​Oklahoma shortstop Jaxon Willits was chosen by the Los Angeles Angels with the No. 141 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Sunday. Willits, who earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the College World Series, is the son of former Angels outfielder Reggie Willits and the brother of Eli Willits, who was the Washington Nationals’ No. 1 overall pick last year. In the College World Series, Willits hit an impressive .500 with 13 hits, five doubles, a home run, seven RBIs, six runs scored, and an .808 slugging percentage, helping the Sooners capture their third national title. Standing at six feet tall, Willits was rated as the No. 117 prospect in the 2026 draft class by MLB.com.
The Angels’ selection of Willits came as part of a draft that also featured Brendan Brock, a catcher/outfielder from Oklahoma, who was taken by the New York Yankees with the No. 99 pick in the third round, making Willits the second Sooners player drafted. The team’s 38-58 record and last-place standing in the American League West adds context to the broader franchise moment as it continues to build its pipeline through the draft.
Willits had a standout junior season at Oklahoma, starting 64 of 66 games and posting a .313 batting average with 73 hits, three triples, seven home runs, and a team-high 20 doubles. Across three years with the Sooners, he compiled a .307 career batting average, 25 home runs, 136 RBIs, 38 doubles, and 19 stolen bases, illustrating a well-rounded offensive profile that combines power, contact hitting, and the ability to drive in runs.
Before starring for Oklahoma, Willits was widely regarded as a top high school prospect in Oklahoma, hailing from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School. His senior year in 2023 featured a .620 batting average, eight home runs, and 42 stolen bases, earning him state player of the year honors. He comes from a baseball family with strong MLB ties, underscoring the expectations many have for his continued development within the Angels organization.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman, and readers can find more on the program’s championship run and Willits’ place within it in his reporting. For fans seeking deeper context, the publication offers additional materials and insights, including book recommendations related to the Sooners’ 2026 title run and contact information for Sulley if they have story ideas or want to reach him. The content originated with Oklahoman coverage of OU’s 2026 College World Series victory and Willits’ draft selection, and is part of ongoing coverage of the program’s success and its players’ professional journeys.