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Washington Nationals: 2017 MLB Draft in review DoDcast

By Ricky Keeler |
Jun 17, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers second baseman Cole Freeman (8) fields the ball against the Florida State Seminoles in the sixth inning at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. LSU won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers second baseman Cole Freeman (8) fields the ball against the Florida State Seminoles in the sixth inning at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. LSU won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

On yesterday’s DoDcast, Ryan Sullivan from Nats GM joined me to talk about the Washington Nationals draft and what’s gone on in the minor leagues

Last week, the Washington Nationals made their selections in the 2017 MLB Draft. The heavy theme of the draft was pitching as the organization took pitchers with nine of their first ten picks as they try to build the pitching back up in their farm system.

Yesterday, I hosted a special edition of our DoDcast with a special guest, who has been on our show before and gives excellent insight. My guest was Ryan Sullivan from Nats GM (no, not Mike Rizzo). You can find the video towards the bottom of this story.

After giving our initial takeaways from this draft, Ryan and I talked about the most talked about pick from the draft. That would be Houston left-hander Seth Romero. We gave our thoughts on the pick and whether or not he has the chance to be in the bullpen at the major league level this year.

Then, the conversation shifted to South Carolina right-hander Wil Crowe, who the Washington Nationals took in the second round. Ryan talked about Crowe’s potential as a back-end starter in a good rotation and some of the pitches that Crowe brings to the mound with him.

More from District on Deck

Of course, there’s more to the draft than just the first two rounds. Each of us gave our favorite picks from the other two days of the MLB Draft and focused on some of the draftees that are currently playing in the College World Series in Omaha.

Last night, another Nats affiliate got their season underway as the short-season Auburn Doubledays began New York-Penn League play against Batavia. The Doubledays roster doesn’t have many of the top picks with their team yet, but both of us talked about outfielder Armond Upshaw as a player to watch (.325 batting average in 13 games at GCL last year).

Currently, two of the Nats affiliates are at their All-Star breaks (Hagerstown and Potomac). We took a look back at their first half by highlighting some key players to watch on each of those teams.

I will have more in-depth looks at those teams soon as I will be talking with Hagerstown announcer Kevin Gehl and Potomac announcer Mike Weisman. Stay tuned for that.

Finally, the conversation shifted to Syracuse as we discussed Erick Fedde’s transition to the bullpen this year and the struggles that the starting rotation is having, including Austin Voth.

Next: Wilson versatile fit for bullpen?

All of us at District On Deck thank Ryan for coming on the show and be sure to read his site for the latest scouting reports on some of the Washington Nationals top prospects.

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