MLB 2025 Draft Combine Standouts
Some noticeable standouts from the 2025 MLB Draft combine
The 2025 MLB Draft Combine took place this week, with many of the top available players participating. We got a good look at some of the more well-known names, but maybe more importantly, some under-the-radar prospects that will be available.
Here’s a look at some players that stood out during the first day of the combine (the second day wasn’t exactly watcher-friendly).
Jordan Yost, SS - Sickles HS Tampa, FL
Baseball America: 80
MLB Pipeline: 59
He didn’t hit for a lot of power, even in batting practice, but he has a smooth left-handed swing without much of a leg kick. The lack of power tracks in his scouting reports on both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline.
Yost also displayed a strong arm during the defensive drills. There is some projection there, but it sounds like he will be a tough sign away from Florida, where his brother also plays.
Quentin Young, SS - Oaks Christian, CA
Baseball America: 55
MLB Pipeline: 33
This was the star of day one for me, and was probably for most who tuned in. At 17, Young is already displaying some elite exit velocity numbers from a very in-control swing. It’s the sound you want to hear off the bat, a loud crack that you know the ball was absolutely punished.
One baseball had a reported exit velocity of over 115 mph.
He stands at 6’7” and took part in drills at shortstop, where he displayed a plus arm and solid footwork. He’s athletic and has good bloodlines (his uncles were Delmon and Dmitri), and even if he has to shift to the outfield, the arm and power will play well from right field.
CJ Gray, RHP - Brown, NC
Baseball America: 112
MLB Pipeline: 171
Gray had a fastball that jumped out of his hand and topped out at 96.5 mph (with nearly 2500 rpms of spin) and had plenty of sink to it. He had a bit of a violent finish to the delivery that might need to be refined, but the raw talent is evident, and he is a former multi-sport athlete.
He also flashed a slider and a change-up in his bullpen session.
Joe Ariola, LHP - Wake Forest University
Baseball America: 163
MLB Pipeline: NR
This could be a ‘project’ arm, as Ariola has potentially three strong pitches, including an outlier fastball (18’6” IVB at the combine, but averaged 21.5” in college), but has struggled with his control.
He stayed in the 91/92 mph range with his fastball at the combine from an over-the-top delivery. If a team feels like they could help him get the walks under control, he could be a nice find.
Mason Estrada, RHP - MIT
Baseball America: 493
MLB Pipeline: NR
Won’t lie, a lot of this has to do with his story off the field as much as what he showed at the combine. Estrada pitched at MIT. Yes, that MIT.
He’s a draft-eligible sophomore who is committed to go play at Tennessee should he not sign with a team out of the draft.
Estrada is likely a reliever, but dialed up one of the best velocities on day one (96.3 mph) and spun a slider with a spin rate of 2761. The combine may get him selected high enough to skip out on a chance to play at Tennessee, but it was impressive enough to add a few teams to the interest list.
From NolaJeffy
Carsten Sabathia, 1B - University of Houston
Baseball America: NR
MLB Pipeline: NR
“Is he?”. Yes, he is the son of former MLB left-hander C.C. Sabathia.
Carsten isn’t likely to show up on many lists, if any, unless his showing at the Combine has anything to say about it. His collegiate career leaves a lot to be desired. He played eight games for Georgia Tech his freshman year, and then eleven his sophomore year before transferring to Houston, where he played only 27 games with a .235/.333/.370 slash.
So why is he here? The imposing 6’4”, 245 lbs first baseman has a beautiful swing and makes some loud contact. In his cage session, he was hitting 100+ mph laser after 100+ mph laser. He’d make a great late-round pick for a smaller bonus and come with intriguing power upside.
Gustavo Melendez, SS - Colegio La Merced HS, Cayey, P.R.
Baseball America: 119
MLB Pipeline: 134
This kid is smooth. He’ll be a shade under 18 years old at draft time and is currently committed to Wake Forest University. Pipeline notes that he has the chance to be the highest-drafted player from Puerto Rico since the inaugural Combine standout and Cincinnati Reds draft pick, Edwin Arroyo.
He doesn’t come with much current power, listed at 5’8” and 150 lbs, but Pipeline notes he has a great feel for the barrel and possibly some surprise power similar to Ozzie Albies, but not exactly Albies. More importantly, he looks like he could easily remain at shortstop.
Jacob Morrison, RHP - Coastal Carolina University
Baseball America: 191
MLB Pipeline: 181
Technically, I’m cheating because this kid wasn’t at the combine, but I wanted to get his name out there as someone I would love to see the Pirates try to pick up.
The 6’8”, 240 lbs right-hander has looked phenomenal in the College World Series. He’s coming off Tommy John Surgery, and has thrown 104.0 IP with a 2.08 ERA, with 102 strikeouts to 22 walks. The fastball is beautiful, which sits 92-93 mph, getting up to 94-95. There’s reason to believe he could ramp it up a little more as he gets further away from TJS, and with his size. It has fantastic shape, and was blowing away Oregon State hitters. His secondaries include a curve, slider, and changeup that all need their own bit of work, but he’d be a great fit in the Pirates’ pitching factory.
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MLB scouts and people in bad relationships: "I can fix him."
I'm coming around to the idea of Jojo Parker as an underslot first rounder and then Jacob later (round 3/4?). Two LHH's with good upside and some power. Jojo maybe moves to 3B if the power develops.
LaViolette is another guy that would be a money-saving pick, but he's a risky bat given how poorly this season went for him.