Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs' Picks in ESPN 2025 MLB Mock Draft with Trades

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, David Schoenfield and Jeff Passan released an MLB mock draft on Monday, which included the three making trades for various teams on the board and projecting the first 40 picks of the July 13 MLB draft.

Among the notable picks was LSU pitcher Kade Anderson going No. 1 overall to the Washington Nationals over what is expected to be a pretty tight group of options atop the board.

Other notable selections were the Boston Red Sox selecting high-school third baseman Gavin Fien—McDaniel noted the Red Sox "are rumored to be the high team on him in real life, so this is a pretty likely outcome"—at No. 15 and Tennessee third baseman Andrew Fischer at No. 33, who projects more as a first baseman long term.

The Chicago Cubs made a splash two picks after Boston's first selection in ESPN's mock, trading the No. 17 overall pick, outfielder Kevin Alcantara and reliever Luke Little to the Cleveland Guardians for closer Emmanuel Clase and a third-rounder. Such a deal would help the NL Central-leaders improve in the short term, bolstering their bullpen.

The New York Mets were projected to select high-schooler Quentin Young at No. 38, while the New York Yankees were projected to take high-school catcher Michael Oliveto one pick later and the Los Angeles Dodgers rounded out the first round by taking high-school pitcher Jack Bauer at No. 40 in ESPN's mock.

Passan did not take the chance to make a 24 joke after that projection, however, which felt like a missed opportunity.