2025 MLB DRAFT THREAD

[Juliooooo]

Maybe they believe in his bat enough to move him to 1B/DH

[GL_Storm]

I know, doesn't really seem to make much sense unless you are hedging against trading Harry Ford.....

It still doesn't make sense. You don't draft college position players with these offensive numbers this high. Maybe you take a flyer on a guy in the fifth round or something.

It makes total sense if you are planning on trading Harry Ford, in which case you would need an offensive catcher in the minors after we do not resign Garver next year.

No, you don't need an offensive catcher in the minors before you can trade Harry Ford. That doesn't even make sense.

The problem with Stevenson is that his numbers aren't that great and he just doesn't project as much of a prospect. They even said on the broadcast that there are concerns about swing and miss in the zone, which is not what you want to hear.

I'm extremely disappointed in this pick.

[harmony]

A college Catcher????

I know, doesn't really seem to make much sense unless you are hedging against trading Harry Ford.....

It still doesn't make sense. You don't draft college position players with these offensive numbers this high. Maybe you take a flyer on a guy in the fifth round or something.

Baseball America ranked catcher Luke Stevenson No. 25:

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... o-quickly/

In two seasons with North Carolina of the ACC, Stevenson posted a .267/.417/.543/.960 line in 125 games with 33 home runs, 113 RBI, 107 walks and 125 strikeouts.

In three seasons in the ACC, another catcher posted a .282/.394/.492/.887 line in 194 games with 32 home runs, 143 RBI, 132 walks and 128 strikeouts.

Of course the latter catcher was Cal Raleigh, a third-round pick out of Florida State in the 2018 draft.

[Juliooooo]

Stevenson is a sophomore who was ranked around that range. I doubt he’s significantly below slot. He struck out a bit more in 2025 than his freshman year, but pretty great power and he’s still pretty young at 20.

[Pharmabro]

Becker, I looked at him. He may or may not develop.

Such a profound assessment! I agree!

I know absolutely nothing about him. He goes 50-55 across the board. They said he is a pretty good athlete and may be + speed. So a 6'4" speedy SS with a good arm? He is a 50 grade overall score the same as the #34 prospect Max Belyeu. I have no clue. But I do have the ability to read about some skinny 6'3" lefty arm that has recorded 103 in a game. To me if that guy stays healthy you could have an Ace or a closer. The other guy had Harmon as a HS arm with Ace potential.

I was just disappointed to not double down and bring in more impact arms. Especially after reaching for a catcher to replace Ford. BUt I did think we got the best college pitcher in the country.

Maybe Harmon or Bauer will be there in the 3rd round.

12 more picks to find out

[Pharmabro]

Fk Landon Harmon off the board at pick #80

[bpj]

I havent seen anything about anybody but Ethan Holliday, but you guys seem happy with the picks. Sounds like they added some good talent to the system.

[Bil522]

It still doesn't make sense. You don't draft college position players with these offensive numbers this high. Maybe you take a flyer on a guy in the fifth round or something.

It makes total sense if you are planning on trading Harry Ford, in which case you would need an offensive catcher in the minors after we do not resign Garver next year.

No, you don't need an offensive catcher in the minors before you can trade Harry Ford. That doesn't even make sense.

The problem with Stevenson is that his numbers aren't that great and he just doesn't project as much of a prospect. They even said on the broadcast that there are concerns about swing and miss in the zone, which is not what you want to hear.

I'm extremely disappointed in this pick.

They also said his power was elite......Here is what MLB Prospects said

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Stevenson could have signed for top-five-rounds money as a North Carolina high schooler in 2023. He opted instead to stay local and play for the Tar Heels, claimed North Carolina's starting job as a freshman and slammed 14 homers before playing with the U.S. collegiate national team during the summer. He went deep 19 times this spring as a sophomore and is one of the best catching prospects available, though he comes with some questions about his hitting ability after posting a .251 batting average and 24 percent strikeout rate.

A physical left-handed hitter, Stevenson has a propensity for hitting balls hard and launching them in the air. His power plays from left-center to the right-field foul pole and could translate into 25 homers per season. He has a reasonably disciplined approach but struggles to make contact against quality fastballs and changeups.

While Stevenson is a well-below-average runner, he has significantly improved his conditioning since high school. He has really cleaned up his receiving and become a solid defender behind the plate. His arm stands out both for pure strength and the accuracy of his throws.


Now here is Raleigh's Draft prospectus


150
Cal
Raleigh
C, Florida State
Seattle Mariners
Bio
Stats
News
Video
AGE
28
BATS
S
DOB
11/26/1996
THROWS
R
HT
6' 2"
DRAFTED
2018, 3rd (90) - SEA
WT
235
ETA
2021
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Raleigh comes from a baseball family, with a father and uncle who both played at Western Carolina. His dad went on to coach at his alma mater and at Tennessee, while his uncle spent 10 years in the Minor Leagues. The younger Raleigh jumped on the map as a freshman at Florida State, scuffled as a sophomore, but has bounced back with a strong junior season, at least with the bat.

The switch-hitting backstop has swung the bat well, especially in the second half of his junior season, using an advanced approach at the plate to hit for average and power while drawing a ton of walks. It's more power over hit, with some concern over him hitting enough at the next level to tap consistently into that raw pop.

Raleigh's defensive game, however, has not taken the same step forward this year. Not overly athletic, he hasn't been very agile behind the plate and his blocking and receiving have been inconsistent, as has been his arm. College catching is always hard to find, and Raleigh has done it for three years at Florida State. Teams will be buying the bat here, with the hope that he'll defend just well enough to stick there as an offensive-minded catcher.


Looks to me almost the same type of profile

[D-train]

Becker, I looked at him. He may or may not develop.

Such a profound assessment! I agree!

I know absolutely nothing about him. He goes 50-55 across the board. They said he is a pretty good athlete and may be + speed. So a 6'4" speedy SS with a good arm? He is a 50 grade overall score the same as the #34 prospect Max Belyeu. I have no clue. But I do have the ability to read about some skinny 6'3" lefty arm that has recorded 103 in a game. To me if that guy stays healthy you could have an Ace or a closer. The other guy had Harmon as a HS arm with Ace potential.

I was just disappointed to not double down and bring in more impact arms. Especially after reaching for a catcher to replace Ford. BUt I did think we got the best college pitcher in the country.

Maybe Harmon or Bauer will be there in the 3rd round.

12 more picks to find out

If you were a weatherman you would just roll with 50% chance of partly cloudy every day. lol

[Vogelbomb]

Go get Jack Bauer, if nothing else for the name. But 75 grade fastball, hitting 102-103 as a lefty…

When did Jack Bauer learn to pitch? He's a mean son of a gun who brings down terrorist cells for breakfast