WASHINGTON -- Two years ago, shortstop Eli Willits wrote down his goal of becoming the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft. Last Sunday, he achieved it when he was selected by the Nationals at age 17 out of Fort Cobb-Broxton High School (Okla.).
A week later, at his introductory press conference at Nationals Park, Willits shared his goal of becoming a Major League player before he turns 20 years old.
On Sunday, he will travel to the Nats’ training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., to embark on that journey.
“I'm ready to get out there and play,” Willits said on Saturday, when he attended the Nationals’ 4-2 win over the Padres. “I set a goal to be in the big leagues by the time I’m 20, and that’s something I’m really excited to do. Hopefully, I get out there and start playing well, and that can be something that I can accomplish in the next few years.”
The Nationals signed Willits to an $8.2 million bonus, according to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis, breaking the record for a high school player set by Eli’s close friend Jackson Holliday in 2022 ($8.19 million). It was just under 75 percent of the slot value that would have been guaranteed had Willits participated in the Draft Combine.
“One of the things that attracted us about Eli was how motivated he is, his work ethic, how focused he is, and so I love that about him,” interim general manager Mike DeBartolo said of Willits’ age-20 goal. “Certainly, I myself am not going to put timelines on anybody -- and he hasn't stepped on a pro field yet -- but I love that that's his outlook. And we're certainly going to do everything we can to make that possible from our end.”
Only two Nats players in team history (2005-present) have debuted by the age of 20: 2010 No. 1 pick Bryce Harper and Juan Soto.
“When we sat down and talked as a family to reclassify, that was something that led the way,” Willits said. “... Not many players can do it, so I want to be one of the very few that can.”
DeBartolo lauded Willits for being “so advanced for a 17-year-old.” When Willits begins his work with the player development staff in Florida, a focus will be put on establishing a routine at the pro level. On the field, the Nationals project him to stay at the shortstop position long-term.
“I'll start by saying, our scouting evaluations were all ‘surefire shortstop’, very steady,” DeBartolo said. “Just watching him work out at Nationals Park and take ground balls -- just the way he moves, how sure-handed he is, his range, his feet, his hands, how accurate his arm is, how strong his arm is -- he's got all the tools and he just made it look easy out there. It was very impressive to see. So we have every confidence [that] he's going to be a shortstop.”
An infielder, Willits will incorporate what he learned from a star-power outfielder growing up. When his father, six-year Major League player Reggie Willits, worked on the Yankees staff, a young Willits carefully studied the daily work of Aaron Judge.
“I always knew where he was on what field, and I knew exactly what time batting practice was so I’d make sure I was in the stands watching at that time,” Willits said. “Just seeing him, how he goes about his business, how he does his routines, how he's so structured and everything he does, it’s helped me a long way.”
Willits, who turns 18 on Dec. 9, hopes to become the same kind of reference for aspiring baseball players who may see him at the field.
“I've read this quote a lot. It says, ‘pressure is a privilege,’” Willits said. “So to have the privilege to be the No. 1 overall pick and just soak it all in and set an example for kids younger than me, I'm just grateful. Grateful for the Nationals organization for giving me this opportunity. I'm excited and ready to get to work.”