2007 MLB Draft: Washington Nationals

Players signed indicated in Bold

Round Overall Player Position School State Bonus
1 6 Ross Detwiler lhp Missouri State MO $2,150,000
The Marlins made Brett Sinkbeil the highest-drafted player in Missouri State history when they selected him 19th overall in 2006, but his record will likely last for only a year. Detwiler could go as high as No. 2 overall to the Royals and should last no more than 10 picks at the most. Though he packs just 175 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame, Detwiler has the leverage and whip-like arm speed to consistently deliver 92-95 mph fastballs. He also throws a hard spike curveball at 78-81 mph, and sometimes will drop his arm angle to give it more sweeping break against lefthanders. His changeup has shown improvement this spring. Detwiler hasn't been able to put on weight yet has been durable. After starring in the Cape Cod League and with Team USA last summer, he endured a trying junior season, winning just four times in his first 12 starts due to a lack of offensive and defensive support. He was finishing strong, however, striking out a career-high 14 in a mid-May start that his bullpen blew for him in the ninth inning.
1s 31 Josh Smoker lhp Calhoun (Ga.) HS GA $1,000,000
It was apparent Smoker was bound for success when, as a freshman in 2004, he set a school strikeout record with 126 in 62 innings. He broke the record in 2005, when he amassed 137 in 75 innings, helping his team win Georgia's 2-A championship. Smoker was named co-player of the year in the state, sharing the honors with Buster Posey, now at Florida State. He has been a mainstay on the wood bat and showcase tour for years, and has a portfolio as deep as any player in the draft, including college players. He'll warm up with six pitches and uses them all in games, though his 91-92 mph fastball, 74-76 mph curve and low- to mid-80s split-finger fastball are his bread and butter. He also flashes a changeup and slider. When he stays over the rubber and doesn't attempt to overthrow, he shows above-average command of all of his stuff. He'll run his fastball in on righthanders, snap his curve for a swing-and-miss pitch and lean on his splitter for strikeouts, as it at times can be unhittable. He pitches with fervor and guile, endearing himself to teammates and scouts alike. Smoker isn't expected to get much bigger, but he's athletic and durable, profiling as a No. 2 or 3 starter. He could go as high as No. 14 to Atlanta.
1s 49 Michael Burgess of Hillsborough HS, Tampa FL $630,000
With huge raw power, inconsistent performance and the legacy of Hillsborough High (the alma mater of Gary Sheffield, Dwight Gooden and Elijah Dukes, among other big leaguers) as a backdrop, Burgess has become one of this draft's most debated prospects. He was a third-team All-American after batting .512 with 12 home runs as a junior, and the power translated with a wood bat last summer. Although his bat speed, strength and leveraged swing remain, Burgess' approach and set-up at the plate have puzzled scouts this spring, and he hasn't made consistent hard contact. He seems to lack focus, perhaps due in part to constant solicitation from hopeful advisers and receiving hitting lessons from former Georgia Tech star Ty Griffin and big leaguer Derek Bell. Late in the season, his timing was better and he showed glimpses of the 40-homer-hitting right fielder he could become. He's an average defender with a plus arm and below-average speed. Burgess could slip into the supplemental round, but the team that weighs his history over his senior year could pop him in the first round.
2 67 Jordan Zimmermann rhp Wisconsin-Stevens Point WI $495,000
Zimmermann jumped up prospect lists last summer, when he led the Northwoods League in ERA (1.01) and strikeouts (92 in 80 innings) and ranked as the circuit's top prospect. Scouts haven't had an easy time following him this spring, however. Zimmermann broke his jaw in two places when he was struck by a batted ball while pitching live batting practice during an offseason workout. He missed three games and lost 10 pounds, and having wisdom teeth pulled during the season didn't help him regain his strength. Bad early-season weather also made it difficult to keep him on a regular schedule. Zimmermann's stuff was improving as the season went on, and he was consistently working in the low 90s and showing a quality slider as Wisconsin-Stevens Point entered the NCAA Division III playoffs. He also throws a changeup with promising action and uses a loopy curveball as a fourth pitch. Zimmermann regularly touched 93-95 in the Northwoods League, and scouts expect him to show that velocity more often as he adds more strength to his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame. He could go as high as the second round, but the third round is more likely.
2 70 Jake Smolinski 3b Boylan Catholic HS, Rockford, Ill. IL $452,500
A number of third basemen made strong impressions at the Area Code Games last summer. Californians Josh Vitters and Matt Dominguez should be first-round picks in June, while Iowan Jon Gilmore should go in the second or third round. Smolinski also has maintained his status as the best position-player prospect in Illinois. He stands out most for his feel for hitting and for the strength in his 6-foot, 195-pound build. He's also a good athlete--he doubles as Boylan Catholic's quarterback and finished 14th in SPARQ testing at the Area Codes--and has good arm strength. While scouts agree that he'll be a star at Clemson if he attends college, they aren't as sold on his pro future. Some believe he's maxed out physically already and will become a below-average runner as he fills out, limiting his defensive options. Currently a shortstop, Smolinski will have to move to third base or an outfield corner. Some clubs are intrigued with the idea of making him a catcher, where his arm and leadership skills would work to his advantage. His signability is uncertain, so he may not be drafted as high as his talent would warrant.
3 100 Steven Souza 3b Cascade HS, Everett, Wash. WA $346,000
Another Washington State signee, third baseman Steven Souza, was attracting attention as the next-best hitter in the state after Travis Mattair. Souza has plus bat speed and leverage in his swing, with a pro body and sufficient athleticism. His run and throw tools grade as average. Some scouts question his maturity and makeup, and many more wonder if he has the hands to stick in the infield. It won't matter if his bat plays as his supporters contend it will, with power to all fields. Organizations that don't mind raw, toolsy players--the Pirates and Nationals come to mind--could take Souza in the first five rounds.
4 130 Derek Norris c Goddard (Kan.) HS KS $210,000
It's the worst year in recent memory for Kansas high school players. The best of the crop, catcher Derek Norris, got off to a slow start after an overthrow hit him in the head while he was sitting in the dugout. His offensive is ahead of his defense at this point, as he has a lot of power in his 6-foot-1, 220-pound frame. He has enough arm and agility to get the job done behind the plate. He just needs more work as a catcher after playing third base for three years.
5 160 Bradley Meyers rhp Loyola Marymount CA $145,800
Projected as a possible sandwich pick coming out of high school in 2004, Meyers was a 14th-round pick out who eschewed pro ball to pitch at Loyola Marymount. Three years later, the scouting consensus sees him as fourth- to sixth-round talent. But with the shortage of college righthanders and his still-projectable 6-foot-6 frame, Meyers should go higher. Some rumors had him headed for the sandwich round, perhaps to Oakland. Meyers remains a projection pick, as his velocity has never jumped into the plus range. He has flashed 92-93 mph readings on his fastball from time to time but more ordinarily sits in the 88-90 mph range, at times with a good downhill plane. Meyers' best present attribute is his ability to throw strikes with the fastball, as well as his late-breaking curveball, a solid-average pitch. He also throws a slider and changeup. Meyers doesn't fare well in comparison to other SoCal college righthanders such as UCLA's Tyler Brummett, Pepperdine's Barry Enright or Cal State Fullerton's Wes Roemer in his competitiveness or mound moxie, but he has a better pro body and better stuff.
6 190 Jack McGeary lhp/1b Roxbury Latin HS, West Roxbury, Mass. MA $1,800,000
McGeary had separated his non-throwing shoulder playing basketball during the winter, and he did it again while diving for a ball at first base just 48 hours before he was scheduled to make his 2007 pitching debut, but he showed no signs of injury this spring. As polished and steady a prep lefty as there is in the nation, McGeary sits consistently in the 87-90 mph range with his fastball, touching 91, and he figures to add velocity as he fills out his tall frame, which invites comparisons to Andy Pettitte's. McGeary can spot the pitch to all four quadrants of the zone, and his above-average 76-78 mph curveball is a legitimate out pitch that he commands very well. McGeary also flashes an average changeup that he rarely has to use. He has a smooth, easy delivery, though he breaks his hands really low near his knees during his windup. McGeary could also be a power-hitting first baseman should he wind up at Stanford, but he might be signable if he goes in the first round. As a Massachusetts native, he's a Red Sox fan and has already been interviewed by a Red Sox fan blog.
7 220 P.J. Dean rhp New Caney (Texas) HS TX $120,000
Like fellow Oklahoma recruit Blake Beavan, righthander P.J. Dean may not make it to the Sooners. He's projectable at 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, and his present stuff already is pretty good, highlighted by an 88-92 mph fastball and a hard breaking ball. His command and mechanics need work, and scouts have questions about his makeup, so he could fall out of the first five rounds.
8 250 Adrian Alaniz rhp Texas TX $75,000
Lefthander Adrian Alaniz doesn't light up radar guns, working in the mid-80s, but all he does is win. The Big 12 pitcher of the year has 12 victories this spring to rank fourth in NCAA Division I entering regional play, and 27 in his career, including the clinching game of the 2005 College World Series. His top pitch is his curveball, and he has command of four offerings. A redshirt junior, he's already 23.
9 280 Mark Gildea of Florida State FL $95,000
10 310 Patrick McCoy lhp Sahuaro HS, Tucson, Ariz. AZ $100,000
McCoy came on despite his lack of athleticism and soft lower half, which needs to be addressed. He showed a lot of 90s on radar guns all spring, topping out at 91 while spinning a solid if slurvy breaking ball. He was commited to New Mexico Junior College.
11 340 Bill Rhinehart of Arizona AZ
12 370 Craig Stinson c Texas A&M TX
13 400 Steven Shepard rhp Franklin Pierce (N.H.) NH
Righthander Steve Shepard flashes even better stuff than Renaud, but he has struggled to command it. As a result, he had an 8.35 ERA and a 17-18 strikeout-walk ratio in 18 innings. Still, a team is likely to draft him because of a fastball that touches 96 mph and a projectable 6-foot-4 frame. He has a quick arm but there is some effort to his delivery. Shepherd flashes an interesting low-80s slider, but the pitch is below-average right now because he can't command it. He could be an interesting project, however.
14 430 Dan Lyons ss Minnesota MN
15 460 Patrick Arnold rhp Huntington (W.Va.) HS WV
Patrick Arnold is West Virginia's best prep prospect, but he had not taken a step forward in his feel for pitching, nor had his stuff shown significant development. Though he's unrefined, Arnold's fastball can climb into the low 90s, and his 71-74 mph breaking ball shows average shape and depth.
16 490 Christopher Blackwood of Gloucester County (N.J.) JC NJ
17 520 Luke Pisker rhp Virginia Commonwealth VA
18 550 Swain Carroll 1b Kentucky KY
First baseman Sawyer Carroll has the best approach and swing of Kentucky's draft-eligible position players. His defensive skills are passable, though his arm is below-average. He lacks strength, which shows in all phases of his game. He's primarily a singles and doubles hitter who makes enough contact to draw consideration on the first day of the draft.
19 580 Jeff Mandel rhp Baylor TX
Undrafted a year ago as a junior, righthander Jeff Mandel is Baylor's top prospect this spring and might be no more than an eighth- to 12th-rounder. He has an 88-92 mph fastball and an inconsistent slider. He's a 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete who has filled in at first base and in the outfield for the Bears.
20 610 Daniel Cook of Florida Atlantic FL
21 640 Anthony Benner 3b Southwestern (Calif.) JC CA
22 670 Jacob Rogers ss South Dakota State SD
Like he was a year ago, when he went undrafted as a junior, shortstop Jake Rogers is the best college position player prospect in the Dakotas. He has some bat speed and arm strength, though he'll probably have to move to second base in pro ball. Idaho's high school player of the year in 2003, Rogers spent two years at Walla Walla (Wash.) Community College before joining the Jackrabbits.
23 700 David Duncan lhp Georgia Tech GA
A year after Andrew Brackman came out of Cincinnati's Moeller High, Duncan created a buzz in the Buckeye State with low-90s heat from a similarly tall, athletic frame, but from the left side. He was drafted in the 14th round out of New Richmond (Ohio) High by the Twins in 2005 and turned down about $500,000 to attend Georgia Tech, where he has shown glimpses of his potential but not consistency. While Yellow Jackets pitching coach Bobby Moranda has streamlined Duncan's delivery, it's more of a herky-jerky motion as opposed to a clean, fluid one. His command is erratic, and when he's behind in the count he's unable to take advantage of his best pitch: a tumbling split-finger fastball that gets lots of swings and misses. Duncan's fastball ranges from 88-92 mph. His circle changeup is ahead of his slider, showing good armside run with the ability to turn it over. A draft-eligible sophomore, Duncan could be taken as early as the third round, but could elect to return to school if he slides past the fourth.
24 730 Rick Nolan c St. Leo (Fla.) FL
25 760 Chris Berroa of Pennsauken (N.J.) HS NJ
Chris Berroa is a thick, athletic corner outfielder. He has enough arm for right field, and is an average runner under way.
26 790 Kelvin Clark of Redan HS, Stone Mountain, Ga. GA
27 820 Aaron Seuss of California Baptist CA
28 850 Boomer Whiting of Louisville KY
29 880 Justin Phillabaum rhp Florida Atlantic FL
30 910 Zach Pitts rhp Louisville KY
Louisville righthander Zach Pitts leans on above-average command of his fastball to get outs. He works ahead in the count and can spot his high-80s heater to all four quadrants of the strike zone. Like Charlotte's Adam Mills, Pitts doesn't have a separating pitch and profiles as a middle reliever.
31 940 David Stewart of St. John Vianney HS, St. Louis MO
The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Stewart led the Vianney volleyball team to a Missouri state title as a freshman and was the leading scorer on the basketball team this winter as a power forward. He also has starred as an outfielder and pitcher for the baseball team, which won Class 4 state championships in 2004 and 2006. Though he can throw 89-90 mph off the mound, Stewart's future is as a lefthanded slugger. His size gives him tremendous leverage, and he has the quick hands and strength to drive balls a long way. He runs well for his size and has the arm strength to play right field. Because he's so big, Stewart has a naturally long swing, and scouts question whether he'll make consistent quality contact against better pitching. If he attends Nebraska, where he'd get the chance to play both ways, he could become one of the better power prospects for the 2010 draft.
32 969 Dan Killian c Chippewa Hills HS, Remus, Mich. MI
Catcher Dan Killian's brother Billy was a Padres third-round pick in 2004 and his father Bill is a part-time scout for the Reds. Some scouts preferred Killian to D.J. LeMahieu until he missed much of the season while recuperating from a meniscus tear in his knee. Killian has an athletic catcher's build (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) and a strong arm capable of producing 1.8-second pop times from his mitt to second base. He has bat speed and plus power potential, and he runs well for a catcher. That said, there are questions about his ability to make consistent contact and his receiving skills. Some scouts think he'd have a brighter future on the mound, where they project he'd throw 93-94 mph. A couple of teams are high on Killian and he could sneak into the fourth or fifth round. He has committed to Kentucky.
33 998 Jeffery McCollum rhp Southern LA
Southern has a pair of righthanders, Baron Short and Jeff McCollum, who have good size and reach 93 mph with their fastballs. But both have little in the way of a breaking ball or a feel for pitching, so they'll be long-term projects. McCollum, who's 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, went 4-1, 3.86.
34 1027 Kenn Kasparek rhp Texas TX
Texas righthander Kenn Kasparek's 6-foot-10, 250-pound frame long has intrigued scouts, but he missed the entire year after having Tommy John surgery in the offseason. He consistently showed a 92-93 mph fastball and a hard slider in the summer of 2003 but rarely since, so his stuff could really bounce back.
35 1056 Alex Floyd of Hillsborough (Fla.) CC FL
36 1085 Martin Beno rhp Oklahoma State OK
37 1113 Devin Drag rhp Chapman (Calif.) CA
38 1141 Shane Erb rhp Hillsborough (Fla.) CC FL
39 1169 Randall Staudt rhp St. Mary's (Texas) TX
40 1197 Kai Tuomi lhp Evansville IN
41 1223 Iden Nazario of/lhp Southridge HS, Miami FL
42 1249 Charles Bass of Jacksonville State AL
43 1275 Michael Martinez lhp Columbus HS, Miami FL
44 1301 Clinton Pridmore 3b Santa Rosa (Calif.) JC CA
45 1327 John Reagan c Rice TX
46 1351 Ryan Cisterna c Chandler-Gilbert (Ariz.) CC AZ
Royals draft-and-follow catcher Ryan Cisterna showed superior catch-and-throw skills, especially with his quick release and above-average arm. His hitting will determine if he makes it past Double-A as a pro because he's slow, even for a catcher.
47 1374 Jeffrey Walters rhp St. Petersburg (Fla.) JC FL
48 1396 Kyle Gunderson rhp Rice TX
49 1417 Jake Dugger of Arkansas AR
50 1438 Lindon Bond of Texas Southern TX

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