The Washington Nationals promoted No. 1 overall prospect Eli Willits to the High-A Wilmington on Sunday, according to The Athletic’s Spencer Nusbaum. This comes in the wake of the promotions of Devin Fitz-Gerald and Ethan Petry to Double-A Harrisburg.
Willits' promotion comes after a great first half of the season with Single-A Fredericksburg. The No. 4 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, slashed a pretty good, .300/.418/.500 with six home runs, 37 RBIs and a .918 OPS in 47 games while showcasing his all-around skill set that made him the top selection in last year's draft.
The Nationals picked Willits first in the 2025 MLB draft from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma. Willits’ was also the youngest No. 1 overall pick since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987. With most high school players require time to develop after entering professional baseball, but Willits immediately showed why he belongs against professional competition.
The switch-hitting shortstop advanced approach at the plate and elite bat-to-ball skills combine for an imposing presence at the dish, especially with his 6’1 180-pound-frame. Willits walked 38 times and registered .418 on-base percentage, and his 57 hits ranked top-10 among the Carolina League. Willits doesn’t rely on power, he impacts games by walking, driving the ball into gaps, and putting pressure on the defense with his speed.
Willits’ maturity with the bat is one of the reasons for his meteoric rise through the minors. Scouts praise Willits for eye of the strike zone and his ability to make consistent contact. These traits have translated seamlessly to his professional career so far.
The offensive numbers stand out and Willits' value extends beyond the batter's box. He stole 29 bases in 36 attempts while using his plus speed to create scoring opportunities, which fits in nicely with Wilmington’s manager aggressive base running style.
Defensively, Willits’ continued to show the smooth actions, strong footwork and reliable arm strength that project him as a long-term shortstop at the highest level.
Willits’ six homers in Fredericksburg also offer an encouraging glimpse into his future ceiling offensively. Scouts see more power could emerge as he continues to add strength to his frame, potentially turning an already impressive offensive profile into a complete five-tool package.
Now promoted to Wilmington, this is another significant step in Willits' development and places him as the crown jewel in a growing group of top-tier prospects in the Nationals’ farm system. At just 18-years-old, Willits is one of the youngest players at every level he reaches.
For the Nationals, the move is another indicator of how highly the Nationals view their top prospect. For Wilmington, it means welcoming one of the most exciting young talents in all of the minors.
If Willits' first 47 games of the season are any indicator of his potential, the Nationals may not have to wait long before their first overall pick begins knocking on the door of Harrisburg or even Rochester.