MLB: Draft Day Updates

UPDATED 7:23 DRAFT DAY

Mixed reviews about Storen on the Baseball Prospectus Round Table. 

Kevin Goldstein thought it was a major overdraft, and that he can't be a closer, but that they may 'look smart' if they make him a starter.

Bryan Smith said he loves his sinker which he would rank as a sixty five on the scouting scale. He also thinks he should be made a starter in 2010.

UPDATED 7:07 DRAFT DAY

Picked ninth, by the Nationals in 2008, refused to sign, now drafted through twelth in 2009.

Aaron Crow, didn't get $4 million from the Nationals, and he won't get it from the Royals. 

UPDATED 6:59 DRAFT DAY

With the much anticipated tenth pick, the Nationals take Drew Storen. More to come later.

UPDATED 6:54 DRAFT DAY

Nationals on the clock for pick ten. Strasburg on the phone with MLB Network. Exciting three minutes coming up. 

The Nats pretty much have their pick of whoever they want, a lot of potential top ten talent haven't been taken yet.

UPDATED 6:43 DRAFT DAY

Minor taken by the Braves, phew, from what I heard I wanted him nowhere near the Nationals. 

Best players on the board that the Nats might take:

Aaron Crow (yeah...right)
Tyler Matzek
Drew Storen
Grant Green
Alex White 

UPDATED 6:34 DRAFT DAY

The Baltimore Orioles take Matt Hobgood with the fifth overall pick. No mock drafts had him going in the top ten. 

He is a high school pitcher who did not report to demand a high signing bonus. Comparables are Brad Penny and Joba Chamberlin. 

UPDATED 6:29 DRAFT DAY

The Pirates take Tony Sanchez (Did Selig say Jorge Sanchez?) 

This was a draft day surprise but we've known about it for about an hour. It has a big impact because the two players who were projected to be taken in this slot early on were Grant Green and Aaron Crow.

Our brothers to the north, the Orioles, are on the clock. 

UPDATED 6:16 DRAFT DAY:

Stephen Strasburg is now a potential member of the Washington Nationals.

UPDATED 6:11 DRAFT DAY:

The guys over on the MLB Draft Round Table at Baseball Prospectus are all ripping on Mike Minor, a potential number 10 pick for the Nationals. Kevin Goldstein even went as far to say that he needed to add some velocity to be considered a low 90's pitcher. 

The Nationals are on the clock.

UPDATED 6:07 DRAFT DAY:

The reason for Aaron Crow's expected fall down the draft board is his expected demand  $4 million, the number he refused to bend on last year that caused the Nationals not to sign him. 

If he gets picked below the 10th pick its doubtful anyone will give him that kind of money.

UPDATED 5:50 PM DRAFT DAY:

Fantasy CPR just published their final mock draft. It too projects the Nationals to take Drew Storen from Stanford. 

Note: All recent mock drafts have Grant Green falling to at least the 10th pick for the Washington Nationals to consider, should the Nats take the talented shortstop? 

The MLB announced today that the deadline to sign draft picks has been moved from August 15th at midnight to August 17th, at midnight.

Two more days to sign Strasburg!

Also, Aaron Crow's draft status continues to plummet on draft day. Not clear if there are any specific reasons why, but he is now also out of the Baseball America top 11. 

If the Nationals really wanted to, he would be available for them to take again. 

Baseball Prospectus Unfiltered has reported that Atlanta is looking to take Mike Minor with the seventh pick, meaning he wont be on the board for the Nats as they predicted.

Alex White however may still be available for the Nats with the 10th pick if Atlanta goes with Minor.