Author Topic: Follow the Prospects: Eli Willits, SS (Read 9998 times)

GataNats · « **Reply #275 on:** June 29, 2026, 10:12:14 pm »

Quote from: Elvir Ovcina on June 29, 2026, 02:06:07 pm

He's not even 19. AA is a big jump from A+ and he's a switch-hitter, so he needs to get reps at level from both sides. He shouldn't be in AA at 18 unless they're darn sure he'd be ok, and from what I saw of him in FXBG earlier this season, he wouldn't be. A+ seems right for him right now.

He dominated in Fredricksburg. Not understanding what you are saying

imref · « **Reply #276 on:** June 30, 2026, 12:11:27 am »

#3 overall prospect now per mlbpipeline

Smithian · « **Reply #277 on:** July 07, 2026, 02:40:58 pm »

Quote from: imref on June 30, 2026, 12:11:27 am

#3 overall prospect now per mlbpipeline

Seems a bit low imo

Slateman · « **Reply #278 on:** July 07, 2026, 07:08:39 pm »

Quote from: Smithian on July 07, 2026, 02:40:58 pm

Seems a bit low imo

Considering that everyone else in the Top 5 is in Double A and thriving, #3 overall seems high

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #279 on:** July 07, 2026, 08:09:53 pm »

KLaw:

Quote

I’ve seen Eli Willits a few times now for Wilmington, and the 2025 No. 1 pick is, in fact, very, very good. He’s clearly stronger than he was last year — he looks 10-15 pounds bigger — and also has shown a much better approach at the plate than I think anyone expected. I haven’t seen any of the six homers he’s hit in 20 games in High A, but I’ve seen hard contact the other way. He’s also easily a 70 defender at short.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7427009/2026/07/07/mlb-prospect-scouting-cam-caminiti-tate-southisene/

zimm_da_kid · « **Reply #280 on:** July 07, 2026, 10:05:08 pm »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on July 07, 2026, 08:09:53 pm

KLaw:https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7427009/2026/07/07/mlb-prospect-scouting-cam-caminiti-tate-southisene/

He has a real shot it seems to have each tool be 6+ at shortstop with defense being a 7. That's elite elite

IanRubbish · « **Reply #281 on:** July 08, 2026, 02:23:24 pm »

Has a human .896 OPS now, but unlucky .214 BABIP. 21/17 BB/K is crazy.

Still think we need to keep our cool about when he goes to AA. Doubt it's much more than a cup of coffee this year.

imref · « **Reply #282 on:** July 08, 2026, 02:30:37 pm »

Quote from: IanRubbish on July 08, 2026, 02:23:24 pm

Has a human .896 OPS now, but unlucky .214 BABIP. 21/17 BB/K is crazy.

Still think we need to keep our cool about when he goes to AA. Doubt it's much more than a cup of coffee this year.

unlucky? Are we allowed to say that?

Smithian · « **Reply #283 on:** July 10, 2026, 02:17:57 pm »

Quote from: IanRubbish on July 08, 2026, 02:23:24 pm

Has a human .896 OPS now, but unlucky .214 BABIP. 21/17 BB/K is crazy.

Still think we need to keep our cool about when he goes to AA. Doubt it's much more than a cup of coffee this year.

I'm against him going up to AA for more than a couple weeks to show him the step up ahead before he finishes the season.

A+ staffs will be able to adjust to him. AA is the huge jump, but he's still really young for A+.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #284 on:** July 10, 2026, 05:10:46 pm »

He's said he wants to make the majors before he's 20. That would mean a call up next season. It would still be possible if he started next year in AA.

You want challenge him? It would be a long season for an 18 year old, but he'd probably be up for the AFL

imref · « **Reply #285 on:** July 12, 2026, 09:22:42 pm »

0-1, BB today in the Futures Game.

GataNats · « **Reply #286 on:** July 18, 2026, 01:22:16 am »

Walkoff tonight

Elvir Ovcina · « **Reply #287 on:** July 22, 2026, 10:50:41 am »

Quote from: GataNats on June 29, 2026, 10:12:14 pm

He dominated in Fredricksburg. Not understanding what you are saying

What I'm saying is that he dominated in low-A but he was getting away with some things that wouldn't fly in AA, such as swing decisions on breaking stuff and some baserunning things. Wilmington is the place to clean that up before it would get bad in AA.

imref · « **Reply #288 on:** July 22, 2026, 11:08:05 am »

Willits is likely to be the #1 prospect in baseball at some point soon.

Smithian · « **Reply #289 on:** July 25, 2026, 07:25:03 pm »

Quote from: imref on July 22, 2026, 11:08:05 am

Willits is likely to be the #1 prospect in baseball at some point soon.

He already is. The ranking just embarrassed they have underrated him to this point.

I defended the pick on talent alone. I never thought this output was in the card, even in a best case scenario. I’m still cognizant I’m breaking my “never get excited before AA” rule, but he is thriving at A+ at 18. That’s something.

GataNats · « **Reply #290 on:** August 02, 2026, 10:43:44 pm »

Hit a rocket last night his seventh homer

welch · « **Reply #291 on:** August 07, 2026, 10:53:08 am »

Average is down but OPS is strong.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=willit000eli

Slateman · « **Reply #292 on:** August 07, 2026, 12:35:42 pm »

Quote from: welch on August 07, 2026, 10:53:08 am

Average is down but OPS is strong.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=willit000eli

He is right where he needs to be. We'll see what happens during the offseason, but, ideally, he gets to Double A by June next year, then gets a taste of Triple A in August. In 2028, he spends the first half in Triple A and then gets a call up.

blue911 · « **Reply #293 on:** August 07, 2026, 01:08:10 pm »

Last 28 days: .200/.406/.300 16BB vs 9K. Doesn’t look like he’s getting a lot of stuff to hit.

imref · « **Reply #294 on:** August 08, 2026, 06:39:02 pm »

3 run triple tonight already.

https://x.com/Nats_PlayerDev/status/2086213733550788790?s=20

Squab · « **Reply #295 on:** August 08, 2026, 10:54:33 pm »

3 for 5 with 2 doubles, a triple, and 2 walks in the doubleheader today

imref · « **Reply #296 on:** August 09, 2026, 01:13:07 am »

Maybe a cup of coffee at Harrisburg to make room for James?

GataNats · « **Reply #297 on:** August 09, 2026, 01:37:33 am »

Doesn’t need to be in Wilmington any longer

Smithian · « **Reply #298 on:** August 10, 2026, 10:22:59 am »

I really see no reason to send him to Harrisburg. Maybe for a week at the end just so he sees the quality difference before end of season.

Slateman · « **Reply #299 on:** August 10, 2026, 10:26:58 am »

Quote from: Smithian on August 10, 2026, 10:22:59 am

I really see no reason to send him to Harrisburg. Maybe for a week at the end just so he sees the quality difference before end of season.

Agreed. Last week or two of the season. Give him a taste. Give him an offseason plan. Start him in Double A and see what happens. If he takes off, then an MLB debut in September is a possibility