The Washington Nationals selected 17-year-old Fort Cobb-Broxton High School shortstop Eli Willits with the first pick of the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday, possibly setting the Oklahoman on a path that could see him play for the Rochester Red Wings.
The pick, made possible thanks to the Nationals winning the draft lottery last December, was a bit of a surprise. Many prognosticators were expecting the Nationals to select either LSU left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson or another Oklahoma high school shortstop, Ethan Holliday- the son of former All-Star Matt Holliday and brother of Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday.
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The Red Wings touted the pick on their social media shortly after it was made:
Willits, who was the No. 5 draft prospect per MLB.com Pipeline, is described as a switch-hitter who is better from the left side. The son of former Los Angeles Angels outfielder and New York Yankees first base coach Reggie Willits, Eli was the youngest true prospect in the 2025 class and the youngest No. 1 pick in draft history. MLB.com’s scouting report for Willits praises him for his contact, speed, defense, and arm, although his power is noted to be only average.
Should Willits play for the Red Wings before making his MLB debut, he’d be the first No. 1 overall pick to ever play for the Red Wings without having any Major League service time. The last time a No. 1 overall pick played for the Red Wings was when Stephen Strasburg had a rehab assignment in 2022. Others such as Joe Mauer, Delmon Young, and Ben McDonald have also had appearances in Rochester, but no No. 1 pick has ever played in Rochester before making their MLB debut, although it’s likely that Royce Lewis would have been a Red Wing in 2020 for the Twins organization if not for the cancellation of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent top draft picks for the Nationals to play for the Red Wings include Dylan Crews (No. 2 overall in 2023), Brady House (No. 11 overall in 2021), and current Red Wings starter Cade Cavalli (No. 22 overall in 2020).
The MLB Draft continues through Monday in Atlanta as part of MLB’s All-Star festivities. The Red Wings are on their All-Star break and return to play on Friday in Lehigh Valley.
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