Washington Nationals: drafting a catcher in a five round draft is a waste
The Washington Nationals selected a catcher in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft and as far as I’m concerned it was a wasted pick.
With the 2020 MLB draft being cut down to five rounds, teams really needed to maximize the value of each pick. After selecting three college pitchers and a high school shortstop, the Washington Nationals used their next pick on a catcher.
Nothing against Brady Lindsly, the senior backstop the Nats grabbed out of the University of Oklahoma, I just feel the pick could have been more wisely.
Well, maybe a little something against Lindsly. He hit .275 with ten home runs over the course of his four years and was not ranked in the top 200 draft prospects. At the time he was selected there were six catchers still on the board who were ranked in the top 200.
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Could have been sign-ability. Could have been a battery mate for first round pick Cade Cavalli (who is also out of Oklahoma). Or this kid may really be a stellar defensive catcher.
Seems to me Lindsly is going to be organizational depth. Couldn’t depth like this be picked up after the draft for $20,000? Is the difference between Lindsly and one of those catchers really a lot?
The Washington Nationals have selected 34 catchers since 2010 with only three of them making it to the majors.
If there is a great catcher out there to be had, then I say take them. If one can be gotten in the first couple of rounds and will develop into being major league ready in a couple of years, hop on them.
If not, use the pick elsewhere. Grab another arm to throw into the system. Take a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions. Draft some value somewhere.
Yes, there are a few cases of catchers coming from late rounds to lead productive careers. Yes, Hall of Famer Mike Piazza was a 62nd round pick. I know there are other cases out there as well. I just think the Nationals could have gone a different direction with this pick.
dark. Next. Expos last draft class still producing
I do hope the best for Brady Lindsly. I hope he proves me wrong and we see him in the majors one day.