The 2025 MLB draft exemplifies the meteoric rise in popularity of amateur baseball and the broad, open access that virtually anyone can have to in-depth scouting reports and player analysis. Formerly an old boys’ club, where nothing more than a private phone call would reveal the picks from even the lowest of rounds, the draft is now a sports media spectacle, which is now set to coincide with the mid-summer classic, the 2025 MLB All-Star game at Truist Park in Atlanta. GA. ESPN will broadcast the first round in its entirety, while various online outlets will offer real-time streaming of the remaining 20 rounds.
The reduction in the total number of rounds translates to a significant increase in exposure for ballplayers across the United States and worldwide. Scouting and assessment services, such as Perfect Game, offer young players the opportunity to develop a profile, where their tools are measured and compared with those of others across various domains.
Now, a player might be drafted based on tools, metrics, and projected rate of development. MLB teams allocate significant resources towards data analytics and apply such analysis to address and potentially cover an area of need (AON). That said, it is quite often just too tempting to pass up a talented player who doesn’t immediately address a need.
A strong argument can be made that talent outweighs need. Still, from a fan’s perspective, the draft offers that glimmer of hope that down the road, a first-round pick will elevate towards MLB stardom.
The following represents the order in which every team in MLB will select their picks over a two-day draft, taking place in Atlanta on July 13-14. Given the identified area of need for each of MLB’s 30 teams, here is the first pick that each team is probably strongly considering at this very moment.
Holliday hasn’t budged from the top projected spot. The Nationals are building a nucleus of players that resembles their American League counterpart, the Orioles, just 40 minutes up the I-95. Ethan draws eerily similar comparisons to Gunnar Henderson and has the left-handed power stroke to justify such claims. Nats fans are daydreaming of a power-packed batting order that will feature James Wood, Dylan Crews, and Holliday racking up multiple Silver Slugger awards through the course of their careers.
The Angels cannot afford to spend an early pick on a three to four-year project, which would be the requirement of some of the highly touted high school prospects in this year’s draft class. They need a polished, dominant, and proven starter who will make a fast transition through the system en route to the show. Arnold is a classic lefty, with a lower armslot than current resident ace Yusei Kikuchi, but has similar velocity, often touching high nineties with his 4-seam fastball.
In a strong year for shortstops from Oklahoma, Willits might be the more athletic of the two who are ranked at the top for the position. While not yet possessing the natural power that Holliday has shown, Willits is a switch-hitter who rakes to all fields. It might take him a while, but he could project as the Mariners’ shortstop of the future.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound, highly touted outfielder had a monster sophomore season, but has built some skepticism surrounding his draft status due to a slight drop in his power numbers for 2025. A closer look, though, would reveal that there was not much difference in Laviolette’s.OPS from one season to the next. He is an elite, Division 1 power hitter, and that should play well when he arrives at Coors Field.
There are, of course, so many needs for this hobbling—NL West basement-dwelling club. The fanbase deserves a player who will provide some offensive spark. Someone who can hit sky-rocket like home runs into the Colorado night sky. Jace LaViolette might be that player.
The Nationals could pass on Holliday and look instead towards Hernandez with the 1-1 pick. Dominance is all that Hernandez has offered through his prep years at a nationally ranked High School Baseball powerhouse, Corona. Hernandez had also emerged as the ace of the U18 USA team, where he showcased polished, MLB-ready stuff at the ripe age of 18.
Hitting high-nineties with a fluid delivery and a repertoire of offspeed pitches that hit the spots, Hernandez projects to be the pitching gem of the 2025 draft class. He will command a considerably high signing bonus to sway him away from his commitment to Vanderbilt.
The 6 ft 4, 200lb Oregon State shortstop is tremendously athletic and provides an offensive upside that stands out as the best in a rich shortstop pool. At the age of 21, he should enter the Pirates’ system with a mature pedigree that will require minimal refinement. Provided he signs, Arquette will be given every opportunity to make the 40-man roster out of Spring Training next season. If he is available at number 6, Aiva Arquette would be a perfect fit for the Bucs.
Another NCAA shortstop who is likely to go in the first round, Houston anchored the Deamon Deacon infield and provided an offensive spark in the middle of the order. His 15 home runs and .1000 OPS+ are a testament to how Houston’s stock as a legitimate MLB prospect has risen over the past two seasons.
Bremner’s stock might have dropped slightly this season, with his ERA slightly inflating when compared to his sophomore season of 2024. Preseason mock drafts had him interchangeably spoken of as the top pitcher available, along with Arnold.
Bremner has a major league-level changeup that most young pitchers take years to grasp fully. He tallied 111 strikeouts and just 19 walks over roughly 80 innings of work against top competition in the Division 1, Big West Conference. Bremner has family ties to Canada and the Toronto area, as his parents are originally from there. He could quickly become a fan favorite.
With Elly De La Cruz holding fort at the shortstop position for what Reds fans hope will extend beyond the next decade, drafting another shortstop with the ninth pick doesn’t seem like the most productive move.
The talented shortstop class in this year’s draft will be tempting for every club, but the Reds need to stay the course in terms of stacking their system with live and potentially impactful arms. Liam Doyle and his regular triple-digit heat fit the bill.
Another superstar prospect to emerge from the top high school program. Carlson is a defensive wizard, with a projected high ceiling for contact and 20-home run power. Metrics suggest comparisons to Rookie of the Year candidate Jacob Wilson of the Athletics, but Carlson is just 18—one of the best, most can’t-miss players that is projected to go in the first round.
The left-handed prodigy has drawn early comparisons to Randy Johnson. A fluid delivery, with easy, triple-digit velo. Bauer is leaning toward Virginia, but might be convinced to sign.
Lodise will fit just fine with the young, core group of players that Texas is accumulating. A move to second might be in this power-hitting infielder’s future, especially if Corey Segar is the man next to him.
Curley has been a catalyst in the lethal Tennessee offence. Helping carry his team to a College World Series title shot, Curley will move on to pro ball, as one of a fine group of shortstops to go in round one.
Kade Anderson is the next in a proud tradition of LSU hurlers to have been selected in round one. He is the Tigers’ ace and is poised for MLB stardom.
Witherspoon is a force on the mound, with the strikeout capability to match some of MLB’s top current fireballers. He would be a wise pick and a solid investment if the Red Sox could get him.
Along with twin brother Jacob, JoJo completely dominated the Mississippi High School circuit. JoJo has a 5-tool potential skill set. Given that the brothers have always played together, maybe the twins will one day play together in the Twin Cities?
The speedster has pop and the swagger to thrive in Wrigley. A Corbin Carroll-type offensive threat with similar power potential.
A homecoming for the sweet-swinging outfielder. Summerhill can create havoc for the opposition when he gets on base, which is quite often.
The O’s could use lots of help in the starting pitcher department. Schoolcraft is a project, but could reward the team who drafts him, exponentially in the future, given his frame and velo at such a young age.
The Brewers are set behind the dish with Contreras. It would be hard to pass up taking the most elite signal-caller in the class, though. If talent outweighs need for Milwaukee, then Stevenson is the man at pick #20
Neyens has drawn attention from MLB scouts for some time now. A left-handed hitting Alex Bregman in the works?
Quick is an ideal candidate to carry the torch as a potential ace for the Braves. If he is available at #21, he is a perfect fit.
Hammond might not be as fast as Bobby Witt Jr., but he carries similar tools across all other areas. A left side of the infield featuring Hammond with a player like Witt would be most exciting.
Quentin Young brings similar power tools that his Dad, Delmon, used to possess. It might be a surprise to see the young outfielder still available at this late stage of round one.
Wehiwa Aloy has emerged as one of the stars of the SEC. A natural shortstop with power potential, he would be a perfect fit in SoCal.
An offensive catalyst first at Louisville and second at the College World Series with Tennessee. Kilen possesses the skill set and attitude to thrive in Philly.
Devin Taylor is an exciting player who has proven himself against top D1 competition. He has a high ceiling in the power department.
This leaves three teams on the outside looking in for the first round. The Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees have the depth to ensure that there are no pressing needs at the moment. With that said, the scouting departments of these three clubs, along with the other 27, will be hard at work as the High School and College seasons come to a close for 2025. The future stars of MLB are about to be unveiled. The league is to be commended for making the two-day event more of an open spectacle for fans to take part in.
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