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Anthony Rendon Falls To Washington Nationals In 2011 MLB Draft

Anthony Rendon has fallen to the Washington Nationals, who have selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft.

Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon was long regarded as the top talent in the 2011 MLB Draft, but his stock fell due to concerns about his health. He has had ankle troubles, but the larger problem is that shoulder issues that have limited him to DH duty at Rice for much of the season. Rendon is supposed to have released medical information about his shoulder to interested teams, but we don't know what that information might be. If his shoulder won't be a long-term issue, he should be a steal - but if not, who knows.

If Rendon were healthy, there would likely be no arguing that he would be the best player available in the draft. He's capable of hitting for high average in the majors, probably with good power also, and he plays excellent defense at third base.

Unfortunately, it appears that he isn't healthy. If he were, there's no way he would have fallen this far. We'll see if the Nationals' selection of him turns out to be a bargain or a bust.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.