Welcome back friends to Day 3 of THE 2015 MLB Draft Live Blog – Other sites will cover Day 1 or even Days 1 and 2, but no one stays to grind out Day 3 like NatsGM.com!

Before getting started, I encourage you to join this interactive Live Blog with your thoughts, baseball or otherwise, in the Comment’s Section or on Twitter @NatsGMdotcom.

Rather than attempt to make predictions this late in the draft, these are a few names I hope/project the Nationals call early on Day 3 -> Maryland’s Jose Cuas, NC State’s Logan Ratledge and Ryne Willard, Penn State’s Austin Bossart, and Nova Southeastern’s Justin Garcia.

In general, expect the Nationals to use their early picks on a few players high on their draft board, then shift to filling positional needs especially at catcher and the infield.  And finally, late in the day we should see Washington draft several high school players, in hopes of having additional bonus pool dollars to spend next month and sway them away from their college commitment.

11:30am – Maybe it’s the third cup of coffee, but I am getting fired up looking at the list of players still available, particularly in the college ranks.  There is some legitimate talent going to be selected today and some future major league players as well.

11:59am – Let’s do this, Day 3!

12:03pm – 1st pick of Day 3 is Nationals’ 2014 9th round pick, Austin Byler, who declined to sign and decided to return to UNLV for his senior year.  He has some power and is a nice prospect in Round 11.

12:11pm – Another terrific pick by the Brewers, grabbing Jose Cuas from Maryland in the middle of Round 11.  He has some potential and projection left, rare for a college infielder and I like his chances to outperform this draft slot.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 11 Select –> Andrew Lee RHP University of Tennessee

Very interesting pick by Washington to begin Day 3, as many scouts like Lee’s power and preferred him as a hitting prospect.  And Lee was a 2-way player last summer in the Cape and throughout his college career at Tennessee, but considering Washington announced him as a pitcher, I guess they prefer his arm.  Lee shows a low-90s fastball with some movement and command of his curveball, giving him some potential to develop when/if he focuses exclusively on pitching.  I like this pick!

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 12 Select –> Tommy Peterson RHP University of South Florida

A draft-eligible sophomore, Peterson missed his freshman year due to Tommy John surgery, but has recovered to lead the Bulls’ bullpen this season.  Peterson features a low-90s fastball that can apparently reach 96mph, with a hard slider and the signs of a changeup.  Odds are the Nationals will use him as a starter to begin his career, but he projects as a two-pitch hard-throwing reliever long-term.

12:33pm – Nick pick by the Cubs in Round 13 to select USC LHP Kyle Twomey, a pitcher I expected to come off the board in Rounds 5-7.  He has not developed particularly well since being a major high school prospect, but he is a projectable lefty with a good fastball, making him a great value, if signable.

12:36pm – Might be time for the Nationals to select a catcher or two so someone can  actually “catch” the ball from the 8 pitchers they have taken in the last 9 picks.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 13 Select –> Max Schrock 2B University of South Carolina

Another intriguing pick, as Schrock is a junior who has an excellent track record of success in the SEC.  He has a good left-handed bat with quick hands and good barrel skills.  The knock on Schrock is his future defensive position, as his fringy arm makes him unlikely to stick in the infield and does his bat profile in left field.  Nonetheless, this is a good hitter and could develop into a versatile bench bat in the future.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 14 Select –> Mack Lemieux LHP Jupiter, FL HS

I am not finding much online about Lemieux, except that he was an impressive 2-way player in high school who is committed to Florida Atlantic University.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 15 Select  –> Kevin Mooney RHP University of Maryland

Love this pick, as Mooney is a proven collegiate closer who set Maryland’s school record for all-time saves.  Mooney features a low-90s fastball along with a hammer curveball and projects as a pure reliever as a professional.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 16 Select –> Ian Sagdal SS Washington State University

A senior middle infielder, Sagdal played all 55 games for the Cougars this season, hitting 6 home runs and stealing 13 bases.  Sagdal is a left-handed hitter and is the first middle infielder the Nats have drafted thus far in 2015.

1:20pm – Houston just took my big sleeper in this year’s class, taking Nova Southeastern 1B Justin Garcia at the beginning of Round 17.  He is a quality left-handed bat with some power and I am stunned he’s still available.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 17 Select –> Dalton Dulin 2B Northwest Mississippi CC

A former member of the University of Mississippi, Dulin transferred this season to community college and performed extremely well, hitting .354 with 23 extra base hits and 46 stolen bases.  Dulin could have a chance to surprise people due to his dynamic speed and gap power.  In addition, I wonder if the Nationals try him in center field to fully take advantage of his speed…

1:32pm – Another strong pick by Houston in Round 18, taking University of Maryland catcher Kevin Martir – he’s an excellent hitter who is a good received of the ball behind the plate, but struggles with a fringy arm.  He might return to college but could be a nice Day 3 pick if the Astros can sign him.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 18 Select –> Melvin Rodriguez 2B Jackson State University

A left-handed hitting senior from Jackson St., Rodriguez was named to the National Baseball Writers (NCBWA) All-America and the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Region Teams.  Rodriguez hit .422 this season with 7 home runs, 13 stolen bases and an impressive 32/14 walk to strikeout rate this season.  He should sign quickly and I am intrigued to watch him due to his keen batting eye and obvious success in 2015.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 19 Select –> Clayton Brandt SS MidAmerican Nazarene University

Surprise, another senior infielder!  In seriousness, Brandt is an intriguing middle infielder again due to his speed, 41 stolen bases in 45 attempts, along with his .417 batting average and 24 walks against 23 strikeouts in 2015.  I can see the Nationals are prioritizing speed and batting “eye” in the middle rounds with their hitters this year.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 20 Select –> Jon Clay Reeves Catcher Rice University

And the Nationals select their first catcher of the draft, adding senior Rice catcher Reeves here in Round 20.  Reeves has some offensive potential, though his defense is fringier than I would expect from a Nationals minor league catcher.  He does work hard behind the plate and has experience catching high-level collegiate arms, so this is a solid value pick in Round 20.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 21 Select –> Matt Pirro RHP Wake Forest University

A senior right-handed pitcher, Pirro has a low-90s fastball, a knuckle-curveball and changeup.  He struck out 71 hitters in 73.2 innings this season for the Wake Forest and should serve as a starting pitcher for one of the minor league affiliates this summer.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 22 Select –> Adam Boghosian RHP North Greenville University

Boghosian is a redshirt senior who formerly played at UNC Greensboro before transferring to get more playing time.  Boghosian served as NGU’s closer this season, getting 13 saves and striking out 39 batters in 29.1 innings pitched.  A pure reliever, he is a gamble on arm strength.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 23 Select –> Alec Rash RHP University of Missouri

Rash was a major prospect coming out of high school, but opted to attend college instead at Missouri.  Now a junior, Rash barely pitched this season, throwing only 14 innings due to injury.  He has a large 6-5 204lbs frame and could be a nice gamble on his previous pedigree by the Nationals, if they are able to sign him away from his senior year with the Tigers.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 24 Select –> Blake Smith RHP West Virginia University

A massive 6-5 230lbs right-handed pitcher, Smith worked as West Virginia’s closer this year as a junior, notching 5 saves and striking out 38 hitters in 29.2 innings pitched.  The Nationals continue to select college pitchers with excellent strikeout numbers, even if they project as long-term relievers.
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WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 25 Select –> Calvin Copping RHP Cal State Northridge

This is the 5th straight college righty for Washington.  Copping is a 6-3 180lbs junior pitcher who threw 88.2 innings this season, striking out 86 hitters against 29 walks.  He has some projection remaining in his frame and would be a good signing for the Nationals.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 26 Select –> Russell Harmening RHP Westmont College

Now six college righties in a row! Harmening is a junior 6-1 197lbs pitcher who threw 113 innings this season with a 1.95 ERA and 95 strikeouts against only 17 walks.  That’s impressive control numbers and could be a small school sleeper for the Nationals here in Round 26.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 27 Select –> Ryan Brinley RHP Sam Houston State

You know what they say, don’t bet against a streak and that’s now 7 consecutive college right-handed pitchers taken by the Nationals.  Brinley is listed as a 6-1 200lbs righty who transferred from Temple College to Sam Houston State.  Brinley had a 6.43 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched this season, so I am guessing the area scout saw him good and/or likes his arm strength.

3:35pm – #Toolshed just crushed a home run to tie the Nationals game at 4.  He needs experience but the talent and tools are undeniable.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 28 Select –> Mick Vanvossen RHP Michigan State University

8-in-a-row!  Vanvossen, besides having an awesome name, is listed as a 6-3 210lbs senior righty who provided the Spartans with a 6.00 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 69 innings pitched this season.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 29 Select –> Philip Diedrick OF Western Kentucky

He’s a senior college player, but he is not a pitcher, breaking the streak.  Diedrick is a left-handed hitter who batted .291 with 8 home runs this season for the Hilltoppers – he should provide depth at the lower levels for Washington this summer.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 30 Select –> Jorge Pentoja RHP Alabama State

Back on the college right-handed pitcher express, although Pentoja is listed as a junior on the team’s website.  Listed at 6-6 215lbs Pentoja is a massive human being, in addition to providing Alabama State with a 7.36 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched this season.

4:24pm – We’ve reached the point in the draft when it is exciting when I have an opinion on a player taken besides, “Hey I’ve heard that name before”.

4:29pm – Feels like the Nationals need to take a few more catchers and corner infielders to help fill out the rosters this summer at the affiliates – something to watch in the next few picks.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 31 Select –> Nick Sprengel LHP California HS

It has been a long time since we have seen the Nationals choose a high school player, since the 14th round and only the third non-collegiate player selected by Washington thus far.  Sprengel is a 6-1 185lbs projectable lefty who was a quality two-way player in high school.  I am skeptical he signs with the Nationals, but I love the risk this late in the draft.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 32 Select –> Dalton DiNatale 3B Arizona State

A junior third baseman, DiNatale is a large 6-4 205lbs left-handed hitter who hit .274 and 2 home runs this season in 62 at-bats.  I am curious if the team is interesting in shifting him either behind the plate or on the mound, as it is mentioned a few places he has impressive arm strength.  On the other hand, he could return to Arizona State for his senior season and not sign with Washington.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 33 Select –> Angelo LaBruna SS USC

A 5th year senior, LaBruna is a switch-hitting shortstop who performed well last summer in the New England Collegiate League.  He should provide depth to the lower minors this summer.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 34 Select –> Tyler Watson LHP Arizona HS

Committed to Loyola Marymount, Watson is a projectable, lanky 6-6 220lbs left-handed pitcher with a fastball in the low-90s.  Once again, it is doubtful he signs, but I like Washington taking some high school talent late in hopes of surprisingly getting one (or more) signed.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 35 Select –> Coco Montes SS Florida HS

Montes is a large high school shortstop, listed at 6-2 195lbs.  He is committed to the University of South Florida and is unlikely to sign with Washington.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 36 Select –> Taylor Bush SS California HS

A rather small 5-9 150lbs California shortstop, I cannot find much about him in a quick look online.  I am assuming he will not sign and go to college, as he is committed to Westmont College, but if anyone has more information on Mr. Bush, please let me know.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 37 Select –> Steven DiPuglia SS Florida HS

Announced as the nephew of Washington Nationals executive Johnny, Steven does not have a firm college commitment, giving a glimmer of hope he will sign.  However, he is listed as only 150lbs, making me think this pick was made as a favor to the DiPuglia family more so than an attempt to sign him to a contract.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 38 Select –> Matt Morales SS Florida HS

Another son of a member of the Nationals front office, Morales is a 6-0 170lbs Florida high school infielder with a commitment to Stetson University.  Similar to the previous pick, there’s a chance he signs due to family lineage, but I fully expect him to be on Stetson’s campus in the fall.

6:12pm – Just cracked a beer, a Flying Dog Dead Rise, to help count down the final two rounds of the draft… Let’s do this!

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 39 Select –> Jake Jefferies 2B Cal State Fullerton

Son of former Rated Rookie from my childhood Gregg Jefferies, Jake was taken by the Nationals back in the 2012 draft, opting to attend college rather than sign out of high school.  Considering the Nationals have taken him twice, obviously he has a fan in the scouting department, but I would anticipate him returning to Fullerton for his senior season.

6:26pm – Final Round!!!!!!!!

WASHINGTON NATIONALS Round 40 Select –> Parker Quinn 1B Florida HS

A Hofstra commit, Quinn is a huge 6-4 210lbs high school player already limited to first base.  While it is doubtful again that he signs a pro contract, Quinn feels like a name to remember for three years from now.

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And with that, 40 rounds and 1,215 picks are now in the books, making the 2015 complete!  I want to thank everyone who joined me the past three days as I analyzed the Nationals picks and commented on dozens of other picks made.

This 2015 MLB Draft Live Blog is a wrap… #ByeForNow!