2014 MLB Draft: Nationals reportedly sign 5th Round pick RHP Drew Van Orden

MLB.com's Bill Ladson is reporting this afternoon that the Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with 2014 fifth-round selection Drew Van Orden, a right-hander out of Duke who was taken with the 154th overall pick:

The #Nats have agreed to terms with fifth-round pick RHP Drew Van Orden. He will take his physical in Florida soon. #Nationals

— William Ladson (@washingnats) June 9, 2014

• Here's what the Nationals' press release on Van Orden said:

Press Release: At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Van Orden leans on his fastball and slider command to get batters out. He ranked 6th in the Atlantic Coast Conference in strikeouts (91) and paced the Blue Devil staff in innings pitched (87.1), strikeouts and games started (14). Van Orden went 6-5 with a 3.19 ERA (34 ER/87.1 IP) while allowing opposing hitters to post a .219 average against him in 15 games/14 starts during his senior season. He was selected to the ACC All-Tournament Team after tossing his first career shutout in Duke’s 6-0 win over Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament.

According to a write-up on his selection at Duke's Official Athletics site, Van Orden moved, "... into the Friday starter role at the beginning of the ACC season," and, "... finished the year ranked 13th in the conference in opposing batting average (.219), 14th in innings pitched, sixth in strikeouts and seventh in strikeouts per game."

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Photo ˙© @Nationals on Twitter

His senior year was a significant improvement over the three previous seasons with the Blue Devils. In total for his collegiate career, the right-hander was (12-20) in 76 games and 30 starts with 96 walks (3.64 BB/9)and 198 Ks (7.51 K/9) in 237 1/3 IP, over which opposing hitters put up a .276 BAA.

Van Orden drew a lot of attention when he outdueled future no.3 overall pick Carlos Rodon in an early April game between Duke and Rodon's NC State Wolfpack.