Demilio: Pirates 2025 Draft Big Board 1.0

In two months, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be on the clock with the sixth pick of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Evaluations are well underway and the Pirates will be looking to add a promising prospect to their minor-league system.

With two months to go until the draft, I have put together my initial Pirates’ big board of who I feel are the top 10 prospects.

1. 3B/SS Ethan Holliday, Oklahoma (High School)

The last name should be familiar. Holliday is the son of seven-time All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday and the brother of Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday, who was selected with the top pick in the 2022 draft.

Holliday will look to follow in his brother’s footsteps and be selected with the top pick, and there’s a legitimate chance he hears his name called first by the Nationals.

Holliday has a good frame, standing 6-foot-4 and coming in at 200 pounds. The biggest appeal with the 18-year-old is his power potential, which will certainly play at third base if that’s where he ultimately lands.

I like Ethan more than I liked Jackson coming out of high school, and that’s saying something. But he won’t be there for the Pirates to take.

2. LHP Jamie Arnold, Florida State

Arnold is my top pitcher available this year thanks to an impressive pitch mix that includes a mid-to-high 90s fastball, a plus-slider and a good changeup.

This season with Florida State, Arnold is 6-1 with a 2.21 ERA. In 61 innings, he’s only allowed 40 hits with 20 walks and 82 strikeouts.

The left-hander operates out of an unconventional arms lot — a la Madison Bumgarner or Chris Sale. The only knock on him is that he’s on the small side (6’1, 192 pounds), but his stuff certainly plays big.

3. SS Billy Carlson, California (High School)

Though it’s not an exact match by any means, Carlson is the player most similar to Konnor Griffin, the player selected by the Pirates’ in the first round of last year’s draft. Anyone who knows how I feel about Griffin and his upside understands that’s a big complement.

While Griffin had better tools coming out last year, Carlson looks poised to be an elite defensive shortstop as he develops. Though his hitting isn’t quite as advanced at his defense, he has upside on that front too, and he’s athletic.

With a smooth swing and a good glove, Carlson is one to keep an eye on.

4. SS Eli Willits, Oklahoma (High School)

While Willits doesn’t have the same ceiling as Carlson, he has a higher floor. And his ceiling is still pretty high, by the way. Though he lacks some in the power department, there are again things that can be compared to the Pirates’ first-round selection from last season.

Willits has an advanced feel for hitting and is a plus-runner with a good arm and good glove. He can probably play shortstop or center field.

Willits’ raw power limits his upside, but he provides everything else that scouts like.

5. RHP Seth Hernandez, California (High School)

Hernandez is teammates with Carlson at Corona High School. Good luck to anyone who has to play that team.

Hernandez is a pitching coach’s dream. He can hit the upper-90s with his fastball, has three good off-speed pitches, the ability to command the zone and a 6-foot-4 frame to work with.

The only reason I don’t have him rated higher is that teams tend to shy away from prep right-handers in the first round. However, Hernandez is hard to overlook.

6. RHP Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma

Though the top half of my list has been dominated by high schoolers, Witherspoon starts a run on college players.

Witherspoon has a deep arsenal headlined by a fastball that flirts with triple digits, a plus-slider and plus-cutter. He’s head and shoulders above the rest of the college right-handed pitching pool.

This year with the Sooners, Witherspoon is 9-3 with a 2.45 ERA and a whopping 104 strikeouts against 19 walks in 77 innings. He also doesn’t turn 21 until August, so age is on his side.

7. LHP Liam Doyle, Tennessee

If you like power arms, you’re going to love Doyle. The left-hander has a 70-grade fastball according to MLB Pipeline and can touch 99 mph. His other pitches are all considered above-average.

Doyle is 9-2 with a 2.17 ERA and has struck out 127 of the 286 batters he’s faced so far this season. Additionally, he’s only allowed 37 hits and walked 23 in 74.2 innings.

The soon-to-be 21-year-old has a violent delivery, so there is some reliever risk. If he ultimately ends up in the bullpen, he could be an elite high-leverage option.

8. LHP Kade Anderson, LSU

If you like risky upside, you’ll prefer Doyle. If you like higher floor but not quite as high of a ceiling, Anderson is your guy.

Anderson features a fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. He has average to above-average/plus pitchers across the board all with command.

With LSU this season, Anderson is 6-1 with a 3.66 ERA, 124 strikeouts and 20 walks. He has been plagued by the long ball (14 home runs allowed in 76.1 innings).

9. SS Aiva Arquette, Oregon State

Arquette is widely considered the top college hitter available in this year’s draft class.

He’s a big body, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 220 pounds but projects to be able to stay at shortstop long-term. Though he has solid tools across the board, his arm and raw power stand out.

In 51 games during his first season with the Beavers, Arquette has slashed .344/.473/.677 with 17 home runs and 59 RBI.

10. OF Jace LaViolette, Texas A&M

It’s impressive to see the 6-foot-6 LaViolette roam center fielder for the Aggies, even if he ends up as a corner outfielder as a pro — which is no guarantee.

The first thing that stands out with LaViolette is his power, as you’d expect from someone as big as him, but he’s also athletic. The hit tool is the only real concern.

In 50 games this season at Texas A&M, the 21-year-old has a .274/.438/.609 with 17 homers, 55 RBI and seven steals.