WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Nationals have selected high school shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft presented by Nike. The announcement was made jointly by Interim General Manager Mike DeBartolo, Vice President of Amateur Scouting Danny Haas, Senior Director of Amateur Scouting Brad Ciolek, and Assistant Director/National Crosschecker Reed Dunn.
Willits, 17, starred at Fort Cobb-Broxton High School (OK), leading the Mustangs to their sixth consecutive OSSAA Class B state championship. A dynamic switch-hitter, Willits posted a staggering .473 batting average with 14 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 34 RBI, 27 walks, and 56 runs scored across 128 plate appearances—striking out just four times. His .602 on-base percentage and .912 slugging mark produced a 1.514 OPS. He also swiped 47 bases, showcasing elite speed and instincts.
Recognized as a Baseball America, Rawlings/ABCA, and Perfect Game High School All-American, Willits earned OBCA Class B All-Star and All-State honors in his final prep season.
On the international stage, Willits helped Team USA capture gold at the 2024 WBSC Americas Qualifier en route to a berth in the U-18 World Cup. Starting all eight games in center field, he contributed four hits, four RBI, and two stolen bases—including a hit, a hit-by-pitch, and a stolen base in the gold medal game.
At 17 years and seven months old, Willits becomes the youngest No. 1 overall draft pick in Major League history, and the fourth-youngest selection across all rounds. After reclassifying into the 2025 draft class, he was ranked No. 8 nationally and No. 2 in Oklahoma by Perfect Game, who also named him a 2024 All-American.
Willits is the son of former MLB outfielder Reggie Willits, who played six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels (2006–2011).
