Eli Willits is on the road to superstardom, but he has been raised to be ready for this
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Five hours before first pitch in Wilmington on the Saturday before Father’s Day, Eli Willits sat down with me in the visiting dugout at Frawley Stadium. I was warned that the 18 year old was a very professional and serious kid. They were not wrong, but after talking to him, I gained insights into the mentality and background of the 2025 first overall pick.
If you know the Eli Willits story, you would know that Eli’s dad Reggie has been a huge part of his story. Reggie Willits is a former big leaguer himself, and has been coaching Eli and his two brothers. Eli told me that Reggie, “Has been a great baseball coach, but beyond that he has been a great dad”.
AdvertisementAdvertisementEli Willits will never be the loudest player on the team, but his quiet ambition was crystal clear. When he discussed his decision to reclassify to the 2025 class, Willits’ explanation was simple. He told me, “At the end of the day, I want to get to the big leagues as quick as possible”. While Willits admitted the process was stressful, he shrewdly pointed out that it looks like a great decision right now.
While Willits is not one for bold proclamations, he has made it clear on multiple occasions that he wants to get to the big leagues at 20 years old. For Willits, this is not some bold proclamation, it is a perfectly reasonable goal. This season has shown us that Willits is well on his way to achieving this goal.
In 57 games across two levels, Willits is hitting .298 with a .967 OPS to go with 11 homers and 34 stolen bases. This month, the youngster has raised his game, hitting .322 with 7 homers and a 1.249 OPS. Willits did not play in the Blue Rocks game I attended after the interview, but the next day he went deep.
As a great father would, Reggie taught Eli core principals like treating people with respect and the golden rule of treating people the way you want to be treated. Off the field, Willits has blossomed into a quiet, humble young man who is guided by his faith. Teddy Roosevelt once said to speak softly and carry a big stick. I can’t help but think of that saying after speaking with the Nationals 18 year old phenom.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAt least for this weekend, Eli Willits was not the brother under the national spotlight. His brother Jaxon is the starting shortstop at the University of Oklahoma, where his dad is also an assistant coach. Eli, who is a proud Oklahoman and a Sooners commit, has been watching these games very closely. Willits has been watching the Sooners run to the College World Series avidly, either watching the games or asking for scores when he can’t watch.
He told me he hoped that the Sooners would be able to win the final in Omaha in two games. Two days later, the Sooners split the first two games against North Carolina, setting up a winner take all game three tonight. With an off day, Willits will be able to watch, probably from his apartment in Wilmington, before the Blue Rocks start their series with the Frederick Keys.
For some young professionals, the grind of the minor leagues can be a shock to the system, but not for Eli. As Willits put it, “I grew up in a clubhouse”. Ever since he was a boy, he has been following his dad around big league clubhouses, something he considers one of the biggest highlights of his baseball journey. With all this exposure to the game at the highest level, there is not much that can surprise the even-keeled 18 year old.
When his dad coached with the Yankees, he got to sit next to the likes of Aaron Judge in the clubhouse. Reggie was a coach for the Yankees from 2018 to 2021, which were formative years for young Eli. He absorbed information like a sponge, eager to learn like any young baseball loving kid.
One player that Willits said impacted him a lot was Brett Gardner, who Eli still talks to even now. He said that the hard nosed, blue collar style of the former Yankees outfielder influences his own style of play. I watched Willits earlier this season in Fredericksburg, and you can certainly see the resemblance, especially on the basepaths. Just like Garnder, Eli Willits is always on the hunt for the next stolen base, which is why he has 34 already this season.
If it is not clear enough already, Eli Willits learned quite a bit from his dad. When you see Willits on the field, there is one piece of fatherly wisdom that is easy to spot. Eli Willits is a switch hitter, just like his dad and his brother. He explained that, “I’ve been switch hitting since I was one or two. Ever since I picked up a bat, I have been switch hitting”. Willits remarked that whenever he sees a nasty slider from a lefty, he is grateful that he learned to switch hit.
At the plate, Willits has been showing way more power this season, and that is no accident. When he was drafted, the biggest question with Willits was how much power he would develop. In his pro debut last year, Willits showed his contact ability, plate discipline and defense, but there was no real power to speak of.
This offseason, he worked to change that with Eric Cressey in Florida. As Willits put it, he “grinded this offseason”. You can see it when you sit next to him. The youngster is noticeably stronger and more physically mature than he was this time last year when he was on his way to being the first overall pick. That combination of grinding and growing into his body has paid big dividends in his first full pro season. The power has made Willits a true 5 tool player, and one of the best prospects in baseball.
One of the people Willits actually worked with at Cressey was Brady House. This spring, Willits got to appear in some big league Spring Training games and be around the team. He said that House was the guy who took him under his wing. Like Willits, House is a quiet, humble guy who was drafted in the first round out of high school, so the friendship only feels natural.
AdvertisementAdvertisementWillits said he follows the big league team a little bit, and loves the way they are winning ball games. However, it is clear that Willits is much more focused on keeping his eyes on the prize. Eli Willits knows he will be joining the big league club before too long because he has been preparing for that moment for a long time.
When Eli Willits makes his MLB debut, likely before his 21st birthday, it will not be an emotional surprise. Rather, it would be the culmination of a plan that he has been working on as long as he can remember. For most kids, being a big leaguer is the dream, but for Eli Willits, this was the expectation from a young age.
I went to Wilmington to track down the Nats next young star, and I came away even more convinced that Eli Willits is that guy. What I found was a humble man of god, but also a ballplayer with an intense fire burning inside of him, and a mentality that will not allow him to be denied.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
