WASHINGTON (AP) Eli Willits didnt need to waste time earlier than signing his first professional contract. The 17-year-old shortstop is on a good schedule.
Willits agreed to phrases with the Washington Nationals on Saturday, solely six days after the membership chosen him No. 1 total in Main League Baseballs newbie draft.
Ive set a purpose to be within the large leagues by the point Im 20, and thats one thing Im actually excited to do, Willits mentioned throughout an introductory information convention at Nationals Park. Hopefully, I get on the market and begin enjoying effectively and that may be one thing I can accomplish within the subsequent few years.
A switch-hitter from Fort Cobb-Broxton Excessive College in Oklahoma, Willits is the son of Reggie Willits, who performed six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and in addition coached with the New York Yankees.
Willits, the youngest participant picked No. 1 total since Seattle selected Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987, will fly to Washingtons spring coaching advanced in West Palm Seaside, Florida, on Sunday and start to get exercises with the groups participant improvement workers.
Nationals interim common supervisor Mike DeBartolo, who was elevated to his present function when Washington fired common supervisor Mike Rizzo and supervisor Dave Martinez on July 6, mentioned the membership will see how issues unfold within the subsequent couple weeks earlier than making any additional choices.
One of many issues that attracted us to Eli was how motivated he’s, his work ethic, how targeted he’s, DeBartolo mentioned. I really like that about him. Definitely, Im not going to place any timelines on anyone. He hasnt stepped on a professional subject but, however I really like that thats his outlook and had been actually going to do all the things we are able to to make that doable.
Willits recalled how he would make certain he was within the stands each time Aaron Choose took batting observe throughout his fathers stint with the Yankees. One other member of the New York group on the time was Miguel Cairo, who’s now the Nationals interim supervisor and was accustomed to the brand new No. 1 choose nearly a decade in the past.
That made me really feel actually outdated, Cairo mentioned.
Willits joined Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010) as the one gamers chosen No. 1 total by the Nationals.
Im grateful for the chance that the Nationals gave me, Willits mentioned. Not many individuals get to come back up right here and be the No. 1 total choose.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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