MLB Draft Upset? LSU Tigers’ Ace Challenges #1 Pick in This Month’s Draft

Just a week ago, it seemed like an absolute lock that everyone knew what the Washington Nationals were going to with the #1 overall pick in this month's MLB Draft. But then the College World Series started up, and now things might be getting more fluid.

For the last few months, there have been tons of write-ups on the MLB Draft for 2025, where the Nationals were fully expected to take high school prodigy Ethan Holliday. He's the son of former MLB All Star Matt Holliday, and the younger brother of former #1 overall pick Jackson Holliday. This was such a lock of a pick that many reporters were talking about how big the signing bonus was going to be. Which was expected to be historic.

Will the Nationals Pivot From Holliday After CWS?

Again...the College World Series fired up, and now people are second guessing themselves. Because there's another LSU Tiger that is shining once again. A pitcher that could swing in and steal that #1 overall spot in this month's MLB Draft.

That LSU pitcher is Kade Anderson, who has put together a strong case to be the first pitcher taken in the draft throughout the season. But the punctuation he's adding to that in the College World Series might be enough to put him at the tippity top.

Kade Anderson's Dominance Creates Draft Buzz

Anderson started the Tigers' opening round game of the College World Series against a strong Arkansas offense. All Anderson did was go out and throw 7 innings of 1-run baseball, striking out 7 batters, and only walking two. Putting that together with Anderson's 10-1 record over the regular season, which is a full SEC schedule, makes him one of the most impressive pitchers in the nation.

One of the big concerns for the Nats in the Holliday vs Anderson debate is going to be money.

High-Stakes Decision Looms for Washington

There is some suggestion that Holliday could demand a record setting draft bonus to sign with the team. Because in the MLB Draft world, a high school player can decline their draft selection and head to college. If the player decides to do that, they can remain draft eligible in the future. Which is why they have more leverage to get a bigger bonus than college players who are out of eligibility.

Basically, the Nats could save millions, and get a quality pitcher, by taking Anderson over Holliday with the top pick in the draft.

So the more reasons Anderson can stack up for the Nats to take him, the better for his case. And right now, it looks like Anderson might have some more chances in the College World Series to keep making that case.