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Per Brendan Samson of MLB.com, Willits became the youngest player to collect a hit this season at Double-A when he singled Thursday, and his long ball Saturday made him only the eighth 18-year-old over the last two decades to homer at the level -- a list that includes Bryce Harper and Fernando Tatis, as well as current top prospects Jesus Made of the Brewers, Leo De Vries (shoulder) of the A's and Sebastian Walcott of the Rangers. Willits sports a .265/.406/.463 slash line in 114 games across three levels of the minors this season with 14 home runs and 62 steals, and while the Nationals won't rush him, his elite package of skills, athleticism and baseball IQ could land him in the majors sometime next summer.
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.
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.
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.
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.