The Future Is Bright: Nationals Select Eli Willits No. 1 Overall – A Future Red Wings Star

The Washington Nationals made their future a little brighter this week by selecting Eli Willits, a standout shortstop from Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, with the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. And while the Major League lights may still be a few steps down the road, fans in Rochester should take note: Willits could be calling Innovative Field home in the coming years.

A Baseball Life, Generations in the Making,

Willits isn’t just another top prospect—he’s the son of former MLB outfielder and Yankees coach Reggie Willits, a player known for his speed, grit, and relentless work ethic. Reggie spent six seasons with the Angels before transitioning into a respected coaching career, including a stint as the Yankees’ first base coach from 2018 to 2021. He now serves as associate head coach for the Oklahoma Sooners.

It’s safe to say the game runs in the family.

Eli grew up on the Double Seven Ranch in Fort Cobb—founded by his parents, Reggie and Amber—and first honed his skills not in a typical backyard, but inside a 60-foot batting cage his father built before the family’s house was even complete. It’s where Eli learned to hit, learned to lead, and learned to love the grind that comes with chasing baseball greatness.

What Makes Willits Special?

• Elite Bat-to-Ball Skills: Scouts rave about his natural ability to square up the ball from both sides of the plate.
• Speed & Instincts: A switch-hitter with plus speed, he’s a threat on the basepaths and up the middle.
• Makeup & Maturity: Coaches describe him as focused, coachable, and “wise beyond his years”—no surprise given the family legacy.
• Pedigree: He led Fort Cobb-Broxton to six Oklahoma state titles and is considered one of the most polished high school players in recent draft memory.

From Fort Cobb to D.C. — and Eventually, Rochester?

While Eli Willits won’t be suiting up for the Red Wings tomorrow, history tells us that Rochester is a likely stepping stone on his path to the big leagues.

Recent Nationals prospects like Dylan Crews, James Wood, and Cade Cavalli all made their mark in a Red Wings uniform before ascending to Washington. Willits could follow that same path—possibly as early as 2027.

Red Wings fans know that there’s something special about seeing a future All-Star up close—before the rest of the world catches on. Whether it’s a breakout series, a slick double play, or a walk-off single, it often starts right here in Rochester.

And in Eli Willits, we may be looking at the next chapter in that proud tradition.

Final Thoughts

The Nationals took a big swing with the No. 1 pick—and they just might have landed a franchise cornerstone. For now, Eli Willits’ journey begins in the shadows of the big leagues, with years of development ahead. But for Rochester fans, the countdown has already begun.

+ Nationals 2nd Round Pick: Ethan Petry, OF/1B – South Carolina

If Eli Willits was the youngest and most polished prep star on the board, Ethan Petry was one of the most intimidating college power bats still available — and the Nationals didn’t let him get past the second round.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound slugger out of South Carolina has plus-plus raw power, capable of leaving any ballpark with authority. He was a Cape Cod League MVP and widely regarded as one of the top power prospects in the class.

Numbers That Jump Off the Page

• 23 HR as a freshman (South Carolina program record)
• 21 HR as a sophomore
• Cape Cod League MVP: 11 HR in 31 games, .480 OBP, 1.240 OPS

Even with a shoulder injury that limited him in his junior year, Petry showed scouts he could adjust and continue to hit for power — especially against high velocity and elevated pitches, which once gave him trouble.

Projection & Comparisons (Per MLB Pipeline)

• Power-over-hit profile with room to grow as a hitter
• Scouting grades per MLB Pipeline: Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Arm: 55
• Draws comps to Pete Alonso and Seth Beer

Could He Land in Rochester?

Absolutely. While Petry may take time to refine his approach and improve swing decisions, the power is real, and the upside is massive. If his development continues on track, Red Wings fans could be watching a future cleanup hitter develop right here at Innovative Field.

+ Nationals 3rd Round Pick: Landon Harmon, RHP – East Union (MS)

After selecting a dynamic shortstop and a power-hitting corner bat, the Nationals used their third-round pick on a high-upside arm with frontline starter potential: Landon Harmon, an 18-year-old right-hander from Mississippi.

Already touching 99 mph on the radar gun, Harmon brings elite velocity and long-term projection wrapped into a 6-foot-5 frame that still has room to fill out.

The Power Profile

•Fastball: 93–96 mph consistently, touching 99

•Slider: Tight with multiple looks — from a sweeping breaker to a sharper cutter

•Command: Advanced for his age, attacks the zone with confidence

•Athleticism: Moves well for his size, generating velocity with fluidity and extension

What separates Harmon from most prep arms is how effortlessly the velo comes. His delivery is clean, his tempo under control, and his ability to vary the shape of his breaking ball already hints at pro-level instincts.

What’s Next?

Though still developing his changeup, Harmon’s foundation is built for long-term success. With continued refinement, he projects as a top-of-the-rotation-caliber arm — the kind of young talent teams dream of grooming through the system.

And with Washington’s player development pipeline running through Rochester, Innovative Field could be where Harmon truly begins to turn heads.

*+ The Nationals opened the 2025 MLB Draft with Eli Willits at No. 1 overall and added outfielder Ethan Petry and right-hander Landon Harmon to close out Day 1. They’ll be back on the clock when Day 2 resumes tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. ET on MLB.com, with 17 picks still to make.*