2009 MLB DRAFT

WILL STRASBURG BRING A NEW STIMULUS PACKAGE TO WASHINGTON??


Considered to be a lackluster draft overall, the drama will center around RHP Stephen Strasburg from San Diego State. Will the Nats draft him? Will they sign him? Will he go right to the Nats rotation if/when he does sign?

If the numbers his soon-to-be agent Scott Boras normally throws around are to be believed, he will almost have to go directly to D.C. by signing a deal that locks him up long-term.

They really cannot afford to bypass him and risk having the few remaining DC baseball fans still interested in the team act in kind by bypassing future Nats games in return.

After that, my attention turn to the Giants, picking sixth. I've heard HS LHP pitcher Tyler Matzek, who fits in with the organizations recent track record of selecting high-profile HS pitchers. Matzek's fastball has elevated to the mid to upper 90's from the lower 90's he started the season at.

Georgia HS OF Lars Tate might also make sense, but the Wendell Fairley experience may scare them off. Or it might motivate them to begin looking anew for the next Carl Crawford. Tate may be the best potential five-tool athlete available.

I also like Kendall Volz RHP from Baylor as near immediate help in the bullpen and a potential closer candidate down the road.

Plant HS (Tampa) RHP-SS Michael Givens is an interesting two-way player. His big-time arm overshadows what at times appears to be LL skills at SS. He may also be a prospect on the hill.

Locally, it will be interesting to see where Nequa Valley HS LHP Ian Krol ends up. An early season first round prospect, Kroll hurt his stock after being suspended by his school for repeated violations of team rules. My sources tell me that alcohol and a prima donna attitude may scare teams off until the third round and send Krol into the arms of Andy Lopez at Arizona.

By the way, kudos to the school and the coach, who sacrificed a potential state title run this year in order to get this kids attention and get him on the right track.

THE NATS ARE ON THE CLOCK!!!!