Apr 28, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; A general view of a Washington Nationals hat and glove in the dugout during the game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Elijah Green, son of former Pro Bowler, selected No. 5 overall by Nationals

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 7/17/22

This year’s MLB Draft is turning out to be a real legacy event.

Elijah Green, an 18-year-old outfielder from Florida’s IMG Academy, was selected by the Washington Nationals in the first round of the draft on Sunday. Elijah went with the No. 5 overall pick.

With the 5th pick in the 2022 @MLBDraft, the Washington Nationals select…

Elijah Green – OF (IMG Academy)#NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/jzfOtZb7TE

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 17, 2022

The talented prospect is the son of former NFL tight end Eric Green. Eric played 10 seasons in the NFL and was a two-time Pro Bowler in 1993 and 1994. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand notes that Elijah becomes the first son of an ex-NFL first-rounder to be selected in the first round of the MLB Draft (Eric was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft).

Hailed as a five-tool player, Elijah hit a .462 as a senior last season at IMG Academy with nine home runs and 32 RBIs in 25 games. He could end up being a prized addition for the rebuilding Nationals, who are facing some uncertainty over the future of their current young outfield star.

Sports fans heard a lot of familiar surnames during Sunday’s first round of the MLB Draft. While Elijah went No. 5 overall, both the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the draft also have very famous fathers.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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