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Washington Nationals: Top 10 first-round picks of all-time

By Blake Finney

WASHINGTON - AUGUST 21: Stephen Strasburg (L), the overall first pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, is presented with his jersey by Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (R) after being introduced at Nationals Park August 21, 2009 in Washington, DC. Strasburg, a right handed pitcher from San Diego State University, signed with the Nationals earlier this week wth a record contract for an amateur player. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON - AUGUST 21: Stephen Strasburg (L), the overall first pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, is presented with his jersey by Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (R) after being introduced at Nationals Park August 21, 2009 in Washington, DC. Strasburg, a right handed pitcher from San Diego State University, signed with the Nationals earlier this week wth a record contract for an amateur player. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /
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Washington Nationals Brian Goodwin
Washington Nationals Brian Goodwin /

OF. Miami Dade. 8. player. 2011. Pick Analysis. 90. BrianGoodwin

In 2011, the Washington Nationals made three first-round picks, two of which came from the loss of Adam Dunn the previous off-season. We’ll see another of the first round picks from 2011 later on, but first up is Brian Goodwin.

Goodwin was rated as the 36th best prospect that season by MLB.com and the Nats took him with the 34th overall selection. And although he took 5 years to make his major league debut, he’s now establishing himself as a starting-caliber player.

He was a late call-up in 2016 when Ryan Zimmerman went down injured, but his real breakout season was in 2017. With injuries to Adam Eaton, Bryce Harper, and even Michael Taylor for a time, Goodwin carved out a regular role in the Nationals lineup.

That year he hit .251 with a .811 OPS and 13 home runs in 74 games, playing all three outfield positions. His highlight of the season was in Oakland going 4 for 5, with his first big league home run.

Moving forward, he still looks to play a fourth outfield type role. The likes of Eaton, Harper, Juan Soto, and Victor Robles are ahead of him in the pecking order, the short and long term.

There’s a small chance Goodwin could rise up this list should they not retain Harper and injuries allow him regular playing time again. At the very least, the Nationals got a solid player in the first round, although they may have hoped for a bit better.

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