whether you talk to scouts or analysts. The latter are more optimistic. Both parties agree that Doyle’s splitter has above-average potential and is his most advanced secondary pitch. Doyle’s outlier fastball traits and SEC dominance have him positioned to be a top 10 overall pick and in the running to be the first arm off the board.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pick: RHP Seth Hernandez
BA rank: 6

Reaction: The Pirates get the No. 2 player on the Baseball America board at No. 6 overall and a player we strongly considered putting in the top spot in our rankings. We wouldn’t normally do that for a high school pitcher, but that’s partly due to the state of the college players (particularly the hitters) at the top of this class and a testament to how talented Hernandez is for his age. It’s a power fastball that can reach 100 mph, though Hernandez is more comfortable cruising in the mid-90s as a starter, a devastating changeup and feel to spin two breaking balls that should get even better with professional instruction. There’s premium stuff, athleticism, good mechanics and advanced pitchability. There’s risk with any teenage pitcher, but Hernandez has the upside to be a front-end starter and the polish that makes him a candidate to move quickly. Last year, the Pirates bet on one of the highest upside players in the class with shortstop Konnor Griffin and they went that route again here with Hernandez.

Scouting Report: Hernandez has been the top high school pitcher in the 2025 class for years. As he has progressed, it’s clear he’s one of the most talented prep arms in the last decade or so, with the sort of upside that puts his name in the same phylum as Hunter Greene, MacKenzie Gore and Jackson Jobe. Hernandez is a standout athlete with a 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame and throws with a clean delivery and three-quarters slot. If he weren’t a pitcher he would be a legitimate pro prospect as a hitter and shortstop. As a senior on a historically loaded Corona High team, Hernandez hit right in the middle of the lineup between Brady Ebel and Billy Carlson—both of whom have first-round potential. Hernandez’s ace-level pitching upside is enough for teams to view him as a pitcher only. He has a four-pitch arsenal that tops any in the class and starts with a plus fastball that sits in the mid 90s and has been up to 100 mph. In one outing at USA Baseball’s National High School Invitational, Hernandez threw a 99-pitch complete game, throwing 93 mph or faster on every pitch and reaching back for 99 in his final frame. His low-80s changeup is his best secondary. It’s an easy 70-grade offering that earns Dylan Lesko comparisons and features tremendous velocity separation and tumbling life. Hernandez uses a circle-change grip and will alter his thumb placement on the ball depending on whether he wants to generate more life to get a chase below the zone or take a bit off and spot it in the zone. Hernandez also throws a low-to-mid-80s slider and an upper-70s spike curveball that both have above-average potential. He ties the arsenal together with above-average control that could become plus thanks to his clean delivery. Hernandez is a Vanderbilt commit but has a chance to become the first prep righty ever drafted first overall.

7. Miami Marlins

Pick: SS Aiva Arquette
BA rank: 5

Reaction: It’s a tough year if you’re wanting to get an elite college hitter with one of the top picks in the draft, particularly compared to the last two years. That helped push up Arquette, a power-hitting shortstop who could develop into a 25-plus home run threat. It’s a power-over-hit profile, and for a player as big as he is, Arquette has his believers who think he might be able to stick at shortstop.

Scouting Report: Arquette became a premium transfer portal talent after a strong 2024 season at Washington where he hit .325/.384/.574 with 12 home runs, 14 doubles, a 17.5% strikeout rate and a 7.4% walk rate. Arquette took his talents to Oregon State for his 2025 draft campaign, where he slid from second base to shortstop for one of the nation’s top programs. Arquette has a major league body at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds and finished the season as a .354/.461/.654 hitter with a career-best 19 home runs and a career-low 16.5% strikeout rate. Arquette is a free and easy righthanded swinger whose above-average bat speed from his strong frame leads to comfortably plus raw power. He has the ability to drive the baseball to all fields and has always shown impressive pull-side power that has come with its share of swing-and-miss tendencies. Arquette did a nice job improving his approach in 2025 and demonstrated improved plate discipline that led to a 12.6% walk rate—the best mark he’s had in a complete college season. Arquette moves well for his size, but he’s more of a solid runner underway and has never been much of a base-stealing threat. He’s more likely to slow down in the future as he continues to add mass to his hulking frame. Defensively, Arquette has shown an ability to handle shortstop and potentially stick there. He has a plus, accurate arm that fits nicely on the left side of the infield, where he prefers to throw from a lower slot and has reliable hands. He has experience at second, but might profile best as a slugging third baseman if he needs to move. Viewed by many as the top college bat in the class, Arquette should be a slam dunk top-10 pick.

8. Toronto Blue Jays

Pick: SS JoJo Parker
BA rank: 10

Reaction: Parker has been one of the biggest high school helium players of the last year. That’s because of the belief many scouts have in his hitting ability with a sweet, adjustable lefthanded swing and impressive barrel accuracy with an all-fields approach and good strike-zone judgment. There are questions about where he ends up defensively, but the Blue Jays are betting on one of the most advanced high school hitters in the nation. 

Scouting Report: Parker, whose given name is Joseph but goes by Jojo, has steadily climbed draft boards by hitting, hitting and then hitting some more. He’s a strong athlete with a powerful 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. He has a picturesque lefthanded swing and a nose for the barrel. Parker has a case as one of the best pure hitters in the class, with real power to go with his polished hit tool. He starts with a narrow and open lower half, with the bat resting on his shoulder before taking a standard stride with a simple and quiet hand load to get the barrel into a good hitting position. The swing itself comes with solid bat speed and strength, and Parker does a nice job getting the barrel into different hitting zones depending on how he’s pitched. He has an eye for the zone, will take pitches when he needs to and is a proven hitter against both velocity and spin. He’s got all the ingredients to be an above-average hitter with above-average power. Parker is typically an average runner, but he has turned in some plus run times in workout settings in 2025. A shortstop now, he might slide off the position because he lacks typical quickness and actions. He does have an advanced internal clock, above-average arm strength and the work ethic to earn a chance to prove himself at the position. He could fit at third base, second base or an outfield corner. Parker is committed to Mississippi State but is expected to be a first-round pick. His twin brother Jacob is his Purvis High teammate and also a talented 2025 prospect.

9. Cincinnati Reds

Pick: SS Steele Hall
BA rank: 15

Reaction: Hall is an elite, quick-twitch, bouncy athlete with elite speed and acrobatic defense at shortstop. He’s a former member of the 2026 class, so he’s still 17, a factor that also helped push him up draft boards. I do like Hall, but this high up the board as a top 10 overall pick, there’s also a fair amount of risk here with his offensive game relative to other players who were available and are more advanced pure hitters.

Scouting Report: Hall is an exceptional athlete who will still be 17 years old on draft day and is one of the youngest players in the 2025 class. He was originally a member of the 2026 class but reclassified in November 2024. That made the 5-foot-11, 175-pound shortstop something of a mystery heading into 2025 because most scouts weren’t focusing on him during the 2024 showcase circuit. Hall had a tremendous offseason and packed a lot more strength onto his frame which, when paired with a dynamic tool set, rocketed him up draft boards and into first-round consideration. He is an aggressive hitter with a quick, handsy swing that comes with an operation that has been quieted down this spring. While he’s a hit-over-power righthanded bat, Hall’s improved strength and bat speed could lead to some 18-20 home run projections, though below-average or fringy in-game power production is more likely. He isn’t the most rhythmic or instinctive hitter and he’ll need to shore up some swing-and-miss tendencies against secondaries as he begins to see higher-quality pitching with more consistency. He’s a 70-grade runner who will turn in top-of-the-scale run times and plays the game with a high-energy, infectious style. Hall has all the tools to be an above-average shortstop defender. His short-area quickness is impressive, his hands are reliable and he also has an above-average arm to make all the required throws. Hall is committed to Tennessee but is a likely first-round pick who could easily go in the 10-20 range.

10. Chicago White Sox

Pick: SS Billy Carlson
BA rank: 9

Reaction: Carlson is the best defensive shortstop in the country. The actions are silky, he floats around the position with ease, has clean hands and can finish plays with an elite arm. The split camp from scouts on Carlson is around his offensive game. Some evaluators have concerns about how much he will hit at higher levels or what type of impact he will develop given his slender frame. I shared some of those concerns when Carlson was younger, but I’m in the optimistic camp on his bat. The hand-eye coordination he shows in the field translates at the plate, where he has good bat-to-ball skills, and while I’m not sure he ever hits for big power, there’s surprising bat speed for a wiry teenager.

Scouting Report: California area scouts have spoken with anticipation about Carlson since his freshman days at Corona High, when he was just starting to show glimpses of his precocious baseball talent. At 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, Carlson is a lean and athletic two-way player who immediately stands out for his glovework and is regarded as one of—if not the best—defenders in the 2025 class. He has silky smooth actions in the field with clean hands, nimble footwork and a rocket of an arm that earns consistent 70-grade reviews. Carlson is more of an average runner without elite range to either side, but his advanced defensive instincts and arm strength should allow him to make all of the plays expected of a big league shortstop—and then some. He has real Gold Glove potential. Offensively, Carlson’s game centers on strong bat-to-ball skills, which give him a chance for an above-average hit tool. He has a narrow, upright stance with a high handset and a swing that can get stiff as he lunges at the ball at times, but he’s a high-level competitor in the box. He takes professional at-bats and can backspin the ball nicely to the opposite field. Carlson has a chance to develop average power potential, but scouts are split on how confident they are with that piece of his game. He would be a pro prospect on the mound as well, with a fastball up to 97 mph, a high-spin hammer curveball and a decent changeup. Carlson is a Tennessee commit and turns 19 shortly after the draft but is expected to be a top-15 pick.

11. Athletics

Pick: LHP Jamie Arnold
BA rank: 6

Reaction: Arnold falling out of the top 10 overall picks and getting to the Athletics here is something the organization has to be excited about. His fastball plays up from his low release height with good extension and his slider has filthy sweeping action to miss bats. I don’t think anyone here would have been surprised if Arnold went within the top five overall picks, but the A’s are able to scoop him up here at No. 11.

Scouting Report: Arnold was one of college baseball’s most impressive pitchers as a sophomore in 2024. He posted a 2.98 ERA over 18 starts and finished third in the country with 159 strikeouts—behind 2024 top-five overall picks Chase Burns and Hagen Smith. He entered his 2025 draft year as the presumptive top college arm in the class and wasn’t quite as dominant, but still rock solid with an identical 2.98 ERA over 15 starts and 84.2 innings with a 33.9% strikeout rate and 7.7% walk rate. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Arnold has a smooth delivery that features a deep, plunging arm action in back before he cascades down the mound and throws from an extremely low three-quarters slot. His low release height creates a flat approach angle and adds deception that amplifies his entire pitch mix. Arnold’s fastball sits 92-95 mph and will touch 97-98. The pitch has tremendous armside running life that makes it both a bat-misser and a groundball-inducer at its best, though his fastball command and production backed up slightly in 2025. Arnold’s no-doubt plus slider is a mid-80s sweeper with the depth and bite to be a knockout secondary against lefties and righties. Arnold mainly pitches off his fastball and slider, but he upped the usage of his mid-80s changeup, and the pitch has the movement profile to become at least above-average. He still needs to hone his changeup command. Arnold is a solid strike-thrower and a high-probability starter with midrotation upside. He’s solidly in the mix to be the first college arm selected and shouldn’t fall outside of the first 10 picks.

12. Texas Rangers

Pick: SS Gavin Fien
BA rank: 31

Reaction: Fien had a huge summer in 2024, taking a huge leap forward from the year before by showing significantly improved contact skills, plate discipline and power. This spring, it’s been more up and down for Fien, but the summer performance had to have weighed heavily into the evaluation here. It’s not a textbook swing—and there are questions about how that will translate against better pitching—but it has worked for Fien so far, and he has the bat speed to drive the ball with impact. I suspect the Rangers are getting Fien on an under slot deal, so let’s see what they do with their later picks.

Scouting Report: Fien is one of the most well-rounded hitters in the high school class. His performance on the 2024 summer showcase circuit stacks up with anyone, and he was one of the most reliable hitters with USA Baseball’s 18U National Team. Listed at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Fien is a righthanded hitter and a shortstop now who is likely to move to third base or an outfield corner in the future. His swing is unconventional, but it works for him. He has a narrow setup and a high handset with a slight hitch in his swing and a bat path that always looks a bit stiffer than scouts would prefer. It’s hard to doubt his results, however, and Fien has an advanced feel to backspin the ball to all fields with authority and tap into his plus raw power with consistency against high-quality pitching. He’s got plenty of strength and bat speed that pairs with contact skills and pitch recognition that should give him above-average pure hitting potential to go with above-average game power. Fien isn’t much of a runner, and as he fills out his frame his fringy speed could back up even further. He doesn’t have the nimble footwork required for middle infield and should be a better fit at third base, where his plus arm would fit nicely. Fien played first base with Team USA and could also profile in right field if necessary. He’s committed to Texas but has first-round upside even as a right-right corner profile, thanks to his hit/power combination.

13. San Francisco Giants

Pick: SS Gavin Kilen
BA rank: 20

Reaction: Kilen has some of the best bat control in the nation. He rarely swings and misses, especially when he’s swinging at strikes, and he did a better job with his plate discipline this season. It’s hit over power and defensively it’s more of a second base look than a shortstop, but Kilen is a polished hitter whose offensive game should translate to immediate success in pro ball.

Scouting Report: Kilen is a Wisconsin native who earned a reputation as a savvy pure hitter in high school and ranked as a top 150 prospect in the 2022 draft. The Red Sox selected him in the 13th round, but he didn’t sign and instead made his way to Louisville—where he played two seasons—and then Tennessee for the 2025 season. Kilen has a smaller, filled-out frame at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds and a game that is built on his contact skills and hit tool. His lengthy hitting track record and impressive in-zone contact rates in college create confidence that he’ll be an above-average hitter, but he has also made strides with his approach and impact in 2025. In the past, Kilen would get overly swing-happy and get away with it thanks to his feel for the barrel, but in 2025 he reined in his approach, dialed in his swing decisions and turned in a career-best year. Kilen’s increased selectivity—plus a better ability to use the ground and get into his back hip in his swing—led to a career-high 15 home runs and more hard-hit balls into both gaps. Kilen began the year at second base but moved over to shortstop down the stretch and is a reliable, fundamental defender who makes most of the routine plays. His fringe-average arm and fringy speed make him a better fit for second base, where he should be a perfectly respectable defender. While he lacks high-end tools, Kilen’s pure hitting ability and lengthy track record could make him a first-round pick.

14. Tampa Bay Rays

Pick: SS Daniel Pierce
BA rank: 24

Reaction: The scouting industry at large is high on Pierce—higher relative to my looks—as a player who continued to rise up boards for teams throughout the year. The scouts highest on Pierce see a first-round talent and an athletic, true shortstop who fields his position well with a strong arm and potential plus defense. They liked his offensive improvements this year as well, but our grades overall are higher on his defense than his offense, a profile that makes me uneasy with a first-round pick, especially with players like Kayson Cunningham and other more advanced hitters still on the board.

Scouting Report: Pierce established himself as one of the more exciting athletes and defenders in the 2025 draft class at a young age. A 6-foot-1, 180-pound shortstop and righthanded hitter, Pierce was one of the most impressive hitters at the 2024 East Coast Pro showcase. His game is built on tremendous defensive actions at shortstop. Pierce is a gifted defender who has all the tools to stick at the position and become a plus fielder. He moves well laterally and glides around the dirt with great range and the sort of fluidity and easy actions seen in major league middle infielders. His hands are deft and reliable and he has a plus arm that has drawn a few 70-grade reviews from scouts. In addition to a plus glove and arm, Pierce is a plus runner who has turned in 70-grade times in workout settings, including a 6.58-second 60-yard dash at East Coast Pro last summer. What pushed Pierce into first-round range in 2025 was the development of his bat. He came into his senior season with more strength and some mechanical improvements built around a more balanced and repeatable lower half move. Pierce has a solid batting eye and should have at least average raw power to go with solid contact ability. His swing features some moving parts with his hands that could cap his pure hit tool. Pierce is committed to Georgia but has played in front of huge scouting crowds this spring and fits as a first-round talent.

15. Boston Red Sox

Pick: RHP Kyson Witherspoon
BA rank: 7

Reaction: Last year, the Red Sox scooped up outfielder Braden Montgomery when he fell out of the top 10 picks. This year they did the same with Witherspoon, who dominated the SEC with a power arsenal, working off a fastball that held mid-90s velocity and ran up to 99 mph. He’s a high-level strike-thrower with his fastball and short-breaking slider. I’m not surprised he ended up going behind the other college arms who went ahead of him, but Witherspoon makes for an intriguing marriage with Boston’s pitching development group.

Scouting Report: Witherspoon set himself on a meteoric trajectory after transferring to Oklahoma in 2024 from Northwest Florida State JC. He worked to a 3.71 ERA with 90 strikeouts and 40 walks in 80 innings as a sophomore before pitching over the summer in the Cape Cod League and USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. Witherspoon took another step forward in 2025, when he posted a 2.47 ERA over 15 starts and 91 innings in the leadup to the NCAA Tournament as one of the SEC’s most consistent starters. His twin brother Malachi also pitches in the Sooners’ rotation. Witherspoon is an athletic righthander with a 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame and an unconventional delivery that features a jerky, plunging action in the back of his arm stroke and a drop-and-drive lower half before he fires to the plate from a three-quarters slot. Witherspoon’s fastball sits in the 95-97 mph range and has been up to 99. It’s one of the harder fastballs in the class, and he’s shown an impressive ability to maintain his velocity deep into starts and deep into the season. He backs up his heater with a mid-80s slider that has plus potential and will occasionally show more of an upper-80s cutter look. Witherspoon has a budding changeup with late fade in the upper 80s, and he occasionally throws a low-80s curveball. His drop from an 11.2% walk rate in 2024 to a 5.5% walk rate in 2025 has helped solidify his odds to start in pro ball. He’s the top college righthander in the class and should be in the mix to be a top-10 pick.

16. Minnesota Twins

Pick: SS Marek Houston
BA rank: 14

Reaction: The Twins get a true shortstop with Houston, a polished defender who’s secure, reliable and smooth in the field. His hand-eye coordination is evident both in the field and at the plate, where he rarely swings and misses. If everything comes together, I think there’s an outcome where he ends up like Jeremy Peña, which would be great value here, but there’s also risk here with how much power Houston will ever deliver, given his modest exit velocities and minimal physical projection remaining.

Scouting Report: Reliable glovework is the name of the game for Houston, who has been a rock-solid starter for Wake Forest since the day he stepped on campus in 2023. A 6-foot-3, 205-pound shortstop, Houston has a strong case as the best defender in the 2025 class. He’s not as flashy as California prep shortstop Billy Carlson, but he’s as reliable a gloveman as one will find and an easy plus defender at the position. Houston slows the game down like the best defenders do, and he attacks the ball at ideal angles with smooth, easy actions and deft hands that allow him to vacuum up tough hops and sharply hit balls. He’s got a plus, accurate arm and knows when to unleash it, with an advanced internal clock, good slot versatility and a comfort while throwing off-balance and from all sorts of angles on the field. Houston has progressed as a hitter in his three years in Winston-Salem. His offensive game is built on solid contact ability, though he added noticeable strength ahead of his 2025 draft season and hit a career-best 15 home runs. Houston’s exit velocity data is still fringy, and scouts might critique the fact that most of his power came at a hitter-friendly Wake Forest park against non-conference competition, but his power and physicality are trending in the right direction. Houston has above-average speed and is a savvy baserunner. His profile is one of the safest in the class and should lead to a selection somewhere in the middle of the first round.

17. Chicago Cubs

Pick: OF Ethan Conrad
BA rank: 23

Reaction: Getting Conrad in the back half of the first round is one of my favorite value picks of the first round. The Cubs have hit on their recent first-round college hitters and I think Conrad is going to be next in line to follow suit. A shoulder injury ended Conrad’s season early, but on talent, he fits higher. There’s physicality, athleticism, a good lefthanded swing, hittability and power, as well as above-average speed, enough to at least consider center field, though a corner seems more likely. The injury is a legitimate question mark, but I’m a big fan of the combination of the hitting ability and overall upside here, especially if it does come in under slot.

Scouting Report: Wake Forest has become a destination for many of the top transfers in college baseball. Conrad is the latest example after standout transfer duo Chase Burns and Seaver King from the 2024 team. Conrad has a case to go inside the top 10 on talent alone, as Burns and King did last year, though shoulder surgery that cut his 2025 season short after just 21 games could prevent that from happening. Conrad has a big league frame at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and has done nothing but hit and hit for power in his college career, first at Marist and then in the 2024 Cape Cod League and finally in a brief stint with Wake Forest. He has a quiet setup in the box with few moving parts and fires a short and direct lefthanded swing that leads to plenty of contact and power. Conrad’s one big offensive question might be an overly aggressive approach, though he was well on his way to improving that reputation before he was sidelined with injury. He has a chance for an above-average hit tool with above-average power. Conrad is an above-average runner who could stick in center field in pro ball. He has experience at all three outfield positions as well as first base, but he was Wake’s everyday center fielder and looked solid there in 2025, with an average arm. There are shades of 2022 first-rounder Chase DeLauter with Conrad, as a big-bodied lefthanded-hitting college bat with contact, power and injury questions. He could be drafted in the middle or back of the first round.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks

Pick: SS Kayson Cunningham
BA rank: 12

Reaction: Cunningham is going to draw comparisons to Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle, and while I don’t think he’s quite as good as McGonigle was coming out of high school, that is the mold of a player Cunningham fits. Cunningham for years has been one of the elite hitters in the 2025 high school class. It’s a lefthanded swing that’s short, efficient, adjustable and accurate, covering all quadrants of the plate with high-end contact skills. Cunningham is a smaller player who should stick in the middle infield, with a lot of scouts projecting him as a second baseman, but I think he has a chance to surprise people with his defense at shortstop at higher levels.

Scouting Report: In a 2025 class filled with talented prep shortstops, it is Cunningham who can lay claim to being USA Baseball’s 18U National Team shortstop in 2024. It’s also Cunningham who can claim to be the best pure hitter in the class—high school or otherwise. Listed at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, he is a lefthanded hitter with a quick, efficient and adjustable swing that has allowed him to perform at a high level against top arms in the class for years. He’s one of the most difficult hitters in the class to strike out and rarely swings and misses. Cunningham has the sort of standout contact ability that allows him to expand the zone and get away with it, which could be an area for him to rein in once he starts facing better competition. In general, he has a sound approach and uses the entire field with a swing and raw power that are better fits for hitting line drives into the gaps than leaving the yard with a ton of frequency—though he does have impressive bat speed and swings with plenty of intent. Cunningham is a short-strider at the plate, but he’s quick enough to regularly deliver plus run times from home to first out of the lefthanded batter’s box. He’s a good athlete who should be able to stick in the middle infield, though his actions and arm strength might be a tick light for shortstop and a better fit for second base. Cunningham is committed to Texas and will be 19 years old on draft day, but his plus pure hitting potential should make him a safe first-round pick.

19. Baltimore Orioles

Pick: C/OF Ike Irish
BA rank: 13

Reaction: Strictly as a hitter, Irish is one of the more complete offensive players in the collegiate class this year. There’s not a 70 tool, but there’s a balance of hitting ability, plate discipline and power. Will he catch? He didn’t catch much this year, so while we have seen examples of college catchers who have defensive questions end up either getting better or proving people wrong to stay behind the plate, there is still a good chance he could be an outfielder long term. The Orioles know that; they’re betting that has offensive game will be good enough no matter where he plays, especially when they already have Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo in the organization.

Scouting Report: Irish was a high-profile high school catcher who formed a talented battery at St. Mary’s Prep in Orchard Lake, Mich., with 2022 Rangers fourth-rounder Brock Porter. Instead of turning pro, Irish headed to Auburn, where he has been a potent, middle-of-the-order bat for three seasons and is one of the most well-rounded college hitters in the class. He’s a career .350/.435/.625 hitter with Auburn who homered 19 times in his draft year, has a lengthy wood bat track record and in 2025 his 1.332 conference OPS ranked second in the SEC. Irish has a strong frame at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and uses a wide, open setup in the box. He has good rhythm and a solid understanding of the zone, with a swing that can get long at times but typically stays in the hitting zone and comes through with impressive bat speed. He has hammered 92+ mph velocity and has a solid blend of contact ability, on-base skills and power with a chance to be an above-average pure hitter who hits 20-25 home runs per season. Irish is a fringe-average runner who played more right field than catcher in 2025. Scouts are mixed on whether he will stick behind the plate—with most viewing him as a likely corner outfielder or first baseman. Irish has an easy plus arm that would be a weapon at the position, but he needs to make real strides as a receiver and blocker and to tighten up his footwork to catch. His bat should still make him a safe first-rounder, with a shot to go in the top 10 picks.

20. Milwaukee Brewers

Pick: 3B/1B Andrew Fischer
BA rank: 28

Reaction: A college hitter with a strong offensive track record, good swing decisions and power certainly is in line with what we would expect from the Brewers. Fischer has drawn praise as one of the more complete offensive profiles in the college class this year, and while Fischer was announced as a third baseman, he has spent more time at first base and most likely as a first baseman long term.

Scouting Report: Fischer has been something of a nomad throughout his college career, making stops first at Duke, then at Ole Miss and finally Tennessee for the 2025 season. No matter where he has played, he has always shown plenty of power. With Tennessee in his draft year, Fischer put together a career-best season in which he hit .341/.497/.760 with 25 home runs, a career-low 14% strikeout rate and a career-high 22% walk rate. A 6-foot-1, 210-pound first baseman and lefthanded hitter, Fischer is a bat-first prospect who has a strong blend of contact skills, on-base ability and power. He has a crouched setup in the box with a steep and uphill bat path that shows a clear intent to lift and pull the baseball. Fischer has developed into a patient hitter who doesn’t often expand the strike zone and will happily take his walks where he gets them. When he does swing, he does so with plenty of intent and easy plus raw power that some scouts might put even louder grades on. He can hit towering fly balls to his pull side and his barrel rate in 2025 was one of the best in the country. Fischer has some experience playing third base and perhaps enough arm to warrant trying him there or a corner outfield spot in pro ball, but his range is limited and his natural athleticism is likely a better fit for first base. Fischer is one of the more well-rounded college hitters in the draft class and could go in the first round as a result.

21. Houston Astros

Pick: 3B/SS Xavier Neyens
BA rank: 19

Reaction: When everything is synced up, Neyens looks like a monster. He’s a physical, 6-foot-4 lefthanded hitter who has done a good job maintaining his conditioning and has a powerful, explosive with with high-end bat speed and raw power. He’s a patient hitter who will draw his walks and can juice the ball out to any part of the park with the potential for 30-plus homers. The offensive risk with Neyens is swing-and-miss and whether that will get exploited more against better pitchers or if he can keep it to a manageable level. If he can keep it under control, he looks like someone who could mash in the middle of the lineup, possibly as a third baseman, though at his size there’s some risk he goes to a corner outfield spot.

Scouting Report: Neyens is a classic lefthanded slugger with some of the best raw power in the 2025 class. A 6-foot-4, 205-pound shortstop, Neyens has tons of physicality and strength now, with a frame that has plenty of room for more in the future. He has a relaxed, upright stance in the batter’s box before taking a standard leg kick and stride with his lower half and a typical load with his hands. Neyens then fires his hands through the zone with plenty of intent and leverage. He has at least plus raw power now and should develop 70-grade juice at physical maturity, with a bat path that is already geared to elevate the baseball and do plenty of damage to all fields. Neyens is a patient hitter who has solid balance in the box and will let the ball travel, with more than enough strength to homer to the opposite field. Neyens has a power-over-hit profile and is borderline passive at times and also has some real swing-and-miss questions. His eye allows him to draw plenty of walks, but some scouts would like to see him capitalize more in positive count situations to take advantage o/f his considerable power. A shortstop now, Neyens is a fringe-average runner who fits better on a corner at the next level. His plus arm would fit nicely at the hot corner, and some scouts see the tools for above-average defense. Neyens is also a talented high school pitcher with a fastball up to 93 mph. He’s an Oregon State commit but should be a first-rounder thanks to his huge power and batting eye.

22. Atlanta Braves

Pick: SS Tate Southisene
BA rank: 43

Reaction: Southisene draws a split camp among scouts because of the bigger moves in his swing, but I’m in the group that’s optimistic it will work for him. He performed at a high level against good competition on the summer circuit, made plenty of contact and generated impressive bat speed to drive the ball with impact. He comes from a baseball family and has good all-around baseball instincts. I would suspect the Braves are going to get an under slot deal here on Southisene and be able to spent more money later in the draft, which would bolster a farm system that is in need of both hitters and depth.

Scouting Report: Southisene is the younger brother of Cubs second base prospect Ty Southisene, whom Chicago drafted in the fourth round in 2024 out of the same Basic Academy program in Nevada that Tate attended. Tate has a similar game and profile as Ty but has a chance to top his older brother’s draft status in the 2025 class. Southisene is a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds but has an enticing mix of baseball skills, a performance track record and a high-IQ style of play. Like his older brother, Southisene has moving parts in his righthanded swing, which starts with a low handset and features a moderate leg kick and a big hand hitch. He does a nice job using his entire body to generate stretch and torque in his swing to fire his hands through the zone and maximize his power output. Despite the moving parts, Southisene has a solid feel for the barrel and understands the strike zone. As he continues to add more strength, his ability to effectively impact, lift and backspin the baseball could lead to average game power, though he might be the sort of hitter who will need to trade a bit of contact to do so. Southisene is an above-average runner whose instincts might always allow his pure speed to play up. He’s spent time at shortstop and center field and could be an above-average defender at both positions, with a plus arm and a quick release in the infield. Southisene is committed to USC but fits as a top-two-rounds talent in the draft.

23. Kansas City Royals

Pick: OF/2B Sean Gamble
BA rank: 45

Reaction: Gamble has long stood out as one of the elite players in the 2025 high school class. There’s athleticism, tools, bat speed and, while there are times when his swing can get out of control, there’s typically strong offensive performance. Gamble has experience in both the infield and outfield and was announced as an outfielder, so while he has the skill set that could fit at second base, the outfield looks like his future home now.

Scouting Report: Gamble is an Iowa native who played his high school ball at powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He’s a 6-foot-2, 185-pound lefthanded hitter who has a mix of high-end tools, athleticism and upside. Gamble has loud bat speed and early in his prep career would swing with intent and explosion that led to impressive impact but also came with plenty of swing-and-miss tendencies. He added a lot more polish, efficiency and control to his swing during the 2024 summer showcase circuit and was one of the more impressive performers in the class. Gamble’s swing can still get a bit long at times and he will need to continue refining his approach, but he has a chance to hit for solid average and power. He’s an easy plus runner who gets out of the box quickly and should be a consistent basestealing threat. Gamble has a number of potential defensive landing spots. He primarily played second base as a senior with IMG Academy but has the arm strength for the left side of the infield. Gamble has workmanlike actions in the infield and will need to improve his arm versatility to stick there. He also has plenty of exposure in the outfield, and there are plenty of scouts who think he looks more natural as a center fielder. His longer arm action plays better on the grass, and he also has more than enough speed and natural athleticism to become an above-average defender. Gamble is a Vanderbilt commit and top-two-rounds talent.

24. Detroit Tigers

Pick: SS Jordan Yost
BA rank: 82

Reaction: Yost is by far the lowest ranked player on our board to go in the first round. The contact skills are very good, but the power is light. I would presume the Tigers are getting Yost well under slot, so we will see what the rest of their draft looks like with the money they spend on their other picks, but this one is the most surprising pick of the first round.

Scouting Report: Yost was a prominent up-arrow name out of the Florida prep ranks early in the spring of 2025. A 6-foot, 170-pound shortstop, Yost is a lefthanded hitter with a quick and compact swing. He has a strong understanding of the zone and makes enough contact to develop above-average or plus pure hitting ability, though he needs to add a significant amount of strength. Yost’s 98.7 mph max exit velocity in batting practice at the 2025 MLB Draft combine was one of the lowest marks of the class. Yost does have the sort of frame that suggests more strength is coming, though he might always profile as a hit-over-power bat who will get his slugging more from doubles than homers. Yost is a plus runner who has the tools to stick at a number of up-the-middle defensive positions. He has solid hands and average, accurate arm strength that should give him every opportunity to stick at shortstop and be a good defender there—though some scouts think he might eventually be a better fit for second base or center field where his range might play better. Yost has the talent to go in the first three rounds, but he’s a Florida commit who is a tough sign and his older brother, Hayden, currently plays for the Gators.

25. San Diego Padres

Pick: LHP Kruz Schoolcraft
BA rank: 21

Reaction: Schoolcraft is a gigantic 6-foot-8 lefty who throws 97 mph, looks like he will hit triple digits one day and is fairly athletic for his size. The changeup has been a quality pitch, though both that and his slider will need refinement in pro ball, but there’s a lot to like with Schoolcraft on the mound, especially for a player who was previously in the 2026 class. I think there’s upside here as a legitimate two-way player with big lefthanded power, so I would love to see Schoolcraft get that opportunity if the Padres were willing to buck conventional wisdom, but he will probably be pitching only in pro ball.

Scouting Report: Schoolcraft was one of the elite players for 2026, then in December 2023 he announced he was reclassifying to the 2025 class. He’s earned comparisons to Giants 2023 first-rounder Bryce Eldridge thanks to his gigantic 6-foot-8, 215-pound frame and two-way ability that gives him real potential as a pitcher and hitter. Unlike Eldridge, most scouts prefer Schoolcraft’s upside on the mound. He has impressive body control and coordination for his size with a delivery he repeats well and elite extension that should allow his entire mix to play up. He throws a fastball that sits in the low 90s and has been up to 97 mph and has done a nice job throwing the pitch for strikes to set up his secondaries. Schoolcraft’s 80-85 mph changeup is his most consistent secondary, and scouting directors viewed it as one of the best changeups in the prep class entering the year. It has above-average potential but needs more consistency. The same is true of Schoolcraft’s slider. He throws his breaker in the low 80s, and the pitch has shown enough power and movement to project an above-average offering with more development. As a hitter, Schoolcraft has a chance for 70-grade raw power from the left side to go with good defense and a big arm at first base. If he weren’t a 6-foot-8 lefty with a fastball up to 97, teams would be bearing down on his hitting chops. He’s a Tennessee commit but is a first-round talent who could become a monster with a few years of seasoning.

26. Philadelphia Phillies

Pick: RHP Gage Wood
BA rank: 18

Reaction: Wood’s stuff is exciting. He piled up whiffs this year. He also has a limited track record of starting or carrying significant innings, including this year when he moved to the starting rotation but missed a good chunk of the season with a shoulder injury. That’s a lot of risk, but the raw stuff is there to succeed whether it’s as a starter or reliever.

Scouting Report: Wood was a hard-throwing reliever for two seasons with Arkansas, then in 2025 moved into a full-time starting role. He suffered a shoulder injury after his second outing of the season and missed almost two months of the season before returning to the mound in mid April and dominating down the stretch. His season was highlighted by a complete game no-hitter in the College World Series against Murray State where he struck out 19 batters. While Wood only pitched 37.2 innings in his 2025 season across 10 starts, he posted a tremendous 46% strikeout rate and 4.7% walk rate. Wood is a stocky righthander with a 6-foot, 205-pound frame who attacks hitters with one of the best fastballs in the class. He sits in the upper 90s and will run the pitch up to 98 mph with great swing-and-miss traits at the top of the zone. Wood’s 32% miss rate with his fastball is a standout number, and the pitch plays up thanks to its flat approach angle and consistent location at the top of the zone. He has a north-south attack with a low-80s power curve that features impressive top-down shape and is his go-to secondary. Wood will also mix in a harder slider/cutter in the upper 80s and a rarely-used upper-80s changeup. Wood’s strikes have improved significantly since his freshman season. He should get every opportunity to start in pro ball, but has the pitch mix to succeed in the bullpen.

27. Cleveland Guardians

Pick: OF Jace LaViolette
BA rank: 17

Reaction: Well, this is certainly different than what we usually see for the Guardians. LaViolette has impressive physicality, athleticism and tools that fit ahead of a lot of the players who went ahead of him in the first round. But after coming into the season looking like a potential top 10 overall pick, LaViolette scuffled and left teams with more questions about how his hitting ability would translate in pro ball. If the Guardians are able to identify something with LaViolette that they can adjust to get him to make more frequent contact, they could be getting great value here, but the trend line overall for LaViolette hasn’t been pointing in the right direction this year.

Scouting Report: LaViolette entered the 2025 season as a favorite to be the first overall pick. He was fresh off a standout sophomore campaign in which he hit .305/.449/.726 with 48 extra-base hits—including 29 home runs—and 78 RBIs and boasted a special blend of physicality and loud tools. His 2025 season was a struggle. He hit just .258/.427/.576 with 18 home runs and a 25.2% strikeout rate as part of a disappointing Texas A&M team that had College World Series aspirations but missed the NCAA Tournament. LaViolette is tremendously physical with a 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame and tons of strength. He has a stiff—almost robotic—operation in the box that features little to no movement in his setup and load phase, but he generates thunderous raw power that led to 68 home runs in three seasons. He has double-plus raw power that plays to all fields. LaViolette’s biggest question is how much he’ll hit. He has advanced swing decisions and his career 19.3% walk rate that points toward a consistent floor of on-base ability, but his contact ability is below-average—especially for a potential first-round college bat. He owns a 71% contact rate for his career and has struggled with changeups, sliders and left-on-left spin in particular. LaViolette is a great athlete who has turned in plus run times and plays a solid center field with above-average arm strength. He has a unique college profile with obvious impact upside but some clear question marks that should make him a first-round conundrum on draft day.

38. New York Mets

Pick: 2B/RHP Mitch Voit
BA rank: 149

Reaction: The performance from Voit this season propelled him up draft boards. He showed a high-contact bat, made good swing decisions and made consistent, quality contact. There’s a chance for five average or better tools if everything clicks, and while it’s intriguing that the Mets drafted him as a two-way player, Voit’s future as a position player is what’s most appealing.

Scouting Report: Voit entered his 2025 junior season as a third-team preseason All-American utility player after playing on both sides of the ball with Michigan in 2023 and 2024. He pitched as a reliever as a freshman, then made 10 starts in his sophomore season. He dropped pitching in 2025 following an offseason arm surgery and has focused on hitting and playing second base. That focus led to a career year where Voit slashed .346/.471/.668 with 14 home runs, 17 doubles, a career-low 13% strikeout rate and a career-high 15.3% walk rate. With that improved plate discipline, Voit now boasts a fairly well-rounded offensive game that includes solid pop, contact ability and strong swing decisions. Voit has shown all-fields power with a metal bat, and his batted ball data is reasonably strong across the board. He’s also a good runner for his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame and tacked on 13 stolen bases—the most he’s had in a single season. He’s played a number of positions throughout college including third base, second base, first base and both corner outfield spots. When healthy and on the mound, Voit has thrown a fastball around 90 mph that touches 93, as well as a low-80s slider, mid-70s curveball and a changeup hovering around 80 mph, though his future looks brightest as a hitter.

39. New York Yankees

Pick: SS Dax Kilby
BA rank: 75

Reaction: I’m a believer in Kilby’s bat. The swing works well, there are a lot of barrels in game, it’s a sound offensive approach and there’s good strength projection remaining in his frame to grow into bigger power. I would think the Yankees probably get Kilby under slot here too, and for a team that doesn’t pick again until No. 103 overall and is starting with a smaller bonus pool, that could enable them to built out a deeper class.

Scouting Report: Kilby is a lean and lanky lefthanded hitter with a sweet swing and a track record of hitting at a high level. Listed at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Kilby has plenty of room to fill out and add more strength in the coming years, which should amplify an advanced and polished hit tool. He has an open setup and strides into a closed stance with good rhythm and balance. His bat path is fairly compact and comes without many moving pieces in his load stage, with a steady head throughout the swing that allows him to consistently find the barrel. Kilby pairs his strong contact ability with an advanced approach and an understanding of the strike zone, as well as high-quality pitch recognition. While he’s more of a line-drive, contact-oriented hitter, he has the physical projection to expect average or a tick better power in the future. Kilby is a solid runner who takes a few steps to get going but is above-average underway. A shortstop now, most scouts expect he’ll move off the position thanks to a rigid arm slot and below-average arm strength that will be a better fit for second base or the outfield. Finding a defensive home will be something Kilby needs to prove at the next level, whether that’s at Clemson or in pro ball. He’s getting attention in the first three rounds.

40. Los Angeles Dodgers

Pick: LHP Zach Root
BA rank: 40

Reaction: The Dodgers get the No. 40 ranked player with the No. 40 overall pick. It’s a power arm from the left side with good movement profiles to get swing-and-miss on a variety of secondary pitches that makes for a deep arsenal.

Scouting Report: Root pitched as a reliable starter for two seasons for East Carolina in 2023 and 2024 before transferring to Arkansas for his 2025 junior year. The jump from American Athletic to Southeastern Conference competition didn’t phase him. Root was a consistent starter all year for one of the best pitching staffs in the country and posted a 3.62 ERA over 19 starts and 99.1 innings with a career-high 30% strikeout rate and an 8.3% walk rate. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Root has a filled-out physique and a funky delivery that features a steep tilt in his leg lift and a three-quarters arm slot. He has a deep arsenal and impressive feel to land his secondaries. He added a tick of velocity to his fastball in 2025 and sits around 93 mph but will touch 98. The fastball has never been a consistent swing-and-miss pitch for Root. Instead he goes to curveball, changeup and slider to miss barrels. Root’s 78-82 mph curveball has solid depth and 1-to-7 shape that he uses at a high clip versus lefthanded and righthanded hitters alike. He favors his mid-80s changeup as a third piece against righthanded hitters and a harder, mid-80s slider that has a cutter look in the upper 80s against lefties. Each of his secondaries are at least average, and Root ties together the entire mix with above-average control. Root is a high-probability starter with back-of-the-rotation upside and fits solidly inside the first two rounds.