The future of Major League Baseball begins tonight in Atlanta, as the 2025 MLB Draft kicks off and the next generation of superstars starts their journey to the big leagues.

With two dozen players from the previous two draft classes already having made their MLB debuts–including six from just last year–the path from draft pick to Major League Baseball player has never been shorter.

The Washington Nationals hold the highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick and are expected to use nearly all of their allotted time before making a decision. The choice for the top spot is widely believed to be a three-way race between Louisiana State left-hander Kade Anderson and two Oklahoma high school shortstops, Ethan Holliday and Eli Willits.

Willits tries to overtake Anderson and Holliday

Adding intrigue to the top pick, sources indicate that Eli Willits has been actively “shopping a discount deal” to be selected at or near the top of the draft.

Willits notably skipped the pre-Draft physical exam at the Combine, a move that typically guarantees players at least 75 percent of the assigned value for their pick. While Anderson and Holliday also did not undergo pre-Draft physicals, they are expected to command significantly higher signing bonuses than Willits.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the No. 1 pick, eight specific players are considered near-certainties to land within the top 10. The draft is expected to be dominated by shortstops, with at least 10 players at the premium position likely to be selected within the top 20 picks.

All eyes will be on Atlanta this afternoon

This year’s class boasts high-caliber players, from MLB legacies to college All-Americans, who are expected to stay at the position and perform at an elite level in the future.

The 2025 MLB Draft promises a night of high stakes and high drama as teams navigate a game of dominos to secure their future stars.

Your quick guide to the MLB Draft: How baseball’s future stars are chosen TONIGHT!

The future of Major League Baseball begins tonight in Atlanta, as the 2025 MLB Draft kicks off and the next generation of superstars starts their journey to the big leagues!

The Washington Nationals hold the highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick and are expected to use nearly all of their allotted time before making their decision, likely a three-way race between LSU lefty Kade Anderson and Oklahoma high school shortstops Ethan Holliday and Eli Willits.

But how exactly does this complex system work? Here’s a quick breakdown of the MLB Draft:

The Basics: Rounds and picks

Unlike other major sports, the MLB Draft is a massive event, spanning 20 rounds over several days. Tonight and Monday, teams will make selections.

Every pick in the first 10 rounds has an assigned “slot value,” which is a recommended signing bonus amount for that pick. This slot value system helps balance spending and prevents teams from offering exorbitant amounts for top talent.

Who gets drafted?

Teams can draft eligible players from high school, college, and even international leagues.

High School Players: Must have graduated high school and not yet attended college.

College Players: Generally eligible after their junior year or after turning 21, whichever comes first. Junior college players are eligible at any time.

International Players: Have a separate signing period and rules, but some international prospects who opt for the draft (like those who play in U.S. high schools/colleges) can be selected.

The picking order

The draft order is primarily determined by the reverse order of the previous season’s standings. The team with the worst record picks first, and the World Series champion picks last in each round. This system aims to promote competitive balance.

However, there’s a lottery system for the first six picks to deter “tanking” (intentionally losing games to get a better draft pick). The remaining picks in the first round and all subsequent rounds follow the reverse order of standings.

Compensatory picks

Teams can also receive additional picks as compensation for losing certain free agents in the prior offseason. These are known as “compensatory picks” and are added at specific points throughout the draft.

The MLB Draft is a fascinating blend of strategy, talent evaluation, and financial decisions, all culminating in tonight’s highly anticipated first round!