2025 MLB Draft Profile: Kayson Cunningham

Texas prep prospect Kayson Cunningham is viewed by some as the best pure hitter in this draft class. Could he be the Marlins' first-round pick in 2025?

Overview

Position: SS

Height: 5’9″

Weight: 170 pounds

School: Johnson HS (TX)

Commitment: Texas

Kayson Cunningham is a 5’9”, 170-pound middle infielder who plays at Johnson High School in San Antonio, Texas. Cunningham is potentially the best pure hitter in the 2025 MLB Draft class. He might be one of the smaller players in this class, but he’s a terrific athlete who can hit for average and has great power for his size.

On Perfect Game, Cunningham is a blue-chip prospect. He’s the fifth-ranked high school prospect in the country and the top prospect out of Texas. Cunningham is the sixth-ranked draft prospect on MLB Pipeline and thirteenth-ranked prospect on Baseball America.

Cunningham is a left-handed hitter with excellent bat-to-ball skills and a disciplined approach. He projects as a top-of-the-order hitter who can hit the ball to all fields and rarely chases pitches out of the zone. Excellent bat speed enables Cunningham to generate tons of power for his size. He could develop into a five-tool player as he fills out his frame.

Defensively, Cunningham has the hands, footwork, and arm strength to stick at shortstop. However, many scouts will see his smaller stature and want to move him to second base. Whichever team drafts Cunningham should give him the opportunity to play shortstop and only move him to second base if his performance necessitates it.

Last summer, Cunningham was named MVP of the USA Baseball 18U National Team. He also won Prep Baseball All-American Game MVP honors after going 2-for-3 with a 400-foot home run and two RBIs.

Strengths

• Plus hit tool
• Excellent bat speed
• Advanced approach
• Great athlete who runs very well
• Plays well against tough competition

Weaknesses

• Undersized
• Might be limited to second base long term

Pro Comparison: Termarr Johnson

Projection: Top 15 pick

Bottom Line

In their first draft with Frankie Piliere as amateur scouting director, the Marlins showed a willingness to invest heavily in high school prospects. They could continue that trend with Kayson Cunningham.

The Lone Star State native embraces the bright lights. Cunningham has the tools to be a quality everyday big leaguer, with his hit tool being his greatest asset.

More 2025 Draft Profiles

• SS Eli Willits
• SS Marek Houston
• RHP Seth Hernandez
• 3B Xavier Neyens
• OF Brendan Summerhill