Nationals Projected to Select Star Pitcher with No. 1 Pick in Latest MLB Mock Draft
The Washington Nationals are expected to use their No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft to select a pitcher, marking the first time they’ve done so since 2020.
As the draft approaches, all eyes are on the Nationals, who haven’t held the top pick since 2009 and 2010. The anticipation is heightened by a recent shakeup in the front office, where general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired and replaced by interim GM Mike DeBartolo. These bold changes have added an extra layer of intrigue to their decision at the top of the draft.
The two main prospects that have dominated the conversation are shortstop Ethan Holliday and left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson, both ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, by MLB Pipeline. The choice will likely depend on how the new leadership views the team’s immediate future.
In his latest MLB mock draft, Keith Law of The Athletic projects that the Nationals will select Anderson, a pitcher from LSU. However, this is far from certain. Law reports that Washington is evaluating a group of six to seven candidates, including Anderson, Holliday, and shortstop Aiva Arquette.
Other players under consideration include shortstop Eli Willits, pitchers Liam Doyle and Jamie Arnold, and possibly right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez. However, given the recent front-office changes, Law suggests that Holliday and Hernandez are now less likely to be the pick.
The new leadership may lean towards selecting a college player who could provide a quicker return, and Anderson fits that profile. Law notes that Anderson’s performance in the College World Series didn’t hurt his stock, as he had already shown elite skills during the season.
In 2025, Anderson posted an impressive 12-1 record with a 3.18 ERA, tallying 180 strikeouts to just 35 walks over 119 innings. He led LSU to its eighth College World Series title and also topped the nation in strikeouts. In the championship finals against Coastal Carolina, Anderson threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out 10.
However, there are some lingering concerns, notably that Anderson underwent Tommy John surgery in high school in 2022. If selected, he would become the first pitcher chosen at No. 1 overall after having that surgery. Still, the bigger question may be whether Washington wants a player who can contribute immediately, which makes Anderson a strong candidate given the recent front-office changes.
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