Eli Willits’ first full pro season gave the Nationals exactly what they wanted to see from the youngest No. 1 overall pick in draft history: production, polish and a player already pushing toward the big leagues.
Willits, the switch-hitting shortstop who turned 18 this year, finished the year at Double-A Harrisburg after moving through Low-A Fredericksburg and High-A Wilmington. Across 114 games, he hit .265/.406/.463 with 14 home runs, 27 doubles and 62 stolen bases. He also led all minor leaguers with 11 defensive runs saved, according to Sports Info Solutions.
Wilmington manager Ted Tom said the biggest separator was what Willits brought every day.
“I think the thing that impressed me the most is his maturity level -the way he handles himself every day,” Wilmington manager Ted Tom said. “He has an incredible work ethic, does a great job with all the autograph requests, and has great instincts on the field.
“He swings at strikes and takes balls. For the numbers we deem important, he was better in High-A than Low-A.”
Willits’ rise has come with a baseball pedigree behind it. His father, Reggie, played for the Angels from 2006 to 2011 and now serves as associate head coach at the University of Oklahoma. His brother Jaxon was the Most Outstanding Player at the 2026 College World Series for the national champion Sooners and was taken by the Angels in the fifth round this year.
Before spring training, Eli got to watch Jaxon in person against Oklahoma State at Globe Life Field.
“I liked being able to sit back and watch him play,” Willits said. “That might be the last time I have the option to do that. And then to see him finish so strong, that was incredible.”
Willits also keeps in touch with people from his father’s time with the Yankees, including Brett Gardner.
“It’s important to show up with a humble state of mind and find something you can try to get better at every day,” Willits said.
After appearing in 15 games at Fredericksburg last year, Willits spent the offseason getting ready for the grind of a full professional season.
“Last offseason was about maturing as a person physically and mentally,” Willits said. “I was just a 17-year-old, so I feel like I’ve matured a lot.”
The Nationals also announced their minor league award winners, with Willits taking baserunner of the year. Seaver King was named hitter of the year, Miguel Sime Jr. pitcher of the year, Andrew Pinckney defensive player of the year and Maxwell Romero Jr. the winner of the Nationals Way Award.
Lefthander Jackson Kent also got a mention for the jump he made to Washington barely more than two years after the Nationals drafted him in the fourth round out of Arizona. Double-A Harrisburg manager Delino DeShields pointed to what changed before the season even began.
“It started for him this year with an outstanding offseason,” Double-A Harrisburg manager Delino DeShields said. “When he reported, he looked like a different guy.
He looked stronger and had a swagger to him. That physicality was on display when he pitched for us.”
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