Nationals sign No. 1 pick Willits to reported $8.2M deal

The Washington Nationals signed 2025 first overall pick Eli Willits.

Willits, 17, inked an $8.2-million deal, according to MLB Pipeline's Jim Callis. The slot value for the No. 1 pick in this year's draft was $11,075,900.

The deal is a signing-bonus draft record for a high school player, according to Callis.

"I've set a goal to be in the big leagues by the time I'm 20, and that's something I'm really excited to do," Willits said Saturday, according to The Associated Press. "Hopefully, I get out there and start playing well, and that can be something I can accomplish in the next few years."

Willits starred at shortstop for Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma before he was selected ahead of other highly touted players like Ethan Holliday and Kade Anderson in this year's draft.

He's the son of former big-league player Reggie Willits.