Jaxon Willits, a standout shortstop from the University of Oklahoma, heard his name called in the fifth round of the 2026 MLB Draft, joining the Los Angeles Angels.
A Family Legacy in Baseball
The selection adds another chapter to a baseball family that already boasts two major‑league alumni. Willits is the son of former Angels outfielder Reggie Willits and the brother of Eli Willits, the No. 1 overall pick by the Washington Nationals just a year earlier.
His immediate impact was felt during the College World Series, where he was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after posting a .500 batting average, 13 hits, five doubles, a home run, seven RBIs and six runs scored.
Over his three‑year stint with the Sooners, Willits compiled a .307 career average, smashing 25 home runs and driving in 136 runs while stealing 19 bases, numbers that helped him rise to the No. 117 prospect spot on MLB.com’s draft board.
The Angels, currently mired in a 38‑58 record and at the bottom of the American League West, hope the new infielder can provide a spark as they look to climb out of the cellar.
Willits will not be the only Oklahoma product entering professional baseball this year; he follows Brendan Brock, a fellow Sooners alumnus who was selected by the New York Yankees in the third round.
Before arriving in Norman, Willits dominated Oklahoma high school competition at Fort Cobb‑Broxton, where as a senior he batted .620 with eight homers and 42 stolen bases, earning the state’s player‑of‑the‑year honor.
With a blend of pedigree, performance and poise, Jaxon Willits enters a franchise hungry for a turnaround, and fans will be watching closely to see whether the young shortstop can translate his college success to the big leagues.