FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Washington Nationals have the third-fewest wins in Major League Baseball, but they got a glimpse of what could be their future on Thursday night.
Eli Willits, the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, made his much-heralded professional debut for the Fredericksburg Nationals, the team’s single-A affiliate.
The 17-year-old, slick-fielding shortstop went 3 for 4 along with 2 RBI and 1 stolen base in the FredNats’ 10-6 victory over the Fayetteville Woodpeckers at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.
The Oklahoma native’s first minor-league game came just 39 days after being the top pick in baseball on July 13. Nearly a week after being selected by the Nats, Willits had already put pen to paper, agreeing to terms for an $8.2 million signing bonus.
The amount was the most ever by a high school player at the time, just above Jackson Holliday’s $8.19 million with the Baltimore Orioles in 2022. The Oklahoma native is the youngest first overall pick since Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was selected by the Seattle Mariners in 1987, over 35 years ago.
“I’m excited and ready to get to work,” Willits said during his introductory news conference. He added, “I’ve set a goal to be in the big leagues by the time I’m 20, and that’s something I’m really excited to do, and hopefully, I get out there and start playing well, and that can be something I can accomplish in the next few years.”
Willits was working out with other draft picks and young players at the Nationals’ Spring Training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, when he got the call to Single-A.
During his first game, the polished switch-hitter seemed confident in the batter’s box against professional pitching and showed off his speed and aggressive base-running numerous times, including an infield hit that gave him his third hit of the night.
After the victory, Willits received a Gatorade shower from fellow Nationals’ first-round pick Elijah Green as he did an interview on the field.
Willits, the son of former Los Angeles Angels outfielder and New York Yankees first base coach Reggie Willits, was the fourth high school selection from this year’s draft to make their debut in Single-A this season, joining the Colorado Rockies’ Ethan Holliday, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Kayson Cunningham, and the Atlanta Braves’ Tate Southisene.
Willits will star on a FredNats team that already sports talented youngsters like Luke Dickerson (Nats’ 4th best prospect per MLB), Ethan Petry (8th), Angel Feliz (14th), and Cristhian Vaquero (26th). The FredNats currently lead the Carolina League’s North Division with a 28-20 record – a game ahead of the Carolina Mudcats.
“I’ve heard this quote a lot: ‘pressure is a privilege,’” Willits said. “To have the privilege to be the number one overall pick and just soak it all in and set an example for kids younger than me, I’m just grateful. Grateful for the Nationals organization giving me this opportunity.”
The Nationals, who fired manager Davey Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo earlier in the season, are hoping the 6-foot-1 infielder, with the proper development, can help turn around the franchise’s fortunes alongside young, promising stars like Dylan Crews and Brady House.
“This is a great day for the Nationals,” Nats’ interim GM Mike DeBartolo said. “To bring someone like Eli in, the accomplishments he has, the talent he has, it’s going to add a whole other level to the Natoinals, and it’s just extremely exciting. The talent he brings is off the charts, and it portends for really great things in the future for the Nationals.”
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