With the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Washington Nationals must decide whether to select LSU left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson or generational prospect Ethan Holliday.
Although Anderson’s immediate big-league preparedness makes him valuable, questions remain over the decision’s long-term effects, especially in light of the Nationals’ recent star acquisition.
The risk is that they might limit their franchise’s future success by selecting a collegiate pitcher over a high school infielder with a strong background.
LSU Head Coach Roots for Kade Anderson Being Picked First by the Nationals
Jay Johnson revealed what he thinks about the Nationals’ first pick. He thinks that the team should not overthink it. Johnson said, “Kade is just so complete. I mean, it’s four pitches per strike, it’s competitiveness, it’s the level head, he did a great job with his body in the offseason. He’s a winner.
”He’s everything that you’d ever want, and I said my plug in the postgame the other day, the Nationals don’t need to overthink this one. That’s your guy. He’s closer to the Big Leagues than any amateur player in the country right now.”
“The Nationals don’t need to overthink this one. That’s your guy. He’s closer to the Big Leagues than any amateur player in the country right now.” 🗣️
– @LSUbaseball Head Coach Jay Johnson on No. 3 Draft prospect Kade Anderson pic.twitter.com/wJ2jSN0JFn
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 30, 2025
After making two starts and giving up only one run in 17 innings, including a complete-game shutout against Coastal Carolina in the first game of the series, Anderson was named the College World Series’ Most Outstanding Player. He pitched 119.0 innings in 2025 with an ERA of 3.18.
According to the MiLB 20-80 grading system, Anderson’s fastball and changeup are rated at 60. He also has exceptional command when throwing a slider and an above-average curveball.
Given the history of arm problems in the sport, Anderson’s immediate playability is alluring, but it begs the question of whether it makes sense to invest in a collegiate pitcher in the long run.
Choosing a more experienced pitcher might not be as safe as the appeal of drafting a player with Holliday’s lineage.
Choosing Anderson would jeopardize the Nationals’ long-term prospects, particularly if Holliday becomes a star. Their approach must balance the potential for generational brilliance with the demands of the present.
The Nationals own the first pick in the MLB Draft – they picked first in 2009 and 2010 and selected Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, respectively.
This is the third year of MLB’s draft lottery system. In the past, the draft order was the reverse order of the previous year’s standings, which was nice and easy.
Now, the first six picks are assigned via lottery, picks 7-18 are the remaining non-postseason teams in the reverse order of the previous year’s standings, and picks 19-30 are postseason teams in order of their playoff finish.