Day 2 of the 2025 MLB Draft, covering Rounds 4 through 20, unfolded with a wealth of intriguing prospects still available, as teams sought to bolster their farm systems with high-upside talent beyond the spotlight of the first 105 picks. While the marquee names like Eli Willits and Kade Anderson had already gone off the board, several standout players with impressive tools and big-league potential remained, making Day 2 an essential phase for savvy front offices.
Among the top talents still available early in Day 2 was Mason Neville, an Oregon outfielder and one of the highest-ranked prospects entering the second day at No. 35 overall value. Neville led Division I college baseball with 26 home runs this spring, showcasing elite raw power and athleticism. Though he struggled with swing-and-miss issues against off-speed pitches, his plus speed and arm strength make him a potential center fielder with a five-tool skill set. The Cincinnati Reds used their pick at No. 114 overall to reportedly secure Neville, a clear value acquisition for a team aiming to replenish its current outfield core.
On the pitching side, Miguel Sime Jr., a New York City native and high-velocity right-hander from Poly Prep, remained a prized prospect. The 6-foot-4 Sime pumped triple-digit heat during the MLB Draft League this summer, a fastball topping at 100 mph. Alongside his plus breaking ball, Sime project as a future frontline arm, though command remains an area for growth. The Nationals picked him at No. 111 overall, offering strong upside given their recent emphasis on power arms.
Another arm drawing attention was Briggs McKenzie, a 6-foot-2 lefty from Corinth Holders High School in North Carolina. McKenzie’s curveball drew comparisons to MacKenzie Gore’s at a similar stage, and though his fastball velocity ticked down slightly to 87-91 mph in the spring, scouts praised the pitch’s heavy movement and his projectability. The Atlanta Braves grabbed McKenzie at No. 127, reflecting their strategy of investing in polished high school arms with significant break potential.
Catchers often find late-day opportunities to shine, and Day 2 featured a particularly intriguing prospect in Landon Hodge, a left-handed hitting catcher from Crespi Carmelite High School of California. Ranked No. 164 in MLB Pipeline’s top prospect list, Hodge profiles as a strong defensive catcher with an above-average arm and good athleticism. The Chicago White Sox used their first Day 2 selection at 106th overall to add him, signaling a need to deepen their catching ranks in the minors to complement MLB contributors Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero.
Infielders also peppered the draft board late into Monday. The Nationals drafted Coy James, a Gatorade Player of the Year from North Carolina, at No. 142 overall. Though his stock dipped over the past year, James’ combination of hitting tool and power potential, alongside positional flexibility as a shortstop and third baseman, makes him an intriguing project for the Washington system.
Further adding international flavor, several players born outside traditional baseball hotbeds were selected on Day 2. The draft underscored MLB teams’ commitment to scouting globally as they search for hidden gems.
Pitching prospects with size and stuff, like Gabe Davis out of Oklahoma State, also figured prominently. At 6-foot-9, Davis combines height advantage with a 94-97 mph fastball and a swing-and-miss slider, although injuries have limited his recent innings.
In sum, Day 2 of the 2025 MLB Draft showcased a deep pool of high-ceiling prospects across positions and regions still available after the first three rounds. Scouts and executives alike emphasized the balance between risk and reward as many players at this stage carry significant upside but require development. As MLB Pipeline analyst David Creamer observed, “These rounds are where front offices get creative mixing safe senior signs with high-upside prep talent looking to unearth the players who can evolve quickly and climb prospect rankings.”
For teams like the Nationals, White Sox, Braves, and Reds, the strong Day 2 haul offers optimism for the future, proving the draft’s depth remains as vital as ever. With 26 of MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects still on the board early Monday, the potential to discover future stars outside the first round was on full display throughout the day. The next generation of major league impact players is being forged now far from the immediate media spotlight but firmly on baseball’s radar.
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