Happy 2016 MLB Draft Day! The Washington Nationals select #28, #29 and #58 this evening and are poised to add significant talent to their already solid farm system.  In lieu of writing another mock draft, today I will highlight several players who could be available to Washington when they are on the board in Round 1 and foolishly will predict whom the Nationals will select.

Names To Remember

Kyle Funkhouser              RHP       University of Louisville

A Scott Boras client, Funkhouser was drafted last summer by the Dodgers 35^th overall but failed to sign and returned to Louisville for his senior season, where he scuffled much of the year.  When he is on, Funkhouser features a 92-95mph fastball with excellent life, along with an average curveball and slider, plus a fringy changeup.  His stuff, as with his command, will waver during and between starts, making his inconsistency rather maddening.

His supporters see a relatively easy to sign senior with some remaining potential and a future back-end starter.  Conversely his detractors see the poor command, “good” off-speed pitches and a likely future in the bullpen.  While I am not confident projecting Funkhouser inside the top-30 picks, I feel safe predicting his floor is Washington’s 2^nd round pick, 58^th overall.

Eric Lauer                            LHP        Kent State University

Lauer is a polished lefty with a quality 4-pitch repertoire, including a low-90s fastball, an average or above-average curveball and slider, plus a fringe-average changeup.  He has a solid, physical build, with some projection remaining, allowing scouting to profile him as a workhorse capable of pitching 180+ innings per year.  Lauer’s simple, repeatable motion allows him to consistently epper the strike zone. The lack of elite velocity or plus off-speed pitch limits his ceiling, but Lauer projects as a strong #4 starter.

Drew Mendoza                 SS/3B    Florida HS

Another Scott Boras client, Mendoza has naturally been linked to the Nationals in many mock drafts.  Mendoza possesses a sweet, compact left-handed swing with solid barrel skills and projects to develop power as he matures.  He was a shortstop during high school, but because of his relatively large, thick frame, most assume he moves to third base as a professional.  I have heard a “poor man’s Kyle Seagar” on Mendoza, which would make him an intriguing pick late in Round 1.

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The starting catcher for the University of Virginia, Thaiss possesses raw power to all fields in his left-handed swing and scouts also project him to hit for average in pro ball.  The real question with Thaiss involves his defense – while his arm is strong and he can catch-and-throw reasonably well, his skills blocking pitches and receiving could use work.  He has improved in his three years in college and has a strong work ethic, so teams believe he can stay behind the plate for the long-term.  If not, however, Thaiss’ bat does not profile well at first base and I am not certain he is athletic enough to play the outfield.  In a draft light on polished bats, Thaiss is an easy top-30 pick.

THE NatsGM Predictions ->        

#28         Alec Hansen RHP University of Oklahoma           

Hansen begin the year on the short list to go 1^st overall, as he possesses a prototypical pitcher’s frame, a mid-to-high-90s fastball and will show a plus slider, curveball, and changeup at times.  Unfortunately he struggles with his command of the strike zone, and suffered through a difficult draft year, including being banished to the bullpen mid-year.  He returned late in the season and performed well, giving scouts who want to believe in him a reason to continue liking his potential.

In addition Hansen does have some injury issues in his past as well, making Hansen a true boom-or-bust prospect.  That said, it is nearly impossible to find a “starter kit” with this type of potential typically at #28, and his upside could be too much for Washington to pass on.  I have not heard him linked at all to Washington, but this just feels like a Rizzo pick.

#29         Will Smith Catcher University of Louisville

Will Smith has begun flying up draft boards this spring, as Louisville has several top prospects and scouts have watched him handle the impressive Cardinals’ pitching staff.  Smith is a former shortstop with good athleticism and a solid throwing arm, making him a quality athlete for a catcher.  He is still a bit raw to the finer points of catching (blocking, receiving, calling a game) but scouts are sold he will remain behind the plate as a professional.

At the plate Smith shows good contact skills and the ability to draw a walk, as evidenced by his .500+ OBP this season and 7% strikeout rate for the year.  He has a bit of power to his pull side, but he does not project to hit more than 7-12 homers at peak.  He has the potential to be an average hitter and above-average defender, making him quite a value here at #29.

Who do you think Washington will select tonight?  Leave your predictions in the comment’s section!