Follow the Prospects: Eli Willits, SS

[JCA-CrystalCity]

From Longenhagen and Galowski's FG top 100 prospect chat:

1:42    
Scott: Can you provide any insight on the difference in grades for Willits and Josuar Gonzalez? They’re similar ages with seemingly similar profiles and tools, to a certain extent. Is it the difference in quality of competition they have faced so far? Thanks for the great list!

1:42    
Eric A Longenhagen: Good question. Those two make sense as bedfellows who get paired together, yes. Josuar has a little less physical obvious projection. There are definitely ways for more compact athletes like him to hit for power (Lindor is the example) but Willits’ frame has more obvious room. He’s not Corey Seager or anything, but there’s a more powerful look to how his hands work and Josuar was expanding in a way that cost him damage when I saw him in the fall.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-top-100-prospects-chat/

Can also add that the prospect right ahead of Willits (#15) on the FG list is Franklin Arias, for perspective.

[Smithian]

I'm surprised in a good way to see him top 15 in multiple rankings. I waved off that early performance as SSS, but looks like opinions around baseball are high on him.

I was okay with the pick. I thought it was a good strategic pick to sped more on talent later, and I liked the player profile in that I convinced myself he could be a decent hitter who plays SS at a high level, not passable level. But his early performance for the FredNats at the plate and in the field was

If he comes back this season a year older and forces his way to Wilmington, I think he could be a midseason top 10 prospect and I'll fully embrace the Trea Turner comp.

[Slateman]

I just think its silly to put a non-generation HS talent in even the top 50. There's way too much that can happen once they get to Double A

[Smithian]

I just think its silly to put a non-generation HS talent in even the top 50. There's way too much that can happen once they get to Double A

I think rankings overrate upside and undersell floor. I get why Willits is that high, but there are probably AA and AAA talents below him who, if offered straight up, I'd have to think about it just because one has a much better chance of making it in the majors.

[imref]

mlb pipeline's updated report:

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 60

Fans might recognize the last name from Reggie Willits, Eli’s dad, who played six seasons with the Angels from 2006-11 before coaching with the Yankees and at the University of Oklahoma. Eli Willits won six Oklahoma state Class B championships (three fall, three spring) at Fort Cobb-Broxton HS and reclassified for the 2025 Draft. The Nationals selected him with the first overall pick, making him, at 17 years and 216 days old, the third-youngest player ever taken at the top of the Draft and the youngest since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987. After signing for $8.2 million, Willits got in 15 games with Single-A Fredericksburg, where he went 15-for-50 (.300) with a triple and a double.

Little is typically expected from drafted high schoolers sent straight to full-season ball. But Willits -- a switch-hitter who has an early aptitude from the left side -- held his own by not expanding the zone much and routinely making contact, building on his pre-Draft reputation for outstanding bat-to-ball skills. He still profiles as a line-drive type more than a slugger, but average power could arrive later with sufficient strength training.

The former Oklahoma recruit brings a ton of energy to the diamond and is often seen trying to use his plus speed to take an extra bag, either on a hit or a steal attempt. He has the soft hands, proper footwork and above-average arm strength to be a potential plus shortstop by the time he becomes a Major Leaguer. Given his age, Willits will get plenty of time and space to develop in all aspects with the Nats, and if the power comes around, he could be a five-tool foundational piece of future Washington contenders.