Why this pick shouldn't be a shock, and could be part of a master plan.
When the Washington Nationals took high school shortstop Eli Willits with the first pick of the 2025 MLB draft, it put the Angels on the clock and fans into hyperdrive. Would they do what almost every pundit predicted and take a left-handed college arm who could be rushed to the majors? Would the fact that the top player on most big boards, Ethan Holliday, and local pitching phenom Seth Hernandez remained available sway them to go for a high-upside high schooler?