Final 2025 mock drafts have experts split on Padres' first round pick

The 2025 MLB Draft is here. On July 13, the first day of the draft will take place, as the opening three rounds will set the tone for a two-day affair.

The San Diego Padres have the 25th overall pick this season, and experts seem to be split on who the Friars will ultimately select. One publication has maintained their prediction with San Diego taking an Oregon high-schooler, while others have offered a bit of a shuffle in their respective final mock drafts.

Baseball America predicts Padres will take Slater de Brun in first round

The Padres have been connected to Slater de Brun and Kruz Schoolcraft (two HS prospects from Oregon) all season, and Baseball America's final mock predicts that they will draft de Brun, an outfielder from Summit HS.

de Brun has tremendous speed, and is projected to be a leadoff hitter. He is renowned for his contact-hitting ability, and scouts note that he plays a strong center field.

The Athletic predicts Padres will take Zach Root in first round

The Athletic thinks that the Friars will take a college arm if Kruz Schoolcraft is not on the board. Arkansas left-hander Zach Root could be a good option for San Diego.

At 6-foot-2, the southpaw racked up 126 strikeouts in 99 1/3 frames this season with the Razorbacks.

MLB.com predicts Padres will take a high school infielder in first round

Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo have separate predictions from MLB.com for the Padres.

Callis predicts that San Diego will draft Xavier Neyens, a third baseman out of Mount Vernon HS (WA) with tremendous raw power.

Mayo thinks the Padres will opt for Kayson Cunningham, a middle infielder out of Johnson HS (TX) who is in the conversation as the best pure hitter in the draft - whether high school or college.

There are plenty of options on the table for the Padres heading into the draft. Once the first round reaches the 20th pick, anything can happen. Generally, the Top 10-15 picks are a bit more predictable, and the Padres fall out of that window.

San Diego historically likes to draft a high-schooler in the opening round, but there is too much upside from several college pitchers in this draft, and the Padres would be remiss to overlook that talent.