The Washington Nationals selected shortstop Eli Willits #1 overall in the 2025 MLB Draft, a bold first move in the post-Rizzo era. Read why the Nats bet their future on him.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Forget yesterday's lopsided 8-1 loss to the Brewers. The most significant event for the Washington Nationals franchise unfolded not on the diamond, but on the draft stage. With the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Nats rolled the dice and selected Oklahoma high school shortstop Eli Willits, signaling a bold, and potentially risky, new era for baseball in the capital.
The selection was considered a surprise... a high-upside, but risky, high school bat.
In a draft lacking a consensus top prospect, the Nationals' new brain trust made a definitive statement. Eli Willits of Fort Cobb-Broxton High School is now the face of the future. While not the name on top of most mock drafts, the shortstop impressed scouts with his tools and a solid .345 on-base percentage playing for USA Baseball. The pick is a classic high-ceiling play on a prep player, and there's speculation he may sign for below slot value, allowing the team to spread bonus money to later rounds. It's a gamble, but one the organization clearly felt was necessary to inject elite talent into the system.
This surprising pick cannot be separated from the massive organizational shift that preceded it: the firing of longtime General Manager Mike Rizzo. The selection of Willits is the first major decision of the post-Rizzo era, signaling a new philosophy in player acquisition. The pressure is on the new leadership to revitalize a farm system that, despite the emergence of promising pitcher Travis Sykora, has been thin on top-tier talent. Adding a #1 overall pick is a massive boost, but it's just the first step in a long-term rebuilding project.
While fans were dreaming of the future Sunday night, the present served up a harsh reality check. The Nationals fell to the Brewers 8-1, managing just four hits against Freddy Peralta and the Milwaukee staff. The offense was non-existent, with the team's only run coming in the seventh inning long after the game was decided. Jake Irvin was tagged with his fifth loss of the season (7-5) as the Brewers broke the game open late. The listless performance was a clear illustration of why the draft and player development are so critically important right now.
All eyes now turn to two fronts: the negotiating table, to see if Willits signs as expected, and the field, where the current Nats must find a way to generate some offense. Yesterday was a loss on the scoreboard, but last night was a massive gamble on a brighter future. The Eli Willits era in Washington, for better or worse, has officially begun.
