Checking in on Every MLB Team's 1st-Round Pick from the 2025 Draft
With the 2026 MLB draft less than a month away, now is the perfect time to check in on how the top draft picks from the 2025 class are performing in their first full professional season.
Prep shortstop Ethan Holliday and LSU left-hander Kade Anderson sat atop most speculative boards entering the draft, but the Washington Nationals went with another high school shortstop in Eli Willits with the No. 1 overall selection.
How does each club's 2025 first-round draft decision look a year later?
Let's dive in!
Note: The prospect ranks referenced in this article reflect where each player stands on B/R's most recent Top 100 prospect list and on his organization's Top 10 prospect list from our latest farm system rankings.
Picks 1-3
1 of 10
1. Washington Nationals: SS Eli Willits
B/R Prospect Ranks: No. 10 MLB, No. 1 WAS
Stats: 59 G, .290/.412/.525, 31 XBH (11 HR), 35 SB
Current Level: High-A
Willits hit .300/.418/.500 with 23 extra-base hits in 47 games at Single-A to earn a quick promotion to High-A. He does not turn 19 years old until Dec. 9, and the overall polish that helped him climb to the top of the draft class is already showing up in pro ball.
2. Los Angeles Angels: RHP Tyler Bremner
B/R Prospect Ranks: No. 44 MLB, No. 1 LAA
Stats: 9 GS, 2.57 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 9 BB, 40 K, 28.0 IP
Current Level: High-A
A surprise at No. 2 overall, Bremner was by no means a reach as a first-round selection, and he has immediately climbed to the top of the Angels organizational prospect list. His dramatic splits against right-handed hitters (57 PA, .852 OPS) compared to left-handed hitters (57 PA, .508 OPS) are worth monitoring.
3. Seattle Mariners: LHP Kade Anderson
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 7 MLB, No. 2 SEA
Stats: 12 GS, 1.02 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 8 BB, 90 K, 61.2 IP
Current Level: Double-A
Anderson was sent straight to Double-A for his pro debut, and he has been absolutely dominant. He has limited opposing hitters to a .152/.187/.205 batting line with just seven extra-base hits in 219 plate appearances, and he might already be in the majors if there was a vacancy in Seattle's rotation.
Picks 4-6
2 of 10
4. Colorado Rockies: SS Ethan Holliday
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 37 MLB, No. 1 COL
Stats: 33 G, .262/.395/.557, 16 XBH (9 HR), 1 SB
Current Level: Single-A
Holliday raised red flags when he struck out 33 times in 84 plate appearances last season after signing, but he showed an improved approach early on this year with playable power. Unfortunately, he suffered a stress fracture in his foot that required season-ending surgery in late May.
5. St. Louis Cardinals: LHP Liam Doyle
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 69 MLB, No. 2 STL
Stats: 12 GS, 6.08 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 27 BB, 64 K, 47.1 IP
Current Level: Double-A
Doyle is missing plenty of bats with his high-octane fastball, and his pure stuff will keep him in the top prospect conversation for a long time. However, he is walking batters at a 12.6 percent clip and allowing a .266 opponents' batting average, so there is significant work to do improving his command.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates: RHP Seth Hernandez
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 6 MLB, No. 1 PIT
Stats: 13 GS, 2.04 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 25 BB, 93 K, 57.1 IP
Current Level: High-A
Hernandez was virtually unhittable at Single-A to open the year, posting a 0.96 ERA and a 50-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 28 innings. His 41.9 percent strikeout rate overall speaks to the quality of his stuff, and he is quickly emerging as one of baseball's top-tier pitching prospects.
Picks 7-9
3 of 10
7. Miami Marlins: SS Aiva Arquette
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 25 MLB, No. 3 MIA
Stats: 40 G, .236/.296/.448, 17 XBH (8 HR), 11 SB
Current Level: Double-A
Arquette hit .354/.461/.654 with 19 home runs last spring at Oregon State, and his 50-hit, 60-power offensive profile gave him one of the highest offensive ceilings in the college class. After a strong start at High-A (14 G, .851 OPS, 8 XBH), he has struggled a bit making the jump to Double-A.
8. Toronto Blue Jays: SS JoJo Parker
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 38 MLB, No. 2 TOR
Stats: 61 G, .246/.383/.438, 25 XBH (8 HR), 19 SB
Current Level: Single-A
A 16.6 percent walk rate and .383 on-base percentage are a good example of the advanced approach that gave Parker one of the best hit tools in the 2025 prep class. He is hitting .281/.405/.609 with five home runs and 16 RBI over 79 plate appearances in June.
9. Cincinnati Reds: SS Steele Hall
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 3 CIN
Stats: 39 G, .307/.416/.567, 22 XBH (8 HR), 16 SB
Current Level: Rookie League
Hall reclassified from the 2026 draft and was one of the youngest players on the board last year when the Reds made him a surprise top-10 selection. His top-of-the-scale speed and plus glove were the foundation of his prospect profile, but he is off to a terrific start at the plate in rookie ball.
Picks 10-12
4 of 10
10. Chicago White Sox: SS Billy Carlson
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 99 MLB, No. 5 CWS
Stats: 39 G, .257/.386/.340, 11 XBH (0 HR), 8 SB
Current Level: Single-A
Carlson was the best defensive shortstop in the 2025 draft class, with MLB.com positing that he "looks like a surefire Gold Glover" in his prospect profile. His offensive game was a step behind his glove, and many evaluators believed his swing needed to be simplified, so the early returns at Single-A are encouraging.
11. Athletics: LHP Jamie Arnold
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 50 MLB, No. 2 ATH
Stats: 14 GS, 4.24 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 34 BB, 73 K, 70.0 IP
Current Level: Double-A
Arnold has turned in a few clunkers while jumping straight to Double-A for his pro debut, but he has a 2.31 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 23.1 innings over four outings in June with three quality starts. With three quality pitches, advanced command and deception in his delivery, he is on the fast track to the majors.
12. Texas Rangers: 3B Gavin Fien
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 10 WAS
Stats: 34 G, .237/.344/.407, 12 XBH (5 HR), 3 SB
Current Level: Single-A
The Rangers traded Fien to the Nationals as part of a five-player package to acquire MacKenzie Gore. With a 6'3", 200-pound frame, he was always likely to outgrow shortstop. He has played exclusively in the grass this year, and his plus arm and 55-grade power could end up being a clean fit in right field.
Picks 13-15
5 of 10
13. San Francisco Giants: SS Gavin Kilen
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 6 SF
Stats: 66 G, .278/.352/.430, 28 XBH (6 HR), 0 SB
Current Level: High-A
Elite bat-to-ball skills are Kilen's calling card, and they were on full display last spring when he hit .357/.441/.671 with more walks (30) than strikeouts (27) after transferring from Louisville to Tennessee. He has played almost exclusively shortstop in pro ball, and sticking there would ease concerns about his lack of power.
14. Tampa Bay Rays: SS Daniel Pierce
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 5 TB
Stats: 34 G, .252/.336/.390, 9 XBH (4 HR), 6 SB
Current Level: Single-A
Pierce steadily climbed draft boards last spring after showing up stronger and more athletic for his senior season at Mill Creek High School in Georgia. He missed most of June with a shoulder injury, and there is some risk of him falling behind the developmental curve since he turns 20 in August.
15. Boston Red Sox: RHP Kyson Witherspoon
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 57 MLB, No. 3 BOS
Stats: 12 GS, 5.12 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 27 BB, 54 K, 51.0 IP
Current Level: High-A
Witherspoon had less polish than some of the other top college arms in the 2025 class, but his electric four-pitch arsenal and clean mechanics give him a true frontline upside. His walk rate has climbed from 5.9 percent last spring to 12.4 percent this year, so his command will need to improve to realize that ceiling.
Picks 16-18
6 of 10
16. Minnesota Twins: SS Marek Houston
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 7 MIN
Stats: 59 G, .324/.401/.456, 21 XBH (5 HR), 25 SB
Current Level: Double-A
A standout defensive shortstop, Houston gave his draft stock a major boost when he hit .354/.458/.597 with 15 home runs as a junior at Vanderbilt. A .325/.406/.461 line over 268 plate appearances at High-A earned him a promotion to Double-A earlier this week, and an early 2027 debut is not out of the question.
17. Chicago Cubs: OF Ethan Conrad
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 5 CHC
Stats: N/A
Current Level: Rookie League
Conrad hit .372/.495/.744 with seven home runs in 21 games last spring at Wake Forest before suffering a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. That wiped out a potential 2025 debut, and he is now sidelined with a lower-back injury, so he has yet to take the field in pro ball.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks: SS Kayson Cunningham
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 54 MLB, No. 2 ARI
Stats: 55 G, .356/.438/.484, 21 XBH (2 HR), 14 SB
Current Level: High-A
Cunningham fits the undersized, hit-over power player the D-backs have had success developing in recent years, and he looks like a future leadoff hitter thanks to his 60-hit, 60-speed profile. He hit .381/.471/.506 over 43 games at Single-A to earn an early promotion just before his 20th birthday on June 25.
Picks 19-21
7 of 10
19. Baltimore Orioles: C Ike Irish
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 3 BAL
Stats: 59 G, .257/.375/.467, 24 XBH (10 HR), 15 SB
Current Level: High-A
Irish made five starts at catcher in his pro debut, but he has played exclusively first base and outfield this year. That should allow his polished bat to move quickly through the minors, though he needs to improve against left-handed pitching with a .139 average and 17 strikeouts in 41 plate appearances.
20. Milwaukee Brewers: 3B Andrew Fischer
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 7 MIL
Stats: 60 G, .292/.435/.689, 36 XBH (23 HR), 5 SB
Current Level: Double-A
In 167 college games, Fischer hit .307/.438/.672 with 56 home runs and 155 RBI, and his 60-grade power was among the best in the 2025 draft. He played third base for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic and continues to line up at the hot corner, though a move to first base might be in his future.
21. Houston Astros: SS Xavier Neyens
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 82 MLB, No. 1 HOU
Stats: 56 G, .242/.431/.430, 15 XBH (10 HR), 14 SB
Current Level: Single-A
One of the top power bats in the 2025 class, Neyens has shown a better-than-expected approach in his debut, logging a 23.0 percent walk rate at Single-A. Those strong on-base skills are accompanied by a 31.9 percent strikeout rate, and a full-time move to third base is likely in his future, but his upside is huge.
Picks 22-24
8 of 10
22. Atlanta Braves: SS Tate Southisene
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 4 ATL
Stats: 66 G, .276/.417/.455, 25 XBH (8 HR), 40 SB
Current Level: High-A
Slotted at No. 43 in Baseball America's predraft Top 500 rankings, Southisene looked like a bit of a reach by Atlanta on draft day, but he has quickly emerged as one of the top position players in their system. He had a .929 OPS, 20 extra-base hits and 36 steals in 51 games at Single-A before he was moved up a level.
23. Kansas City Royals: OF Sean Gamble
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 9 KC
Stats: 64 G, .186/.301/.280, 14 XBH (3 HR), 19 SB
Current Level: Single-A
Gamble is off to a slower start in pro ball than fellow 2025 draft pick Josh Hammond (No. 28 overall, No. 81 on B/R Top 100), but he is starting to find his groove at Single-A. The 19-year-old is hitting .295/.429/.443 with six extra-base hits and 10 steals over 18 games in June.
24. Detroit Tigers: SS Jordan Yost
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 9 DET
Stats: 39 G, .261/.398/.359, 10 XBH (1 HR), 6 SB
Current Level: Single-A
A 55-grade hit tool and advanced plate discipline helped Yost climb into the back of the first round, and with a .398 on-base percentage and more walks (25) than strikeouts (24) in his debut he has been as advertised. There is projection remaining in his 6'0", 170-pound frame, which could lead to more power.
Picks 25-27
9 of 10
25. San Diego Padres: LHP Kruz Schoolcraft
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 4 SD
Stats: 12 GS, 6.81 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 28 BB, 46 K, 39.2 IP
Current Level: Single-A
With a 6'8", 229-pound frame and the upside often associated with former two-way players who turn their full attention to pitching, Schoolcraft was the second high school pitcher taken after Seth Hernandez. His overall numbers are inflated by an ugly 15.95 ERA in 7.1 innings over his first four starts.
26. Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Gage Wood
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 53 MLB, No. 2 PHI
Stats: 14 GS, 3.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 19 BB, 69 K, 47.0 IP
Current Level: Double-A
A 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State at the 2025 College World Series vaulted Wood into the first-round conversation, and it looks like the Phillies walked away with one of the steals of the draft. He jumped over the High-A level and straight to Double-A after a strong start to the season.
27. Cleveland Guardians: OF Jace LaViolette
B/R Prospect Rank: Unranked
Stats: 56 G, .239/.345/.460, 24 XBH (12 HR), 6 SB
Current Level: High-A
LaViolette slugged 68 home runs in three seasons at Texas A&M and was a candidate to go No. 1 overall entering his junior season before swing-and-miss concerns pushed him down the draft board. With 100 strikeouts in 56 games and a 37.6 percent strikeout rate, those concerns have not diminished.
Top Performing Hitter/ Pitcher Outside Round 1
10 of 10
Pitcher: RHP Anthony Eyanson, Boston Red Sox
Drafted: 3rd round, No. 87 overall
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 40 MLB, No. 2 BOS
Stats: 11 GS, 1.00 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 16 BB, 62 K, 45.0 IP
Current Level: Double-A
With the exception of Kade Anderson, no pitcher from the 2025 class is off to a better start in pro ball than Eyanson, who was Anderson's teammate and fellow weekend starter for LSU's national championship team. He has allowed just 22 hits in 45 innings, and he has not missed a beat since his promotion to Double-A.
Hitter: OF Josiah Hartshorn, Chicago Cubs
Drafted: 6th round, No. 181 overall
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 3 CHC
Stats: 66 G, .302/.418/.557, 30 XBH (14 HR), 7 SB
Current Level: High-A
The Cubs paid Hartshorn like a second-round pick with a $2 million bonus that set a new high mark for a sixth-round pick. The 19-year-old has a strong 6'0", 220-pound frame and tremendous raw power, but it's his overall polish at the plate that has stood out, with almost as many walks (45) as strikeouts (50) while debuting in full-season ball.
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