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Jim Callis, MLB, has released May 29th mock draft .

5. Cardinals: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton HS, Fort Cobb, Okla. (No. 5)
The Cardinals would like Holliday or one of the college southpaws, all of whom are off the board in this scenario. They could pivot to a high school shortstop in Willits or Carlson or the last remaining top-tier college arm in Witherspoon.

WIllits will turn 18 on Dec. 9th .. He is the son of major leaguer Reggie Willits , who later coached for the NYY and then became associate head coach at his alma mater Oklahoma .
He draws some comparisons to Anthony Volpe with better physical skills at the same age. Willits should be the youngest kid in the 2025 draft at 17 yrs. 7 months.
Scouts love his nonstop motor and instincts to get the most out of his physical tools. Projected to be either a SS or could play CF too.

Here is workout video with both fielding drills and hitting (Note: Willits is a switch hitter and vid shows him from both sides of the plate )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JmE7lqrg8Q

Keith Law has him at #7 in his recent top-100:

Law wrote:Willits, the son of former Angels outfielder Reggie Willits, is one of the leaders of the deep group of high school shortstops in this draft class, and one of the most likely to stay at the position for the long term. He reclassified into the 2025 class, and now he’s one of its youngest prospects, turning 18 five months after the draft. His swing is compact and geared towards contact, without a lot of lift or length to the ball to create more power. He does have room to fill out, especially in his lower half, and his contact quality should improve to the point that it can support higher batting averages, although I think he’ll top out at 45 (below-average) power. He’s a definite shortstop with soft, easy hands, a plus arm, and plus running speed, with the upside of 70 defense. His floor is pretty high because he can defend and make contact, which would at least make him a utility infielder, with above-average upside if he gets strong enough to get to some doubles power and hit .300 or so.

Thanks for sharing.

I'd hate to go for a SS despite his impressive talents. Would love a pitcher projected to be in the rotation in a year or two with prospects to #3 or better.

Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑30 May 2025 14:55 pm Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

He makes me a bit nervous with his really high K rate at the collegiate level this year. If he keeps chasing like he is now, MLB pitchers will eat him alive. Granted he has time to make adjustments, and most likely will

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑30 May 2025 14:55 pm Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

TGKS struck out in about 10% of his PAs his last year of college. Jace has struck out in 25% of his. His batting average this season would be one of the worst ever for a first round pick.

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:04 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑30 May 2025 14:55 pm Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

TGKS struck out in about 10% of his PAs his last year of college. Jace has struck out in 25% of his. His batting average this season would be one of the worst ever for a first round pick.

I've even wondered if he will be a first round pick after the season he has had.

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:11 pm

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:04 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑30 May 2025 14:55 pm Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

TGKS struck out in about 10% of his PAs his last year of college. Jace has struck out in 25% of his. His batting average this season would be one of the worst ever for a first round pick.

I've even wondered if he will be a first round pick after the season he has had.

LaViolette would be a fantastic 2nd pick if there for the Cardinals. But unlikely.

Shady wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:21 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:11 pm

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:04 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑30 May 2025 14:55 pm Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

TGKS struck out in about 10% of his PAs his last year of college. Jace has struck out in 25% of his. His batting average this season would be one of the worst ever for a first round pick.

I've even wondered if he will be a first round pick after the season he has had.

LaViolette would be a fantastic 2nd pick if there for the Cardinals. But unlikely.

Most mocks have him going the latest in the early 20's. I do agree with you though Shady that I'd like get Hernandez at 5

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:11 pm

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:04 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑30 May 2025 14:55 pm Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

TGKS struck out in about 10% of his PAs his last year of college. Jace has struck out in 25% of his. His batting average this season would be one of the worst ever for a first round pick.

I've even wondered if he will be a first round pick after the season he has had.

Most of the analysts that i've read say his floor is in the mid 20's of the first round

Adam2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:24 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:11 pm

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:04 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑30 May 2025 14:55 pm Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

TGKS struck out in about 10% of his PAs his last year of college. Jace has struck out in 25% of his. His batting average this season would be one of the worst ever for a first round pick.

I've even wondered if he will be a first round pick after the season he has had.

Most of the analysts that i've read say his floor is in the mid 20's of the first round

That's probably right.

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:27 pm

Adam2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:24 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:11 pm

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:04 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑30 May 2025 14:55 pm Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

TGKS struck out in about 10% of his PAs his last year of college. Jace has struck out in 25% of his. His batting average this season would be one of the worst ever for a first round pick.

I've even wondered if he will be a first round pick after the season he has had.

Most of the analysts that i've read say his floor is in the mid 20's of the first round

That's probably right.

Quite a tumble from projected number 1 or 2 pre-season

Adam2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:31 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:27 pm

Adam2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:24 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:11 pm

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑30 May 2025 15:04 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑30 May 2025 14:55 pm Jace Laviolette

This is who I want. At his worse, I see him as a TGKS type who can play + OF defense. A thumper would be nice on our team.

TGKS struck out in about 10% of his PAs his last year of college. Jace has struck out in 25% of his. His batting average this season would be one of the worst ever for a first round pick.

I've even wondered if he will be a first round pick after the season he has had.

Most of the analysts that i've read say his floor is in the mid 20's of the first round

That's probably right.

Quite a tumble from projected number 1 or 2 pre-season

I don’t think he was a projected #1 or 2, but Mike Sirota fell from being a projected top 10 pick I believe to the 3rd round where the Reds drafted him last year. Then the Reds traded him to LAD and he’s tearing up the minors so far (1.159 OPS with a .374 average between A and A+).

Jace was the consensus 1/1 entering the season from what I read. How the mighty have fallen

hugeCardfan wrote: ↑30 May 2025 13:20 pm I'd hate to go for a SS despite his impressive talents. Would love a pitcher projected to be in the rotation in a year or two with prospects to #3 or better.

Why would you not want an impressive player because he plays SS in HS. Mookie Betts was a HS shortstop and he has played OF, also 2nd, and a bit of SS due to necessity fir team.
There are numerous major leaguers that play other other spots.
It is quite common for most talented player in HS to play SS.