The Washington Nationals selected a 17-year-old shortstop as the first overall pick in the rookie draft.
Major League Baseball held the 2025 rookie draft on the 14th (Korean time). Holding the first overall pick, Washington selected Eli Willets, a shortstop from Port Cove-Brockston High School.
Major League Baseball's official media outlet MLB.com reported, "The Nationals achieved the first overall pick in the 2025 rookie draft for the first time in 15 years. And with this pick, they selected the youngest player in this draft.
Willets is ranked 5th in the MLB.com Draft prospect rankings. According to scouting reports, he received a composite score of 60 points on a 20-80 scale (with 20 being the lowest and 80 being the highest), with scores of 60 for hitting, 45 for power, 60 for speed, 55 for arm strength, and 55 for fielding. MLB.com explained, "At 17 years and 216 days old, Willets is ranked 5th among draft prospects. He was reclassified from the 2026 draft eligible to the 2025 draft eligible, making him the youngest prospect in this draft.
Willets achieved a goal he set two years ago: to be the first overall pick. Willets said, "Every child's dream is to be the first overall pick. It was also a goal I set as a standard. People often express the top draft pick that way. When I go first overall, no one can be above me. I thank God for allowing me to enjoy this honor.
MLB.com emphasized Willets' young age, noting, "Willets is the youngest player to receive the first overall pick since Ken Griffey Jr. (17 years and 193 days) in 1987 and the third youngest player to ever receive the first overall pick. The youngest first overall pick in history was Tim Foley, who was selected in 1968 at 17 years and 180 days old.
Washington's Director General Mike DiBatolo said, "Eli is the best player on our list. Our scouts and analysts evaluated him with exactly the same perspective. He is the best hitter and defender in this draft, with excellent character and a strong work ethic, covering all the invisible aspects. This is why we chose Willets.
Willets said, "I want to be seen as a player who works harder than others. And I want to be remembered as a good person to people and my teammates both on and off the field.
MLB.com analyzed, "Willets has quick speed and a strong arm. His defensive instincts are also outstanding. Scouts believe that if he grows physically, these skills will further develop. While he will continue to grow as a shortstop, there is also a possibility of transitioning to the outfield. Willets is regarded as a more advanced teenage version of Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Meanwhile, following Willets, the second pick was Tyler Bremer (Angels, right-handed pitcher), the third pick was Cade Anderson (Seattle, left-handed pitcher), the fourth pick was Ethan Halliday (Colorado, shortstop), and the fifth pick was Liam Doyle (St. Louis, left-handed pitcher), who were honored with high picks. Ethan Halliday, who received significant attention as the younger brother of Jackson Halliday (Baltimore), dropped in evaluations this year and ended up as the fourth pick.
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