By TODD JACOBSON
WASHINGTON--A hamstring injury slowed Stephen Englund during his senior year in high school and likely made him slip to the Nationals and the second round of last month's First-Year Player Draft.
But Englund wanted to get a quick start to his professional career.
Englund, 18, agreed to a contract with the Nationals that included a $515,000 signing bonus yesterday, then took batting practice at RFK Stadium. He'll report to the Nationals' Gulf Coast League club in Viera, Fla., next week, joining high school first-rounders Chris Marrero and Colton Willems.
The Nationals have signed three of their first six draft picks.
"The fastest track to the big leagues is to come out of high school and that's always been my dream," said Englund, who will move to center field after playing shortstop in high school. "That's a major factor in my decision. I wanted to be a big leaguer. This is how it happens."
Englund said he is no longer bothered by the hamstring injury that limited him to 54 at-bats during his senior season at Bellevue (Wash.) High School.
General manager Jim Bowden referred to Englund as "our future center fielder" and the 6-foot-3 Englund drew comparisons to former Seattle Mariners outfielder Jay Buhner during a press conference yesterday.
Englund batted .352 with four homers, 16 RBIs and six stolen bases during his senior season.
"We added some power and we added a guy who is a pretty good defensive player," Nationals scouting director Dana Brown said. "It's a special kind of talent getting this talent in the second round."
Though Englund was a shortstop in high school, Nationals officials said he excelled as a center fielder at the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. Brown said he doesn't envision a tough transition to center field for Englund.
"The Nationals definitely showed the most interest and they stuck with me through some tough stuff that happened this year," Englund said. "I am just excited they are the ones that got me."
Pitching woes
The "dead arm" that forced right-hander John Patterson from his start Thursday isn't likely to keep him out of the Nationals starting rotation, and Livan Hernandez will start today's game against the Devil Rays despite a sore right knee, but it's not a good time to be a Nationals starter.
Combined with right-hander Shawn Hill's ailing right elbow, three-fifths of Washington's starting rotation is hurting--and that doesn't include right-hander Tony Armas Jr., who is on the disabled list with a right forearm strain.
"It's a M*A*S*H group waiting to get some healthy bodies," manager Frank Robinson said.
Washington got good news when Hernandez said he was ready to pitch in today's game and Patterson's problems are not considered severe.
A right forearm strain kept him on the disabled list for two months, but he said yesterday his problems were not related to the previous injury--just inactivity.
"Most of the time you don't have it during the middle of the season but this really isn't the middle of the season for me," said Patterson, who is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA this season. "It's normally a getting-ready-for-spring training-kind of thing."
Patterson will throw a bullpen session today but he expects to make his next scheduled start against the Florida Marlins Tuesday.
"Hopefully it rebounds and bounces back," Patterson said. "I don't see why I wouldn't make my next start."
To reach TODD JACOBSON:
Email: tjacobson@freelancestar.com