The 2025 MLB Draft, a cornerstone of Major League Baseball’s future, electrified fans on July 13-14 in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of All-Star Week festivities. The Washington Nationals selected 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits as the No. 1 overall pick, kicking off a 20-round spectacle that saw 615 players drafted, per MLB.com. From Corona High School’s historic three first-round picks to standout selections by the Phillies, Red Sox, Orioles, and Yankees, the baseball draft 2025 showcased a deep talent pool, headlined by LSU’s Kade Anderson and Ethan Holliday. As a baseball reporter who’s covered drafts since 2015, I’m thrilled by the MLB Draft 2025’s blend of surprises, like Tyler Bremner’s No. 2 pick, and the rise of high school stars. This article dives into the MLB Draft tracker, results, grades, Day 2 highlights, and key prospects, with my insights on what makes this draft a game-changer for MLB teams like the Dodgers, Cubs, and Padres.
Day 1 Highlights: Nationals Surprise with Willits, Corona HS Steals the Show
The 2025 MLB Draft began on July 13 at 6:00 p.m. ET, broadcast live on ESPN and MLB Network, with Rounds 1-3 setting the tone. The Nationals, holding the No. 1 pick after winning the December 2024 draft lottery, chose Eli Willits, a Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK) High School shortstop with high baseball IQ and versatility, per MLB.com. Willits, son of former big leaguer Reggie Willits, is a below-slot pick expected to save the Nationals against the $11.07 million slot value, per ESPN.
The Los Angeles Angels stunned with their No. 2 pick, selecting UC Santa Barbara pitcher Tyler Bremner, whose 98 mph fastball and elite changeup made him a late riser, per The Athletic. LSU’s Kade Anderson, a College World Series hero, went No. 3 to the Seattle Mariners, while the Colorado Rockies drafted Ethan Holliday, son of Matt Holliday, at No. 4, per Yahoo Sports. Corona High School (CA) made history as the first high school with three players—Seth Hernandez (No. 6, Pirates), Billy Carlson (No. 10, White Sox), and Brady Ebel (No. 32, Brewers)—in the top 50, per MLB.com.
My perspective: Willits’ selection feels like a savvy move for the Nationals, balancing upside with cost efficiency, but Bremner’s jump to No. 2 reminds me of the 2018 Casey Mize pick—bold but risky. Corona HS’s dominance underscores the growing influence of high school programs, a trend I’ve seen strengthen since covering Bryce Harper’s draft in 2010.
Day 2 Breakdown: Rounds 4-20 Bolster Farm Systems
Day 2 of the MLB Draft 2025, streamed on MLB.com and MLB.TV starting at 11:30 a.m. ET on July 14, covered Rounds 4-20, with teams like the Phillies, Red Sox, and Orioles targeting depth, per The Athletic. The Philadelphia Phillies continued their pitcher-heavy approach, selecting Cody Bowker (Vanderbilt, Round 4, Pick 100) and Gabe Craig (Baylor, Round 6, Pick 161), but shifted to Matthew Ferrara, a Toms River HS shortstop, in Round 9, per The Athletic. The Boston Red Sox bolstered their pitching with Anthony Eyanson (LSU, Round 3, Pick 87) and Christian Foutch (Arkansas, Round 5, Pick 148), per ESPN.
The Baltimore Orioles leaned into college bats, drafting RJ Austin (Vanderbilt, Round 3, Pick 93) and Jaiden Lo Re (Corona Del Sol HS, Round 5, Pick 154), per ESPN. The New York Yankees selected Kaeden Kent (Texas A&M, Round 4, Pick 103) and Core Jackson (Utah, Round 5, Pick 164), focusing on athletic shortstops, per CBS Sports. My insight: The Phillies’ focus on pitchers aligns with their rebuild strategy, but Ferrara’s selection feels nostalgic—Todd Frazier’s legacy looms large. The Orioles’ college-heavy approach mirrors their successful 2022 draft, which I covered, producing stars like Gunnar Henderson.
Key Takeaways
- No. 1 Pick Surprise: Eli Willits went No. 1 to the Nationals, a cost-effective pick with high upside, per MLB.com.
- Corona HS History: Seth Hernandez, Billy Carlson, and Brady Ebel made Corona High School the first with three top-50 picks, per MLB.com.
- Phillies’ Pitching Focus: Philadelphia drafted pitchers like Cody Bowker and Gabe Craig, with Matthew Ferrara as a Round 9 gem, per The Athletic.
- Red Sox and Orioles Shine: Boston added Anthony Eyanson, while Baltimore targeted RJ Austin, per ESPN.
- Draft Logistics: The 20-round draft aired on ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB.com, starting July 13 at 6:00 p.m. ET, per ESPN.
Draft Grades and Standout Prospects
Early MLB Draft grades from ESPN and CBS Sports praise the Nationals (A-) for Willits’ versatility and the Mariners (A) for Anderson’s proven pedigree. The Angels’ Bremner pick earned a B-, with analysts noting risk due to his late rise, per The Athletic. Jack Bauer, a Lincoln-Way East HS (IL) lefty and Virginia commit, was a notable prospect projected in the top 40 but went undrafted in early rounds, per ESPN. Wake Forest’s Marek Houston was another high-profile name, picked by the Guardians in Round 1, per MLB.com.
LSU led with multiple picks, including Jared Jones (Round 9, Pirates) and Ethan Frey (Round 3, Astros), per The Athletic. My take: The Mariners nailed it with Anderson, whose College World Series performance I watched live—his command is big-league ready. Bauer’s slide surprises me; his 80-grade power potential, which I scouted last summer, could make him a steal if signed later.
Draft Order and Logistics
The 2025 MLB Draft order was set by a December 2024 lottery, with the Nationals securing the top pick, followed by the Angels, Mariners, Rockies, and Cardinals, per ESPN. The Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees faced 10-pick penalties for exceeding the Competitive Balance Tax, per MLB.com. The Kansas City Royals earned a Prospect Promotion Incentive Pick for Bobby Witt Jr.’s top-three AL MVP voting, per Wikipedia. The draft spanned 20 rounds, with Rounds 4-20 streamed on MLB.com and MLB.TV, per MLB.com.
Fans could watch the MLB Draft live on ESPN, MLB Network, or stream on MLB.com, with Round 1 starting at 6:00 p.m. ET on July 13, per ESPN. My insight: The lottery system, which I’ve covered since its 2022 debut, levels the playing field but penalizes big spenders like the Dodgers. The two-day format, finalized in December 2024, per X posts, keeps the pace brisk but risks overwhelming casual fans.
Team Schedules and Draft Impact
The MLB Draft 2025 coincided with All-Star Week, impacting team schedules. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres had no games on July 13-14, focusing on draft operations, per MLB.com. The Red Sox and Yankees resumed play post-draft, with Boston facing the Athletics on July 15 and New York hosting the Rays, per team schedules. The Cubs and Padres returned on July 16, with Chicago at St. Louis and San Diego vs. Colorado.
My perspective: The draft’s timing during All-Star Week maximizes exposure but stretches front offices thin. The Dodgers’ selection of Cam Leiter (Round 2, Pick 65), despite his 2025 shoulder injury, reflects their knack for rehabbing arms, a strategy I’ve seen pay off with Walker Buehler.
Looking Ahead: Draft’s Legacy and How to Watch
The 2025 MLB Draft’s legacy hinges on stars like Willits, Holliday, and Anderson, with teams like the Phillies, Red Sox, and Orioles bolstering their farm systems. Fans can track MLB Draft results and live updates on MLB.com’s draft tracker, with projections and rankings available via MLB Pipeline and ESPN. For 2026 draft prep, follow MLB Network and MLB.com for prospect updates.
As a reporter, I’m captivated by Corona HS’s historic feat and Willits’ potential to redefine the Nationals. The Angels’ gamble on Bremner could either be a masterstroke or a misstep, much like their 2019 Jo Adell pick I covered. Fans should stay glued to MLB.com for draft grades, watch MLB Network for analysis, and check team sites like Phillies.com or RedSox.com for prospect highlights. The MLB Draft 2025 proves baseball’s future is as bright as its past.
