The Washington Nationals find themselves at a crucial juncture in their quest to reestablish themselves as a competitive force, holding the coveted No. 1 pick in Major League Baseballโs amateur draft beginning this Sunday night in Atlanta. This opportunity offers a choice among several promising candidates, headlined by high-school standout Ethan Holliday. Holliday brings a notable pedigree as the son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday and the younger brother of Jackson Holliday, the 2022 top overall pick now rising in the majors with the Baltimore Orioles.
The Nationals stirred speculation with their decision this week to part ways with both longstanding general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez. The timing, more than the decision itself, has added a layer of unpredictability to a draft already considered to be one of the most uncertain in recent memory. As the draft unfolds, the first three rounds are scheduled for Sunday, followed by the remaining selections on Monday.
In the aftermath, Washington advanced Mike DeBartolo to the role of interim general manager. DeBartolo, previously the assistant general manager and with the organization since 2012, will oversee the teamโs draft choices. He plans to collaborate with the scouting department while incorporating his perspectives to make the final decisions. Budget considerations, namely working within the teamโs allocated bonus pool, will also influence the selections.
This year, the Orioles top the bonus pool list with more than $19 million, in contrast to the Yankees at the bottom, operating with approximately $5.3 million and not selecting until No. 39. โTheyโre preparing diligently for this pivotal moment, even before the last draft concluded,โ DeBartolo said. โIโll contribute my insights, work in tandem with the team, and take responsibility for the picks.โ
The Nationals face a challenging choice of whom to select first, with top prospects including a few left-handed pitchersโKade Anderson from LSU, Liam Doyle from Tennesseeโand Oregon Stateโs shortstop Aiva Arquette, alongside the high school shortstops Holliday and Eli Willits. โThe pool of skilled players available is vast,โ DeBartolo mentioned. โWe must determine how to strategically navigate our bonus pool and player demands, exploring all potential scenarios in the coming days.โ
Following Washington in the draft order, the Los Angeles Angels hold the No. 2 selection, with the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, and St. Louis Cardinals completing the top five. Left-handed college pitchers remain a predominant force among the prospects, including Anderson, Doyle, and Florida Stateโs Jamie Arnold. Anderson, for instance, was instrumental in guiding LSU to a College World Series triumph, showcasing a complete-game shutout in the championshipโs opening match, concluding with a 12-1 record and a 3.18 ERA across 119 innings.
Doyleโs exceptional performance for the Vols marked him as a rising star in mock drafts, posting a 10-4 season, a 3.20 ERA, along with 162 strikeouts over 95 2/3 innings. Arnold emerged as a key player for Florida State in 2024 before experiencing a slight decline last season, yet retained strong performance metrics, finishing 8-2 with a 2.98 ERA and 119 strikeouts. โCollege left-handers are certainly sought after at present,โ stated Marinersโ vice president of amateur scouting, Scott Hunter.
Meanwhile, Corona High Schoolโsituated roughly 45 miles from Los Angelesโboasts the potential of seeing three of its athletes drafted in the first round. Leading the charge is right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez, considered a potential top-five pick. Fellow team member shortstop Billy Carlson is also expected to earn an early first-round selection, while third baseman Brady Ebel, ranked No. 64 by MLB.com, could advance into the opening round. Another Corona player, Ethin Bingaman, while committed to Auburn as a two-way player, is projected to be drafted in the top five rounds.