Top 3 draft picks unveiled

Associated Press photo

Alex Meyer meets fellow draft picks Anthony Rendon and Brian Goodwin.

The Nationals introduced their top three draft picks this evening shortly before the start of the game. Third baseman Anthony Rendon, right-hander Alex Meyer and outfielder Brian Goodwin all donned their Nationals jerseys (Rendon wearing No. 23, Meyer No. 17 and Goodwin No. 24).

Scott Boras, who serves as agent for all three players, also appeared and had perhaps the best line of the press conference, as you'll read below.

Here are some of the highlights...

SCOTT BORAS
"I first want to thank Mark [Lerner]. I told Mark, being from California, to come here and the hospitality we receive here by having an earthquake to make us feel at home ... I don't know how the Lerners do it. They go out of their way."

ANTHONY RENDON
On a possible position switch if Ryan Zimmerman remains at third base: "Yeah, I'm always willing to make a position switch. I just want to be in the lineup, to get the opportunity. But my position here is to be a player. I'm not here to manage the team."

Is your shoulder 100 percent now? "Yes. I've been rehabbing throughout the whole summer. I've been throwing, and luckily haven't had any setbacks. It'll be straight-forward from here."

Had you ever been to D.C. before? "Nope. This is my first time. And this is my first earthquake, too. So it's a pretty big day today."

ALEX MEYER
On going to college instead of signing with Red Sox out of high school: "Out of high school, it's a completely different animal than when you're coming out of college. Getting the experience of playing in the SEC, which I believe is the best conference in college baseball. I learned quite a bit of things going there. I grew up, even from a maturity standpoint. So it was the best decision for me at the time. And I'm not second-guessing my decision at all."

Does that give you reason to believe you can reach the majors faster? "Absolutely. I went to college, I got stronger, learned new things when it comes to pitching I'd never thought about before. To have the opportunity to go to college, learn that and get stronger, I definitely feel like it can make the process a lot easier."

BRIAN GOODWIN
On asking for uniform No. 24 because he idolized Ken Griffey Jr.: "I don't think I really went out of my way. But I may have been a little disappointed if I didn't get it."

Have you ever met Griffey? "No, I haven't. If any of you know him, that's fine." (Sorry, Brian. Can't help you there.)

MIKE RIZZO
On the plan now for all three players: "We see now these guys are in terrific physical condition. We're going to assess where they're at baseball-wise. Once they report to Florida, we'll put them through their paces to see where they're at. And then they'll start acclimating themselves back into the everyday-ness of baseball."