Surely by now, you've seen fit to click on my top 100 prospects for 2025. Maybe you're even in the top 100 for clicking on my top 100, creating such a strong association between player name and rank number that any departure would betray your every sensibility.
But that's the rub with rankings. They only account for one perspective. Get more people involved, and the rankings go out the window.
Turns out I involved other people in a little experiment we conducted. Specifically, we drafted only prospects, and with 5x5 (i.e., Rotisserie) scoring in mind. Here are those people:
1) Daniel Labude, The Dynasty Guru (@OrcaBaseball)
2) Michael Polidoro, The Can-Am Super Show (@CanAmSuperShow)
3) Matt Morris, Scout the Statline (@Matt_E_Morris)
4) Jeffrey Paternostro, Baseball Prospectus
5) Matt Heckman, Pitcher List (@Heckman_Matt115)
6) Zac Morain, Driveline Baseball (@makeitmorain)
7) Doc Eisenhauer, Scout the Statline (@DocHollidayDyna)
8) Chris Towers, CBS Sports (@CTowersCBS)
9) Jeremy Heist, Pitcher List (@heistjm)
10) Lucas Staggs, The Upside Prospect (@UpsideProspect)
11) Tim Kanak, Fantasy Aceball (@fantasyaceball)
12) Scott White, CBS Sports (@CBSScottWhite)
Some fine people, ones who obviously have things to say regarding prospects. And in an exercise like this one, which sidelines the theoretical for actual rubber meeting road, what's said is said to carry more weight.
Looking back at the results, my first observation is that Sebastian Walcott was a first-rounder, being drafted 11th overall, while Marcelo Mayer lasted to Pick 32. That's almost the reverse of my own rankings, but it's consistent with what I've observed in the past. Drafters, particularly in 5x5 leagues, tend to gravitate toward toolsier prospects with a wider range of outcomes, hoping for a big payoff while leaving the safer, high-floor types to someone else. It's not universally true -- Rhett Lowder, for instance, was drafted 19th overall, and he seems like the epitome of a high-floor/low-ceiling prospect -- but it's true on balance. Other examples include Felnin Celesten at Pick 48, Eric Bitonti at Pick 51, and Emil Morales at Pick 72.
- Prospects-only mock for H2H points leagues
Speaking of Bitonti and Morales, they represent another benefit of these mocks, which is to highlight prospects who didn't make my top 100. The truth is that Bitonti never stood a chance. He offers considerable power, but the whole profile feels Nolan Gorman-like to me -- and not in a good way. Morales and the 88th pick in the draft, Joendry Vargas, came closer to making my list, but I've wasted enough time on teenage international signees over the years that I prefer to see them have some success in full-season ball (Class A and up) before I fully buy in. The ones who do aren't always the ones you expect.
Other notable picks left out of my top 100 include Orelvis Martinez (73), Jurrangelo Cijntje (78), Arjun Nimmala (82), Cooper Pratt (86), River Ryan (87), Brock Wilken (90), Jeferson Quero (95) and Eduardo Tait (96). By about Round 9, more of the players selected are outside of my top 100 than in it, with Spencer Jones at Pick 104 in particular standing out. He was a consensus top-50 prospect a year ago, but his exorbitant strikeout rate at Double-A has made him an afterthought now.
Seeing as this draft was with Rotisserie leagues in mind, I would have liked to see speedsters Enrique Bradfield and Chandler Simpson come off the board. Both are in my top 100 specifically for their potential to dominate in the stolen base category (perhaps helping in batting average as well), but their lack of power puts obvious constraints on their upside. Ultimately, this group of drafters set its sights higher.
Round 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos | Team | Player |
1 | Daniel Labude | R. Sasaki SP LAD |
2 | Michael Polidoro | R. Anthony CF BOS |
3 | Matt Morris | M. Shaw 3B CHC |
4 | Jeffrey Paternostro | K. Campbell 2B BOS |
5 | Matt Heckman | J. Jobe RP DET |
6 | Zac Morain | D. Crews RF WAS |
7 | Doc Eisenhauer | A. Painter SP PHI |
8 | Chris Towers | W. Jenkins CF MIN |
9 | Jeremy Heist | J. Dominguez LF NYY |
10 | Lucas Staggs | E. Rodriguez CF MIN |
11 | Tim Kanak | S. Walcott SS TEX |
12 | Scott White | J. Lawlar SS ARI |
Round 2 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
13 | Scott White | C. Mayo 3B BAL |
14 | Tim Kanak | S. Basallo C BAL |
15 | Lucas Staggs | J. De Paula RF LAD |
16 | Jeremy Heist | T. Bazzana 2B CLE |
17 | Chris Towers | Leodalis De Vries SS SD |
18 | Doc Eisenhauer | M. Clark CF DET |
19 | Zac Morain | R. Lowder SP CIN |
20 | Matt Heckman | C. Williams SS TB |
21 | Jeffrey Paternostro | Z. Hope LF LAD |
22 | Matt Morris | B. Chandler SP PIT |
23 | Michael Polidoro | N. Schultz SP CHW |
24 | Daniel Labude | J. Caglianone 1B KC |
Round 3 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
25 | Daniel Labude | R. Tiedemann SP TOR |
26 | Michael Polidoro | J. Made SS MIL |
27 | Matt Morris | B. Eldridge 1B SF |
28 | Jeffrey Paternostro | K. McGonigle SS DET |
29 | Matt Heckman | J. Wetherholt SS STL |
30 | Zac Morain | C. Emerson SS SEA |
31 | Doc Eisenhauer | Q. Mathews SP STL |
32 | Chris Towers | M. Mayer SS BOS |
33 | Jeremy Heist | C. DeLauter RF CLE |
34 | Lucas Staggs | N. Kurtz 1B ATH |
35 | Tim Kanak | C. Burns SP CIN |
36 | Scott White | C. Condon LF COL |
Round 4 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
37 | Scott White | L. Montes RF SEA |
38 | Tim Kanak | L. Keaschall 2B MIN |
39 | Lucas Staggs | K. Rocker SP TEX |
40 | Jeremy Heist | A. Miller SS PHI |
41 | Chris Towers | C. Smith 3B HOU |
42 | Doc Eisenhauer | D. Rushing C LAD |
43 | Zac Morain | E. Salas C SD |
44 | Matt Heckman | K. Griffin SS PIT |
45 | Jeffrey Paternostro | T. Liranzo C DET |
46 | Matt Morris | T. Sykora SP WAS |
47 | Michael Polidoro | T. White SP MIA |
48 | Daniel Labude | F. Celesten SS SEA |
Round 5 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
49 | Daniel Labude | B. Sproat SP NYM |
50 | Michael Polidoro | H. Smith SP CHW |
51 | Matt Morris | E. Bitonti 3B MIL |
52 | Jeffrey Paternostro | R. Calaz RF COL |
53 | Matt Heckman | C. Dollander SP COL |
54 | Zac Morain | B. Montgomery RF CHW |
55 | Doc Eisenhauer | A. Ramirez C MIA |
56 | Chris Towers | O. Caissie RF CHC |
57 | Jeremy Heist | K. Teel C CHW |
58 | Lucas Staggs | J. Farmelo CF SEA |
59 | Tim Kanak | J. Chourio CF CLE |
60 | Scott White | J. Williams SS NYM |
Round 6 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
61 | Scott White | A. Amador 2B COL |
62 | Tim Kanak | A. Rosario SP TEX |
63 | Lucas Staggs | A. Smith CF TB |
64 | Jeremy Heist | M. Arroyo 2B SEA |
65 | Chris Towers | X. Isaac 1B TB |
66 | Doc Eisenhauer | C. Durbin 2B MIL |
67 | Zac Morain | T. Johnson 2B PIT |
68 | Matt Heckman | K. Alcantara RF CHC |
69 | Jeffrey Paternostro | J. Susana SP WAS |
70 | Matt Morris | F. Arias SS BOS |
71 | Michael Polidoro | A. Genao SS CLE |
72 | Daniel Labude | E. Morales SS LAD |
Round 7 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
73 | Daniel Labude | O. Martinez 2B TOR |
74 | Michael Polidoro | J. Wilson SS ATH |
75 | Matt Morris | M. Ballesteros C CHC |
76 | Jeffrey Paternostro | B. Rainer SS DET |
77 | Matt Heckman | C. Young SS SEA |
78 | Zac Morain | J. Cijntje SP SEA |
79 | Doc Eisenhauer | C. Horton SP CHC |
80 | Chris Towers | C. Moore 2B LAA |
81 | Jeremy Heist | T. Hence SP STL |
82 | Lucas Staggs | A. Nimmala SS TOR |
83 | Tim Kanak | C. Carrigg CF COL |
84 | Scott White | A. Freeland SS LAD |
Round 8 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
85 | Scott White | C. Montgomery SS CHW |
86 | Tim Kanak | C. Pratt SS MIL |
87 | Lucas Staggs | R. Ryan SP LAD |
88 | Jeremy Heist | J. Vargas SS LAD |
89 | Chris Towers | D. De Los Santos 1B MIA |
90 | Doc Eisenhauer | B. Wilken 3B MIL |
91 | Zac Morain | H. Kim 2B LAD |
92 | Matt Heckman | N. Yorke 2B PIT |
93 | Jeffrey Paternostro | J. Ferris SP LAD |
94 | Matt Morris | J. Crawford CF PHI |
95 | Michael Polidoro | J. Quero C MIL |
96 | Daniel Labude | E. Tait C PHI |
Round 9 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
97 | Daniel Labude | C. Caminiti SP ATL |
98 | Michael Polidoro | J. Misiorowski SP MIL |
99 | Matt Morris | N. Meyer SP MIA |
100 | Jeffrey Paternostro | J. Briceno C DET |
101 | Matt Heckman | C. Ledbetter RF TB |
102 | Zac Morain | S. Caldwell CF ARI |
103 | Doc Eisenhauer | J. Baumeister SP TB |
104 | Chris Towers | S. Jones CF NYY |
105 | Jeremy Heist | J. Triantos 2B CHC |
106 | Lucas Staggs | M. Chace SP PHI |
107 | Tim Kanak | B. Taylor 3B TB |
108 | Scott White | J. Jung 3B DET |
Round 10 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
109 | Scott White | D. Baldwin C ATL |
110 | Tim Kanak | C. Thomas LF ATH |
111 | Lucas Staggs | G. Taylor SP CHW |
112 | Jeremy Heist | S. Stewart 2B CIN |
113 | Chris Towers | B. Casparius RP LAD |
114 | Doc Eisenhauer | B. Ashcraft SP PIT |
115 | Zac Morain | H. Ford C SEA |
116 | Matt Heckman | G. Groover 3B ARI |
117 | Jeffrey Paternostro | C. Benge CF NYM |
118 | Matt Morris | Pablo Guerrero 1B TEX |
119 | Michael Polidoro | G. Lombard SS NYY |
120 | Daniel Labude | G. Hill SP TB |
Daniel Labude | ||
---|---|---|
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 1 | R. Sasaki SP LAD |
2 | 24 | J. Caglianone 1B KC |
3 | 25 | R. Tiedemann SP TOR |
4 | 48 | F. Celesten SS SEA |
5 | 49 | B. Sproat SP NYM |
6 | 72 | E. Morales SS LAD |
7 | 73 | O. Martinez 2B TOR |
8 | 96 | E. Tait C PHI |
9 | 97 | C. Caminiti SP ATL |
10 | 120 | G. Hill SP TB |
Michael Polidoro | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 2 | R. Anthony CF BOS |
2 | 23 | N. Schultz SP CHW |
3 | 26 | J. Made SS MIL |
4 | 47 | T. White SP MIA |
5 | 50 | H. Smith SP CHW |
6 | 71 | A. Genao SS CLE |
7 | 74 | J. Wilson SS ATH |
8 | 95 | J. Quero C MIL |
9 | 98 | J. Misiorowski SP MIL |
10 | 119 | G. Lombard SS NYY |
Matt Morris | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 3 | M. Shaw 3B CHC |
2 | 22 | B. Chandler SP PIT |
3 | 27 | B. Eldridge 1B SF |
4 | 46 | T. Sykora SP WAS |
5 | 51 | E. Bitonti 3B MIL |
6 | 70 | F. Arias SS BOS |
7 | 75 | M. Ballesteros C CHC |
8 | 94 | J. Crawford CF PHI |
9 | 99 | N. Meyer SP MIA |
10 | 118 | Pablo Guerrero 1B TEX |
Jeffrey Paternostro | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 4 | K. Campbell 2B BOS |
2 | 21 | Z. Hope LF LAD |
3 | 28 | K. McGonigle SS DET |
4 | 45 | T. Liranzo C DET |
5 | 52 | R. Calaz RF COL |
6 | 69 | J. Susana SP WAS |
7 | 76 | B. Rainer SS DET |
8 | 93 | J. Ferris SP LAD |
9 | 100 | J. Briceno C DET |
10 | 117 | C. Benge CF NYM |
Matt Heckman | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 5 | J. Jobe RP DET |
2 | 20 | C. Williams SS TB |
3 | 29 | J. Wetherholt SS STL |
4 | 44 | K. Griffin SS PIT |
5 | 53 | C. Dollander SP COL |
6 | 68 | K. Alcantara RF CHC |
7 | 77 | C. Young SS SEA |
8 | 92 | N. Yorke 2B PIT |
9 | 101 | C. Ledbetter RF TB |
10 | 116 | G. Groover 3B ARI |
Zac Morain | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 6 | D. Crews RF WAS |
2 | 19 | R. Lowder SP CIN |
3 | 30 | C. Emerson SS SEA |
4 | 43 | E. Salas C SD |
5 | 54 | B. Montgomery RF CHW |
6 | 67 | T. Johnson 2B PIT |
7 | 78 | J. Cijntje SP SEA |
8 | 91 | H. Kim 2B LAD |
9 | 102 | S. Caldwell CF ARI |
10 | 115 | H. Ford C SEA |
Doc Eisenhauer | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 7 | A. Painter SP PHI |
2 | 18 | M. Clark CF DET |
3 | 31 | Q. Mathews SP STL |
4 | 42 | D. Rushing C LAD |
5 | 55 | A. Ramirez C MIA |
6 | 66 | C. Durbin 2B MIL |
7 | 79 | C. Horton SP CHC |
8 | 90 | B. Wilken 3B MIL |
9 | 103 | J. Baumeister SP TB |
10 | 114 | B. Ashcraft SP PIT |
Chris Towers | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 8 | W. Jenkins CF MIN |
2 | 17 | Leodalis De Vries SS SD |
3 | 32 | M. Mayer SS BOS |
4 | 41 | C. Smith 3B HOU |
5 | 56 | O. Caissie RF CHC |
6 | 65 | X. Isaac 1B TB |
7 | 80 | C. Moore 2B LAA |
8 | 89 | D. De Los Santos 1B MIA |
9 | 104 | S. Jones CF NYY |
10 | 113 | B. Casparius RP LAD |
Jeremy Heist | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 9 | J. Dominguez LF NYY |
2 | 16 | T. Bazzana 2B CLE |
3 | 33 | C. DeLauter RF CLE |
4 | 40 | A. Miller SS PHI |
5 | 57 | K. Teel C CHW |
6 | 64 | M. Arroyo 2B SEA |
7 | 81 | T. Hence SP STL |
8 | 88 | J. Vargas SS LAD |
9 | 105 | J. Triantos 2B CHC |
10 | 112 | S. Stewart 2B CIN |
Lucas Staggs | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 10 | E. Rodriguez CF MIN |
2 | 15 | J. De Paula RF LAD |
3 | 34 | N. Kurtz 1B ATH |
4 | 39 | K. Rocker SP TEX |
5 | 58 | J. Farmelo CF SEA |
6 | 63 | A. Smith CF TB |
7 | 82 | A. Nimmala SS TOR |
8 | 87 | R. Ryan SP LAD |
9 | 106 | M. Chace SP PHI |
10 | 111 | G. Taylor SP CHW |
Tim Kanak | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 11 | S. Walcott SS TEX |
2 | 14 | S. Basallo C BAL |
3 | 35 | C. Burns SP CIN |
4 | 38 | L. Keaschall 2B MIN |
5 | 59 | J. Chourio CF CLE |
6 | 62 | A. Rosario SP TEX |
7 | 83 | C. Carrigg CF COL |
8 | 86 | C. Pratt SS MIL |
9 | 107 | B. Taylor 3B TB |
10 | 110 | C. Thomas LF ATH |
Scott White | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 12 | J. Lawlar SS ARI |
2 | 13 | C. Mayo 3B BAL |
3 | 36 | C. Condon LF COL |
4 | 37 | L. Montes RF SEA |
5 | 60 | J. Williams SS NYM |
6 | 61 | A. Amador 2B COL |
7 | 84 | A. Freeland SS LAD |
8 | 85 | C. Montgomery SS CHW |
9 | 108 | J. Jung 3B DET |
10 | 109 | D. Baldwin C ATL |