Introducing The Washington Nationals Day 3 Picks in the 2018 MLB Draft

Washington used the first two days of the 2018 MLB Draft to attempt to replenish their pitching depth, selecting 7 pitchers in the first 10 rounds.  I anticipate more of the same on Day 3, with Washington predominantly drafting college pitchers, along with a few college senior hitters to round out their lower level rosters.  In addition, I hope to see Washington select a few “difficult to sign” prospects, as they seemingly have avoided such prospects and could have surplus funds in their bonus pool.

11th Round -> Frankie Bartow RHP University of Miami

Bartow is listed as a 6-3 200lbs reliever who posted a 3.12 ERA this season with only 36 hits and 14 walks allowed in 40.1 innings pitched.  Only a junior, he does have the option to return to school, but being selected here means he should sign quickly.

12th Round -> Graham Lawson RHP University of South Carolina

Another junior, Lawson is listed at 6-1 223lbs and made 20 relief appearances for the Gamecocks this season, pitching 24.2 innings with 24 strikeouts against only 8 walks allowed.  Additionally, it looks like Lawson missed last fall and time this spring due to an elbow injury (noticing a theme?).  He should sign and perhaps develops into a future middle reliever.

13th Round -> Cody Wilson OF Florida Atlantic University

Wilson is a redshirt sophomore who performed well this season, batting .285/.358/.518 with 14 home runs and 19 stolen bases.  He has leverage to return to school and this type of offensive production warrants attention in Round 13.

14th Round -> Aaron Fletcher LHP University of Houston

Fletcher is a 6-0 220lbs redshirt junior who provided Houston with a 2.19 ERA in 94.1 innings this season and has a career 2.06 ERA in 170.1 college innings.  An injury essentially whipped out his 2016 season, as he made only 4 appearances.  Fletcher is the first potentially “difficult to sign” pick and it would be a major boost to this draft class if he signs.

15th Round -> Evan Lee LHP University of Arkansas

A draft-eligible sophomore, Lee will be another difficult player to sign.  Lee is a true two-way player, although Washington announced him as a starting pitcher.  On the mound Lee’s results this year were mixed, as he posted a 4-3 record with a 5.00 ERA over 18 innings, with 14 strikeouts against 9 walks.  He does possess a low-90s fastball and a slurvy breaking pitch, making him a potentially intriguing future left-handed reliever.

16th Round -> Carson Teel LHP Oklahoma State University

Teel is a 6-1 175lbs redshirt junior who threw 87 innings this season, with 91 strikeouts against 38 walks and 10 home runs allowed.  Teel does not have great stuff, topping out in the upper-80s, but gets by with excellent command.  He should sign quickly and work as a back-end starter or left-handed reliever.

17th Round -> Ridge Chapman RHP University of South Carolina

Chapman was selected by Boston in the 39th round last season after his sophomore season at Spartanburg Methodist College, but spurned the Red Sox to attend South Carolina.  The 6-0 228lbs Chapman pitched well for the Gamecocks, throwing 36.1 innings with a 4.95 ERA and 33 strikeouts and 24 walks.  As a junior, he could return to South Carolina but odds are he signs a professional contract.

18th Round -> Jacob Rhinesmith CF Western Kentucky University

The junior Rhinesmith spent his first two seasons at Indian Hills CC before transferring to Western Kentucky.  Rhinesmith was very productive this season, batting .306 with 14 home runs and was named 1st team All-Conference USA.  Rhinesmith could have an interesting dilemma, as he could return for his senior season and improve his draft position, but would lose his negotiating leverage.  Likely he signs a healthy bonus for an 18th round pick and becomes a professional.

19th Round -> Zach Lingerfelter RHP University of Tennessee

Linginfelter began the season as a potential early Day 2 pick as a draft-eligible sophomore, but he struggled through an inconsistent season, with moments of excellence and others filled with woe.  Linginfelter will flash a 92-96mph fastball and a decent breaking pitch at his best, a combination capable of overwhelming hitters.  But his poor command and control keeps him from reaching his potential.  He will be extremely difficult to sign, but this would be a major steal if Washington signs him.  This is a tremendous gamble.

20th Round -> Onix Vega Catcher Broward College

Vega is a 5-10 208lbs right-handed hitting and throwing sophomore originally from the Carlos Beltran baseball academy.  This season Vega hit .338 with 5 home runs and 9 stolen bases.  He is athletic for a catcher and has played multiple positions in the past.  If nothing else, he is the new leader for “Best Name in the Draft Class”.

*So far, that’s 7 college pitchers, 2 college outfielders and 1 college catcher through 10 picks today.*

21st Round -> Ryan Tapani RHP Creighton University

Washington leads off the 2nd half of the draft by selecting Ryan Tapani, son of former Minnesota Twins Kevin Tapani.  Ryan is a 6-0 190lbs senior who according to reports has a solid feel for pitching (surprise), along with an 88-91mph fastball.  Tapani was Creighton’s Friday starter and is a solid addition to Washington’s system.  Plus, now there’s a good chance I will meet Kevin behind the plate at a future game.

22nd Round -> Cole Daily SS University of Notre Dame

A junior listed at 6-0 187lbs, Daily has been a two-year starter for the Irish.  Daily was a quality contributor in 2018, batting batted .272/.340/.375 with 2 home runs and 14 stolen bases.  He is a solid athlete and could provide value as a versatile defender at several positions, including center field.

23rd Round -> Cole Hamilton Catcher Linn Benton CC

Hamilton is a freshman and listed at 5-10 190lbs.  Over 41 games played, Hamilton hit .292 with 8 extra base hits and 18 strikeouts against 3 walks.  Washington rarely selects players from the Pacific Northwest, so Hamilton must have really impressed someone in the scouting department this spring.

24th Round -> Kyle Marinconz SS Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Marinconz is a junior left-handed hitting shortstop listed at 5-10 180lbs.  This past season he hit .305/.395/.438 with 4 home runs and 3 stolen bases.  In addition he performed well last summer in the wood bat Northwoods League, batting .291 with 3 home runs.  Provided he signs, he should give Washington another versatile defender for their lower level affiliates.

25th Round -> Chris Vann LHP Mercer University

A senior left-hander, Vann is listed at 6-2 195lbs.  Vann made 21 appearances and 11 starts for Mercer this year, throwing 68.2 innings with 83 strikeouts against only 57 hits and 39 walks allowed.  As a lefty with a strong strikeout rate, Vann is an intriguing name here in Round 25.

You can make this a weekend or family events, you can bring your kids and your wife or girlfriend thinks of you now. viagra no prescription australia He or she will point out tadalafil uk cheap at these basic things: A trauma hospital should provide excellent facilities for fracture repair and its treatment. The viagra generic uk check this link now Central Nervous System is in communication with the gut to help control digestion through the action of hormones. Take the daveywavey.tv cipla sildenafil advice from doctor may be approaches. 26th Round -> Colin Morse RHP Shenandoah University

The younger brother of Nationals’ prospect Phil Morse, Colin is a 6-5 195lbs righty who performed well in 2018, striking out 89 hitters with a 3.08 ERA over 84.1 innings pitched.  Morse is another college arm Washington is adding to its prospect depth.

27th Round -> Pablo O’Connor 2B Azusa Pacific University

Another senior, O’Connor is listed as a right-handed hitting and throwing infielder standing 6-0 215lbs.  This season O’Connor put up some impressive numbers, hitting .337 with 17 home runs and 30 extra base hits in only 48 games.  That type of offensive production makes him an interesting selection on Day 3.

28th Round -> Blake Chisolm 1B Sam Houston State University

A large 6-5 230lbs senior, Chisolm also spent time on the mound in college.  This season Chisolm was a force, hitting .321/.429/.518 with 8 home runs and 33 runs batted in.  Chisolm is the only first baseman Washington has drafted thus far, giving him an obvious path to playing time.

29th Round -> Colton Pogue SS Pittsburg State University

Another senior infielder, the 6-1 195lbs Pogue hit .400 this past season with 10 home runs and 8 stolen bases over 54 games.  He should sign quickly and serve as infield depth at the lower affiliates this summer.

30th Round -> Trey Vickers SS Wichita State University

So when did Washington go from coveting college pitching to college senior infielders?  I kid but that is 5 in the past 8 picks.

Vickers is a senior 6-1 190lbs infielder who hit .287/.346/.385 with 2 home runs and 10 extra base hits this season for the Shockers.  Similar to Daily, Marinconz, O’Connor and Pogue, Vickers should sign quickly and compete for playing time this summer.

*Through 30 rounds, Washington has picked 17 pitchers, 16 of which are college arms, 4 outfielders, 3 catchers, 5 middle infielders and 1 first baseman.  They have selected 29 consecutive college players.*

31st Round -> Jonathan Quintana OF Barry University

A right-handed hitting and throwing outfielder, Quintana is listed as 6-1 210lbs.  He has been a productive 4-year player for Barry, hitting .317 for his career and .342 with 12 home runs in 2018.  Washington has taken only 5 outfielders so far, so there should be plenty of playing time available for him to compete for this season.

32nd Round -> Alec Maley RHP University of Kentucky

Maley is a senior right-handed pitcher listed on the team’s website at 6-1 185lbs.  Maley pitched for the Baltimore Redbirds in the Cal Ripken Summer League last summer, achieving all-star status.  He has a deceptively low arm-slot and features a high-80s to low-90s fastball.  This season Maley threw 18.2 innings, posting an 8.20 ERA with 15 strikeouts against 12 walks.  He should work as a right-handed reliever this summer.

33rd Round -> Jack Haney Catcher Cedartown HS, Georgia

The first high school player taken by Washington since their 1st round selection Mason Denaburg, Haney is a 5-9 178lbs catcher with a commitment to Chipola College.  Haney is old for this class at 19.5 years old, which when combined with a commitment to a junior college, could make him more likely to sign than the average 33rd round pick.

34th Round -> Tyler Baca CF The Linfield School, California

The first legacy pick of Washington’s 2018 MLB Draft, Tyler Baca is the son of Washington’s Mark Baca.  According to his high school website, Baca hit .409 with a .469 on-base percentage this season with 9 runs batted in and 25 runs scored.

35th Round -> Alex Binelas 1B Oak Creek HS, Wisconsin

Binelas is listed as a 6-2 210lbs left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing corner infielder with a college commitment to Louisville.  Binelas was a possible top-5 round prospect, but fell due to bonus demand concerns.  It is likely he will attend college, but there were thoughts he wanted to sign out of high school.

36th Round -> Bo Blessie RHP Robert E Lee HS, Texas

A University of Nebraska commit, Blessie is a skinny, projectable 6-3 155lbs right-handed pitcher.  Blessie has sound mechanics and an easy delivery, along with a traditional 3-pitch mix of a fastball, curveball and changeup.  Rumors have his fastball reaching 94mph and scouts believe he could reach higher as he matures.  He will be difficult to sign and is likely to reach Lincoln this fall.

37th Round -> Cole Wilcox RHP Heritage HS, Georgia

Rumored to go in Round 1, Wilcox tumbled down draft boards to Round 37 due to bonus concerns and a strong college commitment to Georgia.  On the mound, Wilcox features a mid-90s fastball, nasty slider and the makings of a solid mid-80s changeup.  There are questions about his delivery and arm action, but he is a top-40 pick based purely on talent.  He is extremely unlikely to sign and should be a top-3 round selection in 3 years.

38th Round -> Bobby Milacki RHP Arizona Christian University

Son of former Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Bob Milacki, Bobby is a 6-2 215lbs right-handed junior starting pitcher.  This season Milacki made 15 starts, pitching 82.1 innings with a 4.26 ERA and 87 strikeouts against 38 walks.  He may pass on signing and return to school to finish his degree, as his stated goal is to be a major league general manager.

39th Round -> Andrew Nardi LHP Moorpark College

Drafted in the 39th round last year by the Yankees, Nardi is a 21-year-old lefty with a college commitment to Radford University next fall.  Nardi is listed at 6-2 195lbs and reportedly features a 4-pitch arsenal keyed by a low-90s fastball.  I would expect him to attend school next year to attempt to improve his draft stock.

40th (and Final) Round -> Michael Menhart RHP Richmond Hill HS, Georgia

Michael Menhart is the son of Paul Menhart, the Washington Nationals pitching coordinator.  Menhart is a 6-0 175lbs right-handed pitcher, throwing 26.1 innings this spring with 29 strikeouts.

Thank you for reading.  If you have additional information about any of these players, please share in the comment’s section. 

3 thoughts on “Introducing The Washington Nationals Day 3 Picks in the 2018 MLB Draft

  1. Draft irony. Giants giving start to A Suarez
    On Friday while Fedde seasons @ Syracuse.
    Wow! Meanwhile NATS have flushed the DSL
    Academy of talent to TBD list bringing in new names lead by L/R 2b Daniel Hernandez and 5-6 lefty swinging OFs. Us Nat fans are not use to long pink slip lists @ DSL

  2. Hey … On Andrew Nardi, there seems to be two of them out there.
    – there’s a LHP named Andrew Nardi already on Radford’s team; https://www.radfordathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=baseball . he’s from NJ, graduated HS in 2015 in New Jersey.

    – the Nardi that the Nats picked seems to be this guy: LHP from California who graduated in 2016 from CA HS, went to Ventura College in 2017, transferred for his sophomore year to Moorpark college and (per PG) seems to have committed to go to Uof Arizona next year.

    https://www.perfectgame.org/Search.aspx?search=Andrew%20Nardi

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