The Washington Nationals have won the draft lottery, giving them the number one pick for the 2025 season. With the number one overall selection they chose Ethan Holliday out of Stillwater High School. The son of 7X all-star Matt Holliday and brother of former number one prospect and soon to be star in the Orioles organization, Jackson Holliday.
Ethan Holliday is still in high school but scouts project him to be more physical and all around better than than his other number one overall brother Jackson. Ethan is the third person in this family to be drafted number one overall.
The Nats already have prospects with high ceilings like Dylan Crews, Travis Sykora, and Brady House. James Wood was a rookie last year who played half a season and produced well for the Nationals for the short time he was in MLB. This core of rookies makes the Nationals a top ten farm system in the league.
MLB says Ethan might have the best power in his family. He was looked at as the best lefty hitter in the entire draft class. The 2025 season is still months away so we still have plenty of time to see the kind of player Ethan turns into. He still has his entire season to play before he starts his career. As of now, his scouting report predicts him to take over from Ryan Zimmerman and be the next great franchise third baseman.
He is predicted to be an above average defender at his most likely infield position third base, where he would be great beside the young infield core of CJ Abrams and James Wood. He’s in a great position to put up impressive numbers because of the mediocre pitching in the NL East, with teams like the Braves and Phillies having an offensive mindset.
This first overall pick for the Nationals has been a light in the dark of the last few Nationals seasons. The dismantling of their world series core and a front office not giving out much money has led to a bleak period in Nationals history. But now their young talent is starting to emerge and appear in the big leagues. This will be an exciting team to watch once Ethan Holliday makes his debut.
