3.83 Washington Nationals - Rick Hague, SS, Rice

The Nationals spent the 83rd pick on Rick Hague.

Follow the jump for his pre-draft report.

Rick Hague   Position: SS   School: Rice   State: TX   Year: Jr.   Height: 6’2’’   Weight: 190

Bats: R   Throws: R   Birth Date: 9/18/88   Seiler Rating: 2C2   Last Drafted: 2007 (MIL-37)

Rick Hague is a solid collegiate shortstop from Rice University in Houston. Hague came to Rice from Klein Collins High School in Spring, Texas, a suburb of Houston. Klein Collins became more well known after being home to 2009 first round pick Matt Purke, who didn’t sign and is now a freshman at TCU. However, Hague will be a draft pick before Purke, so it’s his turn to be discussed as a potential Major League player. Hague was a premier high school player, and it was only his Rice commitment that kept him from becoming an early first-day pick in the 2007 draft. However, he slipped to the late rounds where Milwaukee took him and was unable to sign him. He landed at Rice, and he’s been a starter for the Owls ever since. After a pair of intriguing seasons as the shortstop for the Owls, he headed to play for Team USA last summer. While playing for Team USA, he moved to third base in deference to Christian Colon, and that move showed scouts some intriguing tools at a position he’s likely to play as a pro. His tools are all right around the average category, and it’s only his plus makeup and work ethic that causes him to be projected as a potential starting third baseman at the next level. His hit tool is an above-average raw tool that has been put to the test this spring. He went through an extended case of draftitis early in the year, but since he’s woken up, he’s been on a tear and showed his true talent. His raw power is just about average, which isn’t great for a third baseman, but it’s enough to keep pitchers honest. He’s only a fringe-average runner, but he showed above-average range and an above-average arm at third last summer. Even with his slump, he fits in the third to sixth round range this year, and he’s likely to sign after ending the year on a hot streak.