That includes the Florida Marlins, who pick first. General manager Dave Dombrowski told us his club is debating the merits of five players and will take the one who provides the best combination of talent and value based on his contractual expectations. That means Harrington probably will slide to Minnesota at No. 2. Believe it or not, as frugal as the Twins are known to be, they actually have set aside enough money to add Harrington on Monday when the draft starts. Drafting and signing the best pitcher available probably will allow them to sell to their very small public the trade of Brad Radke, which is almost inevitable later on this summer.
Power hitters are always interesting in the draft, especially when they come out of college.
This year, keep an eye on who takes third baseman Xavier Nady of California. And outfielder Joe Borchard of Stanford. Nady made his mark last year with the U.S. national team on a barnstorming tour when he seemed to hit a home run every day. If you're looking for the guy who is most likely to be the first pick in the draft next year, Georgia Tech third baseman Mark Texeira has been dazzling opponents and scouts since he came out of high school in Baltimore in 1998. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round that year and was signable despite his Georgia Tech commitment.