In just over two weeks' time, Ethan Holliday will hear his name called during the 2025 MLB Draft. The No. 1 prospect in the class, Holliday could make family history, joining his brother Jackson as a potential top overall pick.
But before that, Ethan, alongside his dad, Matt, a seven-time big league All-Star, took in the action between the Nationals and Angels on Saturday night. If you’re wondering what a kid who lives in Oklahoma is doing behind home plate for a game in Anaheim, Calif., well, let’s direct you toward the 2025 Draft order.
No. 1 pick: Nationals
No. 2 pick: Angels
Our Draft gurus Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo have been knocking out mock drafts left and right as the 2025 iteration approaches, and in the majority of cases, the duo have agreed that while whom the Nationals will take at No. 1 on July 13 is still undetermined, Holliday seems to have the best chance.
Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday has long said that Ethan is even better than he was at the same age. Jackson flew through the Minor Leagues and ascended to No. 1 overall prospect status before making his big league debut at 20 years old.
The younger Holliday won Oklahoma’s Gatorade Player of the Year award this season, and at 6-foot-4 with a left-handed swing geared for loft, he gets a 65 grade on his power (on the 20-80 scale), among the tops in his Draft class.
“Just looking at his swing, he’s going to be really good,” said Angels broadcaster Mark Gubicza. “He’s a high school kid, but being around his brother and his dad like this, the instincts he already has -- the baseball instincts -- makes you feel like he’s going to be a superstar.”