MLB Draft 2025 Preview: Nationals Hold No. 1, Holliday Headlines, and Late-Risers Surge Into Round 1 Buzz

The countdown is over — the 2025 MLB Draft gets underway Sunday, July 13th in Atlanta, taking center stage during All-Star Week. The buzz is real, the pressure is on, and front offices across the league are locked in war rooms, mapping out their next franchise cornerstones. With Rounds 1 through 3 ready to roll, insiders are dropping last-minute intel, fans are fired up, and the future of baseball is about to take shape — one pick at a time. 

📅 Draft Schedule & Viewing Info:

• Day 1 (Rounds 1-3): Sunday, July 13, 6 p.m. ET
• Day 2 (Rounds 4-20): Monday, July 14, 11:30 a.m. ET
• Where to Watch: MLB Network, ESPN (Top 43 picks), and full coverage via MLB.com

🎯 Top Prospects to Watch:

• Ethan Holliday (SS/3B, Stillwater HS, OK): The most complete high school bat in the draft and a potential No. 1 overall pick, Ethan looks to carry on the family legacy after his brother Jackson's meteoric rise with the Orioles.
• Kade Anderson (LHP, LSU): A College World Series MVP with a wicked arsenal—possibly the safest pick among college arms.
• Seth Hernandez (RHP, Corona HS, CA): A flame-throwing prep righty with heavy comparisons to a young Josh Beckett.
• Jamie Arnold (LHP, Florida State): Deceptive sidearm southpaw with polish and upside.
• Eli Willits (SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, OK): A switch-hitting shortstop with elite range and smooth glove skills.
• Aiva Arquette (SS, Oregon State): Intriguing power, though some teams remain cautious about his contact rates.
• Billy Carlson (SS, Corona HS, CA): Athletic and defensively gifted with five-tool potential.
• Liam Doyle (LHP, Tennessee): Set a school record for strikeouts and is climbing up boards fast.

🔥 Draft Day Rumors & Storylines:

• Will the Nationals Take the Obvious Choice? While Ethan Holliday seems like the consensus top pick, there’s rumbling of the Nats exploring cost-saving options to go underslot at No. 1—possibly setting off a ripple effect down the board.
• College Pitchers or High School Hitters? This draft has scouts split, with one of the strongest college pitching groups in years facing off against a deep pool of young offensive talent.
• Sleepers to Watch: One name generating late momentum is Mason McCraine (1B/LHP, Glenwood Academy)—whose two-way game is drawing comparisons to Florida star Jac Caglianone. Could he sneak into the competitive balance rounds?

📣 What to Expect:

Round 1 is loaded with franchise-defining potential and last-minute surprises. Whether it’s big-market clubs playing it safe or smaller-market teams making bold moves to grab future stars, Day 1 promises action, drama, and a glimpse into baseball’s next great wave.

🌀 MainEvent.News Spin:

America’s pastime meets the future this weekend as the 2025 MLB Draft sets the stage for baseball’s next generation of superstars. With rising phenoms, risky picks, and front-office chess moves in play, this year’s class might be one of the most exciting in recent memory. The Nationals may hold the first overall pick, but with whispers of strategy-driven selections and bonus pool maneuvering, don’t be shocked if the order gets shaken up fast. And all eyes are on Ethan Holliday—will history repeat itself with another Holliday family name atop the board? From polished college arms to toolsy high schoolers, MainEvent.News has the inside scoop as teams gear up to build the rosters of tomorrow.