On 12-5-24, MLB.com posted their top 100 prospects in the
upcoming draft. Beginning 2-2-25, we will post it in backward order, ending
with the pick for 1.1
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2025/draft/ -
#11 Eli Willits
SS Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)
17/years old
6' 1" 165
COMMITTED - Oklahoma
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 |
Field: 55 | Overall: 55
Willits comes from a baseball family, with father Reggie
playing in the big leagues before coaching with the Yankees and returning to
his alma mater as the associate head coach at Oklahoma -- where Eli's brother,
Jaxon, starred as a freshman last spring. Willits also is committed to the
Sooners but is unlikely to get to Norman because he's a slam-dunk first-round
pick after reclassifying from the 2026 class. He draws some comparisons to
Anthony Volpe with better physical tools at the same stage, and he'll likely be
the youngest true prospect in the 2025 crop at 17 years, 7 months on Draft Day.
A switch-hitter who's more proficient from the left side,
Willits is exceedingly polished at the plate for his age. He has outstanding
bat-to-ball skills, making consistent line-drive contact while rarely straying
from the strike zone. He may never have more than average raw power, but his
hitting ability should enable him to tap into most of it and provide 15 homers
per season.
Willits has the nonstop motor and instincts to get the most
out of his physical tools. He earns solid grades for his speed, arm strength
and defensive play at shortstop, and scouts won't be shocked if they become
pluses once he's fully developed. There's no reason he shouldn't stay at
shortstop but he'd also profile well in center field.
2-26-25 –
MLB mock draft 2025: Projecting first round for 2025 MLB
Draft
https://sportsnaut.com/mlb/mlb-analysis/lists/mlb-mock-draft-2025/
13. San Francisco Giants: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton
HS
At just 17 years old, Eli Willits already possesses a hit
tool and approach to the plate that is beyond his peers at the same age. He
also offers the work ethic and intangibles that you’d expect from someone from
a baseball family. While Willits would be years away from making his MLB, the
San Francisco Giants would be landing an advanced hitter with above-average
defensive tools and that’s more than enough to make up for a guy who will only
produce 8-12 home runs per year.
2-25-25 - 2025 MLB Draft: A closer look at the top 20 high
school prospects entering the spring
6. Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb (Oklahoma)
The son of former Angels outfielder Reggie Willits, Eli was a
top-10 prospect in the 2026 class before reclassifying last spring. He’s a
polished switch hitter with good bat control. He projects to stick in the
middle infield. The big question is if he go pro or join his father at
Oklahoma, where he is associate head coach.
2-10-25
FLO Baseball - 2025 MLB Mock Draft 1.0-
https://www.flobaseball.tv/articles/13555752-2025-mlb-mock-draft-10-nats-stunner-with-the-no-1-pick
No. 13 San Francisco Giants: Eli Willits, SS, Fort
Cobb-Broxton, Oklahoma
Son of former Angels
outfielder Reggie Willits (who also is an assistant coach for Oklahoma
Baseball), Eli reclassified to the 2025 class and will be just 17 on the day of
the draft.
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound switch-hitting prospect is one of the
best prep hitters.
2-1-25 –
Eli Willits (SS), Fort-Cobb Broxton High School (OK)
An Oklahoma University commit, Willits is the youngest
legitimate prospect in the draft, giving him more developmental runway than
almost anyone in this class. The Reds have a strong history of turning young, athletic
infielders into MLB contributors, and Willits could be next in line.
As a switch-hitter with a polished offensive approach, he
already has an advanced feel for the game. His defensive instincts allow him to
stick at shortstop, but he also has the versatility to play elsewhere if
needed. Willits' baseball bloodlines—his father, Reggie, played in MLB and
coached at the highest level—only add to his appeal.
1-28-25 –
MLB 2025 Mock Draft 2.0: Predictions for Every 1st-Round Pick
11. Athletics: SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS (OK)
Willits stands out for his advanced 60-grade hit tool and
polished overall game, which should come as no surprise given he is the son of
a six-year MLB veteran and grew up around the game. He reclassified from the
2026 class and does not turn 18 years old until Dec. 9, likely making him the
youngest Day 1 prospect on the board. Even if he peaks at 15 home runs, he
provides value in enough other areas to make an impact.
1-27-25 - Just Baseball –
2025 MLB Draft - Top 80 High School Prospects
https://www.justbaseball.com/college/mlb-draft-top-high-school-prep-prospects/
1. Eli Willits – SS
HT/WT: 6’1/175 | Bat/Throw: S/R | School: Fort Cobb-Broxton
(OK) | Commitment: Oklahoma | Age: 17.7
A reclass from the 2026 ranks, the switch-hitting Willits
projects to fit at the top of lists with a very solid toolset at his disposal.
The son of former Angels outfielder Reggie Willits, Eli has the chance to be a
legitimate switch-hitter at the next level, as he’s shown quality polish from
both sides of the plate.
Both swings are compact and short to the baseball, with the
right side featuring more bat speed and pop while the left has more hitter-ish
traits. He’ll split the gaps on a regular basis from both sides and projects to
have fringe-average power at the next level, but the pure hitting ability
really stands out.
It’s a very polished approach, too. He’s also an athletic
specimen in the field, showcasing solid range and enough tools to stick at
shortstop long-term.
It’s not flashy/twitchy, but it’s consistent and Willits has
the instincts to handle the position. He’s been shifted elsewhere, including
some run in center during his time at 18U USA Trials.
He’s an average to above-average runner on the basepaths and
has the chance to be a base-stealing threat. He is committed to attending
Oklahoma, where his dad, Reggie, is the Associate Head Coach on Skip Johnson’s
staff.
1-16-25 -
An Early Look at the Top 30 Prospects for the 2025 MLB Draft
https://lastwordonsports.com/baseball/2025/01/15/top-30-prospects-2025-mlb-draft/#google_vignette
12. Eli Willits, SS,
Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, Fort Cobb, Okla.
The second player on this list with big league lineage, as
he’s the son of former big leaguer Reggie Willits. One of the youngest
prospects in the draft, just recently turning 17, displays high-end athleticism
with a chance to profile as an infielder with a chance to stay at SS long term.
The bat showed promise this summer, and a strong spring can help improve his
stock as well.
1-3-25 –
2025 MLB Draft: Top 75 Prep Prospects — Prospects Live
https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/12/26/2025-mlb-draft-top-75-prep-prospects -
1. SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)
Height: 6’1
Weight: 175
b/t: S/R
Draft Day Age: 17 YR 7 MO
Commitment: Oklahoma
Hometown: Fort Cobb, OK
A recent reclass from the 2026 ranks, the switch-hitting
Willits projects to fit at the top of lists with a very solid toolset at his
disposal. The son of former Angels outfielder Reggie, Eli has the chance to be
a legitimate switch-hitter at the next level, as he's shown quality polish from
both sides of the plate. Both swings are compact and short to the baseball with
the right side featuring more bat speed and pop while the left side has more
hitter-ish traits on display. He'll split the gaps on a regular basis from both
sides and projects to have fringe-average power at the next level, but the pure
hitting ability really stands out. It's a very polished approach, too. He's an
athletic specimen in the field, as well, showcasing solid range and enough tools
to stick at shortstop long-term. It's not flashy/twitchy, but it's consistent
and Willits has the instincts to handle the position. He's been shifted
elsewhere, including some run in center during his time at 18U USA Trials. He's
an average to above-average runner on the basepaths and has the chance to be a
base-stealing threat. He is committed to attending Oklahoma, where his dad,
Reggie, is the Associate Head Coach on Skip Johnson's staff.
12-23-24
White Sox 2025 MLB Draft Notebook 1.0
https://www.futuresox.net/2024/12/23/white-sox-2025-mlb-draft-notebook-1-0/
10. Chicago White Sox: Eli Willits, SS, Fort-Cobb Broxton HS
(OK)
Willits has bloodlines as his father Reggie played in the big
leagues and he’s another reclass from 2026 originally. The 6-1, 165 pounder is
a switch-hitter who projects to have average power with a plus hit tool. He’ll
be the youngest player in the class on draft day as he’ll be just 17-years and
seven months old at the time. He’s also a plus defender at shortstop and should
stay at the position.
12-10-24 –
Here's Pipeline's first full 2025 mock draft
https://www.mlb.com/news/first-full-2025-mlb-mock-draft?partnerID=web_article-share –
9. Reds: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, Fort Cobb,
Okla. (No. 11)
Reclassified from the 2026 Draft, Willits is the youngest
legit prospect in this Draft (he turned 17 on Monday), has big league
bloodlines (father Reggie) and is a polished switch-hitter who keeps getting
better in all phases of the game.
12-10-24 - FSS PLUS:
2025 MLB Mock Draft: So it begins…
https://futurestarsseries.com/2025-mlb-mock-draft/
15. Boston Red Sox
Eli Willits, SS — Fort Cobb-Broxton HS
HOMETOWN: Fort Cobb, Oklahoma
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 175
BAT/THROW: B-R
A re-class from 2026, Eli Willits is a true switch-hitter in
every sense of the word. Some guys fake it hitting from both sides and struggle
from one side or the other. That’s not the case here. From the left side
Willits features a tight, compact swing with quick hands and twitchy hips. He
uses the whole field and has an adjustability with the barrel that few can
match. There’s some moving parts in the load and some late barrel tilt that
could test his ability to handle higher velocity arms, but to this point he’s
impressed in tournament settings and has had little issue squaring up fastballs
in premium settings. Right now it’s fringy raw power with ringing gap power.
That said, Willits has a lean frame with the hands and projection you look for
in a guy that could ultimately get to average or better raw power. From the
right side it’s a bit more bat speed with louder results and a bit more impact
to all fields. The hit tool projects better from the left side, but he’s far
from a liability as a right-handed hitter. He clearly projects to be able to
hit from both sides of the plate going forward. Interesting offensive tools
from both sides of the plate.
Willits looks every bit the part of a future shortstop,
centerfielder or up-the-middle defender too. He’s a rangy defender who has
demonstrated the ability to get to any ball. As a shortstop he excels when
coming in on the grass and making the play on slow-rollers in front of him. He
can get his body into the athletic positions necessary to make just about every
throw. He’s also an above average runner with long strides and a smooth gait
that really projects to hold deep into professional ball. He’s also shown
plenty capable of playing a strong centerfield if teams want to give him run at
the ‘8’. He takes some of the stronger routes in the class out there and
demonstrates solid spacial awareness around the wall and warning track.
Perhaps the one nitpick analysts and some evaluators have on
the entire profile is a general lack of explosive, twitchy athleticism. Willits
doesn’t stand out when it comes to force-plate testing or 30-/60-yard dash
workouts. Skeptics of those results will point to a low ceiling from an impact
perspective. Those bullish of his profile will point to his extraordinarily
young age as means to reason a jump in explosiveness and strength on the
horizon.
Willits has a chance to be one of the first players off the
board if he adds a bit more impact at the plate. The tools are here for a
special player. As noted, he will be extremely young for the draft, just 17.7
years old when he’s selected.
A model-driven pick and a high school shortstop. Two things
the Red Sox have coveted in the past.
10/6/24 - 2025 Draft Prospect - top 20 high school prospects
for the '25 Draft –
7. Eli Willits, SS, Fort-Cobb Broxton HS (Okla.)
The son of former big leaguer Reggie Willits, Eli Willits is
a switch-hitter who reclassified from the 2026 class to this one and earns
praise for his grittiness and baseball IQ. At the All-American Game in August,
he walked, then stole second and third to show the kind of table-setter he can
be. He has good feet and hands for shortstop, though some think he could be an
asset in center. At the plate, he’s a tough out with a line-drive approach and
gap power. He’s committed to Oklahoma, where his dad is a coach.
9/22/24 - 2025 Draft - Top 30 Prep Prospects
4. SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)
Height: 6’1
Weight: 175
b/t: S/R
Draft Day Age: 17 YR 7 MO
Commitment: Oklahoma
Hometown: Fort Cobb, OK
A recent reclass from the 2026 ranks, the switch-hitting
Willits projects to fit at the top of lists with a very solid toolset at his
disposal. The son of former Angels outfielder Reggie, Eli has the chance to be
a legitimate switch-hitter at the next level, as he's shown quality polish from
both sides of the plate. Both swings are compact and short to the baseball with
the right side featuring more bat speed and pop while the left side has more
hitter-ish traits on display.
He'll split the gaps on a regular basis from both sides with
flatter swing planes, but he's shown an ability to lift the baseball. It's a
very polished approach, too. He's an athletic specimen in the field, as well,
showcasing solid range and enough tools to stick at shortstop long-term.
Willits has even had some run in center field this summer at
the 18U Trials. He's an average to above-average runner on the basepaths and
has the chance to be a base-stealing threat. He is committed to attending
Oklahoma, where his dad is a coach.
9/8/24 - 2025 Draft - B/R's Way-Too-Early 2025 MLB Mock Draft
21. San Diego Padres: SS Eli Willits, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS
(OK)
Originally one of the top prep prospects in the 2026 draft
class, Willits reclassified in May and will now be eligible for 2025.
He is a switch-hitter with a smooth, compact swing from both
sides of the plate and a polished overall approach in the batter's box.
His father, Reggie, played in the big leagues for six seasons
with the Angels and is currently a coach at Oklahoma where he is committed.
