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Washington Nationals Select Cal-Berkeley 2B Tony Renda With The 80th Pick In the Second Round Of The 2012 Draft.

February 23, 2012; Melbourne, FL, USA;  Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo on the fields during camp at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE
February 23, 2012; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo on the fields during camp at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE

After selecting 17-year-old high school right-hander Lucas Giolito last night, the Washington Nationals used their second round selection this afternoon to draft Cal-Berkeley second baseman Tony Renda, an infielder MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo described in his 2012 Draft preview as a, "... hard-nosed player," while noting that he, "... draws the inevitable Dustin Pedroia comparisons, " and has, "... plus bat speed allows him to spray line drives to both gaps." After the Nationals made their second round selection, the team quoted Director of Scouting Kris Kline offering the following thoughts on the infielder:

Renda finished his junior year in college with a .342/.436/.484 line, 16 doubles, 5 HR's, 29 BB, 18 K's in 54 games and 219 at bats after posting a combined .351/.394/.485 line in his first two years at Cal. As the Nationals noted on Twitter, the infielder was recognized as the Pac 10 Player of the Year after his sophomore year in 2011:

The Nationals next pick is the 111th overall selection...