The fifth season of the MLB Draft League kicks off Wednesday, June 4, with all six teams in action and plenty of the game’s future stars being put on center stage outside of the collegiate season.
2024 Standings
1ST HALF
(Team, W/L, PCT)
Williamsport: 22-8, .733
State College: 19-16, .543
Mahoning Valley: 16-18, .471
Frederick: 15-17, .469
Trenton: 14-18, .438
West Virginia: 12-21, .364
2ND HALF
Trenton: 23-18, .561
West Virginia: 23-18, .561
Frederick: 22-19, .537
Mahoning Valley: 21-20, .512
State College: 22-21, .512
Williamsport: 13-28, .317
Championship Game
On Thursday, Sept. 5, the first-half champions Williamsport Crosscutters hosted the second-half winning Trenton Thunder at Journey Bank Ballpark where the ‘Cutters won their first MLB Draft League Championship, 5-4.
Williamsport scoring started early in the bottom of the first with an RBI double by McGwire Holbrook that had a Trenton answer in the third inning by Andy Blake with his own double that cleared the bases for a 3-1 lead.
Tying the game up in the fifth, Porter Brown swatted a no-doubt two-run home run to right field that was followed up four batters later by the go-ahead RBI single from Jacob Corson.
With the Crosscutters extending their lead further in the sixth to 5-3, the Thunder made their attempt at a comeback in the ninth as Hunter Dorraugh’s RBI single brought Trenton within one. Following the hit, Williamsport brought in Parker Kruglewicz who went to retire the Thunder in order and close out the game with a strikeout.
2025 Players to Watch
Veteran performers highlight Frederick with Eddie Hacopian, Trey Lipsey and Jonathan Hogart all putting up numbers as seniors in college this spring who are looking to boost their draft value. Dawson Willis brings a strong toolset to the yard highlighted by gold glove caliber defense to the hot corner and the rangy-bodied, 6-foot-4 athlete will likely also see plenty of time at shortstop. One arm of interest who’s converting from the outfield to the mound is uber-athlete Brandon Cain. A JUCO transfer to Oklahoma last summer as a centerfielder, Cain started his time on the mound late this spring for the Sooners and looks to develop upon what is already mid-90s heat and a well-shaped changeup with super loose arm action.
Six-foot-6, 250-pound Austin Newton and LMU senior righthander Kenji Pallares will bring some summer heat to Mahoning Valley. Newton’s fastball averaged 93.5 mph this spring and touched 97, while Pallares ticked even higher at an average of 94 and a high of 98. A pair of Juco arms will also bring some velo as Terry Hayes is a big arm from Bellevue JC (Wash.) and Mike Joyce another from Flo-Dar Tech (S.C.). Hayes, an Ole Miss commit, touched 95 and Joyce 97 this spring. Hometowner JJ Tylicki can also run his heater into the mid/upper-90s. The Youngstown State righthander struck out 68 in 52 innings this spring.
In State College, Harrison Didawick was a name to follow last season inside MLB Pipeline’s top 200 draft prospects of 2024 after a strong season at Virginia. Scheduled to join him are various prospects who have appeared in this year’s NCAA Regional round including Treyson Peters and Camden Ross of Western Kentucky, Landen Johnson of High Point, Carmelo Musacchia from Northeastern and Dan Tauken whose arrival will be delayed by playing in the Super Regional round and potentially farther with Murray State. Returning to Happy Valley are pitchers Landon O’Donnell and Dayne Pengelly who played a part in the Spikes’ second place finish in the first half of last season.
Power will be plentiful in Trenton with pitchers Jarrette Bonet (San Jacinto JC), Cullen Horowicz (Samford), Clayton Johnson (U Illinois-Springfield), Alex Breckheimer (Kansas), Bryson Dudley (Texas State), Cole Leaman (Lehigh) and Aidan Weaver (Duke) all scheduled to pitch for the Thunder this summer. All bring upper-90s heat to the mound. Trenton also will have plenty of power in the batter’s box led by Aaron Graeber who recorded a max exit velocity of 121 mph and a 90th EV of 113.9 mph for Delaware this spring. Both are 80-grade raw power on the pro scale. Brayden Fraasman also has pop at the plate (117.9 max EV) and a bazooka-powered arm from right field.
Centerfielder Skylar King has been a sleeper all spring for the West Virginia Mountaineers, but he’s quietly making his way up draft boards and looks to solidify a top three-to-four round selection with the West Virginia Black Bears. His bat-to-ball skills are advanced, boasting an in-zone contact rate of 92.7%. He’s also a high-level defender in the big field. Draft-eligible sophomore Elijah Underhill performed in a dual role as P/CF for Eastern Kentucky this spring, but will focus on pitching only this summer where he touched 99 mph and averaged 94.3 mph with his fastball over 32 innings this spring.
For defending MLB Draft League champion Williamsport, Salt Lake CC’s Easton Davies generates easy velo up to 95 with two swing/miss secondaries in a mid-80s slider and a power changeup. Boston Smith was one of the most productive catchers in college baseball this spring with a .335/.509/.758 slash with 23 home runs and 15 stolen bases for Wright State.
Read more on prospects participating in the MLB Draft League from MLB Pipeline. More>>
Latest News
Rosters: Opening Day rosters for first half of the 2025 season are set. Filled with Division I talent making appearances in this year’s NCAA Regional, high-profiled high school prospects, sons of baseball legends and more.
Frederick | Mahoning Valley | State College | Trenton | West Virginia | Williamsport
Coaches: For the 2025 season, 10 coaches are returning to the league with two in new roles in their respective organizations. Adding to the list of former Major Leaguers coaching within the Draft League, this season adds four more to the MLB player-turned-manager list. More >>
AWRE: This season the MLB Draft League announced a new multi-year agreement with AWRE Sports to be the league’s official camera and streaming provider. The partnership highlights the league’s commitment of using cutting-edge technology and providing professional-level development tools to players and coaches with an enhanced viewing experience for fans and scouts. More>>
Baseball Canada Announcement: This season will feature an exclusive series as MLB Draft League teams will take on Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team in six exhibition games from Tuesday, June 10 to Sunday, June 15. Hosted by the Frederick Keys and West Virginia Black Bears, the Junior National Team will play two games each against the respective hosts and two games, one in each location, against the State College Spikes. More>>
Canada JNT Preview: In the upcoming series with the Junior National Team, Division I commits and draft prospects will come across the border to showcase their talents. A dozen professionals have showcased their experience with both Baseball Canada and the Draft League; the series may feature more players that can be added to the list. More>>
Home Games & Promotions
Frederick: WED (7 p.m. Magnet Schedule Giveaway), THUR (7 p.m. End of School Bash + Magnet Schedule Giveaway) vs West Virginia
Mahoning Valley: WED (7:05 p.m. Margaritaville Night), THUR (7:05 p.m. Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night) vs State College
State College: FRI (6:35 p.m. Postgame Fireworks), SAT (6:35 p.m. Postgame Fireworks), SUN (6:35 p.m. Bark in the Park) vs West Virginia
Trenton: WED (7 p.m. Rally Towel Giveaway + $1 Hot Dogs), THUR (7 p.m. Pride Celebration + Fireworks vs Williamsport. FRI (7 p.m. Grateful Dead Night + Magnet Schedule Giveaway), SAT (6 p.m. Back to the Future Night + Postgame Fireworks), SUN (1 p.m. Boomer’s Birthday Bash + Kids Bucket Hat Giveaway) vs Frederick
West Virginia: None
Williamsport: FRI (6:35 p.m. Replica Championship + Magnet Schedule Giveaway), SAT (6:35 p.m. Postgame Fireworks), SUN (4:05 p.m. Clinton County Speedway Day + Baseball Bingo + Kids Run the Bases) vs Mahoning Valley
Shop
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Media Guide
For a one-stop shop on the history of the MLB Draft League, what it offers, leaderboards and more, check out the first edition of the league’s Media Guide.
For more information about the MLB Draft League, visit mlbdraftleague.com or follow @mlbdraftleague and @draftleaguedata on X, and @mlbdraftleague on Instagram.
