LSU ace Kade Anderson is at the top of ESPN’s final big board for the 2025 MLB Draft.
The draft, set to begin on July 13, could mark the second time in three years that an LSU pitcher goes No. 1 overall. Paul Skenes, of course, was picked in that slot by the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 2021 and has quickly established himself as one of the game’s best pitchers.
Now, the Washington Nationals will have the opportunity to pick an LSU ace with the top pick. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel put Anderson at No. 1 on his final big board of the 2025 cycle on Tuesday afternoon. Here’s an excerpt of McDaniel’s analysis:
Chase Burns (No. 2 pick last year) was a better draft prospect, but I think Anderson is right there with Hagen Smith (No. 5 last year) as a draft prospect. I’m not worried Anderson will go down the path of other top-10-pick lefty college starters who became MLB relievers (A.J. Puk, Drew Pomeranz, Andrew Miller) because of his feel to execute. Also, his supinator lean (like Fried) gives him more avenues to find new shapes to attack hitters, while his left-handedness and polish give some margin for error.
Perhaps no prospect did more for their draft stock during the College World Series than Anderson, who helped LSU to another championship last month in Omaha. He was dominant throughout the postseason and went from a consensus top-10 prospect to a potential No. 1 overall pick over the course of LSU’s run.
Anderson is currently -180 to go No. 1 overall, according to the latest odds from FanDuel. Fans interested in betting on the MLB Draft can do so at any number of the top Louisiana betting apps.
The draft begins on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN (watch via FuboTV free trial).
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
