Nationals Farm Authority

Given the quiet of late January, I’m going to start a daily series of profiles of some of the top players available in the 2007 MLB First Year Player Draft. Each week, I’ll look at a different group of prospects, trying to adhere to the following schedule:

• January 22 - 28: College pitchers
• January 29 - February 4: College hitters
• February 5 - 11: High school pitchers
• February 12 - 18: High school hitters

The goal is to try and introduce some of the names the Nationals might consider with their #6 selection in the 2007 draft. The material presented is going to borrow heavily from the experts (while avoiding plagiarism) as the breadth of my knowledge concerning these players is limited to what I can read about them.

Kicking off the future focus is Vanderbilt LHSP David Price

Class	DOB	Ht	Wt	B	T
Junior	8/26/85	6′5″	215	L	L

Repertoire: Mid-90s fastball, high-80s slider, and changeup 

Year	W	L	G	GS	CG	SH	IP	ERA	H9	HR9	BB9	K9	WHIP
2005	2	4	16	10	0	0	69.33	2.86	6.6	0.5	3.9	11.9	1.17
2006	4	2	9	7	1	1	51.67	1.92	5.2	0.2	2.3	13.9	0.83

A pre-season All-American for the second straight season, Price is considered the favorite for #1 selection in the June draft held by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He has not only demonstrated the ability at the college level, Price was also a key member of the US National team that defeated Chinese Taipei in the August 2006 FISU World Championships in Havana, Cuba. He finished at 5-1 in 8 appearances (44IP) striking out 61 while allowing only 21 hits, 4 runs (1 earned), and 7 walks.

Price was last drafted in the 19th round of the 2004 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Assuming he remains healthy, the odds are long Price will be available when the Nationals pick at #6.