Nationals surprise by taking prep star Eli Willits 1st overall in MLB draft

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With the first pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Washington Nationals surprised many by selecting Eli Willits, a shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma.

The 17-year-old infielder is the son of former big-leaguer Reggie Willits, who played six seasons for the Los Angeles Angels and was the first-base coach of the New York Yankees from 2018-21.

Willits entered the draft as MLB Pipeline's No. 5 prospect, making it a shock that Washington selected him first overall ahead of higher-ranked players like Ethan Holliday and Kade Anderson.

However, Nationals general manager Mike DeBartolo said after making the pick that Willits was "the guy we wanted all along," according to MASN Sports' Mark Zuckerman.

Bio

Age: 17
Position: SS
Height/Weight: 6-1, 180 lbs
Bats/Throws: S/R
School: Fort Cobb-Broxton HS
NCAA commit: Oklahoma
Pick value (#1): $11,075,900

Tools

• 60-grade hit and run tools
• Comes from baseball family
• High baseball IQ

Why fans will love this player

• Good instincts and non-stop motor
• Polished switch-hitter, better from left side
• Draws comparisons to Anthony Volpe with better tools

Things he'll need to overcome

• Average power at best

Take a look ...