5. Cardinals Callis: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, Fort Cobb, Okla. (No. 5) 9. Reds Callis: Ike Irish, OF/C, Auburn (No. 11) 10. White Sox Callis: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (Miss.) HS (No. 9) 17. Cubs Callis: Gavin Kilen, 2B, Tennessee (No. 21) 38. Mets (Pick dropped 10 spots for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax) on July 13, 2025, 16:08:03
Of interest on this board:
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Day 1 (Rounds 1-3): Tonight, 6 p.m. ET (MLBN/MLB.com/ESPN)
Day 2 (Rounds 4-20): Monday, 11:30 a.m. ET (MLB.com)
Mayo: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, Fort Cobb, Okla. (No. 5)
This is a spot where Irish could definitely land in a deal, but the Cardinals also like Willits a lot, and there are evaluators who think he could end up being the best overall talent in this class. Fellow prep shortstops JoJo Parker and Billy Carlson could come into play, and if they want an arm, they could choose Arnold or Witherspoon.
Willits is the favorite for the Cardinals, with Doyle, Parker, Irish and Arnold other considerations
Mayo: Ike Irish, OF/C, Auburn (No. 11)
The Reds are in “best available” mode and they don’t shy away from any demographic, so this could be a floor for Hernandez. With him gone, this becomes a very viable landing spot for Irish and his offensive upside. He and Witherspoon, from the college arm group, seem to be ahead of a prep hitter like Parker at this point.
If the Mariners and Pirates resist the temptation to pop Hernandez, the Reds won't. Irish and Witherspoon seem to be the next two candidates among the players with a chance to get to No. 9
Mayo: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (Miss.) HS (No. 9)
We’ve had Parker in this spot so many times, I’m almost afraid not to put him here. In all seriousness, they do like the prep shortstop among a group of bats they seem to be considering. It’s mostly other high schoolers like Steele Hall, Gavin Fien and Kayson Cunningham, but there is some interest in college hitters like infielders Marek Houston and Wehiwa Aloy.
Parker is the most realistic best-case scenario for the White Sox, though there's a nagging suspicion that he might not get here. Chicago could turn to prep infielders Kayson Cunningham and Gavin Fien or Tennessee second baseman Gavin Kilen.
Mayo: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona (No. 16)
The Cubs appear to be focusing on college players and leaning bat, with Summerhill getting the edge over someone like Aloy. If they wanted to go arm, this could be a good landing spot for Bremner and Arkansas right-hander Gage Wood could enter the conversation.
The Cubs have done well drafting college infielders with advanced bats in the last two first rounds (Matt Shaw, Cam Smith) and could make it three in a row with Kilen. They'd be interested in most of the pitchers and prep shortstops forecast in front of them, as well as Aloy, Summerhill and high school third baseman Josh Hammond
Mayo: Jack Bauer, LHP, Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort, Ill. (No. 44)
Callis: Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana (No. 30)
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