ATLANTA, GA - On Sunday night, as MLB commissioner Rob Manfred walked to the podium, tension was in the air. Since December’s third annual draft lottery, the question loomed of who the Nationals would select with the first overall choice.
This year’s class had no clear top choice, unlike when Washington held the top selection for the years of Bryce Harper’s and Stephen Strasburg’s drafts. After the long, laborious process, Manfred announced that the Washington Nationals chose High School infielder Eli Willits with their first selection.
Welcome to Washington, D.C.
With the first pick of the 2025 MLB Draft, the Washington Nationals selected
SS Eli Willits from Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) High School
— #TheNatsReport 🇺🇸 ⚾ (#@TheNatsReport)
10:11 PM • Jul 13, 2025
Willits tore it up last summer for USA Baseball en route to becoming the first overall pick. In eight games, posted a .345 on-base percentage. While there are always risks in drafting High School bats, this pick has tons of upside for Washington.
Stay tuned to The Nats Report for more information as the story develops…