Nats Don’t Draft Collegiate Pitcher with Top Pick in the 2021 Draft
Full disclosure here: I am not a draftnik. Never have been. Even when I had the time, i.e. when this site was begun, it bored me to tears. It has never interested me to speculate on who “we” might get versus following and discussing who “we’ve” already got.
Now we only have one round to go on, as MLB has decided it wants to emulate the NBA and NFL drafts and generate faux excitement, despite having many more rounds and much less coverage of what is usually the most coveted segment: high-ceiling high school players.
Still, as the headline notes, the Nats’ draft philosophy has been to load up on arms – especially college pitchers – and rely on IFAs for the development of position players. Thus it was a bit of a shock to learn last night that the Nats had taken a position player for just the fifth time since 2009, and just the second high school player of that time.
Naturally, the “instant analysis” was to make comparisons to the last 1st. Rd. HS pick—Carter Kieboom—who was also a shortstop from Georgia, and also rather big/tall for the position. Now I’m starting to tear up.
For me, I’ll take it. Even if folks are disappointed that Kieboom hasn’t lived up to the hype (few do), the Nats do have a pretty good track record when they do take position players early in the draft, even if it’s a maddeningly small sample size.
Anyway, here’s a place for folks that do find the draft interesting or want to talk about who gets picked today and tomorrow.
The title couldn’t be more appropriate. When I saw we drafted House, my first reaction was “I could’ve sworn he was a SS, not a pitcher! Is there another pitcher named House?”
While Rizzo has rarely made objectively bad choices in the first round, he’s never shied away from taking the guy who falls down the draftboard. I’m just glad this year the fall wasn’t due to injuries or bad-attitude, but rather a bunch of other teams collectively going underslot and trying outsmart each other.
I couldn’t agree more. That the Nats might have looked at their system and decided to take a hitter is astounding to me.
Speculation and pre-draft guessing bores me to tears. After the draft I’ll get excited over who is on ‘our team.
That said, this kid House has Cal Rypkien/Ryan Zimmerman written all over him. Or, maybe not.
Every five years we get to celebrate the drafting of a hitter!!! Lord knows the system needs an infusion of them.
It’s a power game now, and House probably has the most power of anyone in this draft . . . when he actually connects. He has a 40+ HRs in the majors ceiling . . . and perhaps a Bubba Starling floor (can’t-miss high school stud taken the pick before Rendon). I hope House is deemed ready for full-season ball next year, as Fredericksburg deserves the entertainment after what the Nats sent them this season.
House easily and by far becomes the #1 bat in the system . . . at least until he actually plays . . .
Luke we do have to note that a true draft and follow happened with Dustys son , Darren .
Now the media can play the video of Darren being pulled out of the way of Bonds at HP
Carlos Quintallia Texas RHP TJ in 2018
Meanwhile Aggie 1b Wil the thrill frisszle from Rockwal tX all 6’5” 250 of him .
The drafting of this big Rock Aggie Wil Frizell from Rockwel Tx makes one wonder if Nats expect more DH in their future seasons ?
Yes Big Tuna gaining momentum