The Washington Nationals have recalled left-hander Ross Detwiler, their first-round pick in the 2007 draft. The Nats tried something similar with a pitcher back in ‘03, seemed to work out okay for them. Kid by the name of Chad Cordero?

The other amusing part of the story linked above is that apparently shortstop Felipe Lopez is no longer speaking with the media. I guess Lopez is happy to let his .246/.309/.360 line speak for itself.

In news that will come as a complete shock to absolutely no-one, New York Yankees first-round pick Andrew Brackman will undergo “Tommy John” surgery to repair his right elbow. Brackman was considered a huge risk headed into the draft due to elbow problems that kept him out of the ACC and NCAA tournaments this season. Now we know why…

Billfer at Detroit Tigers Weblog notes that the Tigers have inked first-round pick Rick Porcello. Apparently it’s a Major League contract worth more than $7 million. If nothing else, this reaffirms that Bud Selig’s efforts to “slot” players in the draft have been wasted.

This is a great addition for Detroit, but it’s got to be something of a slap in the face of Selig and MLB, which recommended a signing bonus of $1.17 million for the 27th pick this year. Of course, you could argue that Porcello slipped so far because of his reported demands. And that brings us to the uncomfortable question of why, exactly, MLB even has a draft…

You will recall that starting this year, teams now have until August 15 to sign their picks from the June draft. Guess what, kids; the deadline is almost here.

From Rain Delay comes word that the Atlanta Braves have inked their first-round pick, outfielder Jason Heyward. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers are hopeful that Heyward’s signing will help them in negotiations with right-hander Blake Beavan. And in Kansas City, Joe Posnanski talks about the Royals’ efforts to bring Mike Moustakas into the fold.

Complicated stuff…

With the x pick in the 2007 draft, the x x have drafted Tennessee outfielder Julio Borbon.

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Player Bio (Tennessee)

With the x pick in the 2007 draft, the x x have drafted Maryland left-hander Brett Cecil.

What they’re saying:

Cecil’s slider alone will get him to the big leagues. If he can add a changeup to throw to righties, he could close.

–MiLB.com

Additional reading:

• Player Bio (Maryland)
• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video

Maybe I bit off more than I could chew in my attempt to liveblog the first round of the draft — I’m willing to concede that possibility. But you know what? I gave an honest effort and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

First off, props to ESPN2 for some fine draft coverage. After the obligatory montage intro, I feared the worst — “If we add more bling, then baseball will be even more fun” — but I came away impressed. The commentators kept up with the fast pace of the draft, and limited the amount of fluff.

For anyone who thinks that the MLB draft isn’t a big enough deal to be televised, remember that when fantasy baseball first arrived in the early-’80s, baseball wanted no part of it. Now that fantasy has proven to be a fan magnet and money maker, MLB is all over it. (Maybe a little too much, but that’s another story.)

Same with the draft. This is only going to get fans more involved in the game. Eventually the big wigs will figure out that publicizing the draft is more than a necessary evil and they’ll find a way to market it. Or to continue the fantasy baseball analogy, someone else will prove the concept and then MLB will pounce and assume control.

Either way, this was a big first step. Maybe only a small percentage of hardcore fans are into it right now, but keep putting it out there and pushing it, and the event will grow into an EVENT.

Meanwhile, here are some other resources you might want to check out to see how the first day of the draft went for your favorite team:

• Live Blogging the 2007 MLB Draft — The Baseball Analysts staff do a solid job as usual.
• Baseball America Draft Blog — The pioneers. BA continues to offer the best coverage of the MLB draft.
• Minor League Ball — John Sickels, another veteran prospect maven, does that thing he does.
• MLB Draft University — The folks at Most Valuable Network get in on the action.
• MLB.com — The Draft Tracker tool is invaluable; find players by round, name, position, team, school, and more.

Good stuff…

With the 30th pick in the 2007 draft, the New York Yankees have selected North Carolina State right-hander Andrew Brackman. The former basketball standout fixed his attention solely on baseball this season and has referred to himself as an “unpolished stone.”

What they’re saying:

His stuff has not dropped off, but also he still has not struck out a lot of guys. There’s still so much development to be done with him. He needs to tweak his breaking ball, but it will be better, it has been better.

–Unnamed veteran American League scout, Baseball America

Additional reading:

• Player Bio (North Carolina State)
• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Andrew Brackman (Minor League Ball)
• Brackman learns to handle hype (MLB.com)

With the 27th pick in the 2007 draft, the Detroit Tigers have selected high school right-hander Rick Porcello. Porcello’s player profile from the 2006 Aflac All-American High School Classic notes that the right-hander “offers a projectable frame as well as above-average pitches, and has drawn comparisons to Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander.”

Unreal. The strong get stronger.

What they’re saying:

If you could design a “perfect” high school pitching prospect, it would be hard to beat Porcello. He’s tall and lanky…6-5, 190…with some projection left in his body. He’s athletic. He already throws 93-94 MPH, hitting 96-98 at times.

–John Sickels, Minor League Ball

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video
• Amateur Player Profile (Brewerfan.net)
• RISE presents 2006-07 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year, Rick Porcello (RiseMag.com)
• Porcello shows why he’s so highly coveted (Daily Record)

With the 24th pick in the 2007 draft, the Texas Rangers have selected high school right-hander Michael Main.

Additional reading:

• 2007 Draft Report (MiLB.com) — includes scouting video