Last week, I gave my choices of who I would select with each of the Nationals’ first six selections in the 2007 First Year Player Draft.
They have the following picks to make:
- #6 (Nationals 1st round selection)
- #31 (1st round supplemental for Alfonso Soriano)
- #49 (1st round supplemental for Jose Guillen)
- #68 (Cubs 2nd round selection for Alfonso Soriano)
- #71 (Nationals 2nd round selection)
- #101 (Nationals 3rd round selection)
- add 30 for each subsequent round (131, 161, …)
Given some of the rumblings about players slotting at #1 to 5, here is my second take:
#6 - Vanderbilt LHP David Price appears locked in as the #1 to Tampa. Kansas City looks to select either Missouri State LHP Ross Detwiler or NJ Prep RHP Rick Porcello. CA HS 3B Josh Vitters has been closely tied to the Cubs. And it now appers that last week’s choice for the Nationals at #6 Georgia Tech CA Matt Wieters is being targeted by Pittsburgh at #4. Assuming the Royals go with Porcello, it sounds like the Orioles would select Detwiler at #5. Who does this leave for the Nationals? Unsigned 2006 1st rounder RHP Max Scherzer and Clemson LHP Daniel Moskos are the best college arms. Canadian HS RHP Phillipe Aumont and IN RHP Jarrod Parker are the best prep arms. But I still believe the Nationals are going to focus on a bat here. Given that the best college bat left out there, Lewis-Clark St Coll 1B/3B Beau Mills, is an overdraft at #6, I think the Nationals will target a prep bat at #6. With that in mind, pencil in CA HS 3B Mike Moustakas in as the Nationals first selection in the 2007 draft. Though he can touch the high 90s on the mound, Moustakas is first and last a potential 30 HR bat. While his role as a 3B is a problem given the presence of Ryan Zimmerman, I think he just may remain there in the near term. There is no reason the Nationals would not (and probably just as importantly should not) want another high ceiling 3B in the organization. As I mentioned last week, Moustakas is represented by Scott Boras so there are the expected rumors of tough signability, but I think the Nationals will do their due diligence and know what it will take to sign him before drafting him. Not to mention, they, in many ways, need to demonstrate their commitment to rebuilding after an off-season spent forgoing major league free agents with an eye towards the future. Last week: Wieters
#31 - After selecting a high school bat at #6, an arm seems logical here. If there is a prep bat that slides out of the first round due to teams selecting in the 20-30 range making selections based on pre-draft deals, the Nationals could go with another bat. An example of that type of guy might be FL HS OF Michael Burgess, or perhaps they could look to grab a guy like CA HS SS Nick Noonan, who will probably come off the board before the Nationals select at #49. I’m going to stick with an arm and target either MA HS LHP Jack McGeary or University of Arkansas LHP Nick Schmidt. I’m going to stick with an agressive draft and grab McGeary here. He’s committed to Stanford so it will likely be a tough negotiation, but it’s hard to pass up a high school lefty with a low 90s fastball and an above average curve who has drawn comparisons to Andy Pettitte. Last week: Brett Cecil
#49 - Now the real fun begins. Will the Nationals look to continue their high ceiling high school ways? Or, will they look for a more developed prospect here? Last week’s selection of Justin Jackson would be nice here. As would Nick Noonan if by some miracle he slid this far. If someone like Noonan is here, you almost have to take him. He has drawn comparisons to Chase Utley and as a 2B, he has little in front of him on the depth chart. I’m going to stick with Jackson here assuming Noonan is off the board. Last week: Jackson
#68 - Much like #49, I’m going to stick with local prep RHP Neil Ramirez here. The Kempsville HS righty has a fastball that has been anywhere from the high 80s to the mid-90s and a good curve in the high 70s. He is a work in progress but there is certainly upside to him. Last week: Ramirez
#71 - Tennessee LHSP James Adkins. He has four legitimate pitches and could offer the Nationals a near term return unlike the previous four selections who will likely take time to develop. Last week: Wes Roemer
#101 - FL HS SS Drew Cumberland. Hard to pass up the chance at a high ceiling middle infielder with a lefthanded bat. Last week: Danny Rams
Chris | 30-May-07 at 5:47 pm | Permalink
Great job, I love these.
I think if the draft fell like that I would be estatic. Being able to get all those high ceiling guys would do wonders for the depth of the organization, and put exciting players on the field (something severely lacking right now). That said, as always, there will be disagreements.
I think if Weiters doesn’t go #1 or 2, he will be there at 6. I dont see the Pirates forking over the money or wanting to deal with Boras. If he is there than I would love to see us take him and deal Schneider at the trade deadline and let Flores start the rest of the year. Then have an open competition for the starting spot next year.
I would love to see us pick up Nick Noonan or Justin Jackson with the second sandwich pick. I think both of them have the potential to be very good #2 hitters.
My ideal draft
6 Porcello
31 Burgess/Wendell Fairly
49 Noonan/Jackson
Zach | 30-May-07 at 10:33 pm | Permalink
What’s the story on Andrew Brackman?
This site: http://www.mymlbdraft.com/MLB-Mock-Draft-2007 predicts that the O’s would take Brackman. Dunno how reliable it is though.
Chris | 30-May-07 at 11:06 pm | Permalink
Brackman played bball at NC State as well as baseball. He pitched only 80 innings his frosh and soph year, and after 88 this year has been rested with “fatigue.” Hes got a lot of potential but hes been sliding big time lately as teams are scared away with the fatigue thing. ALso, hes repped by Boras and is looking for big money.
Ryan Zimmerman | 05-Jun-07 at 10:12 pm | Permalink
If we draft either Moustakas or Heyward where do you see em’ playing this summer? Vermont or Hagerstown or even in Viera?