ESPN\'s Kiley McDaniel released his initial full first-round projection for the 2025 MLB Draft, placing Oklahoma high school third baseman Ethan Holliday as the top selection for the Washington Nationals.
McDaniel\'s projection comes as college conference tournaments and high school state tournaments conclude across the country. The draft expert noted that while the top of this class is \"down a little from recent years,\" the unpredictability makes for interesting scenarios throughout the first round.
Draft\'s Top Tier Features High School Talent
The projection features several high school prospects in prominent positions, including shortstops Eli Willits (Oklahoma) and Seth Hernandez (California) among the top considerations. McDaniel emphasized that bonus demands and potential landing spots will significantly influence final selections.
\"This one is still wide open and my choice here is more a reflection of \'I don\'t quite have enough info to change it from Holliday\' than \'I\'m confident it\'s going to be Holliday,\'\" McDaniel wrote regarding the top pick.
College left-handed pitchers dominate the early rounds, with Tennessee\'s Liam Doyle projected second to the Los Angeles Angels, LSU\'s Kade Anderson third to Seattle, and Florida State\'s Jamie Arnold sixth to Pittsburgh.
Competitive Balance Affects Late First Round
Three teams—the New York Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers—had their first-round picks moved down 10 slots after exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold. The Mets are projected to select Tennessee right-hander Marcus Phillips at 38th overall.
McDaniel noted that the middle portion of the first round becomes increasingly difficult to project as talent levels even out and bonus considerations become more significant factors in team decisions.
The 2025 MLB Draft is scheduled for July 13-14, with the combine taking place June 21-25 providing additional evaluation opportunities for prospects projected in rounds 3-5.
Complete First Round Projection:
1. Ethan Holliday, 3B, Stillwater HS (Oklahoma) - Washington Nationals
2. Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee - Los Angeles Angels
3. Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU - Seattle Mariners
4. Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State - Colorado Rockies
5. Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (Oklahoma) - St. Louis Cardinals
6. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State - Pittsburgh Pirates
7. Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (California) - Miami Marlins
8. Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma - Toronto Blue Jays
9. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (California) - Cincinnati Reds
10. JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (Mississippi) - Chicago White Sox
11. Brendan Summerhill, CF, Arizona - Athletics
12. Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (Alabama) - Texas Rangers
13. Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas - San Francisco Giants
14. Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian HS (North Carolina) - Tampa Bay Rays
15. Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS (California) - Boston Red Sox
16. Jace LaViolette, CF, Texas A&M - Minnesota Twins
17. Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas - Chicago Cubs
18. Slater de Brun, CF, Summit HS (Oregon) - Arizona Diamondbacks
19. Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (Washington) - Baltimore Orioles
20. Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (Georgia) - Milwaukee Brewers
21. Tate Southisene, SS, Basic HS (Nevada) - Houston Astros
22. Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest - Atlanta Braves
23. Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn - Kansas City Royals
24. Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (Texas) - Detroit Tigers
25. Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset HS (Oregon) - San Diego Padres
26. Matthew Fisher, RHP, Evansville Memorial HS (Indiana) - Philadelphia Phillies
27. Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara - Cleveland Guardians
28. Aaron Watson, RHP, Trinity Christian HS (Florida) - Kansas City Royals
29. Ethan Conrad, RF, Wake Forest - Arizona Diamondbacks
30. Sean Gamble, 2B, IMG Academy (Florida) - Baltimore Orioles
31. Mason Neville, CF, Oregon - Baltimore Orioles
32. Gavin Kilen, SS, Tennessee - Milwaukee Brewers
33. Dax Kilby, SS, Newnan HS (Georgia) - Boston Red Sox
34. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, LSU - Detroit Tigers
35. Nick Becker, SS, Don Bosco HS (New Jersey) - Seattle Mariners
36. Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina - Minnesota Twins
37. Jaden Fauske, OF, Nazareth Academy HS (Illinois) - Tampa Bay Rays
38. Marcus Phillips, RHP, Tennessee - New York Mets
39. Andrew Fischer, 3B, Tennessee - New York Yankees
40. Cam Cannarella, CF, Clemson - Los Angeles Dodgers