The 2025 MLB Draft gets underway July 13. Here's a look at how the first round, featuring 27 selections, could shake out.
Each pick is accompanied by its league-mandated value, the total bonus pool for that particular team, and where that bonus pool ranks in MLB. Individual pick values are added up to calculate a team's total bonus pool. Clubs are allowed to sign prospects above (over slot) or below (under slot) the expected value of the pick but can't exceed their total bonus pool when signing all drafted players.
Pick value: $11,075,900
Total bonus pool: $16,597,800 (4th)
The Nationals could make baseball history by selecting Ethan Holliday first overall after his brother, Jackson, was picked first in 2022. It would be the first time brothers were No. 1 picks in the MLB draft. The likelihood of it happening is high, with the 18-year-old Ethan considered a better player than his brother at the same age. Who goes first overall remains wide-open with a handful of talented college arms available, but Ethan is the best position player on the board.
Pick value: $10,252,700
Total bonus pool: $16,656,400 (3rd)
Anderson and Holliday are seen as the players most likely to be selected first overall, reports ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. In our draft, Anderson becomes the Angels' choice with Holliday already gone. The College World Series Most Outstanding Player had a standout season with LSU, helping the Tigers win their eighth title in program history.
Pick value: $9,504,400
Total bonus pool: $17,074,400 (2nd)
The Mariners have a history of drafting well, especially when it comes to starting pitching, so selecting a polished college arm like Arnold follows that trend. Arnold was terrific for Florida State in two seasons, striking out 278 hitters in 190 1/3 innings. He would join a strong Mariners pipeline that already includes Colt Emerson, Lazaro Montes, Felnin Celesten, and Harry Ford.
Pick value: $8,770,900
Total bonus pool: $15,723,400 (5th)
Arquette is a 6-foot-5 specimen who can play shortstop and possesses 55-grade power. Those guys don't grow on trees, making Arquette one of the more intriguing position players available. His power (19 homers, .654 slugging percentage) would potentially give the Rockies an impressive duo when paired alongside 2024 first-round pick Charlie Condon in the future.
Pick value: $8,134,800
Total bonus pool: $14,238,300 (7th)
The son of former big-league outfielder Reggie Willits has reportedly generated interest in the top two picks as an under-slot signing, but if that scenario doesn't pan out, he should be selected midway through the top 10.
Pick value: $7,558,600
Total bonus pool: $14,088,400 (8th)
Doyle is going as high as second in some mocks after the Tennessee lefty posted elite strikeout numbers (15.4 K/9) in 2025. Some reports, however, have the 21-year-old sliding as far as No. 9 or 10 if the Angels bypass him in favor of a different college arm like Anderson. Doyle could one day join a Paul Skenes-led Pirates rotation that should also include Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler.
Pick value: $7,149,900
Total bonus pool: $15,187,400 (6th)
There are rumors tying Hernandez to the Mariners at No. 3, but if that doesn't happen, Miami has a shot to land an elite, high-ceiling arm with a 100-mph fastball. The Marlins aren't afraid to pick a high school talent in the first round either - they did it in each of the last two drafts.
Pick value: $6,813,600
Total bonus pool: $10,314,600 (20th)
The Blue Jays haven't drafted this high since selecting Vanderbilt's Austin Martin in 2020. Carlson would be a terrific get if Willits, a similar player, isn't available. The big difference between Carlson and Willits is Carlson's 70-grade field tool, which is among the best in the draft.
Pick value: $6,513,800
Total bonus pool: $11,836,800 (15th)
It's beginning to look like Witherspoon will be the first college righty drafted in 2025, with MLB.com suggesting the Oklahoma product could go as high as No. 8. If the Blue Jays go in a different direction with Carlson, the Reds could add the draft's best college right-hander for the second year in a row after taking Chase Burns, who already debuted in the majors.
Pick value: $6,238,400
Total bonus pool: $12,169,100 (14th)
Parker's been rumored to go as high as No. 5 as an under-slot signing if teams are deterred by the cost of other high school shortstops like Willits and Carlson. JoJo is the better of Mississippi's Parker twins, with his brother Jacob expected to be a third-to-fourth round pick.
Pick value: $5,985,100
Total bonus pool: $10,563,500 (19th)
LaViolette slid down draft boards after he appeared on track to be a consensus top-10 pick following an impressive 2024 season. The A's love taking college players who are ready to debut in the majors as soon as possible - their last two first-round picks, Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson, are already in MLB - and LaViolette fits the bill. He posted a 1.083 OPS with 68 homers in three NCAA campaigns.
Pick value: $5,746,800
Total bonus pool: $10,991,300 (16th)
Houston is widely considered the best defensive shortstop in the draft. Adding him to a pipeline that already includes Sebastian Walcott gives the Rangers a lot of infield depth to use in future trades - or someone to eventually succeed Marcus Semien at second, since Corey Seager is under contract until 2031.
Pick value: $5,524,300
Total bonus pool: $8,403,300 (25th)
Cunningham is a tough read. The Texas prep shortstop has been compared to Jett Williams of the Mets and could go within the first 12 picks because he's one of the best pure hitters in the draft. He could also fall out of the first round entirely because he's a 19-year-old high schooler. Still, his 60-grade hit and run tools are worth a flier.
Pick value: $5,313,100
Total bonus pool: $14,068,000 (9th)
Irish established himself as one of the best all-around hitters in the 2025 college class during an impressive season with Auburn. He could wind up going as high as No. 8, but we like him here with Tampa Bay, which has the second-most bonus pool money and is likely to go over slot for prep players at picks No. 37 and 42.
Pick value: $5,114,200
Total bonus pool: $12,409,300 (13th)
The Red Sox were heavily interested in Kilen coming out of high school, drafting him in the 13th round in 2022 before he opted to attend Louisville. The 21-year-old only improved his draft stock after transferring to Tennessee, putting up monster numbers (1.112 OPS in 53 games) for the Volunteers in 2025.
Pick value: $4,929,600
Total bonus pool: $12,653,000 (11th)
Aloy is one of the top college infielders available after Arquette and Houston. He should get some looks around this spot but could also drop if clubs opt for high schoolers like Steele Hall or Daniel Pierce. This gives the Twins a chance to add another solid shortstop to their pipeline along with Kaelen Culpepper and Brandon Winokur.
Pick value: $4,750,800
Total bonus pool: $9,636,800 (22nd)
It's likely between LaViolette and Summerhill at No. 11 for the A's; since we have LaViolette in that spot, Summerhill drops to the Cubs. Chicago's pipeline is barren of outfield talent after Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcántara.
Pick value: $4,581,900
Total bonus pool: $10,917,800 (18th)
Wood soared up draft boards after throwing a 19-strikeout no-hitter at the College World Series. He could go higher than 18th, but there are durability concerns. He's projected to become a reliever who rises quickly to the majors.
Pick value: $4,420,900
Total bonus pool: $19,144,500 (1st)
The Rangers are reportedly interested in Hall at No. 12, but they also like Houston, who might be a more polished player after attending college. If Texas passes on Hall and he drops, the Orioles will be ready to pounce and add another high-end position player to their farm system.
Pick value: $4,268,100
Total bonus pool: $13,138,100 (10th)
The Brewers aren't shy about drafting gifted athletes in the first round - see Braylon Payne in 2024 - and Neyens fits that mold. The 6-foot-4 prep star's power has been compared to Austin Riley's.
Pick value: $4,122,500
Total bonus pool: $7,181,500 (27th)
The Astros reportedly like Neyens here, but if he's gone, the Astros could turn to high schooler Pierce. MLB.com expects he could go as high as 12th thanks to his makeup and baseball intellect.
Pick value: $3,983,900
Total bonus pool: $9,081,100 (23rd)
There's a good chance Fien goes higher than 22nd thanks to his solid tool profile, which includes a 55-grade arm at the hot corner that could easily play in the outfield. The Red Sox reportedly like him as an option at No. 15 as well.
Pick value: $3,852,100
Total bonus pool: $12,794,700 (11th)
Kansas City's been linked to Josh Hammond and Kruz Schoolcraft here, but De Brun possesses the game-changing speed and defense the Royals have showed a knack for acquiring in past years.
Pick value: $3,726,300
Total bonus pool: $10,990,800 (17th)
The prep lefty is one of the more intriguing players likely to be available late in the first round with his imposing 6-foot-8 frame. The Tigers are reportedly looking at lefty bats but could jump at grabbing Schoolcraft and his 97-mph fastball.
Pick value: $3,606,600
Total bonus pool: $6,569,100 (28th)
Bremner took a step back in 2025, causing his draft stock to fall. His 65-grade fastball and changeup are still worth considering for the Padres, although it's beginning to look like he'll be a reliever at the next level due to durability concerns.
Pick value: $3,492,200
Total bonus pool: $7,849,400 (26th)
The Phillies aren't shy about taking prep players with high ceilings, which makes Hammond - a two-way talent from North Carolina - a perfect pick if he's still around.
Pick value: $3,382,600
Total bonus pool: $10,198,100 (21st)
Bodine is the top backstop available in the draft (Irish catches, but played more outfield in 2025) and fits the Guardians' high-contact style. The 21-year-old posted a .337 average and struck out in just 8% of his college plate appearances.
