LSU left-hander Kade Anderson has positioned himself as the slight favorite to be selected first overall by the Washington Nationals in the 2025 MLB draft, according to ESPN\'s latest mock projection.
The draft conversation remains wide open with Anderson competing against Oklahoma high school third baseman Ethan Holliday for the top selection. ESPN\'s Kiley McDaniel reported that Anderson\'s strong season finish has given him momentum.
College position players are rising throughout the first round, while some high school position players may slip for overslot bonuses. The Los Angeles Angels face uncertainty at the second pick, with multiple players connected to the selection.
Draft Trends Emerging
Arkansas right-hander Gage Wood has surged up draft boards after throwing a no-hitter in the Men\'s College World Series. Wood now projects to be selected in the mid-to-late first round after initially being considered a speculative pick.
The Seattle Mariners appear focused on pitching with the third pick, likely choosing between Anderson and Florida State\'s Jamie Arnold. Colorado remains strongly connected to Holliday at fourth overall.
Top Prospects Generate Interest
High school shortstop prospects dominate the middle of the first round projections. Players like JoJo Parker, Eli Willits, and Billy Carlson are expected to be selected between picks five through ten.
The draft begins Sunday, July 13, with 30 teams making first-round selections. Three teams had their picks moved down 10 slots due to exceeding competitive balance tax thresholds.
2025 MLB Draft First Round Projections (Picks 1-40)
1. Washington Nationals - Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
2. Los Angeles Angels - Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
3. Seattle Mariners - Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
4. Colorado Rockies - Ethan Holliday, 3B, Stillwater HS (Oklahoma)
5. St. Louis Cardinals - JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (Mississippi)
6. Pittsburgh Pirates - Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
7. Miami Marlins - Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (Oklahoma)
8. Toronto Blue Jays - Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn
9. Cincinnati Reds - Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (California)
10. Chicago White Sox - Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (California)
11. Athletics - Brendan Summerhill, CF, Arizona
12. Texas Rangers - Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (Alabama)
13. San Francisco Giants - Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
14. Tampa Bay Rays - Gavin Kilen, SS, Tennessee
15. Boston Red Sox - Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS (California)
16. Minnesota Twins - Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas
17. Chicago Cubs - Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
18. Arizona Diamondbacks - Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest
19. Baltimore Orioles - Jace LaViolette, CF, Texas A&M
20. Milwaukee Brewers - Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina
21. Houston Astros - Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (Washington)
22. Atlanta Braves - Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
23. Kansas City Royals - Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian HS (North Carolina)
24. Detroit Tigers - Andrew Fischer, 3B, Tennessee
25. San Diego Padres - Slater de Brun, CF, Summit HS (Oregon)
26. Philadelphia Phillies - Sean Gamble, 2B, IMG Academy (Florida)
27. Cleveland Guardians - Tate Southisene, SS, Basic HS (Nevada)
28. Kansas City Royals (Prospect Promotion) - Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (Georgia)
29. Arizona Diamondbacks (Compensation) - Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (Texas)
30. Baltimore Orioles (Compensation) - Cam Cannarella, CF, Clemson
31. Baltimore Orioles (Compensation) - Dax Kilby, SS, Newnan HS (Georgia)
32. Milwaukee Brewers (Compensation) - Jaden Fauske, OF, Nazareth Academy HS (Illinois)
33. Boston Red Sox (Competitive Balance) - Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina
34. Detroit Tigers (Competitive Balance) - Aaron Watson, RHP, Trinity Christian HS (Florida)
35. Seattle Mariners (Competitive Balance) - Ethan Conrad, RF, Wake Forest
36. Minnesota Twins (Competitive Balance) - Charles Davalan, LF, Arkansas
37. Tampa Bay Rays (Competitive Balance) - Anthony Eyanson, RHP, LSU
38. New York Mets - Devin Taylor, LF, Indiana
39. New York Yankees - J.B. Middleton, RHP, Southern Miss
40. Los Angeles Dodgers - Quentin Young, SS, Oaks Christian HS (California)