2025 AL East Draft Report: Blue Jays Shine, Red Sox Focus on Pitching

The 2025 MLB Draft wrapped up with some real intrigue, especially in the American League East. Teams played their own version of chess, each trying to outmaneuver the others in those crucial top 10 rounds that shape bonus pools and, honestly, the future.

Baltimore loaded up on premium talent, while Tampa Bay just kept chasing raw athleticism. It was hard not to notice how differently each front office approached the draft. Let’s dig into what the AL East clubs actually did—and maybe wonder a little about what it all means down the road.

Orioles Go Big: Maximizing Value with Extra Picks

The Orioles walked in with a big edge: extra picks. They used them well, grabbing four players that a lot of folks had pegged for the first round. That’s how you turn draft capital into long-term firepower.

Key Picks for the Orioles

They scooped up Auburn’s Ike Irish, who just hits and hits and hits. Then they took a shot on Slater de Brun, a high schooler with a sky-high ceiling. There’s a lot to like there, even if it’s a wait-and-see situation.

But Baltimore didn’t stop at those two. Arkansas shortstop Wehiwa Aloy and catcher Caden Bodine both bring serious contact skills to the table, which only makes this class stronger. On the mound, the O’s added Joseph Dzierwa and JT Quinn. Both pitchers have a lot of work ahead, especially on their secondary stuff, but the raw tools are there.

Red Sox Double Down on Power Arms

The Red Sox took a different route, loading up on power arms and sprinkling in a few hitters that fit their models. Clearly, they want more pitching depth, but they aren’t ignoring upside in the lineup either.

Highlighting Boston’s Top Arms

Kyson Witherspoon from Oklahoma headlines their draft. He’s pretty much the consensus top righty in the class. Then there’s Marcus Phillips out of Tennessee—a power arm with a delivery that’s, well, not exactly textbook. Still, if it works, it works. Boston’s willing to take that chance.

For bats, they went after upside. Henry Godbout from Virginia and Mason White from Arizona both have tools, though they’ll need some tweaks to their swings. If the Sox can smooth out the rough edges, these two could hit their way into the lineup.

Yankees Focus on Defense and Versatility

The Yankees zagged while everyone else zigged. They targeted defense, athleticism, and guys who can play all over the field. It’s a depth-building approach, maybe not flashy, but it has its merits.

Defensive Gems Highlight New York’s Picks

Dax Kilby, a shortstop from Georgia, topped their list. He’s got smooth hands and a knack for making contact. Plus, he can handle more than one position, which is always a plus. After Kilby, the Yankees mostly picked players who look like future utility guys or maybe back-end starters. Safe picks, but sometimes that’s what you need.

Rays Continue Betting on Athleticism

Tampa Bay stuck to their playbook. They chased athletic, high-contact high school bats. It’s risky, but if anyone can make it work, it’s probably them.

High-Risk, High-Reward Picks in Tampa

Daniel Pierce from Georgia and Cooper Flemming out of California headline the Rays’ group. Both can put the bat on the ball but might need to overhaul their swings. It’s not a sure thing, but the upside is real.

Then there’s Dean Moss from IMG Academy and Taitn Gray from Iowa. Both are loaded with tools, but they’re raw—projects for Tampa’s development wizards. It could be a while before we know if these picks pay off.

How These Drafts Reflect AL East Philosophies

The 2025 MLB Draft gave us a pretty clear look at how each AL East team thinks about building a roster.

• Baltimore Orioles: They use bonus pool leverage to grab as much top-tier talent as possible.
• Boston Red Sox: They go after pitching depth, especially power arms.
• New York Yankees: They value defense, versatility, and players who just get the job done.
• Tampa Bay Rays: They bet on raw athleticism and trust their development systems to do the rest.

The Orioles and Red Sox loaded up on talent for their minor league pipelines. The Yankees and Rays still do things their own way, leaning hard into versatility and athletic upside.

 
Here is the source article for this story: AL East 2025 draft report cards: Blue Jays take top prep bat; Red Sox go with arms