The Washington Nationals have thrown a curveball that’s shaken up the MLB Draft buzz. Just days before selecting their first pick, they dismissed manager Dave Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo, leaving Interim GM Mike DeBartolo in the hot seat to make a decision that had everyone’s attention. And boy, did he deliver a surprise! The Nationals selected Eli Willits, marking him as the youngest first overall pick in the history of the draft—this one was off everyone’s radar.
Heading into the draft, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel highlighted this uncertainty, noting that going for a “bigger cut” like Eli Willits was a real possibility under new management. The Nationals’ decision to go big in the infield, choosing Willits, was unexpected, especially with many expecting them to pick Kade Anderson, the LSU Tigers’ standout lefty pitcher who was instrumental in their National Championship victory. Instead, Anderson found himself heading to the Seattle Mariners as the third pick.
Willits, at just 17 years and 7 months, now holds the distinction of being the youngest player snatched up with the top pick.
In the backdrop, there’s an intriguing angle with Scott Boras absent from Willits’ representation. According to MASN’s Nationals reporter Mark Zuckerman, the absence of Boras might allow the Nationals some financial flexibility. The idea is Willits could potentially take a deal for less than the $11.07 million slot value, freeing up funds for Washington to nab higher price-tag talent in later rounds.
Meanwhile, the draft spotlight was initially supposed to be on Ethan Holliday, a player with a golden lineage — brother to Jackson Holliday and son of former Colorado Rockies star Matt Holliday. The younger Holliday carved his path differently, going fourth to the Rockies, echoing his dad’s legacy with a fresh chapter in Colorado.
In a whirlwind draft landscape, the Nationals’ bold infield bet on Willits rings out. It’s a move that breaks tradition, raises eyebrows, and keeps every baseball analyst on their toes as Washington aims to recalibrate its trajectory with young, ferocious talent.
