The next two days are going to be HUGE. First, Mr. Huntington Monday night has to decide where next to take the franchise - as we all know the Bucs have the second overall pick tomorrow. Then Tuesday is the already way-over hyped Strasburg debut. Fortunately the Bucs have played well against the best pitchers in the league this year - it's the mediocre and poor starters which have given us fits. Jeff Karstens will match up, as he's come up big before for the Bucs (after the horrible Milwaukee fiasco earlier this year). There had been some talk of calling Brad Lincoln up for this game, but I really don't like the idea. Sure, he could probably handle the pressure, might just pitch well, and it would make a great story (Mr. Lincoln Comes to Washington) ... but the front office has done a very good job so far of calling guys up not when the pressure is on to do so, but when the player is ready. Recent examples are the blistering hot former first round picks, and 1-2 hitters in the lineup right now! Sure arbitration clocks are a factor, but it's not a case of being cheap, it's a case of being smart. Fret not, Brad will be up soon, but not for ESPN and MLB Network's sake. He'll be up when he set to succeed. Just so happens that that will probably coincide with one of our soft tossing lefties moving to a contender around the end of July. But back to Monday ...
The Nationals have to take Bryce Harper, right? If for some asinine reason they don't, then the Bucs HAVE to draft and sign him, and make him the next new face of the franchise. I would love to have Harper, but there's maybe only a 1% chance Washington passes on him. But we can dream. More likely is the question of Jameson Taillon, the highly coveted high school righty and prep star shortstop Manny Machado, dubbed by some as A-Rod Light. While I have my preference, it really doesn't matter which guy Neal picks. You have to take the most talented guy on the board, and Neal has over-and-over again reiterated that's what's they'll do. Ultimately I think we're going to take Taillon, but I'm leaning towards Machado. Pitching in the low-mid minors is a strength of the franchise, but there are very few high upside position players in the minors. While you're not supposed to draft on positional need, it's no secret that stud prospect middle infielders are in low supply in the pipeline. The franchise needs more good hitters, plain and simple. But since we're talking about 2A and 2B type talents, either way Neal goes will work - you can never have enough good pitching. The most important thing is to SIGN the guy you choose.
Oh, and I'm really digging the mustaches, but Ronny Cedeno is mailing it in. Gotta try dude, no sharpies.
BEAT 'EM BUCS!
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