Could Mike Rizzo be looking for another 'fast riser' like Dylan Crews with 2025 No. 1 pick?
The Pirates selected Paul Skenes No. 1 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, and he made his MLB debut in May 2024 – less than a year after being picked an just a few months ahead of former LSU teammate Dylan Crews, who was selected second overall by the Nationals and made it to the show in August.
Six of the top seven collegians taken in the 2023 Draft (through No. 11 pick Nolan Schanuel) have already played at least one MLB game, and five of the Top 13 picks in the 2022 Draft – including Jackson Holliday, taken No. 1 out of high school – have as well.
Given that thought, could Nats GM Mike Rizzo be leaning towards another ‘fast-mover’ with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, which they secured in Tuesday’s lottery, to pair with Crews, James Wood, and the rest of the young core?
“It’s so intriguing on so many different levels, and a lot of different ways we can go,” Rizzo said on MLB Network just after the lottery results were announced. “We have a good system in place and getting the first pick is going to add to that, and add value to our organization. We’re extremely excited and lucky, although we don’t ever want to be in this position again!”
This is the third 1-1 for the Nats franchise and Rizzo’s fourth, as he took Justin Upton No. 1 overall in 2005 while with Arizona, and obvious answer being obvious, you literally have the pick of the litter.
“Obviously skills and tools are important, but you have to delve deeper – there’s a lot of pressure at 1-1,” Rizzo said. “This is the fourth time I’ve had 1-1 in my career (also with Justin Upton when he was with Arizona in 2005), and you’re looking for character guys that can play the game and fit seamlessly into the organization culture-wise and development-wise. You’re going for the best, most impactful player you can find.”
Unlike other major pro sports, 1-1 isn’t always an immediate impact player – Spencer Torkelson and Henry Davis, the top picks in 2020 and 2021, are still negative WAR MLB players – but with the largest bonus pool available, there are ways to make sure you get bang and spread out the bucks.
“Don’t get ultra-focused on one player; have a wide scope and really scour the country, especially with the draft pools being so large and allocating money differently,” Rizzo said. “I’m about the most impactful guy, that’s who I usually take, but we’ll have those conversations and come to an agreement.”
