Which franchise will select Texas A&M's superstar slugger in the 2025 MLB Draft?

USA Today

27-05-2025

Which franchise will select Texas A&M's superstar slugger in the 2025 MLB Draft?
With the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft 63 days away, Texas A&M's outfield slugger is one of six players from the Southeastern Conference projected to hear their names called on Sunday, July 13, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jace LaViolette ranks as the No. 7 prospect from this year's available draft class, according to MLB Pipeline senior writer Jim Callis' 2025 mock draft list. The only players ahead of LaViolette from the SEC are Tennessee left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle and LSU's dominant lefty Kade Anderson.
After a stellar performance in this year's SEC Tournament that saw LaViolette crush a grand slam and record six total RBI, the junior from Katy, Texas, earned his way to the 2025 SEC All-Tournament Team and collected All-SEC First Team honors.
That is just the icing on the cake of a tremendous collegiate career, which was topped off by battling through a broken hand in Texas A&M's quarterfinals matchup against the LSU Tigers.
Will the Cincinnati Reds franchise select the Aggies' superstar outfielder? Above and beyond his 68 home runs and 202 RBI in his collegiate career, there is an undeniable grit and determination to succeed. LaViolette has proven to be one of the toughest players in the country during his three years in Bryan-College Station, Texas.
There are still areas that need improvement, however. One factor of LaViolette's game that has been an obstacle for franchises to look past is his inconsistency at times in his at-bats. One example is when he went 1-of-12 at the plate against LSU, in which a plethora of MLB scouts were in attendance to watch the Texas A&M slugger.
Here is what Callis said about LaViolette on MLB's Pipeline mock draft rankings.
"LaViolette entered the year No. 2 on our original Top 100, but he has had an up-and-down spring that included going 1-of-12 with six strikeouts against Louisiana State last weekend in front of a large group of scouts. While he offers the best combination of power, physicality and athleticism in the Draft, his swing-and-miss issues concern clubs."
While most publications and members of the media have LaViolette being called in the first 10 picks of the MLB Draft, some have him falling back a few picks.
He ranks as the projected No. 17 pick in The Athletic's Top 100 MLB Prospects. Here is what senior writer Keith Law had to say about LaViolette and what he brings to the table for franchises looking to select him.
"LaViolette was overhyped coming into the year, but in this draft class he offers enough upside to go in the back of the first round, with easy plus power, some patience, and what will probably end up above-average defense in right field. He still swings and misses too often, and whoever takes him will probably have to work with him on his swing mechanics to cut that down."
These sentiments from media professionals provide mixed reviews, with a common addressed issue. If LaViolette wants to see continued success in the pros, he must find ways to create better and more consistent at-bats, while also improving his mechanics at times. That will help the young star strike out less and secure more big-time hits like he recorded during his time in the Maroon and White.
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