The Nationals have made headlines by selecting high school shortstop Eli Willits as the first overall pick in the 2025 draft. This 17-year-old from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma is now the youngest first overall selection in draft history, a remarkable achievement that adds to the excitement surrounding the franchise. With this being the third time Washington has held the top pick, Willits has big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper.
- Nationals select Eli Willits first overall.
- Willits is youngest first overall pick.
- Management change did not affect pick.
- Willits could sign for less than slot.
- He is a highly-regarded shortstop prospect.
- Previous 1-1 picks were Strasburg and Harper.
Draft pundits had mixed opinions leading up to the selection on 2025-07-14 02:14:00, making the choice of Willits somewhat unexpected. The recent firing of longtime president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez added further intrigue, as interim GM Mike DeBartolo took the reins. Despite the management shake-up, DeBartolo indicated that the decision to draft Willits was well-planned, possibly allowing the Nationals to allocate funds more flexibly across their draft pool.
This selection raises questions about the Nationals’ future strategy. Will they be able to sign Willits for less than the slot price and use the savings to attract other prospects? Key developments include:
- Willits was rated as a top prospect by multiple outlets.
- The Nationals’ management change did not affect their draft plans.
- A potential below-slot deal could enhance their overall draft strategy.
- Willits is the son of former MLB player Reggie Willits.
As the draft unfolds, all eyes will be on how the Nationals leverage their selections to build a competitive future. Will they make additional surprising moves? Stay tuned for more updates.
