The Washington Nationals have picked the Oklahoma prep shortstop Eli Willits as the number 1 pick in the MLB draft 2025.
His father, Reggie, played in the MLB and is now the coach of the Oklahoma team. He was ranked as the best prospect in this draft by many experts and coaches.
He became the third number pick for the Nationals franchise in their history in the league. Previously, the Nationals had gone for the top pick in 2009 and 2010 when they selected Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper, respectively. He is also the youngest number one overall pick the MLB draft history. He is also the youngest overall player.
Nationals scouting director Danny Haas told the reporters via the Washington Post, “Just the high contact rate, the plate discipline, the patient ABs with the true switch-hit profiles becoming more valuable in this game.”
This selection comes only a week after the Nationals dismissed their general manager, Mike Rizzo, and field manager Davey Martinez. After that, the Nationals named assistant GM Mike DeBartolo as their interim manager.
Mike Debertolo said that Willits was the number choice for the team because he was viewed as “the best hitter in the draft and best fielder in the draft,” while also boasting a rare “makeup and intangibles” for a young player.
He further added, “It made this very easy for us.”
Willits will likely get the signing bonus below the $11.08 million – it is the value assigned to the overall first pick.
