Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 60

Fans might recognize the last name from Reggie Willits, Eli’s dad, who played six seasons with the Angels from 2006-11 before coaching with the Yankees and at the University of Oklahoma. Eli Willits won six Oklahoma state Class B championships (three fall, three spring) at Fort Cobb-Broxton HS and reclassified for the 2025 Draft. The Nationals selected him with the first overall pick, making him, at 17 years and 216 days old, the third-youngest player ever taken at the top of the Draft and the youngest since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987. After signing for $8.2 million, Willits got in 15 games with Single-A Fredericksburg, where he went 15-for-50 (.300) with a triple and a double.

Little is typically expected from drafted high schoolers sent straight to full-season ball. But Willits -- a switch-hitter who has an early aptitude from the left side -- held his own by not expanding the zone much and routinely making contact, building on his pre-Draft reputation for outstanding bat-to-ball skills. He still profiles as a line-drive type more than a slugger, but average power could arrive later with sufficient strength training.

The former Oklahoma recruit brings a ton of energy to the diamond and is often seen trying to use his plus speed to take an extra bag, either on a hit or a steal attempt. He has the soft hands, proper footwork and above-average arm strength to be a potential plus shortstop by the time he becomes a Major Leaguer. Given his age, Willits will get plenty of time and space to develop in all aspects with the Nats, and if the power comes around, he could be a five-tool foundational piece of future Washington contenders.

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 60

Willits comes from a baseball family, with father Reggie playing in the big leagues before coaching with the Yankees and returning to his alma mater as the associate head coach at Oklahoma -- where Eli's brother, Jaxon, is starring as a sophomore. Before the Draft, he drew some comparisons to Anthony Volpe with better physical tools at the same stage. In three years at Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, he won six state Class B Championships (three fall, three spring). The Nationals selected Willits with the first overall pick and signed him for $8.2 million. At 17 years and 216 years old, the former Oklahoma commit became the third-youngest player ever selected at No. 1 and youngest since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987.

A switch-hitter who's more proficient from the left side, Willits is exceedingly polished at the plate for his age. He has outstanding bat-to-ball skills, making consistent line-drive contact while rarely straying from the strike zone. He may never have more than average raw power, but his hitting ability should enable him to tap into most of it and provide 15 homers per season.

Willits has the nonstop motor and instincts to get the most out of his physical tools. He plays quicker than his plus speed and earns solid grades for his arm strength and defensive play at shortstop, and scouts won't be shocked if those both become pluses once he's fully developed. There's no reason he shouldn't stay at shortstop, but he'd also profile well in center field.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 60

Willits comes from a baseball family, with father Reggie playing in the big leagues before coaching with the Yankees and returning to his alma mater as the associate head coach at Oklahoma -- where Eli's brother, Jaxon, is starring as a sophomore. Willits also is committed to the Sooners but is unlikely to get to Norman because he's a slam-dunk early first-rounder after reclassifying from the 2026 class. He draws some comparisons to Anthony Volpe with better physical tools at the same stage, and he'll likely be the youngest true prospect in the 2025 crop at 17 years, 7 months on Draft Day. In three years at Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, he won six state Class B championships (three fall, three spring).

A switch-hitter who's more proficient from the left side, Willits is exceedingly polished at the plate for his age. He has outstanding bat-to-ball skills, making consistent line-drive contact while rarely straying from the strike zone. He may never have more than average raw power, but his hitting ability should enable him to tap into most of it and provide 15 homers per season.

Willits has the nonstop motor and instincts to get the most out of his physical tools. He plays quicker than his plus speed and earns solid grades for his arm strength and defensive play at shortstop, and scouts won't be shocked if those both become pluses once he's fully developed. There's no reason he shouldn't stay at shortstop but he'd also profile well in center field.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	02/21/2026	SS Eli Willits assigned to Washington Nationals.
	08/21/2025	SS Eli Willits assigned to Fredericksburg Nationals from FCL Nationals.
	08/04/2025	FCL Nationals activated SS Eli Willits.
	07/19/2025	SS Eli Willits assigned to FCL Nationals.
	07/19/2025	Washington Nationals signed SS Eli Willits.
	05/26/2025	College Workout activated SS Eli Willits.
	08/16/2024	SS Eli Willits assigned to High School Workout.
	08/12/2024	SS Eli Willits assigned to High School Workout.
	06/30/2024	High School Workout activated SS Eli Willits.
	09/19/2023	States Play - West activated SS Eli Willits.
	09/19/2023	States Play - West activated SS Eli Willits.