After firing GM Mike Rizzo, the Nationals stunned the MLB world in July 2025 by drafting Eli Willits #1. Did this controversial move doom their future?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Washington Nationals are a franchise at a turning point, but the new direction is already raising eyebrows. Just days after firing long-time General Manager Mike Rizzo, the new front office made a stunning move by selecting 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits with the first overall pick in the MLB Draft. The immediate fallout? The team's farm system, once a point of pride, has dropped to 22nd in the league, leaving fans to wonder if the new path is the right one as the current squad continues to flounder.
He's more of a 'jack of all trades, master of none' type.
Ownership's dissatisfaction with the farm system's progress culminated in the dismissal of Mike Rizzo right before the draft, a clear signal that the status quo was no longer acceptable. The new management's first major decision was to pass on consensus top prospects Ethan Holliday and Kade Anderson, instead opting for the switch-hitting Willits. While praised for his elite contact skills and defensive polish, analysts are skeptical, labeling him a high-floor but potentially lower-ceiling player. The gamble resulted in an immediate dip in Bleacher Report's rankings, from 19th to 22nd, as the system now lacks a clear 'Tier 1' superstar-in-the-making.
Beyond the top pick, the Nationals' draft strategy became clearer: they loaded up on high-upside college talent. The team added a trio of formidable sluggers in Ethan Petry (26 homers in 2025), Wyatt Henseler (66 career homers), and Mississippi State's all-time home run king, Hunter Hines (70 career homers). On the mound, they targeted pure heat, drafting Landon Harmon (up to 99 mph), Miguel Sime Jr. (who touches triple digits), and Ben Moore (who sits at 97 mph). This infusion of power and velocity shows a clear plan to inject high-impact talent into a system that, outside of pitcher Travis Sykora, has been described as mediocre.
While the focus is on the future, the present remains a challenge. The Nationals (38-58) host the formidable San Diego Padres tonight mired in a four-game losing streak and having lost eight of their last ten. The offense has been middle-of-the-pack, but the pitching has been a major liability, posting a dismal 5.20 ERA, the third-worst in baseball. Fans heading to Nats Park will hope to see some life from a lineup featuring C.J. Abrams and Luis Garcia, who will need to provide a spark against a tough Padres club (52-44) fighting for a playoff spot.
Tonight's game is a microcosm of the Nationals' reality: a struggling major league team trying to stay afloat while the organization undergoes a radical, high-stakes transformation. The new front office has made its first bet, and the future of the franchise now hinges on whether Eli Willits and this draft class can become the cornerstones they're envisioned to be. For now, fans can only watch, wait, and hope for a win against the Padres to provide a small glimmer of hope in uncertain times.
