Nationals Make a Splash: Eli Willits Selected First Overall in the 2025 MLB Draft

The Washington Nationals made a splash at the MLB Draft by selecting 17-year-old Eli Willits, a switch-hitting shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, with the first overall pick. This choice caught many off guard, especially since other talented players, like Ethan Holliday, were still available. Instead of picking LSU pitcher Kade Anderson, who went third overall, the Nationals stuck to their plan.

Interim General Manager Mike DeBartolo confirmed that Willits had been their top target from the start. Danny Haas, the vice president of amateur scouting, highlighted Willits’ consistent performance in high school as a standout quality.

Standing at 6-foot-1, Willits is projected to be one of the most reliable shortstops. Although he might not have explosive power, he boasts a compact swing designed for contact. Experts like Keith Law from The Athletic believe that his potential for improvement could lead to respectable batting averages, while his defensive skills might even rate a “70” on the scale.

In his final high school season, Willits had impressive stats: a .473 batting average with 14 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, and an astounding 47 stolen bases. His impressive performance has fans buzzing on social media, and he expressed his gratitude to the Nationals organization with a tweet saying, “I’m excited, thankful… I’m ready to get to work.”

Historically, the Nationals have had success with their top picks. In 2010, they chose Bryce Harper, who would go on to become an MVP. That year, Mike Rizzo, who was then in his second year as General Manager, was at the helm. The franchise also made headlines in 2009 by selecting Stephen Strasburg, crucial to their 2019 World Series win.

The slot value for the No. 1 draft pick is set at $11,075,900. The Nationals have a hefty bonus pool of $16,597,800 for their top ten picks, giving them plenty of resources to build their future.

This decision marks a pivotal moment for the Nationals as they aim to rebuild and find the next cornerstone player. With Willits at the forefront, fans are eager to see what the future holds. For ongoing insights and updates on the MLB Draft and player performances, check out MLB.com.

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