Cardinals' 2025 Draft Pick: Who Will They Choose?

St. Louis Cardinals' Top 5 Pick in the 2025 MLB Draft

For the first time in nearly three decades, the St. Louis Cardinals have secured a Top 5 pick in the MLB Draft, offering them a rare opportunity to select a high-upside prospect who could shape the team’s future. The Cardinals hold the No. 5 overall selection in the 2025 MLB Draft, which is ranked behind the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, and Colorado Rockies. This position was achieved through some favorable draft lottery luck, as they would have otherwise been expected to pick in the middle of the first round.

The last time the Cardinals had a Top 5 selection was in the 1998 MLB Draft, when they selected J.D. Drew with the fifth overall pick. While Drew had a solid MLB career, his most significant impact on the Cardinals came unexpectedly when he was traded in 2003 for Adam Wainwright, who became a cornerstone of the franchise. This serves as a reminder of how unpredictable the MLB Draft can be and how one pick can influence a team's trajectory for years.

For a Cardinals team looking to build around youth, the stakes are higher than ever. The front office will need to consider several factors, including positional needs, player ceilings, high school and college experience, and whether a draftee has more long-term value as a homegrown prospect or trade piece. Choosing a first-round pick, especially a higher selection, is a decision that involves extensive analysis and debate among scouts and analysts.

Potential Targets for the Cardinals

With a Top 5 pick, the Cardinals have significant control over their own destiny, but there are still several highly-touted names that could fall before their turn. According to multiple outlets, nine names are considered consensus Top 10 draft-ready prospects this year, suggesting the Cardinals are in striking distance of selecting one of these young stars.

College Prospects

• Kade Anderson (LHP, LSU): A dominant lefty who led LSU to a national title and topped NCAA Division I pitchers in strikeouts (180). He commands a four-pitch mix and has fully recovered from Tommy John surgery.
• Jamie Arnold (LHP, Florida State): Known for his electric velocity and movement, Arnold is a strikeout specialist with a unique low release point and backdoor slider.
• Liam Doyle (LHP, Tennessee): Posted elite strikeout numbers (15.4 K/9 IP) and has a deep arsenal that includes a fastball touching 100 mph, a tight slider, and a deceptive changeup.
• Aiva Arquette (SS, Oregon State): Hits .354 with 19 homers and a 1.115 OPS last year, showcasing advanced pitch recognition and raw power.

High School Prospects

• Billy Carlson (SS, Corona HS (CA)): A natural shortstop with speed, range, and strong baseball instincts.
• Seth Hernandez (RHP, Corona HS (CA)): A top high school arm with an upper 90s fastball, advanced changeup, and two breaking balls.
• Ethan Holliday (SS/3B, Stillwater HS (OK)): Son of former Cardinals star Matt Holliday, known for his elite ball-to-barrel skills and power to all fields.
• JoJo Parker (SS, Purvis HS (MS)): A switch-hitter with defensive tools and pure contact abilities.
• Eli Willits (SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)): A switch-hitter with speed, range, and strong baseball instincts, also the son of a former MLB outfielder.

Spotlight on Potential Top Picks

The first overall pick is expected to be one of Kade Anderson, Ethan Holliday, or Eli Willits. However, there's always a chance the Nationals could make a surprise selection. Whoever is chosen first could set the tone for the entire first round.

Kade Anderson

Anderson emerged as a dominant college lefty who led LSU to a national title and tops NCAA Division I pitchers in strikeouts. His four-pitch mix and exquisite command make him a top draft candidate.

Ethan Holliday

Holliday, the son of former Cardinals star Matt Holliday, has elite ball-to-barrel skills, advanced pitch recognition, and power to all fields. His family pedigree adds to his appeal.

Eli Willits

Willits is a switch-hitter with speed, range, and strong baseball instincts. His athleticism and high ceiling make him a strong draft candidate.

More Realistic Targets

While there's a chance one of Anderson, Holliday, or Willits could fall to the Cardinals, it's more likely they will prepare to draft one of these building blocks.

Jamie Arnold

Arnold brings an electric mix of velocity and movement from the left side, making him a tough customer. With minor adjustments, he could rise quickly through the ranks.

Aiva Arquette

Arquette's offensive ceiling is hard to ignore, with a .354 batting average, 19 homers, and a 1.115 OPS. His college track record suggests he could move through the minors quickly.

Liam Doyle

Doyle posted elite strikeout numbers and has a deep arsenal. His next step is refining his pitch sequencing to maintain dominance.

Seth Hernandez

Hernandez is touted as one of the draft’s top high school arms, coming off Gatorade National Player of the Year honors. His ace potential makes him an enticing choice.

Other Possible Targets

If the Cardinals desire something different at shortstop, Billy Carlson, JoJo Parker, and Kayson Cunningham could also be on the team’s radar. Other farther-fetched names include Kyson Witherspoon (RHP, Oklahoma), outfielder Ike Irish (OF, Auburn), or Tyler Bremmer (RHP, UC Santa Barbara).

The 2025 MLB Draft

The 2025 MLB Draft will take place Sunday and Monday in Atlanta as part of the 2025 MLB All-Star weekend. The opening night draft festivities, which include the first round and more, will air on ESPN and MLB Network starting at 5 p.m. CT on Sunday.