Two Oklahoma High School Players Picked in Top Four of MLB Draft

For the first time ever, two Oklahoma high school baseball players were picked in the top four of the Major League Baseball Draft.

Eli Willits of Fort Cobb-Broxton was picked first overall by the Washington Nationals, and Ethan Holliday of Stillwater was picked fourth overall by the Colorado Rockies.

Both Willits and Holliday are the sons of former major leaguers.

Willits' father is Reggie, who played six seasons for the Angels and is now an assistant coach at OU.

Willits' older brother Jaxson plays for the Sooners.

Holliday's father is Matt, who played 15 seasons in the big leagues for the Rockies, A's, Cardinals, and Yankees.

Holliday's older brother Jackson plays for the Baltimore Orioles, and was the #1 overall pick in 2022.

Both players are shortstops, who had committed to play college baseball in the state; Willits at OU and Holliday at OSU.

That won't happen however, with their high draft picks.

This is just the third time two players from Oklahoma high schools have been picked in the first round of the MLB Draft.

It also happened in 1973 and 2011.

Another player with Oklahoma ties was selected 15th overall in the first round, as the Boston Red Sox selected OU pitcher Kyson Witherspoon.