The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves in a unique position yet again. For the third time in the past five years, they have a legitimate opportunity to make the first selection in the MLB Draft. This is a significant moment that could potentially shape the future of the team.

Pittsburgh Pirates' Draft Lottery Hopes and Prospects

History of the Pirates in the Draft Lottery

In the first draft lottery at the Winter Meetings in 2022, the Pirates were tied for the best odds to secure the first pick. This proved to be a crucial moment in the team's recent history. With that pick, they took reigning National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes. Last year, they had the eighth-best odds and ended up picking ninth, choosing athletic prepster Konnor Griffin.The Pirates have always been in the mix when it comes to the draft lottery. Their odds this time around are sixth-best at 5.31%, trailing the Colorado Rockies (22.45%), Miami Marlins (22.45%), Los Angeles Angels (19.6%), Washington Nationals (10.20%), and Toronto Blue Jays (7.48%). It's a competitive landscape, but the Pirates are determined to make the most of their chance.

Top Draft Prospects for 2025

MLB Pipeline recently released its top draft prospects for 2025, and there's a familiar surname at the top. INF Ethan Holliday from Oklahoma (High School) is the younger brother of 2022 first-overall pick Jackson Holliday and the son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday. This Holliday has some serious power. He has the potential to be a game-changer on the field.OF Jace LaViolette from Texas A&M is also a standout prospect. Just turned 21, he hit.305 with a 1.175 OPS, 29 home runs, and 78 RBIs in 68 games last season. His performance speaks volumes about his talent and potential.LHP Jamie Arnold from Florida State wowed in his sophomore season. The left-hander went 11-3 with a 2.98 ERA and struck out 159 batters in 105.2 innings. He has the stuff to be a dominant pitcher at the next level.RHP Tyler Bremner from UC Santa Barbara finished 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA across 19 appearances/nine starts last year. He logged 88.2 innings and struck out 104 batters. His consistency and ability to get outs make him a valuable prospect.RHP Seth Hernandez from California (High School) is 18 and possesses a power-fastball and a plus-changeup in addition to a curveball and slider. He's committed to play collegiately at Vanderbilt, showing his potential and dedication.The Pirates will soon know their draft position, and fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome. This could be a defining moment for the team as they look to build for the future.