For better or worse, this where we have to put the guys that were drafted but did not play, “thanks” to the combination of a later draft and an earlier start to the FCL season.
It remains to be seen whether the latter will be an aberration, but the former is probably going to be a permanent change as MLB desperately wants to manufacture the hype and attention that the NFL and the NBA generate with their drafts. It has not succeeded.
That all but but handful are at least two years away is something that true baseball fans understand, which may explain why college juniors are now getting drafted more frequently. Teams are effectively conceding that most of their picks will not play the same year they’re drafted, so it makes no sense to draft someome 22 or 23 who might not play until the following spring.
Here we go…
LHP Jackson Kent, 4th Rd.
A two-sport standout in HS, Kent redshirted his first year, relieved in his second, and was a Friday-night starter this past season for the University of Arizona. While Kent works with the classic arsenal (FB/CH/CV/SL) none of the pitches can be deemed as a plus, not to mention there are command issues. Still, he’s lefthanded and it will be up to the Nats to work out these kinks.
IF Randal Diaz-Morales, 5th. Rd.
The 21-y.o. Puerto Rico native posted a .360/.437/.632 line with 18 HRs and 55 RBI for Indiana State. He played SS exclusively in his last two seasons, but has also seen time at 1B and 2B and there’s some talk that he could be converted to catcher.
RHP Davian Garcia, 6th Rd.
Garcia was drafted as a junior out of Florida Gulf Coast University. The 21-y.o. split time between the ‘pen and the rotation, compiling a 5-3 won-loss recored with an ERA of 3.03, a WHIP of 1.213, and 71 K’s across 59⅓ IP.
OF Sam Petersen, 8th Rd.
Petersen had his season cut short with shin splints, which may have dropped his stock with most organizations but the Nats love taking chances on injured players. This is also not a good thing for a player whose one plus tool is his legs. Despite his speed, he’s mostly played LF though the Nats are certainly not hurting for CF candidates. At the plate, he’s a disciplined line-drive hitter but scouts doubt he’ll hit for much power.
C Sir Jamison Jones, 15th Rd.
Jones was the first HS player taken by the Nats in the ’24 draft, dropping $500K to buy him out of a commitment to Oklahoma State. He’s big (6’3″, 225) and strong but not fast. Power is the name of his game so it might be fair to presume that will come with a shipload of whiffs, especially as there the usual questions about pitch recognition. There’s already chatter about a shift to first base.