The Official 2011 MLB Draft Thread

[imref]

How so?  We've spent on the draft the last few years, even LAC has to admit that much.

they brought up that we took Storen after Strasburg, but yeah we spent over-slot last year.

[strasmasndzimmermas10]

hahha i remember when the nats were going crazy when chris young blew us away with 90 MPH fastball because he's 6'9, imagine a 6'9 with a 99mph fastball coming at you.

[Lintyfresh85]

haha linty would've jumped off the highest bridge on the james river if the nats picked swihart.

Indeed.

[I can Throw]

Randy Johnson is/was 6'10".

Did Mahtook get picked yet?

I'm an LSU guy, so yeah I like him. Great athlete, hitter, weakness is probably his arm, but its not bad. Clutch hitter with some pop. Yeah, I'd like him at #34.

[RD]

Last pick for awhile. Gotta make it worthwhile.

Gimme Josh Bell and call it a day!

[2k6nats]

Nats just got the best prospect now in three straight drafts. Could be building something special

Lerners continues to invest money where it goes the farthest - the draft and scouting.

[wpa2629]

stras37 Stephen Strasburg
Liking the picks so far! #mlbdraft #2011



Looks who's happy?

[Minty Fresh]

Did Mahtook get picked yet?

I'm an LSU guy, so yeah I like him. Great athlete, hitter, weakness is probably his arm, but its not bad. Clutch hitter with some pop. Yeah, I'd like him at #34.

Still on the board.  I like him for our next pick if he's there.

[wpa2629]

acomak Amanda Comak
Asked about Rendon pick, Ryan Zimmerman tells MLB.com (jokingly, I'm sure): "I better shape up, huh?"


ha

[TylerDC]

Stras - Liking the picks so far! #mlbdraft #2011

[RD]

We need young hitters. As of now, we won't have a single hitter in either short season affiliate that has real potential. Once Harper's promoted, we won't have any real talent under 20 in terms of position players either.

HS position player please. Can't fault a big arm either, but I want an HS bat.

[wpa2629]

AdamKilgoreWP Adam Kilgore
I'm hearing, with a good degree of certainty, the Nats won't consider HS slugger Josh Bell at 34. They're convinced he's going to college.

[Kevrock]

Norris, Mahtook, Bell still in play.

[Kevrock]

We need young hitters. As of now, we won't have a single hitter in either short season affiliate that has real potential. Once Harper's promoted, we won't have any real talent under 20 in terms of position players either.

HS position player please. Can't fault a big arm either, but I want an HS bat.

What do you think of Mahtook if he doesn't go off the board (he probably will)

[sportsfan882]

How about this guy for our 34th pick, Dillon Howard? He's a high upside HS pitcher with good size. Also a Boras client

Dillon Howard
Rank: 18
Searcy HS (Ark.), Senior
Height: 6'4", Weight: 210
Position: RHP
DOB: 07/01/1992
Bats: R, Throws: R
Commitment: Arkansas
In past Drafts, there would only be a small offering of high-ceiling, projectable high school pitchers with good velocity to choose from in the first round. In 2011, there's some depth in that category. Case in point is Howard, who doesn't rank up with the prep arms being mentioned near the top of the Draft, but isn't far off, either.

The Arkansas product has a fastball that will be plus, touching 95 mph at times. It's not straight, either, with both sink and run to it. His hard curve, 78-80 mph, is a little slurvy now and is fringy average, but it's got some depth to it and will be more than fine. He's even got a good feel for a changeup, an offspeed pitch that should be a Major League average pitch as well.

With a clean delivery, decent overall command -- not as much with the curve -- and the chance to have a solid three-pitch mix, Howard looks like he's settled firmly into the first round, unless signability (he's advised by Scott Boras) becomes an issue.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Mayo says Bell and Mahtook are the position players who've slipped the most and are still on the board.  Right now, I'm hoping Rizzo is talking to his toy giraffe and saying "Above slot picks?  I has it"

[Minty Fresh]

How about this guy for our 34th pick, Dillon Howard? He's a high upside HS pitcher with good size. Also a Boras client

No high schoolers.

If they take him, there's a Boras/Nats collusion conspiracy afoot.

[I can Throw]

MLB's draft tracker has way too small type. My eyes hurt.

[GMUTrkstar]

Norris, Mahtook, Bell still in play.

Giants love HS pitching and aren't scared to spend there a potential landing spot for Norris

[DPMOmaha]

Meyer just gained 100+ followers in under 2 minutes. Haha.

I was probably one of them...

[hammondsnats]

yeah i can't see bell.

sounds like he really wants to go to college.

[Minty Fresh]

yeah i can't see bell.

sounds like he really wants to go to college.

I don't want high-schoolers.  Harper was the exception...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

What about Matt Purke at #34?  Check out his health.  If he can pitch in the Cape league, it would be like Ranaudo last year.

[GNatsNoMore]

Norris, Mahtook, Bell still in play.

I hope it's Norris if they select a pitcher, and Mahtook or Goodwin if not.  So apparently Bell is really going to college, huh?

[GMUTrkstar]

We need young hitters. As of now, we won't have a single hitter in either short season affiliate that has real potential. Once Harper's promoted, we won't have any real talent under 20 in terms of position players either.

HS position player please. Can't fault a big arm either, but I want an HS bat.

Adrian Sanchez and Michael Taylor are two young guys to watch in HAG.