**Eli Willits Selected First Overall in MLB Draft by Nationals**
**Meta Description:** Eli Willits, a talented shortstop, was chosen first overall by the Washington Nationals in the MLB draft, marking a significant milestone in his baseball career.
**URL Slug:** eli-willits-mlb-draft-nationals
**Eli Willits Selected First Overall in MLB Draft by Nationals**
In a significant moment for aspiring baseball players, high school shortstop Eli Willits has taken a major step toward realizing his professional baseball aspirations. The Washington Nationals made headlines by selecting Willits as the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB amateur draft on Sunday night.
At just 17 years old, Willits is the youngest player to be selected first overall since Ken Griffey Jr. was picked by the Seattle Mariners in 1987. He is the son of former major leaguer Reggie Willits, who played for the Los Angeles Angels and later served as a coach for the New York Yankees.
Willits showcased his skills at Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, where he established himself as a switch-hitting shortstop. Scouts anticipate that he will add more power to his swing as he continues to develop. “I feel like I have good hitability, and I’m going to take that to the next level,” Willits stated, expressing confidence in his abilities. “And I feel like my power is up and coming, but I needed to get into an organization like the Nationals that can help develop that and take that to the next level.”
At the time of his selection, Willits was 17 years and 216 days old, slightly older than Griffey, who was 17 years and 193 days when he was drafted. Tim Foli, the top pick in 1968, holds the record for the youngest player selected at 17 years and 180 days, according to MLB.com.
The Nationals’ decision to draft Willits came shortly after the organization made significant changes, including the firing of manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo. However, interim general manager Mike DeBartolo emphasized that Willits was the top prospect on their board. “It’s one of those nice things where the scouts and the analysts see things exactly the same way and saw him as the best hitter in the draft, the best fielder in the draft with just great makeup, great work ethic, and all the intangibles,” DeBartolo remarked.
In his final year of high school, Willits boasted an impressive batting average of .473 and an OPS of .912, further solidifying his status as a promising talent in the world of baseball.
As Willits embarks on this new chapter with the Nationals, the baseball community eagerly anticipates his development and future contributions to the sport.
**FAQ**
**What position does Eli Willits play?**
Eli Willits is a shortstop known for his switch-hitting ability and strong fielding skills.