How Nationals’ Eli Willits Fared in Double-A Debut

During the 2025 MLB draft, the Washington Nationals saw a vision for the organization's future when they selected Eli Willits, a 6-foot- 1 shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, as the No.1 pick of the draft. Now with a full year in the minors under his belt, Willits got promoted to Double-A.

Willits moved from High-A Wilmington to Double-A with the Harrisburg Senators. In his debut against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Toronto’s Double-A affiliate, Willits went 0-for-4 with two walks, two strikeouts and an RBI. On paper, an 0-for-4 outing might not have been what was in mind for Willits' debut. 

However, Willits managed to draw two walks, which reinforced the fact that he can recognize the pitches effectively and not chase them down when they’re outside the strike zone. Willits also helped drive in a run, which contributed to the Senators' 11-1 victory. 

Willits started his minor league run with Single-A Fredericksburg. From there, he was promoted to High-A Wilmington in June of this year. During his first year, Willits had a .260 batting average with a .403 on-base percentage and .855 OPS. The 18-year-old also racked up 13 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 60 stolen bases across 112 games played. 

His first professional home run happened back in April when he played with the Single-A Fredericksburg for an inside-the-park homer. 

The shortstop also earned a spot this summer on the National League Team when he played in the MLB All-Star Futures Game on July 12 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, one of two players to represent the Nationals in the midseason classic alongside right handed pitcher Miguel Sime. 

Unfortunately, his performance felt underwhelming compared to what fans had been used to in the months that led up to the All-Star Futures Game. Willits went 0-for-1 at the plate and only had one walk during his two plate appearances. 

Although one game doesn’t define his impressive first-year resume, just the opportunity alone to be placed on the roster demonstrated that Willits does have what it takes to keep pushing his way up through the minors.

Willits remains one of the top-five prospects in the sport, and since being promoted to Double-A, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume that his day in the majors may come sooner than expected. The former top overall pick remains the top prospect in the Nationals' farm system, per MLB Pipeline, with all eyes on his eventual MLB debut.