2011 MLB Draft - June 6, 2011

Post #1 » by **Rafael122** » Mon Jun 6, 2011 1:19 pm

7 PM on MLB Network.

The Nats have the 6th, 23rd and 34th picks in the first round. This is considered to be one of the deepest drafts in recent memory, with no clear cut top pick unlike the last two years.

I'm going to be updated it regularly. Not sure if I will do all the picks (doubt it). Maybe just the first round. Anyway, the name most associated with the Nats at the 6th pick is Bubba Starling, high school center fielder. According to Keith Law's analysis, he is the best athlete in the draft, five tool guy.

At #23, Law has us taking Alex Meyer, 6'9'' pitcher from Kentucky.

BTW, I believe Law has both these guys ranked in the top 10 in terms of prospects. The fact that we might get one at #23 is good thing.

Post #2 » by **Jollay** » Mon Jun 6, 2011 11:44 pm

Nats took Rice's Anthony Rendon..wow. He's very talented--but a third baseman. Definite insurance if Zimmy keeps missing games and still asks for an absurd salary.

He probably can also play second or short though, I suppose. Won the Dick Howser trophy in 2010--Strasburg won it the year before.

Can't argue with the choice talent-wise, especially after a run on pitchers early.

Post #3 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 12:32 am

Callis has him rated as the top prospect on his board, so the fact that we may have gotten the top player 3 straight years is amazing.

As for his position, his natural position is third, but can play second or short. Honestly, I would not be surprised if they make him a left fielder. He's blocked.

Post #4 » by **Jollay** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 1:33 am

Rafael122 wrote:Callis has him rated as the top prospect on his board, so the fact that we may have gotten the top player 3 straight years is amazing.

As for his position, his natural position is third, but can play second or short. Honestly, I would not be surprised if they make him a left fielder. He's blocked.

Me neither, but I want them grooming Harper for center then!

Took a big 6'9" U of Kentucky pitcher with their next pick. Peter Gammons says many teams see him as a possible closer down the road.

Scabs304 · Post #5 » by **Scabs304** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 4:08 am

I like the Rendon pick, but was really hoping Starling would drop because of the chance of him playing football. Rendon being there was awesome though and he definitly can play 2B, SS or the outfield. With the position change would most likely leave him not being up as soon as might of been possible. I could of seen him sticking with a club in 2013. Believe we will see some of him in 2013, but won't be in the majors now until 2014.

Post #6 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 12:10 pm

Yep, they're saying he could be up by next season for a cup of coffee so who knows if that's true. We could have Rendon and Harper in the lineup by 2013.

Meyer kid they're saying has closer stuff, but Storen's holding that position down. Future looks good for the Nats right now.

Post #7 » by **Jollay** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 12:47 pm

Hard not to feel encouraged right now.

Love how signability isn't even a big issue for the Nats right now. The thought of Rendon, Harper, Werth, Strasburg, and Zimmerman in 2013?

Wow.

Can't believe the Nats won't retain Zimmerman, but love Rendon as insurance anyway.

Would have liked Starling too, but the papers are saying the Nats' third choice is a five-tool CF anyway. We'll see.

I'm gonna start making more road trips up to the farm teams...

Post #8 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 1:08 pm

Another interesting note, all 3 picks represented by Scott Boras.

Post #9 » by **Jollay** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 2:06 pm

Rafael122 wrote:Another interesting note, all 3 picks represented by Scott Boras.

He might as well get an office at Nats Park. Means we'll be waiting right up to the deadline to sign these guys, I suppose.

The Washington Borases. Sounds okay. One time a buddy of mine found his cellphone at a game at Coors Field and gave it back to him without copying any numbers. Biggest failure ever.

Post #10 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 6:02 pm

Notable selection Day 2 of the draft: Matt Purke, LHP from TCU. Slid because of injury issues (his velocity has gone done a bit). Top 5 talent slipped into the 3rd round. This should be interesting, his fastball dipped as low as 82 mph. Got checked out by Dr. James Andrews and was diagnosed with shoulder bursitis.

Post #11 » by **Rafael122** » Thu Jul 7, 2011 4:28 pm

Best case scenario: move Espinosa to short, Rendon to second (to save his arm) and use Desmond as a utility infielder. I think Desmond has performed very well defensively, but the guy can't hit.

Post #12 » by **Rafael122** » Mon Aug 8, 2011 1:41 pm

Just an update, Purke, Goodwin, Meyer and Rendon have not signed. Deadline is next Monday so this should be interesting to follow. I hope they get Purke signed.

Post #13 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:09 pm

They managed to get their top 4 picks signed. Rizzo and co. have done a great job building up that farm system as its now chock full of potential.. I expect Rendon to come up in 2 years, same time as Harper, and he'll probably move to 2nd base. Great draft by the Nats.

Scabs304 · Post #14 » by **Scabs304** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:07 pm

Happy we signed all those first round picks, but we overpaid the later picks.... I hope this bad management of money now doesn't effect what we can do later on when we actually have a chance to compete.

Post #15 » by **Rafael122** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:19 am

It's still the cheapest way to sign players, the draft process that is. The Pirates have spent close to $50 million on draft picks in the last 4 years. I figure this: if two of the top four picks pan out, it will be a successful draft. You just never know. Basketball and football prospects, you can kinda get an idea they will be successful (or not), baseball players are harder to figure out.