Follow the Prospects:Eli Willits, SS

[blue911]

Is it at all surprising he skipped the rookie leagues and went straight to A ball?

I thought that as well but complex league games are over.

[imref]

I thought that as well but complex league games are over.

of the HS picks taken in the top 15, Willits, Holliday, and Kayson Cunningham (SS taken #14) are in A-ball. None of the pitchers have been promoted. Picks 7, 9, 12, and 13, all shortstops, are still listed as being in rookie ball.

[Slateman]

Is it at all surprising he skipped the rookie leagues and went straight to A ball?

He was in the rookie league for its last couple weeks.

[IanRubbish]

Holliday went 0-3, 2Ks, BB yesterday. So round one to Willits. :-)

That's now 12Ks, 2BBs, in 26 PAs for Ethan.

This could become an issue for Boras with Jackson putting up mediocre #'s with the Leeches.

[Smithian]

Long at bat and a single to start game tonight then scored on a Luke Dickerson triple

He looks like a pro in the field and at the plate. Made a good play in next half inning.

EDIT

He then cut off a long single into LF and saved a run. He’s ready for Wilmington

[imref]

Long at bat and a single to start game tonight then scored on a Luke Dickerson triple

He looks like a pro in the field and at the plate. Made a good play in next half inning.

EDIT

He then cut off a long single into LF and saved a run. He’s ready for Wilmington

I wonder if he's played 4 days in a row in a while?

[IanRubbish]

Two weeks left in both the A and A+ seasons.  He needs at least 200 PAs in Low A, so let him finish the season in Fred, and then maybe gets called up to Wilmington by May.

[Smithian]

Two weeks left in both the A and A+ seasons.  He needs at least 200 PAs in Low A, so let him finish the season in Fred, and then maybe gets called up to Wilmington by May.

All jokes aside, I’d play him in Fredericksburg for at least 200 ABs next season. I know A ball is lowest level, but if he has holes in his swing the Carolina League will figure it out quick. He’s way too young to throw in A+ ball.

[imref]

1-3, BB, SB tonight, A hit in every game so far and just 1K in 17 ABs.  Feels like he could already be playing at A+

[blue911]

1-3, BB, SB tonight, A hit in every game so far and just 1K in 17 ABs.  Feels like he could already be playing at A+

He’s 17, we don’t need to shuffle him around like a red-haired step child. Two weeks in Wilmington won’t do diddly squat for his development.

[Slateman]

He’s 17, we don’t need to shuffle him around like a red-haired step child. Two weeks in Wilmington won’t do diddly squat for his development.

Agree with this. Let him get settled

[imref]

He’s 17, we don’t need to shuffle him around like a red-haired step child. Two weeks in Wilmington won’t do diddly squat for his development.

i agree,  just saying he looks like he could already play at a higher level. I'm sure they will just keep him in Fredricksburg until the end of the season.

[Smithian]

If he finishes the season strong, I'm still for letting him start next season in Fredericksburg. However well he plays, I wouldn't have him in Harrisburg before 2027. He's not Bryce Harper or Juan Soto, I don't really want him at 18 going again elite talent in AA.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'd like to see him hit his goal of being in the majors by age 20. That's 3 years in the minors. It could be F-burg at the start of next year then a bump to Wilmington in 2026, then Wilmington / Harrisburg in 2027. Maybe one of those years starting at the higher level. Once he's solid at Harrisburg, there doesn't need to be too much more time in the minors. If his talent and performance merits it, great. But he's young and doesn't need to move faster.

[Slateman]

I dont know, if he hits like this the rest of the season, I dont see much reason to keep him in A ball. Wililmington won't be much a challenge.

[imref]

I imagine he starts in A and if he hits like this next year he'll move up quickly. Not out of the question that he arrives in early 2027. Plenty of 19 year olds have made it to the majors (including Harper).

[Smithian]

I dont know, if he hits like this the rest of the season, I dont see much reason to keep him in A ball. Wililmington won't be much a challenge.

I'll wait for the numbers and actual scout reports, but he looked incredible in the field the one game I was at. Huge range, big arm. He looked like a rehab player more than a 17 year old.

I was a defender of the pick, but I've gone all in on him as a prospect. I won't make any predictions until he some day is in Harrisburg, as is my rule with prospects, but my hope are high.

[imref]

So...Eli's 13 year old brother posted a video of himself in a batting cage. He already has a heck of a swing.

[IanRubbish]

I dont know, if he hits like this the rest of the season, I dont see much reason to keep him in A ball. Wililmington won't be much a challenge.

Yeah, could see him in Harrisburg by the 2nd half of next season.  I wouldn't have him skip levels like they did with Bryce Harper.  MLB team is not close to contending like the '12 team that Bryce got called up to.

[IanRubbish]

1K in his first 24 PAs is impressive.  I've watched a few of his ABs on milb.tv and he doesn't flinch or check a lot of swings.  It's like he's made his swing decision while the ball is still in the pitcher's hand.

[imref]

Fred Nats getting no hit through 7, well except for Willits’ single. He has struck out twice though. 14 total Ks for the F-Nats.

[Natsinpwc]

I will have to watch him one evening.  Better than the MLB product.

[IanRubbish]

I will have to watch him one evening.  Better than the MLB product.

It's actually not bad to watch for a couple innings, no ads and no Franny.

[Smithian]

I will have to watch him one evening.  Better than the MLB product.

FredNats have a very good ballpark. Though the $8 parking is annoying out of principle.

I also think Wilmington's game day is a fun one. Definitely old fashioned but not "bad" like some old parks. Bonus points for free parking. Very different from one another, both easy drives from DC.

Haven't been to Harrisburg or Rochester.

[imref]

was reading earlier how walker jenkins has made it to AAA at age 20 (5th pick in 2023 by the Twins). He was 18 when drafted, so a bit older than Willits. Some of these guys do move up quickly.