Inside the Nationals


I have my latest posting up over at Inside the Majors. Leading up to the draft, I highlight the rule that compensated the Nationals for HWSRN.

  1. #1 by John - June 3rd, 2009 at 13:51

    Good stuff Brian. BTW, I see The Sporting News now as Trout at #10. Andy Seiler did as well. I wonder if there’s anything to that.

  2. #2 by Brian Oliver - June 3rd, 2009 at 13:54

    The names I read most often are Jenkins, Trout, and HS CA Wil Myers

  3. #3 by John - June 3rd, 2009 at 13:59

    Same here. I wonder if there’s info out there that trout is now the guy at 10. At least he has high upside.

  4. #4 by Brian Oliver - June 3rd, 2009 at 14:01

    If the choice is down to Jenkins, Myers or Trout, I’d prefer the go with the HS bat. I’m torn between Myers & Trout. Probably leaning Trout (today) but would not be disappointed with Myers

  5. #5 by John - June 3rd, 2009 at 14:05

    You could probably get a very good college pitcher at 50. If you believe Law, Scheppers may even be there.

    My money would still be on them going 1. Strasburg 10. Jenkins 50. Someone like Nick Franklin.

  6. #6 by Todd - June 3rd, 2009 at 14:41

    KLaw v2 mock draft: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2009/insider/news/story?id=4224965

    Gibson is in freefall after complaining of forearm issues. Meanwhile, all these sites seem convinced that Jenkins is a better prospect than Leake. Jenkins wasn’t even on Law’s first mock draft, yet now thinks the Nats will take him over White, Green, Leake and Gibson? Just don’t believe it. Jenkins doesn’t have a future projected grade above 55 in any category, meaning he projects to a 3rd or 4th starter. At least White rates a plus fastball and Leake rates a 60-grade on movement and control (plus the previously mentioned makeup). PLUS Scheppers is not even listed in the first despite a fastball that touches 97 and a high incentive rate to sign early and contribute immediately.

  7. #7 by Brian Oliver - June 3rd, 2009 at 14:46

    Todd – There have rumors that Scheppers has received an offer(s) from the Japanese League as a bargaining chip for the draft.

  8. #8 by Todd - June 3rd, 2009 at 15:49

    I’ve heard that as well: question is, does that give him an escape clause to the drafting process? I don’t think it does unless he revokes his US citizenship to become a japanese citizen and then “posts” like other japanese players (there’s something similar related to HS phenom prospect going to D.R. to avoid the draft). Am I correct? Either way, I think some team calls his bluff and drafts him mid 1st round.

  9. #9 by Brian Oliver - June 3rd, 2009 at 15:59

    Todd – My guess is he signs a 2 or 3 year deal with a Japanese team and hopes a team does not draft him in 2010 and then becomes an undrafted free agent

  10. #10 by Brian Oliver - June 3rd, 2009 at 16:00

    Not that he is going to, that’s what I think he might do

  11. #11 by Sue Dinem - June 3rd, 2009 at 16:27

    FWIW, HWSRN has officially gone into hiding:

    May 31, 2009. Fort Worth: Placed RHP [HWSRN] on the Inactive List retroactive to May 30

    Not coincidentally: May 15: 5IP 2H 0R 0ER 0BB 9SO May 20: 6IP 3H 0R 0ER 0BB 4SO May 29: 6IP 6H 2R 2ER 3BB 4SO 1WP

    The May 25 game was on the road in Sioux Falls, so it would appear that HWSRN can’t be bothered with any bus rides.

  12. #12 by Brian Oliver - June 3rd, 2009 at 16:28

    or more likely the injury risk less than a week before the draft

  13. #13 by Wallyball - June 3rd, 2009 at 16:55

    I agree with Todd about Jenkins, although I was only able to find the Scouts Inc. report on him so far. He appears to be someone who needs a lot of work, not something that the Nats have been so good at lately. Leake seems to have the same or slightly better stuff, with much better command. Even White seems like a better choice to me, despite how much he has fallen. If the Nats go for a college pitcher outside the conventional reports, I think that they should look hard at Arnett. At least he throws 95

  14. #14 by Sue Dinem - June 3rd, 2009 at 17:01

    That explains why she wouldn’t start on the road?

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