Nationals could lose top draft pick to independent team

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Right-hander Crow signs with Fort Worth Cats

Associated Press
Updated: August 14, 2008, 2:15 PM ET
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WASHINGTON -- Right-hander Aaron Crow, taken by the Washington Nationals with the ninth overall pick in baseball's amateur draft, has signed with the Forth Worth Cats of the American Association.

The Cats said Thursday that the Big 12 pitcher of the year would pitch out of the bullpen unless he agrees to a deal with the Nationals before Friday's midnight deadline for draft picks to sign.

If Washington fails to sign to sign Crow, it would get an extra pick in the first round of next year's draft.

Crow was 13-0 with a 2.35 ERA for Missouri last season with 127 strikeouts in 107 1/3 innings.
What a joke the Nationals front office is. Whether it was the Soriano debacle, signing washed up old veterans like De Luca even though they had a top catching prospect and now losing a top pick to an independent minor league team.