The 2025 MLB Draft stunned baseball observers when the Washington Nationals selected high school shortstop Eli Willits as the number one overall pick. The choice was unexpected, overturning widespread predictions that LSU’s top pitching prospect Kade Anderson or Oklahoma shortstop Ethan Holliday would go first. At just 17 years old, Willits became the youngest No. 1 pick since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987, marking a bold statement by a Nationals franchise eager to rebuild through young, high-upside talent.
Willits’ path to the top of the draft was marked by an impressive sophomore season at Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, where he posted a staggering .471 batting average with 14 doubles, a triple, 8 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 47 stolen bases. Remarkably, he struck out only four times all season, underscoring his exceptional plate discipline and contact skills. Scouts have hailed the switch-hitting shortstop not only for his bat but for his advanced baseball IQ and defensive excellence, including smooth hands, great range, and a strong, accurate arm.
Washington’s interim general manager, Mike DeBartolo, expressed his enthusiasm immediately after the pick: “Eli is a special player. Great hit tool, makes consistent contact, controls the strike zone. His swing is a clean operation switch hitter with power developing and on defense, he’s an elite shortstop with range and accuracy. Add to that his confidence, work ethic, and maturity, and you have a rare, complete athlete.” DeBartolo’s praise signals that the Nationals view Willits as a potential franchise-changing player capable of impacting the club for years to come.
Willits himself acknowledged the challenge ahead, emphasizing his goal to develop more power with the Nationals’ development staff. “I feel like my power is up and coming,” he said. “I needed to get into an organization like the Nationals that can help me take that to the next level. I’m just a player who’s going to give everything I’ve got.” His impressive base-running skills demonstrated by 56 runs scored and 47 steals last season add another dimension to his ceiling as a dynamic, complete shortstop.
The decision to pick Willits was followed closely by the Nationals’ recent front-office shakeup, as Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez had been let go just a week prior. DeBartolo, empowered to steer the team’s new direction, emphasized that Willits was “the top guy throughout the process,” highlighting a strategic shift focused on building around youth and versatility.
Though some analysts were surprised, acknowledging the presence of other prized talents like pitcher Kade Anderson and shortstop Ethan Holliday, many graded the Nationals’ selection highly. CBS Sports ranked Willits as the best prospect in the class, noting his rare combination of youth (he turns 18 only in December) and above-average tools across the board particularly contact hitting, defense, and baserunning. The pick evokes comparisons to former Nationals top picks Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, offering fans hope for a similar impact talent.
Financially, Washington is slated to offer Willits a signing bonus approximately in line with the $11 million slot value for the top pick a substantial investment but one expected given his pedigree and potential. For a franchise struggling in recent seasons, the addition of a polished, high-upside shortstop gives reason for optimism about the rebuild’s trajectory.
The Nationals’ selection of Eli Willits as the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft was a surprise that signals a bold new chapter. With his combination of advanced hitting, defensive poise, and intangibles, Willits projects as a cornerstone player who could define Washington’s future. Both the organization and Willits himself have set a high bar for development, aiming to transform youthful promise into Major League stardom in the years ahead
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