Follow the Prospects: Eli Willits, SS

[blue911]

Let him play in the futures game then promote him. I don’t see a need to push Ronny  Cruz off short anyway.

[GataNats]

Raking like crazy.   Stole 3 bases today.  Believe he leads all levels of baseball with 29 steals

[welch]

Keith Law watched a Fredburg game and says:

Willits was the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, when he was still 17 and the youngest player in the draft class. He’s hitting .290/.413/.456 so far for Fredericksburg, although Willits’ most impressive play on Friday came in the field. He made multiple plays at short that were at least somewhat more difficult than “routine,” including one groundball where he was screened out by his own third baseman and a pop fly down the left field line that I don’t think the average major-league shortstop catches.

Willits is a switch-hitter and I happened to get four plate appearances from him from the right side, with his one left-handed plate appearance resulting in a hit by pitch. His right-handed swing should produce plenty of line drives when he gets a little stronger, with a solid hand load that lets him get some bat speed going into contact and enough loft in his follow-through to put the ball in the air. He has struck out 23.3 percent of the time this year, a bit more than expected, although I give him some grace for being one of the two youngest regulars in the Carolina League.

He’s still a 70 runner (on the 20-80 scouting scale) and even tried to bunt for a hit at one point — I get it, but also, stop that. I think he’s a plus defender who gets on base and has doubles power. I’m curious if the Nats can squeeze a little more over-the-fence power here when he’s matured a bit more physically.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7320298/2026/05/31/mlb-scouting-gage-wood-eli-willits-gavin-fien/

[welch]

Nussbaum today:

Eli Willits (SS)
Current level (age): Single-A Fredericksburg (18)
The Athletic’s rank: No. 31 on The Athletic’s updated Top 50
What he’s doing: Hitting the ball harder
What it means: You can start to project some power

Willits has one of the highest walk rates in the minor leagues. He has the longest at-bats of anyone in the organization. He has swiped 28 bases in 42 games. But if you’re looking for something new — because, frankly, that was all on the scouting report before — it’s that he is packing a punch.

His max exit velocity is up to 110.3 mph this year, up significantly from last year. That’s no small feat from an 18-year-old who still has more strength to put on. He’s also hitting the ball in the air more often, which hasn’t come at the expense of his bat-to-ball skills.

Talk to anyone who has spent time around Willits and they’ll pretty quickly mention his drive. Heck, it’s probably fair to call it obsession. Last year’s No. 1 pick is trying to make something out of every single play. His stated goal — make the majors as a 20-year-old — feels more realistic by the day.

[Natsinpwc]

Hope he stays there through the weekend. Hope to take in a game 

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Nussbaum today:

Maybe if he makes it by 20 we can trade him the following season for another haul

[Smithian]

Nussbaum today:

Why is anyone surprised the 17 year old is hitting the ball harder at 18? Seems simple human development, but read multiple write ups positive surprised by the development

[welch]

Nice article today in The Athletic about Eli's older brother, Jaxon, a senior at Oklahoma. Also a shortstop, hard-worker, "table setter", well coached by their father, Reggie. Expected to be drafted somewhere in the first five rounds.

"Jaxon Willits helped his brother go No. 1. Now the OU star is ready for his draft day"

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7321961/2026/06/02/jaxon-willits-oklahoma-mlb-draft-eli-willits-reggie-willits/

[imref]

Hit a HR today, along with Fien.

[GataNats]

His home runs are rockets.  Get him to Wilmington.  Way past time

[GataNats]

Why didn’t he play tonight?

[GataNats]

Another rocket tonight.   Trea Turner part two

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Another rocket tonight.   Trea Turner part two

Turner never fielded like Willits

[GataNats]

Another three hits today including a triple and a walk. 

[Elvir Ovcina]

This is looking really positive.  He's getting good contact from both sides now, which was a minor worry, and looks good at SS.

And remember, he's REALLY young.  As in, he is only 18 now, and would normally be in the upcoming draft.  As much as he was a bit of a surprise at #1 last year, he'd be in that conversation this year again based on how he's done, and this is a much better class at the top. 

[Slateman]

Headed to Wilmington

[imref]

Adam Akbani
Via @AdamAkbani

Eli Willits was having a historic season at Low-A

He was 1/10 18-year-olds at the level since 2006 to record a min. 150 wRC+ (min. 230 PA)

The others?

Trout
Harper
Stanton
Wander
Chourio
Basallo
Tatis Jr.
Jon Singleton
Freeman

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Adam Akbani
Via @AdamAkbani

one of these  things is not like the others.

[imref]

one of these  things is not like the others.

yeah, there is definitely a member of that list who we won't talk about any further.

[imref]

Faced Seth Hernandez in his first A+ AB and walked.

[imref]

Guess who hit his first two A+ HRs tonight?

[GataNats]

Guy is going to be the best prospect in baseball by August

[Count Walewski]

I’m gonna be in Wilmington in a week to see him in person.

[imref]

#3