The 2018 MLB Draft wrap up – every pick, every team
Washington Nationals
Day One
Round 1, Overall 27 – Mason Denaburg, RHP, Florida HS
Round 2, Overall 65 – Tim Cate, LHP, Connecticut
Both of these selections make a lot of sense for the Nationals, who tend to focus on pitchers with some injury history in order to get better players for a discount in the draft process. Denaburg certainly fits that, with stuff that profiles right alongside the top of the high school class when he’s 100%, but he had some health issues this season. Cate’s curveball is one of the best in the entire draft, but he struggled late in the season with shoulder issues, dropping him from a borderline first round selection to the back of the 2nd round.
Day Two
Round 3, Overall 101 – Reid Schaller, RHP, Vanderbilt
Round 4, Overall 131 – Jake Irvin, RHP, Oklahoma
Round 5, Overall 161 – Gage Canning, OF, Arizona State
Round 6, Overall 191 – Andrew Karp, RHP, Florida State
Round 7, Overall 221 – Chandler Day, RHP, Vanderbilt
Round 8, Overall 251 – Tyler Cropley, C, Iowa
Round 9, Overall 281 – Tanner Driskill, RHP, Lamar
Round 10, Overall 311 – Carson Shaddy, 2B, Arkansas
The Nationals focused hard on impact arms, many of whom profile for the bullpen, in the 2018 MLB draft’s second day. The real “get” here is Canning, a guy many saw as a possible first day selection that the Nationals were able to pick up in the 5th round in this draft, a guy who could move quickly with a fairly high floor and the upside of a second-division regular.
Day Three
Round 11, Overall 341 – Frankie Bartow, RHP, Miami
Round 12, Overall 371 – Graham Lawson, RHP, South Carolina
Round 13, Overall 401 – Cody Wilson, OF, Florida Atlantic
Round 14, Overall 431 – Aaron Fletcher, LHP, Houston
Round 15, Overall 461 – Evan Lee, LHP, Arkansas
Round 16, Overall 491 – Carson Teel, LHP, Oklahoma State
Round 17, Overall 521 – Ridge Chapman, RHP, South Carolina
Round 18, Overall 551 – Jacob Rhinesmith, OF, Western Kentucky
Round 19, Overall 581 – Zach Linginfelter, RHP, Tennessee
Round 20, Overall 611 – Onix Vega, C, Broward JuCo
Round 21, Overall 641 – Ryan Tapani, RHP, Creighton
Round 22, Overall 671 – Cole Daily, SS, Notre Dame
Round 23, Overall 701 – Cole Hamilton, C, Linn-Benton JuCo
Round 24, Overall 731 – Kyle Marinconz, SS, Cal Poly
Round 25, Overall 761 – Chris Vann, LHP, Mercer
Round 26, Overall 791 – Colin Morse, RHP, Shenandoa
Round 27, Overall 821 – Pablo O’Connor, OF, Azusa Pacific
Round 28, Overall 851 – Blake Chisolm, 1B, Sam Houston State
Round 29, Overall 881 – Colton Pogue, SS, Pittsburg State
Round 30, Overall 911 – Trey Vickers, SS, Wichita State
Round 31, Overall 941 – Jonathan Quintana, OF, Barry
Round 32, Overall 971 – Alec Maley, RHP, Kentucky
Round 33, Overall 1001 – Jack Haney, C, Georgia HS
Round 34, Overall 1031 – Tyler Baca, OF, California HS
Round 35, Overall 1061 – Alex Binelas, 1B, Wisconsin HS
Round 36, Overall 1091 – Bo Blessie, RHP, Texas HS
Round 37, Overall 1121 – Cole Wilcox, RHP, Georgia HS
Round 38, Overall 1151 – Bobby Milacki, RHP, Arizona Christian
Round 39, Overall 1181 – Andrew Nardi, LHP, Moorpark JuCo
Round 40, Overall 1211 – Mike Menhart, RHP, Georgia HS
The Nationals selected a college-heavy assortment of players on day 3 of the 2018 MLB draft. Lee is a very intriguing pick as a guy who is a corner outfielder and pitcher both with a chance to succeed at either at the pro level. He’s also a draft-eligible sophomore, so he could choose to return to school as well.
Overall Outlook
The pitching picks on day one made perfect sense for the Washington Nationals’ typical approach to the MLB draft, grabbing two high-ceiling arms that both have some injury questions right now.