Orioles mock draft chatter suggests Cedric Mullins' replacement is already in mind

The Baltimore Orioles have decisions looming about some key players, but not necessarily their strong core of young guys like Jackson Holliday and Gunnar Henderson. As MLB's trade deadline inches closer, center fielder Cedric Mullins' name has been brought up in several conversations.

The trade deadline is at the end of July, but Baltimore fans may get an answer before then, when the 2025 MLB Draft takes place on July 13th.

In a recent mock draft by Bleacher Report, the Orioles are predicted to take Texas A&M superstar outfielder Jace LaViolette with their 19th overall pick. LaViolette certainly seems to be big league ready coming straight out of college, and it's been documented how well Mike Elias and the Orioles organization have drafted in recent years.

Orioles predicted to select Jace LaViolette in latest mock draft

Here is the analysis BR writer Joel Reuter has on LaViolette and why he could be fast-tracked in Baltimore's organization.

"LaViolette was one of the leading contenders to go No. 1 overall in the 2025 draft at the start of the spring after a sophomore season where he hit .305/.449/.726 with 29 home runs and 78 RBI while helping Texas A&M reach the College World Series finals. Swing-and-miss issues have sent his stock tumbling, and he ended up hitting .258 with a 25.2 percent strikeout rate this spring, but that was still accompanied by a healthy .427 on-base percentage and 18 home runs. The Orioles have never been shy about power-over-contact prospects, and the upside here is huge."

The writing may already be on the wall for Mullins. According to ESPN, MLB insiders Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel give a 70% chance of Mullins being moved before the July 31st trade deadline.

LaViolette may not be as sound a defender as Mullins, but he has a higher upside of having more power to all parts of the yard. As Reuter outlined, the strikeout rate may be a bit of an issue at nearly 25%, but that is something the Orioles can certainly iron out as he develops within their organization.

Mullins is going to be one of the hot ticket items for most MLB contenders that intend on buying at the trade deadline, and need a solid center fielder. Teams that come to mind are the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Cleveland Guardians. Considering Mullins is set to be a free agent after this season, he may be sought out as a rental option, but would still likely cost a team at least a couple prospects that the Orioles can use to bolster their farm system once again.

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