WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Eli Willits didn鈥檛 want to waste time before signing his first pro contract. The 17-year-old shortstop is on a tight schedule.
Willits agreed with the Washington Nationals on Saturday for an $8.2 million signing bonus, only six days after the club selected him . The amount was the most for a selected high school player, just above with Baltimore three years ago.
鈥淚鈥檝e set a goal to be in the big leagues by the time I鈥檓 20, and that鈥檚 something I鈥檓 really excited to do,鈥� Willits said during an introductory news conference at Nationals Park. 鈥淗opefully, I get out there and start playing well and that can be something I can accomplish in the next few years.鈥�
A switch-hitter from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, Willits is the son of Reggie Willits, who played six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and also coached with the New York Yankees.
Willits, the youngest player picked No. 1 overall since Seattle chose Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987, will fly to Washington鈥檚 spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday and begin to get workouts with the team鈥檚 player development staff.
Nationals interim general manager Mike DeBartolo, who was elevated to his current role when , said the club will see how things unfold in the next couple weeks before making any further decisions.
鈥淥ne of the things that attracted us to Eli was how motivated he is, his work ethic, how focused he is,鈥� DeBartolo said. 鈥淚 love that about him. Certainly, I鈥檓 not going to put any timelines on anybody. He hasn鈥檛 stepped on a pro field yet, but I love that that鈥檚 his outlook and we鈥檙e certainly going to do everything we can to make that possible.鈥�
Willits recalled how he would make sure he was in the stands whenever Aaron Judge took batting practice during his father鈥檚 stint with the Yankees. Another member of the New York organization at the time was Miguel Cairo, who is now the Nationals interim manager and was familiar with the new No. 1 pick almost a decade ago.
鈥淭hat made me feel really old,鈥� Cairo said.
Willits joined Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010) as the only players selected No. 1 overall by the Nationals.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity that the Nationals gave me,鈥� Willits said. 鈥淣ot many people get to come up here and be the No. 1 overall pick.鈥�
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