After choosing two pitchers on Day 1 of the 2018 MLB Draft, the Washington Nationals used their 8 picks on Day 2 to select 5 college right-handed pitchers and 3 hitters. The Nationals presently lack pitching depth in their minor league system and have prioritized replenishing their pitching depth in the 2017 and 2018 drafts.

Round 3 Washington selected Vanderbilt RHP Reid Schaller, a rare draft-eligible redshirt freshman. Schaller underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of last season. He returned healthy this spring, working out of the bullpen and featuring a powerful 2-pitch arsenal. Schaller’s fastball sits consistently at 94-96mph, touching higher on occasion, along with an above-average slider. Scouts also mention he throws the occasional changeup, but he did not use it in relief this spring. He has the frame at 6-3 210lbs to be a starter, but his delivery should place him in the bullpen long-term.  Schaller has leverage to return to school as a freshman, but at 21-years-old and selected in Round 3, he should sign quickly.

Next Washington took another pitcher, University of Oklahoma RHP Jake Irvin. A huge man at 6-6 225lbs, Irvin has been a 3-year starter in college, utilizing a three-pitch mix of a fastball, slider and changeup. His fastball sits in the low-90s and will occasionally touch 94mph. Irvin’s slider will show potential to be above-average and the changeup has potential also. He throws strikes and has good plane and extension on his pitches. Irvin will begin his pro career as a starter and Washington hopes he develops into a back-end SP, with the fallback option being a move to the bullpen. This feels like a “typical” Nationals’ draft pick and Irvin is a nice value here in Round 4.

Round 5 found the Nationals finally selecting a hitter, choosing Arizona State OF Gage Canning. A left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing outfielder, Canning was a 3-year college starter who spent the first two seasons in right field before moving to center this season. Canning has a strong arm and average speed, allowing him to passably play in center field but fit better in a corner. Offensively the 5-11 180lbs Canning does not profile to hit for big power, as his swing produces line drives and doubles in the alleys. There are some questions about swing-and-miss and scouts profile him as a bit of a “tweener” – not strong enough defensively for center field and not enough offense for a corner spot. He projects as a backup outfielder similar to Nationals’ Brian Goodwin.

Washington reverted to form in Round 6 by choosing Florida State RHP Andrew Karp. Karp overcame a terrible car accident in 2014 to have a productive 3-year career for the Seminoles, including striking out 97 hitters in 81.2 innings this season. Karp has an intriguing 4-pitch arsenal, consisting of a low-90s fastball, above-average changeup, plus a curveball and slider. Karp has a sturdy pitcher’s frame at 6-2 225lbs. Karp is another productive college starting pitcher and adds to Washington’s minor league depth.

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Round 8 the Nationals drafted a catcher, selecting senior Tyler Cropley from the University of Iowa. Cropley is one of the best defensive catchers in this class, possessing excellent receiving skills and an above-average arm. Additionally the right-handed hitting Cropley shows promise offensively as well, hitting .342/.449/.578 with 9 home runs and more walks than strikeouts in 2018. His defensive prowess should give him a chance to carve out a career as a backup catcher. This is easily my favorite pick of Day 2.

Washington plucked Lamar RHP Tanner Driskill, in Round 9, the son of former major league pitcher Travis Driskill . According to reports, Driskill is 89-93mph with his fastball, along with a solid changeup and a breaking ball. He shows solid command, as evidenced by his 23 walks in 81 innings this season. Driskill is a senior who should sign quickly and provide additional depth at the lower levels.

To complete Day 2, in Round 10 Washington selected University of Arkansas 2B Carson Shaddy, an early favorite for “Favorite Name of the Draft Class”. A redshirt senior, the right-handed hitting Shaddy hit .331/.430/.620 with 11 home runs this season. Interestingly, Shaddy was a catcher before undergoing Tommy John surgery a few years ago – perhaps Washington will return him to catching professionally. Almost 24-years-old Shaddy is old for a prospect, but his power and defensive versatility make him an intriguing pick.

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Through two days of the 2018 MLB Draft, the Nationals have done a nice job sticking with a game plan, capitalizing on a deep college pitching crop to address an organizational need.  Further, the three hitters Washington has chosen are all college players with a proven track record of success.  I am mildly surprised Washington ignored high school prospects, or did not select any “difficult to sign” type prospects on Day 2.  While I can quibble at a few of the picks, Washington did a solid job on Day 2 finding some intriguing and talented prospects to add to their organization.