Willits was promoted from High-A Wilmington to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Willits has slashed .262/.404/.457 with 13 home runs, 60 stolen bases and a 92:109 BB:K in 111 games between Single-A Fredericksburg and Wilmington this season. Willits will not turn 19 until December and has established himself as one of the best prospects in the game.
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Nationals' Eli Willits: Moving up to High-A
Rotowire
Willits was promoted to High-A Wilmington on Sunday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.
Willits will move up a level in the Nationals' minor-league farm system after producing a .300 batting average with six home runs, 37 RBI, 48 runs scored and 29 stolen bases over 190 at-bats in 47 contests with Single-A Fredericksburg so far this year. The 18-year-old was selected with the first overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, and he has an outside chance at being promoted to Double-A down the road this season.
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Nationals' Eli Willits: Raking at Single-A
Rotowire
Willits went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs and two stolen bases Sunday for Single-A Fredericksburg.
The first overall pick in the 2025 Draft is already displaying his impressive upside despite being just 18 years old. Willits had hit safely in 15 of the last 17 games, slashing an eye-popping .348/.500/.591 over that stretch with three homers, 13 steals in 16 attempts, and more walks (21) than strikeouts (17). The Nationals won't rush their top prospect up the ladder too quickly, but Willits is already making a strong case that he needs a new challenge. If he keeps raking, a promotion to High-A is likely over the summer.
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Nationals' Eli Willits: Dazzles in pro debut
Rotowire
Willits went 3-for-4 with a walk, a run scored, two RBI and a stolen base for Single-A Fredericksburg on Thursday.
Seeing his first game action since being selected first overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Willits looked more than ready for the challenge despite the fact that the 17-year-old is the youngest player in Fredericksburg history. Given his age, there's no reason to expect him to advance up the ladder quickly, but the fact that the Nationals felt he was ready for full-season ball is an excellent sign.
