The Washington Nationals have landed a generational talent, officially reaching a deal with shortstop Eli Willits, the No. 1 overall pick in Sunday’s MLB amateur draft. Hailing from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, the 17-year-old phenom is turning heads with both his skills and his signing bonus.

Willits will receive an eyepopping $8.2 million bonus, according to MLB.com, marking the largest bonus ever awarded to a high school player. That figure narrowly edges out the $8.19 million deal Jackson Holliday signed with the Orioles in 2022. While the bonus is still below the $11.075 million slot value for the top pick, it ranks as the seventh largest in the draft pool era (since 2012).

Once the paperwork is finalized, Willits is expected to begin his pro career in the Florida Complex League, the rookie-level entry point to professional baseball. The FCL regular season runs through July 24, offering Willits a chance to get acclimated before a possible promotion to Low Class-A, where he’d be one of the youngest players on the field.

This move signals a bold new chapter for the Nationals, and the baseball world will be watching as the Oklahoma standout begins his rise through the ranks.