The Nationals' draft after two days
As the Nationals are set to finish off their draft today, here's a quick look at the 21 players they chose in the first two days. They picked 21 players -- 12 college hitters, seven college pitchers and two high school pitchers.
The most intriguing choice after Bryce Harper could be A.J. Cole, an 18-year-old from Florida who throws in the mid-90s and had the talent for the first round. But he has a strong commitment to play for Miami, and it will take a significant financial risk to sign him.
Here's the rest:
1. 1 Bryce Harper OF L/R 6-3 205 10/16/92 College of Southern Nevada
2. 51 Sammy Solis LHP R/L 6-5 225 8/10/88 University of San Diego
3. 83 Rick Hague SS R/R 6-2 190 9/18/88 Rice University
4. 116 A.J. Cole RHP R/R 6-4 181 1/5/92 Oviedo HS (FL)
5. 146 Jason Martinson SS R/R 6-1 190 10/15/88 Texas State University
6. 176 Cole Leonida C R/R 6-2 220 12/25/88 Georgia Tech University
7. 206 Kevin Keyes RF R/R 6-4 245 3/15/89 University of Texas
8. 236 Matthew Grace LHP L/L 6-3 190 12/14/88 UCLA
9. 266 Aaron Barrett RHP R/R 6-4 200 1/2/88 University of Mississippi
10. 296 Blake Kelso SS R/R 5-10 170 3/28/89 University of Houston
11. 326 Neil Holland RHP R/R 6-0 180 8/14/88 University of Louisville
12. 356 Robbie Ray LHP L/L 6-2 169 10/1/91 Brentwood HS (TN)
13. 386 Christopher McKenzie RHP R/R 6-3 190 12/06/89 San Jacinto College North
14. 416 Timothy Smalling SS R/R 6-3 200 10/14/87 Virginia Tech
15. 446 David Freitas C R/R 6-3 225 3/18/89 University of Hawaii
16. 476 Mark Herrera RHP R/R 6-3 230 3/11/90 San Jacinto College North
17. 506 Tyler Hanks RHP R/R 6-2 205 3/19/90 College of Southern Nevada
18. 536 Justin Miller 2B R/R 6-0 180 11/28/88 Middle Tennessee State
19. 566 Wade Moore CF L/R 6-1 215 12/27/87 Catawba College
20. 596 Chad Mozingo RF L/L 5-11 190 9/3/88 Rice
21. 626 Connor Rowe CF R/R 6-0 175 8/16/88 Texas
By
Adam Kilgore
|
June 9, 2010; 12:45 PM ET
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Posted by: bigcountry22 | June 9, 2010 12:55 PM | Report abuse
Looks like the Cubs selected Harper's brother.
Posted by: nitcat | June 9, 2010 1:07 PM | Report abuse
Does anybody know to what extent the FO uses sabermetrics in determining a draft pick's worth? Is Rizzo one of those guys or is he an ole' timer?
Posted by: chillsonic | June 9, 2010 1:24 PM | Report abuse
I have to think with Cole and Solis (who said he wanted above slot $) the Nats knew what they were getting into with them, it wouldn't make sense to draft them then expect them to change their minds. Why waste the pick, especially since the team has a history of drafting players based on 'signability'.
Posted by: SCNatsFan | June 9, 2010 1:44 PM | Report abuse
actually the Nationals have drafted players that are often hard to sign.
Strasburg was not easy last year. The team paid premium dollars to sign McGeary and Smoker several years ago.
They also drafted Crow who ended up refusing to sign after being drafted into MLB TWICE.
The Nationals need better depth in their farm system as most of their better prospects are now at the major league level (Strasburg, Storen, Zimmermann, etc.) and to have greater flexibility in trades.
Cole could be a valuable asset moving forward even if he never starts for Washington.
It's entirely possible that Jason Marquis if healthy will be the #4 pitcher in Washington in 2011.
And the team needs position players up and down the major and minor league rosters.
Pitching talent can be good trade bait.
Posted by: RoyHobbs4 | June 9, 2010 3:18 PM | Report abuse
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Adam, do you think the Nats will really spend the money to get Cole signed? He was a projected top 20 talent before the draft and that would be a statement to both the fans and baseball to get him in.