The 2025 MLB draft is just around the corner, and ESPN's experts have teamed up to bring you a unique mock draft experience. This year, we’re not just predicting who teams will pick—we’re letting our experts play GM and make the decisions they believe teams should make. And to spice things up, we’ve allowed trades, trash talk, and high-risk picks. Here’s how the first 40 picks of the 2025 MLB draft could unfold if our experts were calling the shots.

1. Washington Nationals: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU

GM McDaniel: With no clear top prospect, I offered the Mariners the No. 1 pick for the third and 35th picks, but they declined. Anderson is the best combination of potential and proximity to the majors, fitting well with the Nationals' rebuilding timeline.

2. Los Angeles Angels: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee

GM Passan: The Angels need fast-moving college players to fill their rotation gaps. Doyle’s high-velocity, high-spin fastball could make him a quick riser in LA.

3. Seattle Mariners: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State

GM Passan: With Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo nearing free agency, the Mariners need impact arms. Arnold’s 98 mph fastball and devastating slider make him a perfect fit.

4. Colorado Rockies: Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater HS (OK)

GM Passan: A power-hitting Holliday in a Rockies uniform? It’s a storybook fit. Ethan, the younger brother of 2022 No. 1 pick Jackson, brings big upside to Colorado.

5. St. Louis Cardinals: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS)

GM Schoenfield: The Cardinals haven’t drafted this high since J.D. Drew in 1998. Parker’s hit tool and potential at third base make him a solid choice.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State

GM Schoenfield: With Paul Skenes’ clock ticking, the Pirates need offense. Arquette’s 19 homers and .354 average make him a fast-moving option.

7. Miami Marlins: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)

GM McDaniel: Willits is rumored to be Miami’s target, and he fits their need for a prep shortstop with upside.

8. Toronto Blue Jays: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (CA)

GM McDaniel: Hernandez is the last player in the top tier, and the Jays need to make the right pick here. He’s a prep righty with immense potential.

9. Cincinnati Reds: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma

GM Schoenfield: The Reds pass on defensive shortstops and take Witherspoon, who has a deep arsenal and topped out at 99 mph.

10. Chicago White Sox: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)

GM Schoenfield: With Colson Montgomery struggling, Carlson’s defense and offensive potential make him a solid choice for the White Sox.

11. Tampa Bay Rays (via trade with Athletics): Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)

GM McDaniel: I traded up to get Hall, a 70-grade runner with a good feel for lifting the ball. He’s a significant upgrade over what I’d have gotten at No. 14.

12. Texas Rangers: Ike Irish, RF/C, Auburn

GM Passan: Irish is coming off the best offensive season of any draft-eligible college hitter. Whether he’s a catcher, right fielder, or first baseman, he fits the Rangers’ needs.

13. San Francisco Giants: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona

GM Passan: Summerhill is a good all-around ballplayer with a .343/.459/.556 slash line. He’s a solid fit for the Giants’ outfield needs.

14. Athletics (via trade with Rays): Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas

GM Passan: Wood, who threw the first College World Series no-hitter in over 50 years, is a near-big-league-ready arm with upper-90s velocity.

15. Boston Red Sox: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS (CA)

GM McDaniel: Fien is a high-upside prep prospect with strong tools. He’s a solid value pick for the Red Sox.

16. Minnesota Twins: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest

GM Schoenfield: Houston is one of the best defensive shortstops in the draft with a 1.000+ OPS. He’s a great value pick for the Twins.

17. Cleveland Guardians (via trade with Cubs): Gavin Kilen, SS/2B, Tennessee

GM Schoenfield: The Guardians add Kilen, a left-handed hitter with excellent contact skills, in a trade with the Cubs.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UCSB

GM Passan: Bremner’s changeup might be the best in the draft. He’s a great value pick for the Diamondbacks, who need rotation help.

19. Baltimore Orioles: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas

GM McDaniel: Aloy, the Golden Spikes Award winner, fits the Orioles’ style of up-the-middle defenders with big power.

20. Milwaukee Brewers: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (Wash.)

GM Schoenfield: Neyens is a left-handed hitter with as much raw power as any player in this draft. He’s a different type of prospect for the Brewers.

21. Houston Astros: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M

GM Passan: LaViolette’s stock has fallen, but the Astros are happy to take a chance on his huge raw power and good eye.

22. Atlanta Braves: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (GA)

GM McDaniel: Pierce is a hometown pick for the Braves. He’s a well-rounded player with the potential to be an everyday shortstop.

23. Kansas City Royals: Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest

GM Schoenfield: The Royals need outfield help, and Conrad’s projectable hit tool makes him a solid choice.

24. Detroit Tigers: Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana

GM Schoenfield: Taylor is a three-year standout with a .374/.494/.706 slash line. He’s a great fit for the Tigers’ organizational depth.

25. San Diego Padres: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (TX)

GM Passan: Cunningham has one of the best hit tools in the draft. He’s a well-rounded offensive player for the Padres.

26. Philadelphia Phillies: Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian HS (NC)

GM McDaniel: Hammond has 70-grade power projection and a clear infield fit. He’s a solid value pick for the Phillies.

27. Cleveland Guardians: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina

GM Schoenfield: Stevenson is a lefty-hitting catcher with power. He’s a nice roll of the dice late in the first round.

28. Kansas City Royals: Sean Gamble, 2B/CF, IMG Academy (FL)

GM Schoenfield: Gamble is a high school pick with excellent speed and a nice lefty stroke. He’s a great fit for the Royals.

29. Arizona Diamondbacks: Slater de Brun, CF, Summit High (OR)

GM Passan: De Brun is a speedster who can also do damage at the plate. He’s a great fit for the Diamondbacks’ style.

30. Baltimore Orioles: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina

GM McDaniel: Bodine is a catcher with strong contact skills and framing. He’s a solid value pick for the Orioles.

31. Baltimore Orioles: Dax Kilby, SS, Newnan HS (GA)

GM McDaniel: Kilby is a stealthy pick with a great hit tool and athleticism. He’s a great value for the Orioles.

32. Milwaukee Brewers: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset HS (OR)

GM Schoenfield: Schoolcraft is a 6-foot-8 lefty with a 97 mph fastball. He’s a high-upside pick for the Brewers.

33. Boston Red Sox: Andrew Fischer, 3B, Tennessee

GM McDaniel: Fischer is an advanced power-and-patience type who could go higher in the draft. He’s a great value for the Red Sox.

34. Detroit Tigers: Zach Root, LHP, Arkansas

GM Schoenfield: Root is another Razorbacks lefty with a good curveball and changeup. He’s a solid pick for the Tigers.

35. Arizona Diamondbacks (via trade with Mariners): Cam Cannarella, OF, Clemson

GM Passan: Cannarella is a glove-first center fielder with immense range. He’s a great fit for the Diamondbacks.

36. Minnesota Twins: Riley Quick, RHP, Alabama

GM Schoenfield: Quick is a 6-foot-6 righty with a 95-97 mph fastball. He’s a high-upside pick for the Twins.

37. Tampa Bay Rays: Jaden Fauske, OF, Nazareth Academy HS (IL)

GM McDaniel: Fauske offers a college-type profile with the risk/reward of a high schooler. He’s a great fit for the Rays.

38. New York Mets: Quentin Young, 3B, Oaks Christian HS (CA)

GM McDaniel: Young has 80-grade power potential and could be a standout big leaguer. He’s a high-risk, high-reward pick for the Mets.

39. New York Yankees: Michael Oliveto, C, Hauppauge HS (NY)

GM McDaniel: Oliveto is a local pick with 65-grade power. He’s a great fit for the Yankees.

40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Jack Bauer, SP, Lincoln-Way East HS (IL)

GM Passan: Bauer is the draft’s most high-variance arm with a 103 mph fastball. If he can harness his control, he could be a true No. 1 starter.

This mock draft is packed with expert analysis, bold trades, and risky picks. Who will rise to the top? Stay tuned for the 2025 MLB draft on July 13 in Atlanta!