2025 MLB Draft Speculation and Discussion

[Squire]

Not sure Law has ever had good intel on the Barber run Phillies. Wouldn’t hate the pick. Would like that better than the 2024 strategy where we ended up with two guys ranked 45-55 range.

[Squire]

I'll put this out there but I really hope we don't take Slater de Brun. I'm sure he's a good prospect but the profile feels exactly the same as Nori and Crawford to me and we've got enough of those guys. Same for Cam Cammarella.

[andyb]

Dual mocks from MLB.

26. Phillies
Mayo: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina (No. 33)
The Phillies have also been very high school heavy in the first round for the last several Drafts, so we’re going to change it up here and have them take the next best college catcher on the board, while they consider other college bats like Ethan Conrad. Prep bats like Gamble or Hammond are still a possibility.

Callis: Sean Gamble, 2B/OF, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (No. 27)
If the Phillies take a high schooler in the first rounder for the sixth consecutive year, it likely will be one of the hitters mentioned above with the Royals, Tigers and Padres. If they opt for a pitcher, they'd probably go the college route with someone like Quick.

https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/final-mlb-mock-draft-2025?t=mlb-draft-coverage

[Squire]

I'm sure he's a very nice guy but Mayo always seems to just be guessing based on what he would do. Callis is actually good at his job.

[zambonir]

In Law's mock he actually says that when he's speculating rather reporting, he tries to say so; I think the write-up on Gage Wood definitely counts as the former.

If any team would just say “screw it” and take Wood despite the medicals, it’s probably the Phillies.

[Squire]

BA Final Mock and Speculation

1. Phillies — Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS, Temecula, Calif.
   Why He’s The Pick: For a while now I’ve expected that Fien could fit in this range on the draft board if he isn’t picked by one of the analytical teams in the late teens associated with him. I’ve heard the Phillies could like him, and haven’t had them tied strongly to many other players. In recent years they’ve targeted high school hitters more than most teams at the top of the draft. If Marek Houston does slide into the 20s I wonder if the Phillies would be a team that would scoop him up.

What They Are Getting: Fien has one of the more exciting hit/power combinations in the prep class and was one of the best performers on the 2024 travel circuit.

Other Names We’re Hearing: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest; Anthony Eyanson, RHP, LSU; Sean Gamble, OF/2B, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.

Dart Throw Names For Later Rounds: Aaron Watson, RHP, Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville; Jared Spencer, LHP, Texas

[zambonir]

Jared Spencer, LHP, Texas

If this was hockey they wouldn't have to take him again.

[andyb]

Definitely a bunch of Sean Gamble mentions in the past few weeks even if he is often not the pick mocked. Makes me think there is genuine interest from the Phillies if it has leaked in so many places.

[fish]

I'll put this out there but I really hope we don't take Slater de Brun.

de Brun I could at least talk myself into. If they pick Matt Fischer in the first round I’ll be complaining about it for the next 8 years like it happened yesterday.

[Squire]

Callis/Mayo say the Nationals are down to Anderson, Holliday or Willits at 1-1.

[saycheese]

Mayo makes sense reading in between the lines. I heard Mattingly end of last year on a podcast. He talked about their catching depth not being a good as he would have liked. He raved about Tait but didn't really speak of too many others. Then they got a journey older catcher from the Marlins to play in AA and took a few in the rule five draft. Despite having some intriguing guys like Rickets, Dissin and Nava among others. None of the three are doing much except play good defense this year. So I can see a draft that they take 2,3, maybe even 4 catchers including one high. Again depending on how the board falls etc.

Also I like Stevenson, he is a local kid from Flemington NJ. I think he is going to go higher than 26. 20 yrs old he could be a fast track type and get here in 2-3 years. However that could put him right up against TAIT who should be in JS at some point this season.

[fish]

Also I like Stevenson, he is a local kid from Flemington NJ. I think he is going to go higher than 26. 20 yrs old he could be a fast track type and get here in 2-3 years. However that could put him right up against TAIT who should be in JS at some point this season.

I don’t know what to make of a guy like him with good power, a good swing, a good chase %, good strikeout/walk numbers, somewhat even splits, and decent BA on fastballs. So if he seems to be able to recognize pitches and the zone, but he can’t hit them (offspeed), is that something anyone is going to be able to teach or is it a neurogical thing that will limit his ceiling? Given that a low college BA is hugely significant metric for scouting, I think drafting him is hoping to defy history.

Like, once you have Patrick Bailey in your lineup, how long until you’ve had enough of Patrick Bailey in your lineup?

[VoteForKalas]

So if he seems to be able to recognize pitches and the zone, but he can’t hit them (offspeed), is that something anyone is going to be able to teach or is it a neurogical thing that will limit his ceiling? Given that a low college BA is hugely significant metric for scouting, I think drafting him is hoping to defy history.

Totally agree, seems like an unfixable issue

[Squire]

Latest Kiley McDaniel Mock

Pick 26 - Philadelphia Phillies
Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina

Philly normally takes high-ceiling high school players, but this is too good of a value to pass up. Matthew Fisher, Sean Gamble and Blair are the leading prep targets, and Fischer is also mentioned.

Pick 63 - Philadelphia Phillies: Matthew Fisher, RHP, Evansville Memorial HS (IN)

And Keith Law -

Quentin Young, 3B/OF, Oaks Christian School, California

Young is the kind of high-risk, high-reward player the Phillies have targeted the last four drafts, and his name is flying now, with rumors the Orioles and Dodgers are interested as well. If anyone takes Jack Bauer in the first round, I think it’s the Phillies.

[fish]

Pick 63 - Philadelphia Phillies: Matthew Fisher, RHP, Evansville Memorial HS (IN)

Well, NcDaniel sure seems to have some real knowledge of their interest given he repeatedly links him to them. He’d be a really good second pick. A draft that nets Fisher or Blair in the second round would be a really exciting day.

Bodine has been a solid college catcher- I think he has a high probability of making to the big leagues but a low probability of being a starter.

[fish]

Quentin Young, 3B/OF, Oaks Christian School, California

I could see Young putting up some loud numbers in the minors to eventually make him a top 100 guy like Zyher Hope- which is good value. I’d have more confidence in Fuen or Gamble though.

[Purduke]

Latest Kiley McDaniel Mock

..... If anyone takes Jack Bauer in the first round, I think it’s the Phillies.

Jack Bauer?

Of course whoever the scout is in Illinois probably covers Michigan too. And he certainly had some juice last year.

[Squire]

Here we go!!

I bet the Nationals take Willits and cut a deal.

[zambonir]

Very strange that they moved the draft and try to make it more of an event and then it still has to compete with baseball games.

[Squire]

Holy smokes...Tyler Bremner goes #2