After a wild week for the Washington Nationals that included firing their GM and manager in the midst of a brutal season, the organization finally made their long-awaited selection with the #1 pick. Since winning the draft lottery back in December, the Nationals have had a ton of different players mocked to them, but the organization made a pick that should leave fans excited.
Despite some very late whispers that the organization might be taking catcher/outfielder Ike Irish from Auburn University on a big underslot deal, and the overwhelming majority of people predicting Kade Anderson, the Nationals stood firm and selected Eli Willits with the top pick, and there is a TON to like about his game.
Willits developed a lot of late momentum as he began trending towards the top pick, following news that the Nationals were looking to cut a deal with their top pick. While we do not yet know what direction the Nationals will go in following the selection of Willits with their top pick, we do know that the team should have a large amount of savings by getting him for underslot value.
Clearly, this pick is a massive pivot from the Mike Rizzo era, as in recent years he had begun to prioritize pro-ready talent that could make a quick impact at the big league level. Guys like Seaver King last year were selected as a guy who could shoot through the minors, and his ineffectiveness so far may have made the Nationals covet the overall skillset of Willits even further.
THE O N E pic.twitter.com/5YHu1znCS0
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 13, 2025
As I detailed earlier this week, Willits completely fits the mold of a draft pick led by Brad Ciolek and Danny Haas, the leaders of the organization's draft group, and I am glad that my following of the tea leaves ended up coming to fruition. The 17-year-old is the youngest player ever to be selected in the 1st round of the MLB Draft, and his combination of hit tool, glove, speed, and overall upside should allow him to stick at shortstop for a very long time.
The switch-hitter played his high school baseball at Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, and came as a surprise to many for being the top pick, but not me. I am elated with the selection of Eli Willits, and while it is not the flashy pick many would have hoped for in Ethan Holliday or even Kade Anderson, if he pans out, the Nationals will have their shortstop for a very, very long time.
Are you satisfied with the Nationals' #1 pick? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.