Top pick Willits' maturity shines in Major League Spring Training debut

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – In the first game of Spring Training, the Nationals got a look at the first overall pick in the 2025 Draft.

Eighteen-year-old shortstop Eli Willits, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Nationals’ top prospect and MLB’s No. 13 overall, was called up from Minor League camp for Washington’s Grapefruit League opener against the Astros on Saturday afternoon at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. It was Willits’ first taste of big league Spring Training action.

“It’s a great opportunity for such a young kid,” Willits said.

The news surprised Willits, who was excited to not only get on the field, but to sit in the dugout and glean knowledge from his coaches and teammates. He replaced starting shortstop CJ Abrams in the sixth inning of the Nationals’ 2-1 win in the home game of the split-squad action. Washington's other squad beat St. Louis, 6-2, at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

“I’ve always got to stay ready, I’ve always got to be prepared,” Willits said. “That’s the game of baseball – you never know where you’re going to be or where at or when.”

Willits faced right-hander Sam Carlson in his lone at-bat of the game. Carlson, 27, pitched for the Dodgers’ Triple-A Oklahoma City affiliate last season. Willits saw five cutters and one sinker as he worked a full count. He fouled off the first pitch (in the zone), took ball one, swung and missed for strike two, laid off a cutter and a sinker out of the zone, then made contact and flied out to center field.

“It looks like he's seeing the ball well, which is good this early in spring – and especially in a Major League game,” said manager Blake Butera. “A year ago, he was playing in high school, and now here he is in our first Major League game at home. I think just for him to have the calmness up there, he was in total control in the box. It didn’t feel like anything was speeding up on him, so that was good to see.”

Willits is in his first Spring Training after appearing in 15 games with Single-A Fredericksburg following the Draft last year. He slashed .300/.397/.360 with a .757 OPS in 50 at-bats. Willits has been preparing for a full season of pro ball, and he exhibited the skills he has been working on during Saturday’s game.

“The guys in the cage have really hit on swing decisions,” Willits said of the Nationals’ staff. “Giving them the credit over there, they’ve really pushed on it, and that’s something that’s really helped me. I feel like I’m a very patient hitter, and I want to make pitchers come to me. And when you’re in advantage counts, you do damage.”

Willits is not projected to reach the Major Leagues until 2028, so this game was an advance preview for the Nationals. The new coaching staff has been getting to see him in action since he arrived in January for early workouts.

“I've been here for almost eight weeks now, and Eli has been here for the majority of those as well,” Butera said. “He's a great kid, he's excited to be out there and I know the sky's the limit for him. I know there's some high expectations, but he's got a great head on his shoulders and a great family support system. So I’m just pumped to see him play.”

Willits was only 17 years and 216 days old when he was drafted No. 1 last July out of Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma. He became the third-youngest player in history to be selected first overall, and the youngest since Ken Griffey Jr. (17 years, 193 days) in 1987.

“All I knew is that I wished the Rays had the first pick last year, because I wanted him that badly,” said Butera, who was hired from Tampa Bay’s organization. “And now we have him, so we're good.”