MLB Draft 2025: Unearthing Potential Gems Beyond the Top 200
Published: Current Date
The landscape of the 2025 MLB Draft is rich with talent, extending far beyond the widely recognized top prospects. While the initial rounds often dominate headlines,hidden within the rankings are players with untapped potential,poised to surprise and excel. This analysis delves into several intriguing “sleeper” candidates,all ranked outside the top 200,offering a glimpse into the depth of this year’s draft class.
Power Bats: Raw Strength and Untapped Potential
Garrett Michel, 1B, Virginia Tech (No. 349)
Garrett Michel burst onto the scene with consecutive seasons boasting an OPS of 1.000 or higher. While his 2025 season saw a dip in home run production, the underlying data suggests his power remains a meaningful asset. Despite only hitting two home runs in 27 games, michel’s average exit velocity hovered around 92 mph, with a 90th percentile exit velocity exceeding 108 mph through late April. The challenge lies in elevating his launch angle, as many of his hardest-hit balls have been ground balls, indicating a need to adjust his swing path.
Dominic Hellman,1B,Oregon State (No. 353)
Dominic Hellman has transformed potential into performance.Observers of Hellman’s high school batting practice witnessed teenage 70-grade raw power.
The question was whether he could consistently harness that power. This season, Hellman has answered emphatically, showcasing improved contact and a reduced chase rate, resulting in a career year with Oregon State. His 12 home runs and 18.8% strikeout rate underscore his progress. hellman stands out as one of the few players on the BA 500 with a 90th percentile exit velocity exceeding 110 mph.
Mason Ligenza, OF, Tamaqua (Pa.) HS (No. 370)
Mason ligenza presents an intriguing profile as a left-handed hitting outfielder with a projectable frame. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 210 pounds,Ligenza possesses present strength that translates to plus raw power. His physical growth suggests further gains in power are likely, making him a compelling prospect for teams willing to invest in long-term potential.
Contact Savants: High-Frequency Hitters
Carson Prince, C, VMI (No. 389)
Carson Prince distinguishes himself with extraordinary contact skills. he boasts an remarkable 89% overall contact rate and a 94% in-zone contact rate. However,his impact and 90th percentile exit velocity place him lower in the rankings. Prince has demonstrated consistent betterment throughout his time at VMI, evidenced by his declining strikeout rates: 22% in 2023, 15.1% in 2024, and 9.1% in 2025.
Antonio Jimenez, SS, Central Florida (No. 394)
Antonio Jimenez combines contact ability with impactful hitting. While several players exhibit better pure contact numbers, Jimenez pairs a strong 92% in-zone contact rate with notable exit velocities. After transferring from Miami, where he struggled offensively in 2024, Jimenez thrived at Central Florida, slashing .329/.407/.575 with 11 home runs and 14 doubles.
Jaiden LoRe, SS, Corona Del Sol HS, Tempe, Ariz. (No.401)
Jaiden lore offers a refined approach at the plate. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound high school shortstop may not possess overwhelming tools, but his repeatable, simple swing is highly regarded by scouts. LoRe maintains the barrel in the hitting zone for an extended period,suggesting the potential for plus bat-to-ball skills. In a 28-game sample with Perfect Game in 2024, he recorded a 6.3% strikeout rate and an overall contact rate just under 90%.
Eric Snow, INF, Auburn (No. 452)
Eric Snow excels in making contact.Among college hitters on the BA 500, only Caden Bodine of Coastal Carolina has a better in-zone contact rate.Bodine’s 96% narrowly edges out Snow’s 95%. Snow’s exceptional contact ability is further highlighted by his 94% contact rate against fastballs. While his power is limited and his batted-ball angles have affected his production, his elite contact skills provide a solid foundation.
Pitchers With Big Fastballs: Velocity and Movement
Brian Curley, RHP, Georgia (No. 215)
Brian Curley has emerged as a strikeout threat for Georgia, posting a career-best 31.2% strikeout rate this spring as both a starter and reliever. Despite his smaller stature, Curley attacks hitters with a fastball that sits in the 95-96 mph range, topping out at 100 mph. His fastball features a flat approach angle, high spin rates, and solid riding life, generating a 25% miss rate and holding opposing batters to a .179 average.
Xavier Carrera,RHP,Boone Grove HS,Valparaiso,Ind. (No. 273)
Xavier Carrera possesses an unusual fastball profile.His fastball exhibits higher spin rates than his breaking balls,reaching up to 97 mph with spin rates around 2,700 rpm. Carrera’s powerful 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame suggests further velocity gains are likely. Improving his strike-throwing consistency could unlock significant upside.
Jacob Mayers, RHP, LSU (no. 299)
Jacob Mayers showcases elite fastball traits, but control issues have plagued his college career. He has a career 21.4% walk rate in college, and this spring he’s posted a 25.9% walk rate as a reliever with LSU. Despite his control struggles, Mayers’ fastball sits in the 96-98 mph range, touching 101-102 mph, with exceptional riding life. He has generated a 39% miss rate on his fastball this spring, an elite rate for a college pitcher.
Lucas Kelly, RHP, Arizona State (No. 301)
Lucas Kelly relies heavily on his standout fastball. He throws his mid-90s fastball nearly 80% of the time. As a sidearming right-hander, Kelly combines deception and power, with a fastball that sits in the 95-99 mph range and generates a 31% miss rate this spring. His low-slot delivery and flat approach angle may appeal to certain teams.
Ty Van Dyke, RHP, Stetson (No. 403)
Ty Van Dyke consistently generates misses with his fastball. While his velocity is lower than others in this tier, sitting in the 91-93 mph range and touching 96 mph, his fastball plays up due to its riding life and solid command. Van Dyke has thrown his fastball for strikes at a 70% clip this spring, holding opposing batters to a .208/.315/.273 line with a 39% miss rate.
Pitchers With Control: Precision and Command
Sean Youngerman, RHP, Oklahoma State (No. 302)
sean Youngerman has been a valuable addition to Oklahoma State’s pitching staff. After transferring from Division II Westmont (Calif.), he has excelled as both a starter and reliever, posting a 2.08 ERA and a minuscule 3.9% walk rate.Youngerman’s fastball averages 93 mph and has reached 97 mph. Throughout his collegiate career, including summer league stints, he has maintained a 4.8% walk rate.
Ruger riojas, RHP, Texas (No.325)
Ruger Riojas has experience as both a starter and reliever. After spending two seasons with Texas-San Antonio, he has split time in both roles for Texas this spring. His diverse pitch mix and track record of control make him a candidate to transition to a full-time starting role in professional baseball. Riojas has posted a 7.1% walk rate this spring, a career-high mark, and an impressive 71% strike rate on his mid-to-upper-80s slider/cutter.
Cooper Underwood, LHP, Allatoona HS, Acworth, Ga. (No. 341)
Cooper Underwood is a touch-and-feel prep lefty. Scouts praise his advanced pitching ability and feel for the zone with both his fastball and secondaries.The 6-foot-3, 170-pound lefty features a clean delivery and a four-pitch mix, making him a potential early contributor at Georgia Tech if he does not sign out of high school.
Aiven Cabral, RHP, Northeastern (No. 363)
Aiven Cabral has demonstrated consistent control throughout his collegiate career. He led the CAA with a 2.58 ERA as a freshman in 2023, posting a 4.0% walk rate. After a down 2024 season, he has returned to form in 2025, with a 2.74 ERA over 15 starts and a 4.1% walk rate. Cabral has a career 5.0% walk rate over 211 collegiate innings. while his fastball is in the 88-93 mph range, he throws all four of his pitches for strikes at a 65% or better clip this spring.
Jack Anker, RHP, Fresno State (No. 487)
Jack Anker stands out for his exceptional control. He ranks seventh among qualified Division I starters with a 3.0% walk rate this spring, the best mark of his three-year career with Fresno State. Anker has a career 4.6% walk rate. His overall strike rate this spring is 68%, and he throws his 91-95 mph fastball for strikes at a 70% clip and his mid-80s changeup for strikes at a 72% clip.
