Scouting the 2025 Draft: What's the Buzz?

What's the Buzz?  There is no buzz, at least around the Giants pick at #13.  A big part of that is because #13 is kind of a blah pick anyway, but it's mostly because whatever the Giants are up to in the draft, they seem to be keeping it to themselves, which is probably a good thing.  There does seem to be a small buzz out there that under new President of Baseball Operations, Buster Posey, the Giants will use a more scouting-based approach to the draft.  What does that mean?  Nobody seems to quite know. 

There is also no buzz around my favorite draft prospect, Kruz Schoolcraft HS LHP and not just in connection with the Giants.  There just is no buzz about him at all.  When draft analysts finally get around to (briefly) mention him, they still have glowing things to say about his size, stuff and upside but then they quickly move on.  Is that because of the general industry aversion to prep pitchers in the first round?  Is is because he seems pretty serious about his commitment to Tennessee and may be tough to sign?  I'm starting to think the latter as prospects I liked in the past in similar situations ended up dropping out of sight on draft day and going to college.  I will keep a sliver of hope alive that the Giants scouts love him and are just keeping it extremely quiet.

One name I keep seeing in mock drafts and discussions about the Giants pick is Ike Irish College C/OF.  Some analysts think he is the best pure hitter in the draft.  I'm thinking part of the reason he is frequently linked to the Giants is that C after his name.  Problem is he is considered a marginal at best defensive catcher and played most of his games this season in the OF.  Sorry but after the Giants loaded up on corner bats last draft I'm just not feeling this one(although admittedly, their top pick James Tibbs III is already traded).  Some mock drafts have Irish going higher than #13.

There is a whole raft of high school shortstops who in terms of sheer numbers are expected to be the dominant demographic in the draft.  What bothers me about this group is none, other than Ethan Holliday at the top, have emerged as standouts over the others.  There is a small buzz out there that the Giants are heavily scouting these kids.  The specific names I've seen linked to the Giants are JoJo Parker, who some analysts think might be the best hitter of the bunch and Steele Hall, one of the youngest players in the draft, a ++ defensive shortstop, ++ speed and some projectability at the plate.

That's all I have for now.