Demilio: 2025 MLB Draft Big Board; Plenty of Good Options for Pirates
The 2025 MLB Draft is one day away, and the Pittsburgh Pirates will be on the clock with the sixth pick.
Ahead of the first round, which begins at 6 p.m. ET from Atlanta on Sunday, I’ve finalized my big board of who I feel are the top 10 prospects available this year.
A little bit about the process — After getting familiar with dozens of prospects in the top portion of draft boards, I narrowed my list down to 17 players to take into consideration. I watched film, read scouting reports and received input from some fine people who evaluate talent for a living before assembling my own top 10.
Without further ado, here are my top 10 2025 MLB Draft prospects.
1. LHP Kade Anderson, Louisiana State University
One word comes to mind when watching Anderson pitch — dominance. The left-hander led Division I college baseball with 180 strikeouts in 119 innings and guided the LSU Tigers to the College World Series after finishing 12-1 with a 3.18 ERA across 19 starts.
Though there’s risk with any draft prospect, Anderson is the perfect blend of a high floor and a high ceiling. Anderson has four solid offerings in his arsenal, led by a lively fastball and a changeup that was already effective and has improved as the year’s went on.
Anderson has the potential to be a frontline starting pitcher in the big leagues one day, and he is the likely choice for the Washington Nationals with the first pick.
2. RHP Seth Hernandez, California (High School)
Usually, I tend to rank high school pitchers on the lower side because they are the riskiest demographic, but Hernandez’s potential is just too hard to ignore.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-hander went 9-1 with a 0.39 ERA, 105 strikeouts and seven walks across 53.1 innings during his senior season at Corona High School, where he was teammates with Billy Carlson (more on him in a bit.)
Hernandez’s fastball is already electric and he has three really good offspeed offerings and the ability to command the zone. When it comes to prep pitchers, he’s about as good as it gets.
3. SS Ethan Holliday, Oklahoma (High School)
Holliday is looking to follow his brother, Jackson, and be taken with the first pick in the draft. Even if he doesn’t go first overall, Holliday won’t have to wait long to hear his name called.
Though the 18-year-old will probably have to shift from shortstop to third base as a professional, it’s the power that appeals to scouts. He has legitimate 30-home run potential from the left side of the plate.
During his senior year of high school, slugged 1.309 with 16 home runs and 51 RBI in 32 games. He also hit .619 with a .737 on-base percentage. Not too shabby.
4. SS JoJo Parker, Mississippi (High School)
Of everyone I evaluated in this year’s class, Parker’s explosive left-handed swing might be my favorite.
Parker already has an advanced feel for hitting, probably the best of any high school prospect in this year’s class. He also has power potential and a strong arm that will play at third base if he doesn’t stick at shortstop.
Parker slashed 465/.665/1.010 as a senior with 11 doubles, a pair of triples, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 70 runs scored and 30 stolen bases. He also drew 45 walks and only struck out four times in 158 plate appearances.
5. SS Billy Carlson, California (High School)
Carlson is one of several prep shortstop standouts that look like probable top 10 picks. Could you imagine being a high schooler and having to face a team that had both Carlson and Hernandez on it?
Carlson hit .365 with a 1.164 OPS in 31 games as a senior. He hit six home runs, collected 34 RBI and went a perfect 9 for 9 in stolen base attempts
Though Carlson is old for a highschooler — he turns 19 later this month — he has a lot of desirable tools and will in all likelihood stick at shortstop long-term. There’s potential at the plate, too.
6. SS Aiva Arquette, Oregon State University
Arquette is the best college hitter available for me this year, and he makes a lot of sense for the Pirates at No. 6.
The 21-year-old transferred to Oregon State prior to the start of the 2025 season and hit .354/.461/.654 batting line, 17 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, 56 RBI and seven steals in 65 games en route to a College World Series appearance.
Arquette is a big body (6’5, 220) with legitimate power and a big arm and has shown some potential that he might be able to be an everyday shortstop.
7. LHP Jamie Arnold, Florida State University
Arnold was one of the top pitchers in college baseball this season, so it’s understandable that he’s also one of the top prospects available.
In 15 starts this past season with FSU, Arnold went 8-2 with a 2.98 ERA, 119 strikeouts and and 27 walks in 84.2 innings while holding opponents to a .208 batting average.
Arnold’s fastball/slider combo is lethal. If he’s able to improve his changeup, there’s a chance he could be an effective big-league starting pitcher for years to come.
8. SS Eli Willits, Oklahoma (High School)
Willits is another of the handful of prep shortstops at the top of draft boards, and after reclassifying from 2026 to this year, is one of the youngest players available.
A switch-hitter who measures 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Willits hit .516 with nine home runs, 33 RBI and 49 stolen bases during his senior season.
The 17-year-old can hit, field, throw and run. The only knock on him is limited power, but if he can improve that area of his game, he will be one of the best players to emerge from this class.
9. RHP Kyson Witherspoon, University of Oklahoma
Witherspoon has a deep pitch mix with the potential for four above-average to plus offerings. That’s a good foundation for teams to work with.
His fastball flirts with triple digits. His slider and cutter tunnel well off each other and are both effective. I was really impressed with his curveball when I came across it. He also has a changeup.
This year with the Sooners, Witherspoon went 10-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts. He logged 95 innings, held opponents to a .208 batting average, walked 23 and struck out 124, the latter of which ranked sixth in the country.
10. OF/C Ike Irish, Auburn University
I round out my top 10 with Irish, who is among the top sluggers available in this year’s class.
A natural catcher who held his own in the outfield after an injury forced him from behind the plate, Irish slashed .364/.469/.710 with 13 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 58 RBI and 11 stolen bases. 13 of those 19 home runs came against SEC teams and he posted a 1.830 OPS in league play.
Irish could be someone who reaches the big leagues quickly, which should appeal to the Pirates. He’d also be someone they could sign to an under-slot deal to spend more on their later picks.
Also considered: LHP Liam Doyle, SS Wehiwa Aloy, OF Brendan Summerhill, SS Kayson Cunningham, SS Steele Hall, SS Daniel Pierce
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