(Cover photo: USA Today)

The 2025 MLB Draft is fast approaching. The draft will be 20 rounds over 3 days and starts on Sunday, July 13.

It will be a part of the MLB All Star Game festivities in Atlanta with the first 3 rounds on Sunday, July 13, starting at 5:00 p.m. (CDT) and can be seen on both the MLB Network and ESPN. Rounds 4-20 will begin on Monday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. and will be streamed on MLB.com.

Just like previous years, the Sooner State will be well represented and this year it should be represented early. A total of 3 Sooner State alums are expected to go no later than the first 15 pick with 2 of them possibly going in the top 5 with some “experts” projecting either of those 2 going number 1.

Leading up the the draft, we will take a look at a total of 10 players projected to go in the draft from the state of Oklahoma, but expect more names from the Sooner State to be called over the 2 days. (Caden Powell was not talked about by anyone last year and he was taken in the 6th round by the Astros.)

Today’s player: Carson Brumbaugh

---

Carson Brumbaugh is the third high school shortstop from the Sooner State that could very well hear his named called either Sunday or Monday. And just like the other two (Ethan Holliday and Eli Willits), he comes from a family with elite level baseball history. Brumbaugh’s dad, Cliff was drafted in 1995 and made the major leagues playing with both Colorado and Texas in 2001. His brother, Cayden, originally went to OSU out of high school (Edmond Santa Fe), then transferred to Nebraska where he played the last two seasons (he will play at OU in 2026).

What makes Brumbaugh unique compared to Holliday and Willits is he can pitch too. He has a fastball that can get in the mid 90’s and he was the winning pitcher in the 6A championship game for the Wolves. Word is that clubs like Brumbaugh more as a position player than pitcher, however.

To be honest, Brumbaugh as dropped in the ratings some since before the 2025 season. In the preseason ratings, Brumbaugh was rated #59 by MLB Pipeline.

---

Prospect Rankings

*Prospect Ranking: MLB Top 250 (MLB), ESPN Top 150 (ESPN), Keith Law Top 100 (Law)

• MLB: 222
• ESPN: N/A
• Law: 87

---

Scouting Grades Reports

*When looking at the scouting grades, MLB uses a “20-80” system: 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average, 70-80 is well above average.

MLB Pipeline

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Oklahoma high schools feature three shortstops with big league family ties. Ethan Holliday (Stillwater) is a potential No. 1 overall pick, Eli Willits (Fort Cobb-Broxton) won’t go too far behind him and Brumbaugh had second-round aspirations before a so-so senior season. The son of former Rangers and Rockies outfielder Cliff Brumbaugh did help Edmond Santa Fe win the state 6-A title, providing three hits and earning the victory with 3 2/3 innings of relief in the championship game, but he looked less athletic and had more swing-and-miss issues than in the past.

Though Brumbaugh can run his fastball up to 96 mph and flash a quality slider, teams prefer him as a position player. A right-handed hitter, he possesses solid raw power thanks to his bat speed and the strength in his 6-foot-2 frame. After previously showing a more measured approach and willingness to use the opposite field, he has aggressively looked to drive the ball this spring.

Brumbaugh has bulked up and slowed down as a senior and now displays fringy speed. While his instincts help him play faster than that on the bases and in the field, he may lack the quickness to remain at shortstop at the next level. The Arkansas recruit does have the arm strength to make any throw necessary, and it will serve him well if he has to shift to third base in the future.

Keith Law

Scouting Report

Bats: R, Throws: R

Brumbaugh is the third-best high school shortstop in Oklahoma this year, as it turns out, because of those two guys (Ethan Holliday and Eli Willits) who are going in the top 10. He can hit some and has a good swing to produce line-drive contact off fastballs, collapsing his back side somewhat on breaking stuff which can make him more uphill or just cause him to whiff. He has a plus arm, up to 95 off the mound, with the hands and range for shortstop right now, although he could end up at third base as he matures. He’s committed to Arkansas.

---

Outlook

Brumbaugh will be another intriguing prospect to watch. The drop from 59 before the season to 222 after it is significant, although Keith Law still has him in his top 100.

It is obvious that Brumbaugh has the tools that project to pro ball, but the perceived drop off during his senior season could cool teams on him at this point. Regardless what happens with Brumbaugh draft wise, he does have a solid “backup” plan. He is currently committed to the University of Arkansas.

---

Show your support for Sooner State Baseball Report by clicking the link below and purchasing some SSBR swag.

Official Sooner State Baseball Report Merch

Like this content? Don’t miss any posts. Enter your email in the box below and have Sooner State Baseball Report content delivered right to your inbox.