2025 MLB Draft Speculation and Discussion

[allentown]

I would be good with that. I definitely think we need more premium pick pitching

I second that.

[Squire]

New BA Mock Draft this AM:

1. Phillies — Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS, Temecula, Calif.
   Range: 25-26

Like Schoolcraft, Fien has had an up-and-down spring that is causing some teams to scratch their heads. Fien was arguably the best performer in the high school class throughout the summer circuit, and at this point in the draft, has a strong case for the best hit/power combo available. He’s a right-right high schooler who might be a corner profile, but that was the case for Aidan Miller at the time, as well—that pick has worked out nicely for the Phillies so far.

[fish]

New BA Mock Draft this AM:

Well, summer circuit standout fits the Phillies MO. There are a bunch of high school SS and 3b who are going to be in range of the phillies that would make sense.

[andyb]

Not sure I buy the Aidan Miller is the type the Phillies look for repeatedly though. The logic to double down on a successful prospect just never makes sense when it is not a position of organizational need.

Clearly we prioritize HS draftees that we feel are undervalued for some reason. With Miller it was age and injury. With Nori it was age coupled with a willingness to sign under slot. With Abel and Painter it was just the risky demographic of HS pitchers. We also tend to go for players with some pedigree like Crawford. It is not a set pattern. I think it is more best upside value available where we think the competition is overrating the risk. This is slightly different than best player available.

[xogfog]

Keith Law's latest mock has the Phillies taking high school LHP Jack Bauer, 6' 3" 175lb.

[bkox]

Jack Bauer

If we can get the Mets and Braves to be declared terrorist organizations, having Jack Bauer around would be great

[zambonir]

Keith Law mock has us going with Jack Bauer, HS LHP who can hopefully defuse a bomb also in an emergency.

We already did this

[andyb]

He has mocked us Bauer twice in a row. That comment was from the first time.

[zambonir]

Oh I know I just meant you'd already made the "24" joke (in addition to it being a repeat mock pick from Law)

[BostonRoss]

“You’re gonna have to trust me…”

[bkox]

oh I missed it the first time. oops,

[zambonir]

I was gonna make one about lack of plate discipline but he's a pitcher.

[schillingfan]

How about having lack of command?

[zambonir]

Finally, I understand the difference between command and control.

[andyb]

ESPN Mock. Matthew Fisher HS RHP.

The Phillies have had some success with being more open to prep right-handers in the first round than the average team (Andrew Painter, Mick Abel), though they haven't done it of late. This is the juncture in the draft where the next tier of prep arms behind Seth Hernandez (Schoolcraft, Cam Appenzeller, Aaron Watson, Landon Harmon) will go flying off the board and the Phillies seem to be most interested in Fisher of this group.

2025 MLB mock draft 1.0: Who will go No. 1 to the Nationals?

[phillychuck]

Are the HS players more difficult to sign now with NIL amounts going up?

[Squire]

First time the Phillies have been connected to someone based on interest

Fisher is 43 on MLB.com list and 100 on BA's list. He's also 19 already.

[zambonir]

I would imagine some were, and we'll also see more college kids pass up offers to take transfer portal (or retention) NIL.

This is also the first time NCAA baseball has 34 scholarships (up from 11, which were usually all partial), starting next season.

[andyb]

Are the HS players more difficult to sign now with NIL amounts going up?

That would be logical though I assume NIL money does not affect the first rounders. The Logan O'Hoppes of the world with mid-level bonuses in the $100K-$500K range would certainly do better in college. Remember NIL money is yearly instead of a 1-time bonus, so $200K-$300K for 3 years adds up to something very competitive.

Of course MLB made their minor league changes before NIL money was big, but now they may be rewarded for that strategy if colleges are much more competitive financially. Still does not solve the Keith Law coaching and usage issues.

[Squire]

As much as we might follow it, my gut reaction is that NCAA baseball is a significantly lower priority for Universities than Football and Basketball. Can't imagine that many programs have a significant NIL budget for baseball but I also am not certain about that either.