Baseball America names Eli Willits Nationals’ 2026 minor league player of the year

Baseball America has named Washington Nationals prospect Eli Willits as the franchise's 2026 Minor League Player of the Year. Willits, a former first overall pick, has impressed throughout the minor league campaign while playing for the organization's affiliates, including the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

Willits is currently ranked as the Nationals' top prospect and the No. 4 prospect across all of Minor League Baseball by MLB Pipeline. His minor league accolade comes as the major league club concludes its 2026 season having reached a 75-win milestone.