Detwiler Signs

Bonus from-vacation-entry:

Ross Detwiler came to terms with the Nationals today. First-round pick from Missouri State. He'll be in town tomorrow at RFK Stadium. The kid is a left-hander, and it's not out of the realm of possibility that he could get a look-see at the end of the year.

Bonus is $2.15 million. With the signing of Detwiler -- the No. 6 pick overall -- and with Michael Burgess, the 49th pick and a high school outfielder that has a large "up-side" (as they say), the draft is starting to fall into place. Next stop: Josh Smoker, the high school lefty from Georgia.

But I think the thing about Detwiler's signing that is, potentially, most exciting is his date of arrival. If he pitches in the majors by 2008, and if he's good, he could be a piece that helps push this train forward more rapidly. We'll see. Not every No. 6 pick in the draft works out. The Nationals have bragged about their scouting department. Now we get to see if it pays off.