Catching competition runs deep for Nationals

By Corey Masisak
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
July 26, 2005

If there is one position that is short on elite prospects throughout baseball, it is behind the plate. While Minnesota's Joe Mauer was an exception, there are few catchers at the top of prospect lists.
    The 2004 draft might help reverse the trend. Starting with Pittsburgh's selection of prep star Neil Walker with the No.?11 selection overall, there were several backstops taken that could be long-term solutions at the position.
    And the Washington Nationals, desperately in need of catching help, found several of them. The Nationals selected Erik San Pedro of Miami in the second round and Devin Ivany from South Florida in the sixth round. A third catcher -- Brian Peacock, a 39th-round pick from Manatee (Fla.) Junior College -- was considered one of the top draft-and-follow prospects and signed days before this season's draft.