3 high school infielders that the Orioles could select in the 2025 MLB Draft

Every draft class has its own unique traits and this one is going to be no different for the Baltimore Orioles to sort through. Last season, the top of the draft board was dominated by elite college hitters: names like Travis Bazzana, Charlie Condon, Jac Caglianone and JJ Wetherholt. In 2023, there was only one infielder ranked among the top 10 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, although Jacob Wilson did turn out to be a pretty solid selection. And in 2022, you were out of luck if you wanted a high-end pitching prospect, although 38th ranked Kumar Rocker did go third overall.

This season, the top of the draft has a distinct characteristic: there are good shortstops, and there are a lot of them, especially in the high school ranks.

MLB Pipeline has a whopping nine shortstops ranked in their top 15 overall prospects, and six of them are from the high school ranks. That includes top overall prospect Ethan Holliday, the not-so-little brother of Jackson. With a well of talent at one position, some could fall to the O's pick at No. 19. Let's break down some of the possibilities.

Here are 3 prep infield draft prospects that could make sense for the Orioles in the MLB Draft

Daniel Pierce

The ranking on Pierce is a bit all over, as he's the 13th best prospect according to MLB Pipeline and the 23rd best according to Baseball America. Both agree that the defensive upside is certainly there with great speed, a good arm and good instincts at the shortstop position.

Both outlets noted some great improvements with the bat during Pierce's senior year of high school. If teams buy that upward trajectory, he could be an early first-round pick.

Kayson Cunningham

On the flip side of Pierce, there's Cunningham. Pipeline and Baseball America note that he might end up moving off of shortstop to second base, but there's no question about what he can do at the dish.

MLB Pipeline notes that Cunningham might be "the best (hitter) in the 2025 prep class," high praise for such a stacked group. Baseball America goes as far as to say that Cunningham is the best pure hitter in the class, prep or otherwise. If you're drafting Cunningham, you're drafting him for what he can do in the box.

Gavin Fien

Fien, as a third baseman, doesn't provide as much positional value as Pierce or even Cunningham. But, as Pipeline notes, the California high schooler hit "everywhere he went," including against top competition. Baseball America calls him "one of the most well-rounded hitters in the high school class."

The defensive upside may not be there, but the bat sure will. If there's one thing that the Orioles like to draft, it's a position player that knows how to make consistent, loud contact. All three infielders do just that.

More Orioles News from Birds Watcher