Eli Willits Is Poised to Have a Hall of Fame Career With the Nationals

With their first No. 1 pick in 15 years, the Nationals selected Oklahoma prep shortstop Eli Willits. Time will tell if he’s a boom or bust.

The Future Is Now 

It has not been good to be associated with the Washington Nationals in recent seasons. Since they won their lone World Series in 2019, there were records of 26-34 (virus-shortened 2020), 65-97, 55-107, 71-91 (consecutively), and (currently) 38-58. 

Though not nearly as pathetic as the 22-74 Colorado Rockies, Washington fired both the manager (Dave Martinez) and general manager (Mike Rizzo) in recent days. The second half of 2025 appears to be nothing special, usually underdogs when it comes to MLB game odds. 

Using the glass-half-full approach, however, this past Sunday saw the Nats have the first overall selection in the draft since Bryce Harper in 2010. That wasn’t a bad choice. Harper was 2012’s Rookie of the Year and an annual All-Star in his seven seasons in the capital. 

That the Nats won the title immediately after Harper bolted to join the Philadelphia Phillies is not the issue here. What is the issue is 17-year-old Oklahoma shortstop Eli Willits, tabbed by Washington as the first overall selection in this past draft.

Willits was the third-youngest (behind Tim Foli [1968] and Ken Griffey Jr. [1987]) as far as No. 1 overall choice in the draft. Playing at Fort Cobb-Broxton-H.S., Willits ended with a .473 average last season (adding eight homers, 47 steals, and 57 runs scored). 

Whether or not Willits has the same sort of big-league success as Harper remains to be seen; however, his father had a six-season career with the Los Angeles Angels (though without a homer in 844 official at-bats).

Younger Willits had committed to the University of Oklahoma, but that No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 MLB draft could well change those plans. 

Here’s a primer on Eli Willits, who may (or may not) become a star in the District of Columbia…    

Who Was the No. 1 MLB Draft Pick?

It was 1965 when outfielder Rick Monday had the distinction of being MLB’s first-ever overall draft choice by the then-Kansas City Athletics. Monday had a productive (if not spectacular) career (1966-1984) with the KC-Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers, twice an All-Star and a World Series winner in ‘81 with LA.

Eli Willits has the honor of being the first choice six decades later in 2025. Though not necessarily a consensus selection in the 2025 MLB draft tracker, there aren’t too many naysayers here. Now, the 17-year-old Oklahoma schoolboy shortstop is being entrusted by the Washington Nationals to help change the fortunes of a downtrodden franchise. 

Where Did Eli Willits Go to College?

He didn’t go, probably won’t go. Willits had committed to the University of Oklahoma, though unlikely he’s ever in Norman except as a visitor, at least according to MLB rumors.

Looking at the next few selections in the MLB draft tracker, No. 2 (by the Los Angeles Angels) was right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremmer (University of California-Santa Barbara), No. 3 (by the Seattle Mariners) was left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson (Louisiana St. University), No. 4 (by the Colorado Rockies) was shortstop/third baseman Ethan Holliday (Stillwater [Okla.] H.S.) and No. 5 (by the St. Louis Cardinals) was left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle (University of Tennessee).

Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on MLB Games Betting Lines?

While MLB news is the place to see who’s playing against whom in the season’s second half, BetUS is the go-to site to find the latest MLB game odds.

There are a number of individual and team prop/future wagers as well, including the Los  Angeles Dodgers as 13-10 (+260) favorites to successfully defend their title in the World Series.

Remember the entire board is fluid, thus subject to change.  

Any Final Thoughts?

While the jury’s out (and is going to be sequestered over the next few years) about whether the Washington Nationals chose wisely with shortstop Eli Willits, there’s no debating that those who wager on MLB would be wise to bookmark BetUS to find the latest MLB game odds. 

- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com