2025 MLB draft: 2 Texas commits drafted in first round by Rangers, Diamondbacks

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gavin Fien is headed to Texas, but chances are it won’t be Austin.

Committed to the Longhorns out of Great Oak High School in California, the Rangers drafted Fien at No. 12 overall Sunday in the 2025 MLB First-Year Player Draft to kick off the All-Star Break in Atlanta.

Fien was the No. 22 prospect according to MLB Pipeline heading into the draft. David Pierce was the Longhorns’ coach when Fien committed in 2021. The slot value, which is the estimated value of the signing bonus the team can sign players to at a certain draft position, is $5.75 million.

The Diamondbacks selected Kayson Cunningham, another Texas pledge, at No. 18 overall. Cunningham is a shortstop from San Antonio Johnson High School who was the 2025 Gatorade Texas Player of the Year. The slot value for the No. 18 pick is $4.58 million.

Max Belyeu was the first Longhorn off the board in the second round to the Rockies at No. 74 overall.

The Angels selected Johnson City’s Johnny Slawinski at No. 79 overall, a slot value of around $1 million. He’s committed to Texas A&M. He’s the first player ever to be drafted from Johnson City.

The Astros selected Xavier Neyens, a high school position player from Mount Vernon, Washington, at No. 21 overall.

The Nationals selected Eli Willits, a 17-year-old shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, with the No. 1 overall pick. He’s the son of former Major League outfielder and Oklahoma Sooners associate head coach Reggie Willits. The slot value for the top pick is just over $11 million.

The Cleveland Guardians selected Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette at No. 27 overall. LaViolette was seen by many as a potential No. 1 pick before the collegiate season began, hit 18 home runs and drove in 61 runs for the Aggies this season. He’s the all-time leader for the Aggies with 68 career home runs.

Justin Lamkin, a left-handed pitcher, and Kaeden Kent were the other Aggies selected on the first day. The Royals picked Lamkin at No. 71 and the Yankees selected Kent with the 103rd pick.

Teams have until July 28 to come to terms with draft picks, or else they lose their draft rights.

Round 1-3, plus two competitive balance rounds, comprised the first day of the draft. The second and final day of the draft, rounds 4-20, begins at 10:30 a.m. CDT Monday.