By Andrew P. Napolitano
The president's men trash the Constitution to pursue antagonists
ACES IN WAITING?
Jim Bowden stood behind the bullpen mounds at the Washington Nationals' training facility this spring and looked across a row of talented young pitchers warming up over the course of an hour.
It's one thing to talk a good game. It's quite another to back words up with action.
The Washington Nationals signed pitcher Josh Smoker to his first professional contract yesterday, paying slightly above the industry standard to lock up the 31st overall pick from this summer's draft.
Ross Detwiler became this year's highest-drafted player to agree to terms on a contract. Now, the 21-year-old left-hander will try to become the first player in his class to make it to the big leagues.
The Washington Nationals have come to terms with Michael Burgess, their third pick in last month's amateur draft, but there are indications the club may not be able to sign both of their top two picks and instead might divert their resources toward signing international amateurs.
"No chance," he said.
"That was a big thing," he said. "Any time you can be in an organization that's going to take care of pitchers and is not afraid to move them up, that probably had a lot to do with it. It's the perfect scenario for me."
