2025 MLB Draft

[JCA-CrystalCity]

How much does the position pipeline play in the pick if there's no clear cut #1? If they thought Dickerson (or King) would stick at SS and hit, then does that change the college pitcher / high school pitcher / high school SS choice?

This doesn't have the feel of the Harper / Strasburg draft where there was an unambiguous #1. it kind of feels more like 2023, in which case factors like who is his agent, can we get him below slot, and the pipeline issue might play.

[imref]

I don’t think you ever draft for need in baseball

[Kevrock]

How much does the position pipeline play in the pick if there's no clear cut #1? If they thought Dickerson (or King) would stick at SS and hit, then does that change the college pitcher / high school pitcher / high school SS choice?

This doesn't have the feel of the Harper / Strasburg draft where there was an unambiguous #1. it kind of feels more like 2023, in which case factors like who is his agent, can we get him below slot, and the pipeline issue might play.

Best practices says not at all, draft BPA

I do think Rizzo adheres to this one with his first rounders. Scout thoroughly, set your big board, and stick to it. I wonder more about how organizational timeline affect the college/HS question and if that ends up getting weighed with first rounders.

[DCsOwn]

“Draft meetings inside team war rooms began this week and there should be more clarity following the MLB Draft Combine with regards to what direction teams may go. For now, it’s still largely conjexture and hearsay. As of a week ago the Nationals still legitimately had five players in contention for their No. 1 pick.
The next Holliday in a long line of decorated impact bats, Ethan follows in his older brother’s footsteps and could become the No. 1 pick this year. Several members of the Nationals scouting and front office brass are friends with the Holliday family. That familiarity and combination of tools is rare in this class.
While unconfirmed, it doesn’t sound like Jamie Arnold is as much in play at this spot anymore. The Nationals did work out Eli Willits in D.C. privately last week, but that can sometimes mean absolutely nothing. Teams try and workout as many players as they possibly can before the event arrives.”

https://futurestarsseries.com/mlb-draft-mock-draft-2-0/

[NatsLSU]

Anderson has more potential yes, but Eyanson is the safer prospect. Has a nasty curve and breaking ball.

[Kevrock]

Anderson absolutely dealt last night, shut down the best offense in the nation,

7 IP, 1 ER (solo HR), 3H.

[NatsLSU]

Kade was an animal last night
https://x.com/JacobRudner/status/1934052114038452659
One of the best games of his career on the biggest stage. DVH pulled Root early because he knew they couldn’t really afford to give up any more runs with Kade dealing.

[imref]

CBS mock has us taking Ethan but thinks more than likely we go with someone else:
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2025-mlb-mock-draft-ethan-holliday-goes-no-1-to-the-nationals-two-sec-lefty-pitchers-go-in-the-top-five/

This one has us taking Eli Willits

https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb-draft/just-baseball-2025-mlb-mock-draft/

[Kevrock]

We haven’t talked about Willits much here but that’s another name that has had some traction lately. I saw him 1-1 on another random mock and I believe we either worked him out or it’s just known he’s on our long list of players we’re considering.

[Elvir Ovcina]

We haven’t talked about Willits much here but that’s another name that has had some traction lately. I saw him 1-1 on another random mock and I believe we either worked him out or it’s just known he’s on our long list of players we’re considering.

No.  Hard no.  Do not draft a guy just because he's young and his dad played in MLB.  Don't draft a HS kid because he had one good HS season.  Do not draft a guy 1-1 who cannot at least play in A+ the day after the draft.

This draft sucks, but do not draft a HS guy who is a "sure-fire shortstop" as any basis of his value.  There is no such thing with a 17-year-old.

[nobleisthyname]

No.  Hard no.  Do not draft a guy just because he's young and his dad played in MLB.  Don't draft a HS kid because he had one good HS season.  Do not draft a guy 1-1 who cannot at least play in A+ the day after the draft.

This draft sucks, but do not draft a HS guy who is a "sure-fire shortstop" as any basis of his value.  There is no such thing with a 17-year-old.

Does this apply to Holliday too in your opinion?

[Mattionals]

No.  Hard no.  Do not draft a guy just because he's young and his dad played in MLB.  Don't draft a HS kid because he had one good HS season.  Do not draft a guy 1-1 who cannot at least play in A+ the day after the draft.

This draft sucks, but do not draft a HS guy who is a "sure-fire shortstop" as any basis of his value.  There is no such thing with a 17-year-old.

So, highest upside arm? Doyle?

[Kevrock]

Good free read on Kade Anderson up on BA:

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/what-is-it-like-to-face-kade-anderson-lsu-teammates-explain-what-makes-the-tigers-ace-so-good/

[Kevrock]

While I’m there, here’s a light read on him from their CWS preview

LSU

Kade Anderson, LSU (BA rank: 6)

Anderson fronts a Tigers two-headed rotation monster alongside Anthony Eyanson, which will make LSU an extremely tough out this week. Anderson has taken a massive leap forward this year. His 163 strikeouts over 103 innings leads all of college baseball. In our latest mock draft, BA’s Carlos Collazo noted Anderson is increasingly being mentioned by evaluators as the top college pitcher in the class, even drawing comparisons to Max Fried.

From his April arsenal update: Anderson moved from a reliever role in 2024 and has completely redefined himself as a starter in 2025 while pushing up draft boards as LSU’s Friday night ace. Scouting directors raved about his curveball entering the year. In 2024, he was largely a two-pitch pitcher who threw his fastball 70% of the time and his curveball—which generated a 50% miss rate—23% of the time.

Anderson this spring has cut both his fastball (-23 points) and curveball (-12 points) usage significantly and is now throwing a four-pitch mix with at least 10% usage for all offerings to keep hitters off-balance. The slider has been a key development. The pitch gives Anderson a much more consistent in-zone breaking ball that he can land for strikes more frequently than his hammer curve—though the slower breaking ball remains his better chase and whiff getter. Against righties, his changeup has generated a 50% miss rate and .472 opponent OPS.

https://x.com/PitchingNinja/status/1907982785043726433