Nationals Sign 17-Year-Old Eli Willits for $8.2M Bonus, Youngest No. 1 Pick Since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987.

17-year-old Eli Willits, the No. 1 pick in the MLB draft, signed with the Washington Nationals for an $8.2 million bonus, the largest for a selected high school player. Willits, a shortstop from Oklahoma, aims to be in the big leagues by 20 and will begin working out with the team's player development staff. The Nationals' interim GM Mike DeBartolo praised Willits' motivation, work ethic, and focus, but did not set a timeline for his progress.

The Washington Nationals have made a significant investment in their future by signing 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits to a $8.2 million signing bonus, the largest amount ever given to a selected high school player. Willits was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB draft on Sunday, July 13, 2025, and wasted no time in securing a deal with the team [1].

The deal was finalized just six days after the Nationals selected Willits, demonstrating the club's urgency to secure their top prospect. The signing bonus surpasses the previous record set by Jackson Holliday, who received $8.19 million from Baltimore in 2022 [1]. Willits, who hails from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, will begin working out with the team's player development staff at their spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday [1].

The signing bonus for Willits is below the $11.08 million value assigned to the first overall pick, allowing the Nationals to redistribute those savings to later selections. This strategic move reflects the team's commitment to maintaining financial flexibility while investing in their top talent [3].

Willits' father, Reggie Willits, played six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and also coached with the New York Yankees. The young shortstop's background in baseball is evident in his dedication and work ethic, which have been praised by the Nationals' interim general manager, Mike DeBartolo. "One of the things that attracted us to Eli was how motivated he is, his work ethic, how focused he is," DeBartolo said [1].

Willits aims to make it to the big leagues by the age of 20, a goal he is excited about and hopes to accomplish in the next few years. His switch-hitting ability, combined with his excellent bat-to-ball skills and strong instincts in the field, make him a promising prospect for the Nationals [2].

The 2025 MLB Draft, which saw the Washington Nationals select Willits as the No. 1 overall pick, was one of the most unpredictable in recent years. The draft came one week after the Nationals fired longtime general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, adding more uncertainty to the selection process [3].

Willits' selection marks the third time the Nationals have chosen a player as the No. 1 overall pick in their franchise history, joining Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010) [2]. His addition to the team is expected to bring a fresh perspective and a high level of talent to the Washington Nationals' lineup.

References:
[1] https://apnews.com/article/nationals-eli-willits-signs-62587d4c9669e9dd113f69e5151748c5
[2] https://www.mlb.com/news/eli-willits-drafted-no-1-by-nationals-in-2025-mlb-draft
[3] https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/nationals-take-high-school-ss-eli-willits-no-1-pick-2025-mlb-draft