In an unexpected twist during the MLB Winter Meetings, the Seattle Mariners struck gold by securing the No. 3 pick in the 2025 MLB draft lottery, a significant upgrade from their projected No. 15 selection. This marks the highest draft position for the Mariners since Jerry Dipoto took the reins as general manager, igniting excitement among fans and analysts alike for potential future stars.

Top Prospects for the No. 3 Pick

As the Mariners prepare for next July's draft, several top prospects are emerging as possible targets. Here are a few who stand out, including two with strong connections to the Pacific Northwest:

Xavier Neyens - 3B, Mount Vernon HS

Standing an impressive 6-foot-4, this left-handed hitting third baseman is the top-ranked high school prospect in Washington. Neyens has already committed to Oregon State for college baseball, but many analysts predict he will be a top-10 pick in next year’s draft. He is drawing comparisons to Atlanta Braves' All-Star Austin Riley due to his powerful left-handed swing and strong arm, with MLB.com noting his potential for a future 70-grade power tool. His pitching skills are no joke either; Neyens can hit the mid-90s on the mound, showcasing his athletic versatility.

Ethan Holliday - SS

Regarded as the consensus No. 1 high school prospect in the 2025 draft, Holliday brings a pedigree of excellence, being the son of seven-time MLB All-Star Matt Holliday and the brother of Jackson Holliday, the first overall pick in 2022. With his exceptional skills and a professional baseball legacy, he is certainly a player to watch.

Aiva Arquette - SS/2B, UW/Oregon State

Arquette, a 6-foot-4 middle infielder from Hawaii, recently transferred from the University of Washington to Oregon State after an impressive season where he boasted a .311 batting average and 17 home runs in 63 games. He was recognized on the all-Pac-12 team and is projected by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel as a potential top-5 pick in the 2025 draft, making him a strong candidate for the Mariners.

Jace LaViolette - OF, Texas A&M

LaViolette's standout performance, with 29 home runs leading Texas A&M to the Men's College World Series finals, puts him in the conversation for one of the top selections. His remarkable size—6-foot-6 and 230 pounds—coupled with impressive speed makes him an intimidating prospect and one of the draft's biggest power threats.

Jamie Arnold - LHP, Florida State

With a track record of developing college pitchers, the Mariners have consistently targeted efficient strike-throwers, making Jamie Arnold a fitting candidate. As a sophomore, Arnold maintained a stellar 159-to-26 strikeout-to-walk ratio and was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, further solidifying his standing as an elite pitching prospect.

Tyler Bremner - RHP, UC Santa Barbara

Another promising talent, Bremner possesses 'easy velocity' with a fastball consistently reaching the upper 90s. Hailed for his potential as a major league starter, a strong showcase in his junior year could see him rise significantly in draft rankings.

With the 2025 MLB draft approaching, the Mariners are in prime position to secure a transformational player that could change the course of their franchise. Will they opt for homegrown talent or a big hitter? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the future looks bright for Seattle baseball!