Before we begin, a brief correction to the alternate reality that opened this mock draft.
Yes, I proposed a blockbuster trade that would have sent this pick, along with several others, to Detroit for the first overall selection.
No, Washington would never actually do that.
The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it sounded. Asking Washington to trade multiple first-round picks is like asking a dragon to part with a gold coin. Technically possible, theoretically even rational, but nobody involved actually believes it’s happening.
This is an organization that treats first-round picks the way normal people treat family heirlooms. They aren’t assets. They aren’t trade chips. They’re sacred objects to be admired, protected, and absolutely never discussed in trade negotiations.
Somewhere in Washington’s front office, there’s probably a framed copy of every first-round selection they’ve ever made hanging on the wall.
So let’s be realistic. The Senators keep all their picks, because of course they do. If another general manager called asking about one of these selections, Washington’s response would probably be to hang up before hearing the offer.
Which, admittedly, is why they’re consistently good. It’s also why trade talks with them have all the excitement of negotiating with a brick wall.
And frankly, the board has fallen beautifully.
Assuming the Senators have already landed Carlos Beltran and Javier Vazquez earlier in the round, they’ve addressed two massive organizational goals:
Acquire a future star.
Acquire a future frontline pitcher.
Mission accomplished.
Now things get interesting.
Aramis Ramirez remains the highest-ranked player on my board.
By a comfortable margin.
If this were purely about talent, the pick would already be submitted.
But drafts aren’t played on spreadsheets.
Washington is in a unique position. They want to win now while simultaneously building a sustainable contender. That’s a delicate balance, and Aramis requires patience. A lot of patience.
The upside is enormous.
The timeline is less appealing.
For a franchise trying to compete in both the present and future, that’s enough to create hesitation.
Alex Cora also enters the discussion. He’s one of the few remaining three-star prospects available, but the fit feels awkward. Good player. Useful player. Doesn’t quite feel like a Washington player.
So the Senators pivot toward a prospect whose value lies as much in roster construction as raw talent.
Corey Koskie.
And this is where fit starts to matter.
On the surface, some might question the selection.
After all, Willie Greene already occupies third base.
Except baseball rosters don’t exist on paper.
They exist over 162 games.
Koskie brings flexibility. Greene brings a bat. Suddenly, instead of viewing third base as a problem, Washington can start viewing it as a strength.
Greene’s offensive profile fits perfectly at designated hitter.
Koskie can handle third.
Mix and match when necessary.
And before long, the lineup starts looking pretty ridiculous:
C Kendall
1B Hrbek
2B Durham
SS Rodriguez
3B Koskie
LF Belle
CF Beltran
RF Davis
DH Greene
That’s not a lineup with many obvious outs.
More importantly, it gives Washington options.
Good organizations create options.
Koskie isn’t a perfect player. He’ll likely need some platoon support, and there are limitations in the profile that keep him from entering the upper tier of prospects.
But at Pick #20?
Those concerns become a lot easier to live with.
This isn’t a home-run swing.
It’s a smart baseball pick.
And smart baseball picks are usually how good organizations stay good.
PICK #20
Washington Senators select 3B Corey Koskie