Key Insights from the 2025 MLB Draft: Surprises and Stars

The 2025 MLB Draft really kept people on their toes. Unexpected moves and bold choices seemed to define a new era for amateur baseball.

Atlanta’s Roxy Theater set the stage for this year’s event. Headlines buzzed about surprises, the lack of a clear-cut star, and a big swing back to high school talent.

Eli Willits going first overall? That got everyone talking. The impact of NIL deals in college baseball also added a layer of intrigue.

Let’s get into the biggest takeaways from a draft that shook up Major League Baseball.

The Washington Nationals Go Bold with Eli Willits at No. 1

The Washington Nationals shocked just about everyone by taking Oklahoma high school shortstop Eli Willits with the first pick. He’s only 17, but he jumped ahead of better-known names like Ethan Holliday and the top college pitchers.

Willits brings solid defense and promising offense. The Nationals are betting he’ll anchor their infield for a long time.

The Boras Factor Comes Into Play

Washington’s choice was partly about avoiding the hefty signing demands tied to Ethan Holliday and his agent, Scott Boras. They went with Willits instead, likely saving themselves a headache and some cash.

He’s got a ton of room to grow, and the Nationals seem ready to bet on that potential.

Unexpected Rises: Tyler Bremner’s Late Surge

The Los Angeles Angels grabbed right-hander Tyler Bremner out of UC Santa Barbara with the second pick. Bremner didn’t start the college season strong, so his rise caught a few folks off guard.

His late-season surge and raw tools clearly impressed the Angels. Scouts must’ve liked his momentum and growth, not just his stats from earlier in the year.

Strategic Thinking Behind Bremner’s Pick

The Angels see Bremner as a long-term project. He commands his pitches well and has shown some grit, so maybe he’ll surprise the skeptics.

Ethan Holliday’s Fall and Secondary Surprises

One of the biggest shocks was Ethan Holliday dropping to No. 4. The Rockies quickly scooped him up, adding his mature approach and power to their lineup of young prospects.

No one really saw that slide coming. It just goes to show how unpredictable draft night can get.

Known Names Slip, New Talent Shines

Aiva Arquette and Billy Carlson also dropped further than most expected. That opened the door for programs like Corona High School to step into the spotlight.

Corona produced three top-32 picks—Carlson, Brady Ebel, and Seth Hernandez. It’s honestly wild how deep this year’s high school talent pool turned out to be.

The Rise of High School Prospects and Changing Trends

This draft flipped the script compared to recent years. High school players dominated, with three of the top six picks and six of the top ten coming straight from prep programs.

Teams seem more willing to gamble on young talent. The pull of immediate pro contracts and the growing influence of NIL deals in college baseball have definitely changed the game.

Corona High’s Remarkable Contribution

Corona High School really made its mark. Three of its players went early, which is just nuts.

Seth Hernandez, boasting a 98-mph fastball and a 6-foot-5 frame, went sixth overall to the Pirates. He joins a promising pitching pipeline with Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler.

Brady Ebel and Billy Carlson only added to Corona’s reputation. That school clearly knows how to develop MLB-ready talent.

Key Takeaways from the 2025 MLB Draft

As the dust settles, here’s what teams and fans can glean from this unpredictable draft:

• High school prospects are back in vogue: Teams showed a renewed appetite for grooming raw prep talent.
• Strategic financial decisions ruled the day: Holliday’s slide emphasized the weight of signing demands in draft decisions.
• Late-season momentum matters: Bremner’s rise proves that strong finishes can rewrite narratives.
• The NIL effect is real: College baseball dynamics are shifting, influencing MLB decision-making in unintended ways.

The 2025 MLB Draft brought a wild mix of talent and strategy.

Teams took risks, and a few surprises at the top left everyone talking.

It’s tough to predict how these prospects will shake up the league, but there’s no doubt the landscape just changed.

Fans and scouts alike will be watching closely, wondering who’ll break out—and who might fade away.

 
Here is the source article for this story: 2025 MLB Draft takeaways: Surprise No. 1, Corona is king, Skenes support coming?