This year’s Major League Baseball amateur draft has wrapped up. It started on Sunday with the Cleveland Guardians selecting Travis Bazzana as their first-ever No. 1 pick and concluded on Tuesday. (For more details, you can check our winners and losers column here.) While most of the baseball community shifts focus to trade deadline strategies, amateur scouts are back on the road, observing summer leagues across the country.
The hunt for new talent is relentless in MLB, making it never too early to think about the next draft. With that perspective, CBS Sports continues our tradition of post-draft features by spotlighting five notable prospects for the upcoming year’s draft class. These players were chosen for various reasons – some may contend for the top spot, while others have unique qualities or profiles that merit attention.
Bear in mind, these are not necessarily the top five players of the 2025 class. Rather, they are five individuals you are likely to hear about over the next 12 months. Let’s dive into the details.
1. Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater HS (OK)
Yes, there’s another Holliday in the making. Ethan Holliday is the son of former All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday and the younger brother of future All-Star infielder Jackson Holliday. Additionally, he’s the nephew of Josh Holliday, the head coach at Oklahoma State University. While Ethan is committed to playing for his uncle at Oklahoma State, it’s highly unlikely he will ever don the Cowboys’ uniform. Ethan, a left-handed hitter, already showcases a solid approach at the plate and is expected to develop significant power as he fills out his 6-foot-4 frame. Consequently, he might transition from shortstop to third base. For trivia enthusiasts: no pair of brothers has ever been picked as No. 1 overall selections, although Melvin and Justin Upton came close. The Holliday brothers might just change that narrative next July.
2. Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
Braden Montgomery, who was picked 12th by the Red Sox, wasn’t the sole power hitter in the Aggies lineup. Jace LaViolette pairs a deceptively quiet setup with exceptional strength. He epitomizes the modern batting profile by aiming to lift the ball, maximizing his slugging potential, evident from his fly-ball rate exceeding 50% throughout his college career. Although LaViolette has a high strikeout rate, nearly reaching 30% during SEC play, reducing this percentage next spring will be crucial to solidifying his hit-tool projection. If successful, he could secure a spot as a top-five pick.
3. Cam Cannarella, CF, Clemson
Cam Cannarella’s performance dipped from his freshman season, particularly in ACC play, and his stolen base numbers also dropped, likely due to strategic decisions to keep him healthy. Despite this, Cannarella remains a noteworthy collegiate bat heading into next season. His above-average defense in center field, impressive speed, and solid contact skills make him a strong candidate to be Clemson’s first first-round pick since 2019.
4. Devin Taylor, LF, Indiana
Indiana has experienced a first-round drought since Kyle Schwarber was selected in 2014, but Devin Taylor is poised to end that streak. Taylor is a well-rounded hitter, demonstrating power, discipline, and excellent bat-to-ball skills. He improved all his triple-slash statistics and reduced his strikeout rate from 18.9% to 13%. Taylor is likely to play left field professionally, making it essential for him to prove his offensive improvements are genuine in 2025.
5. Chase Shores, RHP, LSU
Chase Shores, a towering 6-foot-8 pitcher, missed this season due to Tommy John surgery. However, in 2023, he posted a 1.96 ERA over 18 innings, showcasing a powerful arsenal led by an upper-90s fastball. Recovery from Tommy John surgery typically takes about 12 months, with some teams allowing 14 months. Shores might be close to returning to game action, but scouts should still get a chance to see him throw side sessions. His combination of size, strength, and limited recent performance makes him a volatile prospect and somewhat of a mystery.