The Major League Baseball season is progressing, and the anticipation for the upcoming draft is building as teams prepare for selection day on July 13. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel released his latest mock draft, highlighting potential top picks for this year’s event.
In his predictions, McDaniel names Ethan Holliday, son of MLB veteran Matt Holiday and brother of Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holiday, as the frontrunner for the No. 1 pick, expected to be chosen by the Washington Nationals. Holliday, a promising third baseman hailing from Stillwater High School in Oklahoma, is considered one of the standout players among high school prospects in this year’s draft class.
Following Holliday, McDaniel predicts that Liam Doyle, a standout pitcher from the University of Tennessee, will be selected by the Los Angeles Angels with the second pick. Doyle has had an impressive season, boasting a 3.04 ERA and a 9-3 record, and was recognized as the SEC’s Pitcher of the Year in 2025. His remarkable performance includes a game where he recorded 14 strikeouts against Ole Miss.
The Angels have seen success with players from the University of Tennessee in recent drafts. For instance, they picked pitcher Ben Joyce in the third round of the 2022 MLB draft, who made his major league debut within a year. Additionally, infielder Christian Moore, who played a key role in leading the Vols to a national championship in 2024, was drafted by the Angels eighth overall last year and has recently ascended to Triple-A, showcasing his development. Moore is now ranked as the No. 62 prospect in baseball, according to Bleacher Report.
The upcoming MLB draft not only underscores the future talent entering the league but also demonstrates how teams like the Angels are strategically building their rosters through successful prospects. The excitement surrounding high school and college players as they transition to professional baseball continues to grow, promising a bright future for fans and teams alike.