The Nationals selected Eli Willits, a shortstop out of Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) high school, with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday.
At 17 years and 7 months old, Willits, the No. 5 Draft prospect per MLB Pipeline, is the youngest true prospect in the 2025 class after reclassifying from the class of ‘26. A switch-hitter who’s better from the left side, Willits has a good eye and is already quite a mature hitter for his age. His bat-to-ball skills are excellent, and he’s shown the ability to consistently hit line drives. Though he has some raw power, he likely would top out at 15 homers a year in the bigs.
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Willits has good speed and a strong arm, and he also displays good instincts in the field — qualities that scouts believe will only get better as he develops physically. He will likely continue as a shortstop, but he could also develop into an outfielder. Willits is said to be a more developed teenage version of Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Willits is committed to the University of Oklahoma — where his father, former big leaguer Reggie Willits, played and coaches, and where his older brother, Jaxon, plays now — but he’s unlikely to be a Sooner, given his high Draft stock.
As a member of the 18U Team USA squad in 2024, Willits produced a .345 on-base percentage with four RBIs in eight games played.