The Washington Nationals have chosen Oklahoma prep shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 decide in Main League Baseball’s newbie draft.
Willits, whose father Reggie performed within the majors and now coaches at Oklahoma, was ranked as the most effective prospect within the class by CBS Sports activities. Here’s what we wrote:
Willits is taken into account to be the opposite prep shortstop with big-league bloodlines close to the highest of the category, however I ranked him aggressively within the spring and I see no motive to not do the identical right here. Reggie’s son is a surefire shortstop with all the mandatory weaponry to be a plus or higher defender at maturation. He is additionally a promising switch-hitter with robust bat-to-ball and zone-management expertise (although he appears unlikely to get to even common energy). As an added bonus, Willits will not rejoice his 18th birthday till December — research have proven that such competence at a younger age tends to bode effectively for the participant’s long-term outlook. I do not know that he’ll go No. 1, however I might be shocked if he is out there outdoors of the highest 5.
Willits is the third No. 1 decide in Nationals franchise historical past. Washington selected atop the draft in each 2009 and 2010, choosing ace Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper. He is additionally the youngest No. 1 general decide in MLB Draft historical past and the youngest participant within the draft general.
“Simply the excessive contact charge, the plate self-discipline, the affected person ABs with the true switch-hit profiles turning into extra worthwhile on this recreation,” Nationals scouting director Danny Haas informed reporters after the decide (through the Washington Post).
The Nationals’ choice comes every week after they dismissed each common supervisor Mike Rizzo and area supervisor Davey Martinez. Washington named assistant GM Mike DeBartolo as their interim lead government.