Baseball America has their report card for the Nationals 2009 draft. It’s for subscribers, but here are the Cliff Notes.
Second rounder Jeff Kobernus gets the most accolades from the hitters drafted. This is not necessarily a surprise given that he was the highest of the three bats selected by the Nationals in the first ten rounds.
And even less surprising, first rounder Stephen Strasburg dominates the pitching accolades.
Twelfth round RHP Nate Karns and fourteenth round OF Noaya Washiya also receive mention.
#1 by Wallyball - October 27th, 2009 at 12:24
What was the overall grade?
#2 by Kirkie - October 27th, 2009 at 12:40
Following the poll last week, John Sickels has his discussion thread up for the ranking of prospects in the Nats system.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/10/27/1102987/washington-nationals-farm-system#comments
I’ve thrown a few ideas in there, but some discussion on the names and grades would be educational for all, I’m sure!
#3 by Pilchard - October 27th, 2009 at 13:18
To state the obvious, the draft will come down to how Strasburg, and far lesser extent Storen, turn out. At a minimum, Strasburg needs to be a top of the rotation starter or the draft will be considered a failure.
It’s pretty clear that BA does not think much of the Nats draft from the position player standpoint, with the possible exception of Kobernus, who had his season shortened by injury.
IMO, the Nats punted the draft after Storen looking for guys who were willing to sign below slot with the idea that SS would make or break the draft. Hate that the Nats did not continue to look for value throughout the draft, but understand that if SS becomes the pitcher that he is projected to be; no one is going to care about the rest of the 2009 Nats draft.
#4 by VladiHondo - October 27th, 2009 at 15:21
I like Naoya Washiya’s story – won a Japanese High School championship, didn’t get into school he wanted to in Japan, came to school in US. Our FIRST Far East Signee!! Except we only had to go to California to find him.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sb20090715a1.html
At end of video on GCL Nats winning championship (Space Coast Baseball site), he does a little team cheer thing, which is a bit funny.
#5 by AlexVA - October 27th, 2009 at 16:57
SS just went 4.1 innings, 1 hit, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Relieved by Josh WIlkie
#6 by Pilchard - October 27th, 2009 at 17:23
No runs?
#7 by Rocket Surgeon - October 27th, 2009 at 17:30
Pilchard: He came out after giving off a lead off double. Wilkie allowed the run to score on a triple. Run charged to SS. The DD lead after 6, 7-2.
#8 by Brandon - October 27th, 2009 at 21:21
http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/chatter/2009/oct/27/running-strasburg-afl-thread/
#9 by Catocony - October 27th, 2009 at 23:59
The way I see it, if Strasburg and Storen do what it looks like they’ll do, that’s a fine draft. That said, beyond those two, the rest of the draft was pretty bad, with a lot of guys picked higher than they should have been for ease of signing and budgetary purposes.
Hopefully the 2010 draft will focus on good college fielders. I’m not sold on Harper, a 16-year old catcher is way too big of a crap shoot to use an overall #1 pick on. Overall though, I think the system is in good shape with pitching, and still pretty raw at the plate and in the field. This year’s draft did nothing to help that.
#10 by Marcus - October 28th, 2009 at 08:42
Only problem is no hitters other than maybe Harper is deserving of the number 1 pick @ this point. I really like J. Taillon on pure stuff but can’t see Rizzo picking a HS pitcher with the first pick(extremely risky).
#11 by Brian Oliver - October 28th, 2009 at 08:45
Marus – Anthony Ranuado is probably the 3rd guy, he’s a RHP from LSU