- Ahead of this year's draft, adidas welcomes 19 next-gen athletes – its largest class of impending draftees ever, and with the most projected first-rounders in the brand’s history.
- Headlined by adidas’ first-ever high school baseball NIL partner and projected No. 1 overall prospect Ethan Holliday, this class joins adidas’ growing roster of elite baseball talent who boast the dynamic combination of speed and power that’s ushering in the evolution of the sport.
As hundreds of baseball players prepare to embark on the road to the next level, adidas proudly announces the signing of 19 impending draftees headlined by current adidas partner Ethan Holliday and other top prospects including Jamie Arnold, Eli Willits and Aiva Arquette. In fact, the star-studded class includes 8 projected first-round picks in Sunday’s draft, making it the most highly projected class in the brand’s history.
“This year’s draft class sends a clear message about adidas’ intent in baseball — we’re betting big on young talent whose drive to achieve great things in the sport mirrors our own,” said Aaron Seabron, General Manager, US Sports & Creation Center Portland at adidas. “The hard work is only just beginning for our signees, but adidas is thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments and will do everything we can to support them and their future success.”
adidas’ commitment to investing in the next generation of baseball stars is most evidenced by the brand’s relationship with the consensus No. 1-ranked draft prospect, Ethan Holliday. Earlier this year, Holliday became the brand’s first high school baseball NIL partner, joining the three-stripe family like his older brother Jackson, a former No. 1 pick and rising star infielder in the league.
Now, Ethan Holliday headlines the star-studded class that could include as many as 7 top-10 draft picks, pending results from Sunday’s draft. Key players signed ahead of the draft by adidas include (rankings via MLB.com):
- Ethan Holliday (SS/3B) - adidas’ first ever NIL baseball partner and projected No.1 draft pick, Holliday is no stranger to the three stripes or the pressure that comes with the spotlight. Since joining the brand earlier this year, Ethan’s dominance on the field has only elevated and as the Stillwater, OK-based Baseball America 2025 High School Baseball Player of the Year transitions to the next level, he shows no signs of slowing down.
- Jamie Arnold (LHP) – The Tampa native and 2024 and 2025 Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist is the No. 4 overall prospect in this year’s draft after leading his collegiate team to the Super Regionals in this year’s championship season.
- Eli Willits (SS) – Despite being the youngest player in the draft this year, Eli is the No.5 overall prospect. With six high school state championships and playing time with the national team under his belt, Willits is poised for a promising career at the next level.
- Aiva Arquette (SS) – The Kailua, HI native is the No. 6 overall prospect following a junior season where he was named a finalist for the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger of the Year Award, a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award and semifinalist for the 2025 Golden Spikes Award.
- Liam Doyle (LHP) – Coming off a record-breaking and award-winning collegiate season that earned him finalist honors for the Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Trophy and conference pitcher of the year, the Derry, NH native is the No. 8 overall prospect in this year’s draft.
- JoJo Parker (SS) – The Purvis, MS native is the No. 9 overall prospect in the draft, alongside twin and fellow adidas partner, Jacob Parker. JoJo is coming off a strong high school career that culminated in competing for the MHSAA Class 4A state title and garnered him the title of Gatorade’s Mississippi Baseball Player of the Year.
- Kyson Witherspoon (RHP) – The right-handed pitcher and No. 10 overall prospect enters the draft following a collegiate season where he led his team in strikeouts and innings pitched, earning him semifinalist honors for the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy.
- Other exciting signings include Ike Irish, Steele Hall, Daniel Pierce, Brendan Summerhill, Gavin Fien, Xavier Neyens, Cam Cannarella, Quentin Young, Brady Ebel, Miguel Sime, Jacob Parker and Malachi Witherspoon.
adidas' signees join a growing roster of powerhouse ballplayers including Julio Rodriguez, Oneil Cruz, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jose Ramirez, Ryan O’Hearn, Bryan Woo, Trea Turner, Jackson Holliday, Corey Seager, Teoscar Hernandez, Anthony Volpe and more.
As part of their partnerships, the signees will sport adidas' lightweight Adizero cleats, like the recently released Adizero Impact Candy Cleats, on the field. Whether making clutch plays in the field or on the bases, adidas' range of Adizero cleats give athletes an edge to help them dominate.
About adidas:
adidas is a global leader in the sporting goods industry. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany, the company employs more than 62,000 people across the globe and generated sales of €23.7 billion in 2024. For more information, please visit www.adidas-Group.com.