2025 MLB Draft Day 1 Recap: Eli Willits Goes First Overall, History Made in Atlanta
Atlanta, GA – Major League Baseball concluded the opening day of the 2025 MLB Draft at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta, live on MLB Network and ESPN. Across the first three rounds, including compensatory, competitive balance, and Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) selections, 105 players were chosen. The Draft resumes Monday, July 14 at 11:30 a.m. ET with Round 4, streaming exclusively on MLB.com through its conclusion.
Nationals Select Eli Willits First Overall
The Washington Nationals took Eli Willits, a standout shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School (OK), with the first overall pick—making him the franchise’s third top selection ever, joining Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010). Willits is the 13th shortstop in MLB Draft history to go No. 1 and the first since Jackson Holliday in 2022. According to Elias Sports, Willits (17.216 years old) ranks as the third-youngest player ever drafted, behind Tim Foli (1989) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1987). Notably, he’s the son of Reggie Willits, a former Angels draft pick and MLB coach.
Teammate Duos Dominate the First Round
Three pairs of teammates were selected among the top 20 picks:
- University of Tennessee: Liam Doyle (5th, STL), Gavin Kilen (13th, SF), Andrew Fisher (20th, MIL)
- Corona High School: Seth Hernandez (8th, PIT) and Billy Carlson (10th, CWS)
- Wake Forest University: Marek Houston (16th, MIN) and Ethan Conrad (17th, CHC)
Hernandez and Carlson made history as the first high school teammates drafted in the top 10, and their selections mark the third consecutive year with a teammate pair in the top 10. Previous years included:
- 2024: Chase Burns, Nick Kurtz, Seaver King (Wake Forest)
- 2023: Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews (LSU)
Additionally, this is the third straight year where a set of teammates were picked back-to-back in the first round.
MLB Develops Alumni Shine on Draft Night
Four alumni from MLB Develops and USA Baseball programs were selected in the top 43:
- Eli Willits (1st, WAS): States Play & High School All-American Game
- Kayson Cunningham (18th, AZ): States Play, DREAM Series & HS All-American Game
- Xavier Neyens (21st, HOU): States Play, HR Derby & HS All-American Game
- Tate Southisene (22nd, ATL): States Play participant
Willits became the first MLB Develops alumnus to be taken No. 1 overall.
Royals Add Josh Hammond via Prospect Promotion Incentive
The Kansas City Royals used their Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) pick on shortstop Josh Hammond from Wesleyan Christian Academy. Kansas City earned the selection through the 2022 debut and 2024 MVP-contending performance of Bobby Witt Jr.
Family Ties Run Deep in 2025 MLB Draft
Several draftees come from notable baseball lineages:
- Ethan Holliday (4th, COL): Son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday
- Ike Irish (19th, BAL): Son of Jeff Irish (former Blue Jays prospect)
- Tate Southisene (22nd, ATL): Brother of Ty Southisene (Cubs draftee, 2024)
- Wehiwa Aloy (31st, BAL): Son of Jamie Aloy (Giants draftee, 1999)
- Brady Ebel (32nd, MIL): Son of Dino Ebel, Dodgers third base coach
- Marcus Phillips (33rd, BOS): Son of Steve Phillips, longtime Yankees minor leaguer and coach
With Jackson Holliday’s selection in 2022 and now Ethan’s in 2025, the Hollidays join elite father-son Draft pairs like:
- Ken Griffey Sr. & Jr.
- Dante Bichette Sr., Jr., and Bo
- Bob, Bret, and Aaron Boone
- Tom, Dee, and Nick Gordon
- Jerry Hairston Sr., Jr., and Scott
- Dave and Adam LaRoche
- Don, Taylor, and Preston Mattingly
By the Numbers — Draft Trends & Positional Breakdown
- College vs High School: 24 college players, 19 high school players selected
- Most Represented States:
- California (5)
- Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee (4 each)
- Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Oregon (3 each)
- Position Totals (Top 43 Picks):
- Shortstops: 18 (15 in 1st round — Draft record)
- Outfielders: 7
- Right-handed pitchers: 7
- Left-handed pitchers: 5
- Catchers: 4
- Third baseman: 1
- Two-way players: 1 (Mitch Voit, 38th overall to NYY)
Notably, no outfielder was selected until the 17th pick, the latest such occurrence since 2004, when none were taken in the first round.
