July 13, 2025
With the 17th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs have selected outfielder Ethan Conrad out of Wake Forest. Conrad spent the 2024 college season with Marist before transferring to Wake Forest for the 2025 season. In 2025, Conrad was one of the top hitters in the nation, posting a .372/.495/.744 slash line with a remarkable 1.238 OPS. He went deep seven times and swiped four bases. He struck out just 14 times and drew 18 walks. His season was cut short due to a shoulder injury. MLB.com credits him for having upside speed with the potential for an increase in power production. He should remain in the outfield but could also shift to first base, where he also spent time in college. Conrad will join a deep Chicago hitting system that features several high-end outfielders, including
Owen Caissie and
Kevin Alcantara.
--Andy SmithSource: Chicago Cubs
July 13, 2025
The Minnesota Twins selected shortstop Marek Houston out of Wake Forest with the 16th overall pick of the 2025 MLB Draft. The 21-year-old has a solid hit tool, but might be more known for his defense than his bat. This past season, the 6-foot-3 slugger hit .354 with 15 home runs while walking as much as a he struck out (15.4 percent). The right-handed hitter could get to mid-teens homers in professional ball with some added muscle.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jeff Passan
July 13, 2025
The Boston Red Sox selected right-handed pitcher Kyson Witherspoon out of the University of Oklahoma with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. A "powerful athlete who can pitch," Witherspoon went 10-4 with a 2.65 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 25.9 percent K-BB% for the Sooners this past season. The 6-foot-2 hurler brings a 70-grade fastball to the mound, but is known for a nasty slider that has two additional inches of horizontal break than the major league average, along with a cutter and a changeup. The Sox took a pitcher with a ton of upside with this pick.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jeff Passan
July 13, 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays selected shortstop Daniel Pierce out of Mill Creek High School in Georgia with the 14th pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Known for a quick bat that can hit to all fields, Pierce has solid all around tools that give him comps to
Dansby Swanson, but with more speed. At 18 years old, there's plenty of time to grow into more power within his 6-foot frame.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jeff Passan
July 13, 2025
The San Francisco Giants selected shortstop Gavin Kilen out of the University of Tennessee with the 13th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The left-handed slugger has a good reputation for making contact, with a 60-grade hit tool and hit .357 this past season for the Volunteers with a low 11.0 percent strikeout rate. Although not well known for pop, the 21-year-old belted 15 home runs in 2025 and draws comparisons to
Gavin Lux.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jeff Passan
July 13, 2025
The Texas Rangers have selected shortstop/third base prospect Gavin Fien with the 12th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Great Oak High School in California. The 18-year-old recently claimed MLB Develops MVP honors at Major League Baseball's High School All-American Game. Fien is credited for having strong bat-to-ball skills that can hit line drives. In addition, MLB.com noted that the young infielder has begun to add strength, which should help him tap into his power potential. He verbally committed to play college baseball with Texas. Fien also has the skill set to cover the hot corner, given his above-average arm strength. Given his age and raw profile, fantasy managers should expect Fien to open the 2026 minor league regular season in the lower levels of the minor leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Texas Rangers
July
13,
2025
The
Athletics
have
selected
left-handed
pitcher
Jamie
Arnold
with
the
11th
overall
pick
in
the
2025
MLB
Draft
out
of
Florida
State.
Arnold
made
a
name
for
himself
during
the
2024
campaign
when
he
tallied
an
impressive
159
strikeouts
across
105
read more...
July 13, 2025
The Chicago White Sox selected shortstop Billy Carlson out of Corona High School in California with the 10th pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Carlson is credited with having a line-drive approach at the plate, with the potential to increase in power upside. The right-handed hitter, however, carries even more upside on the defensive side of the game, as he was given a stellar 70 Fielding grade and 65 Arm grade on MLB.com prior to the draft. The 6-foot-1 infielder also verbally committed to the University of Tennessee prior to the draft. In addition, he was once viewed as a potential two-way player as he had a strong four-seamer, but is instead expected to now focus entirely on playing shortstop. Carlson should emerge as one of the top bats in the White Sox pipeline alongside outfielder
Braden Montgomery.
--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Passan
July 13, 2025
The Cincinnati Reds have selected infielder Steele Hall out of Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The 17-year-old is credited with having elite speed as he was given a perfect 70 grade speed rating on MLB.com. Given his defensive skills, he should expect to remain at shortstop while he progresses through the Cincinnati pipeline. While he has shown great ability to swing fast and drive the ball, he has shown significant struggles when facing secondary pitches. The 6-foot infielder verbally committed to Tennessee earlier this season. Given his young age and need for further development, fantasy managers should expect Hall to remain in the lower levels of the minor leagues for at least the next few seasons. He will join a relatively strong Cincinnati pipeline that has several emerging infielders such as
Cam Collier and
Sal Stewart.
--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Passan
July 13, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays selected shortstop JoJo Parker out of Purvis, Mississippi with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 MLB Draft. The 18-year-old was the 2025 Gatorade High School Player of the Year in Mississippi. While some prospects have better hit or power tools, Parker has a solid combination of both, making him one of the more appealing high school hitters in the Draft, which is why he is now a first-round draft pick.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jeff Passan
July 13, 2025
Chicago Cubs reliever
Daniel Palencia recorded his 12th save of the season on Sunday, working a perfect inning with a strikeout in his team's 4-1 win over the New York Yankees. The 25-year-old earned his first save for the Cubs on May 21 and hasn't looked back, converting 12/13 save chances. In 34 1/3 innings, he's pitched to a 1.57 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with 39 strikeouts. Palencia's 2.73 xERA entering play on Sunday points to likely second-half regression, but even still he's a valuable piece of the Cubs bullpen. Palencia appears locked into the team's closer role for now, but that could change if the Cubs make a notable bullpen addition or two at the trade deadline.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 13, 2025
The Miami Marlins selected shortstop Aiva Arquette out of Oregon State University with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The 21-year-old belted 19 home runs for the Beavers this season while batting .354 with a 1.115 OPS. While he's a shortstop, his big 6-foot-5 frame and power-over-hit tools might profile him more at the hot corner eventually.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jeff Passan
July 13, 2025
Cincinnati Reds reliever
Emilio Pagan notched his 20th save of the season on Sunday, working a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. The 34-year-old is enjoying a resurgent season, as he's gone 20/23 in save opportunities while recording 2.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched. Pagan still allows far too many home runs (1.62 HR/9), but he limits base runners (.157 batting average against). He last received regular work as a closer back in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Rays, but he's earned a decent runway to remain the Reds' top save option the rest of the way.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 13, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez out of Corona High School in Corona, California with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The 19-year-old has a big 6-foot-4 frame with the look of potential frontline starter who features a fastball that sits in the mid-90s that is complemented by a plus changeup and a curve.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jeff Passan
July 13, 2025
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers had a huge day in his team's 11-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. The 27-year-old lefty-swinger went five-for-five with three home runs, an additional run scored, and six RBI. Stowers becomes the second player in MLB history to record a three-homer game against a former team after New York Yankees outfielder
Cody Bellinger did it against the Chicago Cubs on Friday night. The Marlins acquired Stowers from Baltimore as part of the return for left-hander Trevor Rodgers in July 2024. That deal looks like a fleecing for Miami, as Stowers has enjoyed a breakout 2025 season. In 346 plate appearances, he's slashing .293/.368/.543 with 19 home runs, 54 RBI, 46 runs scored, and four stolen bases. Stowers will suit up for the National League in the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
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