Day 2 Live Blog… Rounds 2-30

12:06pm -> And we are back live from the butterfly chair in the NatsGM headquarters, with two cups of coffee in hand and pretzels within reach.  My eyes are still burning from last night and trying to live blog the draft.  But I am back and the batteries are recharged, lets do this!

Nationals Day 2 Selections

#66 -> Forfeited as compensation to sign Jayson Werth

Other Round 2 Picks of Note: Arizona makes a nice pick at #63 with Anthony Meo, Pittsburgh makes a great pick if they can sign Josh Bell at #61, the Mets made a nice choice at #71 with Cory Mazzoni, a pitcher with quality stuff and has lead NC St.’s pitching staff for the last couple years.  Toronto made a great pick at #74 with HS LHP Daniel Norris, rated as the best high school lefty in this draft but with a HUGE price tag.

I like the pick the White Sox made at #80 with Erik Johnson a RHP from UCal Berkeley.  I saw him last summer in Cape Cod and he is impressive as a #4 innings-eater type pitcher, who competes with solid stuff.  Nice pick Kenny Williams.  Another tough to sign player drafted by the Padres at #82 is Austin Hedges, he has a solid commitment to UCLA and wants a huge bonus to skip college.  Good pick, credit goes to the Padres, and big-time credit goes out to them if they can sign him.  Thought Andrew Susac made sense to the Giants late in the 1st round, but he really is a nice choice here at #86, by far their best pick thus far.

Wow, Phillies take one of my sleepers pretty early at pick #90, Harold Martinez from Miami: he had been projected more 5th-6th round as he had a terrible case of draftitis this season, but he was a 1st round talent out of high school and has shown enough flashes that I think he just needs the right hitting coach and some confidence to rebound.  The talent is there but this was a little early for Martinez.

12:51pm ->The Nationals will be picking shortly at #96… Ricky Oropesa 1B USC and Josh Osich LHP Oregon State would be two solid choices here.  Lets see what they do-

12:52pm -> How is it possible that this round done on conference call is taking longer than the sandwich round last night?… Lets move it along fellas

#96 -> Matt Purke LHP Texas Christian University… (Instant Analysis…The Nationals are certainly taking best player available, as Purke was expected to be a Top-5 selection preseason, but a shoulder injury lead to a decrease in velocity, and fear of a bigger problem.  Likely the Nationals will watch him over the summer to see if his shoulder heals and improves, but make no mistake, Purke would be a HUGE addition to the Nationals and would be the steal of the draft if they can get him signed.  Great pick Nats!

Round 3 Picks of Note:

I like the Mets pick of Baylor RHP Logan Verrett at #101, I saw him in person last summer on the Cape and he was quite impressive.  Another case of draftitis for Verrett but if he can get straightened out, he has an impressive fastball and some decent breaking pitches.  Good pick here.  The Angels make a nice pick at #103 with Florida LHP Nick Maronde, he has a power lefty arm out of the bullpen and reminds me a bit of BJ Ryan, the old Baltimore Oriole reliever.  Nice pick here.

John Stilson is a great pick by the Blue Jays at pick #108, as he was projected as a late 1st round pick as a fast moving bullpen arm.  There are some questions if his arm is healthy, but if so, he is a great pick this late in Round 3.  Yet another solid choice by the Padres at #112 with Matt Andrise a RHP from UC Riverside: he does not impress you with dynamite raw stuff, but he is solid across the board and gets outs.  Nice back-end of the rotation pitcher and could thrive in Petco Park, nice pick.

USC 1B Ricky Oropesa goes to the Giants at #116, have to say, I like the Giants day 2 much more than their day 1, love Oropesa and his raw power and skills defensively.  Not sure if he will make enough contact, but I really like this kid, nice pick.

Washington Nationals Round 4, Pick #127 ->Kylin Turnbull LHP Santa Barbara CC (Instant Analysis… Do not know a ton about him, as he played community college ball this year after redshirting in 2009, but he has been mentioned in the 3rd-5th round range with a fresh lefty arm and a fastball that reaches 92-94mph.  Baseball America gave him a solid write up and if he can improve his command, he could be a nice pitcher in time.  Decent pick with some upside)

4th round picks of note:

The Chicago Cubs made a nice pick at #129 with Louisville reliever Tony Zych, he was dominant in the Cape last summer and should be an asset out of the bullpen relatively quickly, perhaps as soon as 2012.  Nice pick this late.  I want to point out another nice pick from the Red Sox at pick #142 RHP Noe Ramirez, a solid Friday night starter for Cal St. Fullerton the past few seasons.  Ramirez is smart and knows how to pitch and should be a major leaguer some day, good pick at #142.

Washington Nationals, Round 5 Pick 157 ->Matt Skole 3B Georgia Tech (Instant Analysis… Huge frame, 6-4 230 pound college left handed hitter with a solid track record in the ACC.  I am relatively surprised that they did not go with another pitcher, but Skole has an advanced college bat and has some power.  Decent pick in Round 5, but there were other names I liked a bit more.  Not bad.

5th Round Picks of Note:

Nice pick at #160 by the Astros, taking Stony Brook RHP Nick Tropeano, a solid performer who was successful last summer in Cape Cod.  He has some projection left in his thin frame and he is quite a value in the 5th round.  Nice pick.  Colorado just made a nice pick as well with SS Taylor Featheston from TCU at pick #168, nice bat and likely can stay in the middle infield.

The White Sox take an interesting kid at #171 with Scott Snodgrass, a big left-handed pitcher from Stanford with some projection that has never put it together, but he has talent.  Interesting pick here.

Washington Nationals, Round 6 Pick 187 -> Taylor Hill RHP Vanderbilt (Instant Analysis… Big physical college senior at 6-4 225 with an 88-93mph fastball with a slider and a changeup.  Solid back-end of the rotation type pitcher or middle reliever.  Solid pick.)

6th Rounders of Note: Like the pick of Nick Delmonico by Baltimore at pick #185, he should be tough to sign in this range but he is likely the best talent available.  Also, good pick from the Angels at pick #195 RHP Austin Wood, a starting pitcher that starred on Cape Cod last summer but slumped all season and failed to capitalize on his summer.  He has talent and could be a sleeper in Round 6.

Also worth noting, the Red Sox selected LHP Miguel Pena at #202, the Nationals 5th round pick out of high school two years ago and failed to come to terms.  Interesting if he will sign this time around.

Washington Nationals, Round 7 Pick 217 -> Brian Dupra RHP Notre Dame (Instant Analysis… Solid choice here in Round 7, as he is another big framed college pitcher ((6-3 200 pounds)) who was impressive in Cape Cod two summers ago but pitched terribly last season as a junior and decided to return for his senior year.  Dupra was much better this season with a 3.10 ERA: he possesses a 90-92mph fastball that can hit 95 and a decent slider.  The Nationals will likely start Dupra early in his career, but expect him to shift to the bullpen where his stuff likely will play up.  Nice pick in the 7th Round.)

7th Rounders of Note: Seattle made a solid choice at the beginning of the round with Virginia 3B Steve Proscia, who is the definition of a gamer.  His tools do not stand out, but he gets the job done and I would not be surprised to see him make the majors as a utility player.  Nice pick.  The Cubs made an interesting choice as well at pick #219, choosing Trevor Gretzky, yes the son of hockey great Wayne Gretzky: he is likely to go to college but still a interesting name to remember.

Tampa steals a quality college left-hander, taking Ryan Carpenter from Gonzaga at pick #240.  Love this kid and was hoping he would slip to the Nationals in Round 8, too bad.

Washington Nationals, Round 8 Pick 247 -> Greg Holt RHP University of North Carolina (Instant Analysis… Another college right-handed pitcher for GM Mike Rizzo, Holt pitches off a solid fastball that goes 89-91mph, touching 92mph at times with a decent breaking pitch.  He will likely be put into the bullpen and hope he can move quickly.  Decent, but unexciting choice here with others on the board)

8th Rounders of Note: Johnny Ruettiger OF Arizona State goes to the Orioles with selection #245, the nephew of Rudy, the former Notre Dame star.  He has some skills but will have to prove himself at each level.  San Diego makes a decent sleeper pick at choice #263 with RHP Kevin Quackenbush (great name) from South Florida; I watched him pitch this spring against Florida State, and he missed plenty of bats against their solid lineup.  He has a chance as a middle reliever.

Washington Nationals, Round 9 Pick 277 -> Dixon Anderson RHP UC Berkeley (Instant Analysis… That is four college right-handed pitchers for the Nationals: Anderson was a 6th round pick of the Orioles last year but decided to return to school and did little to help himself.  His stuff regressed a bit this season, but he has a huge 6-6 230 pound frame and has some upside.  Not a bad selection in the 9th round.)

9th Rounders of Note:

The Mets got a nice value with University of Florida LHP Alex Panteliodis at pick #282, as he has a solid fastball that he can command and a solid sweeping slurve.  I think he finds his way to the major leagues, as a middle reliever or at worst, a lefty vs. lefty guy.  Also think the Tigers made a nice pick with University of Kentucky OF Chad Wright, I have watched him a bunch and think he can be a Ryan Church type player in the majors and could stick as a bench outfielder.  Good pick this late.

Washington Nationals, Round 10 Pick 307 -> Manny Rodriguez RHP Barry University (Instant Analysis… I know the strength of this draft was college pitching, especially right handers, but wow, 5 in a row for GM Mike Rizzo and the Nationals.  I do not know anything about him, but there are plenty of names going off the board I like this round  so color me skeptical.)

10th Rounders of Note:

Seattle made another solid choice at #303, choosing Siena 2B Dan Paolini, who was solid on Cape Cod last summer and was a leading power hitter in the country as a sophomore.  He struggled with the new bats this season, and teams pitching around him.  He has a chance to hit his way to the majors.  Arizona also made a wise selection at #304, selecting Kyle Winkler a RHP from Texas Christian.  Winkler was mentioned in the late 1st round until he appeared to injure his elbow over the weekend pitching in the college world series.  Who knows if he is hurt, or will sign, but in the 10th round, what a great gamble.

The Angels made another nice pick at #315 with Drew Martinez, an OF from Memphis University, who starred for Brewster last summer on Cape Cod.  I know he struggled this year, but the Angels will likely let him return to the Cape this summer to further scout him.  But he is an excellent choice in Round 10.

Washington Nationals, Round 11 Pick 337 -> Caleb Ramsey OF University of Houston (Instant Analysis… I feel like I have seen him before, but in this rapid-fire style, I do not want to comment and be wrong.  Will do some research and comment later or tomorrow morning in my wrap-up.) (Edit: A college senior, he will likely be an easy sign.)
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11th-15th Rounders of Note:

The Cubs began their 11th round by selection Shawon Dunston Jr. a high school outfielder and son of long-time Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston.  His son has tools and was thought to be signable if drafted in the early rounds, it will be interesting to see if he signs and begins his college career or goes to college.  Interesting name and a solid pick in Round 11.

Toronto also took an interesting name here in Round 11, taking Arizona 2B/3B Andy Burns with pick #349.  Burns played for Kentucky his first two seasons, then played last year in Cape Cod for Brewster and starred at the top of the lineup with Drew Martinez, mentioned above.  Something happened and Burns transferred this season to University of Arizona, forcing himself to sit out during his junior draft year.  He has talent and speed, but the bat does not profile at 3B and I am not sure he can handle second base in the majors, but an interesting pick in Round 11.

The Orioles made a nice selection in Round 12 with Texas Christian OF Jason Coats, a solid hitter that had some success last summer in Cape Cod and was a power hitter as a sophomore.  Scouts apparently soured on him and his swing this spring, but he has some track record and is a worthy gamble in Round 12, another nice pick by the Orioles.

St. Louis took an interesting name in the 14th round, with Kevin Medrano second baseman from Missouri State.  He showed some pop and skill with the wood bat in the Cape last summer, and was expected to be drafted a bit higher than this.  I am not sure he has the tools to get to the majors, but he has enough talent and track record that he is a nice gamble in the 14th round.  Some would argue there is not a HUGE gap between Kolten Wong who they chose in the 1st round and Medrano who they got in Round 14.

Washington Nationals, Round 12 Pick 367 -> Blake Monar LHP Indiana University (Instant Analysis… Great pick!  Have been fortunate to watch him pitch twice the past two years and he has talent in that left handed arm.  He injured his arm last year and some thought his career was over, but he has slowly bounced back.  This is a nice sleeper pick in Round 12.)

Washington Nationals, Round 13 Pick 397 -> Casey Kalenkosky 1B Texas State (Instant Analysis… Baseball America mentions that he has some pop in his bat and has spent some limited time at catcher in the past.  At 6-0 190LBs. he profiles better as a catcher so perhaps we see a position switch from him.  Interesting bat and pick here in Round 13.)

Washington Nationals, Round 14 Pick 427 -> Roland Stubbs OF Walters St. CC (Instant Analysis… Absolutely nothing.  Will continue to do some research.)

Washington Nationals, Round 15 Pick 457 -> Zach Houchins SS Louisburg College (Instant Analysis… Baseball America seems to like him as a solid hitter but lacking the arm to stay at shortstop.  At this point, that is not a bad gamble.)

Washington Nationals, Round 16 Pick 487 ->Deion Williams SS HS (Instant Analysis… Baseball America describes him as athletic with a solid body and good bloodlines, but with some problems with his swing.  He is committed to Georgia State but the Nationals might be able to sign him away.  Nice pick here in the 16th if they can sign the young man.)

4:48pm -> I need a break, I have not moved my legs in three hours.  Back in a bit…

Washington Nationals, Round 17 Pick 517 ->Esteban Guzman RHP San Jose St. (Instant Analysis… Another college right-handed pitcher, but I do not know anything about him.)

Washington Nationals, Round 18 Pick 547 -> Nick Lee LHP Weatherford College (Instant Analysis… Lee was drafted by the Nationals last year in the 38th round and again this year. Another college pitcher to add to the stockpile.)

Washington Nationals, Round 19 Pick 577 -> Hawtin Buchanan RHP HS (Instant Analysis… Huge frame on this Mississippi high school pitcher as he is 6-8 and at least 240 pounds.  He has a big fastball and talent, but he is considered a tough sign as he is a legacy at Mississippi State.  Likely impossible to sign but a nice option to have in the 19th round.  Nice pick.)

Washington Nationals, Round 20 Pick 607 -> Josh Laxor RHP HS (Instant Analysis… A University of Mississippi signee, Baseball America thinks he will be difficult to sign and a better fit to go to college.  The Nationals Mississippi area scout has gotten two of his guys back to back.  Decent gamble here.)

Washington Nationals, Round 21 Pick 637 -> Todd Simko LHP Texas A&M (Instant Analysis… Guess what, another college pitcher!  I do not know anything about him.)

Washington Nationals, Round 22 Pick 667 -> Travis Hanke RHP University of Arkansas Little Rock (Instant Analysis… Another college pitcher, I am curious when they are going to draft a catcher to catch for all these pitchers they have drafted.  Otherwise, I do not know anything about him.)

Washington Nationals, Round 23 Pick 697 -> Khayyan Norfolk 2B University of Tennessee (Instant Analysis… Not a clue, sorry)

Washington Nationals, Round 24 Pick 727 -> Kyle Ottoson LHP Arizona St. University (Instant Analysis… Perhaps he can develop into a lefty vs. lefty or middle reliever in time.)

Washington Nationals, Round 25 Pick 757 -> Erick Fernandez Catcher Georgetown (Instant Analysis… Someone from the Nationals must have stolen my local cheat sheet, because I have been all over Fernandez for three years as a solid catch and throw catcher with leadership skills and enough bat to give him the potential to be a quality backup catcher some day.  REALLY like this pick ((I would have taken him in the 15th-20th round range)), and congratulations to a local product!)

Washington Nationals, Round 26 Pick 787 -> Shawn Pleffner OF University of Tampa (Instant Analysis… Likely an organizational player, this senior should be an easy sign for the Nationals. He appears to hit for a decent average with little power and speed.)

Washington Nationals, Round 27 Pick 817 -> Robbie Lucas LHP George Washington University (Instant Analysis… Congrats to another local boy done good!)

Washington Nationals, Round 28 Pick 847 -> Ken Ferrer RHP Elon University (Instant Analysis… And the college starters keep coming.  Big solid 6-2 230 frame with a solid fastball but inconsistent command.  Finding a pitcher with a 92-95mph fastball this late in the draft makes this a solid choice in Round 28.)

Washington Nationals, Round 29 Pick 877 -> Sean Cotten Catcher Tusculum College (Instant Analysis… I wonder if that school is as small as it sounds?  Likely another catcher to handle the numerous bullpen sessions of the new pitchers the Nationals have drafted today.)

Washington Nationals, Round 30 Pick 907 -> Bryan Harper LHP University of South Carolina (Instant Analysis… Another college pitcher, but I think this is a solid pick.  I expected the Nationals to select Bryan last year in the same draft as his younger and more celebrated brother Bryce but he decided to play for South Carolina this year.  He has talent of his own and could become a middle reliever in the future.  Solid, smart pick.)

 

7:52pm -> With that, I am going to call it a day.  I have overseen close to 800 picks today and Mrs. NatsGM is slowly losing her lovely disposition so I will sign off for today.  I will return tomorrow morning with a Day 2 Recap, and I am sure I will be blogging for some of the final 20 rounds of the draft tomorrow afternoon.  Thanks again for reading and please continue to tell your friends about NatsGM.

 

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