Blockbuster Draft Trade? ESPN Insider Says Diamondbacks Must Deal for Clemson Star

Blockbuster Draft Trade? ESPN Insider Says Diamondbacks Must Deal for Clemson Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The 2025 MLB Draft is still weeks away, but ESPN's insiders are already stirring the pot with a bold new mock draft – one that suggests what teams should do, not just what they will do. And at the center of a potential blockbuster move? None other than Clemson's electric outfielder, Cam Cannarella!

ESPN's baseball guru, Jeff Passan, has thrown out a tantalizing proposal: the Arizona Diamondbacks should deal slugging third baseman Eugenio Suarez to the Seattle Mariners. Why? To acquire the No. 35 overall pick (Competitive Balance Round A) in the upcoming draft – a pick Passan insists the D-Backs must use on Cannarella.

"The Mariners need a power bat and full-time third baseman, and they get him in exchange for the No. 35 pick," Passan explained. But his focus quickly shifted to the Clemson phenom. "Cannarella entered the season a potential top-10 pick, but between a labrum injury in his right shoulder and a lack of home runs, he dipped toward a comp-round selection. Cool by Arizona. Cannarella is a no-doubt center fielder with immense range and as Druw Jones continues to struggle with the bat, Cannarella can be the glove-first option of Arizona’s future.”

Cannarella's junior season at Clemson was nothing short of spectacular, despite the injury mention. In 61 games, he slashed a scorching .353 with five homers, two triples, 22 doubles, 52 RBIs, and 62 runs scored, boasting a .479 on-base percentage. He ended the year on an unbelievable 44-game on-base streak and a 22-game hitting streak, during which he hit a jaw-dropping .421!

This kind of consistent production earned Cannarella his second consecutive Third-Team All-American nod in 2025, making him the first Clemson player since Seth Beer (2016-18) to achieve multiple All-American honors. Over his three-year collegiate career, he's posted a dazzling .360 batting average with 262 hits, 54 doubles, 23 homers, 159 RBIs, and 30 steals in 178 games.

Widely recognized as a top prospect, Cannarella is ranked No. 34 by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and No. 36 by MLB.com for the 2025 class. The 2025 MLB Draft is set to ignite in Atlanta from July 13-14. Will the Diamondbacks heed Passan's advice and make the bold move for Clemson's center field sensation? All eyes will be on the war room when the draft begins!

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.