Nationals Break Record with $8.2 Million Signing Bonus

Fans show their support during the MLB Draft event, filled with energy and excitement.

News Summary

The Washington Nationals have made history by signing Eli Willits, a high school shortstop, for a record-breaking signing bonus of $8.2 million as the top pick in the MLB Draft. This surpasses the previous record for a high school player, showcasing Willits’ exceptional talent and abilities. The 2025 MLB Draft included numerous talented picks, with teams strategizing around their selections for future success. Attendance was low, raising concerns about the draft’s appeal and the engagement of top prospects.

Washington, D.C. – The Washington Nationals made headlines on July 27, 2025, by signing Eli Willits, a shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, for a record-breaking signing bonus of $8.2 million as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. This amount is the largest ever awarded to a high school player, surpassing the previous record held by Jackson Holliday, who received $8.19 million in 2022. The value of Willits’ pick was estimated at $11,075,900.

Teams participating in the draft have until 5 p.m. ET on July 28 to finalize contracts with their selections. Players may sign at any time until one week before the next year’s draft, provided they have exhausted their collegiate eligibility. While Willits was deemed a surprise selection at the top spot, scouts praise his exceptional bat-to-ball skills, impressive speed, high baseball IQ, and solid defensive capabilities in the shortstop position.

The 2025 MLB Draft saw a total of 43 players selected in the first two rounds. Following the Nationals’ pick of Willits, the Los Angeles Angels chose Tyler Bremner, a right-handed pitcher from UC Santa Barbara, as the second overall pick, with a pick value of $10,252,700. The Seattle Mariners secured the third overall pick, selecting left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson from Louisiana State University, valued at $9,504,400.

The Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals followed with their selections at fourth and fifth overall, respectively. The Rockies picked shortstop Ethan Holliday from Stillwater High School in Oklahoma, with a pick value of $8,770,900, while the Cardinals selected Liam Doyle, a left-handed pitcher from Tennessee, who is also the reigning NCAA Division I strikeout leader and valued at $8,134,800. Doyle’s signing bonus amounted to $7,250,000.

Other notable picks included Seth Hernandez from Corona High School in California (sixth overall, $7,558,600), Aiva Arquette from Oregon State (seventh overall, $7,149,900), and JoJo Parker from Purvis High School in Mississippi (eighth overall, $6,813,600). The Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, and numerous teams rounded out the first round with selections of talented high school and collegiate players.

Interestingly, Willits’ record-setting signing bonus was below the slot value estimate for his pick, allowing the Nationals potential flexibility to allocate funds for above-slot bonuses among their later selections. This could bolster their overall talent acquisition strategy as they seek to enhance their roster.

Attendance at the 2025 MLB Draft was conspicuously lacking, with no players attending, which is believed to result from agents advising against in-person participation due to the sensitive nature of contract negotiations. This has raised concerns about the draft’s appeal and its ability to attract top-tier talent for interpersonal engagement during the event.

Viewership for the draft reached 863,000 on ESPN and MLB Network, reflecting an improvement over previous years but still trailing significantly behind other major sports drafts such as the NFL and NBA. Conversations among industry stakeholders have suggested that financial compensation for attendance and restrictions on team-agent communications during the draft could help improve future events and make it more attractive to top prospects.

This year’s draft marked a significant milestone in the MLB, showcasing emerging talent and stirring excitement around future seasons. The Nationals’ strategy in securing their top pick illustrates a proactive approach to building a competitive team through youthful prospects.