Nationals Need to Learn how to Find Late Round Gems
The Washington Nationals revitalized their organization by having two consecutive first overall picks in 2009 and 2010 that turned into Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper. Having those two top overall picks along with drafting Anthony Rendon with the sixth overall pick in 2011 have led the Nationals into playoff contention for the last two years as well as this year. However the teams that stay consistent in being in playoff contention like the St. Louis Cardinals or the San Francisco Giants drafted extremely well even though they do not have picks in the top half of the first round and to continue to succeed in the MLB the Nationals must start finding gems that others have passed over like arguably the best player in the MLB, who was picked with the 25th overall pick in 2009, Mike Trout.
The Nationals will have the 18th overall pick in tonight’s first round and will look to make the smart pick that keeps the franchise with young talented players. Those who think the Nationals could not find talent at the 18th overall pick haven’t been watching the draft in recent years. Such great players who have been drafted with the 18th overall pick in recent years consist of Sonny Gray and Ike Davis. Gray is currently leading the ERA in the American League while Davis hit 30 home runs last season.
The Nationals top prospect, Lucas Giolito, was selected with the 16th overall pick two years ago and appears set on a path to be a great starter for the Nationals in the future. After not having a pick last season the Nationals will look to bounce back with a good draft pick in the first round with possible options consisting of outfielder Michael Conforto, right handed pitcher Sean Reid-Foley, and catcher Max Pentecost.
Since coming to the nation’s capital the Nationals have been aware and have avoided taking high school players that have already committed to a college. The Nationals also aren’t afraid of picking pitchers who are coming off of an injury like they did with Lucas Giolito.
If the Nationals wish to place themselves in the elite class of MLB franchises they need to learn how to draft not just with the obvious picks like Strasburg and Harper but how to find the hidden gems in the latter half of the first round.
