For baseball enthusiasts, the MLB draft lottery has emerged as a captivating spectacle over the past three years. It has transformed from a relatively unknown event to one that holds the attention of fans worldwide. The ping pong balls now determine the fate of teams vying for the top picks, adding an element of excitement and unpredictability.

Uncover the Surprises of the 2025 MLB Draft Lottery

When Is The MLB Draft Lottery?

This year's draft lottery is scheduled to take place during the Winter Meetings in Dallas on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. ET. It is a highly anticipated event that brings together teams and fans alike, as they await the results that could shape the future of their favorite franchises.

The Winter Meetings provide a unique backdrop for the lottery, with teams and executives gathering to discuss various aspects of the game. The draft lottery adds an extra layer of excitement to this already bustling event, as teams hope to secure a top pick and build their rosters for the future.

How To Stream The 2025 MLB Draft Lottery?

The event will be broadcast on MLB Network and streamed live on MLB.com, ensuring that fans from all over the world can tune in and witness the excitement. Whether you prefer to watch on television or stream online, there are multiple options available to ensure that you don't miss a moment of the action.

MLB Network provides comprehensive coverage of the draft lottery, with expert analysts and commentators providing insights and analysis throughout the event. MLB.com offers a live stream, allowing fans to follow the lottery in real-time and get the latest updates as they happen.

How Does The MLB Draft Lottery Work?

As part of the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2022, MLB implemented a draft lottery to address the issue of tanking. All eligible non-playoff teams are entered into the lottery, with odds determined by their standings. Ping pong balls are placed in an air-blown lottery machine, and a ball labeled with a number is produced every 15 seconds. Four balls are collected to create a four-digit code corresponding to a certain team.

The process is repeated until the top six lottery spots are filled. Once complete, the remaining lottery teams are slotted according to their original odds. This system ensures that teams with poorer records have a higher chance of winning the top pick, while also providing some level of fairness to all teams.

Which Teams Have The Best Odds?

The Rockies and Marlins enter the draft lottery with the best odds to win at 22.45% each, followed closely by the Angels at 17.96%. The Diamondbacks have the worst odds at just 0.20%. These odds are determined by a complex formula that takes into account various factors, including team records and standings.

It's important to note that the odds can change from year to year based on team performance. A team that has a poor record one year may improve the following year and see their odds decrease. Conversely, a team that has a strong season may see their odds increase for the next draft lottery.

Why Aren’t The White Sox & A’s Included In The Lottery?

Despite having poor records in 2024, neither the White Sox nor the Athletics are eligible to receive a lottery pick. The White Sox received a lottery pick in the 2024 draft and pay into revenue sharing, meaning they can't have lottery picks in back-to-back drafts. The Athletics, on the other hand, received lottery picks in the 2023 and 2024 drafts and receive revenue sharing, so they can't have lottery picks in three consecutive drafts.

This penalty is designed to prevent teams from intentionally tanking their seasons in order to secure a top pick. By limiting the number of consecutive lottery picks a team can receive, MLB aims to promote competitive balance and ensure that the best teams are rewarded on the field.

The Non-Lottery Teams And Their Draft Order

The non-lottery eligible teams, which include the eight postseason teams, have their draft order determined by a combination of postseason finish, regular season standings, and revenue sharing status. This year's draft order is as follows:19. Orioles20. Brewers21. Astros22. Braves23. Royals24. Tigers25. Padres26. Phillies27. Guardians28. Mets29. Yankees30. Dodgers

Each team's draft position is based on their performance during the regular season and their playoff results. The top teams in the standings have the first pick, while the bottom teams have the later picks. This system ensures that teams are rewarded for their success on the field and provides an opportunity for teams to rebuild and improve their rosters.

Who Are The Top Prospects Available For The 2025 Draft?

The 2025 draft class is shaping up to be stronger than the 2024 class, with a deep and solid group of high school prospects. While there is no clear-cut and obvious pick for the No. 1 overall spot yet, there are several talented players vying for that distinction.

In September, Baseball America published its updated ranking of the top 100 draft prospects for 2025. The list is topped by Jace LaViolette, a Texas A&M outfielder who combines a special blend of tools, athleticism, and college production as a left-handed hitter. His performance on the field has caught the attention of scouts and experts alike, and he is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft.

There are also other notable prospects in the 2025 draft class, including pitchers with impressive velocity and control, infielders with strong hitting and defensive skills, and outfielders with speed and power. The competition for the top picks is fierce, and it will be interesting to see how the draft unfolds.