WASH: Nationals could have drafted Josh Bell in 2011
Alex Meyer
The Nationals had the 23rd pick in the first round as compensation for the White Sox signing slugger Adam Dunn. During his two years in town Dunn hit 76 home runs and delivered zero postseason wins.
With the pick, the Nationals selected a 6 foot, 9 inch right-hander, out of the University of Kentucky, by the name of Alex Meyer.
More Nationals. Wary of a Carter Kieboom trade. light
Meyer was 10-6 with a 2.86 ERA, with more strikeouts than innings pitched in Single-A, in what would be his only season in the Nationals organization.
In need of a leadoff hitter and center fielder the Nats sent Meyer to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Denard Span.
Span did well in his time with the Nationals, hitting .292 with 62 stolen bases in his three years in DC. His OPS of .255 during the playoff loss to San Francisco was very forgettable.
Appearing in just four games with the Twins, Meyer had a 14.21 ERA before being flipped to the Los Angeles Angels. In 2017 Meyer made 13 starts with an ERA less than 4.00. Tommy John surgery and other shoulder issues hampered Meyer, and that was the last we’ve heard of him.
Josh Bell could have been a fit at this selection, though the Nats were looking for an arm at the time.