The 2025 Major League Baseball Draft commenced on July 13, 2025, in Atlanta, marking the start of All-Star Week with a focus on tomorrow’s baseball superstars. The opening night of the draft, broadcast on ESPN and MLB Network, saw a blend of anticipated picks, surprising selections, and a strong emphasis on youth and established baseball bloodlines.
The Washington Nationals, holding the coveted No. 1 overall pick for the first time in 15 years, made headlines by selecting shortstop Eli Willits from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma. At just 17 years and 216 days old, Willits becomes the third-youngest player in history to be drafted first overall, and the youngest since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987. Willits, who reclassified from the 2026 class, was ranked as a top prospect by MLB Pipeline. Nationals interim general manager Mike DeBartolo lauded Willits as the “best hitter in the Draft, the best fielder in the Draft with just great makeup, great work ethic and all the intangibles,” making him their top choice throughout the process, according to MLB.com. Willits, a switch-hitter, showcased impressive high school statistics in his senior year, batting .473 with 14 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 34 RBIs, 27 walks, and 47 stolen bases, while striking out only four times in 128 plate appearances. His on-base percentage was .602, slugging percentage .912, and OPS 1.514, leading his team to a sixth consecutive Oklahoma state title. His father, Reggie Willits, is a former MLB player and current coach.
The draft continued with notable selections and early surprises. The Los Angeles Angels made a surprising move at No. 2, picking UC Santa Barbara pitcher Tyler Bremner. The Seattle Mariners followed at No. 3, selecting LSU left-hander Kade Anderson, who was instrumental in the Tigers’ 2025 College World Series victory. The Mariners wasted no time, reportedly agreeing to an $8.8 million deal with Anderson, as reported by The Athletic.
Family legacies were a prominent theme in the early rounds. The Colorado Rockies, at No. 4, drafted Ethan Holliday, son of former Rockies star outfielder Matt Holliday and brother of 2022 No. 1 pick Jackson Holliday. Ethan expressed gratitude, noting the “cool thing” of joining the organization his father played for. Other picks with significant family ties included Cam Leiter (nephew of Al and Mark Leiter) to the Dodgers in the second round, and the Witherspoon twins, Kyson and Malachi, who were selected by the Red Sox (No. 15 overall) and Tigers (No. 62 overall) respectively, ensuring their mother will now need split jerseys for future games.
The first round also saw a strong emphasis on shortstops, with six taken in the top 10 picks, including Eli Willits, Ethan Holliday, JoJo Parker (No. 8 to Toronto), Steele Hall (No. 9 to Cincinnati), and Billy Carlson (No. 10 to the White Sox). The Pittsburgh Pirates notably secured two top high school right-handers, Seth Hernandez (No. 6) and Angel Cervantes (No. 50). Another compelling story emerged in the second round with the Atlanta Braves’ selection of Florida State shortstop Alex Lodise at No. 60 overall, a player who went from being barely recruited out of high school to winning a prestigious college baseball award.
The draft’s opening night, held at the Roxy Theater at The Battery in Atlanta, set the stage for a new generation of talent to enter Major League Baseball, with the remaining rounds scheduled for Monday.
