2025 MLB Draft Thread

[Regular Show]

The Cubs seemingly are relying more on data and their draft model these days, and you can't really argue with the results. The MLB Draft combine is more like the NBA combine than the NFL one (in terms of impact and improving draft stock). It doesn't really do that much, but it does allow teams to gain better information about the health of pitchers' arm/shoulder for the ones that agree to participate. 

[Regular Show]

Quote

Callis: I respect Aiva Arquette, he’s obviously No. 5 on our list, but 0% chance. I just think that if you’re going to draft Aiva Arquette, Ethan Holliday is a better version of Aiva Arquette. They both are represented by Scott Boras and the Nationals take a lot of Boras clients so there is that.

I really like Aiva Arquette, but I also highly doubt he gets selected with the top pick (I think the Rockies take Arquette). I agree with Jim Callis. I think Mike Rizzo and the Nationals take Ethan Holliday at #1, and I have like a 99% conviction in that. 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Quote

17. Cubs: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara (No. 17)
Bremner joined Arnold atop the college pitching crop before an inconsistent first two months to his season, but he's starting to rally with four double-digit strikeout outings in his last five starts. He owns the most wicked changeup in this class.

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Klaw mock: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6337620/2025/05/08/mlb-mock-draft-2025-ethan-holliday/?source=emp_shared_article

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

24 minutes ago, TomtheBombadil said:

Idk if I believe the Cubs are targeting HS players in the first but could see that being where the Value (all hail) is?Southisene and Young seem fine to me and they’re seemingly not even in the convo 

——

Also, since Witherspoon seems out of reach, this Anthony Eyanson guy at LSU could work esp outside the first:

He’s not yet 21 and I heard he graduated. Has a 105/26 K:BB in 68.1 IP…Not as physical as Witherspoon, prob a factor in being available later, but similar delivery, has feel for spin, up to 97 🤷‍♀️

Got to see a few of Eyanson's starts last year when he was at UCSD so a bit biased but I like him. 

(Also very biased but I would love to see the Cubs take Angel Cervantes because his asst HS coach was my son's little league coach last year and Cervantes and a few teammates played catch with my son and his friends last year.)

[CubinNY]

Law has Irish going one spot above. That seems kind of high for a guy who may not have a position. I wonder if he has enough power to play OF. He is supposed to have a great arm. 

[Jason Ross]

I think if the Cubs went HS prep bat, Steele Hall feels like he's a guy the Cubs would like. He's incredibly athletic, has strong bat to ball skills, capable at SS and young for the draft year, as he reclassified to 2025. The Cubs have been connected to similar types the last few drafts, and while they didn't ultimately go that route, Hall is getting buzz in the late teens and early 20's round. 

Of all the prep guys, he feels like he fits a mold the Cubs would go with.

[JBears79]

21 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

I think if the Cubs went HS prep bat, Steele Hall feels like he's a guy the Cubs would like. He's incredibly athletic, has strong bat to ball skills, capable at SS and young for the draft year, as he reclassified to 2025. The Cubs have been connected to similar types the last few drafts, and while they didn't ultimately go that route, Hall is getting buzz in the late teens and early 20's round. 

Of all the prep guys, he feels like he fits a mold the Cubs would go with.

What do you think of Neyens? I love his power potential and that he's a lefty 3B.

[Jason Ross]

1 hour ago, JBears79 said:

What do you think of Neyens? I love his power potential and that he's a lefty 3B.

Looks interesting! Love the bat. Defensively have read enough that suggests he could end up at 1b that I just don't think the Cubs do it. Since Kantrovitz has taken over, college has been prioritized over prep and Mathis is probably the first "likely 1b" profile they've taken in the first handful of rounds for a while. A prep bat with a decent likelihood of ending up at 1b feels like a reach for their draft profile. 

Ultimately, think the Cubs will pass but if you think he's got a real shot at 3b, then he's a worthwhile investment in the first round.

[JBears79]

17 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Looks interesting! Love the bat. Defensively have read enough that suggests he could end up at 1b that I just don't think the Cubs do it. Since Kantrovitz has taken over, college has been prioritized over prep and Mathis is probably the first "likely 1b" profile they've taken in the first handful of rounds for a while. A prep bat with a decent likelihood of ending up at 1b feels like a reach for their draft profile. 

Ultimately, think the Cubs will pass but if you think he's got a real shot at 3b, then he's a worthwhile investment in the first round.

Gotcha. That makes sense. Everything ive read on him seems to think hes got a good shot sticking at 3rd but like you said it comes down to whether Kantrovitz sees him moving to 1B. I just love that potential 70 power grade ive seen a few times on him.

[Jason Ross]

8 minutes ago, JBears79 said:

Gotcha. That makes sense. Everything ive read on him seems to think hes got a good shot sticking at 3rd but like you said it comes down to whether Kantrovitz sees him moving to 1B. I just love that potential 70 power grade ive seen a few times on him.

BA in their most recent suggested he might outgrow 3b and go to a corner, PL Live has him as this "Defensively, Neyens has made strides at third base. He shows soft hands, a strong arm, and relaxed, confident actions. That said, some scouts remain concerned about his footwork, which can get heavy at times, potentially pushing him to a corner outfield role long term. Still, he’s shown enough to suggest he has a shot to stick at third with continued improvement." And fringy athleticism. 

When I see scouts worried about athleticism and talking corner OF, that can sometimes manifest into "1b". Think this: how many people have been convinced that Owen Caissie, with a 55 grade arm but fringy athleticism needs to move off of RF to 1b? Neyens is already 6"4, 205lbs. 

I think there's going to be teams who see 1b risk. If you think he's a 3b, I'd say he's a top-15 type. If you think he's a corner, he's a top-30. If you're worried he's a real 1b type, he's probably outside of that. I really like the bat, but it'll come down to the internals and how you scout the defense. 

I can say from a personal standpoint, I'd be for a Neyens pick. Just not convinced the Cubs' profile suggests they'd be likely to go that route.

[JBears79]

1 hour ago, Jason Ross said:

BA in their most recent suggested he might outgrow 3b and go to a corner, PL Live has him as this "Defensively, Neyens has made strides at third base. He shows soft hands, a strong arm, and relaxed, confident actions. That said, some scouts remain concerned about his footwork, which can get heavy at times, potentially pushing him to a corner outfield role long term. Still, he’s shown enough to suggest he has a shot to stick at third with continued improvement." And fringy athleticism. 

When I see scouts worried about athleticism and talking corner OF, that can sometimes manifest into "1b". Think this: how many people have been convinced that Owen Caissie, with a 55 grade arm but fringy athleticism needs to move off of RF to 1b? Neyens is already 6"4, 205lbs. 

I think there's going to be teams who see 1b risk. If you think he's a 3b, I'd say he's a top-15 type. If you think he's a corner, he's a top-30. If you're worried he's a real 1b type, he's probably outside of that. I really like the bat, but it'll come down to the internals and how you scout the defense. 

I can say from a personal standpoint, I'd be for a Neyens pick. Just not convinced the Cubs' profile suggests they'd be likely to go that route.

Completely fair. Cant really find anything I disagree with you on there. Id be for him as well. 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2025-mlb-mock-draft-3-0-first-round-pick-predictions-for-every-team/

Bremner went 20, Neyens 21, Quick 22 and Aloy 23 - all guys I think I prefer to Summerhill.

[Outshined_One]

2 hours ago, CaliforniaRaisin said:

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2025-mlb-mock-draft-3-0-first-round-pick-predictions-for-every-team/

Bremner went 20, Neyens 21, Quick 22 and Aloy 23 - all guys I think I prefer to Summerhill.

He sounds Ian Happ-ish, which would be a really good outcome for where the Cubs are drafting, but that also feels a bit underwhelming.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/what-were-hearing-about-2025-mlb-draft-prospects-two-months-out/

I'm very intrigued with Quick in the Cubs area of the draft:

Quote

Riley Quick Surging

It seems like that grouping of four college pitchers is at the top of many team boards—but who’s No. 5? 

For many it will be UC Santa Barbara righthander Tyler Bremner, who entered the spring neck and neck with Arnold but has been a bit more inconsistent?

What about hulking, 6-foot-6, 245-pound righthander Riley Quick? He’s been a common name thrown around the industry in recent weeks and seems to be climbing boards. If he’s not solidly in the middle of the first round now, he could be soon.

Quick has a fastball that sits in the 96-97 mph range and is regularly up into the triple digits. For the first time in his career, he’s put together a solid package of innings as a full-time starter. His last three outings have been good ones—seven strikeouts vs. Missouri, nine strikeouts vs. Vanderbilt and seven strikeouts vs. Georgia—and his pure arm talent should rival most pitchers in the class. 

Quick hasn’t shown the same strikeout upside that his peers in the class have—his strikeout rate sits at a solid 26.2% in his first 12 starts—but he has made nice strides in the control department.

 

[Regular Show]

I'm still formulating my draft rankings and learning more about certain draft prospects, but I think the Cubs are taking a proven college talent just like in previous years. That strategy has worked out pretty well, and I think the draft model they use tends to push these advanced hitters higher up in their internal rankings. 

I don't think Wehiwa Aloy makes it to the Cubs' pick at 17 (I would be happy if he was still available). I think we should be monitoring Gavin Kilen, Marek Houston, and Brendan Summerhill. Maybe Andrew Fischer if the Cubs think he has a possibility of being average defensively at 3B (I don't think he will be and many scouts doubt it). Probably ends up being just a 1B prospect, but he has a good stroke and power. Reminds me of Michael Busch in college. 

[JBears79]

I'm manifesting Jack Bauer, Number 24, Cubs 2029 Cy young Ace into existence.

Also big fan of Neyens still, I think he can stick at 3B and I love power prospects. Quentin Young is very interesting to me and has MLB bloodlines. Cant rule out Devin Taylor either.

Still a huge fan of Dean Curley too. That swing is quick and gorgeous. He gets his hands to the ball so fast with control and has excellent strike zone discipline. 

[Jason Ross]

Prospects Live mocked Steele Hall to the Cubs. 

That's a guy who fits a lot of the Cubs profile. In terms of profile he feels like a guy to watch. 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

37 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Prospects Live mocked Steele Hall to the Cubs. 

That's a guy who fits a lot of the Cubs profile. In terms of profile he feels like a guy to watch. 

The mock is free for everyone:

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Kiley McDaniel dropped his updated top 150 and a mock top 11:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45110962/2025-mlb-draft-rankings-150-mock-draft-top-prospects

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Quote

17. Chicago Cubs – SS Wehiwa Aloy, Arkansas

Slot Value: $4,750,800

The Cubs have not dabbled in the prep side since the 2020 draft, and that trend will continue in this mock. Aloy has been a fascinating player to dive into this spring, as an approach change to start the year has led to excellent success. He’s come back to earth a bit in SEC play, but he’s flashed significant right-handed pop and looks to be a lock on the left side of the dirt defensively. Aloy will waste no time pummeling mistakes on the inner half. Finding and maintaining a balance with the stick at the next level will be paramount to his success. Assuming guys like Tyler Bremner fall to this pick, expect the Cubs to pounce. However, that’s not what plays out in this scenario, hence the Aloy pick.

 

[CubinNY]

I know MLB is a BPA type draft, but given where the Cubs are in their prospect hierarchy, does anyone think the first few rounds will be pitcher-heavy for the Cubs?

[Jason Ross]

2 hours ago, CubinNY said:

I know MLB is a BPA type draft, but given where the Cubs are in their prospect hierarchy, does anyone think the first few rounds will be pitcher-heavy for the Cubs?

I think the after the first, the concept of BPA is pretty spurious as is, in my opinion. At that point you're drafting between different versions of flawed (not in a bad way, but there's just a reason most of these kids aren't going higher. They have skills! Just need specific polishes). 

But I expect this will be a pitcher heavy draft, yes. They'll probably pick a catcher (picking one catcher a draft is good practice) and a hitter or two sprinkled throughout. But my expectation is 12-14 arms and potentially like a 16-arm 4-bat draft if they really lean into it.

[JBears79]

I'm hoping they go college hitter in the first. They just seem to have success going that route. I do hope they continue the trend of taking guys with great raw power and that 11th round high school bat but I do expect another pitcher heavy one.

The top of this draft seems to be pretty heavy with guys that can hit the snot out of the ball but need refining for in game power.