The Washington Nationals made headlines on Sunday by selecting high school shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. This choice surprised many, as the franchise had been expected to choose either high school infielder Ethan Holliday or left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson from LSU. The decision comes amidst a significant organizational restructuring, following the recent firing of general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez.
Eli Willits, the son of former major league outfielder Reggie Willits, has made a name for himself as a standout player at Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma. He led his team to a third consecutive state title this past season and had previously committed to play at the University of Oklahoma. At 6 feet 1 inch tall, Willits is a switch-hitter known for his impressive bat-to-ball skills, plate discipline, and strong defensive abilities as a shortstop. The slot value for the No. 1 pick this year is a record $11,075,900.
The Nationals’ decision to go with Willits over other anticipated candidates highlights the team’s shifting priorities. Just last week, Rizzo was dismissed after 17 years at the helm, during which he played a crucial role in drafting players like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper during previous No. 1 picks in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
The draft also saw the Los Angeles Angels selecting right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremner from UC Santa Barbara with the No. 2 overall pick. Bremner, who stands at 6 feet 2 inches, is noted for his fastball velocity, which ranges between 93 to 96 mph, and his impressive season statistics, which include a 3.49 ERA and a Big West-leading 111 strikeouts over 77.1 innings.
At the No. 3 slot, the Seattle Mariners picked Kade Anderson, who was celebrated as the Most Outstanding Player at this year’s College World Series. Anderson recorded a remarkable 0.56 ERA in two starts during the tournament and led Division I baseball with 180 strikeouts in 119 innings.
Ethan Holliday, the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year and son of former MLB outfielder Matt Holliday, was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the No. 4 pick. Holliday had an outstanding senior year, batting .611 with 19 home runs and a staggering 2.038 OPS.
The MLB Draft features 20 rounds for the fifth consecutive year, with the first three rounds, covering the initial 105 picks, scheduled for Monday, March 15, 2025. As teams look to build for the future, the selections made in this draft will undoubtedly shape the landscape of Major League Baseball for years to come.
