In a dramatic turn of events for the Washington Nationals, the 2025 MLB Draft marked a new chapter for a franchise amid significant front-office upheaval. On July 13, 2025, the Nationals used the coveted No. 1 overall pick to select Eli Willits, a 17-year-old shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma. This selection was made under the stewardship of interim general manager Mike DeBartolo, who had just taken over after the franchise dismissed longtime GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez a week prior.
Willits, who reclassified from the class of 2026 to join the 2025 draft class, stands out not only for his impressive skill set but also for his youth. At 17 years and 216 days old, he is the youngest player taken No. 1 overall since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987 and the third-youngest in MLB history. His lineage adds to the intrigue: he is the son of former Los Angeles Angels outfielder and current University of Oklahoma associate head coach Reggie Willits, who spent six seasons in the majors. Eli’s brother, Jaxon, also plays for Oklahoma, underscoring the family’s deep baseball roots.
Despite being a surprise pick to some, as many had projected Stillwater star infielder Ethan Holliday to go first overall, the Nationals’ scouting department was resolute. Danny Haas, the Nationals’ vice president of amateur scouting, praised Willits as "the best hitter in the draft and best fielder in the draft," highlighting his exceptional makeup and work ethic. DeBartolo echoed these sentiments, stating, "It’s one of those nice things where the scouts and the analysts see things exactly the same way and saw him as the best hitter in the Draft, the best fielder in the Draft with just great makeup, great work ethic and all the intangibles." This consensus made the decision straightforward for the Nationals’ front office, even amid the chaos of recent firings.
Willits is a switch-hitter with a mature approach at the plate, displaying excellent bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline. While his power potential is considered modest—projected to top out at around 15 home runs per year—his contact ability and patient at-bats stand out in the modern game. The young infielder also boasts speed, a strong arm, and impressive instincts on defense, making routine plays look effortless. Haas noted, "He makes the routine plays about as easy as anybody you can see, much less a 17-year-old," praising his sure hands, quick feet, and strong throwing arm.
Last season, Willits put up remarkable numbers at the high school level, hitting .473 with 14 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 34 RBIs, 27 walks, 47 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored in just 128 plate appearances. His on-base percentage was an eye-popping .602, with a slugging percentage of .912 and an OPS of 1.514. He struck out only four times all season and led Fort Cobb-Broxton to its sixth consecutive Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association Class B state title. His coach, Dale Bellamy, described him as "a great kid, great baseball player, but also just a great person," underscoring the character that the Nationals value highly.
Willits’ commitment to the University of Oklahoma, where his father coaches and his brother plays, was well known, but his high draft stock makes a college career unlikely. He expressed excitement about joining the Nationals, saying, "I’m excited and happy to get to work with such a great organization and great people in the Nats organization. So I’m ready to start building relationships with my teammates, my coaches and get to work." His goal is ambitious yet clear: "When I [reclassified], I told my dad that I wanted to be in the big leagues by the time I’m 20. So that’s definitely the goal."
The timing of the Nationals’ front office shakeup added an extra layer of complexity to the draft. Mike Rizzo, who had been the architect of the Nationals’ baseball operations for nearly two decades, was fired on July 6, just a week before the draft. His tenure was marked by highs, including the 2019 World Series championship, but also by struggles in recent years, particularly with drafting and player development. The Nationals currently sit last in the National League East with a 38-58 record, and their farm system is in need of impact prospects to rejuvenate the team’s future.
Mike DeBartolo, previously Rizzo’s assistant general manager, was thrust into the interim GM role with a significant challenge ahead. Despite the uncertainty, DeBartolo spoke confidently about Willits, calling him the top choice throughout the process and highlighting the alignment between scouts and analysts. "We had our eye on him throughout," DeBartolo said. "He was the guy we wanted all along, and we’re really excited that it worked out so well." He also emphasized Willits’ maturity, saying on MLB Network, "Just maturity that’s off the charts. So you put all of that together — it’s rare to get someone that we think is the best hitter in the draft and the best fielder in the draft." The Nationals have $11,075,900 in slot money to sign Willits, and the team is expected to manage the bonus strategically, possibly signing Willits for less than the slot value to allocate funds to other picks.
The 2025 draft was notable for the record number of shortstops selected early, with 11 of the first 18 picks at that position, reflecting a league-wide premium on defensive versatility and athleticism. The Nationals’ pick of Willits kicked off this trend, followed by selections such as Ethan Holliday at No. 4 to the Colorado Rockies. Other notable picks included the Los Angeles Angels selecting UC Santa Barbara pitcher Tyler Bremner at No. 2 and the Seattle Mariners taking LSU left-hander Kade Anderson at No. 3.
Willits’ arrival in the Nationals organization symbolizes a fresh start amid a period of transition and rebuilding. The franchise hopes that he can be the first major draft success since Lucas Giolito in 2012, providing a cornerstone for the team’s future. With the Nationals’ current limitations—including their inability to pick higher than No. 10 in next year’s draft due to lottery rules and the impending free agency of key players like MacKenzie Gore—the pressure is on their new leadership and prospects like Willits to reverse the team’s fortunes.
As the Nationals look ahead, all eyes will be on Willits to see if he can fulfill the high expectations placed upon him as the youngest No. 1 overall pick in MLB history. His blend of skill, maturity, and baseball pedigree makes him a beacon of hope for a franchise eager to return to contention. For now, the Nationals and their fans can savor the excitement of welcoming a promising new talent, even as the road to rebuilding remains a challenging journey.
