The Major League Baseball Draft will be held July 13 during All-Star week in Atlanta, Ga. Leading up to the first round, MaxPreps is looking at the top high school players available according to the following schedule:
July 7: CatchersJuly 8: OutfieldersJuly 11: Middle infielders
July 12: Corner infielders
July 13: Pitchers
The selections at each position are based on the
top 250 prospects identified by Major League Baseball.
Read on for a look at the top five high prep middle infielders heading into next week.
Ethan Holliday, Stillwater (Okla.)
While Holliday's brother Jackson quickly rose to the top of the 2022 draft as a senior, Ethan has been consistently ranked as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2025 since his freshman year. He ranks as the top power hitter among prep shortstops after hitting 16 as a senior (he has been listed with 19 homers by other media outlets, but those totals include preseason games). He has the quickness and arm strength to stay at shortstop for now, but may eventually move to third base. Would not be a shock to see Holliday go No. 1, although he likely goes in the top five.
Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Fort Cobb, Okla.)
Willits was actually the player of the year in Oklahoma by the Oklahoman over Holliday. He ranks better than Holliday in the tool numbers for hitting, running and fielding, but Holliday has the overwhelming edge in power. It's possible that Willits forgoes the draft since his father Reggie coaches at Oklahoma, but a high draft selection probably sways Willits to turn pro. Won't last past the top 10 picks.
JoJo Parker, Purvis (Miss.)
One of twin brothers, the other is Jacob, who will be chosen in this year's draft, possibly both on the first day. JoJo was the top pitcher for Purvis but also excels at shortstop. While not as big as his brother, JoJo might be more athletic. He has a strong arm and good power (13 home runs), but he is also among the top hitters at shortstop. Likely goes in the middle of the first round.
Billy Carlson, Corona (Calif.)
Far and away the best fielder with the best arm among the prep shortstops, Carlson drops below the other three based solely on hitting ability and power. According to MLB.com, Carlson showed his fielding prowess during the summer circuit last year and faced plenty of tough competition with the Panthers during the spring. Depending on whether teams prize defense over hitting, Carlson could go anywhere in the top 10 and could go ahead of Parker and Willits.
Steele Hall, Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)
The high school ranks are loaded with talented shortstops this year as seven could possibly go in the first round. We will go with Hall here ahead of
Daniel Pierce of
Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.) and
Kayson Cunningham of
Johnson (San Antonio, Texas), although its essentially a toss-up among the three as to who goes first. Hall doesn't have the hitting and power numbers that the top three on the list have, but he is the top runner of the group and a plus fielder as well. Scouts also like his ability to stick at shortstop. Likely goes in the top 15 picks.
