Few moments capture the unpredictability of MLB Draft picks more than 2004, when the San Diego Padres stunned the baseball world. Remember how with elite college talents like Justin Verlander and Stephen Drew on the board, the Padres turned heads by selecting Matt Bush, a local high school shortstop, with the No. 1 overall pick?
That moment marked more than just a misstep. It signaled a trend of draft-day curveballs that would echo through future drafts, as well as decisions that defied logic on paper but reflected the unpredictable nature of scouting and front-office philosophies. And here we are in 2025, that trend continues… This time, the very first surprise came from the Nationals’ end.
“The Nationals have their guy. With the Number 1 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Nationals select SS Eli Willits from Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK) High School.” And that post from the official MLB X handle stunned the entire baseball community!
The Nationals have their guy
With the Number 1 pick in the 2025 #MLBDraft, the @Nationals select SS Eli Willits from Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK) High School. pic.twitter.com/mHPUOi0WBR
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2025
It looked like the Nationals were set on taking a college infielder with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, but then came the twist. They shocked the baseball world by selecting Eli Willits, who just became the youngest No. 1 overall pick in MLB history. Willits brings four above-average tools to the table, with his power grading out closer to average.
The Nationals are also expected to sign him to a below-slot deal, making this pick even more intriguing!
Now, talking about Ethan Holliday, his numbers this year were off the charts. He slashed an insane .617/.737/1.309 over 32 games, proving he’s much more than just a legacy name. Even though, like a lot of high school power hitters, there’s some swing-and-miss in his game, his overall hit tool is strong enough to project as a future 30-homer threat and a legit middle-of-the-order bat.
But by selecting Willits, the Nationals might have come up with a different perspective. The big question now is whether the Nationals made a savvy long-term move or if they just passed up a sure thing in Holliday and took an unnecessary risk! While time will answer for sure, the MLB community seems to have their responses ready right away. And it doesn’t really align with what the Nationals might be thinking.
(Keep an eye on this space to know more about what the MLB community is talking about this selection…)
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