MLB Draft: Top 10 from Day 1 — Bloodlines, Bold Moves and Future Stars, Details on the Picks

The handshakes are done, the jerseys have been held aloft, and the first 105 picks of the 2025 MLB Draft are in the books. Sunday night was a whirlwind of franchise-altering decisions, calculated gambles, and dreams realized. It was a night where family legacy echoed through the halls, with the sons of big leaguers and even a set of twins hearing their names called. We saw a single high school powerhouse in Corona, California, produce a stunning trio of first-round talents, while the University of Tennessee turned the draft into their own personal highlight reel.

When the dust settled, one thing was clear: baseball's future is officially on the clock.

Here's a look at the top 10 MLB Draft Picks for 2025

1. Washington Nationals: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (Okla.)

And the first surprise of the night comes right at the top! As the final minutes ticked away, the buzz in the draft room grew to a roar that the Nationals were zeroing in on Willits. At just 17 years and 216 days old, he’s a kid stepping into history as the youngest player to go No. 1 since Ken Griffey Jr. himself in 1987. The son of former major leaguer Reggie Willits, Eli is a baseball rat with unbelievable upside. Some scouts are adamant that when we look back on this class, he’ll be the best of the bunch. With a brilliant baseball IQ and the defensive chops to stick at shortstop, this was a bold bet on a massive ceiling—and a move that will save the Nats significant bonus money to be aggressive later.

2. Los Angeles Angels: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

The Angels have never been afraid to march to the beat of their own drum, and they did it again by grabbing a certified power arm in Bremner. This guy has absolutely premium stuff, running his fastball up to a blistering 98 mph and pairing it with one of the most devastating changeups in the entire draft. Bremner finished the college season breathing fire, racking up double-digit strikeouts and looking simply unhittable. It's another below-slot deal, but the Angels just snagged a pitcher they believe can be on the fast track to Anaheim.

3. Seattle Mariners: Kade Anderson, LHP, Louisiana State

Seattle knows a thing or two about developing top-tier college arms—just ask Logan Gilbert and George Kirby. They stuck to the script and grabbed Kade Anderson, arguably the most polished and big-league-ready pitcher in the class. Fresh off a starring role in the College World Series, the big lefty proved he doesn't just handle the spotlight; he thrives in it. Don't be shocked to see Anderson contributing to a big-league rotation as soon as next season.

4. Colorado Rockies: Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater HS (Okla.)

You couldn’t have scripted it better. Matt Holliday’s son is heading to the franchise his father helped put on the map. It felt like destiny. Jackson Holliday’s younger brother has been viewed as arguably the most dynamic talent in this class for months, possessing a truly breathtaking offensive ceiling and jaw-dropping raw power. This felt like Holliday's floor all along, and now he gets to develop into a middle-of-the-order force on the left side of the infield in the thin mountain air of Colorado.

5. St. Louis Cardinals: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee

The second college southpaw is off the board, and he’s one of the most dominant pitchers in the nation. Pitching in the meat-grinder of the SEC, Doyle was simply untouchable, using a funky, deceptive delivery and four legitimate pitches to lead all Division I arms in strikeout rate (a staggering 15.4 K/9). After pitching at three different schools in three years, Doyle has found his new home in the Cardinals organization.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona HS (Calif.)

A year after landing the top prep hitter, the Pirates pounced on the chance to grab the best high school arm on the board. Hernandez is the real deal. He brings the heat with a fastball that kisses the upper 90s, a changeup that scouts label "plus-plus," and an advanced feel for spinning the ball. He shatters the mold of a raw high school project, showing a polish that helps mitigate the risk and gives the Pirates another potential ace for their system.

7. Miami Marlins: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State

The Marlins have built a reputation for churning out electric arms, but developing impact bats has been another story. They’re hoping Aiva Arquette is the man to change that narrative. Considered the top college hitter in the draft, Arquette posted a ridiculous 1.115 OPS for the Beavers and brings an immediate offensive lift from an infield spot, with a real shot to stick at shortstop.

8. Toronto Blue Jays: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (Miss.)

The buzz was that the Jays were torn between a college arm and a high school shortstop. The shortstop won. Parker has all the tools to be a plus hitter with 20-25 home run power lighting up scoreboards. He’ll get every chance to prove he’s a big-league shortstop, but the bat is so potent that it will play anywhere on the diamond. And keep an eye out: his twin brother, Jacob, is still on the board.

9. Cincinnati Reds: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (Ala.)

This draft class is loaded with high-school shortstops, and we’re seeing a run on them now. Hall, like the top pick Willits, reclassified to enter the draft at just 17. His calling card is pure, game-breaking speed—the kind of 80-grade wheels that scouts drool over. He has the potential to be a Gold Glove-caliber defender at short, and while his plate approach is aggressive, the offensive upside is immense.

10. Chicago White Sox: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona HS (Calif.)

And there it is! History for Corona High School, which becomes the first prep program ever to produce two top-10 picks in the same draft. Joining his teammate Seth Hernandez, Carlson is a defensive wizard. Some area scouts have called him one of the best defensive shortstops they’ve ever seen come out of Southern California. He’s a human vacuum cleaner on the infield, and with plenty of bat speed, the power is expected to come as he fills out his frame.

🗣️ Editor’s Take 

All right, let's dissect it. We think it's crazy that Washington is starting with a 17-year-old. The clubs who are actually playing the long game are the ones who are crying over Holliday playing for his father's former team. The Rangers acquiring a man who may become an ace in the future but has a sore arm. Championships are won with that kind of high-risk, high-reward strategy. This entire evening demonstrates that team building is a dark art. Finding value, taking risks, and hoping your scouts were correct are the main strategies. The selections are in. Let's start the debates.