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.

[imref]

First hit tonight was an opposite field double with an RBI.

[imref]

3 stolen bases tonight, already 6 in 7 tries this year. Went 0-2, with 3 BBs tonight.

[imref]

Career HR #1 is an inside the park HR

[imref]

#2!! This one went over the wall

[GataNats]

Guy gets a ton of walks and can fly.   

[imref]

Guy gets a ton of walks and can fly.   

0-1, 4BB, 2SB tonight

[IanRubbish]

Guy gets a ton of walks and can fly.

13:14 BB:K ratio, incredibly unlucky with a .206 BABIP

[imref]

2-R triple off the wall today.

MLBPipeline notes:

MLB's No. 10 prospect (@Nationals) has gone for extra bases in four of his past six knocks

[imref]

https://www.thenatsreport.com/featured-stories/how-washington-nationals-prospect-eli-willits-is-thriving-already-in-his-first-pro-season

[varoadking]

https://www.thenatsreport.com/featured-stories/how-washington-nationals-prospect-eli-willits-is-thriving-already-in-his-first-pro-season

Maybe this one won't be a bust...

[imref]

Maybe this one won't be a bust...

he’s our McGonigle.

[GataNats]

Absolutely raking

[imref]

.341/.491/.610 in his last ten games. Not out of the question that he's at A+ by the ASB.

https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/nationals-prospect-eli-willits-multihit-game-single-a?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

Willits has reached safely in 10 consecutive games and is slashing .341/.491/.610 in that span. The teenage shortstop leads the Carolina League with 16 stolen bases and is second in walks (17) and tied for second in runs (20) across 19 games.

He's easily the most exciting prospect we've had since Harper.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

.341/.491/.610 in his last ten games. Not out of the question that he's at A+ by the ASB.

https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/nationals-prospect-eli-willits-multihit-game-single-a?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

He's easily the most exciting prospect we've had since Harper.

Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto say hi. You can argue Soto didn't have the hype he deserved before his call up, but then you have to start talking about Victor Robles.

[blue911]

Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto say hi. You can argue Soto didn't have the hype he deserved before his call up, but then you have to start talking about Victor Robles.

Zim,Stas,and Rendon were college guys that were expected to excel at the AA level immediately and be in the majors within a year. Soto was quiet almost as if he was too good to be true. Trea Turner created a ton of excitement but he really came fully formed.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

OK, but Robles had all the hype that Soto should have had. And "most exciting prospect" wasn't limited to high schoolers. We forget Crews was top 5 in 2024, too. That nitpicky BS aside, this kid has flare and promise and is maybe looking better than his rep, which is hard for a 1/1

[GataNats]

Willits is 17 when drafted.   Easily the best prospect we’ve had since Harper

[zimm_da_kid]

f burg up 11-2 going into the 9th. Willits 2-4 so far with a double

[GataNats]

Would say this upcoming week is his last in Fburg

[Smithian]

I think he is young enough that Nats should consider challenging him for a while longer in Fredericksburg. See if A pitching figure out how to challenge him.