The 2025 MLB Draft Lottery was held on December 10 to decide the order for the first 18 picks in the first round. The big winner was the Washington Nationals, who will have the chance to pick first overall for the first time in over a decade.
Washington won the first pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The Nationals had the luck of the draw — again. Washington technically won the 2024 MLB Draft Lottery but were ineligible to win due to MLB Draft lottery restrictions.
The Nats are considered a “payer” club into revenue sharing, meaning the Nationals were ineligible to win a top-six picks two years in a row. Washington won the second overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, used on Dylan Crews.
Now, the Nationals, who came in with the fourth-best odds, have options. Washington could take high school superstar Ethan Holliday, the son of Matt Holliday and brother of Jackson Holliday. Ethan is considered the best high school player by a healthy margin. Or, the Nationals could opt for Jace LaViolette, an elite power-hitting corner outfielder from Texas A&M.
That, however, will be determined over the coming months.
The Angels (third-best) and Mariners (15th-best) received the second and third overall picks respectively. For Seattle, it can be considered a victory after the Mariners won 85 games, yet missed out on the playoffs.
Colorado (tied for 1st), St. Louis (13th-best), and Pittsburgh (6th) were the other winners of the MLB Draft Lottery. Although, the Rockies did fall from being tied with the Marlins for the best odds, to going down to fourth.
Here’s a look at the top 18 picks in the 2025 MLB Draft:
- Nationals
- Angels
- Mariners
- Rockies
- Cardinals
- Pirates
- Marlins
- Blue Jays
- Reds
- White Sox
- Athletics
- Rangers
- Giants
- Rays
- Red Sox
- Twins
- Cubs
- Diamondbacks
The Marlins were arguably the big losers, as Miami went from tied with Colorado for the best odds to win. Instead, the Marlins will draft seventh.
Because of MLB Draft lottery rules, the White Sox and A’s were ineligible to win. Chicago won a top-six slot last year and are a “payer club.” The White Sox took Hagen Smith. The Athletics, who took Jacob Wilson (2023) and Nick Kurtz (2024) over the last two years, are not eligible to win three years in a row.
The 2025 MLB Draft will be held in July during All-Star weekend.