Nationals select a pair of outfielders to begin 2015 First-Year Player Draft

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 08, 2015, 11:12pm

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The Nationals selected a pair of outfielders to begin the 2015 First-Year Player Draft.

With the 58th pick, the Nationals chose Louisiana State outfielder Andrew Stevenson. He is a 6-foot, 184-lb. speedy outfielder from Youngsville, La., who was All-First Team SEC for the Tigers, who have advanced to the College World Series this weekend in Omaha, Neb.

Stevenson also ranked near the top of the league in batting average (sixth, .356), hits (tied for sixth, 84), triples (tied for sixth, five), runs scored (tied for ninth, 53) and stolen bases (third, 26). A three-year starter in center field, Stevenson was a two-time (2014, 2015) selection to the SEC All-Defensive Team.

With the 69th pick in the First-Year Player Draft, the Nationals selected high school outfielder Blake Perkins from Verrado, Ariz.

The 6-foot, 180-lb. right-handed hitting prep outfielder hit .461 (41-for-89) with eight doubles, eight triples, seven home runs, 35 RBIs, 23 walks and 51 runs scored in just 29 games during his senior season at Verrado High School in Buckeye, Ariz. He netted a .583 on-base percentage, a .966 slugging percentage and a 1.549 OPS.

Perkins was named a 2015 Honorable Mention All-American and a West Region First Team player by Perfect Game. He was also selected to the Arizona Republic All-Arizona Team for two seasons in a row.

The Nationals have picks No. 103 and No. 134 coming up next.