A special few days for many baseball fans begins tomorrow evening when Major League Baseball holds its annual Rule 4 Amateur Draft. The draft consists of 50 rounds completed over three days, with the 1st Round on Monday evening, Rounds 2-30 on Tuesday, and Rounds 31-50 wrapping up on Wednesday.
The Washington Nationals have 51 picks in this year’s draft, losing their 2nd round pick as compensation for signing OF Jayson Werth last December but gaining two selections (#23 and #34 overall) as compensation from the Chicago White Sox for their signing of 1B Adam Dunn. Therefore, the Nationals select #6 overall, #23 (from Chicago), #34 (from Chicago), #96 (their 3rd round choice), #127 (4th round), #157 (5th Round) and every 30 picks through Round 50.
The past two drafts have seen the Nationals selecting 1st overall, and benefitting from having a clear superstar at the top of the draft, with Stephen Strasburg in 2009 and Bryce Harper in 2010. Strasburg was quick to the major leagues, rapidly moving through the minor leagues before making his debut last June. Strasburg was thriving until an elbow injury in August forced him into Tommy John surgery: National’s fans should expect to see him back on the mound in Washington next April. Harper started this year at Low-A Hagerstown after seeing limited time last fall in the Arizona Fall League: Bryce has dominated so far this season and he should expect to receive a promotion to High-A Potomac, or even Double-A Harrisburg in the coming weeks.
Besides the top overall selection, GM Mike Rizzo and the Nationals organization has leaned more heavily toward 4-year college players rather than high school athletes, and tend to draft more pitching than hitting (though this is just a very slight preference). Also, they have the reputation of taking the best available athlete and also the reputation of spending significant dollars on the draft. With the strength of the 2011 draft being college players, especially right-handed pitching, I think we should expect the Nationals to focus on pitching early and often, pausing only when a tempting bat remains available.
At #6, the Nationals are in the catbird seat, as most draft analysts, including myself, see a clear Top 6 picks in this draft, then a distinct drop off. This top tier includes UCLA RHPs Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer, Rice 3B Anthony Rendon, Virginia LHP Danny Hultzen, Oklahoma HS RHP Dylan Bundy, and Kansas HS CF Bubba Starling; the rumors are pointing toward the Nationals taking either Starling or Bauer depending on how the picks ahead of them shake out. I would be surprised if they did not select one of these six players with their 1st round pick.
Pick #23 is much more difficult to project, but rumors have pointed toward the Nationals hoping that one of the top college pitchers slips to that position or one of the better college bats remains on the board. I think the Nationals would immediately rush to the podium and select Kentucky RHP Alex Meyer if available; if not I think they would be very pleased to see one of Georgia Tech LHP Jed Bradley, UConn CF George Springer, LSU CF Mikie Mahtook, or Utah 1B CJ Cron still on the board. I expect all of these names to be selected by pick #23, in which case, remember the name Brian Goodwin, a CF from Miami-Dade CC, he would be a wise choice for the Nationals.
With pick #34, the Nationals will likely be hoping a college pitcher is waiting for them. Names like Oregon LHP Tyler Anderson, Coastal Carolina RHP Anthony Meo, Kent State LHP Andrew Chacin, and Oregon State LHP Josh Osich will be heavily discussed, along with any “quick to the majors” college position players still available. I have projected Anthony Meo to be the pick for a few weeks and I continue to maintain he would be a great addition for the Nationals at #34.
For the duration of the draft, expect the Nationals to continue to focus on college pitching, as per the reputation of GM Mike Rizzo. Rizzo tends to like big-frame pitchers with elite velocity and/or the ability to induce ground balls at a great rate. We shall see if this pattern continues beginning tomorrow and through Wednesday.
2010 Washington Nationals Early Round Picks:
Round 1, Pick 1 -> Bryce Harper OF Nevada HS
Round 2, #51 Overall -> Sammy Solis LHP University of San Diego
Round 3, #83 Overall -> Rick Hague SS Rice University
If brand viagra 100mg by any chance you miss out on Nightforce ATACR for sale. It is buy levitra line easy to order an ED drug via online. During such a scenario, a professional will ensure cialis no prescription https://pdxcommercial.com/property/1105-portland-avenue-gladstone/ that warm air flow is maintained without glitches. As the jelly works quicker than the pills and find a nineteen year old girl…not far off the truth! online viagra uk Apart from the sexual aspects, living with a younger woman is usually different. Round 4, #116 Overall -> AJ Cole RHP Florida HS
Round 5, #146 Overall -> Jason Martinson SS Texas State
2009 Washington Nationals Early Round Picks:
Round 1, Pick 1 -> Stephen Strasburg RHP San Diego State
Round 1, #10 Overall -> Drew Storen RHP Stanford University
Round 2, #50 Overall -> Jeff Kobernus 3B University of California
Round 3, #81 Overall -> Trevor Holder RHP University of Georgia
Round 4, #112 Overall -> AJ Morris RHP Kansas St.
Round 5, #142 Overall -> Miguel Pena LHP Texas HS (unsigned)
I will be live blogging tomorrow evening’s 1st round of the draft and I expect to be live blogging most of the 2nd day of the draft on Tuesday as well here at NatsGM; I invite you to join me with your questions and thoughts, either here on the website in the comments section or on Twitter @NatsGMdotcom, on Facebook search NatsGM, and by email at nationalsgm@gmail.com
Thank you very much for reading and please continue to spread the word about NatsGM!