With the MLB Draft coming up on July 13, Sportsvival is proud to release its final mock draft, projecting the first 40 picks based on player skillsets and upside. From power arms to polished college bats, this breakdown reflects who we would select and not who the team will.
#1-Washington Nationals: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU (L,L)
Anderson’s polished three-plus-pitch arsenal and postseason dominance make him the top choice to anchor the Nationals’ rotation going forward.
#2- Los Angeles Angels: Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater HS (OK) (L.R)
Holliday’s 65-grade raw power and bonus-round bloodlines give the Angels a surefire middle-of-the-order bat with third-base potential.
#3-Seattle Mariners: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State (L,L)
Arnold’s mid-90s fastball, wipe-out slider and pro-ready polish fit Seattle’s track record of fast-tracking college pitching prospects.
#4- Colorado Rockies: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (CA) (R,R)
Hernandez brings frontline arm strength—he routinely hits triple digits with three above-average offerings—and upside to Coors Field’s thin air.
#5- St. Louis Cardinals: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS(OK) (B,R)
This well-rounded switch hitting shortstop gives the Cardinals the potential for an unbelievable double play tandem in the future with J.J. Wetherholt.
#6- Pittsburgh Pirates: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State (R,R)
Arquette’s 50-grade contact, 60-grade raw power and smooth shortstop play check every box for a near-MLB-ready college bat.
#7- Miami Marlins: Ike Irish, OF/C, Auburn (L,R)
Irish’s league-leading .710 SLG, plus-grade bat-to-ball skills and secondary catching eligibility give Miami a versatile offensive upgrade.
#8- Toronto Blue Jays: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA) (R,R)
Carlson’s unmatchable 80-grade arm, plus-plus plus raw power and potential Gold Glove shortstop defense add a rare position-player profile.
#9-Cincinnati Reds: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee (L,L)
Doyle cuts a 96-99 mph heater with power-curve and fast-slider mix into one of the deepest pitching classes in years, giving the Reds a quick-rise arm for the rotation.
#10-Chicago White Sox: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL) (R,R)
Hall’s 70-grade speed, 45-grade hit tool and advanced shortstop actions make him a high-ceiling athlete to restore Chicago’s up-the-middle depth.
#11-Oakland Athletics: Brendan Summerhill, CF, Arizona (L,R)
Summerhill’s mature approach, plus raw power and high-leverage frame deliver the rare college bat Oakland covets.
#12- Texas Rangers: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma (R,R)
Witherspoon’s 95-98 mph four-seamer, sweep-slider and projectable frame. This is a bit of a drop from our past mock, and Sportsvival would not be surprised if he went higher.
#13- San Francisco Giants: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest (R,R)
Houston’s polished hit tool, slick glove and emerging power provide San Francisco a high-floor shortstop from the strong ACC with relatively safe financial fare.
#14- Tampa Bay Rays: Gavin Kilen, 2B, Tennessee (L,R)
Kilen’s 55-grade bat-to-ball skills, gap-to-gap pop and advanced feel lower the Rays’ risk while fitting their model of polished college hitters.
#15-Boston Red Sox: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina (B,R)
Bodine’s balanced .350-ish AVG, plus-grade framing and catcher-first makeup give Boston an in-the-pipeline backstop with offensive upside on a bargain slot deal.
#16- Minnesota Twins: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina (R,R)
Stevenson’s above-average bat speed, 55 raw power and pop-time give Minnesota a potential next-gen backstop at a second-day value slot.
#17- Chicago Cubs: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M (L,L)
LaViolette’s 65-grade raw power and 6-5 frame offset strikeout worries, supplying the Cubs’ outfield with potential middle-of-order juice.
#18-Arizona Diamondbacks: Slater de Brun, CF, Summit HS (OR) (L,L)
De Brun’s 55-grade hit tool, emerging 40 raw power and above-average athleticism project to an affordable, high-upside draft‐and‐develop ticket.
#19-Baltimore Orioles: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (TX) (L,R)
In a draft full of talented high school shortstops, Cunningham just may be the best pure hitter in the class, giving the Orioles another talented middle infielder.
#20-Milwaukee Brewers: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA) (L,R)
Neyens’ 65-grade raw power from the left side, pull-side strength and third-base glove mirror a modern John Kruk archetype the Brew Crew can grow on.
#21-Houston Astros: Andrew Fischer, 1B, Tennessee (L,R)
Fischer’s 60-grade power and 50-grade on-base ability combine for a classic collegiate hitter whose track record in the SEC underscores his quick-rise profile.
#22-Atlanta Braves: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara (R,R)
After a huge run on bats, some talented pitchers fall, led by Bremner. He started a little slow in 2025, but shined down the stretch.
#23-Kansas City Royals: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
Another talented shortstop taken off the board in round one. His power is his best attribute and he can drive the ball all over the field.
#24-Detroit Tigers: Jo Jo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS) (L,R)
The biggest slide of our first round goes to the talented high school shortstop. May not have the body to be a future shortstop, as he lacks the smoothness and quickness needed.
#25-San Diego Padres: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset HS (OR) (L,L)
A 6’8” lefthanded pitcher who can get his fastball up to 98 mph will be a player who holds all the bargaining chips. The Padres will have to pay over slot, but this is a risk worth taking.
#26-Philadelphia Phillies: Riley Quick, RHP, Alabama (R,R)
Quick’s fluid 95-97 mph heater out of a 6-6 frame and emerging above-average breaking mix give Philadelphia draft pedigree for power-arm upside.
#27- Cleveland Guardians: Gage Wood,RHP, Arkansas (R,R)
The second Razorback player selected in the past 5 picks. Throws an excellent fastball with a ton of upward movement. Played well in the College World Series.
#28-Kansas City Royals: Mason Neville, OF, Oregon (L/L)
Neville’s two-way speed/power mix and hot spring make him a solid second choice in the first round for the Royals.
(The Dodgers, Mets and Yankees each received a 10-pick penalty for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax.)