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The Washington Nationals today selected Stanford University right-handed pitcher Drew Storen with the 10th overall selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo and Nationals Director of Scouting Dana Brown made the joint announcement.

One of college baseball's premier closers, Storen dominated his competition in '09, going 7-1 with seven saves and a 3.80 ERA in 28 appearances. In 42.2 innings of relief work, he tallied 66 strikeouts (13.9 strikeouts per 9.0 innings) with only eight walks for an 8.3/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound sophomore struck out at least five batters on five occasions, including a career-high eight-strikeout effort in 2.2 innings of relief on May 23 vs. Oregon State University.

"With a power arm, intelligence and off-the-chart makeup, Drew possesses all the physical and innate tools necessary for late-inning success in the big leagues. Drew's accomplishments against top-flight competition in the Pac 10 speak volumes about his vast talents and bright big league future," said Rizzo.

Storen posted a .210 (34-for-162) batting average against in '09, including a meager .182 (16-for-88) mark against right-handed batters. A First-Team All-Pac 10 selection, he paced the Cardinal pitching staff in wins, saves, earned run average and appearances.

During his pair of seasons at Stanford, Storen went a combined 12-4 with 15 saves and a 3.64 ERA in 59 appearances. In 99.0 frames, he logged 116 strikeouts and issued just 23 walks for a 5.0/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

As a Freshman All-American in '08, Storen thrived on the biggest stage, logging a 3-0 mark with two saves in seven games during the NCAA Tournament. After earning First-Team All-Pac 10 honors, he was recognized as a First-Team Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger. In the summer of '08, he went 1-2 with five saves and a 2.76 ERA in 13 appearances for the Cotuit Ketteleers in the prestigious Cape Cod League.

After a stellar prep career in which he posted a 30-2 record with a 1.55 ERA, Storen was selected by the New York Yankees in the 2007 Draft, but instead chose to attend Stanford. He posted an 8-1 record and 0.89 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 55.0 innings as a senior en route to Louisville Slugger First-Team All-American status. A two-sport athlete in high school, he also excelled on the basketball court and was named to Indiana's All-State Academic Team.