2025 MLB Draft: Five Storylines to Know, Top No. 1 Candidates & Class Strength Revealed

The 2025 MLB Draft kicks off July 13 in Atlanta, promising high drama as the Washington Nationals make the first pick and experts debate the class’s strength and top candidates.

Table of Contents

Key Details for the 2025 MLB Draft

Dates: July 13-14, 2025
Location: Coca-Cola Roxy, The Battery Atlanta, Georgia
Broadcast: ESPN, MLB Network, MLB.com (Day 1 at 6 p.m. ET, Day 2 at 11:30 a.m. ET)
Notable: Washington Nationals hold the No. 1 pick for the third time in franchise history.

Five Storylines to Watch in the 2025 MLB Draft

1. Who Will Go No. 1 Overall?

The race for the top pick is closer than ever. The Washington Nationals are weighing their options, with most experts seeing a two-horse race between:

Ethan Holliday (SS/3B, Stillwater HS, OK): The top-ranked player, Holliday is a high school infielder with big-league bloodlines and the potential to develop into a power-hitting third baseman .
Kade Anderson (LHP, LSU): The most polished college pitcher available, Anderson impressed at the College World Series and is seen as a quick riser to the majors .

Other names in the mix include Seth Hernandez (RHP, Corona HS, CA), Aiva Arquette (SS, Oregon State), and Eli Willits (SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, OK), but the consensus is the Nationals will choose between Holliday and Anderson .

Odds for No. 1 Pick:

Player	Position	Odds to Go No. 1
Kade Anderson	LHP, LSU	50%
Ethan Holliday	SS/3B, HS	40%
Seth Hernandez	RHP, HS	5%
Aiva Arquette	SS, Oregon State	4%
Eli Willits	SS, HS	1-2%

2. Strengths and Weaknesses of the 2025 MLB Draft Class

Strengths:
- Prep Shortstops: Six of the top 13 prospects are high school shortstops, making this a standout demographic.
- College Left-Handed Pitchers: Several college southpaws, led by Anderson, are projected to go early.
Weaknesses:
- College Bats: This is widely considered a weak year for college hitters, with only a handful projected as first-rounders.
- Depth: Beyond the top tier, there’s significant uncertainty, and many scouts believe there’s little separation between prospects ranked 20 to 60.

Also Read: Perplexity Launches Powerful Comet Browser in the U.S.

3. The Rise of Prep Infielders

High school infielders are dominating the conversation:

Ethan Holliday and Eli Willits headline the group, both possessing advanced skills and upside.
Other Names to Watch: Billy Carlson (CA), Gavin Fien (CA), JoJo Parker (MS), Kayson Cunningham (TX).

Teams may prioritize prep bats early, especially with the lack of standout college hitters.

4. Sorting Out the College Lefties

Kade Anderson (LSU): The most MLB-ready, with a four-pitch mix and SEC pedigree.
Liam Doyle (Tennessee): The breakout star with an elite fastball but some delivery questions.
Jamie Arnold (Florida State): Features a modern low-slot release and four-pitch arsenal, but had a less dominant spring.

5. Potential Surprises and Underslot Strategies

The Nationals’ recent front office shakeup adds intrigue, as new decision-makers could shift strategy at the last minute.
Teams may opt for underslot picks in the top half of the first round, saving bonus pool money for later selections.
This could lead to unexpected fallers or surprise picks, especially among high-variance prep prospects .

2025 MLB Draft: What Makes This Year Unique?

Twins in the Draft: Two sets of twins are among the top prospects, a quirky subplot adding to the intrigue.
Draft Order Changes: The Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets forfeited their first-round picks due to luxury tax penalties, shaking up the draft landscape.

What to Watch For

First-Round Broadcast: July 13, 6 p.m. ET on ESPN and MLB Network.
Rounds 4-20: July 14, 11:30 a.m. ET on MLB.com.
Daily Updates: MLB.com and ESPN will provide live coverage, analysis, and prospect profiles.