Willits, #1 Draft Pick, Signs with Nationals: Aims for MLB Debut at 20

WASHINGTON – Eli Willits didn’t waste any time before signing his first professional contract. The 17-year-old shortstop has a busy schedule. Willits reached an agreement with the Washington Nationals on Saturday, just six days after the club selected him with the number 1 pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft.

“I have set the goal of being in the Major Leagues at 20 years old, and that’s something that excites me a lot,” said Willits during a press conference at Nationals Park. “I hope to go out and start playing well and that that will be something I can achieve in the coming years.”

Eli WillitsSwitch-hitting outfielder from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, Willits is the son of Reggie Willits, who played six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and was also a coach with the New York Yankees. Willits, the youngest player selected at the number 1 position since Seattle chose Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987, will fly to Washington’s spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday and begin training with the team’s player development staff. The Nationals’ interim general manager, Mike DeBartolo, who was promoted to his current position when Washington fired general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez on July 6, said the club will see how things develop in the coming weeks before making any further decisions.

“One of the things that attracted us to Eli was how motivated he is, his work ethic, how focused he is,” DeBartolo said. “I love that about him. I certainly am not going to put deadlines on anyone. He hasn’t stepped on a professional field yet, but I love that that’s his perspective and we’re certainly going to do everything we can to make that possible.”

Mike DeBartoloWillits remembered how he made sure to be in the stands every time Aaron Judge took batting practice during his father’s time with the Yankees. Another member of the New York organization at the time was Miguel Cairo, who is now the interim manager of the Nationals and was familiar with the new No. 1 pick almost a decade ago.

“That made me feel really old,” Cairo said.

Miguel Cairo

Willits joined Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010) as the only players selected at number 1 by the Nationals.

“I am grateful for the opportunity the Nationals gave me,” Willits said. “Not many people can come here and be the number 1 pick.”

Eli Willits