NL East: Draft could be the highlight of Nationals' season

By Michael Rushton

National League East Team Report

The question isn't if the Washington Nationals are going to select San Diego State right-hander Stephen Strasburg with the first pick of Tuesday's 2009 First-Year Player Draft, but rather how much is it going to cost them.

The Nationals have made no secret they covet Strasburg and why not? The phenom
went 13-1 this season with a 1.32 earned run average and 195 strikeouts.

"I'm not trying to hide anything or avoid the question: If the draft were
today, Strasburg would be the player," acting Washington general manager Mike
Rizzo told his team's Web site earlier last week. "That's how I answer the
question. He is the top guy on our Draft board."

Strasburg possess the best fastball and curve in the draft and has been
clocked in the low 100s. Mix in an outstanding slider and you have an ace in
the making.

However, you also get a meeting with super agent Scott Boras, who is making a
pitch that his client is worth a $50 million signing bonus. The Nationals
failed to sign their first round pick last year -- Aaron Crow -- due to money
issues and are hoping that doesn't happen two years in a row. Expect
Strasburg to be happy with a $25-30 bonus when all is said and done.

However, this draft is big because the Nats also have the 10th overall pick
due to their inability to sign Crow last year as the ninth selection.

2008 Draft: Took Crow but was unable to sign.

Who they will take this year: Strasburg goes No. 1 and Washington hasn't ruled
out drafting Crow again, but he might not be on the board. Instead, they get
another pitcher in either Chad Jenkins or Drew Storen at the 10th spot.

BRAVES: ENTERING NEW GROUND

Thanks to a subpar 2008 season, the Atlanta Braves are selecting seventh
overall in Tuesday's draft. That is their highest draft pick since they
grabbed outfielder Mike Kelly second overall in 1991.

Atlanta hopes this pick pans out better. Kelly made his MLB debut in 1994, but
lasted just two seasons with the Braves. He was traded to the Reds in 1996 for
Chad Fox and Ray King, and in 327 games over a six-year career with Atlanta,
Cincinnati, Tampa Bay and Colorado, the Arizona State product hit .241 with 22
homers and 86 RBI.

Though the Braves have one of the top pitching prospects in baseball in Tommy
Hanson, who made his debut on Sunday in less-than-stellar fashion, they could
look to the hill again in the draft. Atlanta parted ways with two of their
top-10 prospects in outfielder Gorkys Hernandez and pitcher Jeff Locke in the
Nate McLouth trade with Pittsburgh and only two of their last five first picks
were hurlers.

Three of Atlanta's current five starters are at least 32 years old.

2008 Draft: The Braves grabbed left-handed pitcher Brett DeVall 40th overall
last year, as their first pick wasn't until the supplemental round thanks to
the signing of Tom Glavine.

Who they will take this year: Atlanta would love for Georgia native Zack
Wheeler to fall to seven, but if not they will simply take the best arm left.
Lets pencil in Jacob Turner since Tyler Matzek will probably be gone as well.

MARLINS: COULD DRAFT EITHER WAY

With the 18th pick on Tuesday, the Florida Marlins will see a lot of good
pitchers and position players come off the board before they select. Then they
will take the best of what is left.

While many clubs use the first round to stock up on pitching, the Marlins
don't seem to have any glaring holes in their current rotation. Now, if the
club was picking in the top five, they wouldn't pass up on a high-ceiling arm,
but by picking in the middle tier of the first round the Marlins don't have
to reach to take an arm.

Florida's rotation doesn't feature a hurler older than 26, and Josh Johnson
and Chris Volstad appear as if they will form a tough 1-2 punch for the next
few years.

The Marlins, who have also picked up some highly drafted arms though trades
over the last few seasons, can instead address their offense if they don't
like the pitchers left at No. 18.

2008 draft: Drafting sixth overall, the Marlins selected high school catcher
Kyle Skipworth. It marked the second straight season they drafted a position
player with their first pick.

Who they will take this year: Third baseman Bobby Borchering makes sense here,
as does a move to first base for the youngster.

PHILLIES & METS: WILL WAIT TO DRAFT

The Phillies were coming off a World Series title and were quick to add free
agent Raul Ibanez to the mix in the offseason. The Mets, after collapsing for
a second straight year and missing the playoffs yet again, added Francisco
Rodriguez to close out games.

Both moves cost their new teams a first-round pick.

Neither Philadelphia or New York will be active in the draft's first round,
but neither are kicking themselves too hard. Ibanez is tied for the National
League lead with 54 RBI, is second with 19 homers and is batting a healthy
.329. Rodriguez, meanwhile, is a perfect 15-for-15 in save opportunities this
year and has allowed just two earned runs over 26 2/3 innings for a 0.68 ERA.

The Phillies won't draft until 75th this year, while the Mets first pick is
No. 72.

2008 draft: Philadelphia selected third baseman Anthony Hewitt 24th overall
last year, while New York grabbed first baseman Ike Davis 18th overall --
getting the pick from the Braves for Glavine.