Nationals take 17-year-old SS Eli Willits in surprise No. 1 pick

Field Level Media|published: Sun 13th July, 18:32 2025

Fort Cobb-Broxton's Eli Willits runs to first after hitting a fly ball during the high school baseball game between Fort Cobb-Broxton and Stillwater at Edmond Santa Fe High School in Edmond, Okla., Friday, April, 18, 2025.

ATLANTA -- Fresh off an organizational switch-up, the Washington Nationals made a surprise selection with the first pick of the MLB Draft on Sunday, selecting 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits.

A week after general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired amidst the franchise's sixth straight losing season, the team hopes Willits -- a Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, native -- can spark a return to glory for the 2019 World Series champs.

With most pundits predicting LSU pitcher Kade Anderson -- who the Seattle Mariners selected No. 3 overall -- or high school shortstop Ethan Holliday to be the first choice, the Nationals went a different route with Willits.

As a senior in 2025, Willits hit .516 with nine home runs, 33 runs, RBIs and 48 stolen bases. Originally a member of the 2026 class, Willits reclassified and was committed to the University of Oklahoma.

--Jack Batten, Field Level Media