2025 MLB Draft Crushes Rounds 1-10
July 13, 2025 - Written by Jacob Firmage
Photo Credit: @BeaverBaseball - X
Last year at this time, I had eyed in on a few players down the list I was hoping the Angels would look at. My biggest draft crush last year was none other than Ryan Prager, who the Angels did in fact draft, but were unable to come to terms. In this article I’ll take a quick look at a few players I hope the Angels target in the coming days.
To begin, lets take a look at the top two names in this draft, at least one of which should be available when the Angels go on the clock with the number two pick. Ethan Holliday has long been on teams radars. With some of the best left handed power, a big frame, and the bloodline to back it all, he was the expected 1-1 pick in this draft. An up and down season has lead to questions where he has been mocked down to the number 4 pick. The other name is the most polished college pitcher in this draft, Kade Anderson. A future 1-B arm, or at worst a mid rotation piece, Kade put together a spectacular end to his last college season and if there the Angels should jump all over. Though he may not move as fast as the last few first rounders for the Angels, he could reach the majors by next May-June. If I were in the Angels spot, these are the two guys you go with. Whichever one is available. Should the Nationals go off the board, you take whichever is higher on your board. It should not be a long decision, though the Angels aren’t necessarily tied to Holliday.
Moving on from the top two prospects in this draft is where I give my first two draft crushes outside the afromentioed players in Holliday/Anderson. First off, it’s Jaime Arnold; A funky slot lefty in commands the zone fairly well with an incredible slider and fastball that plays well from his armslot. Coming into the season, he was likely seen as the top college pitcher. While he had a good season at FSU, it was a bit underwhelming with the hype that followed from a season prior. In my personal opinion I have him a tier above Liam Doyle, and just behind Anderson. The changeup was thrown more this season and should turn into a 3rd above average pitch shortly. Next up in my first round tier of draft crushes is arguably my favorite prospect in the draft as I feel he may be right there with Kade as the safest pick. Aiva Arquette. The solid defensive six foot five inch shortstop. As well as he held down shortstop, I believe in the Angels current construction, a move to his right to 3rd base makes a ton of sense. Great bat to ball skills and above average power should lead to a quality major leaguer that could move quick and fit nicely in the 5-7 range of a lineup.
Photo Credit: @TylerBremner_22 - X
In the next tier of players we will start off with Tyler Bremner. An arm that will certainly not be there at the Angels 2nd pick, but likely is far enough down draft boards the Angels don’t consider him at two. I’ll keep it short with him as a longshot, but a dominant two pitch player currently, who could wind up the best arm pending development, he is too talented not to be mentioned. A name who could be there in the 2nd round is Matthew Fisher. At 19 already, he is on the older side of high school arms, but a good 4 pitch mix and decent control, there is a ton of upside in the young RHP. At six foot three, he has plenty of time to grow into his body, and has a ton of upside in the long term. Cam Cannarella has long been on draft boards and has a great glove and speed to go with a above average hit tool. His arm is a big question in centerfield following torn labrum, but with another year removed from surgery he could slowly get his baserunning aggresiveness and average arm back. A true centerfielder, he could in the long run allow Adell to transition back to rightfield. Alex Lodise is likely a second basemen long term, but coming off an incredible year at FSU, he is a name to watch even though he might not fit the Angels roster as currently constructed with last years first pick ready to man the position now. His arm is average, and with a little maturing, perhaps he could slide to third, but pencil him in as someone who could wind up a quality untilty man longterm. Lastly is a name our own Brayden picked in his mock draft in Charles Davalan. He is likely a year or so away, but as Brayden noted could be ready to slide into LF when Taylor Wards contract expires at the end of next season, should he not be moved sooner. An incredible hit tool from the left side, he has the speed to eventually provide top of lineup ability.
A fun name to look at in the 3rd round potentially could be former Angels 3B coach’s son, Brady Ebel. Ebel has plus speed, solid defensive abilities and slightly above average hit tool at the hot corner. Growing up around a coach as seasoned with baseball knowledge as Dino can only help him and would be a fun story for someone who was around the Angels as much as he was. Onto Kyle Lodise, cousin of Alex, mentioned prior, is another name to watch as a fringe starter but quality utility man in the future. Comparable to David Fletcher for me, the soon to be draftee would fit well towards the Angels compensatory pick from failing to sign Prager last season. Talon Haley is more than just a great story. He, though like Fisher is already 19, and amongst the older highschool players, but also may have some of the best stuff for prep lefthanders. While he needs reps, lot’s of them, should his medicals concern teams, he could follow suit of Angels drafting a prepster with an above slot bonus to sway him away from Vanderbilt. Should he attend Vandy, watch him shoot up these lists when next draft eligible. If you are interested in what could be a future gold glove centerfielder and incredible base stealer, we take a look at a college project in Jake Cook. A former college pitcher, who due to struggles throwing strikes transitioned back into the field and didn’t seem to struggle. He hit .350, and struck out less than 10% of his at bats. He will take time, but look to Cook to be a late bloomer we see covering tons of ground in someones outfield within the next few years. Another name to watch following a bit of a disapointing season in Oregon States lineup is Trent Caraway. An incredibly strong arm, quality defense and a hit tool I’m bullish on should see him picked in rounds 5-10 and could be a bit of a riser once he gets more repetitions. To end my bit of draft crushes is a fun story in Gabe Davis. At one point this year, it seemed the Angels found a loophole and had signed Davis when the MLB Transaction log had an error showing the Halos had signed him. Hopefully a sign of things to come, Davis is a future reliever in my eyes with the standard fastball and slider mix. He is six foot nine, and missed time with shoulder issues time will tell if he can repeat his delivery and find the strike zone enough to try and develop as a starter. But at the worst you have a middle reliever sitting in the upper 90’s.
Disclaimer : (1) All photos are not owned by InsideHalos and have been given proper credit beneath each photo. (2) Links of players are property of MLB, MiLB, and Baseball Reference. (3) InsideHalos is a fan-made site not affiliated with Angels Baseball.
