Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ 2020 Draft class; latest MLB proposal for season sent to MLBPA + more Nats links...

So, let’s get this out of the way quickly since it might be rejected long before this post even goes up...

MLB delivered the latest proposal for a potential 2020 campaign to the MLBPA yesterday and it’s for a 72-game campaign, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Twitter.

The latest plan, “guarantees them at least 80% of their prorated salaries if the World Series is completed and 70% if the pandemic forces cancellation of the postseason,” USA Today’s writer Bob Nightengale reported.

You can get all the details through the thread from Passan and the other links below. Here’s what a couple of the players (one of them a National) had to say about the latest proposal:

Apparently there is a Sunday deadline for a response from the MLBPA, which, consider they have said anything less than 100% of their pro-rated salaries is unacceptable. We’re not real mathematically-inclined, but 80% seems to be 20% short. Film at 11:00. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Reports: MLB circles back with 72-game proposal, players expected to reject it - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The problem is not the inch-by-inch movement. The problem is the timing. It’s late, almost too late, and the world changed during the wait."

Nats star Ryan Zimmerman's AP diary: Baseball was unlucky - (AP)
"Every week is becoming a big week to try and move forward if we’re going to have a chance to do anything this season."

2020 MLB DRAFT:

Everything to know about Nationals' 2020 Draft - (MLB.com)
"From four-year players to high schoolers, starters to closers, the Nationals added six players in this week's five-round 2020 MLB Draft."

Nationals land four pitchers, a shortstop and a catcher in shortened 2020 MLB draft - (NBC Sports Washington)
"The Nationals have always maintained they draft the best player available when it’s their turn to pick in the draft, so the number of pitchers selected likely wasn’t by design."

Kline and Longosz thrilled with the Nats' haul on day two - (MASN)
"Nationals assistant general manager and vice president of scouting operations Kris Kline was thrilled they were able to get Cavalli on day one and a pitcher of Henry’s talent on day two."

Even in an odd, shortened MLB draft, the Nationals stuck to a familiar script - (WaPost)
"With Cavalli and Henry, they stuck to taking tall right-handers with power fastballs. With the Oklahoma players, they felt confident because Jimmy Gonzales, their top Midwest scout, goes way back with Skip Johnson, the Sooners’ coach."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Washington Nationals MLB Draft 2020 tracker: Full list of picks, including Cade Cavalli - (CBSSports.com)
"With the 22nd overall pick, the Washington Nationals selected Cade Cavalli, a right-handed pitcher out of Oklahoma. He was part of a Washington draft haul that earned a B grade from our experts..."

Visalia's Holden Powell drafted by the Washington Nationals - (Visalia Times Delta)
"June 11, 2020, will be a day that Visalia native Holden Powell remembers forever. Powell was drafted in the third round with the 94th overall pick by the Washington Nationals on Thursday in the 2020 MLB Draft."

LSU Pitcher Cole Henry Selected by Washington Nationals in MLB Draft - (KATC.com)
"LSU sophomore pitcher Cole Henry was selected Thursday on Day 2 of the 2020 MLB Draft. Henry was selected in the second round (pick No. 55) by the Washington Nationals."

Former Manzano Monarch Mitchell Parker goes to Washington Nationals in MLB Draft - (KRQE News 13)
"Former stand out pitcher at Manzano High School, Mitchell Parker is now fulfilling a dream as he was taken in the 5th round by the Washington Nationals."

Draft or Pass: So You Trust Stephen Strasburg After A Career-Best Season? - (Sports Illustrated)
"Strasburg, at age 31, is at a fantasy crossroads. After his terrific 2019 campaign, can fantasy owners trust that he has now completely come into his own and should remain a top-10 starting pitching option?"

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies 2020 Draft wrap - (MLB.com)
"The Phillies made their fourth and final pick in the 2020 MLB Draft on Thursday night. Their work continued from there."

Jeff Wilpon's talk of four or five Mets suitors drawing skepticism - (NY Post)
"Mets COO Jeff Wilpon’s statement Thursday, 'There’s four or five suitors that are out there” to buy the franchise, is raising eyebrows in sports business circles.'"

Miami Marlins Prioritized Pitching Depth With 6 Picks In 2020 MLB Draft - (Forbes)
"One of the most interesting observations of the 2020 MLB draft was the Miami Marlins used all six of their selections on pitchers."

This year, most of Braves’ farm restocking comes after draft - (AJC.com)
"The Braves selected a pitcher with their top pick in five of the past six drafts. They also took pitchers with two of their four additional first-round picks during that span."