And the Nationals select...

[sportsfan882]

With the 49th overall pick the Nationals select Michael Burgess (RF). 

Comments: Burgess profiles as a future left-handed power-hitting corner outfielder. While he struggled with his swing early this season, his bat speed and hand-eye coordination will keep scouts intrigued. He can throw and field his position, but it's his bat that will carry him.

Edit: I'm very pleased with what the Nats have done so far in the draft.  Two stud LH pitchers and a LH power-hitting outfielder. 

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Smoker...a helluva name.  Lots of potential for some zingers there.

"HE SMOKED HIM!"

"PUT HIM IN THE PIPE AND SMOKE IT!"

[2k6nats]

Smoker...a helluva name.  Lots of potential for some zingers there.

"HE SMOKED HIM!"

"PUT HIM IN THE PIPE AND SMOKE IT!"

I would like to see the dynamic trio of Maxwell, Marrero, and Daniels be promoted and advancing quicker than they are.

[2k6nats]

And the Nationals select: Jordan Zimmerman, RHP, Wisconsin Stevens Point.

Watch out Ryan, there's a new Zimmerman in town.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

And the Nationals select: Jordan Zimmerman, RHP, Wisconsin Stevens Point.

Watch out Ryan, there's a new Zimmerman in town.

Dear Lord, four Ryans?  Two Zimmermans?  Don't tell ILUV.

[mikehughes]

Dear Lord, four Ryans?  Two Zimmermans?  Don't tell ILUV.

Theirs still like another 40 or so rounds to go, dont be surprised if we come out of this draft with another 2 or 3 Ryans.

[Senators2005]

The Washington Ryans.  Go Ryans!

They already make a cap logo...all we need is to change the colors!   

[mikehughes]

Are there clips of the announcements anywhere? They said on the radio that Detwiler was there in a Nats cap and jersey and I'd like to see that. Suppose that I could wait for it to show up on local news (assuming that they cover it).

If you go to this link you can see a picture of Detwiler with his new gear on at the draft,
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070607&content_id=2011186&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

[Nat of the Living Dead]

This image just screams, "WORD!"

[The Chief]

two pitchers eh?  So in other words, a few more years of Nats losing 2-0?

Seriously though, I would have preferred more bats, but I guess that's what the mythical pre-2008 free agent binge is going to be for, if it actually happens.

[mikehughes]

I remember hearing sometime back in the Examiner or an interview with Bowden, he said something about them wanting to draft some big high school power bat from Tampa, if anyone saw this, do you know if this Burgess guy we drafted is the one he was talking about?

[Senators2005]

two pitchers eh?  So in other words, a few more years of Nats losing 2-0?

Seriously though, I would have preferred more bats, but I guess that's what the mythical pre-2008 free agent binge is going to be for, if it actually happens.

I'm glad they went pitching...BIG time.  Pitching is where it's at in the draft...thick bats are easier to pick up in the free agent pool.

[2k6nats]

Steven Sousa, SS, Cascade HS in WASHINGTON!

[mikehughes]

Nationals just selected a SS  in the 4th round
And who noticed someone took a guy named Mike Stanton with pick #76 in the 3rd round

[natsfan1a]

Thanks, Mike!

If you go to this link you can see a picture of Detwiler with his new gear on at the draft,
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070607&content_id=2011186&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

[mikehughes]

Nats pick C Derek Norris

[2k6nats]

Nationals Draft Picks: Day One

LHP Ross Detwiler (Missouri State)
LHP Joshua Smoker (Calhoun HS)
RF Michael Burgess (Hillsborough HS)
RHP Jordan Zimmerman (Wisconsin Stevens Point)
SS Jacob Smolinski (Bolyan Catholic HS)
SS Steven Souza (Cascade HS)
SC Derek Norris (Goddard HS)
RHP Bradley Meyers (Loyola Marymount)

___________________

4 Pitchers, 4 Hitters
3 College, 5 High School
2 LHP, 2 RHP

[UMDNats]

Detwiler has me really excited. The kid's gonna be awesome.

[mikehughes]

If you missed the draft, including our pick, MLB.com is currently re-running it, right now they are on the Orioles pick, so if you were one of the people who wants to see Detweiler come up in his Nats gear and I think he was interviewed aswell, go on over their quick since were up next and you cant rewind or fast-forward it.

[JMW IV]

Can someone tell me who picked Sean Doolittle? And with what pick?

[Ericas Nats]

Nationals Draft Picks: Day One

LHP Ross Detwiler (Missouri State)
LHP Joshua Smoker (Calhoun HS)
RF Michael Burgess (Hillsborough HS)
RHP Jordan Zimmerman (Wisconsin Stevens Point)
SS Jacob Smolinski (Bolyan Catholic HS)
SS Steven Souza (Cascade HS)
SC Derek Norris (Goddard HS)
RHP Bradley Meyers (Loyola Marymount)

___________________

4 Pitchers, 4 Hitters
3 College, 5 High School
2 LHP, 2 RHP

utoh.. another zimmerman... what is iluv gonna do bout that?

multiple ryans and now multiple zimmermans...

if the new zim is as good as the current zim..

wow.. future looks bright

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Not a bad day, not a bad day at all.  I love how we have a pitcher with the last name "Smoker."

[UMDNats]

Detwiler is an awesome name. I'm calling him Rotwiler (if thats how you spell it)

[spidernat]

Not a bad day, not a bad day at all.  I love how we have a pitcher with the last name "Smoker."

Yeah they were joking about that on Comcast.

[shoeshineboy]

Here were some comments from the Farm Authority site:

Detwiler is as solid a pick as Nationals fans could have hoped. He was arguably the second best college starter in the draft. He’s the closest to the majors and if signed will likely go right to Short Season Vermont. Detwiler looks like a #2 type starter. His only questions involve if his size will be an issue. He has not suffered any injuries thus far. Zimmerman at #67 was a solid pick as a more known quantity (like Detwiler). I probably would have looked more high ceiling but he has an upside as back of the rotation starting pitcher or more likely a power arm out of the bullpen. He has two solid pitches right now. Seeing Zimmerman in Vermont would not be out of the question.

The more I look at it, the more I like the selection of Smoker at #31. Assuming the Nationals can buy him out of Clemson scholarship. He changed from a control pitcher early in his high school career to a power pitcher by his senior year. He has a 90+ fastball, power curveball, deceptive change, and a split-fingered change. He was a great get late in the draft. The Nationals need to make every effort to ensure he is signed. Smoker should front the rotation in the GCL.