The Nationals committed almost $17MM to their top six draft picks this year: $7.2MM to Anthony Rendon, $2MM to Alex Meyer, $4.15MM to Matt Purke, $3MM to Brian Goodwin, $325K to Kylin Turnbull, and $161,100 to Matt Skole. The figures for Rendon and Purke reflect the guarantees on their Major League deals. Links for the team's record draft bonanza:
- "We're the talk of the industry right now," GM Mike Rizzo told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Rizzo said he finalized deals with Scott Boras advisees Rendon, Meyer, and Goodwin "at the buzzer" last night. Rizzo said that for the first time in his career, he signed four draft picks that he considers to be first-round talents. Yesterday was "a huge day in the history of the Washinton Nationals," in the opinion of vice president of player personnel Roy Clark.
- The Nationals had the parameters of a deal with Purke by late Saturday into Sunday morning, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The southpaw dropped to the third round due to a shoulder injury and his expected asking price, but was willing to allow the Nationals to fully evaluate his health. Rendon will start his professional career at third base, notes Ladson.
- The Nationals' farm system now has depth and star power, writes Kilgore.
