AWEEK AGO, I wrote about the newest member of the Baltimore Oriole farm system, a left-handed pitcher named Brian Matusz. My plan was to write something similar about Aaron Crow this week.
I won't be doing that, though, because Crow has since become "the one that got away."
The Washington Nationals couldn't agree on a contract with Crow before last week's deadline to sign draft picks. That means the highly touted right-hander, chosen with the ninth overall pick in June's draft, will continue to play with the independent-league Fort Worth Cats.
Crow was considered the top right-handed college pitcher in this year's draft. He was the second pitcher to be taken, behind only Matusz, who went fourth overall to Baltimore.
A power arm from Missouri, Crow set a school record in wins when he went 13-0 with a 2.35 ERA in 15 starts this season. The Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, Crow struck out 127 batters in just over 107 innings.
His arsenal encompasses two major league-ready pitches. His dominating heater can touch 98 mph, and his slider has become a plus pitch. He also can throw a quality changeup.
None of that matters now though--unless you are a Fort Worth Cats fan. Crow won't be a National, and the Nationals will now get the 10th pick in next year's draft as compensation.
That might make for a more productive and exciting draft day next June. But Nationals fans didn't want to have a better draft next year. They wanted their team to sign this year's top picks.
Both Crow and the Nationals are at fault for this deal not getting done, but I put the ultimate blame on the team. The Nationals currently own baseball's worst record, and, believe it or not, that is OK with the team's patient fan base.
The fans have given their team a pass because Washington's front office has a plan to build from the bottom up. A major part of the plan is spending on the draft and sink money into their farm system.
Washington hasn't signed any noteworthy free agents. The team made it clear that the money would instead be used on top-notch prospects in the draft and to lure players into the organization from overseas. And as long as the Nationals keep spending on the draft and acquiring young talent, not adding any quality veterans will be OK. That's all a part of the plan.
But not signing your top draft pick clearly isn't.
If you're the New York Yankees, not getting your player signed isn't a big deal. But the Nationals aren't.
We're talking about the same team that spent well over slot in rounds 2, 5 and 7--but wouldn't budge for the additional $700,000 that Crow was reportedly asking for at the deadline.
There has been quite a backlash about Crow getting away. Nationals' fans aren't happy, and I don't blame them. Crow got away and Washington ate the ninth overall pick without adding a talented player to their system. That doesn't sound like the type of business a team concerned with its farm system should be conducting.
Grant Paulsen can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401, or by fax at 540/373-8455.