Law's top 100

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Here is Law's top 100.  Also, how did we lose our 2nd pick (#33)?

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1
Bryce Harper
C
6-3
205

Analysis: Destroying a JC conference as a 17-year-old, he's an impact bat with a plus arm. My video scouting of Harper is located here. Feb. 19: No. 1

2
Manny Machado
SS
6-2
180

Analysis: Tall, athletic shortstop with a quick bat and a 70 arm. Feb. 19: No. 22

3
Drew Pomeranz
LHP
6-5
235

Analysis: Big lefty with subpar mechanics but a strong track record of missing bats. Feb. 19: No. 18

4
Jameson Taillon
RHP
6-5
215

Analysis: Unusual arm strength, up to 98 mph as a starter, but hitters see his fastball. Feb. 19: No. 3

5
Karsten Whitson
RHP
6-4
195

Analysis: The best command of the premium prep arms in the class, with a chance for four pitches. Feb. 19: No. 15


6
Zack Cox
3B
6-0
215

Analysis: Shortened up his swing to make more contact. Still needs to prove he can stay at third base. Feb. 19: No. 11
7
Josh Sale
3B
6-0
205
Bishop-Blanchett H.S.

Analysis: An absolute monster physically, with hit and power tools. He plays third base now, but is probably destined for the outfield. Feb. 19: No. 9
8
Deck McGuire
RHP
6-6
218

Analysis: Polished college performance guy without a knockout pitch; low-risk, moderate-reward. Feb. 19: No. 4
9
Dylan Covey
RHP
6-2
205
Maranatha H.S.

Analysis: May be trending down after showing reduced stuff in two recent outings. Feb. 19: No. 14
10
Anthony Ranaudo
RHP
6-7
230

Analysis: Performance vs. Ole Miss on Friday didn't help assuage concerns about his elbow. Feb. 19: No. 2
11
Yasmani Grandal
C
6-2
210

Analysis: Switch-hitting catcher with plus defense and some power potential. Scouting video of Grandal is here. Feb. 19: No. 23
13
Bryce Brentz
OF
6-0
185

Analysis: Returned early from foot injury and is reestablishing himself as the most well-rounded college outfielder in the class. Here's scouting video of Brentz. Feb. 19: No. 7
14
James Paxton
LHP
6-4
220

Analysis: Will pitch for the independent Grand Prairie AirHogs in May. Feb. 19: No. 13
15
Nick Castellanos
SS
6-4
190
Archbishop McCarthy H.S.

Analysis: Among the top hitting tools among prep bats, but he'll have to move at least to third base from his current SS position. Feb. 19: No. 20
12
Austin Wilson
OF
6-4
210
Harvard-Westlake H.S.

Analysis: Looks the part, with a solid swing and good makeup, but has yet to wow scouts this spring. You can check scouting video of Wilson by clicking here. Feb. 19: No. 5
16
Kaleb Cowart
SS
6-3
190
Cook County H.S.

Analysis: Two-way guy (RHP/SS) has scouts looking at him on the mound and at bat, with the latter becoming more likely. Feb. 19: No. 21
17
Aaron Sanchez
RHP
6-3
170
Barstow H.S.

Analysis: Quick-armed righty has steadily improved all spring, even in front of big crowds of scouts. Feb. 19: UN
18
Mel Rojas Jr.
OF
6-3
200
Wabash Valley CC

Analysis: Son of the former Expo, Mel Jr. is a potential five-tool outfielder at a hard-to-see junior college. Feb. 19: UN
19
A.J. Cole
RHP
6-0
215
Oviedo H.S.

Analysis: Tall, highly projectable right-hander who already touches 96 on good days. You can check video I shot of Cole by clicking here. Feb. 19: No. 6
20
Marcus Littlewood
SS
6-3
200
Pine View H.S.

Analysis: Switch-hitting shortstop with outstanding hands, although some teams fear he'll have to change positions. Feb. 19: No. 25
21
Brandon Workman
RHP
6-5
220

Analysis: Power right-hander has seen his stuff tick back up in recent weeks, and his control has been plus this year. Feb. 19: No. 16
22
Alex Wimmers
RHP
6-2
195

Analysis: Curveball artist on the Cape now sporting a plus change, but will his slight build hold up as a starter? Feb. 19: No. 8
23
Matt Harvey
RHP
6-4
225

Analysis: One of the best college fastballs this year, but lack of a breaking ball makes him a probable reliever. Feb. 19: UR
25
Michael Choice
OF
6-1
190

Analysis: Big raw power, maybe best among college bats, but body probably pushes him to left field. Feb. 19: No. 47
6
Austin Wates
OF
6-1
174

Analysis: Can hit and run and play left field; he'll only go in the first round to a team that thinks he can play center. Feb. 19: UR
KEITH LAW'S TOP 100: NO. 26-100
Rank   Player   Pos.   School   VIDEO
26   Christian Colon   SS   Cal State Fullerton   
27   Christian Yelich   1B/OF   Westlake HS (CA)   
28   Asher Wojciechowski   RHP   The Citadel   
29   Kris Bryant   SS/3B   Bonanza HS (NV)   
30   Kolbrin Vitek   2B   Ball State   
31   Kellin Deglan   C   Langley HS (BC)   
32   Chevez Clarke   OF   Marietta HS (GA)   
33   Jesse Hahn   RHP   Virginia Tech   
34   Kevin Gausman   RHP   Grandview HS (CO)   
35   Justin O'Conner   C/SS/RHP   Cowan HS (IN)   
36   Tyrell Jenkins   RHP   Henderson HS (TX)   
37   Jake Hernandez   C   Los Osos HS (CA)   Watch
38   DeAndre Smelter   RHP   Tattnall Square Academy (GA)   
39   Justin Grimm   RHP   Georgia   
40   Micah Gibbs   C   LSU   
41   Yordy Cabrera   3B/RHP   Lakeland HS (FL)   
42   Robert Brantly   C   UC Riverside   
43   Mike Foltyniewicz   RHP   Minooka HS (IL)   
44   Gary Brown   OF   Cal State Fullerton   
45   Jedd Gyorko   2B   West Virginia   
46   Brett Eibner   RHP   Arkansas   
47   Griffin Murphy   LHP   Redland East Valley HS (CA)   
48   Stetson Allie   3B/RHP   St. Edwards (OH)   
49   Dixon Anderson   RHP   California   
50   Chris Sale   LHP   Florida Gulf Coast   
51   Michael Kvasnicka   C   Minnesota   
52   Levon Washington   OF   Chipola JC   
53   Taylor Lindsey   SS/C   Desert Mountain HS (AZ)   
54   Barret Loux   RHP   Texas A&M   
55   Andrew Smith   RHP   Roswell HS (GA)   
56   Kevin Munson   RHP   James Madison   
57   Ty Linton   OF   Charlotte Christian (NC)   
58   Vincent Velazquez   RHP/C   Garey HS (CA)   
59   Adam Plutko   RHP   Glendora HS (CA)   
60   AJ Vanegas   RHP   Redwood Christian (CA)   
61   Stefan Sabol   C   Aliso Niguel HS (CA)   
62   Seth Blair   RHP   Arizona State   
63   Rob Rasmussen   LHP   UCLA   
64   Chad Bettis   RHP   Texas Tech   Watch
65   Cody Buckel   RHP   Royal HS (CA)   
66   Will Swanner   C   Temecula Valley HS (CA)   
67   Chance Ruffin   RHP   Texas   
68   Tyler Thornburg   RHP   Charleston Southern   
69   Cam Bedrosian   RHP   East Coweta HS (GA)   
70   Leon Landry   OF   LSU   
71   Jordan Swagerty   RHP   Arizona State   
72   Mike Kickham   LHP   Missouri State   
73   Ryne Stanek   RHP   Blue Valley HS (KS)   
74   Peter Tago   RHP   Dana Mills HS    
75   Chad Lewis   3B   Marina HS (CA)   
76   Kevin Jordan   OF   Northside Columbus (GA)   
77   Cole Cook   RHP   Pepperdine   
78   Kellen Sweeney   OF   Jefferson HS (IA)   
79   Dan Klein   RHP   UCLA   
80   Sam Dyson   RHP   South Carolina   
81   John Gast   LHP   Florida State   
82   Derek Dietrich   SS   Georgia Tech   
83   Jacoby Jones   SS/RHP   Richton HS (MS)   
84   Jordan Shipers   LHP   South Harris HS (MO)   
85   Robbie Aviles   RHP   Suffern HS (NY)   
86   Drew Cisco   RHP   Wando HS (SC)   
87   Donn Roach   RHP   College of Southern Nevada   
88   Jason Adams   RHP   Blue Valley NW HS (MO)   
89   Cody Wheeler   LHP   Coastal Carolina   
90   Kevin Ziomek   LHP   Amherst Regional (MA)   
91   Scott Frazier   RHP   Upland HS (CA)   
92   Tommy Kahnle   RHP   Lynn   
93   Gabriel Encinas   RHP   Saint Paul HS (CA)   
94   Luke Jackson   RHP   Calvary Christian HS (FL)   
95   Matt Lipka   SS   McKinney HS (TX)   
96   Dave Filak   RHP   SUNY-Oneonta   
97   Seth Rosin   RHP   University of Minnesota   
98   Pat Dean   LHP   Boston College   
99   Tyler Burgoon   RHP   Michigan   
100   Garin Cecchini   IF   Barbe HS (LA)   

[NatsDad14]

We never had the #33 pick. That is a compensation pick. Our 2nd pick is around #50

[PANatsFan]

If Rizzo picks a HS pitcher, even if it's Taillon, or a college left, I ban myself for a week out of spite. Harper or the SS.

[JMW IV]

if he picks anyone other than Harper, I will be livid.

barring injury of course.

[HalfSmokes]

I wonder how passing on harper would be seen in DC?

On the one hand, you could look cheap/inept and destroy the good will this season has gotten you

On the other hand, Kwame Brown and Freddie Adou are this city's experience with overhyped teenagers

[NFA Brian]

Barring an injury over the next three weeks, it has to be Harper.

None of the other guys, save Taillon, is realistically an option at 1/1 and there is just as much risk in a HS RHP as there is in Harper

[R-Zim#11]

I wonder how passing on harper would be seen in DC?

On the one hand, you could look cheap/inept and destroy the good will this season has gotten you

On the other hand, Kwame Brown and Freddie Adou are this city's experience with overhyped teenagers

Except Harper isn't over-hyped in my opinion...

[HalfSmokes]

Except Harper isn't over-hyped in my opinion...

There were a bunch of people who thought Kwame was going to be a great and that Adou would save soccer in America. You can only tell in hindsight

[PANatsFan]

There were a bunch of people who thought Kwame was going to be a great and that Adou would save soccer in America. You can only tell in hindsight

Kids tend to shockingly act like kids. But in baseball 6 years of minor-league control mitigates a lot of that. I doubt a year later he'd be any more mature.

[DPMOmaha]

...and that Adou would save soccer in America.

He still might.  He's only 21. 

[HalfSmokes]

Kids tend to shockingly act like kids. But in baseball 6 years of minor-league control mitigates a lot of that. I doubt a year later he'd be any more mature.

no way he signs unless he gets guarentees he's not spending that much time in the minors. He actually has some leverage since he can keep on reentering

[R-Zim#11]

There were a bunch of people who thought Kwame was going to be a great and that Adou would save soccer in America. You can only tell in hindsight

There is certainly a bust factor. Ever rookie in every sport carries that. But his power is undeniable -- a 500 ft bomb using wood in Tampa, his arm hits 96...it's easy to get excited over that...

I think the Nats picked two very good years to suck arse!

[HalfSmokes]

I think the Nats picked two very good years to suck arse!

possibly the best two in a decade, sucking can lead to titles (just ask the spurs)

[R-Zim#11]

possibly the best two in a decade, sucking can lead to titles (just ask the spurs)

The only other year I would have accepted sucking like few have sucked before would be the year Price went #1 overall. Can you imagine a rotation headed by Price and Strasburg?

[Terpfan76]

There is certainly a bust factor. Ever rookie in every sport carries that. But his power is undeniable -- a 500 ft bomb using wood in Tampa, his arm hits 96...it's easy to get excited over that...

I think the Nats picked two very good years to suck arse!

It was an aluminum bat, but either way, a 500ft bomb by a 15-16 year old is insane.

[RD]

I think everyone realizes the pick is Harper.

We have taken quite a few arms, and have some on the brink of the majors, and some talented guys still at the lower levels that will take some time. There's some talent throughout.

Hitting ... not so much. We need impact bats, and there isn;t a better one in this  bat than Harper. Hype or not.

The question comes in the second round and on. Do we go cheap and grab g uys like Holder, or do we hold true to our board and grab talent at each spot? Im hoping we actually go get the guys we want, and don't worry about what it's going to cost. Id like to think the team was worried about approaching $20mill with Strasburg last year, but have a better handle this year on Harper. In part because of what Strasburg got(meaning he won't get higher) and in part because of what Ackley got(Harper will top it, but it at least gives us a ball park starting point). So let's hope we go accumulate more talent early on, after the Harper pick.

[DPMOmaha]

How far does Ranaudo fall with his injury this year?

[Potomac Cannons]

For those who haven't looked our first pick of round 2 is #51 overall with all the sandwich picks etc.

[daggerrrrrr]

Lets just thank god there is no draft lottery in baseball. 

[RD]

How far does Ranaudo fall with his injury this year?

Tough to say. I had thought about the possibility of him sliding quite a bit, possibly to us, but I doubt it. There are a few teams that have an abundance of earl ypicks that can afford to gamble, would take him. The Sox and Yankees have shown they'll pay for sliding guys, and the Yanks have a history with a late injury issue in Brackman a couple years back. I would imagine Renaudo does go somewhere between 20-40.

And if he did fall to us in the second, I honestly doubt we take him. I don't think there is suppose to be any long term effects, so Renaudo could head back to college or even independent ball to re-establish himself if he isn't given top 20 money. I don't think we'd gamble on that at this point wiht what we'll have to pay for Harper. I really hope we don't draft for money, but I can't see us gambling on a huge payout for a faller and taking the gamble on a kid.