1) Steven Strasburg. If I have to tell you who he is, you're not paying attention. The Nats HAD TO draft him, but I still wasn't comfortable until I heard it for myself out of old Bud's mouth. PAY THE MAN!
10) Drew Storen, RHRP, Stanford. A sophomore eligible closer from the PAC-10. I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of drafting closers, especially with the number 10 pick in the draft. Obviously, the Nats don't think it'll take Storen long to get up to the big club.
Still, there were names there at ten that more than intrigued me. And Rizzo was less than convincing when asked if Storen was the first name left on the board at that point.
Still, there were names there at ten that more than intrigued me. And Rizzo was less than convincing when asked if Storen was the first name left on the board at that point.
50. Jason Kobernus, 2B, Cal-Berkley. Apparently the kid is athletic and has played all over the place, settling at second base this year. Has some speed, and some think he'll make a good number two hitter. Usually, second basemen are made, not drafted.
81. Trevor Holder, RHSP, Georgia. Here's the real head-scratcher. If Holder was the "best available" on the Nats board when this pick came up, then they have the wrong people putting the board together.
81. Trevor Holder, RHSP, Georgia. Here's the real head-scratcher. If Holder was the "best available" on the Nats board when this pick came up, then they have the wrong people putting the board together.
He was a tenth-round pick as a junior but didn't sign. This season, he was 7-4 with a 4.68 ERA and in 77 innings struck out just 71 and walked 27. Not stellar, by any means. As a junior, he struck out 68 in 98 innings. These are not the skills of a third round pick--especially out of a college senior--regardless of the conference he played in.
I'm willing to look past drafting a college closer, because he really wasn't a reach there. He was Rizzo's guy and he got him. But the second and third round pick especially scream of "signability", and I don't think the Nats lived up to their word of taking "best available".
There is still a lot of draft to go, and some real good talent still available. But if the Nats are putting all their eggs into just Strasburg's basket, well, this draft could have been so much more.
I'm willing to look past drafting a college closer, because he really wasn't a reach there. He was Rizzo's guy and he got him. But the second and third round pick especially scream of "signability", and I don't think the Nats lived up to their word of taking "best available".
There is still a lot of draft to go, and some real good talent still available. But if the Nats are putting all their eggs into just Strasburg's basket, well, this draft could have been so much more.
