Close Menu
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Newsletter
Truth Republican
You are at:Home»News»Nationals take 17-year-old Eli Willits with No 1 pick in MLB Draft
News

Nationals take 17-year-old Eli Willits with No 1 pick in MLB Draft

Buddy DoyleBy Buddy DoyleJuly 14, 2025No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp
Nationals take 17-year-old Eli Willits with No 1 pick in MLB Draft
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

High school shortstop Eli Willits became the latest teenager to take a big step in making his professional baseball dreams come true.

The Washington Nationals selected Willits with the No. 1 overall pick of the MLB amateur draft on Sunday night. 

At 17 years old, he’s the youngest player taken No. 1 since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987 with the Seattle Mariners. 

He’s the son of ex-major leaguer Reggie Willits, who played for the Los Angeles Angels and was a coach with the New York Yankees.

Willits played baseball at Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma. He’s a switch-hitting shortstop who is expected to put more power into his swing as he develops.

“I feel like I have good hitability, and I’m going to take that to the next level,” Willits said about his strengths. “And I feel like my power is up and coming, but I needed to get into an organization like the Nationals that can help develop that and take that to the next level.”

Willits is 17 years and 216 days old. Griffey was 17 and 193 days old when the Mariners chose him No. 1. Tim Foli, who was the top pick in 1968, was the youngest at 17 years, 180 days old, according to MLB.com.

Eli Willits' photo in Atlanta

2025 MLB ALL-STAR GAME: BUILDING ALL-TIME LINEUPS FOR ALL 30 TEAMS

The Nationals’ selection came a week after the organization fired manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo.

But Nationals interim general manager Mike DeBartolo maintained that Willits was the top guy on the board.

“It’s one of those nice things where the scouts and the analysts see things exactly the same way and saw him as the best hitter in the draft, the best fielder in the draft with just great makeup, great work ethic and all the intangibles,” DeBartolo said, via MLB.com.

Rob Manfred makes selections

Willits hit .473 with an OPS of .912 in his final year in high school.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.



Read the full article here

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleTop 10 Best Tactical Combat Boots For Military & Survival
Next Article Elon Musk’s SpaceX to invest $2 billion into his xAI startup: report

Related Articles

Panthers’ Xavier Legette, Browns’ Rayshawn Jenkins ejected after exchanging blows during preseason matchup

Panthers’ Xavier Legette, Browns’ Rayshawn Jenkins ejected after exchanging blows during preseason matchup

August 9, 2025
Tom Hanks salutes Jim Lovell after Apollo 13 commander dies at 97

Tom Hanks salutes Jim Lovell after Apollo 13 commander dies at 97

August 9, 2025
How scammers exploit your data for ‘pre-approved’ retirement scams

How scammers exploit your data for ‘pre-approved’ retirement scams

August 9, 2025
Victoria and David Beckham keep spark alive after 26 years as family rift lingers

Victoria and David Beckham keep spark alive after 26 years as family rift lingers

August 9, 2025
French fries tied to diabetes risk, but not all potatoes ‘created equal,’ study finds

French fries tied to diabetes risk, but not all potatoes ‘created equal,’ study finds

August 9, 2025
MIKE DAVIS: Eric Tung is Trump’s pick to bring sanity to the Ninth Circuit

MIKE DAVIS: Eric Tung is Trump’s pick to bring sanity to the Ninth Circuit

August 9, 2025
The fight over charter schools in some of America’s rural states

The fight over charter schools in some of America’s rural states

August 9, 2025
‘PBR Friday Night Live’ bucks into Fox Nation with high-octane debut

‘PBR Friday Night Live’ bucks into Fox Nation with high-octane debut

August 9, 2025
Jimmy Kimmel admits ‘repulsive’ liberal scolds are driving people away from the Democratic Party

Jimmy Kimmel admits ‘repulsive’ liberal scolds are driving people away from the Democratic Party

August 9, 2025
Don't Miss
California launches redistricting fight to ‘nullify’ Texas GOP plan, with Dems poised to gain 5 seats

California launches redistricting fight to ‘nullify’ Texas GOP plan, with Dems poised to gain 5 seats

Panthers’ Xavier Legette, Browns’ Rayshawn Jenkins ejected after exchanging blows during preseason matchup

Panthers’ Xavier Legette, Browns’ Rayshawn Jenkins ejected after exchanging blows during preseason matchup

Grumman F4F Wildcat: Holding the Line After Pearl Harbor

Grumman F4F Wildcat: Holding the Line After Pearl Harbor

‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ legend JB Smoove launches comedic-focused agency inspired by classic sitcom swap

‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ legend JB Smoove launches comedic-focused agency inspired by classic sitcom swap

Latest News
Columbia student says Mamdani becoming mayor would be ‘scary’ for Jewish students in New York

Columbia student says Mamdani becoming mayor would be ‘scary’ for Jewish students in New York

August 9, 2025
Tom Hanks salutes Jim Lovell after Apollo 13 commander dies at 97

Tom Hanks salutes Jim Lovell after Apollo 13 commander dies at 97

August 9, 2025
M California mansion’s price drops 0K every week until someone finally buys it in rare auction

$13M California mansion’s price drops $250K every week until someone finally buys it in rare auction

August 9, 2025
Former Elizabeth Warren foe flips script on her alliance with Mamdani: ‘Party of the extreme left’

Former Elizabeth Warren foe flips script on her alliance with Mamdani: ‘Party of the extreme left’

August 9, 2025
How scammers exploit your data for ‘pre-approved’ retirement scams

How scammers exploit your data for ‘pre-approved’ retirement scams

August 9, 2025
Copyright © 2025. Truth Republican. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.