With the 2025 MLB Draft coming this Sunday evening from Atlanta, the last few mock drafts are rolling in this week. On Monday, the staff at Baseball America conducted their own staff draft, which they pointed out was not a projection but rather an exercise in which staff writers alternated selections. Either way, it gives us another player to discuss for when the Dodgers pick.
The Dodgers own the 40th and 41st picks in the draft this year. The first pick is down 10 slots from the very end of the first round, by virtue of surpassing the third competitive balance tier, and then some, last year. The second pick came courtesy of the Reds along with minor league outfielder Mike Sirota in the Gavin Lux trade in January.
In Monday’s Baseball America staff draft, J.J. Cooper selected in the 40th slot and chose Cam Leiter, a right-handed pitcher from Florida State.
The 6’5 junior is the nephew of former major league pitchers Al Leiter and Mark Leiter, and the cousin of current major leaguers Mark Leiter Jr. and Jack Leiter. Cam Leiter made seven starts as a sophomore in 2024 and struck out 56 in 35 innings — to go with 22 walks and a 4.63 ERA — including 12 in his final start that March 28, but hasn’t pitched since with a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery.
The Dodgers have not shied away from injured pitchers under the current front office.
Leiter was ranked as high as the 87th-best prospect in the draft by Baseball America, No. 106 by ESPN, and 114th by MLB Pipeline.
From MLB Pipeline’s scouting report:
When he’s healthy, Leiter has a lot to offer a future Major League team. He’s a big, physical 6-foot-5 right-hander with huge stuff. He has the chance to have four legitimate pitches, starting with an explosive fastball that he cranks up to 98 mph and averaged 95 mph last year, throwing it with excellent extension. His upper-80s slider is a true out pitch with huge spin and tilt. He can land his slower, 80-mph curve for strikes and has some feel for a changeup as well.
The Dodgers on the first day of the draft, on Sunday, July 13, will have four picks. After picking 40th and 41st, their second round selection 65th and their third-round pick is No. 104 overall.