The Washington Nationals made headlines on July 7, 2025, by selecting high school shortstop Eli Willits with the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft. This decision surprised many, as the team had been expected to choose among other top prospects, including Ethan Holliday and left-hander Kade Anderson.
This pick comes amidst significant changes within the Nationals organization, having seen the recent departures of general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez. Rizzo, who was instrumental in drafting stars like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper during previous No. 1 selections, had served as general manager for 17 years.
Eli Willits, the son of former major league outfielder Reggie Willits, helped lead Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma to its third consecutive state title this past season. Recognized as a talented switch-hitter standing at 6 feet 1 inch, Willits is praised for his exceptional bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline. He has also shown promise as a strong defensive shortstop. Prior to the draft, he had committed to play for the University of Oklahoma.
The value of the first overall pick this year is a record $11,075,900, reflecting the increasing financial stakes in the league.
In contrast, the Los Angeles Angels chose Tyler Bremner, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher from UC Santa Barbara, with the second overall pick. This marked the highest draft position for the Angels since 1997. Bremner demonstrated impressive performance this season, posting a 3.49 ERA with a Big West-leading 111 strikeouts over 77 and one-third innings.
The Seattle Mariners selected Kade Anderson with the third pick. Anderson, who was named Most Outstanding Player at this year’s College World Series, showcased remarkable talent by achieving a 0.56 ERA in two starts during the tournament. He led Division I baseball with 180 strikeouts in 119 innings and was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, following in the footsteps of last year’s No. 1 pick, Paul Skenes.
The Colorado Rockies rounded out the top four selections by drafting Ethan Holliday, the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year. Holliday, who is the son of former outfielder Matt Holliday and brother of current Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday, had an outstanding senior year, batting .611 with 19 home runs, a 1.295 slugging percentage, and a 2.038 OPS.
The draft will consist of 20 rounds, continuing a format established in previous years. The first three rounds, which encompass the initial 105 selections, will take place on the following day.
As the Nationals embark on this new chapter, the selection of Eli Willits signifies their commitment to building a strong foundation for the future.
