Nats steal draft spotlight

...new blood and enthusiasm in an important market = good for baseball.....

They always mention how hard somebody throws like that's everything in pitching. It's just as important to have command of your pitches, a variety of pitches, good mechanics and a good head on your shoulders.

Washington National's Jeopardy

I'll take the injured guy for $2,000,000 please.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:13 AM ET  06.05 by Yogi-Zen

They always mention how hard somebody throws like that's everything in pitching. It's just as important to have command of your pitches, a variety of pitches, good mechanics and a good head on your shoulders.

Exactly. Plus, they guy has a steained ligament in his elbow? Hellooooo Tommy John surgery in a year or two.

*strained

Who did they steal the spotlight from?

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:20 AM ET  06.05 by The Moose

Exactly. Plus, they guy has a steained ligament in his elbow? Hellooooo Tommy John surgery in a year or two.

So what, today TJ surgery is like having your tonsils out, everybody's getting it done. If he's good as everybody says he is, then he's worth the wait. Most pitchers today seem to come back as good as ever. If he needs surgery, then get it done and in one year he can begin his career.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:24 AM ET  06.05 by jnorman41

So what, today TJ surgery is like having your tonsils out, everybody's getting it done. If he's good as everybody says he is, then he's worth the wait. Most pitchers today seem to come back as good as ever. If he needs surgery, then get it done and in one year he can begin his career.

True, but i have also seen guys like this, TJ or no TJ who do not pan out. the TJ surgery is not a big concern.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:13 AM ET  06.05 by Yogi-Zen

They always mention how hard somebody throws like that's everything in pitching. It's just as important to have command of your pitches, a variety of pitches, good mechanics and a good head on your shoulders.

I think the draft is based more on potential with a given player. You are right a pitcher needs to have more than 100 mph heater to be effective. But I think more importantly for drafting purposes...a kid has to have the tools necessary to even be considered worthy of a pick especially a 1st rd pick. And a 100 mph fastball is a good starting point to separate him from other pitchers. The "good head on the shoulders" thing unfortunately goes out the window if they see enough potential in a kid.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 10:50 AM ET  06.05 by AllStarz Ruinating the Nation

True, but i have also seen guys like this, TJ or no TJ who do not pan out. the TJ surgery is not a big concern.

exactly, I also don't think TJ surgery will have that much of an impact on weather or not he pans out.

the nationals have done tremendous job in the drafting, their farm system has a very good player developments!!!

the halos would need a backup catcher for hester, bobby wilson could be hitting the DL,,,

the reds have ryan hanigan and would be the right addiction to the halos catching, after all the halos are too weak on the catching spot,,,

the angels need to stop hoping and have higher expectations about pujols, their slugger its 0 for 14 in the last 5 games, CAN'T HIT, CAN'T STOLE A BASE, CAN'T BE PATIENT AT THE HOME PLATE, AND HE CAN'T BE MANAGED BY NOBODY NOT EVEN MIKE SCIOCIA CAN DO A THING,,,

alacran invasion!!!

The draft is all about stockpiling talent. The more talent in your minor league system, the more options you have to either develop them or trade them......