Ethan Holliday Nears Historic Top MLB Draft Pick Amid Family Legacy

Ethan Holliday, son of former MLB star Matt Holliday and younger brother of Jackson Holliday, is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, potentially making history as the first family to have two brothers selected first overall. Ethan, a 6-foot-4 left-handed power-hitting shortstop from Oklahoma, is reportedly a leading candidate for the Washington Nationals' first overall pick amidst recent changes in their front office, including new GM Mike DeBartolo. The Holliday family boasts a rich baseball lineage, including Ethan's grandfather Tom Holliday, a longtime college coach, contributing to the family's deep baseball roots. Comparisons have been drawn to other prominent sports families, and discussions are underway about whether Ethan should emulate Eli Manning's NFL draft maneuver to avoid playing for less successful teams like the Colorado Rockies, who hold a high draft pick and have historical ties to the Holliday family. Meanwhile, Jackson Holliday, the 2022 first overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles, has quickly risen to prominence in MLB, validating the Orioles' high hopes and investment in him. The draft lottery system and team bonus pools continue to influence team strategies, with the Nationals' leadership changes adding uncertainty to their draft decision-making process.