In recent days, I have had a few readers write and ask me which players I would have preferred the Nationals select in various picks in the draft, rather than who they did choose.  This got me thinking that it might be an interesting exercise to re-draft for the Nationals, as if I was actually the one making the picks.  In doing this, I only selected players that would have been available when the Nationals had their selection, and I tried to stay fairly consistent with the overall breakdown of the Nationals 2011 draft class (2 catchers, 5 corner infielders, 7 middle infielders, 11 outfielders, 16 RHP, 10 LHP, 42 collegiate players and 9 high school players).

2011 NatsGM National’s Shadow Draft

Nationals Rd. 1 Pick 6     Nationals Select – Anthony Rendon 3B Rice University

NatsGM Selects: Anthony Rendon 3B Rice #6 Nationals

If the shoulder is healthy, he is the best player in this draft and the Nationals selected him at #6.  Great pick!

Nationals Rd. 1 Pick 23  Nationals Select – Alex Meyer RHP University of Kentucky

NatsGM Selects: Alex Meyer RHP Kentucky #23 Nationals

Meyer may have the best fastball/slider combination in this draft, and while he needs some refinement and plenty of development time in the minors, Meyer has a real chance to be special and is a great value at #23.

Nationals Rd. 1 Pick 34  Nationals Select – Brian Goodwin OF Miami-Dade CC

NatsGM Selects: Brian Goodwin OF Miami-Dade #34 Nationals

A great athlete that I first spotted in Cape Cod last summer, I have long wanted the Nationals to add him to their farm system.  I am totally in the bag for this young man and think he has great talent.  I love this pick.

Nationals Rd. 3 Pick 96  Nationals Select – Matt Purke LHP Texas Christian

NatsGM Selects: Matt Purke LHP Texas Christian #96 Nationals

On talent, Purke would be a top-5 pick, so the million dollar question immediately becomes, “how hurt is his shoulder”?  But I will always bet on talent and Purke was the best talent available by a wide margin at this pick.  We fans just have to hope he can rest some this summer and get healthy.

Nationals Rd. 4 Pick 127 Nationals Select – Kylin Turnbull LHP Santa Barbara CC

NatsGM Selects: Tony Zych RHP University of Louisville Chicago Cubs #129

A fast moving reliever with closer potential still available in Round 4, please sign me up.  Not sure he has Drew Storen type talent, but Zych is not far behind.  This would be great value with this pick.

Nationals Rd. 5 Pick 157 Nationals Select – Matt Skole 3B Georgia Tech

NatsGM Selects: Mark Pope RHP Georgia Tech #173 San Diego

Pope was the Friday night starter this season for Georgia Tech, over 1^st round selection and NatsGM personal favorite, Jed Bradley.  Pope does not have a plus pitch, but he battles with solid command of the strike zone and a bulldog type mentality.  I think he could become a nice back-end starter fairly quickly in the majors.

Nationals Rd. 6 Pick 187 Nationals Select – David Hill RHP Vanderbilt

NatsGM Selects: Josh Osich LHP Oregon State #207 San Francisco

Osich was thought to be a top 60 pick just a couple weeks ago, then his velocity dropped into the low 80s his last two outings, sending his draft stock tumbling.  He is less than a year and a half removed from Tommy John surgery and I am banking on some something minor causing the velocity drop, not a much bigger issue.  I think that is a solid gamble in Round 6.

Nationals Rd. 7 Pick 217 Nationals Select – Brian Dupra RHP Notre Dame

NatsGM Selects: Ryan Carpenter LHP Gonzaga #240 Tampa Bay

I like the Dupra pick a bunch but I have a minor man-crush on Carpenter, who I watched twice in Cape Cod last summer and he is special.  He is a huge lefty with some projection left in his frame and while he flopped this year at Gonzaga, I think there is a #3/4 starter potential with this kid.  Carpenter is easily one of my five favorite players in this whole draft.

Nationals Rd. 8 Pick 247 Nationals Select – Greg Holt RHP North Carolina

NatsGM Selects:  Alex Panteliodis LHP University of Florida #282 NY Mets

Panteliodis is a testament to the depth and talent of the Florida Gator pitching staff, as he was the Friday ace last season while being relegated to the bullpen this year.  He has a solid 90-92mph fastball that he commands and an average but inconsistent sweeping slider that is tough on lefties.  I think he has the potential to be a lefty reliever quickly as a professional.

Nationals Rd. 9 Pick 277 Nationals Select – Dixon Anderson RHP UC Berkeley

NatsGM Selects: Kyle Winkler RHP Texas Christian #304 Arizona

Winkler was being talked about as a potential top-50 selection a few weeks before the draft, until during a recent start he was pulled quickly after shaking his pitching arm inferring an injury.  Most are assuming “something” is wrong with his arm, but I am willing to gamble in Round 9 that he can recover and resume being a solid righty with mid-rotation potential.

Nationals Rd. 10 Pick 307 Nationals Select – Manny Rodriguez RHP Barry University

NatsGM Selects: Drew Martinez OF Memphis#315 Anaheim

I know Martinez was not especially good this season, but he was so fantastic last summer as a Brewster Whitecap in the Cape that I cannot believe this bat is still available.  His detractors will tell you his has little power and cannot stay in center field, but I think he can stay in center and I think he could be a plus average hitter in time.  I really like Martinez.

Nationals Rd. 11 Pick 337 Nationals Select – Caleb Ramsey OF University of Houston

NatsGM Selects: Tommy Toledo RHP Florida#341 Milwaukee

A huge right handed reliever possessing a big fastball, I am surprised Toledo is still on the board, which speaks to the depth and talent in this draft.  I have seen Toledo pitch a few times, and while he only profiles as a reliever, he could become a nice power pitcher in a bullpen in a few years.

Nationals Rd. 12 Pick 367 Nationals Select – Blake Monar LHP Indiana

NatsGM Selects: Blake Monar LHP Indiana #367 Nationals

An incredible story of perseverance, Monar overcame a catastrophic arm injury thought to be career ending only to return this season and show some promise with Indiana.  Monar showed flashes of huge potential before his injury and while it may continue to take a long time for him to fully recover; he is a great risk/reward choice.

Nationals Rd. 13 Pick 397 Nationals Select – Casey Kolenkoshy 1B Texas State

NatsGM Selects: John Hinson 2B Clemson University #400 Houston

Hinson was solid last summer on Cape Cod and has shown the ability to play both third base and second base, which makes him profile as a utility player in the pros.  He has a nice lefty swing with little power, but has some speed and can play defense.  He is a nice solid player.

Nationals Rd. 14 Pick 427 Nationals Select – Roland Stubbs OF Walters State CC

NatsGM Selects: Navery Moore RHP Vanderbilt #446 Atlanta

Big arm and untapped potential is the entire book on Navery Moore, but with development time and some luck, I think he could become a nice 7^th/8^th inning power reliever.  I like the arm and the potential.

Nationals Rd. 15 Pick 457 Nationals Select – Zach Houchins SS Louisburg College

NatsGM Selects: Preston Tucker 1B University of Florida #498 Colorado Rockies

Tucker is a player I like far more than the industry; I would have taken him 7-8 rounds ago.  While he will have to move from right field, I think Tucker could handle left field or first base defensively and I am convinced he can carve out a bench role as a professional.  He would be a nice bench player for a National League club, and I like him a lot.

Nationals Rd. 16 Pick 487 Nationals Select – Deion Williams SS HS

NatsGM Selects: Deion Williams SS HS #487 Nationals

Baseball America was complimentary of this young man, and the Nationals obviously want to sign him if they used a pick in the teens on him.  He has a lot of raw talent and would be a nice get for Washington.

Nationals Rd. 17 Pick 517 Nationals Select – Esteban Guzman RHP San Jose State

NatsGM Selects: Kevin Brady RHP Clemson University #518 Cleveland

Brady is a local product that has struggled with consistency in his college career.  Brady has a big arm and a solid frame, and looks like a reliever in pro baseball.  He has some potential.

Nationals Rd. 18 Pick 547 Nationals Select – Nick Lee LHP Weatherford College

NatsGM Selects: Paul Hoilman 1B East Tennessee State #579 Chicago Cubs

Hoilman was yet another victim of the new metal bats in college this year, but he led the nation in home runs in 2010.  Hoilman was a joy to watch hit batting practice last summer for Cotuit in Cape Cod, and I believe in his power.  I do not fully believe in his hit tool, but power like this is difficult to find at pick #547.  Hoilman is a nice gamble.

Nationals Rd. 19 Pick 577 Nationals Select – Hawtin Buchanan RHP HS

NatsGM Selects: Hawtin Buchanan RHP HS #577 Nationals

Buchanan is a hard throwing, projectable high school arm from Mississippi that is expected to attend college, but he is a big talent and the Nationals would be wise to try their best to sign him.

Nationals Rd. 20 Pick 607 Nationals Select – Josh Laxer RHP HS

NatsGM Selects: Josh Laxer RHPHS #607 Nationals

See above, Hawtin Buchanan…

Nationals Rd. 21 Pick 637 Nationals Select – Todd Simko LHP Texas A&M

NatsGM Selects: Amir Garrett LHP HS #685 Cincinnati

A high school project, Garrett is a basketball player that has shown plus velocity in the past in his huge frame.  He is expected to attend college, but if the Nationals are unable to sign some other earlier choices, perhaps there is money left over to gamble on this raw talent.

Nationals Rd. 22 Pick 667 Nationals Select – Travis Henke RHP University of Arkansas Little-Rock

NatsGM Selects: James Ramsey OF Florida State #688 Twins

Ramsey is an undersized college outfielder without a standout tool, but Ramsey gets everything out of his talent and has solid skills across the board.  He has been the leader of the Florida State team and I simply do not believe he is a 22^nd round player.  Ramsey is a solid, scrappy player that could surprise up the ladder.

Nationals Rd. 23 Pick 697 Nationals Select – Khayyan Norfolk 2B University of Tennessee

NatsGM Selects: Mike Palazzone RHP University of Georgia #731

A big-time prospect coming out of high school, his bonus demands forced him to Georgia, where he had a decent but inconsistent career (very similar to most of his Bulldog teammates) over three seasons.  I have seen him when he was very good, and I know he has talent.  Maybe something clicks when he signs into professional baseball and his talent begins to see results.  I like him more than I should.

Nationals Rd. 24 Pick 727 Nationals Select – Kyle Ottoson LHP Arizona State University

NatsGM Selects: Patrick Johnson RHP University of North Carolina #768 Colorado

I know, another right handed college starter, but Johnson has been rock solid for his career at North Carolina and I am surprised he is still available here in Round 24.  He likely will shift to relief in pro ball, but he commands a solid/fringy fastball well and he could see his stuff play up out of the bullpen.

Nationals Rd. 25 Pick 757 Nationals Select – Erick Fernandez C Georgetown University

NatsGM Selects: Erick Hernandez C Georgetown University #757 Nationals

This particular component viagra without buy prescription http://miamistonecrabs.com/cialis-1650 is helpful for the person and makes you face better results. In the recent years, Nightforce has added two more models to the Competition range. canadian generic viagra So if you let your vehicle stand in the sun during summers, your will lose fuel. discount viagra miamistonecrabs.com Uncontrollable contraction of the spinal muscles or their sudden weakness is the common sign of the spinal cord . viagra canada cost I have watched Fernandez for years at Georgetown and have long thought he could develop into a nice backup catcher in the majors as he is solid defensively, a good leader, and has enough in his bat to keep teams honest.  I love this pick and think he could be a major leaguer in a few years.

Nationals Rd. 26 Pick 787 Nationals Select – Shawn Pleffner OF University of Tampa

NatsGM Selects: Johnathan Taylor OF University of Georgia #1014 Rangers

Taylor is a great young man that was paralyzed this season in a freak collision in the outfield with the center field while chasing down a fly ball.  He will never play baseball again, and will likely struggle to return to “normalcy” but I would want to reward this tremendous young man by picking him and perhaps finding a place for him in the organization.

Nationals Rd. 27 Pick 817 Nationals Select – Rober Lucas LHP George Washington University

NatsGM Selects: Ronnie Richardson OF Central Florida #939 Cubs

Richardson hit very well last summer with wood bats in Cape Cod and I believe that he can hit.  I will take him here and have him prove me right or wrong.

Nationals Rd. 28 Pick 847 Nationals Select – Kenneth Ferrer RHP Elon University

NatsGM Selects: Jordan John LHP University of Oklahoma #850 Astros

I would expect John to pass on signing and return next year to improve his draft stock, but I was fortunate to watch him pitch earlier this spring and he has a talented left-handed arm and deserves a chance to play pro baseball.

Nationals Rd. 29 Pick 877 Nationals Select – Sean Cotton C Tusculum College

NatsGM Selects: Greg Larson RHP University of Florida #885 Angels

Larson is a huge right-handed throwing reliever with a powerful fastball and an inconsistent breaking pitch.  I think with a little development and polish in the minor leagues; he could develop into quite a late inning reliever.  He might be better off not signing and remaining a Gator, but Larson is a nice value here.

Nationals Rd. 30 Pick 907 Nationals Select – Bryan Harper LHP University of South Carolina

NatsGM Selects: Austin Nola SS Louisiana State University #949 Blue Jays

Another college position player with a long track record of individual and team success, he has signed on to play in Cape Cod this summer and seems likely to remain in Baton Rouge, but I like Nola and think he has potential as a utility man in a few years.  I believe he has a chance to outplay his tools because of his makeup and would be a nice addition to the Nationals.

Nationals Rd. 31 Pick 937 Nationals Select – Joshua Tobias SS HS

NatsGM Selects: Kevin Jacob RHP Georgia Tech #950 Cardinals

Jacob has a fastball that touches 95-96mph and that velocity is difficult to find in any draft, especially on day three.  I will always gamble on that type of fastball and think he would be a good pick.

Nationals Rd. 32 Pick 967 Nationals Select – Billy Burns OF Mercer University

NatsGM Selects: Mike Dennhardt LHP Boston College #985 Cincinnati Reds

I saw him twice last summer in Cape Cod and he had a solid lefty arm.  I do not think he is a starter in pro ball, but I think he could be a lefty reliever in a couple years.

Nationals Rd. 33 Pick 997 Nationals Select – Trey Karlen 2B University of Tennessee-Martin

NatsGM Selects: Trey Karlen 2B #997 Nationals

Karlen has some nice pop from the middle infield and perhaps he will hit his way to the major leagues.

Nationals Rd. 34 Pick 1,027 Nationals Select – Calvin Drummond RHP University of San Diego

NatsGM Selects: Calvin Drummond RHP #1,027 Nationals

Drummond was a nice pick this late; he was expected to go much higher.  He has some projection left and is a nice value here.

Nationals Rd. 35 Pick 1,057 Nationals Select – Alex Kreis RHP Jamestown College

NatsGM Selects: Shane Boras 2B University of Southern California #1,186 Oakland

Never hurts to draft Scott Boras’s son when your first three choices are represented by Boras, and close to 40 percent of your roster.  This is the definition of “doing someone a solid”.

Nationals Rd. 36 Pick 1,087 Nationals Select – Ben Hawkins LHP University of West Florida

NatsGM Selects: John Barr OF University of Virginia #1,178 Cleveland

A nice successful college player that I think deserves a chance in pro baseball.  Likely to top out before the majors, his track record in college says he deserves a chance.

Nationals Rd. 37 Pick 1,117 Nationals Select – Derrick Bleeker RHP Howard Texas Junior College

NatsGM Selects: Derrick Bleeker RHP #1,117 Nationals

I think Bleeker likely ends up at North Carolina next year rather than signing, but he could move up much higher in the 2012 draft with a good year as a Tar Heel.  This could look like a nice value 12 months from now.

Nationals Rd. 38 Pick 1,147 Nationals Select – Brett Mooneyham LHP Stanford University

NatsGM Selects: Brett Mooneyham LHP Stanford University #1,147 Nationals

Mooneyham sliced open his pitching hand on a soup can lid this winter and missed the entire season as a result.  He likely will be very difficult to sign as buying him out of Stanford will be tough, but he has great talent and if they can sign him, it would be a coup in Round 38.

Nationals Rd. 39 Pick 1,177 Nationals Select – Peter Verdin OF University of Georgia

NatsGM Selects: Peter Verdin OF University of Georgia #1,177 Nationals

Another solid collegiate player with a track record of success, Verdin was just lousy this season and will likely return to Georgia to improve his stock for 2012.  But I think the Nationals should make a solid run at signing him, because he a local boy (Northern Virginia) who has real skills.  I think he is a winner and a nice pick this late.

Nationals Rd. 40 Pick 1,207 Nationals Select – Stephen Collum OF HS

NatsGM Selects: Chase Davidson 1B University of Georgia #1240 Houston Astros

Another University of Georgia hitter that underperformed in 2011, Davidson was a 3^rd round pick three years ago out of high school and has power in his left-handed bat.  It would take an impressive bonus to keep him from returning to Athens, GA but has legitimate talent and is a strong pick in Round 40.

Nationals Rd. 41 Pick 1,237 Nationals Select – Bryce Ortega INF University of Arizona

NatsGM Selects: Jacob Stallings C University of North Carolina #1285 Cincinnati Reds

The best defensive catcher in the ACC and one of the best in the nation, I am surprised he is still available this late.  I think his glove is good enough to give him a chance as a backup and his swing tells you he should hit more than he does.  Another tough sign this late but the Tar Heels have a big-time freshman catcher and Stallings might fear less playing time in 2012 and might choose to begin his career.  Nice pick this late.

Nationals Rd. 42 Pick 1,267 Nationals Select – David Kerian SS HS

NatsGM Selects: Jake Eliopoulos LHP Ontario #1309 Toronto Blue Jays

Eliopoulos is an enigma, as he was spoken of as a top 5 round selection a few seasons ago, never signed into pro ball, then ended up at a community college in Florida and never showed the skills he flashed in previous years.  A total flyer selection, I am counting on that his past stuff magically returns.

Nationals Rd. 43 Pick 1,297 Nationals Select – Mitchell Morales SS HS

NatsGM Selects: Mitchell Morales SS #1,297 Nationals

A talented high school hitter with a solid but not overwhelming commitment to Florida Atlantic, Morales is unlikely to sign unless the Nationals have money left over in the budget.  He is a solid talent in Round 43.

Nationals Rd. 44 Pick 1,327 Nationals Select – Matt Snyder 1B/3B University of Mississippi

NatsGM Selects: Jordan Leyland 1B UC Irvine #1350 Tampa Bay Rays

Leyland has solid bloodlines in baseball and was impressive last summer on Cape Cod.  He will struggle to make the majors and will have to prove himself at each level, but he is a solid winner and the type of leader you want on your lower minor league farm team.  He would be a solid choice here.

Nationals Rd. 45 Pick 1,357 Nationals Select – Ritchie Mirowski RHP Oklahoma Baptist University

NatsGM Selects: Joe Loftus OF Vanderbilt # 1,384 Arizona

Loftus will be difficult to sign away from his senior season at Vanderbilt, but he was a big-time prospect three summers ago and would have been an early round selection.  He has never produced the results that he should with his talents, but I am willing to gamble on skills and tools in Round 45.

Nationals Rd. 46 Pick 1,387 Nationals Select – Tyler Thompson OF University of Florida

NatsGM Selects: Tyler Thompson OF University of Florida #1,387

Another tough player to sign, but Thompson is a solid player in the Ryan Church mold.  Thompson will play on Cape Cod this summer in the hopes of boosting his stock in the eyes of the Nationals and improving his bonus.  If that does not happen, he will likely return to Gainesville next fall.  But he is a good pick with upside this late.

Nationals Rd. 47 Pick 1,417 Nationals Select – Tim Montgomery LHP HS

NatsGM Selects: Tim Montgomery LHP HS #1,417 Nationals

I struggle to see the Nationals signing him this late in the draft, but if the Nationals selected him, they must like him.  Perhaps they find some money in the budget late this summer and he signs.

Nationals Rd. 48 Pick 1,447 Nationals Select – Michael Bisenius OF Wayne State College

NatsGM Selects: Adrian Morales 3B University of South Carolina # 1,476 Kansas City

I liked Morales the few times I saw him play this spring, and the Nationals will need a third baseman to fill out their rosters in the low minors, as I expect Rendon to start at High-A Potomac or Double-A Harrisburg.  Nice solid organizational player with a track record of success.

Nationals Rd. 49 Pick 1,477 Nationals Select – Hunter Cole OF HS

NatsGM Selects: Hunter Cole OF HS #1,477

We should keep this name in mind for the 2014 draft; Cole has talent but has the reputation as a difficult sign who wants to attend college.  Very talented youngster and worth a chance, Cole was a nice pick.

Nationals Rd. 50 Pick 1,507 Nationals Select – Anthony Mix OF University of California Riverside

NatsGM Selects: Jake Locker OF University of Washington #Undrafted

Locker was an exceptional baseball prospect out of high school and with the NFL lockout in full force right now, I want to have first rights on Locker in case the NFL stalemate lasts a year or more.  Otherwise, Locker will never see a baseball diamond again unless from the stands.  Incredibly unlikely to happen, but Locker on a baseball field would be a talented player to add to the organization and at worst, adds some interesting publicity for the organization.

 

As you can see, I used many of the same selections as the Nationals made, so I think very highly of their draft class.  The changes I made were an attempt to get players with longer track records of success especially at some major college programs, I tried to add some players that had achieved success in the Cape Cod League hitting with a wood bat or pitching against wood bats, and I wanted to include some difficult to sign but talented players in case Matt Purke does not sign.  I eagerly anticipate re-reading this column in 3-5 years and judging who would have been more successful, the Nationals or NatsGM.

 

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