Trading Number one overall picks? The National thing to do

The Washington Nationals has two number one picks in the baseball draft in the last decade or so. In 2009, they drafted Stephen Strasburg, and in 2010 they drafted Bryce Harper. Strasburg came as a polished pitcher from San Diego State University and Bruce Harper was a 17 year old kid who played one year at the College of Southern Nevada. Strasburg made his professional debut in 2010, had a good start then had Tommy John surgery and was back in the majors in 2012. Harper came to the majors in 2012. While they have performed decently for the Nationals, their performance hasn’t led to championships or even a trip to the World Series and I don’t see either as the face or leader of an eventual champion. Harper is too brash, cocky and hot-headed to be a leader. Strasburg is the new Mark Prior, talented but injury prone pitcher.

It’s about time that they take a long hard look at these players and say, what can we get for them rather than hope and pray that they will develop into Buster Posey type players.