Groundbreaking News: Reds’ 2025 MLB Mock Draft will give fans Cam Collier vibes

Although the 2025 MLB Draft is still months away and high school and college players haven’t yet begun their seasons, MLB.com has already released its first mock draft for the year.

As expected, the Cincinnati Reds are projected to select a shortstop with their first-round pick. Jim Callis’ mock draft for 2025 has the Reds choosing Eli Willits, a prep infielder from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma.

What’s interesting is that Willits shares some similarities with former Reds’ first-round pick Cam Collier. The success of Collier could potentially influence the Reds’ decision in Willits’ favor when the draft rolls around.

Reds’ 2025 MLB Mock Draft will give fans Cam Collier vibes

Eli Willits, who reclassified for the 2025 draft class, is only 17 years old. Reds fans may recall that Cam Collier also reclassified, finishing high school early and eventually playing at Chipola Junior College in the 2022 draft class. Collier faced high-level competition during that season, which helped him prepare for his professional career.

Willits’ background includes a family connection to professional baseball. His father, Reggie Willits, was a seventh-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2003 and played at the same high school Eli currently attends. Reggie had a six-year career in the majors as a utility outfielder, spending his entire career with the Angels, where he finished with a .658 OPS.

Cam Collier’s father, Lou Collier, also had a notable career in the major leagues, playing for eight seasons with five different organizations. Interestingly, Lou finished his career with the exact same .658 OPS as Reggie Willits, which adds an amusing twist to the narrative—almost like something out of The Twilight Zone.

 

While it’s still months before the Reds make their pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, speculation is already underway. Unfortunately for the Reds, this year’s MLB Draft Lottery didn’t go in their favor, as they are currently slated to pick ninth overall in July, following their No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft.