2025 MLB Draft Winning Strategies for All 30 Teams

There is no tried and true way to "win" the MLB draft. Every team always says it simply picks the best player available, and even those typically need years of training and reps before reaching the majors.

This said, it obviously doesn't hurt for each team to show up with a strategy in mind.

We're going to assess what each team's plan for the draft should be by considering as many relevant factors as possible. Which picks do they have? How big or small is their bonus pool? Which prospects are likely to be available for them? Should they be looking to play the short game or the long game?

The 2025 draft begins on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, when the Washington Nationals will be on the clock with the No. 1 pick. There are 20 rounds in total, but our focus is on the early rounds. Though hidden gems like Mookie Betts can be found later in the draft, the best players tend to go early for a reason.

We'll check teams off in alphabetical order and three at a time.

Note: All farm system rankings are according to B/R's Joel Reuter.

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Tonight, it's the Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers at 7:10 p.m. ET and the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Angels at 9:38 p.m.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Put the Usual Formula Aside
Highest Pick: No. 18
Bonus Pool: $10,917,800

The Diamondbacks will make their first two picks on Sunday in short order, as their No. 18 pick will be followed by the No. 29 selection. It's a golden chance for them to leverage a bonus pool that is on the small side.

Under general manager Mike Hazen, the Snakes have recently preferred to use high picks on up-the-middle types with standout tools. It's an approach that hasn't borne a ton of fruit, particularly with Druw Jones and Tommy Troy looking like busts.

If this alone isn't an excuse to switch things up, how this draft class is shaped might be. It's notably deep with college arms, with Tyler Bremner and Gage Wood among those who could be there for Arizona's taking.

Athletics: They Have Impact Bats, But What About Impact Arms?
Highest Pick: No. 11
Bonus Pool: $10,563,500

At 30 years old, Brent Rooker is the elder statesman in an A's lineup that is young and all sorts of fun. It notably includes Nick Kurtz, who was drafted by the Athletics last year.

What the A's lack is talent on the pitching side, young or otherwise. It's all there in their AL-worst 5.32 ERA, pointing to a major problem they should fix before they leave Sacramento for Las Vegas.

To this end, one of the aforementioned college arms should be in play for them at No. 11. They might even have a shot at Liam Doyle, who fanned 164 batters in only 95.2 innings for Tennessee this season.

Atlanta Braves: Time to Focus on Offense
Highest Pick: No. 22
Bonus Pool: $9,081,100

Teams don't typically draft according to their needs at the major league level, much less those in their farm system. When it comes down to it, any kind of talent is good talent to have in the minors.

This said, nine of the Braves' top 10 prospects are pitchers. It's not a bad thing, but even they seem to understand bats are nice, too. And they're going to need some soon, as the current offensive core has gone stale.

The best hitters in the draft class will likely be gone by the time Atlanta is on the clock at No. 22, but they could have a shot at a powerful (i.e., Jace LaViolette) or speedy (i.e., Slater de Brun) prospect.

Baltimore Orioles: Don't Blow It All on the No. 19 Pick
Highest Pick: No. 19
Bonus Pool: $19,144,500

Remember when the Orioles had the best farm system in MLB? Those days are over, and so are the days of high picks in the draft.

Ah, but there is one bit of good news for the O's in this year's draft: They have three picks in the top 31, as they'll pick again at Nos. 30 and 31 after making their first selection at No. 19.

As they also have the biggest bonus pool in the draft, they can look to spread some money around rather than sinking the biggest chunk of it into their top pick. Basically, they should go for three value picks over one big steal.

Boston Red Sox: Take Advantage of College Pitching Depth
Highest Pick: No. 15
Bonus Pool: $12,409,300

Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer are still technically prospects, but that won't be the case for long. And once they do graduate, a strong Boston system will be weakened considerably.

The bright side is that the Red Sox offense looks mightily solid for the foreseeable future, but it'll only take them so far if they don't get their pitching pipeline up to par. And soon, if the idea is to maximize a contention window that is still fresh.

College arms should therefore be on the menu. Of the bunch, Gage Wood and his 70-grade fastball are a match for Craig Breslow's emphasis on stuff.

Chicago Cubs: Double Down on College Talent
Highest Pick: No. 17
Bonus Pool: $9,636,800

The Cubs have had a strong preference for college players in recent drafts, notably using their last four first-round picks on four-year talents.

There may come a day when they stray from that formula, but the results have been too solid to ignore. Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner were college picks once upon a time, and last year's choice (Cam Smith) was instrumental in netting them Kyle Tucker.

Still another excuse to go back to the college well is that the Cubs have finally opened a contention window in 2025. Pitching should take precedent over bats, for which Tyler Bremner and Gage Wood might be had at No. 17.

Chicago White Sox: They Can Chance It on Upside
Highest Pick: No. 10
Bonus Pool: $12,169,100

The White Sox farm system has come a long way under Chris Getz, but all the losing they've done in recent years is costing them in this draft.

Though they lost a record 121 games in 2024, they were ineligible for a lottery pick because they are a revenue-sharing payor. Hence why they have the No. 10 pick and won't pick again until No. 44.

They might as well go for maximum upside with that first pick, where prep shortstops such as Eli Willits and Billy Carlson would fit the bill.

Cincinnati Reds: A College Bat Is a Good Idea
Highest Pick: No. 9
Bonus Pool: $11,836,800

Elsewhere on the topic of big gaps between picks, the Reds won't have another after No. 9 until all the way down at No. 51.

There could be some good college arms for them at No. 9, but young pitching talent isn't exactly a deficiency for Cincinnati. What's really needed is a proper co-star for Elly De La Cruz on the offensive side, and soon.

To this end, Aiva Arquette and Ike Irish are two players the Reds will at least need to consider if they're on the board at No. 9. Both are advanced college hitters who could move fast.

Cleveland Guardians: They Need to Take Some Risks
Highest Pick: No. 27
Bonus Pool: $10,198,100

These are not good times for the Guardians franchise. The major league team is in disrepair and as strong as the farm system is, it's heavy on bats and light on arms.

The Guardians do have five picks on Day 1 of the draft, but four of those happen after No. 64. Theirs is also a small bonus pool, giving them little wiggle room to make the most of what they have.

As such, they might want to prioritize underslot prospects with big tools. One possibility at No. 27 is Devin Taylor, who has iffy defensive tools but a dangerous bat.

Colorado Rockies: Don't Overcommit to the College Players Bit
Highest Pick: No. 4
Bonus Pool: $15,723,400

The awful place the Rockies are in right now is largely a result of their struggles to draft and develop players. Their last 14 first-round picks have yielded -2 rWAR in the majors.

It's a situation that is calling out for change, at least in terms of the draft prospects they typically go for. They have leaned heavily toward college players in recent years, but the wind may be changing in the direction of prep prospects.

Given that his father is a Rockies legend, it would be a great story if Ethan Holliday fell to them at No. 4. If not, prep hurler Seth Hernandez is the best right-hander in the draft class and could be there for them.

Detroit Tigers: Don't Neglect College Arms
Highest Pick: No. 24
Bonus Pool: $10,990,800

This will be the Tigers' third draft under Scott Harris, and suffice to say he's had a type in the early rounds of the first two.

In 2023 and 2024, Detroit used three first-round picks on high school hitters. It wouldn't be a surprise (or a bad idea) if Harris stuck to the formula, but it's also hard to miss that this farm system is thin on pitching at a time when Tarik Skubal's club control is winding down.

If the Tigers have a chance to land, say, Gage Wood at No. 24, they need to seriously consider taking advantage.

Houston Astros: Don't Pass Up a Chance for a Steal
Highest Pick: No. 21
Bonus Pool: $7,181,500

The Astros have the fourth-smallest bonus pool in the draft, and their No. 21 pick won't be followed by another until No. 95.

The general vibe coming from Houston is that it wants quick-impact players, with a particular focus on pitching. Not a bad idea, given its track record of pitching development and its laundry list of arm and shoulder injuries at the MLB level.

The idea should be to score a steal with the No. 21 pick. For example, they'll need to pounce on the off chance Kyson Witherspoon falls to them.

Kansas City Royals: Don't Blow It All on No. 23 Pick
Highest Pick: No. 23
Bonus Pool: $12,794,700

The Royals have already graduated Jac Caglianone to the majors after landing him with the No. 6 pick last year, and he's looking more and more like a hit.

Their farm system could use another one of those, so it's not ideal that they won't have their first pick in this year's draft until No. 23. The bright side, though, is that they pick again at No. 28 and three more times on Day 1.

Given they also have a decent-sized bonus pool, the Royals don't need to go all-in on their No. 23 pick. They can instead look for good value at No. 23 and No. 28, preferably with an emphasis on the athleticism that their system is lacking.

Los Angeles Angels: It's OK to Take a Break from College Players
Highest Pick: No. 2
Bonus Pool: $16,656,400

The Angels have had a type in recent drafts, and it hasn't been subtle. From Reid Detmers to Zach Neto to Nolan Schanuel to Christian Moore, they like college players who can rise fast.

The returns have been...mixed, to say the least. And if we're being blunt, this franchise needs long-term stars a heck of a lot more than it needs near-future impact.

This doesn't mean they should pass up Kade Anderson if he's there for them at No. 2. But if Ethan Holliday is also there, well, that's a chance worth taking on a position player with franchise cornerstone upside.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Keep an Eye Out for Falling Prep Players
Highest Pick: No. 40
Bonus Pool: $9,031,300

When you win and spend as much as the Dodgers do, picking high in the draft is an alien concept. And so it obviously goes for them this year.

On the plus side, they have the No. 40 and No. 41 picks and a bigger bonus pool than you'd think. There might be a way for them to leverage these things.

As an example, they could continue their recent run on high school players. The catch is that these guys have the option of going to college if they fall too far, but the Dodgers could hope to sway any fallers with their money and sheer clout.

Miami Marlins: It's Time to Play It Safe
Highest Pick: No. 7
Bonus Pool: $15,187,400

The Marlins have gobbled up high school players early in the draft in recent years, which is a good idea if you're a franchise with a knack for development.

But the Marlins are not that. To wit, they haven't had a high school prospect really pan out for them since the late José Fernández. Therefore, it might be time to take a college player, or at least a high schooler with reliable tools.

To the latter end, the Marlins aren't wrong to "covet" Eli Willits, who is a plus hitter and runner. But they should also consider Ike Irish and his well-rounded hitting profile at No. 7 if they want to finally take a college player.

Milwaukee Brewers: Trust Their Instincts on Upside
Highest Pick: No. 20
Bonus Pool: $13,138,100

What the Brewers lack in high picks on Day 1 of the draft, they make up for with an ample bonus pool and sheer quantity. They'll pick five times on Sunday.

The situation should suit them, as they owe their long-running contention window and excellent farm system to an organizational knack for identifying upside. To wit, Jacob Misiorowski is the nastiest pitcher in MLB right now and he was only a second-round pick in 2022.

The bonus pool and wealth of picks ought to have the Brewers chasing after upside again on Sunday, rather than going for a quote-unquote sure thing at No. 20.

Minnesota Twins: It's a Good Time to Flip the Script
Highest Pick: No. 16
Bonus Pool: $12,653,000

The Twins aren't above taking chances on high school players, but recent drafts have seen them prioritize college hitters with their early picks.

This may well be the case again, especially if an Ike Irish or a Marek Houston is there for them at No. 16. But with their system already heavy on bats, they might want to consider changing things up and going for one of the draft's college arms.

Maybe there's a non-zero chance of Liam Doyle falling to them, but more likely picks include Kyson Witherspoon and Tyler Bremner.

New York Mets: Look for a Lottery Ticket
Highest Pick: No. 38
Bonus Pool: $5,465,900

That's a low first pick the Mets have, and they won't pick again until No. 102. Further, their bonus pool is the second-smallest of them all.

Such things aren't going to make it easy for them to clean up on Sunday and Monday, but they might do well if they repeat their strategy from last year, when they overwhelmingly favored college players.

These are guys with less leverage than prep players, who have the option of going to college to hone their skills and chase NIL money. So, if a well-regarded college player falls to the Mets at No. 38, that might be their chance at a steal.

New York Yankees: Same as the Mets, Basically
Highest Pick: No. 39
Bonus Pool: $5,383,600

The Yankees are in the same boat as the Mets, if not a leakier one. They won't pick again after No. 39 until No. 103, and their bonus pool is the smallest of any team.

The difference is that the Yankees really need a steal. Whereas the Mets have a solid farm system, the Yankees' system ranks at No. 26 in MLB. We can also be real that they are overdue for a major player development win.

They don't need to prioritize a bat over an arm or vice versa. They just need to take the best player they can at No. 39, and hope it's someone who other teams let fall.

Philadelphia Phillies: It's Time to Hit the College Ranks
Highest Pick: No. 26
Bonus Pool: $7,849,400

The Phillies have liked high school players in recent drafts, and it's hard to fault them. Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford look like winners.

Still, you have to wonder if the front office hears the ticking of the clock. The major league roster is built around aging stars, and even the arrivals of Painter, Miller and Crawford may only do so much to sustain the club's contention window.

As such, it would make sense for the Phillies to show a sense of urgency by using early picks on college players. Gage Wood is a possibility at No. 26, with potential bats including Gavin Kilen and Ethan Conrad.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Have a Sense of Urgency
Highest Pick: No. 6
Bonus Pool: $14,088,400

The Pirates are skidding toward a seventh straight losing season, and they can rest assured that Paul Skenes trade speculation is only going to get more rampant.

This ought to have them feeling a sense of urgency going into the draft, and that much more so given their No. 6 pick won't be followed by another until No. 50. They really need to land a hit with that sixth pick, and preferably a quick-impact type.

A college player is the way to go, and a bat would be better than an arm. If they can get Aiva Arquette, they should.

San Diego Padres: Be Careful with High School Players
Highest Pick: No. 25
Bonus Pool: $6,569,100

The Padres haven't used a first-round pick on a college player since 2016, when they took Cal Quantrill out of Stanford at No. 8 overall.

The Padres nonetheless insist their recent run on high schoolers is not a trend, and they are considering college players this year. And they should be, as their farm system is top-heavy and a little too reliant on teenagers for future value.

As the Padres also have the third-smallest bonus pool, there is sense in them trying to get good value on a college player at No. 25 before their next pick all the way down at No. 99.

San Francisco Giants: Don't Pass Up a Chance for a Steal
Highest Pick: No. 13
Bonus Pool: $8,403,300

Suffice to say the Giants are one of the biggest wild cards of the draft.

This will be their first draft under Buster Posey, who took over a front office that preferred college players early in the draft. He could flip the script, but he himself was a college draftee in 2008.

Whatever the case, the Giants will have a long wait to pick again after No. 13, as their next selection isn't until No. 85. Maximizing that first pick will be key, and there would be no better way to do so than scooping up a falling top-10 prospect.

Seattle Mariners: College Arms Are the Way to Go
Highest Pick: No. 3
Bonus Pool: $17,074,400

The Mariners already have the No. 1 farm system in MLB, and their No. 3 pick comes paired with the second-largest bonus pool in the draft.

Even better, this draft is rich in the types of prospects they've had a ton of success with: college pitchers. Before they were major league aces, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller were college pitchers once upon a time.

With Gilbert and Kirby running short on club control and the farm system mainly oriented around bats, another college arm is the way to go. Ideally, Kade Anderson will be there for him at No. 3.

St. Louis Cardinals: Franchise Needs More Superstar Upside
Highest Pick: No. 5
Bonus Pool: $14,238,300

The Cardinals are in the middle of a surprisingly productive season, and there's further hope to be found in how their top pick from last year (JJ Wetherholt) is having a breakout campaign in the minors.

Even still, there is something about St. Louis in 2025 that feels a little same-y. It still lacks superstar-level players at the majors, and Wetherholt is the only prospect in its middling system who gives off future star vibes.

As they won't pick again until No. 55, the Cardinals can't mess around with the No. 5 pick. They need to score a steal, with the ideal scenarios involving Ethan Holliday or Kade Anderson falling to them.

Tampa Bay Rays: Don't Blow It All on No. 14
Highest Pick: No. 14
Bonus Pool: $14,068,000

The Rays are in a decidedly Rays spot in 2025. The major league squad is obliterating expectations, and the farm system is No. 2 in all of MLB.

And now, they're set to have four of the top 53 picks and six total picks on Sunday. Coupled with the second-largest bonus pool, they're in prime position to clean up and make their system even stronger.

As such, they don't need to go all-in on their No. 14 pick. It might be a good opportunity to land one of this year's talented prep shortstops, but bonus pool money should be saved for college players later in the draft.

Texas Rangers: The High School Shortstop Class Is Calling
Highest Pick: No. 12
Bonus Pool: $10,991,300

Just two years after winning the World Series, the Rangers are under .500 and sitting on top of one of the worst farm systems in MLB.

It's time to start thinking long-term, which could mean shifting away from their usual draft strategy of prioritizing college players early. They seem to understand this, and it further seems as if they are considering this year's prep shortstop class.

Guys they could have a shot at with the No. 12 pick include JoJo Parker and Steele Hall, in which case they will have a plan for life after Corey Seager.

Toronto Blue Jays: Maybe Lean Away from the MO
Highest Pick: No. 8
Bonus Pool: $10,314,600

The Blue Jays have split their last eight first-round picks on prospects who play one of two positions: pitcher and shortstop.

Accordingly, seven of their nine best prospects right now is either a pitcher or a shortstop. Yet given this year's draft is rich with both pitchers and shortstops, it wouldn't be a surprise if they stuck to their M.O. anyway.

Alternatively, they could go for variety and the kind of quick impact they need by picking a college position player who isn't a shortstop. With the No. 8 pick, options could include outfielders Ike Irish and Brendan Summerhill.

Washington Nationals: Don't Pretend There's a Right Choice at No. 1
Highest Pick: No. 1
Bonus Pool: $16,597,800

As they'll be picking No. 1 for the first time since landing Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper back-to-back in 2009 and 2010, this was shaping up to be an interesting draft for the Nationals even before they fired Mike Rizzo.

The problem? There is no consensus No. 1 pick in this year's class. Not a Strasburg. Not a Harper. Not a Paul Skenes. Not even a Travis Bazzana. It isn't ideal for the Nats, who won't pick again until No. 49.

It may actually make sense for them to draft according to need instead of convincing themselves that an alternative pick is a can't-miss talent. Given the dire need for pitching at the MLB level, Kade Anderson is probably their best choice.

Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant.