The Boston Red Sox could be swinging for the fences this summer — literally.
In ESPN’s latest MLB Mock Draft, Kiley McDaniel predicts Boston will use its first-round pick at No. 15 to nab one of the most intriguing prep bats in the country: Gavin Fien. An 18-year-old infielder who blends raw power, plus speed, and big-game experience, Fien has evaluators throwing around phrases like “five-tool upside” and “future middle-of-the-order bat.”
It’s the kind of gamble Boston fans know all too well — betting on loud tools and projection instead of a polished college bat. But if Fien’s track record is any indication, this isn’t just another lottery ticket. The California native has been a fixture on national prospect lists for the last two years, rising from a standout at Huntington Beach High School to a key piece for USA Baseball’s gold-medal winning U-18 National Team.
Boston Predicted to Draft USA Baseball Standout Gavin Fien
But what makes Fien so enticing? Start with the power.
Fien’s exit velos have routinely cracked triple digits in showcase circuits and in-game action alike. Perfect Game has him ranked among the top 20 overall draft prospects for 2025, calling him an “impact bat with advanced raw power and an aggressive approach that works to all fields.”
That juice shows up on the stat sheet too. He’s mashed against high-end velocity and has the kind of leverage in his swing that projects well against professional pitching.
Sports Illustrated’s Red Sox site framed it well: Boston’s farm system has plenty of interesting bats, but adding a “premium slugger” like Fien gives them another potential cornerstone to pair with top infield prospects like Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony.
Fien’s biggest selling point might be that he’s already thrived when the lights are brightest. In 2024, he helped USA Baseball’s 18U National Team squad go a perfect 8-0 in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier, beating Panama 4-2 in the gold medal game.
“I always knew I was solid, but that summer really showed me I could compete at that level,” he said.
Gavin Fien Boasts Power Bat With Superstar Upside
The confidence certainly isn’t lacking, and neither is the polish for an 18-year-old slugger.
Evaluators say he’s handled premier pitching on the showcase circuit better than most high schoolers, flashing the kind of plate discipline that makes his power potential play up. There’s still some swing-and-miss in his game, but the projection is obvious — a strong, athletic frame with room to add muscle without sacrificing quickness.
Boston’s selection at No. 15 gives them options — they could easily pivot to a safer college bat or an arm who can move quickly. But ESPN’s latest mock says Fien is their guy, citing the Red Sox’s recent tendency to bet on upside and high ceilings. The front office took a similar approach with Mayer, who fell to them at No. 4 in 2021, and has been unafraid to go the high school route if the bat projects to hit big at Fenway.
There are no guarantees with prep power bats — the swing-and-miss risk is always lurking. But in a draft class that’s light on college hitters with superstar upside, Fien’s combination of big-game experience, projectable tools, and big-league makeup makes him one of the more exciting swings a team like Boston could take.
Dave Benson Dave Benson is a longtime writer with over three decades of experience in a variety of mediums, including 15 years covering high school, collegiate and minor league sports in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Dave is also a licensed English teacher and spent a few years teaching at the middle school level. More about Dave Benson
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