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Washington Nationals select Oklahoma SS commit Eli Willits in 2025 MLB Draft

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•07/13/25•

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@TRowOU on Twitter/X

Oklahoma shortstop commit Eli Willits was selected by the Washington Nationals with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. He now has the option to begin his pro career.

“Willits comes from a baseball family, with father Reggie playing in the big leagues before coaching with the Yankees and returning to his alma mater as the associate head coach at Oklahoma — where Eli’s brother, Jaxon, is starring as a sophomore,” Willits’ MLB scouting report read. “Willits also is committed to the Sooners but is unlikely to get to Norman because he’s a slam-dunk early first-rounder after reclassifying from the 2026 class.

“He draws some comparisons to Anthony Volpe with better physical tools at the same stage, and he’ll likely be the youngest true prospect in the 2025 crop at 17 years, 7 months on Draft Day. In three years at Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, he won six state Class B championships (three fall, three spring).”

Willits interestingly teased playing college baseball first, rather than the pros. When posed the question of could he actually play for Oklahoma rather the go straight to professional baseball, Willits tweeted some thinking emojis.

Graduating from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, Willits opted to stay close to home for college baseball. Again, this is he chooses to do so.

“A switch-hitter who’s more proficient from the left side, Willits is exceedingly polished at the plate for his age,” Willits’ scouting report continued. “He has outstanding bat-to-ball skills, making consistent line-drive contact while rarely straying from the strike zone. He may never have more than average raw power, but his hitting ability should enable him to tap into most of it and provide 15 homers per season.

“Willits has the nonstop motor and instincts to get the most out of his physical tools. He plays quicker than his plus speed and earns solid grades for his arm strength and defensive play at shortstop, and scouts won’t be shocked if those both become pluses once he’s fully developed. There’s no reason he shouldn’t stay at shortstop but he’d also profile well in center field.”