MLB teams with affiliates in the Knoxville Smokies' Southern League picked up top talent in the 2025 draft. Who could be coming to Covenant Health Park?
Day 1 of the 2025 MLB Draft saw several teams with Southern League Double-A affiliates make potentially franchise-altering selections, including the Chicago Cubs, setting the stage for the Smokies to have a competitive future at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville.
The Southern League is often a crucial proving ground for prospects before they reach Triple-A, the last stop before the major leagues. For the Cubs, the trajectory is: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Single-A affiliate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina), South Bend Cubs (High-A affiliate in South Bend, Indiana), Knoxville Smokies (Double-A affiliate in Knoxville, Tennessee), Iowa Cubs (Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines).
While all players selected by Southern League-affiliated teams in the MLB Draft July 13-14 could one day play in Knoxville, Day 1 picks represent a new generation of top MLB prospects.
Here's a closer look at all the Day 1 picks for MLB teams with Southern League ties.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves, whose Double-A affiliate is the Mississippi Braves, selected Tate Southisene, a shortstop from Basic High School in Nevada, with the 22nd pick. Southisene had a standout senior season, batting .495 with nine home runs and 16 stolen bases, earning him Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year honors. His older brother, Ty Southisene, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2024, creating an intriguing brotherly connection across two Southern League organizations.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs drafted Ethan Conrad, an outfielder from Wake Forest, with the 17th pick in the first round. While a shoulder injury limited his 2025 season to 21 games, Conrad displayed impressive power and plate discipline, slashing .372/.495/.744 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs. Knoxville fans will be eager to see this powerful outfielder don a Smokies uniform.
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox, affiliated with the Birmingham Barons, chose 2025 Tennessee commit Billy Carlson, a shortstop from Corona High School in California, with the 10th selection. Carlson demonstrated his two-way talent in high school, hitting .367 with four home runs as a junior while also posting a 0.60 ERA with five saves as a closer. His versatility could make him an interesting prospect to follow as he develops in the White Sox system.
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds, who feed prospects to the Chattanooga Lookouts, drafted Steele Hall, a shortstop from Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama, as their first-round pick at No. 9 overall. Another Tennessee commit, known for his athleticism and speed, significantly boosted his draft stock in 2025 by hitting .484 with eight home runs. He models his game after elite shortstops like Bo Bichette and Francisco Lindor, aiming for a similar blend of speed, power and defensive prowess.
Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels, whose Double-A team is the Rocket City Trash Pandas, made two significant pitching selections. They began by picking right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremner from UC Santa Barbara with the second pick. Bremner recorded 111 strikeouts in 77.1 innings with a 3.49 ERA in his 2025 season. The Angels followed by picking up University of Tennessee right-handed pitcher Nate Snead with the No. 105 selection in the compensation round. Snead was a critical piece in the Volunteers' bullpen during their historic 2024 College World Series championship run.
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins, affiliated with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, used their seventh overall pick to select Aiva Arquette, a shortstop from Oregon State. In his 2025 season, Arquette hit .354 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. They later selected outfielder Brandon Compton from Arizona State in the second round. Compton finished his 2025 season with a .271 batting average, nine home runs and 54 RBIs.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers, the parent organization of the Biloxi Shuckers, drafted Andrew Fischer, a third baseman from the University of Tennessee, with the 20th pick. Fischer was a standout for the Volunteers in his lone season in Knoxville, hitting .341 with 25 home runs, 65 RBIs, and an impressive .497 on-base percentage, earning him First Team All-SEC and Consensus First Team All-American honors. East Tennessee baseball fans may have seen Fischer showcase his power at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, and they may get to watch him again in a Shuckers uniform at Covenant Health Park.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays, whose Double-A team is the Montgomery Biscuits, selected Daniel Pierce, a shortstop from Mill Creek High School in Georgia, with the 14th pick. Pierce, an 18-year-old Georgia commit, is lauded for his above-average fielding and throwing tools. He models his game after Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr., emphasizing speed and hustle, a trait that could make him a dynamic presence on the base paths.
Knox News reporter Gabriel Jackson covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC. Email: gabriel.jackson@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 2025 MLB Draft picks for Double-A Smokies, MILB Southern League rivals
Category: General Sports
