A starter and a closer — can they begin tonight?
The Washington Nationals found two standout players at needed positions in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday. Top overall pick Stephen Strasburg is considered the best pitching prospect in a generation. Tenth pick Drew Storen of Stanford is a reliever who can hopefully replicate Chad Cordero’s quick rise.
It doesn’t get better than that. Finally, hope isn’t far away. And don’t forget the Nats will probably draft first next year too. Things have to improve in a few years.
Storen probably sees the majors before Strasburg. General manager Mike Rizzo said neither was ready for the majors yet, but closers can rise more quickly, especially if they’re a ninth-inning punchout artist.
It would be so tempting to promote both. The Nats may post the worst season in baseball history despite a strong hitting lineup. Attendance might fall from 2.4 million last year to 1.6 million. The TV and radio numbers stink. Essentially, baseball season ends July 30 when the Redskins open training camp.
Strasburg could be a September call-up, throwing a game or two to tease fans into buying season tickets next year. He has already thrown 109 innings this year for San Diego State so expect a light season from him even if signing soon. The Nats will spend a blockbuster amount for him, so Strasburg won’t be risked too soon.
Storen throws darts and a change, a three-pitch threat with a curveball, too. He’ll twist desperate hitters into pretzels. The Nats desperately needed him two months ago, yet Rizzo is preaching patience to worn-out fans. We’ll see how long this one takes to be in Washington. The over/under could be the All-Star break if faring well in the minors.
Storen was chosen with the compensatory pick after not signing Aaron Crow, who ironically fell from the top five to 12th with Kansas City. Talk about karma paybacks. No way he wretches big money from the Royals after stiffing the Nats last year. What a wasted year for Crow, but the Nats still gained an impact player.
Now the Nats need hitters. The minors has less power than the vice president. The major league roster belies the real problem of few successors forthcoming.
But the top two problems may be solved. The rest can wait for later.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
