Playing Poker

The Business Side Of Baseball is also a game. A Game Of Poker. Posturing, bluffing, sometimes leading others into a direction you well know is not yours.

When it comes to The Entry Draft in Major League Baseball--Our Washington Nationals seem to play it well. Despite all the worry, the cries of shame, without even knowing the truth by many on the outside looking in--again today Washington with a good signing.

Our Washington Nationals have inked Fifth Round Pick, Catcher Adrian Nieto to a contract. Reportedly money well spent and delivered to this 18 Year Old--above slot. The Bonus Money given--above recommendations of Major League Baseball.

You might be able to dicker with The Selections made by Our Washington Nationals--if you fully understood the athletic talent available each and every time Washington has chosen in The Draft over the past two seasons, but you sure can't argue with the fact, so far, Ownership is stepping up and getting their youngsters under contract--building the long term future of Our Franchise.

Good For Them for continuing to make this effort. Now Mr. Lerner, Team President Stan Kasten and Our General Manager Jim Bowden--Let's Add Some More Of Our Youths. Professional Poker can last for days. And Our Washington Nationals have Five More Of Them to get First Round Pick Aaron Crow under contract.

Sunday, August 10th--was good day. Our Farm System continues to be stocked with young talent.

Here is The Official Press Release

NATIONALS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FIFTH-ROUND SELECTION, CATCHER ADRIAN NIETO

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with catcher Adrian Nieto, the club's fifth-round selection in this year's First-Year Player Draft. He is slated to report to the Nationals' Gulf Coast League affiliate on Tuesday. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden, Vice President of Baseball Operations and Assistant General Manager Mike Rizzo, and Director of Scouting Dana Brown made this joint announcement.
The 18-year-old is considered to have one of the best bats among catching prospects selected in this season's Draft. Nieto led his high school to a state championship as a senior, batting .372 with 16 doubles, five home runs and 38 RBI for American Heritage High School (FL). The switch hitter compiled a .361 batting average with four homers and 17 RBI during an injury-plagued junior campaign, earning him spots in the AFLAC All-American Classic and USA Baseball Tournament of Stars. He entered the national spotlight after hitting .381 with four home runs and 27 RBI during a breakout sophomore season, when he was cited as an AFLAC All-American and was named All-County and Third-Team All-State.

Nieto was born in Havana, Cuba, and emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of four.

To date, the Nationals have agreed to terms with 26 players selected in this year's Draft.



PS--Nieto and Chris Marrero could pass for brothers. They look so alike.