The big story for the Washington Nationals is that the team selected shortstop Eli Willits with the first pick of the 2025 MLB Draft.

“We couldn’t be more excited,” Nationals executive Mike DeBartolo said on MLB Network shortly after the pick was announced. “Eli is a special player with a clean operation at the plate and is an elite shortstop.”

The selection of Willits was the result of a year-long, collaborative scouting effort. “Danny and our scouting leadership have been working on this for over a year, and they've had their eye on Eli for a very long time,” DeBartolo explained. “They've been seeing all the top players, and we started chopping it up this last week to narrow things down, and Eli was the top guy on our boards. It was one of those nice things where the scouts and the analysts see things the exact same way and saw him as the best hitter in the draft, the best fielder in the draft, with just great makeup, great work ethic and all the intangibles. Everything came together, and it was a really collaborative and great process.”

He added, “He was the guy we wanted all along, and we’re really excited it worked out so well.”

Though much of the pre-draft spotlight was on fellow Oklahoman Holliday, Willits made his mark as a switch-hitting shortstop at Fort Cobb-Broxton, where he led his team to six state championships in just three years—one each spring and fall. At just 17 years old, Willits is now the youngest player ever to be drafted first overall in MLB history.

Willits also boasts an impressive baseball lineage. His father, Reggie Willits, played outfield for the Angels from 2006 to 2011 and later coached first base for the Yankees from 2018 to 2021. At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Eli may not have the same physical presence as Holliday, but scouts and analysts agree he is the most complete player in the draft and projects to thrive at shortstop.

After hearing his name called, Willits expressed both gratitude and determination: “I am just thankful for the Nationals organization for giving me this chance. At the end of the day, I am just ready to get to work.”

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Washington Nationals Swept in Series by Milwaukee Brewers

The Washington Nationals finished up their last series before the All-Star break by being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers. They have now lost their last four games, this one on the back of a disastrous eighth inning.

While the offense struggled, Jake Irvin gave the team a great fight. He allowed no earned runs (three unearned) in five innings, while giving up four hits and striking out five batters. Jackson Rutledge gave up four runs in the eighth, putting the game out of reach as the Nats fell 8-1.

The Washington Nationals made a major statement last night by selecting Eli Willits, a 17-year-old shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, with the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft—their first time holding the top selection in years. Willits, who reclassified to enter this year’s draft and is now the youngest player ever taken first overall, brings a rare blend of athleticism, advanced baseball IQ, and a polished all-around game. As a switch-hitter with a compact swing and advanced pitch recognition, he consistently drives the ball to all fields. While his profile currently leans more hit-over-power, scouts see the potential for average power as he continues to mature, thanks to his bat speed and physical projection.

Defensively, Willits is a plus runner and a highly regarded shortstop, boasting impressive range, a strong arm, and exceptional body control. His instincts and baseball intelligence are evident both in the field and on the basepaths, where he’s an aggressive and savvy runner. Baseball is deeply rooted in his family: his father, Reggie, played in the majors and now coaches at Oklahoma, while his older brother Jaxon is a standout collegiate shortstop and a projected top-100 draft pick next year.

The Nationals’ decision to draft Willits signals a strategic shift in their approach. Unlike recent top picks such as Kade Anderson or Ethan Holliday—both represented by Scott Boras and likely to command record-setting signing bonuses—Willits is not expected to require as high a financial commitment. With a total bonus pool of $16,597,800 to spend on all 20 picks, the Nationals now have the flexibility to pursue other high-upside prospects who might fall to later rounds due to signability concerns. Interim GM Mike DeBartolo alluded to this approach in his introductory press conference, emphasizing the team’s intent to maximize overall draft talent by leveraging savings from Willits’ signing to target first-round caliber players in the second or third round.

This year’s draft process was anything but routine for Washington. The organization had already begun its rigorous evaluation and debate over the top pick when longtime general manager Mike Rizzo was dismissed just a week ago. Stepping up, interim GM Mike DeBartolo—previously Rizzo’s top analyst and second-in-command—took on a more prominent role, overseeing the team’s established scouting leadership: vice president of amateur scouting Danny Haas, senior director Brad Ciolek, and assistant scouting director/national crosschecker Reed Dunn.

DeBartolo underscored the collaborative nature of the Nationals’ decision:

However, Willits’ selection also raises several important questions for the Nationals as they move forward:

As the Nationals embark on this new era—marked by both strategic flexibility and significant organizational change—Willits’ selection stands as both a symbol of hope and a catalyst for critical questions that will shape the franchise's future.

With their second-round selection (49th overall) in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Nationals picked Ethan Petry, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound outfielder from South Carolina known for his exceptional raw power but also a tendency to strike out. Petry's offensive production is impressive—he hit .336/.462/.661 with 54 home runs and 162 RBIs over three college seasons, drawing 110 walks against 165 strikeouts. However, his defensive range in right field is limited. While he possesses a strong arm, scouts expect him to eventually transition to first base or the designated hitter role at the professional level.

In the third round, Washington selected Landon Harmon, a 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher from East Union High School in Mississippi. Harmon, ranked as the 48th overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, slipped to the 80th pick due to his commitment to Mississippi State. The Nationals may attempt to sign him with an above-slot bonus, leveraging savings from earlier picks. Harmon is noted for his powerful arm, a promising breaking ball, and a developing changeup, with scouts projecting further growth as he matures. Haas commented on Harmon’s potential.

Join the conversation, updates, and be the first to know how the future of the franchise is being shaped—live, as it happens! Click here to follow along and stay ahead of the curve with the Nats Report!

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