Willits is the rare player to be selected first overall by an interim general manager. The Nationals fired GM Mike Rizzo, as well as manager Dave Martinez, last Sunday and had Mike DeBartolo, previously Rizzo's assistant general manager, take over as interim GM.

The Nationals took HS shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 pick in the MLB draft, while Tyler Bremner went No. 2 to the Angels and LSU's Kade Anderson to the Mariners at No. 3.

The Washington Nationals selected Oklahoma high school shortstop Eli Willits on Sunday night with the No. 1 pick in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft in a selection seen by some as a surprise.