Seattle Mariners receive another benefit in 2025 MLB Draft

The Seattle Mariners already had luck on their side for the 2025 MLB Draft. Now they have the money on their side, too.

Seattle Mariners Minors Report: 8 prospects who shined in April

MLB recently released slot values for draft picks and bonus pools for teams during the upcoming draft, which begins July 13 in Atlanta. The Mariners have the highest bonus pool of any team in the league at $17,074,400. According to MLB.com, that’s the fourth-highest amount since the bonus pool era started in 2012.

This comes after the M’s were one of the big winners in December during the draft lottery. Seattle had the second-worst odds of any of the 16 lottery eligible teams to land the No. 1 pick and ended up jumping 12 spots to the third overall selection. The club also has a competitive balance round A pick at No. 35 overall.

The Mariners received $9,504,400 slot value for the No. 3 pick and $2,758,300 for No. 35. They’re the only team with a winning record last season to be in the top four for bonus pool allotments in the 2025 draft.

The numbers assigned for slot values aren’t necessarily what those picks will receive upon signing. Teams can offers players over the slot value, a tactic oftentimes used to convince players to forgo their college commitments and go straight to pro baseball. And teams can offer draftees under the slot value in an effort to save extra bonus pool money for others picks.

The Mariners used that strategy in 2023 when they had three first-round picks. They allocated more money to first-rounders Colt Emerson and Jonny Farmelo (both high school bats) while signing second-rounder Ben Williamson under his slot value.

You can find the full 2025 bonus pool list and draft slot allocations here.

Top 5 draft prospects

With the M’s holding the No. 3 overall pick, here’s a look at the top five prospects in the 2025 draft, per MLB.com.

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

Ethan Holliday is the son seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday and the younger brother of Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday, who was the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball at the start of last season. Ethan’s skill set is highlighted by 65-grade power on the 20-80 scale, per MLB Pipeline, and he is thought to have an even higher ceiling than his brother. He’s projected to eventually land at third base.

2. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona High School (Calif.)

Seth Hernandez is widely considered the top high school pitching prospect in the country and has a shot of becoming just the fourth high school arm to be taken No. 1 overall. The 6-foot-4 right-hander’s 65-grade fastball touches the high 90s and rates as his best pitch. He also features a plus changeup, a 12-6 curveball that has reached 3,000 rpms and a slider.

3. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State

Jamie Arnold has been a popular pick for the Mariners in mock drafts and is considered to be the best college pitching prospect in the draft. The 6-foot-1 left-hander throws a fastball in the mid-90s and a plus slider from his low arm slot, which has helped him drawn comparisons to eight-time All-Star southpaw Chris Sale. Arnold also features a changeup. He finished third in the country in strikeouts last season, and he’s 5-1 with a 2.39 ERA, 73 strikeouts and 55 innings pitched in 10 starts for Florida State this year.

4. Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton High School (Okla.)

Eli Willits is another high school prospect with MLB pedigree. His dad, Reggie Willits, was an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels. The younger Willits, who stands at 6 foot 1, is a switch-hitter touted for his contact, speed and defense, with his 60-grade hit and speed tools topping the list. He reclassified from the 2026 class and is still just 17 years old.

5. Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State

Aiva Arquette spent his first two college seasons with the UW Huskies before transferring to powerhouse Oregon State. His top tools are his 60-grade arm and 55-grade power, which paired with his 6-foot-5 frame could mean a future at third base. He had a strong showing in the revered Cape Cod League last summer, hitting .291 with a .793 OPS, three home runs and and 21 RBIs in 29 games. And he’s batting .359 with a 1.199 OPS, 16 home runs and 55 RBIs in 45 games for Oregon State this season. Arquette was also basketball standout at Saint Louis High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he led his school to a state title while winning Gatorade State Player of the Year honors as a senior.

Seattle Mariners receive another benefit in 2025 MLB Draft

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