{"id":114426,"date":"2025-06-19T02:08:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T02:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/114426\/"},"modified":"2025-06-19T02:08:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T02:08:10","slug":"nationals-have-big-choice-to-make-with-no-1-draft-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/114426\/","title":{"rendered":"Nationals Have Big Choice to Make with No. 1 Draft Pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luck. It\u2019s what gave the Washington Nationals the #1 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft this past December. Now, a few weeks from the draft, D.C.\u2019s home team will look to get lucky again and turn that lottery ball into a golden ticket.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they have to take the best player available. Right now, the Nats are lacking a lot of different things,\u201d Nationals media member Ryan Clary said. \u201cBut with the way the owners are operating, they won\u2019t be signing any superstars anytime soon. I expect them to take a big swing in this draft.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nationals Have Options with No. 1 Draft Pick<\/p>\n

The past six seasons have been a swing and a miss for Washington, ever since winning a championship in 2019. The turn of the decade has been deemed a \u201crebuilding period,\u201d but the progress has yet to be seen, with the team coming off three straight seasons of 90 losses or more.<\/p>\n

But with seven of the Nationals\u2019 top ten prospects projected to be ready for the show within the next two seasons, and a chance at another top talent coming soon, it leaves the question: when will the rebuild finally take structure?<\/p>\n

\u201cThis might be the most pressure (General Manager) Mike Rizzo<\/a> has on him. The big knock on Rizzo has been that he can\u2019t draft the right guys in the first round.\u201d Clary said. \u201cThe Nats have had a development issue for nearly a decade. The pressure is on this front office to hit this first-round pick, and hit it out of the park.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most mock drafts have Washington taking SS\/3B Ethan Holliday, a high schooler from Oklahoma and son of MLB All-Star Matt Holliday<\/a>. Holliday<\/a> ranks as the top prospect in this draft class by MLB, Baseball America, Perfect Game, and many more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the flip side of the coin: a plethora of talented college arms fill up this year\u2019s draft pool. Five of the projected top ten picks are pitchers, including big names like Tennessee\u2019s Liam Doyle<\/a> and LSU\u2019s Kade Anderson<\/a>, who are currently taking over this year\u2019s College World Series.<\/p>\n

\"\"Stillwater\u2019s Ethan Holliday throws to first for an out during the high school baseball game between Fort Cobb-Broxton and Stillwater at Edmond Santa Fe High School in Edmond, Okla., Friday, April, 18, 2025.
\nTeenage Talent or College Experience?<\/p>\n

The Nationals are no strangers to taking teen talent #1 overall, famously drafting Bryce Harper<\/a> with the top pick back in 2010. But now, 15 years later, will Rizzo opt for the same blueprint or opt for proven college names?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can never have enough starting pitching,\u201d Rizzo told 106.7 The Fan. \u201cDo you have these pieces that you think you can fill these spots [from] the minor league system, or do you have to go externally to get them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nats May Rely on Trades Moving Forward<\/p>\n

Externally obtaining talent has been a touchy subject inside the nation\u2019s capital, with many speaking about the lack of spending by ownership. Owner Mark Lerner told The Washington Post this past February that their commitment is \u201cto continue to go forward\u201d following sale rumors, but these comments haven\u2019t held off the criticism, including MLB insider Ken Rosenthal labeling the Nationals \u201ca bottom-feeder\u201d of the league in The New York Times.<\/p>\n

Lacking a budget and free agency appeal, acquisitions may have to come only via trade.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I were a betting man, I wouldn\u2019t bet on them moving off any of the top talent. But, I would not be totally surprised to see them kick the tires on landing a veteran pitcher, or outfielder, and move on from some young prospects,\u201d Clary said. \u201cI certainly wouldn\u2019t be opposed to it if the Nats can find themselves a good deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jayson Werth<\/a> on the 2025 Nats:
\u201cWhen you look at the Nationals now, there\u2019s a lot of young talent.. But I think what they\u2019re lacking right now is that Jayson Werth, Adam LaRoche<\/a> type signing and have some veteran leadership in that clubhouse\u201d<\/p>\n

Clip belowhttps:\/\/t.co\/oWUueVDVK8<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Hmep6scAQa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ryan Clary (@Ryanclary11) April 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

No matter what decision Washington makes, all eyes will be on Rizzo and the Nats when the draft clock starts running on July 13th.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, the Nats are playing the field. I have them ending up with Ethan Holliday at this point, but I could easily see them landing a college arm like Kade Anderson,\u201d Clary said. \u201cThe Nats desperately need to hit this pick, so I think they will stay true to their board and pick the best player in the draft in their eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: \u00a9 Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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