Nationals take SS Eli Willits, son of ex-MLBer Reggie, with No. 1 pick in draft The 17-year-old Willits is the youngest player ever taken No. 1 overall.

Eli Willits, 17, selected by the Washington Nationals, is the youngest player ever taken No. 1 overall.

The Nationals received the No. 1 pick after hitting on a 10.2% chance to go first in the MLB Draft lottery and will have $11,075,900 in slot money to attempt to sign Willits.

ATLANTA -- Fresh off an organizational switch-up, the Washington Nationals made a surprise selection with the first pick of the MLB Draft on Sunday, selecting 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits.

Watch as the Washington Nationals select shortstop Eli Willits from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma with the first overall pick in the MLB Draft.

Eli Willits has a legacy to follow. The Washington Nationals selected the shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School (Okla). with the first pick in the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday, the third No.