Latest news with #EliWillits
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Nationals top pitching prospect Travis Sykora to have Tommy John surgery
Washington Nationals' right-handed pitching prospect Travis Sykora will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a torn right UCL, the team announced on Monday. Sykora ranked as the No. 51 prospect in The Athletic's Keith Law's recently released top-60 MLB prospects list and is the team's No. 2 prospect behind 2025 No. 1 pick Eli Willits. Advertisement Sykora, 21, was a third-round pick in 2023 out of Round Rock High School in Texas. The 6-foot-6 right-hander had a 2.33 ERA in 85 innings last season, with 129 strikeouts for Low-A Fredericksburg. He had hip surgery after the season and began this year rehabbing before making his season debut May 3 in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. After two starts there and two starts with Fredericksburg, he jumped up to High A, where he dominated in 29 2/3 innings, posting a 1.21 ERA, with 47 strikeouts and only eight walks. He was promoted to Double A on June 29 but left his second start with Harrisburg after only one inning with what was initially termed right triceps soreness. Sykora missed the Futures Game and an MRI later revealed the torn UCL. Law talked about Sykora's potential and his injury risk in the top-60 write-up: 'Sykora's stuff rivals the top pitchers on this list, as he's 95-98 with a plus splitter and a solid-average slider already. But his delivery is high-effort and his arm is very late, neither of which is great for durability. He came out of his last start on July 5 with lower right triceps soreness, with the hope that he'll be back fairly soon,' he wrote. 'He'd gotten off to a tremendous start, dominating High A after his return from offseason hip labrum surgery with 32 strikeouts and just two walks in 18 innings in four outings, and then walked 12 in 16 1/3 innings in his next four outings, including the one he left after an inning. It's No. 2 starter stuff, and he showed that kind of command and control earlier this season before the latest injury. I do have doubts about him holding up, given the whole operation.' The injury is a big blow for a Nationals' organization that has a strong core of position players at or near the big leagues but is lacking top-shelf pitching behind ace MacKenzie Gore. It's been a disappointing season for a club that was hoping to take a step forward this year but instead is in last place in the National League East with a 43-62 record. The Nationals recently fired long-time president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez.
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Major League Baseball Seeks Athleticism Amid Escalating Youth Costs
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 13: Signage for the MLB Draft is seen in the first round during the 2025 MLB ... More Draft at Coca-Cola Roxy on July 13, 2025. (Photo by) Major League Baseball's 2025 draft was filled with surprises, but it was also a reminder of how difficult it is to predict the future value of prospects. Over the first 43 picks, 14 high school shortstops were drafted and will likely receive a seven-figure signing bonus by the July 28th 5:00 PM ET deadline. What costs did their families incur over the past decade in pursuit of this dream? How have they handled the pressure to excel throughout adolescence? Is the economic gap widening when it comes to the accessibility of resources and are they only available to young athletes who come from affluent families? Major League Baseball Covets Athleticism The Washington Nationals selected high school shortstop Eli Willits with the first pick as he received an $8.2 million signing bonus. The son of former major leaguer and current associate head coach at the University of Oklahoma, Reggie Willits, the 17-year-old shortstop now holds the record for the largest signing bonus ever given to a high school ball player in draft history according to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline. He surpassed the $8.19 million signing bonus given to Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday when he was the first pick in the 2022 draft. The son of Matt Holliday, a former major league veteran of 15 seasons, and the brother of Ethan Holliday, a high school shortstop who was the fourth pick in this year's draft by the Colorado Rockies. Elite high school shortstops were the talk of the draft given how they coincide with Major League Baseball's mission of creating a style of play based on athleticism, physicality and speed while prioritizing fan engagement and entertainment. They speak a sophisticated language on topics pertaining to pitch design and swing decision while using technology to aid in self-evaluation. Significant resources were invested in the ball players' physical and mental development, but credit must also be given to natural abilities and genetics. Ambitious parents will likely begin requesting a position change to shortstop for their eight-year-old children even as age-appropriate instruction is confronting serious challenges with injuries, managing stress and an unhealthy infatuation with velocity. The Washington Nationals select Eli Willits, of Oklahoma in the first round of the MLB baseball ... More draft Sunday, July, 13, 2025 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) Major League Baseball And Youth Sports Culture Out of the 615 selections in this year's draft, 124 were high school ball players according to Major League Baseball. Accessibility and affordability have been compromised amid the explosion in private instruction, travel teams, academies and year-round training facilities. Showcases and tournaments are deeply woven into the fabric of baseball's youth culture as evident in the prestige associated with events hosted by Area Code Baseball, MLB Develops, Perfect Game and USA Baseball. According to Perfect Game, the world's largest elite youth baseball, softball and scouting platform, 103 out of 105 selections on day one of this year's draft had participated in their events. Parents are justifying the exorbitant costs due to multi-faceted development services that focus on evaluation, professional instruction, arm care resources and statistical analysis under the watchful eyes of scouts, college coaches and former major league ball players. According to the Aspen Institute Project Play Initiative's 2025 Youth Sports Parent Survey in partnership with Utah State University and Louisiana Tech University, the average sports family in the United States spent $1,016.00 on their child's primary sport in 2024 which included registrations, equipment, uniforms, travel, lodging, lessons, camps and other expenses. Baseball is one of the three most-played sports alongside basketball and soccer according to the survey. Sadly, it is the most expensive as the average family spending in 2024 was $1,113.00 for baseball. The Aspen Institute estimates that parents are spending more than $40 billion on an annual basis when it comes to their children's sports activities. Jax Casamento, right, 15, waits prepares for the start of his youth baseball game in Aston, Pa., ... More Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Garland Allen is the president of inCourage, an organization that helps young athletes and adults redefine success in youth sports through research and actionable content. A former high school athletic director and coach, Allen firmly believes the development of young athletes doesn't solely or only occur through elite systems or expensive showcases. 'Bringing back financially accessible sports opportunities isn't just about fairness, it's about discovering the kinds of athletes who used to thrive in those open systems. Athletes with potential, grit and drive, who may not have the money, but have everything else it takes,' said Allen. As private equity is acquiring camps, leagues and facilities, financial barriers have created a youth sports culture where participation has become synonymous with affluence. The pay-to-play business model can be best described as notoriety with a price tag that isn't always supported by athletic talent. It perpetuates a disconnect from reality as most parents will never see a return on investment if their primary intent is to secure college scholarships or a career in professional sports for their children. Dennis Gilbert, commissioner of Perfect Game, is introducing philanthropy to youth baseball. Gilbert will oversee Perfect Game's Believe in Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to provide resources and support to underprivileged children who want to participate in local travel baseball programs. 'My motto is Perfect Game's motto, every kid deserves a chance,' said Gilbert. As the foundation begins to take shape, Gilbert is assembling an impressive board of directors with diverse backgrounds in finance, law, sports and entertainment with a January 2026 kickoff event scheduled to rally support around this noble cause. Besides financial aid, equipment grants and partnerships with local travel teams, Gilbert wants the power of baseball to change lives regardless of socioeconomic background. Upon his arrival as Perfect Game's second commissioner in September 2023, Gilbert's primary goal was to create opportunities for underprivileged children. 'I'm proud that Perfect Game brought me in to do this,' said Gilbert. His decades of philanthropic experience are being put to good use as Gilbert believes inclusivity in youth baseball can help build stronger communities. Youth Messaging Delivered By Major League Baseball During Major League Baseball's 2025 All-Star Game festivities, New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge discussed the importance of being a multi-sport athlete. Former New York Mets third baseman, David Wright, recently reflected on a question that was asked of him regarding whether he dreamed about playing Major League Baseball. 'This is something you can never dream of since playing in the big leagues is the 1% of the 1% of the 1%,' said Wright. Is it possible for a young athlete to choose baseball as their primary sport while enjoying a healthy relationship with the likes of basketball, soccer and other forms of recreation? Instead of embracing the concept of sampling and maintaining realistic expectations, parents are wrestling with difficult decisions on when it is time to specialize in a sport and how limited financial resources could be depriving their children of competitive advantages in development. Major League Baseball is celebrating a return to athleticism as evident in this year's draft, but it must continue stressing the importance of accessibility as costs associated with youth participation could adversely affect the future of the sport.
Reuters
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Nationals sign No. 1 overall pick Eli Willits to $8.2 million bonus
July 20 - The Washington Nationals signed first overall draft pick Eli Willits to an $8.2 million bonus on Saturday. The bonus amount is a record for a high-school player. The old mark was the $8.19 million Jackson Holliday received from the Baltimore Orioles in 2022. Willits, a shortstop who doesn't turn 18 until December, doesn't plan on it taking long to reach the majors. "I've set a goal to be in the big leagues by the time I'm 20, and that's something I'm really excited to do," Willits said during a news conference. "Hopefully, I get out there and start playing well and that can be something I can accomplish in the next few years." Willits took batting practice prior to the Nationals' Saturday game against the San Diego Padres. He will travel to West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday to begin workouts. No decision has been made on which level he will begin his pro career. The switch-hitter batted .473 with eight homers, 34 RBIs and 47 steals this season for Fort Cobb-Broxton High in Oklahoma. Willits is the son of Reggie Willits, who batted .258 with 58 RBIs in 414 games with the Los Angeles Angels from 2006-11. Willits is the third player to be the No. 1 overall pick for the Nationals since the franchise moved to Washington for the 2005 season. The others were Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010). --Field Level Media
Washington Post
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Top pick Eli Willits has some lofty goals. Consider the first step complete.
When he was very young, Eli Willits would follow around his dad — a six-year MLB veteran — at the ballpark. Before games, Reggie and Eli Willits would head to the outfield. Eli couldn't hit home runs from home plate, but he would still try to clear the fence from the outfield grass.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Major League Baseball Draft Signing Bonuses
Signing bonuses for the selections through competitive balance round A in the 2025 Major League Baseball amateur draft: 1, Washington Nationals, Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton H.S., Fort Cobb, Okla. 2, Los Angeles Angels, Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara, $7,689,525 3, Seattle Mariners, Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU 4, Colorado Rockies, Ethan Holliday, SS/3B, Stillwater H.S., Stillwater, Okla. 5, St. Louis Cardinals, Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee 6, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona H.S., Corona, Calif. 7, Miami Marlins, Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon St. 8, Toronto Blue Jays, JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis H.S., Purvis, Miss., $6,197,500 9, Cincinnati Reds, Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville H.S., Trussville, Ala., $5,747,500 10, Chicago White Sox, Billy Carlson, SS, Corona H.S., Corona, Calif. 11, Athletics, Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida St. 12, Texas Rangers, Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak H.S., Temecula, Calif. 13, San Francisco Giants, Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee 14, Tampa Bay Rays, Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek H.S., Hoschton, Ga., $4,310,600 15, Boston Red Sox, Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma 16, Minnesota Twins, Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest 17, Chicago Cubs, Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest, $3,563,100 18, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kayson Cunningham, SS/2B, Johnson HS, San Antonio 19, Baltimore Orioles, Ike Irish, OF/C, Auburn 20, Milwaukee Brewers, Andrew Fischer, 1B/3B, Tennessee 21, Houston Astros, Xavier Neyens, SS/3B, Mount Vernon H.S., Mount Vernon, Wash. 22, Atlanta Braves, Tate Southisene, SS/OF, Basic H.S., Las Vegas, $2,622,500 23, Kansas City Royals, Sean Gamble, 2B/OF, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. 24, Detroit Tigers, Jordan Yost, SS, Sickles H.S., Sickles, Fla., $3,247,500 25, San Diego Padres, Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset H.S., Sunset, Ore. 26, Philadelphia Phillies, Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas 27, Cleveland Guardians, Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M 28, Kansas City Royals, Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian Academy, High Point, N.C. 29, Arizona Diamondbacks, Patrick Forbes, RHP, Louisville 30, Baltimore Orioles, Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina 31, Baltimore Orioles, Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas 32, Milwaukee Brewers, Brady Ebel, SS, Corona H.S., Corona, Calif. 33, Boston Red Sox, Marcus Phillips, RHP, Tennessee 34, Detroit Tigers, Michael Oliveto, C, Hauppauge H.S., Hauppauge, N.Y. 35, Seattle Mariners, Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina 36, Minnesota Twins, Riley Quick, RHP, Alabama 37, Baltimore Orioles, Slater de Brun, OF, Summit H.S., Summit, Ore. 38, New York Mets, Mitch Voit, 2B/RHP, Michigan, $1.75 million 39, New York Yankees, Dax Kilby, SS, Newman H.S., Newman, Ga., $2,797,500 40, Los Angeles Dodgers, Zachary Root, LHP, Arkansas 41, Los Angeles Dodgers, Charles Davalan, OF, Arkansas 42, Tampa Bay Rays, Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona 43, Miami Marlins, Cam Cannarella, OF, Clemson ___ AP MLB:
