'25 draft discussion

Boredlawyer · 07-08-2025, 05:02 PM

Looking forward to Sunday night to see if we have any surprises. Nats firing GM may or may not create intrigue with the #1 pick.

Naturally there are some unlisted names who will pop in the first round, but this encompasses the hobby chases this winter.

Here are buckets for folks that are speculating on prices:

Obvious high ceiling chases
Ethan Holliday - in conversation for 1-1
Eli Willits - most polished high school player for me
Billy Carlson - reminsicent of Konnor Griffin
Steele Hall - top of charts athleticism, bat question marks
Gavin Fien
Jojo Parker* - came on very strong last couple months

High ceiling/low floor bats
Xavier Neyens - top of class power
Quentin Young - top of class power, Elijah Green risk
Jace Laviolette - was 1-1 coming into year, looked mechanically stiff all year

Steady & polished lefties
Kade Anderson* - might go 1-1
Jamie Arnold

More volatile & higher ceiling lefties
Liam Doyle* - could go 1-1

First round bats with desirable hobby tools
Josh Hammond - big power/arm combo
Kayson Cunningham - ultra polished, Theo Gillen clone
Sean Gamble - athletic
Slater de Brun - Corbin Carroll lite
Aiva Arquette* - big bat SS
Wehiwa Aloy* - big bat SS

Notable righties, but not hobby drivers
Kyson Witherspoon
Tyler Bremner
Gage Wood - no hitter in CWS
Anthony Eyanson

Highest ceiling/extreme risk high school pitching preps
Seth Hernandez
Kruz Schoolcraft
Jack Bauer - touched 103

High floor college bats without outlier hobby tool
Cam Cannarella
Brendan Summerhill*
Ike Irish*
Gavin Kilen*
Marek Houston
Andrew Fischer*
Luke Stevenson
Caden Bodine
Devin Taylor
Max Belyeu

High schoolers with pedigree or tools
Daniel Pierce*
Brady Ebel
Coy James

Best bet to be Joey Gallo
Nolan Schubart
Ethan Petry

*denotes no Panini Stars & Stripes cards

Most interesting scenario for me as to hobby excitement and plausible scenarios would be:
-Holliday goes 1 or 4 to Rockies; Willits goes 1 or 5 to Cardinals
-Prep shortstop doesn't go to Marlins
-High risk bats Young, Hammond, Laviolette, Neyens land with big markets in second half of first round
-Marlins, White Sox, A's take pitching

JWBlue · 07-08-2025, 05:20 PM

Draft coverage on MLB Network is really good.

They break down players. Give comps.

kipgen · 07-08-2025, 05:59 PM

I like Andrew Fischer the most so far, really good combination of discipline and power

boxbuster7 · 07-08-2025, 06:01 PM

pretty insane for matt holliday to have 2 sons go 1st overall

Wrightfan85 · 07-08-2025, 06:28 PM

I'm interested in seeing where Ethan Conrad goes. Was looking like a first rounder until he hurt himself diving for a ball early in the college season. Local kid.

sbfinley · 07-08-2025, 10:43 PM

I don’t prospect, but I saw pretty much every SEC team in person multiple times this season and the most impressive player I saw on the field (sans Cade Anderson) was Wehiwa Aloy. I know I’m going to sound like one of the old geezers from Money Ball, but he just gave off the aura of a premier Big League Player. There are definitely some things he can polish, but I was very impressed watching him this season.

brothertona · 07-09-2025, 12:25 PM

Begging for the Braves to start taking position players again.

Boredlawyer · 07-09-2025, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brothertona

Begging for the Braves to start taking position players again.

If it's any consolation for this season, the '26 class looks to be loaded at shortstop in the prep and college rankings.

brothertona · 07-09-2025, 01:51 PM

Yeah it's a fun class - Burress from Tech, Cholowsky at UCLA, Farr at Texas A&M

JRX · 07-09-2025, 02:45 PM

This reminded me to look up wtf happened to Druw Jones. He killed the strat of drafting youngest players + children of major leaguers.

boxbuster7 · 07-09-2025, 02:52 PM

Lawlar said hold ma beer

Boredlawyer · 07-11-2025, 09:51 AM

DraftKings has some fun little prop bets up for the draft. I sprinkled a few on the following:

Caden Bodine before Pick 21.5
Cam Cannarella before Pick 33.5
Devin Taylor before Pick 42.5
Gage Wood before Pick 17.5
Gavin Fien before Pick 17.5
Kayson Cunningham before Pick 20.5
Quentin Young Draft Position before Pick 40.5
Wood drafted before Bremner
Fien drafted before Neyens
Carlson drafted before J. Parker
Eyanson drafted before Middleton

No real rhyme or reason to these except I am betting on a team placing emphasis on CWS performance and Young's combine performance.

Maybe I'll post some of my favorite USA cards later this weekend that I've acquired.

JRX · 07-11-2025, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

DraftKings has some fun little prop bets up for the draft. I sprinkled a few on the following:

Caden Bodine before Pick 21.5
Cam Cannarella before Pick 33.5
Devin Taylor before Pick 42.5
Gage Wood before Pick 17.5
Gavin Fien before Pick 17.5
Kayson Cunningham before Pick 20.5
Quentin Young Draft Position before Pick 40.5
Wood drafted before Bremner
Fien drafted before Neyens
Carlson drafted before J. Parker
Eyanson drafted before Middleton

No real rhyme or reason to these except I am betting on a team placing emphasis on CWS performance and Young's combine performance.

Maybe I'll post some of my favorite USA cards later this weekend that I've acquired.

Looks like sucker bets

Boredlawyer · 07-11-2025, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRX

Looks like sucker bets

Well, that would be entirely determined based on the odds you're getting at the pick. But no DK bet would have positive EV.

MtnAg08 · 07-11-2025, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbfinley

I don’t prospect, but I saw pretty much every SEC team in person multiple times this season and the most impressive player I saw on the field (sans Cade Anderson) was Wehiwa Aloy. I know I’m going to sound like one of the old geezers from Money Ball, but he just gave off the aura of a premier Big League Player. There are definitely some things he can polish, but I was very impressed watching him this season.

But how good looking is his girlfriend? If she's not at least a 9 then he can't have much confidence

Raleigh504 · 07-11-2025, 12:58 PM

I just hope Cleveland doesn't draft another middle infielder like they do every year (or so it seems).

Jaypers · 07-13-2025, 11:25 AM

Happy draft day. Starts at 6pm EST. ESPN and MLBN.

Looking likely that Holliday gets picked by the Rox at 4.

21Pittsburgh58 · 07-13-2025, 12:08 PM

Interested to see where Ethan Petry goes and which direction the Pirates go

boxbuster7 · 07-13-2025, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaypers

Happy draft day. Starts at 6pm EST. ESPN and MLBN.

Looking likely that Holliday gets picked by the Rox at 4.

I thought Holliday was going 1

who is the top pick now?

NickyCards · 07-13-2025, 12:30 PM

I wish the Yankees had a shot at Gage Wood

Boredlawyer · 07-13-2025, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

I thought Holliday was going 1

who is the top pick now?

Anderson.

I have a gut feeling that Nationals might zag though. I'm not counting Willits out.

Boredlawyer · 07-13-2025, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 21Pittsburgh58

Interested to see where Ethan Petry goes and which direction the Pirates go

Someone snagged a couple Petrys of my eBay this morning. Maybe there's smoke there.

Dodgerfan74 · 07-13-2025, 02:01 PM

Dodgers drafting the highest they have in years
Will Ebel be available for Dodgers?

boxbuster7 · 07-13-2025, 02:43 PM

I always liked Reggie Willits when he was on the angels

good for him

Jaypers · 07-13-2025, 05:12 PM

Nats select Eli Willits 1-1. The first surprise didn't take long. Under slot deal, of course.

07-08-2025, 05:20 PM	#2
JWBlue Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 9,883	Draft coverage on MLB Network is really good. They break down players. Give comps. __________________ Hobby favorites : Redemptions, Black /1 cards, Baseball : Topps flagship

07-08-2025, 06:01 PM	#4
boxbuster7 Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 12,867 boxbuster777	pretty insane for matt holliday to have 2 sons go 1st overall __________________ Psa 9 > psa 10

07-09-2025, 02:52 PM	#11
boxbuster7 Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 12,867 boxbuster777	Lawlar said hold ma beer __________________ Psa 9 > psa 10

07-11-2025, 12:58 PM	#16
Raleigh504 Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: NC Posts: 2,674 ig_bljhsports	I just hope Cleveland doesn't draft another middle infielder like they do every year (or so it seems). __________________ https://myslabs.to/brasm_sports5 https://www.ebay.com/str/jrbuddysportsandmore

07-13-2025, 11:25 AM	#17
Jaypers Bowman Scout Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IL Posts: 51,720 cardboardconglomerate	Happy draft day. Starts at 6pm EST. ESPN and MLBN. Looking likely that Holliday gets picked by the Rox at 4. __________________ Impervious to baiting.

07-08-2025, 05:02 PM	#1
Boredlawyer Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,190	'25 draft discussion Looking forward to Sunday night to see if we have any surprises. Nats firing GM may or may not create intrigue with the #1 pick. Naturally there are some unlisted names who will pop in the first round, but this encompasses the hobby chases this winter. Here are buckets for folks that are speculating on prices: Obvious high ceiling chases Ethan Holliday - in conversation for 1-1 Eli Willits - most polished high school player for me Billy Carlson - reminsicent of Konnor Griffin Steele Hall - top of charts athleticism, bat question marks Gavin Fien Jojo Parker* - came on very strong last couple months High ceiling/low floor bats Xavier Neyens - top of class power Quentin Young - top of class power, Elijah Green risk Jace Laviolette - was 1-1 coming into year, looked mechanically stiff all year Steady & polished lefties Kade Anderson* - might go 1-1 Jamie Arnold More volatile & higher ceiling lefties Liam Doyle* - could go 1-1 First round bats with desirable hobby tools Josh Hammond - big power/arm combo Kayson Cunningham - ultra polished, Theo Gillen clone Sean Gamble - athletic Slater de Brun - Corbin Carroll lite Aiva Arquette* - big bat SS Wehiwa Aloy* - big bat SS Notable righties, but not hobby drivers Kyson Witherspoon Tyler Bremner Gage Wood - no hitter in CWS Anthony Eyanson Highest ceiling/extreme risk high school pitching preps Seth Hernandez Kruz Schoolcraft Jack Bauer - touched 103 High floor college bats without outlier hobby tool Cam Cannarella Brendan Summerhill* Ike Irish* Gavin Kilen* Marek Houston Andrew Fischer* Luke Stevenson Caden Bodine Devin Taylor Max Belyeu High schoolers with pedigree or tools Daniel Pierce* Brady Ebel Coy James Best bet to be Joey Gallo Nolan Schubart Ethan Petry *denotes no Panini Stars & Stripes cards Most interesting scenario for me as to hobby excitement and plausible scenarios would be: -Holliday goes 1 or 4 to Rockies; Willits goes 1 or 5 to Cardinals -Prep shortstop doesn't go to Marlins -High risk bats Young, Hammond, Laviolette, Neyens land with big markets in second half of first round -Marlins, White Sox, A's take pitching

07-08-2025, 05:59 PM	#3
kipgen Member Join Date: May 2024 Posts: 1,387	I like Andrew Fischer the most so far, really good combination of discipline and power

07-08-2025, 06:28 PM	#5
Wrightfan85 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NY Posts: 3,466 HOFpostcardcollector Wrightfan85	I'm interested in seeing where Ethan Conrad goes. Was looking like a first rounder until he hurt himself diving for a ball early in the college season. Local kid.

07-08-2025, 10:43 PM	#6
sbfinley Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 1,326	I don’t prospect, but I saw pretty much every SEC team in person multiple times this season and the most impressive player I saw on the field (sans Cade Anderson) was Wehiwa Aloy. I know I’m going to sound like one of the old geezers from Money Ball, but he just gave off the aura of a premier Big League Player. There are definitely some things he can polish, but I was very impressed watching him this season.

07-09-2025, 12:25 PM	#7
brothertona Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 6,966 brothertona1	Begging for the Braves to start taking position players again.

07-09-2025, 01:51 PM	#9
brothertona Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 6,966 brothertona1	Yeah it's a fun class - Burress from Tech, Cholowsky at UCLA, Farr at Texas A&M

07-09-2025, 02:45 PM	#10
JRX Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 15,958	This reminded me to look up wtf happened to Druw Jones. He killed the strat of drafting youngest players + children of major leaguers.

07-11-2025, 09:51 AM	#12
Boredlawyer Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,190	DraftKings has some fun little prop bets up for the draft. I sprinkled a few on the following: Caden Bodine before Pick 21.5 Cam Cannarella before Pick 33.5 Devin Taylor before Pick 42.5 Gage Wood before Pick 17.5 Gavin Fien before Pick 17.5 Kayson Cunningham before Pick 20.5 Quentin Young Draft Position before Pick 40.5 Wood drafted before Bremner Fien drafted before Neyens Carlson drafted before J. Parker Eyanson drafted before Middleton No real rhyme or reason to these except I am betting on a team placing emphasis on CWS performance and Young's combine performance. Maybe I'll post some of my favorite USA cards later this weekend that I've acquired.

07-13-2025, 12:08 PM	#18
21Pittsburgh58 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Luke AFB, AZ Posts: 5,211 JackLambertHOF	Interested to see where Ethan Petry goes and which direction the Pirates go __________________ 21-Roberto Clemente 58-Jack Lambert Liverpool FC - You'll Never Walk Alone! Carl Sagan: Pale Blue Dot. YouTube this and get over yourself Russ Westbrook, Trout, Shohei, Acuna, Charles LeClerc, Nick Kurtz, Sydney Sweeney

07-13-2025, 12:30 PM	#20
NickyCards Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 782	I wish the Yankees had a shot at Gage Wood

07-13-2025, 02:01 PM	#23
Dodgerfan74 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,385	Dodgers drafting the highest they have in years Will Ebel be available for Dodgers? __________________ All I Know is I'm not Home Yet This is not Where I belong

07-13-2025, 02:43 PM	#24
boxbuster7 Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 12,867 boxbuster777	I always liked Reggie Willits when he was on the angels good for him __________________ Psa 9 > psa 10

07-13-2025, 05:12 PM	#25
Jaypers Bowman Scout Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IL Posts: 51,720 cardboardconglomerate	Nats select Eli Willits 1-1. The first surprise didn't take long. Under slot deal, of course. __________________ Impervious to baiting.