2025 PBA Draft Reviews

[Commissioner Erick]

The 2025 PBA draft wasn't a particularly strong one, with very few PBA position players taken in the draft. There was good pitching talent right at the top half of the first round, but few superstars. The top 11 players currently in WAR are pitchers, with few position players poised to break that figure later in their career.


Arizona Diamondbacks:

First Round: (7) Jake Breault—P
Second Round: (8) Anthony Stone—P
Third Round: (12) Juan Orozco—P

Best Player: (5) Mike Eliott—2B

Best Deep Cut: (14) Jesse Sansone—3B

Total ML WAR: 2.7

Review: Arizona drafted Jake Breault seventh overall, but despite a strong start to his career, he retired to play football. Second round pick Anthony Stone has pitched in the PBA with St. Louis, but while he’s done well in Triple-A, he struggled in a cup of coffee in 2029. He has a changeup that misses bats and keeps the ball down, but he doesn’t quite have the control to succeed in the PBA. Third rounder Juan Orozco tore his UCL in 2027 and retired soon after.

Arizona’s fourth rounder was John Schwartz, a Left Fielder who hit five homers in 21 games last year. He plays good defense, is a smart baserunner, has some pop, and is great in the clubhouse. Scouts don’t understand where the power is coming from, but he’s produced on the field.

Sixth rounder Mike Eliott started for Arizona last year and had a nice year with 2.2 WAR. He hit 15 homers, played strong defense, and has always hit in Triple-A. He lacks upside and scouts are also perplexed where the power has come from, but like Schwartz, he’s produced on the field.

Grade: C. Arizona had some bad luck, but still didn’t get much out of their early picks. They did get a few interesting players in the middle rounds to bring the grade back up a bit.


Atlanta Braves:

First Round: (19) Ryan Fox—P
First Round: (24) John Kadlecik—P—Compensation for not signing Josh Waterman
Supplemental Round: (1) Zack Campbell—P—Compensation for not signing Wilmer Flores
Second Round: (14) Ray Faber—CF (Pick acquired from Tampa Bay along with Jonathan Chavez for Ke’Bryan Hayes and Andres Chaparro)
Second Round: (19) Phil Bruce—CF
Second Round: (26) Josh Soltysiak—SS—Compensation for not signing Steve Eckroat
Third Round: (22) Max Wagner—CF—Compensation for not signing Josh Soltysiak
Third Round: (24) Pick traded to San Francisco for Jeurys Familia. Pick turned into Nate Alexander.

Notes: Acquired sixth round pick (Mike Burke) from Washington, along with Ivan Villegas, for Blake Treinen

Acquired sixth round pick (Ted Erickson) from St. Louis along with Brian Villeneuve, for Kyle Jacobsen

Best Player: (9) Walter Trahan—P

Best Deep Cut: (23) Pablo Briones—P

Total ML WAR: 9.3

Review: Atlanta didn’t sign most of its 2024 class, resulting in a deep 2025. Before getting to the early round action, their best pick was a ninth round pitcher they grabbed, Walter Trahan. The righty worked as an exceptional swingman for Atlanta in 2029, before being traded to San Francisco in 2030. He started for the Giants, and while he didn’t often pitch deep into games, he produced 3.1 WAR, with a 13-6 record, dominating righties. He was an absolute steal in the ninth round and one of the best picks of the draft.

They used their own first rounder on Ryan Fox, a college senior who lost development time in the minors to injury. Fox got a late start to his career, making his debut at age 27 in 2029 after being taken in the Rule V draft by Texas, but he has been a successful arm, both as a starter and out of the pen. More interesting arms like Cesar Pastrano and Jayden Prescott were taken later in the round, dinging the Fox pick slightly.

Atlanta got a second pick in the first round for not signing Josh Waterman in 2024, a prudent decision. They picked up John Kadlecik though, a pitcher who has torn his elbow twice and won’t pitch in the PBA as a result.

The Braves moved on from Wilmer Flores after the year, getting a supplemental pick as a result. Flores would have two more huge seasons, two more solid seasons, and even when he produced negative WAR in 2029, he hit for a 101 OPS+ with good power. He was still at the peak of his powers, and the extra pick turned into Zack Campbell, an arm that will likely top out in Double-A. Especially considering Flores played the next three seasons for an average annual salary of a touch over $10 million, the decision to not resign him looks horrid in hindsight.

Atlanta traded Ke’Bryan Hayes and Andres Chaparro prior to the 2025 season, getting Jonathan Chavez and a second round pick as a result. The pick became Ray Faber, a 27-year old who has torn up A-Ball his entire career. Chavez had a respectable 2028 for Atlanta, and was good in Triple-A in 2029, but was cut before 2030 and spent seven games last year pitching for Fukuoka SoftBank in the DAHL.

Chaparro didn’t accomplish much in Atlanta, but has bounced around the league since then, serving as a lefty mashing platoon option who developed nicely in his prime. He also won a Gold Glove in 2029. Hayes also won a Gold Glove, and served as a nice piece on an overachieving 2026 Mets team. His bat has always been substandard, but his defense has made up for it. Flawed, the duo has been much more productive than Chavez and Faber.

Atlanta’s own second rounder was spent on Phil Bruce, an outfielder who has played 647 games for A-Ball and High-A leagues in his career.

They had a third pick that they used on Josh Soltysiak, a late bloomer who tore up the league as a 28-year-old rookie in 2030. Atlanta drafted him in 2024, failed to sign him, then rethought their ways and picked him again in 2025. He hit .387 with 11 doubles and eight homers, playing 66 games, and starting only 34. The position player crop taken in the late second and third rounds is pretty barren, making those 66 games alone look like one of the best picks of the range, regardless of what else Soltysiak does. Atlanta received the pick as a result of failing to sign Steve Eckroat, a player with some power and speed that has been blocked in Milwaukee and hasn’t made the most of his opportunities. Eckroat may be more talented, but he hasn’t produced much yet making the comparison interesting.

By delaying the decision to bring Soltysiak onto their roster in 2024, Atlanta received a compensation pick for it. They selected Max Wagner, who has played five seasons in the Florida State League, winning an MVP and being named All-Star three times. There are definitely worse outcomes for a third round pick, but being able to play in the PBA would certainly be a better one.

Atlanta traded its own third rounder to San Francisco for Jeruys Familia. The righty reliever had a very good year for Atlanta in 2025, with the pick turning into Nate Alexander, a First Baseman who won’t make it to the show. That’s turned into a nice piece of business.

Sixth round pick Gus Amador has teamed up with some of Atlanta’s earlier round picks to contribute to the Florida Fire Frogs High-A juggernaut, but he has a decent bat, can play all three outfield spots, and he can steal a base. There’s a dream of a 28th roster spot there.

Atlanta picked up a pair of extra sixth rounders via trade. In one of them, they traded Kyle Jacobsen for a pick and Brian Villeneuve. The pick turned into the forgetting Ted Erickson. Gator Jacobsen would have a couple of respectable years with St. Louis, before turning his attention to the Meridian. Villeneuve would blossom into a league-leading Closer though, tipping the scales in Atlanta’s favor.

In the other, they acquired a pick that became the forgettable Mike Burke, also getting non-entity Ivan Villegas. Past-his-prime Blake Treinen was sent out, and while Blake had a strong 2024 with Washington, he was sub-replacement in 2025, pitched in only nine games in 2026 for St. Louis, and never pitched in the majors again.

23rd rounder Pablo Briones got a cup of coffee last year and did well with it. He’s an interesting arm in that his offspeed pitches can miss bats, but Briones hangs them too much, meaning he’ll often get hit hard when contact is made. There might not be anything there, but he still whiffed nine in 4.1 innings. That’s a hell of a find in the 23rd round.

Grade: B-. It’s an interesting draft. Atlanta nailed the later rounds. Trahan is an All-Star, Briones is about as good a 23rd rounder as you can find, and even Gus Amador is a nice depth piece in a weak draft. Ryan Fox was a decent selection. The trades for relievers in Familia and Villaneuve were very good. Soltysiak looks like something. However, moving on from Flores looks disastrous considering the supplemental pick return. Not signing Eckroat is a demerit. The Hayes and Chapparo deal looks terrible. Many of their picks haven’t worked out. The good outweighs the bad though leading to a B-.


Baltimore Orioles:

First Round: (10) Chris Yera—P (Pick acquired from Oakland for Chris Brandt)
First Round: (13) Matt Dreyfus—P (Pick acquired from Tampa Bay along with Jake Bauers for Zack Chandler)
First Round: (16) Jeremy Archuleta—1B
First Round: (26) Antonio Vasquez—P (Pick acquired from Texas along with second round pick *[Aaron O’Leary], and fifth round pick [Jonas Guercio] for Trent Clark)
Supplemental Round: (2) Chris Bennett—P (Pick acquired from Kansas City along with third round pick *[Aaron Phillips], and fifth round pick [Josh Evans] for Kurt Mann)
Second Round: (16) Greg Sander—RF
Second Round: (31)*
Second Round: (36) Devasarasa Lalitesh—P (Pick acquired from Seattle for Kevin Dowdell)
Third Round: (20) Tony Fleury—P
Third Round: (41)*

Notes: Acquired fourth round pick (Chris Oviedo) from Oakland for Antonio Santillian

Acquired fourth round draft pick (Manny Rojas) from Houston for Mitchell Stone

Traded fourth round pick to Miami (ended up in Pittsburgh as Lambert Meijer), along with Justin Townes, for Trent Clark

Acquired sixth round pick (Steve Robertson) from Kansas City for Joey Young

Acquired 10th round pick (Mike Gonzalez) from Cincinnati for Luis M. Alcantara

Best Player: Chris Yera

Best Deep Cut: (11) Ryan North—P

Total ML WAR: 10.0

Review: Baltimore was incredibly acquiring picks during the draft, giving them a huge haul of selections to work with. They traded Chris Brandt to Oakland for the pick that became Chris Yera. Trixie became the top prospect in baseball. Brand never played above Triple-A. Home Run.

Baltimore then absorbed a pick from Tampa Bay, along with Jake Bauers, for non-factor Zack Campbell. Bauers only played in 29 games for Baltimore, but was able to be moved to Colorado the next season where he put up 3.3 WAR. The pick became Matt Dreyfuss, who won’t factor into the PBA. The pick was a bust, but getting Bauers for free was a plus.

Baltimore first traded a Justin Townes and a fourth round pick to Miami for Trent Clark. Townes’ legs and glove gave him some value for Miami during his career, but his bat did not. The pick became Lambert Meija, whose only appearances on a bigger stage will be for his native Curacao in the WBC. Clark would play strong defense for Baltimore for a stretch run in 2024 that fell short before being moved the next offseason.

The Orioles dealt Clark and received one more first rounder, this time from Texas, along with a second rounder and fifth rounder. The picks became Antonio Vasquez, Aaron O’Leary, and Jonas Guercio. Vasquez has great stuff and keeps the ball down, but doesn’t throw enough strikes to be a contributor in the PBA. Guercio has already retired. O’Leary hits at a fringe PBA level, runs at a fringe PBA level, and fields at a fringe PBA level. Already 28 and yet to dominate the upper minors, he’s a fringe PBA player. Trent Clark would have another half decade of success, and Baltimore became a contender. The Orioles lost that deal.

Baltimore used its own first rounder on Jeremy Archuleta, a Triple-A First Baseman who will probably have a nice career in the Meridian League.

The Orioles picked up a supplemental pick, a third rounder, and a fifth rounder from Kansas City for Kurt Mann. The supplemental pick became Chris Bennett, a pitcher who has dominated Triple-A and did well for Pittsburgh in 11 innings last year, though OSA scouts don’t think he has quite enough to succeed long term in the PBA. Not a lot of quality pitchers were taken in the second or early third rounds to challenge the pick though, and the ones that were taken were taken by Baltimore. The other two picks turned into Triple-A bullpen ace Aaron Philipps, and already retired Josh Evans. Slider Mann’s stress put on his arm by his slider usage led to a pair of serious arm injuries, limiting his opportunities, though he did heal up enough to have a nice 2028 and 2029 for Washington. He and Bennett may be on par in terms of career effectiveness when they hang up their gloves.

Baltimore picked up a second rounder from Seattle for Kevin Dowdell. The lefty outfielder was squeezed in Baltimore, and had a pair of decent years in Seattle, sandwiching a down 2026. The second rounder turned into Devasarasa Lalitesh, a good looking young reliever for the Mets. More time will be needed to evaluate the deal as Lalitesh has already produced, but in a more limited role as a reliever, yet as an arm with more time ahead of him. Dowdell’s career 5.8 WAR will likely be his tally when he retires.

Baltimore’s own second rounder was used on Greg Sander, a slow developing prospect with enough power to be on the PBA radar, and enough of a hit tool for the dream to be a reality. Sander doesn’t run or field so there’s a lot of pressure on the bat. He’s spend most of this year as a 24-year-old and did tear up Double-A last season.

The Orioles’ third rounder was spent on Tony Fleury. Grin has worked as a lefty specialist for Cleveland his first two PBA years, and put up good results. Good in the clubhouse as well, he was a nice find in the third round.

Baltimore acquired a fourth rounder that became Chris Oviedo from Oakland for Antonio Santillan. Oviedo would never pitch in the PBA, while Santillan would produce strong results the second half of a journeyman career, including a magical 0.80 ERA, 41-save season for Houston in 2026.

The Orioles picked up a draft pick that became Miguel Rojas for Mitchell Stone. Stone would have an up-and-down career as a starter-turned-closer for Houston after the deal, while Rojas has a weird profile as a player without defensive chops or enough power to play First Base trying to catch on in the PBA. It’s unlikely he’ll have as good a career as Stone has had.

Baltimore picked up a sixth rounder from Kansas City for Joey Young, with the pick become Steve Robertson. The pitcher has turned into an upper echelon reliever or Baltimore, while Young, a Rule V pickup, was allowed to be demoted because of the deal—a moot point as Young played in the PBA in 2025, played well, and had a nice career as a backup infielder for the Royals. Getting Steve Robertson for nothing was great work for Baltimore.

Baltimore’s final trade was getting a 10th round pick that became Mike Gonzalez for Luis M. Alcantara. Gonzalez didn’t make it—few 10th rounders do, while Alcantara would have negative WAR for Cincinnati, then move on to the minors and the Meridian League the rest of his career.

Baltimore made a few nice selections with their own picks in the middle rounds. Wally Kinear throws hard with a good fastball/changeup combination. He hasn’t worked out as a starter in Triple-A, but maybe moving to the bullpen can give him a shot at a PBA career. Also, 11th rounder Ryan North touches triple digits, but doesn’t hide the ball well, limiting his potential. There’s still a fringe PBA arm there.

Grade: A-. Getting Yera alone vaults the draft into the A range, and the Orioles made some nice picks later on as well. They lost enough trades in a significant way to add a minus on the end, but the Orioles can be proud of the work they did using their picks.


Boston Red Sox:

First Round: (4) Mike Juarez—P—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (4) Vince Goehring—P
Third Round: (8) Mark Patterson—1B

Best Player: Mark Patterson

Best Deep Cut: (14) Miguel Mandujano—CF

Total ML WAR: 2.9

Review: The Red Sox drafted, but didn’t sign Mike Juarez fourth overall. Juarez looks like a good starting pitcher and is a Top 100 prospect. The compensation pick turned into Brock Paradiso, who had a spectacular 2030 with 6.1 WAR. It will be tough for Juarez to produce as much as Paradiso has so far. Even if Paradiso’s 2030 was his 99th percentile outcome, he still projects as a really patient slugger with good defense, which is very valuable.

Vince Goehring doesn’t look like more than a Triple-A player, but Detroit picked him in the Rule V draft to see if there’s something there. The third round pick was Mark Patterson, a solid second-division First Baseman. He has a decent hit tool, but lacks premium power, relying on contact and doubles more than homers. As a third round pick in a weak draft, that’s an excellent find as someone who can round out a roster.

Ninth-round pick Chris Shugart has decent power and a decent eye. He doesn’t have a great hit tool and has some swing and miss, but he has a shot to make it. That’s a nice find in the ninth round.

Grade: B. Boston picked a good player in the first round, didn’t sign him, and picked a better player the next year’s draft. They also made good picks in the third and ninth round, even if Vince Goehring doesn’t look great. That’s solid work.


Chicago White Sox:

First Round: (21) Kaden Holton—3B—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (22) Brian Giberson—RF—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (27) David Renteria—CF—Compensation for not signing Tony Spencer—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (26) Ray Groulx—1B—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (28) Nick Nagelberg—3B—Compensation for not signing David Renteria—UNSIGNED

Best Player: (10) Daniel Ryks

Best Deep Cut: (13) Greg Galle—1B

Total ML WAR: 0.9

Review: Chicago didn’t sign most of their previous picks in 2024, and didn’t sign their top picks in 2025. Kaden Holten wasn’t signed, with the compensation pick turning into Joe Knight. Holton looks like a special contact hitter, while Knight is pitching in the DAHL minors.

Chicago’s own second rounder was used on Brian Giberson who they didn’t sign. The comp pick turned into Sam Warnick. Giberson has a PBA-caliber bat, though doesn’t have much else. That still gives him more of a shot than Warnick, who will never play above Double-A.

Chicago’s own third rounder was spent on Ray Groulx, with the compensation pick becoming Mike Melton. Melton has hit in Triple-A and held his own in the PBA as a player with good wheels and a good glove in Left Field. Groulx retired before playing full-season ball. That was a good decision.

Chicago didn’t sign Tony Spencer in 2024, a player with no PBA future. The compensation pick became David Renteria, and his compensation pick became Edgar Espinoza. Renteria has become a star in Japan, as he has an excellent bat and great speed. Espinoza is also playing overseas, but doesn’t look like as good a player as Renteria.

Chicago actually picked Renteria in the third round in 2024, but didn’t sign him. They used the comp pick on Nick Nagelberg, then turned him into Brett Pick. Nagelberg doesn’t look like he’ll play above High A, while with the Pick pick, Chicago picked up a respectable Second Baseman who held his own for the Kenya Diamond Dawgs last year.

Ninth rounder Ryks can touch 100 on the gun and strike out more than a batter an inning. He had a good year for the White Sox last year.

13th round pick Greg Galle has hit for a nice average in the PBA, but doesn’t draw a walk, hit for power, or play defense. Being a respectable bat that can hold his own in the PBA is still a win for the 13th round.

Grade: D. Chicago didn’t sign most of their guys, and generally got worse compensation picks as a result. Ryks, Galle, and Melton keep it a passing grade.


Chicago Cubs:

First Round: (36) Pick traded to New York Yankees along with second round pick *(Josh Vasquez) for Giovanny Gallegos. Pick became Hunan Ghazakhetsian
Supplemental Round: (3) Arturo Figueiedo—P—Compensation for not signing Jesus Silas
Second Round: (40)*
Third Round: (42) Bryan Huff—P—UNSIGNED

Best Player: (15) Gennady Debabov—CF

Best Deep Cut: Gennady Debabov

Total ML WAR: 0

Review: Previous Cubs leadership had a knack for trading away picks, and the 2025 draft was no exception. Chicago traded away their first and second round picks at the 2024 trade deadline for relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos. Gallegos ended up pitching 131 innings for the Cubbies over a season and a half, amassing a 1.6 WAR and 0.8 rWAR. The Cubs were a great team in 2024, and no doubt were looking for the final piece to a championship contender. However, the team ended up swept in the NLCS and hasn't returned to the postseason since, after the years of trading the future finally caught up to them.

The Cubs kept their Supplemental Pick and used it to draft P Arturo Figueiedo out of the University of Miami. However, the team failed to come to terms with "Hangover" and he returned to college for his sophomore year.

The same fate was had for P Bryan Huff, who the Cubs drafted and failed to sign in the third round. Huff's career has since come full circle, signing a minor league contract with the Cubs in 2030 after pitching well in the KBO.

Of all of the players that the Cubs drafted in the 2025 draft, none have made it to the big leagues. OF Gennady Debabov was selected in the 15th round and is likely the last hope for one of their selections to make the big league roster. Debabov has spent the last three seasons playing for the team's Triple A affiliate, and has an outside chance to be an injury replacement 4th outfielder in PBA someday.

Grade: D. The only positive spin one can put on this Cubs draft is they got 130 IP out of an aging reliever and they rolled two picks into 2026.


Cincinnati Reds:

First Round: (8) Bill Koehler—P—UNSIGNED
First Round: (22) James Gillen—P—Compensation for not signing John Kadlecik
Second Round: (9) Kyle Jackson—3B
Second Round: (20) Jimmy Coates—P—Compensation for not signing Sean Park

Third Round: (13) Pick traded to San Francisco along with fifth round pick (Bob Kaiser) for Juan Pie, Austin Shenton, and $500K. Pick ended up in Colorado as Steve Hutchinson

Notes: Traded ninth round pick (Micah Fortune) to Milwaukee, along with 11th round pick (Jason Richey), 15th round pick (Chris Kidd), and 17th round pick (Justin Terry) for $3.5 million.

Traded 10th round pick (Mike Gonzalez) to Baltimore for Luis M. Alcantara

Best Player: James Gillen

Best Deep Cut: (21) Arthur Gragg—CF

Total ML WAR: 8.0

Review: The Reds would use the eighth pick in the first round on Bill Koehler, but would fail to come to an agreement and Kohler would go on to star for Florida State in college. Fast forward to 2028 and the Reds would draft Koehler again in the first round this time with the third pick in the first round. This would seem as a missed opportunity for the Reds here.

The Reds second pick in the first round at #22 overall was James Gillen. Gillen was an advanced relief-only type out of high school showing great stuff and movement with some control issues. His stuff never really took that last step to elite status as was the original plan, and his career has followed along in that same vein. Gillen has made it to the show and shown to be a very good reliever for Cincinnati with a 3.38 ERA in 206 games and 221 IP. He excels at inducing ground balls and keeping the ball in the ballpark.

Kyle Jackson drafted in the second round is your drunk uncle out there with the bat in his hands. He's an all or nothing masher with bigtime power and strikeout ability. He will however surprise you with his above average glovework and leaving you wondering how a guy so slow and uncoordinated can actually do the things he is doing out there. Never try to make sense of the drunk uncle just enjoy the ride. Oh and Jackson has been alright in the majors totaling 2.4 war in three seasons of work.

First baseman Jimmy Coates was also selected in the second round by the Reds. He is unlikely to ever make the show as his bat has not developed. He has some purpose as a captain and leader for Daytona in A+ ball but at 28 years old his days are likely numbered.

The Reds traded their 3rd and 5th round picks to San Francisco for a package of Juan Pie, Austin Shenton, and 500k cash. Pie would hang in AAA for them in 2025 and record 2.2 WAR for the major league squad in 2026. He was then relegated to AAA from 2027 onward and has never had much success since. Shenton would play in 2025 and 2026 for the Reds posting -0.9 war and the two would part ways in 2029. He then reappeared in 2030 for the Yankees and ratcheted it up with a -1.3 war season.

In the 4th round the reds were able to find a pretty good prospect in Doug Rothenberg. Rothenberg is a smooth fielding second baseman with the arm of a 5 year old child. He swings the bat fairly well for a middle infielder and has good speed. Unfortunately for Cincinatti, Rothenberg wouldn’t find his success unti being traded to the Seatle Mariners, who would then trade him to KC for Bryce Zettel a young promising 1b/DH.

The reds also picked up Jonathan Rodon, with 0.7 WAR to date in the sixth round, and Jim Mashburn with 1.6 WAR in the eighth round (though an awful -1.2 war in 2029 keeps his total down).

The Reds also sent their ninth, 11th, 15th, and 17th round picks to Milwaukee. The Brewers would use the ninth rounder to acquire Micah Fortune, who has put up some eye popping numbers in AAA and is knocking on the door for a shot at the majors. Fortuna is not regarded as really exceptional however, and this deal seems like a minor win for the reds at this point.

Cincinnati would trade their 10th round pick to Baltimore in exchange for Luis M. Alcantara. This one would have backfired spectacularly for Cincinnati no matter who the draft pick ended up being, as Alcantara would pitch one year for the reds inR2025 posting a 6.04 ERA and a -0.3 war. (The draft pick was Mike Gonzalez who has since retired from baseball).

Grade: C+. They drafted a number of decent players in this draft and made some decent trades. Absolutely nothing jumps out as great, exceptional, or awful just perfectly meh. Thus, they get a decent but passing grade.


Cleveland Indians:

First Round: (3) Oscar Qudrio—P
Second Round: (3) Elijah Hines—P
Third Round: (3) David Cohen—P—Compensation for not signing Luis Orellana—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (6) Nate Tunstall—3B

Best Player: Elijah Hines

Best Deep Cut: (18) Ryan Armendariz—P

Total ML WAR: 0.8

Review: Cleveland used the third overall selection of the 2025 draft on pitcher Oscar Qudrio. Qudrio is currently recovering from a torn rotator cuff and isn't slated to return until mid-summer. Qudrio had been slowly progressing through the minors, finally reaching Triple-A before his injury. That's probably where his talent level tops out.

Pitcher Elijah Hines was selected in the second round by Cleveland, and to date is the only Cleveland selection from the 2025 draft to reach the PBA. Unfortunately for Cleveland, Hines made his PBA debut for the division rival Kansas City Royals. Hines was selected by KC in the Rule V draft, and went on to pitch 40.2 innings for the Royals and earning a World Series ring.

In the third round, Cleveland selected Pitcher David Cohen out of Florida Atlantic, but failed to sign him. For Cleveland's other third round pick, they took Third Baseman Nate Tunstall. Tunstall got the highest signing bonus of any of Cleveland's pick, but was released by the organization in 2029. Tunstall is currently playing for the Triple A-Pawtucket Red Sox.

In the fourth round, Cleveland took two-way player Jonathan Alba. In 2030, Alba started 41 games on the mound for Double-A Akron, while also starting 58 games in Left Field. Alba's talent probably caps him out at Triple A, but he is currently playing with the big league club in Spring Training.

Grade: D. We give Cleveland a bonus point for having selected a World Series winning 12th pitcher in Elijah Hines—albeit that title coming for a division rival. Otherwise none of the selections are likely to ever play a meaningful inning in PBA.


Colorado Rockies:

First Round: (17) Pick traded to San Francisco along with Jerry Vasto for Ryan Meisinger, Chris Seise, and third round pick *(Steve Hutchinson). Pick ended up as Evan Orcutt
Second Round: (17) Corey Thornton—2B
Third Round: *(13)
Third Round: (23) Chris Howard—LF

Best Player: Corey Thornton

Best Deep Cut: (14) Jason Partridge

Total ML WAR: 1.6

Review: The Rockies opted to trade their first round pick to the Giants for a package highlighted by Ryan Meisinger. At the time Meisinger was a great reliever and he did make an All Star team in 2025 with the Rockies. However, injuries and his poor attitude in the clubhouse led to him only pitching 68.1 IP in Colorado. The Rockies would have been better served keeping the 17th overall pick which led to Evan Orcutt. Orcutt is solid SP/RP, still only 26 and has a career 131 ERA+ and 7 WAR. In the trade the Rockies did end up getting back Chris Seise and a 3rd round pick that led to Steve Hutchinson as well. However both of those guys are Quad-A players not close to the quality of Orcutt.

The Rockies best pick was Corey Thornton in the second round but this comes with a big caveat. He came from Florida State and therefore should have never been drafted. The Rockies managed to trade him for Jake Bauers who had a very solid year as a Rocky in 2026, but you'd like to be able to keep your 2nd round picks.

The Rockies 3rd round picks were the aforementioned Hutchinson and Chris Howard. A pair of Quad-A outfielders, they are nothing notable.

The only other Rockies picks who have made the majors are 12th rounder Marco Ortiz and 14th rounder Jason Partridge. The Rockies traded Ortiz for SP Tomito Kawamoto and Partridge for SS Michael Perez. Kawamoto is a solid backend SP and Perez is a quality SS. Both are better players than the players the Rockies gave up for them which salvages the draft class some for Colorado.

Grade: C. The Rockies picked a few major league contributors and managed to trade these marginal players for better ML starters. However the Meisinger trade didn't work out, and picking a Florida State player brings down the grade.


Detroit Tigers:

First Round: (30) Cesar Pastrano—P
Second Round: (37) Cory Ferguson—C
Third Round: (38) Donald Miller—LF

Notes: Acquired fifth round pick (Lorenzo Montalvo) from Kansas City along with Phil Maton for Mike Fitzgerald.

Best Player: Cesar Pastrano

Best Deep Cut: Miles Wilikinson—P

Total ML WAR: 5.4

Review: As is often the case, the 1st round was full of Pitchers and there were few better than Detroit’s choice of Pastrano. Pittsburgh’s selection of Chris Donelson is in a league of it’s own as the second overall pick. After that only Evan Orcutt at 17th overall has performed better. Getting the third best pitcher in the first round, and also with the last pick of the first round is a huge win.

Detroit’s second round pick was Cory Ferguson at Catcher. He toiled briefly in the big leagues last year and could break the line up this year or next for the rebuilding Tigers. His Minor League numbers are above average, and the possibility still exists potentially for him to be an average to above average back stop in the bigs.

Detroit’s third rounder, Donald Miller, went nowhere and was a bust, and while fourth rounder Ross Doyle has showed a little promise at Shortstop, he seems destined to have only mild success in the minors.

Detroit’s next and perhaps last big hit of the draft was Catcher Joe Swetz in the fifth. He played primarily everyday for Detroit last year, and while his bat struggled in his first year, his defense shined and yielded 1 WAR in an abbreviated rookie campaign. The Tigers pounced on his promise and swapped him to the Reds for a promising prospect in 17-year-old Right Fielder Bobby Huertas.

Detroit had another pick in the fifth round and selected pitcher Lorenzo Montalvo in the 28th slot. He pitched briefly in the bigs, but at best seems destined to swing between the minors and majors.

After the late fifth, Detroit really had no success. Detroit’s deep cut is more of a scrape in the 17th round. Miles Wilkinsin showed promise, but movement started to evade him and will invariably diminish his ability to move up.

Grade: A-. Detroit did really well in this draft, especially when you consider they chose 30th. Pastrano shows like a capable mid-rotation starter on most teams and is a gem of a find as the last pick of the first round. Joe Swetz has the making of a solid back stop and to find him in the fifth is a definite score. Ferguson will likely be the bronze medal of this draft podium for Detroit, but looks to be no slouch. Detroit’s only blemish is no success at all in the latter rounds and as such the little slash to their pristine A.


Houston Astros:

First Round: (12) Mike Caruso—P
Second Round: (13) Tyler Charles—P
Third Round: (16) Josh Ewing—CF

Notes: Traded fourth round pick (Manny Rojas) to Baltimore for Mitchell Stone

Best Player: Josh Ewing

Best Deep Cut: (13) Justin Vaughn—C

Total ML WAR: 0

Review: Houston went with starter Mike Caruso with their first round pick in the draft. He was a sidearm southpaw hurler with three well above average offerings. Coming out of college his pitches were fairly advanced, however control was a major concern. He still has the three pitches and he still has great stuff and movement. The thing is he still has control issues also. With fringe starter stamina ,it feels like he may have a ceiling as a AAAA type middle reliever. Caruso now sits in AAA (Fresno) and has turned in two consecutive seasons of 6+ era baseball. It's time to see if getting out of the starter’s role can salvage anything from a once bright future.

In the second round, Houston went with flamethrowing RHP Tyler Charles. Charles features a fastball that can touch 101mph a forkball that has some good downward movement and three absolute meatball, bating practice, tee ball pitches. His command is only passable as well. Scouts originally thought his stuff would be much better but it has largely remained unchanged since his college days. Despite the fastball velocity, the decent forkball movement and 5 pitch arsenal, he may be destined for a relief role in mopup or long relief if he makes it to the show. He currently is a starter in Triple-A Fresno.

Houston drafted their first fielder in the speedy OF Josh Ewing. Ewing has a decent hitting profile, not excelling in anything of note. Scouts thought he could develop plus power, however that has yet to materialize. He showed flashes in 2028 hitting 25 bombs in AA, but he has yet to replicate the feat. Ewing does have decent outfield defense and at 27 could be a potential AAAA OF on a struggling Houston squad who needs bodies.

The early parts of this draft had not been kind to Houston. However, in the previous July after consulting their magic 8 ball, they did perhaps their best move in trading their draft pick to Baltimore for Mitchell Stone. Stone was a good find for the Astros as he had sported an unsightly 6.99 ERA for Baltimore in 51 relief appearances before the swap. The Astros utilized him as a starter for the remainder of 2024 and he turned in 13 starts, going 6-2 with a 3.91 ERA. He amassed 4.9 WAR for Houston and was a productive member of their squad through 2029. He is now a free agent.

Grade: D+. The Astros will get little to no help from the players they drafted. Trading for Mitchell Stone saves them from a very ugly grade here


Kansas City Royals:

First Round: (35) John Zavala—P
Supplemental Round: (2) Pick traded to Baltimore, along with third round pick *(Aaron Phillips), and fifth round pick (Josh Evans) for Kurt Mann—Compensation for not signing Gary Sanchez. Pick became Chris Bennett
Second Round: (28) Juan Rios—P—Compensation for not signing John Cox—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (39) Matthew Renner—C—UNSIGNED
Third Round: *(41)

Notes: Traded fourth round pick (Jason Thompson) to Tampa Bay for Jonathan DeLay

Acquired fifth round pick (Ended up in Baltimore as Josh Evans) from Washington for Mallex Smith

Traded fifth round pick (Lorenzo Montalvo) to Detroit, along with Phil Maton, for Mike Fitzgerald

Traded sixth round pick (Steve Robertson) to Baltimore for Joey Young

Acquired eighth round pick (James Wolfe) from Miami for Andrelton Simmons

Best Player: (9) Mark Harris—P

Best Deep Cut: (10) Randy Mitchell—SS

Total ML WAR: 2.0

Review: As usual when discussing Kansas City drafts, it's a little complicated with so many moving pieces. I'm going to do my best to break it down.

Their first pick was simple, was the Royals selecting P John Zavala out of Southern Miss. Zavala suffered back-to-back arm injuries in 2026 and 2027, which seemed to derail his career. Last season, Zavala had a 5.94 ERA over 77.1 for Triple-A Omaha.

The Royals received a Compensation Pick for Toronto signing C Gary Sanchez in free agency. Kansas City proceed to trade that pick, along with their third and fifth round picks in exchange for P Kurt Mann. Mann went on to record 65 outs for the Royals, allowing 20 earned runs in between, and never pitched for their big league team again.

Both of KC's second round picks—Juan Rios and—Matthew Renner - went unsigned which was probably the right decision by the Royals. Renner never made it past Double A before retiring, and Juan Rios is 27 years old and has yet to past Triple A.

KC traded their fourth round pick for pitcher Jonathan DeLay, who gave the Royals two seasons of solid middle relief work.

The fifth round pick that was traded to Baltimore was actually acquired from Washington in exchange for outfelder Mallex Smith. Smith's loss was no loss for the Royal's organization.

KC's actual fifth round pick was sent to Detroit, along with RP Phil Maton for 1B Mike Fitzgerald in what was a steal of a trade for the Royals. Maton had a few more seasons of solid bullpen work in him, but that just doesn't compared to the young big bat that Fitzgerald developed into in PBA. Many of you are probably learning now that Royals traded for Mike Fitzgerald. We could do an entire article just on Fitzgerald's journey to San Diego.

KC traded their sixth round pick to Baltimore for 2B Joey Young, who has blossomed into one of the most consistent utility fielders in PBA, entering his seventh season in that role for KC in 2031.

To wrap up the KC Trade Extravaganza, the Royals traded Andrelton Simmons to Miami for an eighth round pick that turned into P James Wolfe. Nothing to discuss here though, Simmons career was about over and he was retired two seasons later, whereas Wolfe currently pitches in Single A which is likely the cap of his potential.

Now that we've recapped all of the trades, we can get to KC's best selection of the draft, ninth round pick P Mark Harris. Harris will never be a household name, but he has pitched in KC's bullpen each of the past three seasons; posting a 3.47 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 10.7 K/9 rate, and 1.7 WAR. He should have a solid career ahead of him as a bullpen arm.

The last player worth mentioning from the 2025 KC draft is SS Randy Mitchell. Mitchell made his debut for the Rays last season and posted a positive WAR in 54 starts. He likely could find a niche in PBA as a utility guy for contending teams, or a starting 2B or SS for rebuilding teams.

Grade: B. There were a lot of misses in the 2025 draft for KC. Zavala was bad, and the trade for Mann was a waste of assets. However, they used other assets in the draft class to land them Mike Fitzgerald, a former first round pick that has shown to be a legitimate first round talent. Most teams would happily trade their 2025 draft class for Fitzgerald. In the later rounds, KC drafted two future PBA role players (Harris and Mitchell) while trading picks for two other PBA role players (Young and DeLay). Overall, KC utilized their assets from the 2025 draft to get more PBA productivity than most other teams.


Los Angeles Angels:

First Round: (1) Steve Gifford—P
Second Round: (1) Tony Spencer—P
Third Round: (1) Adam Lyle—P
Third Round: (2) Dustin Baier—CF—Compensation for not signing Nick Hall
Third Round: (4) Tim Tyson—P—Compensation for not signing Hunter Commo
Third Round: (7) James Howe—RF—Compensation for not signing Dustin Baier
Third Round: (21) Daniel Whirley—CF—Compensation for not signing Pete Clark

Best Player: Tim Tyson

Best Deep Cut: (21) Jeff Peck—P

Total ML WAR: -4.9

Review: The Angels walked into the draft with the first overall pick and came out making their team worse than it already was. In other words, par for the course. Gifford was a terrible choice at #1 overall. A High School pitcher with control issues, he was picked over Chris Donelson whom many saw as the consensus best player in the class (and who leads the class in WAR to date). Not surprisingly Gifford had zero support in the poorly managed Angels farm system, and never developed his control. He will likely never throw a major league pitch.

Having the first overall pick meant the Angels picked first in every round so naturally they blew those picks as well. Tony Spencer was their second round pick, another pitcher with control issues who never had a chance in the Angels system. The Angels had several third rounders as a result of not signing picks for years. Their first third round pick, Adam Lyle, another pitcher, somehow made the majors, but he is nothing but a Quad-A reliever. The next third round pick Dustin Baier is a bust of an outfield pick. Here is where we come to the only success of the draft for the Angels. Their third pick in the third round, Tim Dyson, looks like he can become a solid reliever, although so far he has struggled to throw strikes. Their fourth third round pick, James Howe, never amounted to anything, but has made his way to pitch in Africa which is preferable to the Angels in most player’s minds. Finally, the Angels also selected replacement level outfielder Daniel Whirley in the third round. He was snatched by the Padres in Rule V and won a Gold Glove, but put up negative WAR in his only ML season, so it's questionable if he should have been in the majors to begin with.

The Angels have one player who could qualify as a deep cut. RP Jeff Peck who was picked in the 21st round. He was traded to the Braves and looks like an Quad-A reliever.

Grade: F. The Angels had 7 picks in the first 3 rounds including #1 overall and so far their draft has amounted to -4.9 WAR.


Los Angeles Dodgers:

First Round: (37) Pick traded to Miami for Eric Groves. Pick became Jeff Alexander
Second Round: (41) Steve Stapleton—P
Third Round: (43) Joey Dodgen—1B

Notes: Traded 15th round pick (Failed to convey) to Philadelphia, along with Juan Herrera, for Joey Wentz

Best Player: Steve Stapleton

Best Deep Cut: (19) Josh Emert—P

Total ML WAR: 1.1

Review: The Dodgers traded their first round pick for Eric Groves, a quality reliever who was an integral part of two Los Angeles title teams. The pick became Jeff Alexander, who struggled for Minnesota last year and doesn’t look like a significant contributor going forward. That pick looks like a win.

Los Angeles also gets a win for drafting Steve Stapleton in the second round. The pitcher has been a strong reliever the last two years and has utterly dominated right-handed arms as a pro.

Joey Dodgen is a High-A First Baseman who doesn’t deserve to play a level higher, a clear miss.

You have to go to round 10 to find another interesting Dodgers pick. Mike Troyer gets good movement, but can’t miss bats. It’s resulted in a tough go of it in the PBA so far. Troyer is still young, has great movement, and has an excellent cutter/curveball combination. A move to the pen may rejuvenate his career.

19th rounder Josh Emert is an aggressive arm with a cutter that misses bats. When he hangs his pitches, hitters don’t miss extra base hits, but the stuff and control may work in the PBA.

Grade: B. In classic Dodgers fashion, the Dodgers ended up getting two good relievers, plus two arms with a chance at a PBA career from the deeper rounds, making for a solid grade.


Miami Marlins:

First Round: (6) Isaiah Stephen—LF
First Round: (11) John Cohen—P—Compensation for not signing Isaiah Stephen
First Round: (29) Pick acquired from Seattle, along with third round pick *(Manuel Tostado), fourth round pick (Nick Whitman), and Chris Sale, for $1. Pick traded to Pittsburgh along with fourth round pick (Lambert Meijer), Juan Ochoa, Justin Doyle, and Nick Tincher for Jelfry Marte and Christian Arroyo. Pick became Jayden Prescott
First Round: (33) Genzaburo Fujii—P Pick acquired from Philadelphia along with Micah Miniard, Victor Santos, Andy Stratton, Mike Preston, Justin Doyle for Archie Bradley and fourth round pick (Justin Winstead).
First Round: (37) Jeff Alexander—P (Pick acquired from Los Angeles Dodgers for Eric Groves)—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (6) Olaf Kohn—P—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (10) Kenny McMahon—P—Compensation for not signing Mike Campbell—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (32) Ubbe Van Dooren—P—Compensation for not signing Ken Knighton—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (11) Khalil Banks—P
Third Round: (37)*

Notes: Acquired fourth round pick (Ended up in Pittsburgh as Lambert Meijer) from Baltimore, along with Justin Townes, for Trent Clark.

Traded eighth round pick (James Wolfe) to Kansas City for Andrelton Simmons

Best Player: Isaiah Stephen

Best Deep Cut: (22) Julio Calles—2B

Total ML WAR: -2.8

Review: Miami drafted Isaiah Stephen in the first round in 2024, didn’t sign him, then drafted him again in 2025. Miami’s ambivalence resulted in them selected a player who has been worth -2.4 WAR. Stephen still has the talent to turn around his career, and the rest of the position players drafted the first two rounds have generally been horrible, but that looks like a poor pick.

The compensation pick for not just signing Stephen in 2024 turned into John Cohen, a pitcher who made it to Triple-A quickly and has been parked there since 2026. He’s not good enough to make it to the PBA.

Miami acquired then traded away a first round pick, picking up the pick from Seattle in a salary dump, then sending it to Pittsburgh. Miami netted Chris Sale’s horrible contract and a -3.0 WAR season from The Condor, getting draft picks that became Manuel Tostado and Nick Whitman along with him. Neither of those picks have worked out.

The second part of the deal saw Miami trade the pick, that became Jayden Prescott, a fourth rounder that became Lambert Meija, plus Juan Ochoa, Justin Doyle, and Nick Tincher for Jelfry Marte and Christian Arroyo. Mejia hasn’t worked out, while Juan Ochoa had an up, but mostly down career. Tincher was an unsuccessful reliever for a while, and Doyle looks like a player who will max out at Triple-A. Miami got Christian Arroyo, who was rough for them, and Jelfry Marte, who became a star, but after he left Miami.

The net result was Miami getting Chris Sale, Jelfry Marte, and Christian Arroyo for Juan Ochoa, Justin Doyle, and Nick Tincher, with Jayden Prescott passing through. It’s a slight win for Miami on pure talent, though they took on a lot of money to get it, and Prescott was the best asset involved.

Justin Doyle himself was a player who didn’t spend much time in Miami. He was acquired along with Mike Preston, Andy Stratton, Victor Santos, Micah Miniard, and a first round pick that became Genzaburo Fujii for Archie Bradley and a fourth round pick that became Justin Winstead. Winstead had a nice 2029 with Tampa Bay, while Bradley went 10-1 in Philadelphia. Miniard had a -3.2 WAR season for Miami, though settled in better later in his tenure. Santos managed to be worth -0.8 WAR in four career games. Preston never made the PBA, and Stratton was cut soon after. Woof.

Miami acquired one more first round pick for Eric Groves. The pick turned into Jeff Alexander, who was unsigned, with a compensation pick becoming non-entity Ethan Blair. Groves became a valuable reliever with the Dodgers who won two champions. Miami should have held on to him.

They drafted Olaf Kohn in the second round, but didn’t sign him, turning him into Jeff Riggs the next year, a player who will never play full-season ball. Kohn has been erratic in the pros, but has still be a capable arm for Cincinnati.

Miami took Mike Campbell in 2024, didn’t sign him, drafted Kenny McMahon in 2025, didn’t sign him, and ended up with David Cohen, an okay reliever. Campbell didn’t work out, and McMahon has been a good swingman for Milwaukee. Cohen may be better than McMahon, but McMahon would have started providing value for Miami sooner. Both are the same age right now, 27.

Miami then had another chain of unsigned picks turning Ken Knighton into Ubbe van Dooren into Walter Kost. Knighton won’t make the PBA, van Dooren was taken by Miami in 2028, signed, and has been a negative WAR player, and Kost was replacement level last year, and likely doesn’t have the movement to succeed in the PBA. He’s likely the best of the trio, but the whole chain is disappointing.

Khalil Banks was Miami’s own third rounder. He’s been a replacement level reliever.

Miami took on a draft pick that was sent to Pittsburgh in the Jayden Prescott trade, also getting Justin Townes for Trent Clark. Townes never hit, and only had one season where his defense allowed him to accumulate more than a sprinkle of WAR. Clark would be a successful starting outfielder for another half decade.

Miami traded a prospect that became James Wolfe to Kansas City for Andrelton Simmons. Wolfe will never play in the PBA, but Simmons only played 31 games for Miami and produced negative WAR.

Grade: F. Miami had so many draft assets, and managed to acquire so many players who produced negative WAR for them. The draft was a huge missed opportunity for them, and the missed picks have haunted them since.


Milwaukee Brewers:

First Round: (23) Hideki Yamada—P
Second Round: (18) Kevin Fleishman—P—Compensation for not signing Harold Kennedy
Second Round: (23) Ken Toth—P
Third Round: (30) Grant Stumpf
Third Round: (31) Justin Oberlander—1B—Compensation for not signing Fumio Nishimura—UNSIGNED

Notes: Acquired ninth round pick (Micah Fortune) from Cincinnati, along with 11th round pick (Jason Richey), 15th round pick (Chris Kidd), and 17th round pick (Justin Terry) for $3.5 million.

Best Player: (7) Doug Heppenstall—P

Best Deep Cut: (11) Joe Seagraves—CF

Total ML WAR: 12.6

Review: The Brewers made southpaw reliever Hideki Yamada their first pick in the draft. Scouts saw him improving his stuff in combination with elite movement to form an elite closer. His movement reached the lofty levels envisioned by the scouts, however his stuff never fully materialized. He would reward the Brewers for their faith in him however, by winning a game in the 2027 playoffs and allowing just one earned run in 5 innings of work over four games that year. He suffered an injury in July of 2028 and would miss 15 months. He has rebounded from the torn UCL to put up a respectable 3.06 ERA last year.

The Brewers would once again target a reliever in the middle of the second round picking up lefty Kevin Fleishman. Fleishman was projected to be a flamethrower largely relying on his fastball to overpower hitters. He has lived up to his label as a prospect striking out 12.4 per 9 innings of work. With spotty control and decent, but not amazing, movement on his pitches, he has been primarily a AAAA reliever for most of his career thus far. The Padres snagged him from the Brewers system in the Rule V in 2028.

Going back to the well of relievers once again in the second round the brewers would select Ken Toth, who is now retired from baseball and god only knows what happened with this man, there is no scouting info anymore, but he did have a very nice 1.97 ERA in the minors.

In the third round, the Brewers would select their fourth straight reliever in Grant Stumpf. Stumpf was a flamethrowing righty whose fastball could touch 101 on gun. He also had a "curveball" that didn't curve. He would rely on pure gas to get hitters out. Surprisingly enough this has kind of worked for him, and he boasts 2.2 war for the Twins after having been selected in the 2028 Rule V draft.
The Brewers second third round pick was Justin Oberlander, who they failed to sign. Oberlander was later drafted by the Royals in the first round of 2028 and finally the Indians in the second round of 2029. His career looks like that of a AAAA first baseman.

Now for what everyone who knows anything about this draft class is here for: Doug Heppenstall was drafted in round seven of the draft. He was originally viewed as a left handed reliever with two great pitches decent movement and control. That is largely what he was up until his age 26 season. The season after the Brew Crew had left him unprotected before the Rule V. Heppenstall would be selected in the fourth round by the Oakland Athletics. Upon arriving in Oakland, Heppenstall started throwing harder, his pitches starting moving better, and he added a third pitch to his arsenal. He would convert to a starter and in 2029, lead the league in ERA and WHIP en route to a 3.9 war season. Heppenstall has amassed 9.0 War in his two years of starting thus far.

The Brewers would trade 3.5m in cash to Cincinnati for a ninth, 11th, 15th, and 17th round pick. Of note with the ninth round pick, the brew crew snagged Micah Fortune who has put up some eye popping minors numbers and looks poised to get a shot on the big league club soon.

Willie Rodriguez is a decent looking prospect toiling away in the Brewers farm. Drafted in the sixth round and aged 26 now, he has yet to make it to AAA. He has a decent ability to make contract and drive in runs via the extra base hit with his line drive hitting approach. He also profiles as an excellent third baseman with a canon for an arm. Free Willie!

In the 11th round Milwaukee grabbed Joe Seagraves. Seagraves is a speedy switch hitting, defense first outfielder who is looking to secure a fifth outfielder role on a strong Seattle team. He's probably not destined for any more than a role player but you would be hard pressed to find a better defensive replacement.

Grade: A-. Doug Heppenstall saves this from being a fairly meh draft and in the C range. Yamada, while not reaching his original ceiling, does help the grade slightly with his postseason performance.


Minnesota Twins:

First Round: (25) Pete Clark—1B
Second Round: (25) Tim Longo—P—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (34) Harold Kennedy—RF

Best Player: Harold Kennedy

Best Deep Cut: (18) Chris Morris—CF

Total ML WAR: 0.0

Review: If this were a game, the Twins whiffed miserably. No runs, an error, two hits. It was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Their first pick floundered and will amount to nothing. And while the draft wasn’t the deepest there were ample good picks behind Pete Clark. To add insult to injury, their best pick would have been the unsigned Tim Longo who they chose in the 2nd round, now the league’s #91 top prospect. Third rounder Harald Kennedy has had solid minor numbers. He has well below average defense, but a decent bat which could translate into utility to be a serviceable MLB player.

Fourth round choice Jimmy Slate is a strikeout in the draft and especially with his bat. He will be hard-pressed to succeed in the high minors. Peter Jenkins was their fifth round choice and is now with Colorado. He saw limited action in the Rockies system and is showing mild promise in Triple-A as a reliever. He seems destined to be a Triple-A pitcher with an occasional call up at best.

Beyond this there really is nothing.

Seventh round Right Fielder Al Garibay may one day see limited major or call up action, and ninth choice Third Baseman Bobby Rosbach is in the same boat. Both of these players have shown their skills and mettle and are really 29/30th men on teams, and readily available in free agency.

A similar player to the two above is 18th rounder CF Chris Morris. He is also their deep cut choice, which you are generally content to find a 29/30th man in the latter half of your draft.

Grade: F. You need to have accumulated WAR or expect to eventually accumulate WAR from your draft for it to be deemed successful. I highly doubt the Twins will reach 10W AR over the careers of all these draftees. By contrast, three teams have already reached 10 WAR and many good prospects have burgeoning careers ahead of them. The Twins might as well foregone the draft. When you produce a few measly fringe players who are abundant in free agency you have failed, hence the failing grade.


New York Yankees:

First Round: (15) Chris Collins—P—UNSIGNED
First Round: (36) Hunan Ghazakhetsian—CF (Pick Acquired from Chicago Cubs along with second round pick *[Josh Vasquez], for Giovanny Gallegos
Second Round: (15) J.P. Ward—CF
Second Round: (29) Humberto Argueta—P—Compensation for not signing Olaf Kohn
Second Round: (30) Steve Moyer—P—Compensation for not signing Jalen Washington
Second Round: (40) *
Third Round: (19) Jeff Lee—P—UNSIGNED

Best Player: (28) Skyler Nash—P

Best Deep Cut: Skyler Nash

Total ML WAR: 0

Review: New York drafted Chris Collins 15th overall, then threw him back in the sea. The compensation pick turned into Doug Colletti in 2027. Both pitchers are career minor leaguers, wasting the pick.

New York traded away Giovanny Gallegos for two picks that became Hunan Ghazakhetsian and Josh Vasquez. Ghazakhetsian has decent wheels and a decent glove, but doesn’t hit enough for the PBA, while Vasquez has respectable pop, but not enough to overcome a poor hit tool, and a lack of defensive chops. Gallegos would continue to be an upper-echelon reliever for another half decade, making the deal a swing and a miss.

New York’s own second rounder was used on J.P Ward, a player with big power and a big arm, but a terrible hit tool. Better players were definitely available.

New York had a pair of extra picks in the round as well. One was obtained as compensation for not signing Olaf Kohn, a perfectly fine starting pitcher currently working for the Reds. The compensation pick became Humberto Argueta, a pitcher with five seasons in Triple-A, four of which were sub-replacement level. The other was compensation for not signing Jalen Washington, a minor league pitcher. The compensation pick turned into Steve Moyer, also a pitcher with no PBA future.

New York’s third rounder turned into Jeff Lee, a pitcher with Triple-A upside. The Yankees didn’t sign him, and the compensation pick turned into Dylan Moore, a pitcher currently operating in the Filipino League.

Most of the Yankees mid-round and deep draft picks are still active in the universe, which is nice, but virtually none look like they’ll be impact players even in the high minors. The one exception is Skyler Nash. A pitcher taken in the 28th round, Nash has consistently improved and is now a weapon with a mid-90s fastball, a terrific cutter, an excellent forkball, plus a splitter and a changeup. He misses bats and looks like a frontline pitcher. He alone saves the Yankees draft.

Grade: C. New York got a really good starting pitcher late in the draft, making up for the missed picks they made earlier, and the poor return in the Gallegos trade.


New York Mets:

First Round: (5) Rob Singleton—P
Supplemental Round: (3) Danny Coleman—2B—Compensation for not signing Justin Rott
Second Round: (5) Jim Beaudin—P
Third Round: (9) Josh Flurry—P—Compensation for not signing Khalil Banks
Third Round: (10) Sam Stetina—RF

Best Player: Rob Singleton

Best Deep Cut: (29) Shane Cooper—P

Total ML WAR: 2.0

Review: The Mets first pick was an early first rounder spent on Rob Singleton. Little Rob had a really good 2029 with Oakland and a really poor 2030 with Chicago, where the White Sox used him as a swingman. Little Rob is smart and throws hard—a good combination—but homers bested him last year. Not a bust, but there were better arms taken in the first round.

New York had a compensation pick stemming from a decision to not sign Amed Rosario before 2024, before not signing supplemental pick Justin Rott. The compensation pick turned into Danny Coleman, whose 5-8 career batting line with a home run has led to 0.3 WAR in four games. Coleman has hit in the minors, and can split the gap, but he doesn’t have a great bat, nor good range. Better players were picked in the second round.

Second round pick Jim Beuadin was not one of them. He projects to be a Triple-A reliever. New York’s initial third rounder, Josh Flurry, has been a Triple-A reliever. He was taken by the Rays in the Rule V after a brutal 2029 where Flurry had a 6.48 ERA. He may be a serviceable PBA reliever and looks better than Khalil Banks, the unsigned 2029 selection that led to the pick used on Flurry. New York’s other third rounder, Sam Stetina retired before playing in the PBA.

Sixth round pick Jonathan Santos has good stuff and looks like a solid Triple-A arm. If he can improve his command, he has a prayer of making the PBA. Eighth rounder Steve Hulsey has the power to be a starter in the PBA, though nothing else is even Triple-A caliber. As an eighth rounder, he’s interesting.

29th rounder Shane Cooper has gotten himself on the PBA radar by constantly improving. He barely touches 90, but he’s honed his changeup to be a weapon, and his slider misses bats. He could be a PBA starter, which would be an amazing feat for a 29th rounder.

Grade: C-. The Mets got a below average first rounder and a lucky find in the 29th. Danny Coleman has had four good at bats, and there are some players who can dream in the mid rounds. Not a great draft, but one that can look better if Cooper can produce.


Oakland Athletics:

First Round: (10) Pick traded to Baltimore for Chris Brandt. Pick became Chris Yera
First Round: (18) Steve Arb—P—Compensation for not signing Ryan Fox
Second Round: (12) Richard Lannigan—CF—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (15) Pick traded to Pittsburgh for Anderson A. Tejada. Pick became Phil Brookman
Third Round: (17) John Knauer—P—Compensation for not signing Jim Beaudin—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (29) Brian Alfaro—RF—Compensation for not signing Anthony Stone

Notes: Traded fourth round pick (Chris Oviedo) to Baltimore for Antonio Santillian

Traded fifth round pick (Chris Bowen) to San Francisco, along with Gilberto Flores, for Josh Bell.

Best Player: (7) Lorenzo Menchacha—P

Best Deep Cut: (12) Danny Maravilla—P

Total ML WAR: -0.1

Review: Oakland traded a pick that became elite reliever Trixie Yera for Chris Brandt. Brandt has never pitched in the majors, while Year is putting up more than 2 WAR as a reliever. That was a terrible move.

Oakland had a compensation pick in the first round for not signing Fyan Fox, another arm who has had success in a swingman role. They used the compensation pick on Steve Arb, who was worth negative WAR last year for the White Sox and is now in Japan. Fox was taken a pick later. That move also looks like a disappointing decision.

They drafted and didn’t sign disappointing minor leaguer Richard Lannigan, but the comp pick wasn’t used until 2027 and none of Oakland’s second rounders that draft amounted to anything.

They traded a third round pick that became Phil Brookman for Anderson A. Tejada. Brookman turned into a Quad-A slugger, while Tejada had a pair of decent seasons for Oakland.

They drafted and didn’t sign comp pick John Knauer, himself a compensation selection for drafting and not signing Jim Beaudin. Beaudin has been beset by injuries, Knauer has been beset by control issues, and the compensation pick was ultimately used on Tim McCourt, who has been beset by a lack of talent.

Oakland selected Brian Alfaro in the third round, a Triple-A slugger. Justin Winstead and John Schwartz were selected early the next round and have made the majors, Winstead in the same mold as Alfaro.

Oakland traded away a fourth round pick that became non-factor Chris Oviedo to Baltimore for Antonio Santillian, who was an elite closer for Oakland in 2026, and a good starter in 2028. That was a smart decision.

Oakland also traded Gilberto Flores and a pick that became Chris Bowen for Josh Bell. Flores has become an All-Star Catcher, Chris Bowen never reached Double-A and recently retired, but while Bell played well, he was flipped almost immediately for John Malcolm and Ken Spraglin.

Oakland picked Lorenzo Menchacha in round seven, and he looks like an interesting power arm.

Grade: D. Oakland did a lot during the draft, but their most notable moves are trading away Chris Yera, and making negative decisions to trade for Bell and to pass on Fox to draft Arb. Getting Tejada and Santillian were nice moves that helped the team a small amount, but Oakland on the whole did more harm than good with their moves involving the draft.


Philadelphia Phillies:

First Round: (33) Pick traded to Miami, along with Micah Miniard, Victor Santos, Andy Stratton, Mike Preston, and Justin Doyle for Archie Bradley and fourth round pick (Justin Winstead). Pick became Genzaburo Fujii
Second Round: Pick forfeited as a result of signing Wilmer Flores
Third Round: (39) Chris Cammett—P

Notes: Acquired 15th round pick (never conveyed) from Los Angeles Dodgers, along with Juan Herrera, for Joey Wentz

Best Player: (4) Jose Quesada

Best Deep Cut: (13) Jason Nix—P

Total ML WAR: 7.6

Review: Philadelphia lost their first two picks and still had a productive draft. The reasons for their lost picks were also good ones.

The Phillies traded their late first round pick for Archie Bradley and a fourth rounder that became Justin Winstead. Bradley only pitched a half season for Philadelphia, but he went 10-1, helping Philadelphia secure the 2024 NL East. Bradley continued his good work in the postseason, going 1-0 in two starts with a 2.45 ERA as the Phillies lost to the Cubs in the NLDS. Philadelphia also got a decent prospect in the trade. Justin Winstead had eight homers and seven doubles for Tampa Bay in 2029 in only 205 plate appearances and has been solid in Triple-A.

Philadelphia gave up Micah Miniard, Victor Santos, Andy Stratton, Mike Preston, Justin Doyle, and the pick that became Genzaburo Fujii. Miniard has -3.9 career WAR, Santos has -0.8 career WAR in just four games, Stratton turned into a future Mexican League Hall of Famer, but never played in the PBA, Preston’s only service above Double-A is a 1.4 WAR campaign for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2029, and while Doyle may catch on as a sixth outfielder, those odds are slim. Fujii has a -0.5 career WAR with Miami and does not look like a quality pitcher.

Philadelphia gave up a lot of quantity, but very little quality for their 10-1 Bradley season.

The Phillies then forfeited their second round pick in a weak draft to sign Wilmer Flores. A beloved veteran, Flores didn’t last long in Philadelphia, but hit .290 with 40 homers in 2025. Philadelphia missed the playoffs that year and some respectable talent was taken late in the second round, tempering the pick a little bit, but it was still the right call.

The Phillies started making their picks in the third round and generally made the right ones, starting with Chris Cammett. The pitcher currently has more WAR than anyone taken in the third round with solid 2028 and 2029 seasons in the Philadelphia rotation. A ruptured tendon crippled his 2030, shunting him to the bullpen late in the year upon his return. He still looks like a decent swingman.

Philadelphia’s fourth round pick was spent on Jose Quesada, a hard throwing groundball specialist who had an excellent rookie year with Philadelphia last season. He won 15 games, worked nearly 200 innings, and carried a 2.57 ERA in the postseason.

Eighth round pick Jamie Sarmiento is a sidearmer who throws in the upper 90s with a straight cutter and a sweeping slider. Rough on righties, he’ll likely have a career as a righty-specialist, even if he’s very wild.

Ninth rounder Dan Singer had a cup of coffee with Philadelphia in 2027 and held his own, though he’s come across tough times in Triple-A recently. Just a minor leaguer at this point in his journey, stealing five productive games from the ninth round is a win.

13th rounder Jason Nix throws an upper 90s fastball, though he doesn’t throw much else. That fastball, and his left-handed nature, got him drafted by Toronto in the Rule V.

The Phillies also deserve credit for the fact that most of their players are still active and have reached the upper majors, giving the slightest chance of breaking through and providing value.

Grade: A. The Phillies had a number of solid wins. Even though it was only for a combined season and a half, giving up a first and second pick, plus slop, for Wilmer Flores and Archie Bradley looks good. Getting Justin Winstead was nice. Philadelphia’s own picks were generally solid. Just a lot of solid work.


Pittsburgh Pirates:

First Round: (2) Chris Donelson—P
First Round: (29) Jayden Prescott—P (Pick acquired from Miami along with fourth round pick [Lambert Meijer], Juan Ochoa, Justin Doyle, and Nick Tincher for Jelfry Marte and Christian Arroyo.)
Second Round: (2) John Cox—CF
Third Round: (5) Art Allis—1B
Third Round: (15) Phil Brookman—CF (Pick Acquired from Oakland for Anderson A. Tejada)
Third Round: (18) Chris Raybon—CF—UNSIGNED (Pick Acquired from Tampa Bay for Gerrit Cole)

Best Player: Chris Donelson

Best Deep Cut: (18) Manny Sanchez—P

Total ML WAR: 15.7

Review: In this draft the Angels loss was the Pirates gain. After the Angels inexplicably passed on Chris Donelson, he fell right into Pittsburgh's lap at #2 overall. Donelson has turned into a very solid starter with 12.2 WAR to date. He gets nice movement on his pitches, eats innings, and rarely surrenders home runs. He's not a super star, but in the talent starved 2025 draft he's a great pick, and leads the class in WAR. The Pirates made another solid move in the first round. They managed to get out of some of Christian Arroyo's awful contract for the 29th overall pick, Jayden Prescott and several other assets. Prescott has turned into a decent backend Starting Pitcher. The Pirates did have to give up Jelfry Marte, but this was before he broke out as a Shortstop.

In the second round the Pirates picked John Cox a Quad-A level Outfielder but one with 1 career WAR at least. Third round picks Art Allis and Phil Brookman have also made the majors, but they don't look to be much more than Triple-A position player depth. Their next third round pick, outfielder Chris Raybon went unsigned which looks like a mistake. He was later drafted by the Marlins and looks like he could be a power hitting corner outfielder.

If 10th round pick Austin Clark could throw strikes he would be a very valuable reliever, but as he cannot he isn't much to write home about for a deep cut. But snagging a ML player this late in the draft is still a win.

Grade: A-. The Pirates didn't get much outside of the first round, but what they got is still enough to lead in drafted WAR to date.


San Diego Padres:

First Round: (9) Tom McCracken—P
Second Round: (7) Tom Hatch—P—Compensation for not signing Mike Pease
Second Round: (11) Jeff Sabol—RF
Third Round: (14) Dutch Kroll—C—UNSIGNED

Best Player: Tom McCracken

Best Deep Cut: (15) Cody Stephens—LF

Total ML WAR: 4.6

Review: San Diego’s first round pick, Tom McCracken, has a ton of potential. He already has a No-Hitter under his belt and produced 3.4 WAR as a rookie in 2029. He struggled with the mound lowering last year and his strikeout rate plummeted, but he still had a nice year. He was the right pick at ninth overall, as McCracken could be the leader of the Padres rotation.

San Diego didn’t sign Mike Pease in 2024, using the compensation pick on Tom Hatch. Pease won’t pitch in the PBA, while Hatch may get a cup of coffee. Most likely, both picks will be non-factors.

Jeff Sabol is 28 and after playing in Double-A early in his career, he’s spent the last two seasons in Short-A and High-A. Time is running out on his career.

Dutch Kroll has turned into a two-time All-Star Catcher. San Diego didn’t sign him, getting a compensation pick that turned into Nate Neuschaefer. The pitcher has already retired after an uneventful minor league career, while Kroll still looks like a difference making Catcher.

Fourth rounder Sergio Melero is a sidearmer who is tough on righties, but struggles to get lefties out and can’t throw strikes. If his control can come around, he may be able to be make it as a righty specialist.

Grade: C-. The McCracken pick was an okay pick, but not signing Kroll looks like an own goal. The Padres didn’t get much else from their draft outside McCracken. With some good arms taken after McCracken limiting his grade, the Padres look like they had a fine, but uninspiring draft.


San Francisco Giants:

First Round: (14) Alfredo Cruz—3B (Pick acquired from Tampa Bay for Taylor Lehman)
First Round: (17) Evan Orcutt—P Pick acquired from Colorado, along with Jerry Vasto for Ryan Meisinger, Chris Seise, and third round pick *(Steve Hutchinson)
First Round: (34) Frazer McWhir—RF
Second Round: (38) Charlie Castillo—P
Third Round: (13) *Pick Acquired from Cincinnati along with fifth round pick (Bob Kaiser) for Juan Pie, Austin Shenton, and $500K. Pick ended up in Colorado as Steve Hutchinson
Third Round: (24) Nate Alexander—1B Pick acquired from Atlanta for Jeurys Familia
Third Round: (40) Jeff McGeeney—CF

Notes: Acquired fifth round pick (Chris Bowen) from Oakland, along with Gilberto Flores, for Josh Bell.

Best Player: Evan Orcutt

Best Deep Cut: (23) Ryan Hoenie—P

Total ML WAR: 7.4

Review: The Giants had another successful draft thanks to their combined ability to win trades and pick the right talent to develop. Their own first round pick came late in the round, 34th overall. They picked Frazer McWhir, a potent slugger in search of a defensive position. He was the odd man out of some deep Giants teams and was left to be the DH last year in Minnesota. The bat hasn’t produced as much as the scouts have expected, but scouts are still on board. For players with decent amount of time in the PBA so far, McWhir is the draft pick whose production and talent level seem so far apart. In a weak draft, I’m counting this as a win, though time still has a lot to write.

San Francisco picked up another pick from Tampa Bay for Taylor Lehman, selecting Alfredo Cruz with the 14th overall pick. Lehman has had a fine career, both in and away from San Francisco. He produced 4.3 and 3.2 WAR in two healthy years with Tampa Bay while San Francisco was a title contender. The Giants had a deep staff, but Lehman was an excellent arm, and a pitcher who has remained steady through the next decade. The draft pick turned into Alfredo Cruz, a nice looking slugger, but one who will need to really produce to be as valuable as Lehman.

The Giants picked up a pair of picks from Cincinnati, giving up Juan Pie, Austin Shenton, and $500K for the trade. Pie had a nice 2026, spent 2027 in Triple-A, and did pretty much nothing in 2028. Austin Shenton was significantly below replacement for the Reds. $500K is less money than the league minimum. San Francisco ended up with two picks. One was a fifth round pick that became Bob Kaiser, a prospect who won’t make it to the show. They also ended up with a third rounder that they flipped to Colorado, along with Chris Seiss and Ryan Meisinger for a first round pick and Jerry Vasto.

Seiss spent most of his career in Triple-A and the Meridian League, before surfacing with Tampa Bay last year and posting negative WAR. Mesinger was constantly hurt, or feuding in the Rockies clubhouse. The pick became Seve Hutchinson, a decent looking second division corner outfielder. Meanwhile, San Francisco got a first rounder that became Evan Orcutt, a fantastic young pitcher who has toggled between being a good starter and a great reliever. They took on a dead roster spot in Jerry Vasto as part of the cost.

San Francisco’s second rounder, Charlie Castillo, has pitched in the PBA as a wild, but successful reliever in 2029. Castillo has great stuff and keeps the ball in the park, but is too wild to be reliable. San Francisco picked Jeff McGeeney in the third round, a corner outfielder with some speed, some contact, some range, and a big arm. He looks like a Triple-A outfielder, but is on the cusp in so many areas that one flash of improvement could send him to the PBA.

San Francisco traded Jeurys Familia for a pick that became Nate Alexander. Alexander won’t have a PBA career, while Familia had 1.9 WAR for Atlanta that year.

San Francisco traded Josh Bell to Oakland for Gilberto Flores and a fifth round pick that became Chris Bowen. Flores was a fine backup Catcher who had a huge year for the Mets last year, while Bowen never played above High A and retired this past offseason. Bell would produce 3.7 WAR the year he was traded, production that would have really helped San Francisco.

Fourth round selection Marty Parham has made it for Detroit, getting 106 games in the last two years. Parham has a steady glove, can turn a double play, runs well, and has a good looking bat. He’ll turn 24 during the year, and while he hasn’t produced yet, there’s an expectation he’ll be able to when he develops fully.

Nate Bergquist was San Francisco’s own fifth round selection. He has good range and a respectable bat at Second Base that could see him with a minor role someday. Travis Kelly was San Francisco’s sixth round pick and he’s produced positive WAR his two seasons as a PBA player with the Mets. Still developing, he could be a starting Second Baseman in the near future.

Seventh rounder Jeremy Steinke runs extremely well, plays a great corner outfield, and can hold his own in Center Field. He has some power and works hard. That’s a good return in the seventh round. Eighth rounder Yong-Su Kim is even better. Kim has great wheels, steals bases, plays an excellent Center Field, is a leader in the clubhouse, and will draw a walk. He’s made it to the WBC for Korea and the Pacific Coast League, and held his own in both locations.

12th rounder Pete Toney throws strikes and keeps the ball down. He misses bats, but not at an elite level. He’ll likely ply his trade in the Meridian League and be a lockdown reliever over there.

23rd rounder Ryan Hoenie was cut in 2026, signed in Japan that year, and was excellent for Seibu last year. That’s fantastic for a 23rd rounder.

Grade: A-. San Francisco lost the Lehman and Familia trades, and arguably should have held on to Bell. They brought in a ton of talent by trading for draft picks though and have a huge volume of potential contributors in their portfolio. They also have a couple of potential stars in Orcutt and McWhir. The missteps net them a minus, but it’s still in the A range.


Seattle Mariners:

First Round: (29) Pick traded to Miami along with third round pick *(Manuel Tostado), fourth round pick (Nick Whitman), and Chris Sale for $1. Pick ended up in Pittsburgh as Jayden Prescott
Second Round: (36) Pick traded to Baltimore for Kevin Dowdell. Pick became Devasarasa Lalitesh
Third Round: (37)*

Best Player: (9) Greg O’Brien—1B

Best Deep Cut: (15) Justin Robets—CF

Total ML WAR: 0.0

Review: Seattle was in a run of contention during the mid 2020s and used the draft to shed salary. They traded first, third, and fourth rounders that became Jayden Prescott, Manuel Tostado, and Nick Whitman to unload Chris Sale’s dead salary. Prescott has become a solid starting pitcher, though Tostado and Whitman don’t look like they’ll amount to much in the PBA. Seattle missed the playoffs in 2025, so they may as well have eaten Sale’s contract for a year since it cost them Prescott.

The Mariners also traded their second rounder to Baltimore for Kevin Dowdell. Dowdell had a couple of really good years for Seattle, justifying the loss of a second round pick. The selection they sent Baltimore became Devasarasa Lilitesh, who looks like an excellent reliever. That deal is likely a wash, but has a chance to swing to a loss depending on how Lalitesh’s career plays out.

Seattle didn’t draft anybody of note with their remaining picks. Greg O’Brien is their best selection in the ninth round. He has some speed and can play all across the diamond, but he’s not a standout glove and his bat is too weak for First Base, making him a mid-minors player at best.

Grade: D. Seattle did save some money and Dowdell had a couple of good years, but their draft wasn’t inspired.


St. Louis Cardinals:

First Round: (20) Colin Kelly—P—UNSIGNED
First Round: (31) Chad Antoine—CF—Compensation for not signing Ed Bice—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (21) Elijah Toomer 3B—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (33) Eric Hopper—3B—Compensation for not signing Curtis McDowell—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (27) Franklin Soto—P—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (32) Jaden Carlton—Compensation for not signing Phil Hatch—UNSIGNED

Notes: Traded sixth round pick (Ted Erickson) to Atlanta along with Brian Villeneuve, for Kyle Jacobsen

Best Player: (9) Aaron Silvestri—1B

Best Deep Cut: (19) Alex Maldonado—C

Total ML WAR: 0

Review: This was the second consecutive season of the Cardinals punting their draft. This means the review is mainly an analysis of their rolled over picks, their unsigned picks, and their 2026 and 2027 picks to see if it was worth it. None of the Cardinals selections that signed with the team have or will amount to anything from this draft.

Coln Kelley was unsigned pick number one. He was eventually redrafted in 2028 in the sixth round, blew his UCL out, and won’t pitch in the PBA. His compensation pick turned into Steve Ruffin in 2026, who also wasn’t signed. The pick eventually ended up as Rich Whitt, a very good reliever. Even with a time delay, punting Kelly for Whitt was a good decision.

St. Louis’ second pick was used on Chad Antoine, a pick received by not signing Ed Bice in 2024. Antoine has developed slowly, but projects as a three-true outcomes outfielder with some speed and defense. Ed Bice was a subpar Quad-A reliever for New York. The compensation pick in 2026 became Al Gil, a player who won’t play in a major league. He also went unsigned. Finally Ryan Perez was selected, a five pitch arm with control issues who may be a fringe reliever. The Cardinals should have signed Antoine.

Elijah Toomer was St. Louis initial second round pick. He looks like a Triple-A Third Baseman. The pick turned into Matt Wass, who may make it as a second division First Baseman. It’s a slight win for St. Louis, but the time delay in receiving talent tempers the difference.

Eric Hopper was St. Louis’ other second round selection. He looks like a Triple-A corner infielder. St. Louis received the pick they used on Hopper because they didn’t sign career minor leaguer Curtis McDowell the prior year. The player St. Louis ended up signing was Ken Davis in 2026. Davis looks like a passable, offense-focused Second Baseman. Similar to turning Toomer into Wass, St. Louis got a small upgrade, but it sacrificed time.

The Cardinals own third rounder was used on Franklin Soto, an arm that touches 100 and has seen spritzes of service with the Cubs and Padres as a Triple-A fill in. The decision to not sign him led to St. Louis getting Justin Welsch a year later. Welsch is a better reliever than Soto, and also younger, offsetting some of the time delay.

They had a rolled over third rounder from not signing career mid minors arm Phil Hatch. The compensation turned into Jaden Carlton and eventually settled in as Emil Marks. Neither Carlton, nor Marks has much of a PBA future.

For the final piece of business, the Cardinals sent out a draft pick that became Ted Erickson and Brian Villaneuve for Kyle Jacobsen. Gator Jacobsen had an unremarkable stint in St. Louis, while Villeneuve became one of the league’s best Closers.

Grade: D+. St. Louis made a lot of small upgrades by churning their draft picks, but mainly small ones. Many of their rolled picks amounted to nothing, and losing Villeneuve was the most impactful thing that happened to them.


Tampa Bay Rays:

First Round: (13) Pick traded to Baltimore along with Jake Bauers for Zack Chandler. Compensation for not signing Ryan Strickland. Pick became Matt Dreyfus
First Round: (14) Pick traded to San Francisco for Taylor Lehman. Pick became Alfredo Cruz.
First Round: (27) Jesse Turner—SS—Compensation for not signing Alex Vigil
Second Round: (14) Pick traded to Atlanta along with Jonathan Chavez, for Ke’Bryan Hayes and Andres Chaparro. Pick became Ray Faber
Third Round: (18) Pick traded to Pittsburgh for Gerrit Cole. Pick became Chris Raybon
Third Round: (25) Steve Ortiz—LF—Compensation for not signing Dan Yancey

Notes: Acquired fourth round pick (Jason Thompson) from Kansas City for Jonathan DeLay

Best Player: (13) Aaron Brooks—P

Best Deep Cut: Aaron Brooks

Total ML WAR: 2.8

Review: Tampa Bay took on minor league journeyman Zack Chandler in a salary dump of Jake Bauers, giving up a first rounder as payment. Chandler was a minor league journeyman only acquired to fulfill Baltimore’s obligation to send something in the deal. Bauers was pricy and didn’t factor in much to Baltimore’s plans, but he hit .318 and produced 3.3 WAR with Colorado in 2026. The pick turned out to be nothing—career minor leaguer Matt Dreyfuss—but it would have been nice for Tampa Bay to get something for giving up Bauers.

Their second pick in the first round was sent to San Francisco for Taylor Lehman. The lefty pitcher would have two very strong seasons with the Rays before being sent to Kansas City, while the pick became Alfredo Cruz, a decent looking slugging corner infielder. Even if Cruz hits, Lehman has had a stellar career, giving Tampa Bay two-plus strong seasons.

The Rays had a third pick in the first round due to not signing Alex Vigil the year prior. The pick became Jesse Turner, an unsuccessful prospect who has already retired. Vigil is still playing in the minors making the decision to move on and sign Turner an incorrect one.

Tampa Bay traded their second round pick and Jonathan Chavez for Ke’Bryan Hayes and Andres Chaparro. Hayes would win a Gold Glove with the Rays and be a useful player for the Mets, White Sox, and Mariners afterwards. Chaparro would gradually become a feared lefty masher. Chavez pitched okay in a small role for Atlanta in 2028, and the pick became Ray Faber, who has a name meant for Game Shows and a bat meant for Game Shows. The Rays won that trade.

The Rays acquired Gerrit Cole for a third round pick that became Chris Raybon. Cole had a solid 2025, but while he improved his control and learned to keep the ball in the park, it came with him learning to compensate for a marked lack of stuff. He tore his elbow in 2026 and was never the same after, though he did lead the European League in ERA and WHIP for Finland in 2028. Raybon is still very young, only 23, and has huge power. He could be a starting outfielder. Right now, the jury is still out on the deal, but considering Tampa Bay’s lack of success with Cole and Raybon’s potential, the scales tip very slightly towards a C- grade.

The Rays didn’t sign Dan Yancey in 2024, getting a compensation pick that turned into Steve Ortiz. Yancey throws hard and has a good curveball. He had a solid season out of Baltimore’s pen last year. Ortiz played only three pro seasons. Not a great decision.

The Rays acquired a pick that became Jason Thompson from Kansas City for Jonathan DeLay. Thompson doesn’t have the bat to be a real asset, but he’s been above water in 174 career games. He plays a solid Shortstop, which provides virtually all his value. DeLay was a serviceable reliever for Kansas City in 2025 and 2026, but struggled in 2027 and 2028, before moving on since then. The deal has been a wash.

Seventh rounder Tanner Heath throws hard, and as he’s matured, he’s thrown strikes too. He had a 2.86 ERA out of the Cubs pen last year, a great find out of round seven.

Ninth rounder Andrew Ballerstein has a great name, great wheels, and a great arm. If he had any kind of calling card at the bat, he wouldn’t be a minor leaguer, he’d be balling out.

Aaron Brooks was a 13th rounder who was the best pick of the bunch. An All-Star last year, he produced a 2.82 ERA, allowing just four homers for St. Louis’ bullpen armada.

Grade: C+. The Rays won some trades and had some nice finds deep in the draft, but also lost Jake Bauers and Dan Yancey for nothing, and were slight losers in the Gerrit Cole trade. It all adds up to an adequate grade.


Texas Rangers:

First Round: (26) Pick traded to Baltimore along with second round pick *(Aaron O’Leary) and fifth round pick (Jonas Guercio), for Trent Clark. Pick became Antonio Vasquez
Second Round: *(31)
Third Round: Forfeited incorrectly as a result of signing Nick Gordon. Compensation for not signing Corey LaRosa.
Third Round: (35) Julian Reyes—P—UNSIGNED

Best Player: (10) Terry Miller—P

Best Deep Cut: (16) B.J. Luster—CF

Total ML WAR: -0.4

Review: Texas tried to trade its way out of the draft, and then the league office inadvertently finished the process. They traded a first, second, and fifth rounder for Trent Clark. The outfielder provided good defense and power for Texas, though he only hit .227 and struggled in the playoffs. He only played one season for Texas, becoming a free agent the next season.

The picks Texas gave up became Antonio Vasquez, Aaron O’Leary, and Jonas Guercio. Vasquez became a busted prospect currently in Triple-A, O’Leary looks like a sixth outfielder, and Guercio is out of baseball. Giving those guys up to get even a year of Clark looks like a good decision.

The league inadvertently stripped Texas of a third round pick for signing Nick Gordon after the season started. Texas drafted Julian Reyes in the third round, but didn’t sign him. He’s a Triple-A arm. The compensation picks were lost when the Rangers signed Freddie Freeman and Nomar Mazara the following year.

Of the picks they did sign, 10th rounder Terry Miller has the best chance of working out. He throws four pitches, but only his fastball and changeup are plus. His command isn’t great, but he touches 100 and tends to keep the ball on the ground. He may see some time in the PBA before his career is up, or dominate the Meridian League.

Grade: C. The Clark trade was a positive one, though the decision was tempered by Texas only having him for one season. They were compensated eventually in cash for losing the third round pick, and Terry Miller could be something. It was an okay use of draft resources.


Toronto Blue Jays:

First Round: Pick forfeited as a result of signing Gary Sanchez
First Round: (32) Gordie Davis—LF—Compensation for not signing Jimmy Coates
Second Round: (24) Cortez Castaneda—1B
Second Round: (33) Fumio Nishimura—SS—Compensation for not signing Tim Hopkins
Third Round: (33) Humberto Mendoza—2B—UNSIGNED

Best Player: Cortez Castaneda

Best Deep Cut: (21) Alex Torres—P

Total ML WAR: 2.1

Review: It wasn't a great draft for the Jays. Their first pick, Gordie Davis, just doesn't seem like he will materialize. His skill and attributes look to be there, but his minor numbers are just that: minor. He is only 24, but his time to transform is now or never. The only substantial hit for the Jays was second rounder Cortez Castaneda at First Base. He had a promising rookie year belting 41 HR. However, his untimely hitting and striking out over once a game lead to a .199 Batting average. He split his sophomore year between Jays and Triple-A and was actually improving mildly. He has since been traded to Reds for a promising young reliever named Dave Ault so a decent return for Toronto. Cortez still has some upside and if he can hone his situational hitting could be an above average hitter.

The Jays failed or declined to sign their third, fourth, and fifth round choices, and it seems to have been a wise choice as none of the 3 seemed destined for any success.

All their picks from rounds six through ten were busts really. The only subtle twinkle is Shortstop Chris Billings who is now with the Rockies. He has seen major league action in about 40 games over the past three years, but can't stick. He was called up more likely due to his journeyman ability to play anywhere decently, and hit tepidly. He will likely tepidly fade away. He does have some decent sideburns…

Their deep cut pitcher, Alex Torres, is a cautionary tale of interest. You can never expect much from late picks but this one hurts. He had little promise, then rose up the pedestal, climbing to #68 on the prospect chart, and then he literally lost control and fell hard.

Toronto did have their own first rounder, but forfeited it to sign Gary Sanchez. He was expensive, but produced at least 4 WAR in four in his five years, making him a good signing.

Grade: B. Toronto made a good decision to sign Sanchez, but they really only have one drafted player in Castenada to show for despite still having extra picks. Castaneda won't wow the WAR chart however. Some credit has to be given for the Jays not choosing until 32 in round 1. Scoring a decent player late in round two gets a silver star, and not signing three players of no consequence matters.


Washington Nationals:

First Round: (28) Steve Rankine—P—UNSIGNED
Second Round: (35) Angel Morales—LF—UNSIGNED
Third Round: (36) Justice Thomas—SS—UNSIGNED

Notes: Traded fifth round pick (ended up in Baltimore as Josh Evans) to Kansas City for Mallex Smith

Best Player: (7) Eddy Romero—P

Best Deep Cut: (20) Jay Masters—1B

Total ML WAR: 0

Review: Washington didn’t sign any of its first six picks in the draft, missing out on Steve Rankine, Angel Morales, and Justice Thomas among its early round picks. Rankine looks like a Triple-A arm, Morales looks like a Triple-A bat, and Thomas looks like a Triple-A middle infielder. All have a shot to make the PBA and play a role, with Thomas the most promising, but none look like sure things.

The Nationals compensation picks allowed them to snag three-true-outcomes slugger Steven Reed in 2006’s first round, who profiles as a fringe bat, due to a weak hit tool. Dave Bennett and Ryan Muszynski were the other two picks, and Bennett has already retired, with Muszynski not profiling like a big leaguer either. Washington should have signed Morales and Thomas.

The Nationals made a pair of interesting picks in the seventh and eighth rounds. Eddy Romero throws hard and has great downward stuff, he’s wild, but may be able to work as a reliever, particularly as a righty specialist. Bill Copeland runs well and fields okay. If the bat or glove improve, he can be the last man on a roster.

The Nationals traded away their fifth round pick to Baltimore for Mallex Smith. Smith was a fine backup outfielder for them, while the pick became Joel Evans, a good hitter with defensive issues that have limited him to 127 career games.

Grade: D-. Washington made poor decisions to not sign its early picks and didn’t get much in compensation. It’s possible Romero or Reed end up good enough to raise the grade, but it’s just as likely that what Evans provides lowers it. It’s a D- for now.

[Commissioner Erick]

Credit to Luke Grimmelbein, David Boyer, Tim Lentz, and Zigmo Thedogo for contributing!