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Guardians select Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette in first round of MLB Draft
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- Guardians select Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette in first round of MLB Draft
The Guardians selected Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette with their first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft .
LaViolette, a power-hitting left-handed hitter, was ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline . The Guardians used overall pick No. 27 to add him to their minor league system.
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During his three seasons with Texas A&M, LaViolette set school records with 68 home runs and 169 walks drawn while leading the Aggies to the College World Series Finals in 2024.
Texas A&M's Jace LaViolette smiles during Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series finals against Tennessee on June 24, 2024, in Omaha, Neb.
Jace LaViolette drafted by Guardians in 1st round
At 6 feet, 6 inches and 230 pounds, LaViolette is an imposing hitter who might have been considered for the No. 1 overall selection if not for some concerns with his hit-and-miss swing. He was named a third-team All-American by Perfect Game and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and he was a semifinalist for the 2025 Dick Howser Award, given to the national collegiate player of the year.
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LaViolette is noted by MLB Pipeline ha possessing as much raw power as any hitter in the draft. His 25 percent strikeout rate during his junior year at Texas A&M is the lone concern, and the only reason he was still on the board at No. 27.
LaViolette played all over the outfield during his three years in college, though his profile is likely best to fit in right field in the pros.
May 22, 2025; Hoover, AL, USA; Tennessee second baseman Dean Curley (1) makes a play in shallow right before throwing to first for an out against Texas in the third round of the SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met.
2025 MLB Draft results: Guardians select Tennessee infielder Dean Curley in second round
Dean Curley was ranked as the No. 60 overall prospect in the draft by MLB Pipeline.
As a freshman with Tennessee, Curley went 6-for-12 in the College World Series and helped the Volunteers win their first national championship.
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Curley is listed at 6-3 and 218 pounds and has "solid-to-plus" raw power. Defensively, he relies on one of the strongest infield arms in college baseball.
Arizona's Aaron Walton (11) scores against Louisville during the College Word Series on June 15, 2025, in Omaha, Neb.
Guardians take outfielder Aaron Walton at No. 66 overall
Aaron Walton, out of the University of Arizona, is another outfielder with raw power but plenty of swing-and-miss in his bat.
The Guardians might be anticipating some over-slot bonuses with their first two picks, as Walton was ranked 160th among all eligible prospects, nearly 100 spots lower than where the Guardians drafted him.
Guardians draft pitcher, Wake Forrest commit Will Hynes
Canadian right-handed pitcher Will Hynes only turned 18 years old a few days before the draft, and his fastball is already up to 94-95 mph. He also throws a high-spin slider and a changeup, though he does't rely on it as much as his other pitches.
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Hynes has committed to Wake Forest. He was ranked 163rd overall by MLB Pipeline, so selecting him early might be enough to sign him away from college.
Oklahoma State's Nolan Schubart, right, celebrates a home run with teammate Kollin Ritchie during an NCAA regional against Georgia on June 1, 2025, in Athens, Ga.
Oklahoma State slugger Nolan Schubart drafted by Guardians in third round
With their fifth and final pick of Day 1 of the MLB Draft, the Guardians used selection No. 101 on Oklahoma State hitter Nolan Schubart.
Schubart, who hits left-handed and stands 6-5 and 223 pounds, came two hits shy of winning the Big 12 Conference's triple crown last spring, batting .370 with 23 home runs and 68 RBIs in 49 games.
Schubart is known to be a one-tool player, relying on potentially elite raw power from the left-handed side.
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Like LaViolette, just at varying degrees, Schubart has immense strength and power but will need to show he can cut down on his strikeout rate while facing pro pitching.
Schubart also provides little in the way of speed or defense. He could shift to first base and, perhaps, even become a regular DH at some point down the road.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 2025 MLB Draft: Guardians select OF Jace LaViolette in first round
