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MLB Draft Lottery 2025: Watch, Odds, Prospects & All the Details

2024-12-05

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.

On Thursday morning, Oregon baseball made a significant announcement by releasing its 2025 regular-season schedule. This schedule holds great importance as it showcases 56 games, with 30 of them being Big Ten Conference games and 36 home games set to commence at PK Park on February 14th against Toledo. The excitement around this schedule is palpable, and it promises an action-packed season for Duck fans.

Oregon Baseball's 2025 Schedule - A Season of Excitement and Challenges

Opening the Season with a 13-Game Homestand

Oregon kicks off the 2025 season with a remarkable 13-game homestand. This stretch includes hosting Toledo from February 14th to 16th, followed by Rhode Island from February 21st to 23rd, and Columbia from February 28th to March 2nd. The homestand concludes with a midweek game against Utah Tech on March 4th. It's an exciting start to the season, with fans eagerly anticipating the action on their home turf.After this intense homestand, Oregon begins its Big Ten play the following week. They face USC in a three-game set in Irvine, California, from March 7th to 9th. This marks the beginning of their conference journey, and the team will be looking to make a strong impression.

Big Ten Play and Home Stands

Following the USC series, Oregon returns home for an eight-game homestand. The homestand opens with a pair of non-conference games against Grand Canyon from March 11th to 12th. This provides an opportunity for the team to build momentum before facing Big Ten opponents.Oregon will host Minnesota in its first-ever Big Ten game at PK Park from March 14th to 16th. This is a significant moment for the program as they take on a new conference rival in their home stadium. The homestand concludes with a three-game series against Rutgers from March 21st to 23rd.In total, Oregon will host nine weekend series, five of which will feature Big Ten Conference opponents. This includes hosting Michigan from April 4th to 6th, UCLA from April 18th to 20th, and Washington from May 9th to 11th. These matchups against top conference teams will test the Ducks' skills and determination.

Rivalry with Oregon State

The Ducks will continue their long-standing rivalry with Oregon State. They will face the Beavers four times in five days in late April. The series begins with a three-game set at PK Park from April 25th to 27th, followed by a midweek game in Corvallis on April 29th. These games are always highly anticipated and add an extra layer of excitement to the season.

Home and Road Schedules

Oregon's home schedule also features six midweek games at PK Park. In addition to Utah Tech and Grand Canyon, they will host West Coast Conference opponents Portland on March 12th and Saint Mary's from May 6th to 7th. These midweek games provide opportunities for the team to fine-tune their skills and build team chemistry.On the road, the Ducks will play four conference series. They start with Ohio State from March 28th to 30th, followed by Maryland from April 11th to 13th, Michigan State from May 2nd to 4th, and Iowa from May 15th to 17th. They will also play midweek road games at Portland on April 2nd and at Georgetown on April 14th, as well as a two-game midweek series at Kent State from March 25th to 26th. These road trips will take the team across the nation, facing postseason regulars and testing their abilities in different environments.The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Oregon baseball. Joining the Big Ten Conference with other traditional Pac-12 powerhouses will enhance the league's competitiveness. The schedule features 36 home games at beautiful PK Park, providing a great home advantage for the Ducks. There are also eight non-conference opportunities against teams predicted to win their respective leagues. Matching up against top Big Ten programs like Michigan, Ohio State, Maryland, and Iowa while maintaining games against former Pac foes like Washington, UCLA, and USC will be a real challenge. Midweek strength of schedule will be bolstered by playing series across the nation against postseason regulars Kent State, Georgetown, and Grand Canyon. The coaching staff is excited about these new opportunities and looks forward to continuing the program's progress, with their sights set on earning a chance to play for a National Championship in Omaha this June.

Ogden, N.Y. (WHAM) - The Pirate Toy Fund operates year-round with the combined efforts of a dedicated team. It's a unique occasion where a sports team's counting skills take a backseat as they focus on giving. The Greece Gladiators 10U baseball team made a significant visit to the PTF headquarters. They signed cards, donated toys, and got a tour of the facility. This event holds great importance as it shows how children in the community can come together to help their peers. Lorie Simonetti, a co-founder of the PTF and the grandmother of a team member, emphasized the significance. She said, "This is going to be a great event because it's going to be the children in the community that are helping the kids. When the little ones donate during the toy drive, it helps them learn about giving and goes to those in need." Coach Rick Palmiero also shared his perspective. He said, "The Pirate Toy Fund is near and dear to our hearts. My family and I help throughout the year. It's bigger than baseball. It's about teaching our kids to be beneficial for different things, especially during the holiday season."

Full-Circle Moments for Some Kids

It was a remarkable experience for some kids as they witnessed parents teaching them about the Pirate Toy Fund. Simonetti further explained, "I think it's great that parents are teaching their children about us. Some of these kids actually received our toys through our program and are now giving back because of that. It shows the power of giving and how it can create a positive cycle."

The Holiday Season Goal

The Pirate Toy Fund has set an ambitious goal of collecting 25,000 toys for kids in need this holiday season. The toy drive continues on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kinecta Federal Credit Union (3606 Mt. Read Blvd., Greece) and on Saturday at The Strong National Museum of Play from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Toys can be dropped off at various locations during normal business hours, including Wegmans, Lattimore Physical Therapy, Mark’s Pizzeria, CountryMax, Van Bortel Automotive Group, Eastview Mall, Marketplace Mall, The Mall at Greece Ridge, and The Strong National Museum of Play. Additionally, people can click HERE to donate to the drive online.

Community Involvement and Impact

The efforts of the Pirate Toy Fund and the participation of the Greece Gladiators 10U baseball team have a significant impact on the community. It shows that even a small act of giving can make a big difference. As more and more people come together to support this cause, the hope is to bring joy to countless children during the holiday season. It's not just about toys; it's about creating a sense of community and teaching valuable lessons about kindness and giving. The Pirate Toy Fund serves as a shining example of how teamwork and community spirit can make a real impact on the lives of those in need.