2025 MLB Draft: Night One recap

After all the hype and different rumors leading up to the 2024 MLB draft, the players basically went where most thought they would go. Travis Bazzana of Oregon State went first overall to the Cleveland Guardians, beating out Charlie Condon of Georgia. Condon did not go No. 2 and instead slipped to Colorado at No. 3. One player who may have slid slightly was outfielder Braden Montgomery of Texas A&M, who was scooped up at No.12 by the Boston Red Sox. Here is a complete look at how the first round went in this year’s draft.

1- Cleveland Guardians: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State

Travis Bazzana had an incredible season at Oregon State last season. The Australian born second baseman hit .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs and more than twice as many walks as strikeouts (76/37) He is a pure second baseman with the ability to possibly be moved to centerfield.

2- Cincinnati Reds: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest

Many thought the Reds were going to select Charlie Condon of Georgia at no. 2 but instead went with the most dominant collegiate pitcher in Chase Burns. Burns has a 98 mph fastball that can reach 101 and a nasty slider to go with it. He had the highest strikeout rate in college baseball, striking out 191 hitters in 100 IP. 

3- Colorado Rockies: Charlie Condon, 3B, Georgia

The 6-foot-6 Condon had one of the most prolific seasons in NCAA history this past season, hitting .433 with 37 home runs and a 1.565 OPS. He has played all over the place for the Bulldogs but many think he will settle in nicely to a corner outfield position. Condon’s power at Coors Field in Colorado may produce some huge home run numbers.

4- Oakland A’s: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest

Kurtz was a three-year starter for Wake Forest and hit .306/.531/.763 with 22 home runs in 54 games. He has an excellent eye at the plate, proven by his highest walk rate in Division I. With his approach at the plate he could be in the majors quickly.

5- Chicago White Sox: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas

After Tommy John surgery in high school, Smith switched between starting and relieving at Arkansas. This past season he broke out and was named the SEC Pitcher of the Year after going 9-2 with a 2.04 ERA and striking out 161 in 84 innings–including a 17-strikeout performance against Oregon State in only six innings, striking out No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana three times.

6- Kansas City Royals: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida

He is nicknamed “Jactani” after Shohei Ohtani and for his two-way play. Caglianone projects as a hitter in the majors but many believe he could be used as a relief pitcher when needed. He was dominant his past two seasons at Florida, hitting 68 home runs. Caglianone will be in the majors quickly and with Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals have an exciting one-two punch.

7- St. Louis Cardinals: JJ Wetherholt, SS, West Virginia

Wetherholt is the highest drafted player in West Virginia history and the Cardinal fans are going to love this kid’s left-handed swing. After leading the country in hitting two seasons ago with a .449 average, Wetherholt suffered through a hamstring injury this past season, but still hit .331/.472/.589. There is a chance he may project as a future second baseman for St. Louis.

8- Los Angeles Angels: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee

Moore helped lead Tennessee to their first College World Series title. He came up big in the biggest of moments and finished the season hitting .375 with 34 home runs. The Angels need help in their rebuild and Moore is not far away from joining their lineup.

9- Pittsburgh Pirates: Konnor Griffin, SS, Jackson Prep (MS)

After eight straight college players were chosen , the Pirates selected Griffin who many believe may have the highest upside in this class. Griffin was a dominant two-way player in high school who projects as a hitter in the majors. He hit .559 with nine home runs and 87 stolen bases in 43 games, while going 10-0 with an 0.72 ERA. His athleticism could make him a centerfield, a position the Pirates lack in their system.

10- Washington Nationals: Seaver King, SS, Wake Forest

King originally played at Division II Wingate, where he hit .411 and had a 47-game hitting streak. He hit .308 with 16 home runs this past season while playing a smooth shortstop for the Demon Deacons. He is athletic and can play all over the infield. He is already the third Wake Forest player to be selected.

11- Detroit Tigers: Bryce Rainer,SS, Harvard-Westlake (CA) HS

Another two-way player in high school who projects as a hitter when he enters the minors. He is a 6-foot-3 shortstop who bats left-handed and reminds people of Corey Seager. His defense and athleticism should keep him at shortstop throughout his career.

12- Boston Red Sox: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M

After two strong seasons at Stanford, Montgomery transferred to Texas A&M. Montgomery was thought of as a top-10 talent and some had him going as high as top-5, after hitting .322/.454/.733 with 27 home runs. He is a switch-hitter with a laser arm and most likely will project as a right fielder. He broke his ankle in the playoffs last season and could be the reason for his slight fall.

13- San Francisco Giants: James Tibbs III, RF, Florida State

Tibbs is one of the most advanced college hitters in this class and has the tools to fly through the minor league ranks. He hit .363 with a 1.264 OPS with 28 home runs and 95 RBI. Not as athletic as the other top outfield prospects, and he projects as a corner outfielder.

14- Chicago Cubs: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

Smith is a big third baseman who projects to be a 25-30 homer guy in the majors. He was a draft eligible sophomore who hit .387 with 16 home runs last season.

15- Seattle Mariners: Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State

Cijntje has gained notoriety by throwing righty and lefty and doing so without a hitch. Although, he has a much stronger delivery from the right side and will be predominantly a right-handed pitcher. 

16- Miami Marlins: PJ Morlando, RF/1B, Summerville (SC) HS

Morlando is a left-handed hitter with upside. He had a better junior than senior year in high school and his lack of speed and athleticism means he will project as a corner outfielder or first baseman in the pros.

17- Milwaukee Brewers: Braylon Payne, CF, Elkins (TX) HS

This could be a reach. Although Payne is one of the youngest and fastest prospects in the draft his overall hitting is still in it’s developing stage.

18- Tampa Bay Rays: Theo Gillen, 2B, Westlake (TX) HS

Gillen, a 6-foot-2 left-handed bat, is one of the top pure high school hitters in this class. He has had some injuries in the past, but has always bounced back with big seasons. 

19- New York Mets: Carson Benge, RF, Oklahoma State

Benge was a two-way player at Oklahoma State but projects as a hitter in the professional ranks. Benge is a left-handed hitter with good patience and power. He hit .355/.444/.665 with 18 home runs last year. He has an excellent arm and projects as a right fielder.

20- Toronto Blue Jays: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina

Yesavage jumped onto the scene as a freshman, with an impressive 15.9 K/9 rate at East Carolina. Over the past two seasons he has gone 18-2 with a 2.28 ERA. He has a toolbox of polished pitches and could advance through the minor leagues fast.

21- Minnesota Twins: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State

One of the hardest workers you will find on a baseball field. Culpepper started off as a collegiate third baseman before moving to shortstop. He hit .328 with 11 home runs this season and does an excellent job of hitting to all fields.

22- Baltimore Orioles: Vance Honeycutt, CF, North Carolina

This could be a great value pick at No. 22 if Honeycutt learns how to cut down on his strikeouts. One of the best pure center fielders in the draft, he hit .318 with 28 home runs and 28 stolen bases. He struck out 83 times in 302 plate appearances and will need to work on his overall approach.

23- Los Angeles Dodgers: Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee (FL) HS

Lindsey is one of the most athletic and explosive prospects in the draft. His only question mark is going to be how much power he can develop and how his hitting approach will translate to professional pitching.

24- Atlanta Braves: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro (AZ) HS

He is the cousin of the late-great Ken Caminiti. He was a two-way star in high school, who is the top-ranked prep pitcher. His fastball sits in the mid-90’s and can hit 98. This was a slide on most boards and at No. 24 may be the steal of round one.

25- San Diego Padres: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City (OK) HS

Mayfield is a left-handed pitcher who has seen a rise in his velocity over the past two seasons and now can hit 97 mph. He has a steady-easy delivery and has huge upside down the road for the Padres.

26- New York Yankees: Ben Hess, RHP, Alabama

Hess is a 6-foot-5 right handed pitcher who put up massive strikeout rates while at Alabama. Although he went 5-5 with only a 5.80 ERA this past season, the Yankees are putting faith in his strikeout ability.

27- Philadelphia Phillies: Dante Nori, CF, Northville (MI) HS

This past season he helped his team win a state championship and he was named Mr. Baseball in Michigan. He hit .477 with 20 stolen bases and has excellent speed and defensive metrics.

28- Houston Astros: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston State

Janek hit .364 this past season and won the Buster Posey Award as college baseball’s top catcher. He is the first catcher off the board in 2024, and his defense along with his bat are both going to be positives in the pro game.

29- Arizona Diamondbacks: Slade Caldwell, CF, Valley View (AR) HS

Caldwell was named Gatorade state player of the year back-to-back seasons in Arkansas. Last season he hit .481 with 51 stolen bases, and is the all-time leader in stolen bases with 170. He is 5-foot-9 but barrels up pitches consistently and will be a tough out in the pros.

30- Texas Rangers: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford

Coming out of high school in 2022, he was viewed as one of the top hitters in the country. He had a strong freshman year hitting .311 with 15 home runs, but took a step back in his sophomore year, only hitting .255. He struggles with the defensive side of catching and could eventually be moved.

Picks 31-39:

31- Arizona Diamondbacks: Ryan Waldschmidt, LF, Kentucky

32- Baltimore Orioles: Griff O’Ferrall, SS, Virginia

33- Minnesota Twins: Kyle DeBarge, SS, Louisiana

34- Milwaukee Brewers: Blake Burke, 1B. Tennessee

35- Arizona Diamondbacks: JD Dix, SS, Whitefish Bay (WI) HS

36- Cleveland Guardians: Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparrel (CA) HS

37- Pittsburgh Pirates: Levi Sterling, RHP, Notre Dame (CA) HS

38- Colorado Rockies: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa

39- Washington Nationals: Caleb Lomavita, C, California