Deep Dive into the 2025 MLB Draft: The Top 250 Prospects
The week of the 2025 MLB draft is here, and it’s time to expand my ranking of the best prospects in this year’s class to 250 players. This list is based on the evaluation of the quality of the players, beyond team predictions.
I have updated my overall rankings of the top 100 minor league prospects to make adjustments and remove graduated players. This allows for the placement of the top draft picks on that list at the time they sign. Future Value (FV) grades are also included so you can see where those players would rank in your team’s overall prospect rankings. In addition, current and future tool grades are included for all players with an FV of 45 or more.
This year’s class is led by a group of college left-handed pitchers at the top of the rankings. Who is number 1? It’s time to find out.
Additional draft coverage:Additional draft coverage:Date and Time: July 13th at 6 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Tier 55 FV
1. Kade Anderson (21.0), LHP, LSURelease:
- Fastball: 50/55
- Slider: 55/60
- Curveball: 45/50
- Changeup: 50/55
- Control: 45/55
MLB Top 100 Prospects List Position: 25
Worst-case scenario: If his durability doesn’t improve, his performance and/or control fall below a grade of 55, and he becomes a back-of-the-rotation starter.
Anderson, after undergoing Tommy John surgery in high school, showed promising flashes in his freshman season, although he pitched only 38 innings. He was considered a second-round prospect, but he surprised with 180 strikeouts in the spring as the ace of the national champions. The surgery and his slender physique raise doubts about his ability to pitch more than 180 innings as an elite starter. He is compared to Max Fried, a left-hander with precision and variety in his pitches.
Given the recent trend of ACC/SEC openers in the top 10, Anderson could rise quickly, with small adjustments to reach his potential.
2. Ethan Holliday (18.3), SS, Stillwater HS (OK), committed to Oklahoma StateSkills:- Hit: 25/45
- Power in Play: 30/65
- Raw Power: 60/70
- Speed: 45/40
- Fielding: 40/50
- Throwing: 55/55
MLB Top 100 Prospects List Ranking: 31
Worst-case scenario: If your contact tool gets closer to a 40 (.230 hitter), your power potential would be limited to about 20 home runs.
Holliday, considered a co-number 1 in the class, has not had a consistent performance in the summer, where the best pitchers face the best hitters. His hand timing seemed to be the problem, but he corrected it in the spring. Team metrics suggest caution due to his past performance. However, Holliday is expected to be a .250 hitter with a high walk rate and 25-30 home runs, playing above-average defense at third base. There is a risk, but he could move up significantly in the top 100.
3. Eli Willits (17.6), SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK), committed to OklahomaSkills:- Hit: 30/60
- Power in Play: 20/45
- Raw Power: 40/50
- Speed: 60/55
- Fielding: 45/55
- Throwing: 55/55
MLB Top 100 Prospects List Position: 37
Worst-case scenario: If his athleticism declines, he becomes a 10-15 home run hitter at second base.
Willits, with excellent skills and performance, is often underestimated. He could become one of the best hitters in terms of average and on-base, with 20/20 potential as a shortstop, ranking among the top 20 players in the league.
Tier 50 FV
4. Seth Hernandez (19.0), RHP, Corona HS (CA), committed to VanderbiltRelease:
- Fastball: 55/60
- Slider: 40/50
- Curveball: 45/50
- Changeup: 60/70
- Control: 40/50
MLB Top 100 Prospects List Position: 43
Worst-case scenario: If his velocity decreases, his breaking and fastball pitches are average, and he becomes an inconsistent starter or a two-pitch reliever.
Hernandez, as a prominent two-way player, could become an ace, but this profile is risky. His curveball and slider improved, and his changeup is exceptional. Experts debate whether fastball shape and spin rate are key, areas where Hernandez is below average.
5. Jamie Arnold (21.2), LHP, Florida StateRelease:
- Fastball: 45/55
- Cutter: 40/50
- Slider: 55/60
- Changeup: 50/60
- Control: 40/50
Position on the MLB Top 100 Prospects list: 51
Worst-case scenario: If his fastball is average, he throws it incorrectly and his control isn’t good enough to be a No. 2/No. 3 starter, becoming a back-end-of-the-rotation pitcher.
Arnold, with a low release, has significant advantages, including a flatter approach angle. His control is better than his command. He could be a No. 2/No. 3 starter with three above-average pitches if he improves.
6. Liam Doyle (21.0), LHP, TennesseeRelease:
- Fastball: 60/65
- Cutter: 50/55
- Slider: 45/50
- Splitter: 45/55
- Control: 40/50
MLB Top 100 Prospects List Ranking: 52
Worst-case scenario: If his physique, release, and approach don’t allow him to complete the alignment, he will pitch between 60 and 100 innings a year with some impact in a minor role.
Doyle, after last season, showed improvements in speed and control. His fastball could be effective in MLB, and his secondary pitches are above average. The question is whether his power and energetic pitching approach will prevent him from completing a lineup, turning him into a reliever. He could be in the majors in 2026.
7. JoJo Parker (18.8), SS, Purvis HS (MS), committed to Mississippi StateSkills:
- Hit: 30/60
- Power in Play: 30/50
- Raw Power: 45/55
- Speed: 50/45
- Fielding: 40/45
- Throwing: 55/55
MLB Top 100 Prospects List Ranking: 55
Worst-case scenario: If he’s a little worse offensively than expected, let’s say .260 with 15 home runs, playing at second/third base.
Parker has steadily climbed the rankings, with a 70-grade hitting potential and an exceptional character. He could be an exceptional hitter, allowing him to reach his raw power and, if he plays at second/third base in the long run, would offer similar potential to a college player. His twin brother, Jacob, is a seven-figure prospect this year.
8. Billy Carlson (19.0), SS, Corona HS (CA), committed to TennesseeSkills:- Hit: 30/50
- Game Power: 30/50
- Raw Power: 50/55
- Speed: 50/50
- Fielding: 50/60
- Throwing: 80/80
MLB Top 100 Prospects List Ranking: 85
Worst-case scenario: If the offensive adjustments don’t work, and he has to choose between hitting or power, but can’t be average or above average in both, despite the raw tools.
Carlson, with a physique similar to Bobby Witt Jr., possesses athleticism and an exceptional arm. His batting practice is impressive, with above-average power projection. However, his swing is too wide, and the uncertainty about his ability to be a power and average hitter at the same time raises doubts. In addition, his age is a negative factor.
9. Aiva Arquette (21.7), SS, Oregon StateSkills:
- Hit: 30/45
- Power in Play: 30/55
- Raw Power: 55/60
- Speed: 50/50
- Fielding: 40/50
- Throwing: 60/60
MLB Top 100 Prospects List Position: 95
Worst-case scenario: He moves to third base and is a .230 or .240 hitter with a below-average walk rate, limiting his power potential to 18-20 home runs per year.
Arquette, at 6’5″ and 220 pounds, could stick at shortstop as an average defender. His contact ability and pitch selection are average, which could make him a 25-30 home run shortstop or a .235 hitter with 18-20 home runs at third base.
Tier 45-plus FV
10. Kyson Witherspoon (20.9), RHP, OklahomaRelease:
- Fastball: 55/60
- Cutter: 50/60
- Slider: 45/50
- Curveball: 45/50
- Changeup: 40/50
- Control: 40/50
Worst-case scenario: If his release/arm action doesn’t allow him to improve his control, and his fastball/cutter are more of a grade 55 than a grade 60, he becomes a back-of-the-rotation starter or reliever.
Witherspoon, with a junior college background, has improved his pitching and performance. His short arm motion resembles Dylan Cease or Lucas Giolito, and his arsenal is similar to Gage Wood. Scouts believe he is on the verge of making a big leap.
11. Ike Irish (21.6), RF, AuburnSkills:- Hit: 35/55
- Power in Play: 35/55
- Raw Power: 50/55
- Speed: 40/40
- Fielding: 40/50
- Throwing: 55/55
Worst-case scenario: He’s a good, not great, hitter with average power (.260 with 15-18 home runs) who is inconsistent enough as an outfielder to be platooned.
Irish, with great offensive performance, has indicators that analytical draft models adore. Some teams believe he is a 60-grade hitter with 55-grade power and an exceptional mentality, in addition to the possibility of being a catcher. He is a low-ceiling, high-floor pick.
12. Gavin Fien (18.2), 3B, Great Oak HS (CA), committed to TexasSkills:- Hit: 25/55
- Power in Play: 30/55
- Raw Power: 55/60
- Speed: 45/45
- Fielding: 40/50
- Throwing: 55/55
Least favorable scenario: Your erratic spring is more indicative of your future, and you have a below-average contact tool that limits power and hinders profiling in the corners.
Fien, with a combination of contact and power in the summer, has positive projections. Scouts have been confused by his spring, but he could follow the path of James Wood and Aidan Miller.
13. Steele Hall (17.9), SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL), committed to TennesseeSkills:- Hit: 25/50
- Game Power: 25/50
- Raw Power: 40/50
- Speed: 70/70
- Fielding: 45/55
- Throwing: 55/55
Worst-case scenario: His contact ability is at the lower end of expectations, making him more of a utility player with some speed/defense and tools that he can’t translate into stats.
Hall, one of the youngest players in the draft, has shown swing-and-miss, but also potential. He is compared to Anthony Volpe, Jett Williams, and Trea Turner.
Tier 45 FV
14. Brendan Summerhill (21.7), CF, Arizona15. Wehiwa Aloy (21.4), SS, Arkansas16. Gage Wood (21.5), RHP, Arkansas17. Josh Hammond (18.8), SS, Wesleyan Christian HS (NC), committed to Wake Forest18. Tyler Bremner (21.2), RHP, UC Santa Barbara19. Daniel Pierce (18.9), SS, Mill Creek HS (GA), committed to Georgia20. Gavin Kilen (21.2), SS, Tennessee21. Jace Laviolette (21.6), CF, Texas A&M22. Marek Houston (21.2), SS, Wake Forest23. Caden Bodine (21.6), C, Coastal Carolina24. Andrew Fischer (21.0), 3B, Tennessee25. Kayson Cunningham (19.0), SS, Johnson HS (TX), committed to Texas26. Xavier Neyens (18.7), 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA), committed to Oregon State27. Cam Cannarella (21.8), CF, Clemson28. Dax Kilby (18.6), SS, Newnan HS (GA), committed to Clemson29. Kruz Schoolcraft (18.2), LHP, Sunset HS (OR), committed to Tennessee30. Ethan Conrad (21.0), RF, Wake Forest31. Jaden Fauske (18.7), RF, Nazareth Academy HS (IL), committed to LSU32. Aaron Watson (18.5), RHP, Trinity Christian HS (FL), committed to Florida33. Patrick Forbes (20.9), RHP, Louisville34. Slater de Brun (18.1), CF, Summit HS (OR), committed to Vanderbilt35. Sean Gamble (18.9), 2B, IMG Academy HS (FL), committed to Vanderbilt36. Quentin Young (18.2), 3B, Oaks Christian HS (CA), committed to LSU37. Tate Southisene (18.8), SS, Basic HS (NV), committed to USCSummerhill, with good exit velocities, underperformed in the spring. Aloy and Wood, teammates, could be interesting to follow. Hammond is a player to watch. Schoolcraft is a risk due to concerns about his breaking ball. Young is a player with power potential, while Neyens has power and can play third base.
Tier 40-plus FV
38. Luke Stevenson (21.0), C, North Carolina39. Devin Taylor (21.5), LF, Indiana40. Marcus Phillips (21.0), RHP, Tennessee41. Riley Quick (21.1), RHP, Alabama42. J.B. Middleton (21.6), RHP, Southern Miss43. Mason Neville (21.5), CF, Oregon44. Matthew Fisher (19.3), RHP, Evansville Memorial HS (IN), committed to Indiana45. Anthony Eyanson (20.8), RHP, LSU46. Josh Owens (18.5), SS, Providence Academy HS (TN), committed to Georgia Southern47. J.D. Thompson (21.8), LHP, Vanderbilt48. Zach Root (21.4), LHP, Arkansas49. Malachi Witherspoon (20.9), RHP, Oklahoma50. Michael Oliveto (18.4), C, Hauppauge HS (NY), committed to YaleThis group, which should be selected in later rounds, includes Phillips, with a 20-grade arm, and Quick, who had Tommy John surgery. Owens and Oliveto are left-handed hitters with potential.
Tier 40 FV
51. Cooper Flemming (18.9), SS, Aliso Niguel HS (CA), committed to Vanderbilt52. Nick Becker (18.6), SS, Don Bosco HS (NJ), committed to Virginia53. Josiah Hartshorn (18.4), LF, Orange Lutheran HS (CA), committed to Texas A&M54. Kane Kepley (21.3), CF, North Carolina55. Brock Sell (18.7), CF, Tokay HS (CA), committed to Stanford56. Jordan Yost (18.5), SS,
