draft - Blog

Nationals "comfortable" Romero's maturity won't be an issue

June 12, 2017, 8:34pm

In making Seth Romero their first-round draft pick this year, the Nationals know they're getting one of the most talented amateur left-handers out there, with an arm they believe is big league-ready right now. They also know they're getting perhaps the first-rounder with the biggest question mark attached to his name. In the end, general manager Mike Rizzo, vice president of scouting operations Kris Kline and the rest of the Nationals front office believe the immense talent Romero brings to...

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Nats take chance with first-round pick of expelled lefty Romero

June 12, 2017, 6:02pm

Nationals

Nats take chance with first-round pick of expelled lefty Romero

The Nationals have been willing to take risks with first-round draft picks in the past. They've never taken a risk quite like this, though. With their first pick in this year's First-Year Player Draft, the 25th overall selection, the Nationals selected University of Houston left-hander Seth Romero, a big left-hander with a big arm who could reach the big leagues quickly but has a major red flag attached to his name: He was kicked off his college team after twice being suspended for various...

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Baker on Nationals' challenges and son Darren's draft future

June 10, 2017, 6:59am

Nationals

Because of last night's late game and tonight's Washington Nationals Dream Foundation Gala, the Nationals weren't required to report to the home clubhouse until 10 a.m. for this afternoon's 12:05 p.m. game against the Rangers. But by 9:30 a.m., a steady stream of Nationals were saddling up to their lockers, readying for the middle game of the three-game interleague series. Talk about your businesslike approach. It's June 10 and the Nationals have a 10 1/2-game lead over the Braves in the...

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Scouting makeup in the draft (Chris Davis on Homers for Hearts)

June 06, 2017, 10:09pm

Orioles

Scouting makeup in the draft (Chris Davis on Homers for Hearts)

Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft, consisting of 40 rounds, will be held over three days beginning on Monday, June 12. The first two rounds of the draft, through competitive balance round B (where the Orioles have a pick) will be held beginning Monday at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Rounds three through 10 will be held starting at 1 p.m. on June 13. On June 14, the draft resumes at noon with rounds 11 through 40. The Orioles select 21st overall in round one. It is their highest selection...

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The Mancini decision: Has he graduated from the minors?

January 26, 2017, 5:29pm

Orioles

The Mancini decision: Has he graduated from the minors?

Among many questions the Orioles have to answer once spring training starts is just where first baseman Trey Mancini will be on opening day. Is he going to make the roster or head back to the minors again to start 2017? Until the Orioles re-signed Mark Trumbo, both vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter expressed plenty of confidence in Mancini, and it looked like he could be the everyday designated hitter this season. But Trumbo's return likely changes that equation. So would...

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Wieters, Worley, draft order and minor matters

January 21, 2017, 6:41pm

Orioles

Wieters, Worley, draft order and minor matters

As another potential suitor for Matt Wieters is eliminated from consideration, speculation mounts that the Orioles could arrange an unexpected reunion with the free agent catcher. The Braves always have been viewed as the likely landing spot for Wieters, the former Georgia Tech star who owns a home in the Atlanta area, but they veered in a different direction yesterday and signed Kurt Suzuki. The market isn't completely dry, but the instructions call for the user to add water. The Angels could...

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With Dunning deal done, Nats have signed top 19 draft picks

July 01, 2016, 2:13pm

Nationals

With Dunning deal done, Nats have signed top 19 draft picks

The Nationals announced the signing of pitcher Dane Dunning, the second of their two first-round picks, the final significant member of this year's draft class that had yet to come to terms. Dunning received a $2 million signing bonus, according to a club source, which is just below slot value for the 29th selection in this year's draft. A 6-foot-4 right-hander from the University of Florida, Dunning held off signing until now in part because he was still pitching for the Gators in the...

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Janish accepts outright assignment (plus other notes)

June 22, 2016, 1:08pm

Orioles

Janish accepts outright assignment (plus other notes)

Infielder Paul Janish accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, according to industry sources. He is expected to join the team this weekend. Janish had the right to refuse the assignment based on a previous designation. He cleared waivers and was outrighted yesterday to make room for reliever Oliver Drake, giving him three days to make a decision. The Orioles have signed 15 more of their 2016 draft picks, bringing their overall total to 21. The newest players to sign are shortstop...

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Nationals top draft pick Kieboom gets $2 million to sign

June 16, 2016, 9:46am

Nationals

The Nationals and top draft pick Carter Kieboom agreed to terms this week on a deal that will pay the 18-year-old shortstop a $2 million signing bonus, a source familiar with the decision confirmed. That amount, which was first reported by MLB.com's Jim Callis, is roughly the same as Major League Baseball's predetermined slot amount of $2,065,900 for the 28th overall selection in last week's draft. The club has yet to announce Kieboom's signing, but he appeared at Nationals Park on Monday,...

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Carter Kieboom on Nats' selection: "Really a dream come true"

June 10, 2016, 10:50am

Nationals

Carter Kieboom on Nats' selection: "Really a dream come true"

The Nationals' top selection in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft met with the media on a conference call Friday. Shortstop Carter Kieboom, the younger brother of Double-A catcher Spencer Kieboom, was selected with the 28th pick in the opening round on Thursday night. "To be selected by the Nationals, that's very special," said the 6-foot-2, 185 lb. Carter Kieboom. "I've never been able to play with my older brothers. Now to be given the opportunity to potentially to play with Spencer in a...

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Orioles select outfielder Austin Hays in 3rd round (4th, 5th round)

June 10, 2016, 10:03am

Orioles

With three college pitchers already in the fold, the Orioles began Day 2 of the First-Year Player Draft by selecting Jacksonville University outfielder Austin Hays in the third round. Hays is the 91st overall pick. Baseball America rated him No. 46 on its draft prospect list and wrote the following: "Power potential with bat and power arm make him prototype right field prospect." Hays, 20, batted .350/.406/.655 with 16 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs and 42 RBIs in 54 games as a junior. He...

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Nationals select Carter Kieboom and Dane Dunning in first round (updated)

June 09, 2016, 6:16pm

Nationals

The Nationals have been impressed with the growth and ability of catcher Spencer Kieboom. The fifth-round selection in 2012 was placed on the 40-man roster November 20, 2015, alongside left-hander Nick Lee and infielder Chris Bostick. Kieboom is currently a catcher at Double-A Harrisburg. And staying in the family to begin the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, the Nationals selected Spencer's little brother, shortstop Carter Kieboom, out of Walton (Ga.) high school. Carter was selected with the...

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Hearing from Rajsich and Sedlock after Day 1 of draft

June 09, 2016, 9:24pm

Orioles

Hearing from Rajsich and Sedlock after Day 1 of draft

Orioles director of scouting Gary Rajsich set out to get three college pitchers last night in the 2016 amateur draft and achieved his goal with Illinois right-hander Cody Sedlock at No. 27, Western Michigan left-hander Keegan Akin at No. 54 and John A. Logan Community College right-hander Matthias Dietz at No. 69. Rajsich speculated that all three pitchers will begin their professional careers at Single-A short-season Aberdeen. Of course, the Orioles must sign them. Rajsich, made available to...

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A draft Q&A with Gary Rajsich, plus O's notes on pitching and more

June 08, 2016, 6:50pm

Orioles

A draft Q&A with Gary Rajsich, plus O's notes on pitching and more

The Orioles have the No. 27 overall pick tonight as Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft begins at 7. It will be televised live on MLB Network. The 40-round draft will continue tomorrow and Saturday. Tonight the clubs select players through Round 2 and the Competitive Balance Lottery Round B, so the Orioles will make three picks tonight. On Friday players will be selected in Rounds 3-10 and the draft concludes Saturday with picks in Rounds 11-40. The Orioles have four picks in the...

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More Machado, delving into draft and talking to Trumbo

June 08, 2016, 9:50pm

Orioles

More Machado, delving into draft and talking to Trumbo

Today may bring word of Manny Machado's suspension for his part in Tuesday night's brawl. Actually, the news release from Major League Baseball couldn't be summed up in one word. It would have to include the length of the suspension, mention of an "undisclosed fine" and a reminder of his actions, including how he charged the mound and threw a punch at Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura. The Orioles are the losers here despite sweeping the Royals. Any suspension is going to take away an...

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Notes on Ashur Tolliver, draft picks and Chris Tillman

May 23, 2016, 8:20pm

Orioles

Notes on Ashur Tolliver, draft picks and Chris Tillman

HOUSTON - If, as expected, the Orioles add Double-A Bowie left-handed reliever Ashur Tolliver to their roster today to replace the recently traded Brian Matusz, the move will very likely be popular among O's minor league staff and players. They will be excited to see a career minor leaguer get his shot. Tolliver is no pitching version of Crash Davis, but he has been hurling baseballs on the O's farm since 2009. He has never pitched above Double-A, but it looks like he will now. He's also...

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Another look at the possibility of the Orioles giving up a draft pick

February 07, 2016, 6:32pm

Orioles

So what is the value of a draft pick? On the one hand, we know that most players that get drafted never make the major leagues - and even some of the highest-drafted players never make it. Look at the first-round picks for just about any draft and check out the number of players that never made it or never did very much in the majors. On the other hand, teams seem to value the picks now more than ever. They don't part with them easily. All organizations value young talent that is on the lower...

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A look at a few reasons to keep the 14th pick

January 29, 2016, 11:57am

Orioles

A look at a few reasons to keep the 14th pick

There are a few good reasons that the Orioles have been reluctant to part with the No. 14 pick in the first round of next June's First-Year Player Draft. If the Orioles had signed or do sign a player that turned down a qualifying offer, they have to part with that draft pick. For one, the Orioles hope to get a player with that pick that will advance to the major leagues and help them win games for years. But beyond that, money to sign the picks is involved. The Orioles currently have six of...

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A look at O's draft picks, Colorado outfielders and more

January 12, 2016, 2:02pm

Orioles

A look at O's draft picks, Colorado outfielders and more

At the moment, the Orioles have, by my count, six of the first 90 picks in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft next June. In the 2014 draft, after losing picks for signing Nelson Cruz and Ubaldo Jimenez, the O's first pick was No. 90. The Orioles should currently be slated to get the No. 28 overall pick in the draft for losing pitcher Wei-Yin Chen via free agency to Miami. Four teams have lost first-round picks for signing free agents that turned down qualifying offers: the Cubs, Nats,...

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Buck Showalter on possibly parting with a draft pick and the need for a lefty bat

December 09, 2015, 11:37am

Orioles

Buck Showalter on possibly parting with a draft pick and the need for a lefty bat

NASHVILLE - Would the Orioles part with the 14th pick in the draft? If they signed a free agent who had turned down a qualifying offer, they would have to. While the first 10 picks in next June's First-Year Player Draft are protected, the O's No. 14 pick is not. Players that turned down the qualifying offer who could be sought by the Orioles include outfielders Alex Gordon, Justin Upton and Jason Heyward, and pitchers Yovani Gallardo and Ian Kennedy. During his Winter Meetings press...