ATLANTA, GA – July 13, 2025 – In a move that sent ripples throughout the baseball world, the Washington Nationals, holding the coveted first overall pick in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft, stunned many by selecting high school shortstop Eli Willits from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma. The 17-year-old phenom, a switch-hitter with an electric skill set, now stands as the youngest player to be drafted first overall since the legendary Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987. This bold decision signals a clear direction for a Nationals franchise navigating a period of significant organizational change.
The selection of Eli Willits was, for many, an unexpected curveball in a draft class ripe with top-tier talent. While Willits was a consensus top-five prospect, many mock drafts had the Nationals leaning towards seasoned college arms like LSU’s Kade Anderson or even another highly touted high school shortstop, Ethan Holliday – the son of MLB great Matt Holliday and brother to rising Orioles star Jackson Holliday. However, Washington’s interim general manager Mike DeBartolo, working in conjunction with vice president of amateur scouting Danny Haas, made it unequivocally clear: Willits was their guy.
“He was our top guy throughout the process,” DeBartolo stated, emphasizing the rare alignment between scouting and analytics that led to this pick. “We had our eye on him all along, and we’re really excited that it worked out so well.” Haas echoed the sentiment, highlighting Willits’ natural defensive prowess, noting, “He makes the routine plays about as easy as anybody you can see, much less a 17-year-old. It’s just very soft, sure hands; educated, quick feet in all directions; and just a very compact, accurate, strong throwing arm.”
Eli Willits brings an impressive resume to the professional ranks. As a reclassified member of the 2025 class from what would have been 2026, he showcased advanced maturity beyond his years. His high school statistics are nothing short of jaw-dropping: a remarkable .473 batting average, coupled with 14 doubles, 8 home runs, 34 RBIs, and a staggering 47 stolen bases in just 128 plate appearances. His on-base percentage of .602 and slugging of .912 speak volumes about his plate discipline and ability to impact the game in multiple ways. He also struck out just four times all season, a testament to his elite bat-to-ball skills. These numbers propelled his Fort Cobb-Broxton team to an astounding sixth consecutive Oklahoma Class B state title.
Beyond the raw statistics, scouts laud Willits’ exceptional baseball IQ and calm demeanor under pressure. Comparisons have already been drawn to a more developed teenage version of Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, a testament to his well-rounded game. While his raw power is still developing, his switch-hitting ability and strong contact rates suggest future pop at the professional level. His commitment to the University of Oklahoma, where his father, former MLB outfielder and current coach Reggie Willits, and older brother Jaxon play, further underscores his deep baseball roots.
This Eli Willits MLB Draft selection comes at a pivotal moment for the Nationals, who recently parted ways with long-time GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez. Winning the 2025 MLB Draft lottery with a 10.2% chance provided Washington with a golden opportunity to inject transformative talent into their rebuilding system. With a slot value of over $11 million for the No. 1 pick, the Nationals will look to finalize a signing bonus with Willits that could potentially allow them to reallocate funds to later picks in a strategic move.
The road ahead for Eli Willits will undoubtedly be challenging, but his innate talent, unwavering work ethic, and the guidance of a baseball-savvy family position him for success. Nationals fans now have a new, dynamic face to rally around, a young superstar in the making who could very well become the cornerstone of their next championship contender. The dream Willits etched in his Bible two years ago – to be the No. 1 overall pick – has become a reality, and the journey from Fort Cobb-Broxton to the big leagues officially begins. The baseball world watches with anticipation as this prodigious talent embarks on his professional career.
