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Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Eli Willits, 17, tabbed first by Nats; two college pitchers follow in MLB draft
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) ATLANTA -- Fresh off an organizational switch-up, the Washington Nationals made a surprise selection with the first pick of the MLB Draft on Sunday, selecting 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits. A week after general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired amidst the franchise's sixth straight losing season, the team hopes Willits -- a Fort Cobb, Oklahoma native -- can spark a return to glory for the 2019 World Series champs. With most pundits predicting LSU pitcher Kade Anderson or high school shortstop Ethan Holliday to be the first choice, the Nationals went a different route with Willits. As a senior in 2025, Willits hit .516 with nine home runs, 33 runs, RBIs and 48 stolen bases. Originally a member of the 2026 class, Willits reclassified and was committed to the University of Oklahoma. After last year's draft didn't see a high school player selected until ninth (Konnor Griffin to the Pirates), the Nationals made Willits the youngest top overall pick in draft history at 17 years and seven months old. 'I'm just a player that's going to go out there and give everything I've got, just like everyone else,' Willits said from home after being selected. 'I feel like I have a good hit ability and am going to take that to the next level. I feel like my power is up and coming, but I needed to get into an organization like the Nationals, who can develop that and take me to the next level.' Willits was the Nationals' first top pick since 2010, when they drafted Bryce Harper. 'We couldn't be more excited,' Nationals interim general manager Mike DeBartolo said. 'Eli is a special player. Great hitting tools. He makes contact, controls the strike zone. We love his swing. It's just a clean operation at the plate with developing power. Then he's just an elite shortstop, someone that stays at shortstop. ... You add on top of that the intangibles, his confidence, work ethic, just maturity that's off the charts. You put all of that together, it's rare to get someone that we think is the best hitter in the draft and the best fielder in the draft. We felt it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up.' The Los Angeles Angels followed by drafting UC Santa Barbara right-hander Tyler Bremner, who struck out 111 batters in 77 1/3 innings as a junior for the Gauchos in 2025. Anderson dropped to third, where the Mariners tabbed the College World Series Most Outstanding Player from LSU. Anderson went 12-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts in 2025. The 6-foot-2 Madisonville, La., native missed his entire freshman season in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Anderson then compiled a 16-3 record in 37 outings (28 starts) over his two college seasons. He was a First-Team All-American and Baseball America's National Pitcher of the year this season. Holliday went fourth to the Colorado Rockies, 27 years after the franchise selected his father Matt in the seventh round in 1998. The elder Holliday hit 130 of his 316 career home runs with the Rockies from 2004-08 before returning to Denver for his final season in 2018. Ethan, younger brother of Jackson -- the first overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022 -- was Baseball America's 2025 High School Player of the Year at Stillwater High School, where he posted a .611 batting average with 19 home runs and 64 runs batted in (RBIs) in 33 games. Left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle out of the University of Tennessee was picked fifth by the St. Louis Cardinals, followed by the third high school player to be selected in Seth Hernandez (Corona HS in Calif.), a right-handed pitcher. Oregon State star shortstop Aiva Arquette was picked by the Miami Marlins at seven, while Purvis High School (Miss.) JoJo Parker was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays at eight. The high school theme continued to round out the top 10, as the Cincinnati Reds tabbed Steele Hall, a shortstop from Hewitt-Trussville High School (Ala.). Hernandez's Corona High teammate Billy Carlson, a shortstop, was picked tenth by the Chicago White Sox.
Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
17-year old Eli Willits tabbed first by Nats; two college pitchers follow in MLB draft
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) ATLANTA -- Fresh off an organizational switch-up, the Washington Nationals made a surprise selection with the first pick of the MLB Draft on Sunday, selecting 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits. A week after general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired amidst the franchise's sixth straight losing season, the team hopes Willits -- a Fort Cobb, Oklahoma native -- can spark a return to glory for the 2019 World Series champs. With most pundits predicting LSU pitcher Kade Anderson or high school shortstop Ethan Holliday to be the first choice, the Nationals went a different route with Willits. As a senior in 2025, Willits hit .516 with nine home runs, 33 runs, RBIs and 48 stolen bases. Originally a member of the 2026 class, Willits reclassified and was committed to the University of Oklahoma. After last year's draft didn't see a high school player selected until ninth (Konnor Griffin to the Pirates), the Nationals made Willits the youngest top overall pick in draft history at 17 years and seven months old. 'I'm just a player that's going to go out there and give everything I've got, just like everyone else,' Willits said from home after being selected. 'I feel like I have a good hit ability and am going to take that to the next level. I feel like my power is up and coming, but I needed to get into an organization like the Nationals, who can develop that and take me to the next level.' Willits was the Nationals' first top pick since 2010, when they drafted Bryce Harper. 'We couldn't be more excited,' Nationals interim general manager Mike DeBartolo said. 'Eli is a special player. Great hitting tools. He makes contact, controls the strike zone. We love his swing. It's just a clean operation at the plate with developing power. Then he's just an elite shortstop, someone that stays at shortstop. ... You add on top of that the intangibles, his confidence, work ethic, just maturity that's off the charts. You put all of that together, it's rare to get someone that we think is the best hitter in the draft and the best fielder in the draft. We felt it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up.' The Los Angeles Angels followed by drafting UC Santa Barbara right-hander Tyler Bremner, who struck out 111 batters in 77 1/3 innings as a junior for the Gauchos in 2025. Anderson dropped to third, where the Mariners tabbed the College World Series Most Outstanding Player from LSU. Anderson went 12-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts in 2025. The 6-foot-2 Madisonville, La., native missed his entire freshman season in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Anderson then compiled a 16-3 record in 37 outings (28 starts) over his two college seasons. He was a First-Team All-American and Baseball America's National Pitcher of the year this season. Holliday went fourth to the Colorado Rockies, 27 years after the franchise selected his father Matt in the seventh round in 1998. The elder Holliday hit 130 of his 316 career home runs with the Rockies from 2004-08 before returning to Denver for his final season in 2018. Ethan, younger brother of Jackson -- the first overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022 -- was Baseball America's 2025 High School Player of the Year at Stillwater High School, where he posted a .611 batting average with 19 home runs and 64 runs batted in (RBIs) in 33 games. Left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle out of the University of Tennessee was picked fifth by the St. Louis Cardinals, followed by the third high school player to be selected in Seth Hernandez (Corona HS in Calif.), a right-handed pitcher. Oregon State star shortstop Aiva Arquette was picked by the Miami Marlins at seven, while Purvis High School (Miss.) JoJo Parker was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays at eight. The high school theme continued to round out the top 10, as the Cincinnati Reds tabbed Steele Hall, a shortstop from Hewitt-Trussville High School (Ala.). Hernandez's Corona High teammate Billy Carlson, a shortstop, was picked tenth by the Chicago White Sox.
Canada Standard
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Canada Standard
Three-time All-Star Whit Merrifield retires after 9 seasons
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) Whit Merrifield, a three-time MLB All-Star who last played for the Atlanta Braves in 2024, announced his retirement Tuesday after nine years in the big leagues. In a statement released through his agency, Warner Sports Management, Merrifield cited his family -- namely a daughter born in March 2024 -- as a reason to step away. 'I was never talented enough to just show up and play,' Merrifield said. 'Baseball required my full focus and energy for me to compete at the level I wanted to, and I realize I can no longer give that effort. 'At this point in life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders.' The 36-year-old infielder, a ninth-round selection of the Kansas City Royals in 2010, spent more than six seasons in the minor leagues before making his major league debut at age 27 in 2016. Merrifield ends his career with 1,249 hits -- including 94 home runs and 256 doubles -- and a .280 batting average in 1,147 games. He led the American League in stolen bases three times, finishing his career with 218 swipes. 'Since I've now had some time away from the game, I've had a chance to reflect on my individual career for the first time in my life,' Merrifield said. 'I'm proud of myself. The toughness I developed and the things I was able to accomplish, nobody outside of my camp thought possible.' Merrifield quickly established himself as a premier player for Kansas City after his call-up, earning MVP votes in 2018 after batting a career-best .304. He followed that up in 2019 with a .302 season that was highlighted by his first All-Star nod. He added another All-Star selection in 2021 and a third in 2023 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Merrifield signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024 but was released after batting .199 in 53 games. He finished the year with the Braves, with whom he hit .248. 'I loved all the moments,' Merrifield said. 'All the highs and even all the lows. I'm grateful for the way this game molded me. I can't wait to tell my story to my daughter one day.' --Field Level Media
Canada News.Net
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Three-time All-Star Whit Merrifield retires after 9 seasons
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) Whit Merrifield, a three-time MLB All-Star who last played for the Atlanta Braves in 2024, announced his retirement Tuesday after nine years in the big leagues. In a statement released through his agency, Warner Sports Management, Merrifield cited his family -- namely a daughter born in March 2024 -- as a reason to step away. 'I was never talented enough to just show up and play,' Merrifield said. 'Baseball required my full focus and energy for me to compete at the level I wanted to, and I realize I can no longer give that effort. 'At this point in life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders.' The 36-year-old infielder, a ninth-round selection of the Kansas City Royals in 2010, spent more than six seasons in the minor leagues before making his major league debut at age 27 in 2016. Merrifield ends his career with 1,249 hits -- including 94 home runs and 256 doubles -- and a .280 batting average in 1,147 games. He led the American League in stolen bases three times, finishing his career with 218 swipes. 'Since I've now had some time away from the game, I've had a chance to reflect on my individual career for the first time in my life,' Merrifield said. 'I'm proud of myself. The toughness I developed and the things I was able to accomplish, nobody outside of my camp thought possible.' Merrifield quickly established himself as a premier player for Kansas City after his call-up, earning MVP votes in 2018 after batting a career-best .304. He followed that up in 2019 with a .302 season that was highlighted by his first All-Star nod. He added another All-Star selection in 2021 and a third in 2023 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Merrifield signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024 but was released after batting .199 in 53 games. He finished the year with the Braves, with whom he hit .248. 'I loved all the moments,' Merrifield said. 'All the highs and even all the lows. I'm grateful for the way this game molded me. I can't wait to tell my story to my daughter one day.'
