Best Draft Hauls & Puzzling Picks From Day 1

Plus: Best players available for day 2, team fits we like, new Hot Sheet & more

July 14, 2025

Exciting Hauls, Puzzling Picks & More From Day 1 Of The MLB Draft

Day one of the 2025 MLB Draft has come and gone. And we sure do have a lot to talk about.

Though you can’t judge a draft class on just three rounds, the bulk of the value of most teams’ classes is going to come from the players they just selected on night one. With that in mind, Baseball America draft expert Carlos Collazo provided some rapid reactions to what we saw on Sunday, including three teams whose draft hauls have us excited and three whose picks were a bit more puzzling.

More Draft Coverage

✍️ First-Round Analysis: Ben Badler broke down every first-round selection, complete with instant reactions & full BA scouting reports. Read more…

👀 What To Expect On Day 2: Everything you need to know for rounds four through 20. Read more…

🔓️ Pick-By-Pick Results: We’re tracking every pick that comes off the board. Read more…

📶 Best Players Available: Three rounds in, who are the best players left? Our running list will update throughout the day. Read more…

🤝 Best Player/Team Fits: Geoff Pontes provided 12 picks from day one that made a lot of sense for both sides. Read more…

😴 Sleepers To Watch For: Mark Chiarelli highlighted 20 intriguing names from deeper down our draft rankings still available on day two. Read more…

🏆️ BA 500 Draft Rankings: The most comprehensive coverage of the 2025 class, complete with brand new scouting reports for all 500 prospects and tool grades for the first 200. Read more…

NEW HOT SHEET

Samuel Basallo Tops This Week’s Hot Sheet

Due to the Futures Game and all-star break, we’ve amended this week’s Hot Sheet rank only the 10 hottest prospects from the previous week.

This week’s list is led by Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo, who hit three homers and three doubles last week with a 1.056 OPS. While his defense remains a work in progress, Basallo’s bat is tracking towards being a true middle-of-the-order profile with impact potential at the highest level.

As always, we’ll be hosting our weekly Hot Sheet Show on YouTube at 3:30 p.m. ET on Monday followed by a Hot Sheet prospects chat on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET.

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STATCAST STANDOUTS

Edward Florentino, Spencer Jones Headline 10 Statcast Standouts (July 14)

Every Monday morning, Eli Ben-Porat highlights 10 players who stood out over the previous week based on underlying Statcast metrics. This week’s list includes:

  • How high up the prospect rankings can Edward Florentino go?

  • Spencer Jones has unlocked a new level

  • A Dodgers prospect with an 80-grade changeup

  • Is Joe Mack ready for MLB action?

  • Don’t sleep on C.J. Kayfus

TRENDING NOW AT BASEBALL AMERICA

🤖 RoboScout presented its latest dynasty picks at every MiLB level.

👶 Eli Willits made history as the youngest-ever No. 1 overall pick.

🐅 J.J. Cooper wrote about how the Tigers’ surprise first-rounder is a good fit.

💗 Jesús Cano shared the emotional story of Tyler Bremner and his late mother.

⚾️ BA College Pitcher of the Year Kade Anderson went third to the Mariners.

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FROM OUR FRIENDS AT FOUL TERRITORY

Jason Stark's 2025 midseason awards are out and the Foul Territory crew has thoughts. Our friends at FT debate MVP candidates and dive into the LVPs—Least Valuable Players.

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