2025 MLB Draft Profile: Eli Willits

[Hector Rodriguez]

Prep shortstop Eli Willits is one of the youngest prospects in this draft class. Already a great pure hitter, Willits can add more power to his game as he continues to fill in his frame. 

Prep shortstop Eli Willits is one of the youngest prospects in this draft class. Already a great pure hitter, Willits can add more power to his game as he continues to fill in his frame. 

 

Overview

Position: SS

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 175 pounds

School: Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)

Commitment: Oklahoma

Eli Willits is a 6’1”, 175-pound shortstop who plays at Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Lawton, Oklahoma. A well-rounded prospect with five-tool potential, Willits is also one of the youngest prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft—he will still be 17 years old on draft night.

Willits is an elite high school prospect who was originally in the Class of 2026 before reclassifying. On MLB Pipeline, Willits is the eleventh-ranked draft prospect. On Baseball America, Willits is the twelfth-ranked prospect and sixth-ranked prep prospect.

At the plate, Willits is a switch-hitter with polished mechanics and an excellent approach. He rarely chases outside the strike zone and has excellent bat-to-ball skills. Willits has average power, but could tap into more of his raw power as he continues to fill in his frame.

Defensively, Willits has good hands and plus arm strength. He projects as a middle infielder or center fielder at the next level thanks to his plus speed—Willits was clocked running a 6.70 60-yard dash by Perfect Game.

He’s also the son of former MLB outfielder Reggie Willits.

 

Strengths

• Plus hit tool
• Advantage approach at the plate
• Polished hitting mechanics
• Great athlete
• High baseball IQ
• Plus arm strength

 

Weaknesses

• Needs to fill in his frame to add more power
• Might not stick at shortstop

 

Pro Comparison: Jackson Holliday

Projection: Top 15 pick

 

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Bottom Line

The Marlins will have the opportunity to add a blue-chip prospect to their farm system with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Eli Willits would be a sound choice.

Beyond excellent tools and athleticism, Willits is advanced when it comes to the mental part of baseball. He can do all the small things well. Long term, he could develop into a complete hitter.

 

More 2025 Draft Profiles

• SS Marek Houston
• RHP Seth Hernandez
• 3B Xavier Neyens
• OF Brendan Summerhill

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