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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
MLB Draft 2025 live tracker: Nationals take Eli Willits No. 1 in surprise
Eli Willits, son of former major league outfielder Reggie Willits, was picked first by the Nationals in Sunday's Major League Baseball draft, the club opting for the less-heralded Oklahoma prep shortstop coming into this season. In doing so, they bypassed Ethan Holliday, son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, who was aiming to follow in older brother Jackson's footsteps by getting selected first overall. "I'm excited, thankful to the Nationals organization for giving me this chance... I'm ready to get to work," Willits told MLB Network. Willits' selection comes one week after owner Mark Lerner signaled a massive shift in organization structure, firing president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, who served as architect and shepherd, respectively, of their 2019 World Series champions. While such a drastic move might have seemed extreme one week before owning the No. 1 pick, the Nationals had narrowed their gaze for their selection considerably by then, with Holliday, collegiate left-hander Kade Anderson and Willits the industry consensus finalists. Ultimately, they chose Willits, who reclassified to this draft to be eligible at just 17 years old. It's possible the Nationals cut a deal with Willits to provide a bigger bonus pool for subsequent picks. "I'm a player that's going to give everything I've got," Willits said. "I feel like my power is up-and-coming, but I needed to get into an organization like the Nationals that could develop that and take it to the next level." Willits visited Nationals Park the first week of June as the club narrowed its field of potential picks. Ultimately, they chose a left-handed infielder who batted .473 with 14 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 34 RBI, 27 walks, 47 stolen bases and 56 runs scored while striking out just four times for Fort Cobb-Broxton High School, a squad that squared off with Holliday's Stillwater High School team earlier this season. The slot value of the No. 1 pick this season is $11.075 million. What time is the MLB Draft? The 2025 Major League Baseball draft begins at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 13 How to watch 2025 MLB Draft TV channel : ESPN, MLB Network : ESPN, MLB Network Live stream: Fubo MLB mock draft: Final predictions USA TODAY Sports' final MLB mock draft has prep standout Ethan Holliday going first overall to the wWashington Nationals Washington Nationals: Ethan Holliday, INF, Stillwater (Okla.) HS Los Angeles Angels: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU Seattle Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State Colorado Rockies: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS St. Louis Cardinals: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee Pittsburgh Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS Miami Marlins: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS Toronto Blue Jays: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State Cincinnati Reds: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma Chicago White Sox: Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn Check out Gabe Lacques' full MLB mock draft here. First round Washington Nationals Los Angeles Angels Seattle Mariners Colorado Rockies St. Louis Cardinals Pittsburgh Pirates Miami Marlins Toronto Blue Jays Cincinnati Reds Chicago White Sox Athletics Texas Rangers San Francisco Giants Tampa Bay Rays Boston Red Sox Minnesota Twins Chicago Cubs Arizona Diamondbacks Baltimore Orioles Milwaukee Brewers Houston Astros Atlanta Braves Kansas City Royals Detroit Tigers San Diego Padres Philadelphia Phillies Cleveland Guardians Prospect Promotion Incentive picks Kansas City Royals Compensation picks Arizona Diamondbacks Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles Milwaukee Brewers Competitive Balance Round A Boston Red Sox (acquired from the Brewers in the trade for Quinn Priester) Detroit Tigers Seattle Mariners Minnesota Twins Baltimore Orioles (acquired from the Rays in the trade for Bryan Baker) Continued first round (CBT penalties) New York Mets New York Yankees Los Angeles Dodgers Continued Competitive Balance Round A Los Angeles Dodgers (acquired from the Reds in the trade for Gavin Lux) Tampa Bay Rays (acquired from the Athletics in the trade for Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez) Miami Marlins Second round 44. Chicago White Sox 45. Colorado Rockies 46. Miami Marlins 47. Los Angeles Angels 48. Athletics 49. Washington Nationals 50. Pittsburgh Pirates 51. Cincinnati Reds 52. Texas Rangers 53. Tampa Bay Rays 54. Minnesota Twins 55. St. Louis Cardinals 56. Chicago Cubs 57. Seattle Mariners 58. Baltimore Orioles 59. Milwaukee Brewers 60. Atlanta Braves 61. Kansas City Royals 62. Detroit Tigers 63. Philadelphia Phillies 64. Cleveland Guardians 65. Los Angeles Dodgers Competitive Balance Round B 66. Cleveland Guardians Compensation picks 67. Tampa Bay Rays (compensation for unsigned 2024 No. 66 overall pick Tyler Bell) 68. Milwaukee Brewers (compensation for unsigned 2024 No. 67 overall pick Chris Levonas) Competitive Balance Round B 69. Baltimore Orioles 70. Cleveland Guardians (acquired from the Diamondbacks in the trade for Josh Naylor) 71. Kansas City Royals 72. St. Louis Cardinals 73. Pittsburgh Pirates 74. Colorado Rockies Compensation pick 75. Boston Red Sox (compensation for Nick Pivetta. The Padres forfeited their second-round pick for signing Pivetta.) Third round 76. Chicago White Sox 77. Colorado Rockies 78. Miami Marlins 79. Los Angeles Angels 80. Washington Nationals 81. Toronto Blue Jays 82. Pittsburgh Pirates 83. Cincinnati Reds 84. Texas Rangers 85. San Francisco Giants 86. Tampa Bay Rays 87. Boston Red Sox 88. Minnesota Twins 89. St. Louis Cardinals 90. Chicago Cubs 91. Seattle Mariners 92. Arizona Diamondbacks 93. Baltimore Orioles 94. Milwaukee Brewers 95. Houston Astros 96. Atlanta Braves 97. Kansas City Royals 98. Detroit Tigers 99. San Diego Padres 100. Philadelphia Phillies 101. Cleveland Guardians 102. New York Mets 103. New York Yankees 104. Los Angeles Dodgers Compensation pick 105. Los Angeles Angels There are 20 rounds in the 2025 MLB Draft, which are set to include 615 total selections. A handful of requirements have to be met in order for a player to enter and be selected in the MLB draft. A prospect must either be a resident or have attended a school in the United States, Canada or a U.S. territory such as Puerto Rico. MLB has a separate period in which its teams can sign international players. Additionally, players are only eligible after they've graduated from high school. If they're at a four-year college, they are eligible only three years after they originally enrolled or after their 21st birthday, whichever comes first. Conversely, players from junior colleges are eligible to be drafted at any time. - Austin Curtright
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
MLB mock draft 2025: Top prospects will learn fate in Atlanta
And 10 shortstops - from MLB legacies to high school stars to college All-Americas - will consume at least half of the top 20 picks, and while the game's premier position tends to be a draft premium, this class boasts dudes who will almost assuredly stick on that position - and play at a very high level. With that, USA TODAY Sports fires some darts one last time with a final mock draft before the pickin' party commences Saturday: 1. Washington Nationals: Ethan Holliday, SS, Stillwater (Okla.) HS This selection took on an entirely different level of intrigue when the Nationals blew out GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez just more than a week before the draft. They wisely left the remaining infrastructure intact, which should make their draft process flow smoothly, even as interim GM Mike DeBartolo is now the ranking voice in the room. We're sticking to our guns here, even if as many as four guys might lay claim to this spot. Ultimately, the Nationals side with a potential building block rather than a ready-made ace with little present value as the franchise faces a total facelift. 2025 MOCK DRAFT EVOLUTION: First edition (May 6) || Second edition (June 10 What a finishing kick for Anderson, who pitched a three-hit shutout against Coastal Carolina in the championship round of the College World Series, which followed a three-hit, seven-inning effort to beat Arkansas. Good luck splitting hairs between Anderson, Jamie Arnold and Liam Doyle, but we'll side with Anderson's K rate (NCAA-best 180 in 110 innings) and devastating pitch mix (think Max Fried, only firmer) with a rapid promotion in the offing in Anaheim. 3. Seattle Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State Perhaps the most impactful pick in the top five, as plucking one of the top college arms or prep right-hander Seth Hernandez here would be a moderate disruption and likely introduce some exotic names into the overall top 10. But let's stay consistent with this one as the Mariners opt for the physical presence and lineup punch that Arquette would bring up the middle. 4. Colorado Rockies: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS What do you get the franchise that needs everything? They drafted Chase Dollander and got him to Coors Field quickly, and doing the same with deluxe lefty and fellow Tennessee product Liam Doyle would be highly tempting. Yet Willits, still just 17, represents the high-end building block the franchise lacks. In this scenario, the Cardinals have their choice of remaining elite college lefties and opt for Doyle's greater swing-and-miss upside over Florida State's Jamie Arnold, though they may prove us wrong come draft night. 6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS Hernandez represents the draft's other great wild card and a test case for how high clubs would be willing to draft a prep right-hander. We'll stop just shy of calling Hernandez's repertoire "generational," but his high-90s fastball and pro-caliber changeup give him a significant springboard to move quicker than your average high school arm. 7. Miami Marlins: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS Make it back-to-back Panthers here, with Carlson the last of the elite-elite prep shortstops off the board. Imagine a larger version of Masyn Winn, with a similar hose at shortstop and, at 6-1, potentially greater offensive upside. 8. Toronto Blue Jays: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State A real coup here for Toronto, getting a mature college arm with a big league-ready fastball-slider mix. Paired with last year's No. 1, Trey Yesavage, the Blue Jays have the potential to quickly backfill a rotation that could lose Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman to free agency in consecutive years. 9. Cincinnati Reds: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma The Reds may stray out of their comfort zone and go bat here, but Witherspoon could unlock an even higher level developing in their pitching program as he'll bring a high-90s fastball and low-90s slider into pro ball. The White Sox quandary: Take the best of the next tier of prep shortstops or whichever advanced high-end college prospect almost mathematically certain to fall to them? In this case, it's Irish, who popped 18 home runs with a .469 OBP for Auburn, and will likely have a permanent home in the outfield. 11. Athletics: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara A nice value for the Athletics, getting a consensus top-five guy before Bremner got off to a slow start for UCSB. But he finished strong and could reach the majors quick enough to try out that much-maligned mound in the A's temporary Yolo County digs. 12. Texas Rangers: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (Miss.) HS The math makes it highly likely Texas lands a prep shortstop and Parker is still around, high enough to keep him away from a Mississippi State commitment. That's two years in a row a Mississippi prep shortstop goes in the top dozen picks, joining Konnor Griffin (No. 9, Pittsburgh). 13. San Francisco Giants: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek (Ga.) HS Let the run continue. Pierce is already 19, which may make some clubs shy away, but still has significant offensive upside and fits in what will be the first pick under the Buster Posey regime. 14. Tampa Bay Rays: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) HS We'll stick with Hall here, possessing the power upside and versatility the Rays value as the prep shortstop pool thins a bit. 15. Boston Red Sox: Gavin Kilen, INF, Tennessee A Red Sox draftee out of high school, Kilen will do much better than the 13th round this time, with a strong offensive profile that saw him strike out just 27 times in 245 plate appearances, most of those against SEC pitching. 16. Minnesota Twins: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest The question is whether Houston's very sturdy defense and developing but incomplete offensive profile slots him higher than the prep stars slated to go before him. It's hard to see him dropping any further than the Twins. 17. Chicago Cubs: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas We'll stubbornly keep Aloy ticketed to the Cubs, even as a strong postseason that ended in Omaha further buttressed his profile. He might have smoother actions around the bag than Arquette, even if his offensive punch grades out a notch below the fellow Hawaiian collegiate star. 18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson (Texas) HS His offensive profile fits the Diamondbacks' ethos very nicely: Contact-based and, at 5-10, 180, a compact frame that has the potential to grow into decent power. 19. Baltimore Orioles: OF Ethan Conrad, Wake Forest The Orioles control three of the next 13 picks and can get creative with their bonus pool, certainly. We stick with Conrad and the classic O's college hitter profile here. 20. Milwaukee Brewers: Andrew Fischer, INF, Tennessee Bat first, figure out the position later. Fischer slammed 25 homers with a 1.205 OPS in an exuberant platform season, and is versatile enough defensively to move around some if the power doesn't support a first base profile. 21. Houston Astros: Jace Laviolette, OF, Texas A&M He's going to be a great value somewhere, probably, as Laviolette faded from top three talk after a season slowed by contact issues, slumps and health. Wouldn't be surprising if someone jumped on him sooner thanks to his elite raw power. 22. Atlanta Braves: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset (Ore.) HS Quite a talent to land here, as the 6-8 prep lefty with a fastball that reached 97 mph gives them a daunting 1-2 punch with Cam Caminiti, currently thriving in low A one year after going 24h overall. 23. Kansas City Royals: Gavin Fien, INF, Great Oak (Calif.) HS The prep version of Laviolette, in that someone may jump on him sooner based on equity already banked as opposed to an uneven platform year. 24. Detroit Tigers: Xavier Neyens, INF, Mt. Vernon (Wash.) HS Big frame and potential big power in a nimble and athletic 6-4 package. In terms of offense, one of the top prep lefty bats available. 25. San Diego Padres: Sean Gamble, INF/OF, IMG (Fla.) Academy Versatile and projectable, Gamble - at 6-foot-1, 190 - leveled up from Iowa to IMG Academy and is a potential impact player in the middle of the diamond. 26. Philadelphia Phillies: Slater de Brun, OF, Summit (Ore.) HS The run of late-round high school players takes a few Philly targets off the board but they can still fulfill their prep preference with de Brun, a potential center fielder of the future whose speed will likely always trump his power. 27. Cleveland Guardians: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina The Guardians opt for Contact King, as Bodine finished the season with an absurd 24 strikeouts in 313 plate appearances while churning out a .915 OPS. As the Chanticleers reeled off 26 consecutive wins to reach the College World Series finals, Bodine's stock rose along with it. 28. Kansas City Royals*: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina Paired with Fien, this should be a bonus pool-friendly pick as the Royals opt for the steady Stevenson, two years after making prep catcher Blake Mitchell the eighth overall pick. 29. Arizona Diamondbacks**: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona Would be a coup getting Summerhill this late, as he can man all three outfield positions and put up a .343/.459/.556 line to lead Arizona to the College World Series. 30. Baltimore Orioles**: Alex Lodise, SS, Florida State The Dick Howser Trophy winner and ACC player of the year, Lodise is a solid defender who hit 19 home runs and should develop above-average pro power and likely stick at shortstop. *- Prospect promotion incentive pick**- Free agent compensation pick Note: The Mets, Yankees and Dodgers each received a 10-pick penalty on their first picks for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the competitive balance tax and their first picks will be 38th, 39th and 40th overall, respectively. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news -- fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Novartis and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance achieve milestone agreement on Cosentyx® for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)
Important milestone towards public reimbursement for a new treatment option for eligible Canadian patients living with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) Following this important milestone, Cosentyx has been listed in Québec MONTRÉAL, July 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (Novartis) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) on the public reimbursement of Cosentyx (secukinumab) for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic, painful and often debilitating inflammatory skin condition.1 Following the completion of these negotiations, Cosentyx has been listed in Québec, making it the first province to provide public reimbursement for Cosentyx in HS. Novartis remains committed to ongoing collaboration with provincial public drug programs across Canada to enable timely access and reimbursement for eligible patients nationwide. "Too often, people living with HS feel like their condition is invisible within the healthcare system," said Latoya Palmer, Founder of Hidradenitis and Me Support Group. "As someone living with HS, it gives me hope to see this step forward. It feels validating and shows people like me that there is a path toward better support for those who need it most." "For people living with moderate to severe HS, the condition can have a profound impact on daily life - not only due to physical symptoms, but also the emotional toll it can take," said Dr. Susan Poelman, Canadian and U.S. Board-Certified Dermatologist. "The conclusion of pCPA negotiations for Cosentyx is a promising step that could help expand possibilities for patients who have historically had limited treatment options." "Concluding pCPA negotiations for Cosentyx in HS is an important step toward improving access to a therapy grounded in strong science and real patient need," said Mark Vineis, Country President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. "At Novartis, we are committed to continuing to work with stakeholders across the healthcare system to help ensure eligible patients with HS have timely public access to innovative treatment options." About Cosentyx® (secukinumab) Cosentyx is the first and only fully human biologic that directly inhibits interleukin-17A, an important cytokine involved in many inflammatory diseases.2,3 Cosentyx is a proven medicine and has been studied clinically for more than 14 years. The medicine is backed by robust evidence, including 5 years of clinical data in adults supporting long-term safety and efficacy across moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO), Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).4,5,6,7,8,9 These data strengthen the position of Cosentyx as a treatment across moderate to severe PsO (adult and pediatric), PsA, HS, axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), including enthesitis-related arthritis and juvenile PsA. More than 1 million patients have been treated with Cosentyx worldwide since its launch in 2015. About Novartis Novartis is a focused innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 300 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us. In Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 600 people to serve the evolving needs of patients and the healthcare system and invests over $30 million in R&D yearly in the country. For more information visit FA-11466794E_________________________________1 Novartis Europharm Limited. Cosentyx® (secukinumab): Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed on June 6, 2025. Available at: Girolomoni G, Mrowietz U and Paul C. Psoriasis: rationale for targeting interleukin-17. Br J Dermatol 2012; 167: 717-724. Accessed on June 6, 2025. Available at: Baraliakos X, Braun J, Deodhar A, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of secukinumab 150 mg in ankylosing spondylitis: 5-year results from the phase III MEASURE 1 extension study. RMD Open 2019; 5: e001005.5 Bissonnette R, Luger T, Thaçi D, et al. Secukinumab demonstrates high sustained efficacy and a favourable safety profile in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis through 5 years of treatment (SCULPTURE Extension Study). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018; 32: 1507-1514.6 Mease PJ, Kavanaugh A, Reimold A, et al. Secukinumab Provides Sustained Improvements in the Signs and Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis: Final 5-year Results from the Phase 3 FUTURE 1 Study. ACR Open Rheumatol 2020; 2: 18-25.7 Data on file. CAIN457F2310 (MEASURE 1 and 2): Pooled Safety Data. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; July 23, 2018.8 Data on file. CAIN457F2312 (FUTURE 2): 5 year-interim report. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp; May 2019.9 McInnes IB, Mease PJ, Kirkham B, et al. Secukinumab, a human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, in patients with psoriatic arthritis (FUTURE 2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet 2015; 386: 1137-1146. SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. 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Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Novartis and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance achieve milestone agreement on Cosentyx® for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) Français
Important milestone towards public reimbursement for a new treatment option for eligible Canadian patients living with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) Following this important milestone, Cosentyx has been listed in Québec MONTRÉAL, July 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (Novartis) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) on the public reimbursement of Cosentyx (secukinumab) for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic, painful and often debilitating inflammatory skin condition. 1 Following the completion of these negotiations, Cosentyx has been listed in Québec, making it the first province to provide public reimbursement for Cosentyx in HS. Novartis remains committed to ongoing collaboration with provincial public drug programs across Canada to enable timely access and reimbursement for eligible patients nationwide. "Too often, people living with HS feel like their condition is invisible within the healthcare system," said Latoya Palmer, Founder of Hidradenitis and Me Support Group. "As someone living with HS, it gives me hope to see this step forward. It feels validating and shows people like me that there is a path toward better support for those who need it most." "For people living with moderate to severe HS, the condition can have a profound impact on daily life - not only due to physical symptoms, but also the emotional toll it can take," said Dr. Susan Poelman, Canadian and U.S. Board-Certified Dermatologist. "The conclusion of pCPA negotiations for Cosentyx is a promising step that could help expand possibilities for patients who have historically had limited treatment options." "Concluding pCPA negotiations for Cosentyx in HS is an important step toward improving access to a therapy grounded in strong science and real patient need," said Mark Vineis, Country President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. "At Novartis, we are committed to continuing to work with stakeholders across the healthcare system to help ensure eligible patients with HS have timely public access to innovative treatment options." About Cosentyx ® (secukinumab) Cosentyx is the first and only fully human biologic that directly inhibits interleukin-17A, an important cytokine involved in many inflammatory diseases. 2,3 Cosentyx is a proven medicine and has been studied clinically for more than 14 years. The medicine is backed by robust evidence, including 5 years of clinical data in adults supporting long-term safety and efficacy across moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO), Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). 4,5,6,7,8,9 These data strengthen the position of Cosentyx as a treatment across moderate to severe PsO (adult and pediatric), PsA, HS, axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), including enthesitis-related arthritis and juvenile PsA. More than 1 million patients have been treated with Cosentyx worldwide since its launch in 2015. About Novartis Novartis is a focused innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 300 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us. In Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 600 people to serve the evolving needs of patients and the healthcare system and invests over $30 million in R&D yearly in the country. For more information visit FA-11466794E SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
MLB mock draft 2025: Who's going No. 1? Final breakdown of top prospects
Major League Baseball's draft finally arrives July 13 from Cobb County's Roxy Theater, and while it may not light up the Georgia skies like the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game to follow the next two nights, there's no shortage of intrigue. This much we know: Eight specific players are almost certain to go in the top 10 picks. Yet in what order and to which teams remains a game of dominos that will have to wait until the clock starts. And 10 shortstops – from MLB legacies to high school stars to college All-Americas – will consume at least half of the top 20 picks, and while the game's premier position tends to be a draft premium, this class boasts dudes who will almost assuredly stick on that position – and play at a very high level. With that, USA TODAY Sports fires some darts one last time with a final mock draft before the pickin' party commences Saturday: 1. Washington Nationals: Ethan Holliday, SS, Stillwater (Okla.) HS This selection took on an entirely different level of intrigue when the Nationals blew out GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez just more than a week before the draft. They wisely left the remaining infrastructure intact, which should make their draft process flow smoothly, even as interim GM Mike DeBartolo is now the ranking voice in the room. We're sticking to our guns here, even if as many as four guys might lay claim to this spot. Ultimately, the Nationals side with a potential building block rather than a ready-made ace with little present value as the franchise faces a total facelift. 2025 MOCK DRAFT EVOLUTION: First edition (May 6) || Second edition (June 10 2. Los Angeles Angels: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU What a finishing kick for Anderson, who pitched a three-hit shutout against Coastal Carolina in the championship round of the College World Series, which followed a three-hit, seven-inning effort to beat Arkansas. Good luck splitting hairs between Anderson, Jamie Arnold and Liam Doyle, but we'll side with Anderson's K rate (NCAA-best 180 in 110 innings) and devastating pitch mix (think Max Fried, only firmer) with a rapid promotion in the offing in Anaheim. 3. Seattle Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State Perhaps the most impactful pick in the top five, as plucking one of the top college arms or prep right-hander Seth Hernandez here would be a moderate disruption and likely introduce some exotic names into the overall top 10. But let's stay consistent with this one as the Mariners opt for the physical presence and lineup punch that Arquette would bring up the middle. 4. Colorado Rockies: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS What do you get the franchise that needs everything? They drafted Chase Dollander and got him to Coors Field quickly, and doing the same with deluxe lefty and fellow Tennessee product Liam Doyle would be highly tempting. Yet Willits, still just 17, represents the high-end building block the franchise lacks. 5. St. Louis Cardinals: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee In this scenario, the Cardinals have their choice of remaining elite college lefties and opt for Doyle's greater swing-and-miss upside over Florida State's Jamie Arnold, though they may prove us wrong come draft night. 6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS Hernandez represents the draft's other great wild card and a test case for how high clubs would be willing to draft a prep right-hander. We'll stop just shy of calling Hernandez's repertoire 'generational,' but his high-90s fastball and pro-caliber changeup give him a significant springboard to move quicker than your average high school arm. 7. Miami Marlins: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS Make it back-to-back Panthers here, with Carlson the last of the elite-elite prep shortstops off the board. Imagine a larger version of Masyn Winn, with a similar hose at shortstop and, at 6-1, potentially greater offensive upside. 8. Toronto Blue Jays: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State A real coup here for Toronto, getting a mature college arm with a big league-ready fastball-slider mix. Paired with last year's No. 1, Trey Yesavage, the Blue Jays have the potential to quickly backfill a rotation that could lose Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman to free agency in consecutive years. 9. Cincinnati Reds: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma The Reds may stray out of their comfort zone and go bat here, but Witherspoon could unlock an even higher level developing in their pitching program as he'll bring a high-90s fastball and low-90s slider into pro ball. 10. Chicago White Sox: Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn The White Sox quandary: Take the best of the next tier of prep shortstops or whichever advanced high-end college prospect almost mathematically certain to fall to them? In this case, it's Irish, who popped 18 home runs with a .469 OBP for Auburn, and will likely have a permanent home in the outfield. 11. Athletics: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara A nice value for the Athletics, getting a consensus top-five guy before Bremner got off to a slow start for UCSB. But he finished strong and could reach the majors quick enough to try out that much-maligned mound in the A's temporary Yolo County digs. 12. Texas Rangers: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (Miss.) HS The math makes it highly likely Texas lands a prep shortstop and Parker is still around, high enough to keep him away from a Mississippi State commitment. That's two years in a row a Mississippi prep shortstop goes in the top dozen picks, joining Konnor Griffin (No. 9, Pittsburgh). 13. San Francisco Giants: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek (Ga.) HS Let the run continue. Pierce is already 19, which may make some clubs shy away, but still has significant offensive upside and fits in what will be the first pick under the Buster Posey regime. 14. Tampa Bay Rays: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) HS We'll stick with Hall here, possessing the power upside and versatility the Rays value as the prep shortstop pool thins a bit. 15. Boston Red Sox: Gavin Kilen, INF, Tennessee A Red Sox draftee out of high school, Kilen will do much better than the 13th round this time, with a strong offensive profile that saw him strike out just 27 times in 245 plate appearances, most of those against SEC pitching. 16. Minnesota Twins: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest The question is whether Houston's very sturdy defense and developing but incomplete offensive profile slots him higher than the prep stars slated to go before him. It's hard to see him dropping any further than the Twins. 17. Chicago Cubs: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas We'll stubbornly keep Aloy ticketed to the Cubs, even as a strong postseason that ended in Omaha further buttressed his profile. He might have smoother actions around the bag than Arquette, even if his offensive punch grades out a notch below the fellow Hawaiian collegiate star. 18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson (Texas) HS His offensive profile fits the Diamondbacks' ethos very nicely: Contact-based and, at 5-10, 180, a compact frame that has the potential to grow into decent power. 19. Baltimore Orioles: OF Ethan Conrad, Wake Forest The Orioles control three of the next 13 picks and can get creative with their bonus pool, certainly. We stick with Conrad and the classic O's college hitter profile here. 20. Milwaukee Brewers: Andrew Fischer, INF, Tennessee Bat first, figure out the position later. Fischer slammed 25 homers with a 1.205 OPS in an exuberant platform season, and is versatile enough defensively to move around some if the power doesn't support a first base profile. 21. Houston Astros: Jace Laviolette, OF, Texas A&M He's going to be a great value somewhere, probably, as Laviolette faded from top three talk after a season slowed by contact issues, slumps and health. Wouldn't be surprising if someone jumped on him sooner thanks to his elite raw power. 22. Atlanta Braves: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset (Ore.) HS Quite a talent to land here, as the 6-8 prep lefty with a fastball that reached 97 mph gives them a daunting 1-2 punch with Cam Caminiti, currently thriving in low A one year after going 24h overall. 23. Kansas City Royals: Gavin Fien, INF, Great Oak (Calif.) HS The prep version of Laviolette, in that someone may jump on him sooner based on equity already banked as opposed to an uneven platform year. 24. Detroit Tigers: Xavier Neyens, INF, Mt. Vernon (Wash.) HS Big frame and potential big power in a nimble and athletic 6-4 package. In terms of offense, one of the top prep lefty bats available. 25. San Diego Padres: Sean Gamble, INF/OF, IMG (Fla.) Academy Versatile and projectable, Gamble – at 6-foot-1, 190 – leveled up from Iowa to IMG Academy and is a potential impact player in the middle of the diamond. 26. Philadelphia Phillies: Slater de Brun, OF, Summit (Ore.) HS The run of late-round high school players takes a few Philly targets off the board but they can still fulfill their prep preference with de Brun, a potential center fielder of the future whose speed will likely always trump his power. 27. Cleveland Guardians: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina The Guardians opt for Contact King, as Bodine finished the season with an absurd 24 strikeouts in 313 plate appearances while churning out a .915 OPS. As the Chanticleers reeled off 26 consecutive wins to reach the College World Series finals, Bodine's stock rose along with it. 28. Kansas City Royals*: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina Paired with Fien, this should be a bonus pool-friendly pick as the Royals opt for the steady Stevenson, two years after making prep catcher Blake Mitchell the eighth overall pick. 29. Arizona Diamondbacks**: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona Would be a coup getting Summerhill this late, as he can man all three outfield positions and put up a .343/.459/.556 line to lead Arizona to the College World Series. 30. Baltimore Orioles**: Alex Lodise, SS, Florida State The Dick Howser Trophy winner and ACC player of the year, Lodise is a solid defender who hit 19 home runs and should develop above-average pro power and likely stick at shortstop. *- Prospect promotion incentive pick**- Free agent compensation pick Note: The Mets, Yankees and Dodgers each received a 10-pick penalty on their first picks for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the competitive balance tax and their first picks will be 38th, 39th and 40th overall, respectively. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
