Potomac Nationals Weekly Update: Washington Nationals' Prospect Drew Storen Interview

Drew Storen, Stanford Cardinal closer, was selected by the Washington Nationals with their second 1st Round pick, 10th overall in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Before the Nationals chose the 6'2'', right-hander, he was described by ESPN's Keith Law, in his ESPN.com Insider video entitled, "Insider: Keith Law scouts Drew Storen", as having a:

"...well-above average fastball...90-94 mph...with very good life....a sharp slider in the upper 80's with very good tilt, and a hard two-plane curve ball in the lower 80's...(with) excellent command."

"That's where (Storen's) most comfortable, and his makeup and character led us to that decision. He wants the challenge of having the ball in the ninth inning. .... He's a much quicker prospect to the majors as a closer prospect."

Storen himself told Washington Post writer Chico Harlan, in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "More On Storen", that he had taken to the closer's role while with Stanford and he was excited to get his career started, having signed quickly because, in his own words, "I just wanted to get going...and really get that chance to help the Nationals win this year." 

Storen was the first member of the '09 Draft class to appear in a professional game when he started his pro career by giving up a HR on the second pitch he threw for the Nationals' low Class-A affiliate, the Hagerstown Suns, as he tells Anthony Masterson (Broadcast/Media Assistant with the Class-A Carolina League's Potomac Nationals) in this week's Potomac Nationals: Weekly Update Interview. Storen was (0-1) with a 3.68 ERA in 11 games and 14.2 IP for the Suns, in which he gave up 11 hits, 6 ER and 2 HR, while striking out 26 and walking...No one? That's right, and after having been called up to the Potomac Nationals, Storen earned his first professional save in his first P-Nats' appearance, and according to Mr. Masterson, in the note he sent along with the interview, his second outing was equally impressive, with Storen:

"...going 1 1/3 innings, striking out two and not allowing a walk or hit. He was electric once again as his curveball was simply a swing-and-miss pitch. Guys could not make contact with it if they tried. His stuff was so good the other night that you could say it indirectly got two Salem Red Sox ejected from the game for arguing called third strikes that were over the plate any way you slice it."

If you're not excited about Drew Storen, get excited. (Oh, and 18.0 IP into his career in the Nationals' system, he still hasn't walked anybody)...

Here's Anthony Masterson's interview with the Nationals' second 1st Round pick, Drew Storen:

AUDIO: Potomac Nationals Weekly Update- Drew Storen Interview - Anthony Masterson. (Length: 5:58)

Drew Storen Links, And...

Potomac Nationals Weekly Update Archive: (After The JUMP)...

Drew Storen LINKS:

• Storen gives up homer in Hagerstown debut | Business of Baseball | NationalsPride.com - Ian Koski

The Nationals' second pick in the 2009 draft, Drew Storen, gave up a solo homer in his professional debut in Hagerstown Thursday night. Context from the Suns' official post-game wrap-up...

• Getting to know a draft prospect: Drew Storen - SB Nation's Beyond the Box Score - Erik

Interview with draft prospect Drew Storen.

• "Washington Nationals' '09 First Round Pick Drew Storen's Potomac Nationals Debut... - Federal Baseball - Ed Chigliak

Washington Nationals' '09 First Round Pick Drew Storen's Potomac Nationals Debut...

• Washington Nationals Lose 41st Game, 3-2 To Reds, Draft Stephen Strasburg!!!! - Federal Baseball

The Washington Nationals draft Stephen Strasburg then go out and lose their 41st game, coming unglued in the process.

Potomac Nationals Weekly Update Archive:

• 7/23 -  Danny Espinosa Interview - Anthony Masterson. (Length: 5:20)

• 7/14 - Boomer Whiting Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 7/8 - Sean Rooney Interview by Anthony Masterson.

• 6/29 - Chris Marrero Interview by Anthony Masterson.

• 6/15 - Stephen King, Will Atwood.

• 6/5 - Cole Kimball, Sean Rooney.

• 5/25 - Chris Marrero, Jeff Mandel, Sean Rooney.

• 5/17 - Tom Milone, Michael Burgess, Chris Marrero.

• 5/12 - Sean Rooney, Francisco Plasencia, Erik Arnesen, Brad Meyers and Jeff Mandel.

• 5/5 - Dan Nelson, Erik Arnesen.