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 Nats name Riggleman Jim Riggleman was officially introduced as the manager of the Washington Nationals. |
With commissioner Bud Selig announcing picks from the podium, the first round was broadcast live on MLB Network. The only thing missing was a Green Room filled with anxious prospects sporting flashy suits — most declined the invitation.
One local prospect did show up, however. High school center fielder Mike Trout from New Jersey sat in a replica dugout with more than a dozen friends and family members, who rejoiced when he was selected 25th overall by the Los Angeles Angels.
“It’s been a great experience,” Trout said. “A once-in-a-lifetime deal. It was the best feeling in the world.”
Selig would like to see more prospects attend in the future. Several Hall of Famers were on hand as club representatives, including Al Kaline, Tommy Lasorda and Billy Williams.
“We can do more to boost this event,” Selig said, “but this is a huge move in the right direction.”
Eleven of the first 15 picks were pitchers, considered the strength of this unpredictable draft class. Eight in a row went from Nos. 5-12.
The fourth and fifth selections were players who soared up draft boards late.
Pittsburgh went for Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez, a late bloomer, and Baltimore chose high school right-hander Matt Hobgood out of California.
San Francisco took another righty, Zack Wheeler out of East Paulding High School in Georgia. The Giants picked right before his hometown Atlanta Braves, who were thought to be interested in Wheeler.
The Braves then selected Mike Minor, who joined David Price (2007) and Jeremy Sowers (2004) as Vanderbilt lefties to go among the first seven picks.
The Nationals were the first team to have a pair of top-10 picks. They chose reliever Drew Storen at No. 10, a right-hander from Stanford.
That pick was compensation for Washington failing to sign its selection at No. 9 last year, Missouri pitcher Aaron Crow. After playing in an independent minor league, Crow went back into the draft pool this year and was chosen No. 12 overall by Kansas City.
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