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| Photo via DBUPatriots.com |
It may have taken the Nationals almost five hours on Thursday night to make their first pick of the 2013 MLB Draft, but they wasted no time in signing him.
Second round selection Jake Johansen has already agreed to a deal with the Nats after being taken with the 68th overall pick. The quick turnaround had to do with the new CBA and its system of contract rules, but also an urgency on the part of the player to get started.
"I wanted to go out and play as quickly as possible so I could increase my chances to possibly be up in the major leagues as soon as possible," Johansen said.
The 6-foot-6 right-hander from Dallas Baptist University knew of the Nationals' interest in him after visiting this past week with members of their front office. He was impressed with the team's positivity and vision, as well as their track record with young pitchers.
"I was just hoping the Nationals would get the chance to draft me," he said. "With all the positive things I've heard about the player development of the Nationals, I have no doubt, I'm very confident that I will reach that potential."
