The Washington Nationals have been making a lot of surprising moves lately. They fired manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo just ten days before the MLB Draft. Interim GM Mike DeBartolo was tasked with making the first overall selection on Sunday, and stunned the world. The Nationals made Eli Willits the youngest first overall pick in MLB Draft history, which was not on anyone's radar.

In his final mock draft before Sunday's main event, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel said of Willits and the Nationals, “taking a bigger cut is a real option, with Eli Willits the main cut-rate possibility.” It was hard to know what Washington was going to do with a new man in charge. But they went with a big swing, hoping to land a stud in the infield.

However, McDaniel and many other experts forecasted Kade Anderson landing with the Nationals. The lefty pitcher led the LSU Tigers to a National Championship this year with dominant performances. But Washington went a different direction, choosing to beef up their infield instead of their pitching prospect pool. Anderson went third to the Seattle Mariners.

Willits is 17 years and 7 months old, making him the youngest player ever taken first overall.

The Nationals avoid Scott Boras with the first-overall pick

Sports agent Scott Boras attends the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium.
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Willits was projected to be a high selection in Sunday's MLB Draft. While many were surprised that the Nationals selected him where they did, he would not have been available much longer. MASN's Nationals reporter Mark Zuckerman posted about the selection, positing an idea as to why they took Willits.

“Nationals select Oklahoma HS shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 pick. A surprise to some, but 17-year-old has all-around skills. And non-Boras client may sign for less, opening door for them to spend more on later-round picks,” Zuckerman reported.

Slot values cap a team's total draft spending across all of their picks. Without Scott Boras as an agent, the Nationals may be able to get Willits to take less money than the $11.07 million he could sign for. And if they do, they could take the extra money and draft a more expensive player later in the draft.

The biggest name coming into the MLB Draft was Ethan Holliday. The brother of Jackson Holliday and son of Matt was drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Rockies. His dad played six seasons in Colorado to start his career after they drafted him in the seventh round.

More Nationals News
Jul 14, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (29) during the first round of the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
James Wood knocks Home Run Derby dinger out of Truist ParkMike Gianakos ·
Tyler Bremner is drafted by the Los Angeles Angels with the second pick during the first round of the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.
Why Angels’ No. 2 pick is ‘even bigger risk’ than Nationals’ No. 1 stunnerTroy Finnegan ·
LSU Tigers starting pitcher Kade Anderson (32) pitches against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers during the ninth inning at Charles Schwab Field.
Nationals rumors: ESPN’s final mock draft No. 1 pick amid speculationChristopher Hennessy ·
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo observes batting practice before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park
Mike Rizzo drops NSFW admission to sum up Nationals firingZachary Howell ·
nationals, nationals trade, kyle finnegan, phillies
Predicting Nationals’ next big trade before deadlineGarrett Kerman ·
Washington Nationals bench coach Miguel Cairo (22) makes changes to his lineup in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Nationals name Miguel Cairo as interim manager after Dave Martinez firingRussell Steinberg ·