Nationals Draft High School Star Eli Willits as No. 1 Pick in MLB 2025 Draft

In a bold and somewhat unexpected move, the Washington Nationals selected high school shortstop Eli Willits as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The 17-year-old standout from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma is already being compared to baseball legends, not only for his potential but also for becoming the youngest No. 1 pick since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987.

A New Generation of Talent

Willits, the son of former Los Angeles Angels outfielder and Yankees coach Reggie Willits, is a switch-hitter with advanced contact skills and promising power. Scouts and executives alike believe that under the Nationals’ development system, his raw abilities can blossom into elite-level performance.

“I believe I have strong hitability, and I’m confident I can take that to the next level,” Willits said after being drafted. “I’m excited to develop my power within a professional organization like the Nationals.”... Read complete content click link below

Interim GM Mike DeBartolo noted that Willits was seen as the “best hitter and best fielder in the draft,” emphasizing his rare intangibles and leadership qualities. The Nationals’ selection came shortly after they parted ways with both GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, adding unpredictability to this year’s draft decisions.

Record-Breaking Draft for Shortstops This year’s draft made history as a record 17 shortstops were selected in the first round—more than any previous draft class. The previous high was 10, recorded in both 2021 and 2023.