Cam Caminiti, William Schmidt vie to become first prep pitcher selected in MLB Draft.
The Major League Baseball Draft gets underway Sunday with the Cleveland Guardians kicking things off with the No. 1 overall pick. Ahead of the draft, MaxPreps is breaking down the top high school players at each position and where they might be selected during the three-day event.
Our look at the top prep prospects begins today with the pitchers, continues Wednesday with catchers, Thursday with infielders and Friday with outfielders.
Rankings for players are based on
MLB.com's Top 250 player evaluations.
Cam Caminiti was dominant on the mound and at the plate this season for Arizona state champion Saguaro. In 52.2 innings this season, he struck out 119 batters with a 0.93 ERA. (Photo: Steve Paynter)
Expected to be one of the top players in the 2025 draft, Caminiti reclassified to the Class of 2024 and has risen to the top of the list among prep hurlers. Caminiti earned MaxPreps All-America honors based on his hitting and pitching this season but he has evolved into a top pitching prospect due to his ability to throw up to 98 miles per hour and land four different pitches for strikes. He should go in the top half of the draft and could be the top high school player chosen.
2. William Schmidt, Catholic (Baton Rouge, La.)
Made his case this spring as he led the Bears to a MaxPreps National Championship and earned state tournament MVP honors. He can hit as high as 99 mph on his fastball but his curveball is his best pitch. Could go in the top half of the draft, or at the very least somewhere in the middle, and could be the top prep pitcher chosen.
3. Ryan Sloan, York (Elmhurst, Ill.)
Sloan threw much fewer innings during high school play in the spring in preparation for life after high school. That foresight could pay off with a first-round selection for the MaxPreps Illinois Player of the Year. Sloan dominates with a fastball that has topped out at 99 mph and an excellent changeup. He also has great command, giving up single digits in walks during the spring.
4. Kash Mayfield, Elk City (Okla.)
Mayfield was a strikeout king during the high school season as he averaged 2.6 strikeouts per inning while giving up just one earned run all season long. His best pitch is a changeup that goes with a fastball that averages in the low 90s. He could go toward the end of the first round or early in the second round.
5. Braylon Doughty, Chaparral (Temecula, Calif.)
Doughty
came on strong last summer and had a solid spring with 85 strikeouts in
50 innings. He has a solid fastball (97 mph), slider and curveball. He could go early in the second round.
6. David Shields, Mt. Lebanon (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Shields struggled with mono during the high school season and only pitched in six games all season. He dominated in those games, however, averaging double digits in strikeouts. He reclassified from the Class of 2025 to be eligible for the 2024 draft. Slider is his best pitch and he can throw in the low to mid-90s. Likely to go in the middle of the second round.
7. Bryce Meccage, Pennington (N.J.)
Only throwing 22 innings this spring, Meccage still struck out 47 batters and walked just eight. He has one of the best high school fastballs in the draft, consistently hitting in the mid-90s. Look for Meccage to go near the end of the second round.
8. Joey Oakie, Ankeny Centennial (Ankeny, Iowa)
Still playing right now since Iowa plays in the summer, Oakie has 76 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched as of July 8. His slider is his best pitch and he can also get up to 96 mph on the fastball. Could go midway through the second round.
9. Dasan Hill, Grapevine (Texas)
The lefty moved into the second round thanks to an outstanding spring that saw him lift Grapevine to a state championship. He showed improvement on his slider, curveball and fastball and has raised his velocity to 96 mph. Should go near the end of the second round.
10. Dax Whitney, Blackfoot (Idaho)
Few players from Idaho have ever received the attention Whitney has this year. Already 6-foot-5, Whitney could continue to grow and add speed to his 96 mph fast ball. He also has two strong breaking ball pitches. He could go late in second or early in the third.
