The curtain is about to rise and the mystery of who will be the first pick in the 2025 draft will be unveiled. A pitcher? An infielder? What is certain is that it will be the Washington Nationals who will raise their hand first to decide
Both MLB, Bleacher Report and Baseball America have the names of Kade Anderson and Ethan Holliday. The former is a fire-throwing, strikeout left-hander, while the latter plays third base and can also be a shortstop.
Pitching is always a safe bet.
Choosing a pitcher is never a bad thing. Pitching is never too much, especially if it is left-handed, which is scarce. That is why Anderson is mentioned. The problem, despite his quality, is the Tommy John surgery he had in 2022.
It is worth mentioning that the left-hander dominated NCAA baseball, including an impeccable start in the College World Series, and his projection to be in the majors is three years at most
Washington needs pitching, that’s for sure. Since Stephen Strasburg, also drafted, also injured and now retired, they have not taken a high-impact pitcher. So Anderson doesn’t seem out of the question
Liam Doyle of the University of Tennessee, is the other pitching prospect who is sure not to make it past the first round. He’s healthy, throws fire to the plate and is good at dominating the corners
The Nationals can and should get a pitcher. Why? Because if they really want to compete, it’s easier for them to get good hitters via free agency than pitchers.
Holliday is the most complete player
Having it all in one is not easy and Holliday has it. He hits for power, fields and is fast. He is a player who can impact and change the structure of a team with just his presence and his style of play
According to MLB Pipeline experts, there is a 50% chance that Anderson will be the choice. But Holliday, who is number one in the overall rankings, takes 40% of the bets. The remaining 10% is split between Seth Hernandez, Aiva Arquette and Eli Willits. But watch out for Doyle, he might surprise
Projected Top 10 of the 2025 MLB Draft
- Washington Nationals – Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
- Los Angeles Angels – Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
- Seattle Mariners – Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (CA)
- Colorado Rockies – Ethan Holliday, IF, Stillwater HS (OK)
- St. Louis Cardinals – Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)
- Pittsburgh Pirates – Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
- Miami Marlins – Jaime Arnold, LHP, Florida State
- Toronto Blue Jays – Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn
- Cincinnati Reds – JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS)
- Chicago White Sox – Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (CA)
There is little time left. On Sunday we will know who the chosen one is and we will begin to follow his career. Don’t let him become another Brien Taylor.
Read the full article here
