The Nats MLB Draft starts with their №10 pick, and a new №39 pick, to go with their №44

Today we have reached the point of the first and second round of the MLB Draft. Teams still don’t know who is picking which players until the names are called, and kind of like last year, we have to wait to see who is chosen ahead of the Washington Nationals. Last year, it was just waiting for the Pirates to pick at No. 1 to know the Nats were taking Dylan Crews as the second pick in the draft.

There was extra intrigue added yesterday as general manager Mike Rizzo traded Hunter Harvey, the Nats picked up a Competitive Balance draft pick, №39, to go with their №10 and №44 picks.

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Game #97 gets us to the All-Star break and the MLB Draft

The Washington Nationals pulled off a miraculous comeback from a 5-run deficit to score six unanswered runs with a Luis Garcia Jr. pinch-hit home run, and the clutch ninth inning 2-run blast by All-Star, CJ Abrams, that put up the blown save on the Brewers’ closer as well as the finally tally to take the score from a 5-4 deficit to a 6-5 winner. Of course the bottom of the 9th inning was a heart thumper when right fielder Lane Thomas had to sprint back to the wall with a jump to catch what easily could have turned into a disaster. Kyle Finnegan earned the save, and the bullpen threw up another shutout. But that seemed bittersweet, because shortly after the game ended, the Nats were hugging top set-up man, Hunter Harvey, who had been traded to the Royals.

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Breaking: Hunter Harvey has been traded to the Royals

While the Washington Nationals came back from a 5-0 deficit to win a shocker over the Milwaukee Brewers, it was bittersweet after teammates were saying goodbye to top set-up reliever, Hunter Harvey, who was traded officially minutes ago to the Kansas City Royals.

The Washington Nationals acquired the Royals №2 overall prospect, third baseman Cayden Wallace, and maybe more importantly, the Royals’ competitive balance draft pick (№39 overall) and the slot money ($2,395,000) that goes with it, from Kansas City in exchange for Harvey. The Nats’ bonus pool for the MLB Draft has now increased to $13,895,100 from $11,500,100.

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Game #96 Parker wants to follow Rutledge’s lead; Crews starts in the All-Star Futures Game

The Washington Nationals are readying themselves in a few hours for the All-Star Futures Game in Texas, and 24-hours before the 2024 MLB Draft in Texas. Last night, the Nats were the deepest they have been all season as an underdog — and Jackson Rutledge delivered along with the bullpen, some timely defense, and some key hits. At about the time the All-Star Futures Game gets going — the Brewers will be pitching to the Nats in Milwaukee.

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Game #95 Rutledge gets another chance

The Washington Nationals are about 48-hours before the 2024 MLB Draft, and on the mound in a call-up today is Jackson Rutledge, the team’s first rounder from the 2019 draft. Just two days ago, Don H. was wondering if Rutledge should be shifted to the bullpen. Well, Rutledge will get another opportunity after his dismal 2024 season and a 6.66 ERA in Triple-A Rochester to show he still can be an MLB starter.

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A total flop in Queens, NYC and the Nats will be all ears on trades per a source. But first, there’s an MLB Draft!

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A Minors Monday

“Bonus Baby” Harmon Killebrew in the dugout with grizzled Manager Bucky Harris (1954). The path to the Majors was at once different and familiar back in the day.

Sometimes events line up not unlike soldiers for morning Colors.  On Monday, July 1 the Nats’ faithful were treated to the inauguration of the James Wood era.  Two weeks distant would be the annual MLB Draft.  By then the top prospects in the game would have played their exhibition “Futures Game.”  Against this backdrop it was utterly irresistible to accept freebie tickets to a “High A” Minor League (MiLB) game.  The contest featured Winston-Salem’s “Dash” (CWS) versus the Hickory “Crawdads” (TEX).  It turned out to be a wonderful, albeit a very warm evening.  But, for every element within plain sight were several others lingering not far behind the beautiful twilight.

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Game #94 Nats must avoid the dreaded sweep!

The Washington Nationals had a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning with a fully rested back of the bullpen — but allowed starter Patrick Corbin to meltdown on the mound with Derek Law as the bullpen arm to replace Corbin. We all know Law’s record as the anti-fireman who has allowed at least one inherited runner to score in 82.4 percent of those appearances — and that is a lot of scorched earth. He did not disappoint last night as Corbin’s two inherited runners quickly scored. The Nats lost 6-2. The Nats have now sunk to a season’s worst 9-games under .500, and now are on a 73 win pace.

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Nationals’ Summer Schedule: Must-See Games and More

The Washington Nationals schedule is tough playing in the NL East. They have a difficult road ahead of them after the All-Star break that begins a week from Friday with upcoming home games against teams like the Yankees, Brewers, and Phillies, among others.

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Rutledge to the Bullpen? Closer??????

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