2025 MLB Draft

[imref]

Is he a "lock" to be our first round draft pick?

no. Right now the mocks are saying LaViolette, Arnold, or Holliday. The big question mark with LaViolette is his propensity to strike out. If he keeps his K rate down around 20% he probably becomes the top pick. But Rizzo could decide to go with Arnold who has been rising up the draft boards.

[varoadking]

no. Right now the mocks are saying LaViolette, Arnold, or Holliday. The big question mark with LaViolette is his propensity to strike out. If he keeps his K rate down around 20% he probably becomes the top pick. But Rizzo could decide to go with Arnold who has been rising up the draft boards.

Which ones are Boras clients?

[imref]

LaViolette and Holliday are being “advised” by Boras

[varoadking]

Well that sux...

[OfftheBat]

no. Right now the mocks are saying LaViolette, Arnold, or Holliday. The big question mark with LaViolette is his propensity to strike out. If he keeps his K rate down around 20% he probably becomes the top pick. But Rizzo could decide to go with Arnold who has been rising up the draft boards.

Gotcha, thx

[IanRubbish]

no. Right now the mocks are saying LaViolette, Arnold, or Holliday. The big question mark with LaViolette is his propensity to strike out. If he keeps his K rate down around 20% he probably becomes the top pick. But Rizzo could decide to go with Arnold who has been rising up the draft boards.

LaViolette's hit 3 HRs with a 1.700 OPS first three games.  Given a choice between a Boras college client and a HS one, you get a better shot at their peak production years when they're a little older.   Arnold's only listed at 6 foot 1, which is too short for Rizzo to get a man crush on him.   Either way, an OF of Wood, LaViolette, and Crews and this team could be watchable for a few seasons before they become Phillies.

[imref]

LaViolette's hit 3 HRs with a 1.700 OPS first three games.  Given a choice between a Boras college client and a HS one, you get a better shot at their peak production years when they're a little older.   Arnold's only listed at 6 foot 1, which is too short for Rizzo to get a man crush on him.   Either way, an OF of Wood, LaViolette, and Crews and this team could be watchable for a few seasons before they become Phillies.

That's my thinking. A 2026 OF of Wood-Crews-LaViolette would be fun to watch.

[Natsinpwc]

That's my thinking. A 2026 OF of Wood-Crews-LaViolette would be fun to watch.

Why would you think Laviolette could make it that fast when Crews did not?

[imref]

Why would you think Laviolette could make it that fast when Crews did not?

Crews got drafted in 2023 and debuted in 2024. So if LaViolette gets drafted in 2025, the same trajectory would have him debuting in 2026.

[Natsinpwc]

Crews got drafted in 2023 and debuted in 2024. So if LaViolette gets drafted in 2025, the same trajectory would have him debuting in 2026.

Ok. But that was just a month or so.  Wouldn’t probably be full time until 2027. Best case scenario 

[imref]

Ok. But that was just a month or so.  Wouldn’t probably be full time until 2027. Best case scenario 

maybe. or maybe he's the next wyatt langford?

[zimm_da_kid]

Why would you think Laviolette could make it that fast when Crews did not?

Depends how he does in the minors. Crews didn’t light the world on fire down there. If LaViolette does, and we’re playing .500 ball, he could get a significantly earlier promotion.

[Natsinpwc]

Depends how he does in the minors. Crews didn’t light the world on fire down there. If LaViolette does, and we’re playing .500 ball, he could get a significantly earlier promotion.

You guys are living in a dream world.

[imref]

Five shutout innings for Arnold in Friday against Penn. 2H, 0BB, 8Ks.

BBA with a profile:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/florida-states-jamie-arnold-chases-greatness-with-plenty-on-the-line-in-2025/

[IanRubbish]

Five shutout innings for Arnold in Friday against Penn. 2H, 0BB, 8Ks.

BBA with a profile:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/florida-states-jamie-arnold-chases-greatness-with-plenty-on-the-line-in-2025/

There is no way Rizzo is drafting a pitcher #1 overall who's just 6'1".  Man crushes are far more important than the "analytics stuff", or really any numbers when it comes to our fine GM.

LaViolette walks a lot, and seems to be very patient, wait til Darnell Coles teaches him out to waive at pitches two feet out of the zone.  Coles will bring Keibert along "to mentor".

https://d1baseball.com/player/1661237/

[imref]

if I had to bet a dollar, i'd bet on Rizzo taking LaViolette, simply because he's such a good fit for this team's needs for the next 4-5 years (yeah, I know, you don't draft in the MLB for need).

[Natsinpwc]

if I had to bet a dollar, i'd bet on Rizzo taking LaViolette, simply because he's such a good fit for this team's needs for the next 4-5 years (yeah, I know, you don't draft in the MLB for need).

Well they desperately need a number one starter as much as a lineup piece. College arm could be in play. At this point the team is just not that close so you take the best player.  Trades can always be made later with any surplus parts. 

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

if I had to bet a dollar, i'd bet on Rizzo taking LaViolette, simply because he's such a good fit for this team's needs for the next 4-5 years (yeah, I know, you don't draft in the MLB for need).

I mean, I would just take LaViolette because I think he's the best player.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I suspect they draft the guy they can sign below slot, and that's not Laviolette. They think they will get a guy who falls with the 2d pick and go overslot to get a guy with 1st round talent.

[HalfSmokes]

I suspect they draft the guy they can sign below slot, and that's not Laviolette. They think they will get a guy who falls with the 2d pick and go overslot to get a guy with 1st round talent.

Which one is going for below slot? If they reach on the first overall just to get a better second round pick, fans should revolt. Rizzo drafts very high picks really well. That’s they only drafting he does well- I’d rather they take the best player first than try to get cute and take a guy early in order to take a guy who falls out of the first because Rizzo will inevitably get it wrong

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Skenes was below slot. It's pretty common for 1:1's to go that way.

[zimm_da_kid]

Since the current slotting system became a thing every number 1 pick has been below slot. We can get the best player and have an extra $500k minimum to allocate to our second rounder. Basically gives us the number 1 pick + a late first

[Natsinpwc]

Since the current slotting system became a thing every number 1 pick has been below slot. We can get the best player and have an extra $500k minimum to allocate to our second rounder. Basically gives us the number 1 pick + a late first

The odds of a top pick being an impact player are much greater than someone late first round.  You go for the best player available. 

[imref]

The odds of a top pick being an impact player are much greater than someone late first round.  You go for the best player available. 

There's no consensus on best pick right now though. Mocks have Arnold, LaViolette, and Holliday at #1.

Latest Bleacher Report Mock as LaViolette at #1:
https://www.bleachernation.com/mlb/2025/02/25/2025-mlb-mock-draft-0225/

FloBaseball has Arnold:
https://www.flobaseball.tv/articles/13555752-2025-mlb-mock-draft-10-nats-stunner-with-the-no-1-pick

CBS has Anrold at #1 as well.

[Slateman]

I suspect they draft the guy they can sign below slot, and that's not Laviolette. They think they will get a guy who falls with the 2d pick and go overslot to get a guy with 1st round talent.

Rizzo hasn't done that with any of the top draft picks he's had