As Major League Baseball heads toward its annual talent infusion, the 2025 MLB Draft promises to be one of the most compelling in recent memory. Scheduled for July 13–14 in Atlanta during All-Star Week, the event will feature 20 rounds and showcase a deep and diverse talent pool. Talent evaluators are scrambling to assess whether franchises will lean toward polished college arms or high-upside high school phenoms. With the Washington Nationals holding the No. 1 pick and several teams managing rebuilds or playoff pushes, draft strategy is poised to shape the next wave of MLB success.
At the center of debate: LSU left-hander Kade Anderson, whose dominant College World Series performance, highlighted by a complete-game shutout over 130 pitches, has what many describe as a “high-floor, near-ML ready” profile. Smooth command of a fastball, curve, slider, and changeup makes him an attractive pick for teams seeking immediate rotation help. Recent mock drafts project him as Washington’s likely top selection, and comparisons to Max Fried suggest high expectations for longevity and consistency.
Yet Anderson faces stiff competition from prep phenom Ethan Holliday, a Stillwater (OK) High School shortstop whose bloodlines and power potential make him a tantalizing long-term gamble. Holliday’s pedigree, son of former All-Star Matt Holliday, brother of former number 1 pick Jackson Holliday, and prospect rankings place him in contention for a top-five selection, though concerns about scheme and signability may influence team decisions. As conversations unfold, this division between college polish and raw high-school upside exemplifies the draft’s looming tension.
Beyond the top two, clubs are closely monitoring MLB-ready college arms like Tennessee’s Liam Doyle, Florida State’s Jamie Arnold, and sneaky seniors such as Baylor’s Andrew Fischer, whose bat and on-base tools could make him a coveted mid-first-round position player. Sharks in mock drafts include Washington’s possible pick for Doyle if budget rules favor college arms, while high-upside sleepers like Clemson outfielder Cam Cannarella could go earlier than anticipated.
With the first six picks determined by draft lottery and the rest ordered by record and playoff results, team needs will heavily influence selections. Pitchers dominate the top of the draft, reflecting a league-wide emphasis on rotation stability. But position players with two-way traits and contact skills are creeping into first-round discussions, especially as teams balance long-term potential with short-term development. Ultimately, draft night could come down to an organizational philosophical choice: plug a hole now or build around a future star.
As draft day approaches, insiders are watching contracts (Boras-represented top prospects), slot money, and international deal windows. This class’s depth will likely produce significant value in rounds 2–5, where teams hunt for high-ceiling sleepers. For fans, the 2025 MLB Draft is more than just selections, it’s a roadmap to both franchises’ immediate plans and long-term visions, with every pick offering a glimpse into baseball’s evolving future.