Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ 2020 Draft plans; NL East updates + more Nats links...

Well, at least we all get to watch the MLB Draft this week, though it’s only five rounds and then a free-for-all as all undrafted eligible players are then free to sign with any of the big league teams (though only for $20,000). Mike Rizzo and Co. in the Washington Nationals’ front office are busy preparing for this year’s draft. Get busy reading today’s links, which, admittedly, are a little lighter than usual. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Nats hope Georgia's Wilcox is around again in this draft - (MASN)
"University of Georgia baseball coach Scott Stricklin said that fastball has been the lethal pitch that has got everyone talking about [Cole] Wilcox."

This Date in History: Nationals make franchise-altering draft picks Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Fresh of a World Series title, the Nationals’ farm system has run thin on blue-chip prospects."

Wondering how the Nats' season might have been playing out - (MASN)
"This is how the Nats are doing in Strat-O-Matic’s simulation of the nonexistent 2020 season."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Former MLB commissioner warns owners: players union ‘cannot be broken ... it looks like it’s 1994 all over again' - (nj.com)
"Given the current state of MLB’s negotiations – dug-in, cold-as-ice – no news is bad news."

Never On Top, But Still The Champs - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"The Washington Nationals have had more time than your average champ to take a bow after their World Series victory last October."

What re-draft of historic 2010 MLB Draft might look like now - (NYPost)
"18. Adam Eaton (19th/571st): Will he be most famous as a key supplementary piece to the Nationals’ title last year or as the guy who cost Washington Lucas Giolito?"

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies new amateur scouting director Brian Barber brings ‘impressive’ credentials into draft room - The Morning Call
And Wednesday, eight months after the Phillies hired him to the critical position of director of amateur scouting, he will run his first draf

Many No. 7 picks were busts, but Matt Harvey's not one of them - (NYPost)
"Matt Harvey is one of the best No. 7 draft picks ever. It is because of controversy, injury and failure to translate talent into sustained success that Harvey was a bust."

On this date: Hechavarría’s blast lifts Marlins past Rockies in extras - (Fish Stripes)
"For the second 'Marliniversary' in a row, we’ll be looking back on a dramatic home run to lift the Florida/Miami Marlins to a victory in their final at-bat."

MLB draft cost cuts will create shallower talent pool of prospects - (AJC.com)
"According to my research of Baseball Reference data, from 1981 to 2011 the Braves drafted and signed 89 players later than the fifth round who made it to the majors."