Nats take chance with first-round pick of expelled lefty Romero

The Nationals have been willing to take risks with first-round draft picks in the past. They've never taken a risk quite like this, though.

With their first pick in this year's First-Year Player Draft, the 25th overall selection, the Nationals selected University of Houston left-hander Seth Romero, a big left-hander with a big arm who could reach the big leagues quickly but has a major red flag attached to his name: He was kicked off his college team after twice being suspended for various infractions.

Romero's upside convinced Nationals officials he was worth the risk. A 6-foot-3, 240-lb. lefty who struck out 85 batters in 48 2/3 innings during an abbreviated junior season, could join the list of college pitchers who reach the majors the same year they were drafted.

General manager Mike Rizzo always insists he doesn't draft based on need, but there's no denying that Romero could fill a significant need for the Nationals, and soon. Rated by some to be the most big-league-ready pitcher in this year's draft, the 21-year-old (should he sign quickly and perform well in the minors) could conceivably find himself pitching in Washington by season's end, bolstering a staff and specifically a bullpen that needs as much help as it can get.

Romero, like so many Nationals players and prospects, is represented by Scott Boras, underscoring his talent (not to mention, in some cases, his price tag).

But in order to make a positive impact in D.C. in the near- or long-term, Romero will need to prove his indiscretions in college are behind him. He was suspended last year as a sophomore for "conduct detrimental to the team," then was suspended for a month again this year as a junior for "failing a drug test, appearing in uniform in a photo that showed him holding a bong and missing curfew," according to the Houston Chronicle.

Shortly after he was reinstated from that second suspension, Romero was kicked off the Houston baseball team altogether after an undisclosed incident.

"Due to an event Tuesday, along with previous conduct detrimental to the team, Seth Romero has been removed from the Houston Baseball program," Cougars coach Todd Whiting said in announcing the expulsion. "I appreciate (athletic director) Hunter Yurachek's support of my decision for our program to move forward without Seth.

Romero joins the list of risky first-round picks the Nationals have made, though nearly every previous case involved a player with a history of injuries or strong concern of future injury, not a question of character.

The Nationals have established a strong track record of success with first-round picks, headlined by Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon. It remains to be seen, however, if they can draft and develop significant talent late in the first round.

The organization has held six picks in the second half of the first round since 2011, selecting the likes of Brian Goodwin, Alex Meyer, Lucas Giolito, Erick Fedde, Dane Dunning and Carter Kieboom. The first three all have reached the majors but have not yet found consistent success. Fedde is expected to debut for the Nats sometime this season. Dunning was part of last winter's trade with the White Sox for Adam Eaton. Kieboom was hitting .333 with a .984 OPS in 29 games at Single-A Hagerstown before injuring his hamstring one month ago.

Not that top players can't be found at this late stage of the first round. Among the No. 25 picks in draft history are Mike Trout, Matt Cain, Chuck Knoblauch, Matt Garza and Nationals right-hander Joe Ross (originally drafted by the Padres).