Eli Willits

Eli Willits
Washington Nationals
Shortstop
Born: (2007-12-09) December 9, 2007
Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S.
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right

Eli Willits (born December 9, 2007) is an American professional baseball shortstop in the Washington Nationals organization. He was drafted first overall by the Nationals in the 2025 MLB draft.

Career

Willits attended Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. In the summer of 2024, he played for the USA Baseball 18U team.[1] As a senior in 2025, he was The Oklahoman’s 2025 All-State Player of the Year after hitting .516 with nine home runs, 33 runs batted in (RBI) and 48 stolen bases.[2]

Willits reclassified from the 2026 to 2025 class.[3] He was a top prospect for the 2025 Major League Baseball draft.[4] He is committed to play college baseball at the University of Oklahoma.[5]

In the 2025 MLB draft, Willits was selected first overall by the Washington Nationals, becoming the third-youngest player in MLB draft history to be selected first overall.[6] He signed with Washington for a below-slot $8.2 million signing bonus on July 19, 2025.[7]

Personal life

He is the son of Amber Klugh and Reggie Willits, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB).[8]

References

  1. ^ Sardis, Nick. "Fort Cobb-Broxton's Eli Willits, Stillwater's Ethan Holliday make USA Baseball 18U team". The Oklahoman.
  2. ^ Fort Cobb-Broxton shortstop and MLB Draft prospect Eli Willits is The Oklahoman's 2025 All-State Player of the Year
  3. ^ Eddy, Matt (July 13, 2025). "Eli Willits Makes MLB Draft History As Youngest No. 1 Pick Ever".
  4. ^ Law, Keith (April 21, 2025). "MLB Draft 2025: Scouting Ethan Holliday, Eli Willits, JoJo Parker, other top HS talents" – via NYTimes.com.
  5. ^ "Get to know No. 1 overall Draft pick Eli Willits". MLB.com.
  6. ^ "Nationals make 17-year-old Eli Willits No. 1 overall pick". MLB.com.
  7. ^ "Nationals Agree To Sign First Overall Pick Eli Willits". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  8. ^ "Inside the MLB draft journey for the sons of two former major leaguers". ESPN.com. July 1, 2025.
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