The Washington Nationals made headlines at the start of the 2025 MLB Draft by selecting prep shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 overall pick, a choice that took many by surprise. While Willits was recognized as a top-tier talent in this draft class, few expected him to be the first name called on draft day. This decision marks a bold move for a franchise on the verge of a new chapter following the recent dismissals of general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez.
In a draft structured around interim leadership, the Nationals’ strategy seemed to take an intriguing turn early on, as they focused on high school talent, selecting four players who would soon embark on their college careers among their first five picks. One standout from this initial batch is right-handed pitcher Landon Harmon, who, at an impressive 6-foot-5, caught the eye of basketball aficionados, including R.J. Anderson from CBS Sports.
Anderson expressed his enthusiasm for Harmon, noting, “I liked Harmon’s potential enough entering the spring to place him within my preseason top 30. He didn’t quite live up to that projection, but he’s a well-built righty with good arm strength and some feel for a fuller arsenal.” This sentiment suggests that the Nationals might have snatched a valuable asset with Harmon—thought to be a borderline first-round pick based on earlier evaluations.
To tap into Harmon’s potential fully, however, the Nationals will need to exercise patience and diligence in his development. According to Anderson, “The Nationals will need to be patient to get Harmon’s development right; if they do, they could walk away with a legitimate big-league starter.” And given the state of the Nationals’ current rotation, this is a much-needed scenario. Beyond MacKenzie Gore and Jake Irvin, there’s little to ignite enthusiasm about the pitching staff as it stands.
Mitchell Parker, who showed promise in his rookie season last year, has regressed, and DJ Herz is currently sidelined after Tommy John surgery. Former top prospects like Cade Cavalli and Josiah Gray may contribute down the line, but their eventual impact remains uncertain.
As the organization looks toward building a more robust rotation, the next wave of prospects—Travis Sykora, Jarlin Susana, and Alex Clemmey—will certainly carry the pressure to step up and make their mark. The Nationals are entering an essential phase of team building, and their draft choices could play a pivotal role in shaping the franchise’s future success. All eyes will be on how this new management navigates these fresh opportunities as they seek to revitalize the team’s fortunes on the mound.
