With Sunday’s draft less than 24 hours away as of this writing, the rumors are rampant about how each pick will look, the 1.01 debate, and more. In this article, I will break down some draft prospects who, despite not having a first-round grade by many mocks, could surprise with their names called as first-round or comp pick selections.


RHP Patrick Forbes (Louisville)


Forbes, in my opinion, has some of the best stuff in the class. He has good size at 6’3/220, and while more of an unfinished project than most college arms, Forbes arguably has the highest upside amongst college arms in the class. Forbes’ 4.42 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 71.1 IP (15 starts) in 2025 won’t blow anyone away, but his 117 strikeouts were 2nd in the ACC to only FSU ace Jamie Arnold with a ridiculous 14.7 K/9.
Forbes’ plus FB sits in the mid-90s, touching triple digits, with elite bat missing ability and good run. He can hit the upper 80s with his SL, his best secondary and a second, plus offering, with good movement and sweeping action. Forbes doesn’t throw his upper-80s CH much, and it lags behind his FB/SL but has good fade when he can locate it and has the potential to develop into an average offering. His control is fringe, but his BB% improved for the second straight year from 12.2% in 2024 to 10.7% last year.
I have Forbes mocked at #27 to the Guardians, and he’s a risk/reward pick with the upside of a #2 starter with a reliever floor if his control can’t hold up in a starter’s role.