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1. SS Eli Willits | 19 | AA | 2029

A sparkplug on the diamond and a hard-worker off of it, Willits checks every box for getting the most out of his tools, and as the son of former major leaguer Reggie Willits, he’s always had a pretty big edge in terms of learning and honing his game. He’s also a switch hitter at 6’1” 180 pounds, so he’ll be an everyday lineup mainstay if he can actualize at the highest level. So far so good in that regard. Willits reached Double-A the other day at the age of 18. He’s played just three games there but already has a four-hit night, a home run, two stolen bases, three walks and five RBI. This kid is not messing around.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

The MLB Draft is mere minutes away from starting as I begin this weekend’s missive, and I find myself pondering the unknowable magic of the thing itself. No other sport can boast the breadth and depth of this draft, even as they’ve shrunk it down to 20 rounds. Some years are fairly bereft of big league impact players, leaving precious few right answers atop the first round. The early returns on the 2025 class look less than inspiring, for instance. Washington’s number one overall pick SS Eli Willits looks good, and Pirates RHP Seth Hernandez looks like a potential star, but it’s hard to imagine anyone but Mariners LHP Kade Anderson making next year’s midsummer classic. And that’s fine. Totally normal. 

Please, blog, may I have some more?