The Washington Nationals have signed No. 1 pick Eli Willits, the team announced Saturday. He has signed for $8.2 million, according to MLB Pipeline, which is the record for a high school draftee but under the bonus slot amount of $11,075,900.
Willits is the son of former big-league outfielder Reggie Willits. At 17 years, six months and 21 days, the Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) high school shortstop is the youngest No. 1 pick in MLB Draft history as of June 30 (the draft used to be held in mid-June).
A switch-hitter, Willits is “a darling of analytical models because of his age, position and propensity for making contact,” wrote The Athletic’s Keith Law in his draft night analysis. “He’s a plus defender at short already and might end up better than that, while his swing is short and compact, aimed at putting the ball in play, without much loft or impact right now. He won’t turn 18 until December, so he has more time to fill out than just about any other player in the draft, and scouts had a wide range of opinions on how much power he might ultimately get to. His contact skills and overall feel for the game are separating tools.”
The Nationals recently shook up their team leadership, firing longtime president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez just days before the draft. Despite the timing, interim GM Mike DeBartolo told reporters after the draft that the team had long targeted Willits for the top pick. He is the third No. 1 selection for the franchise since it moved to Washington, D.C. in 2005, joining Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010).
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The Nationals reportedly used some of the bonus pool savings from Willits to sign fourth-round pick Miguel Sime Jr. to a $2 million deal. That pick’s slot value was $687,800.
In an “only in D.C.” moment, Willits revealed to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Friday that he would be signing his contract the next day. Blitzer is a longtime Nationals fan.
Drafted players have until Aug. 1 to sign with their teams.
(Photo: Bryan Terry / The Oklahoman / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)