Tribe gets lefty in first round

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The Cleveland Indians got the guy they wanted all along.

Needing a front-of-the-rotation left-hander after trading away two Cy Young winners, the Indians selected Mississippi lefty Drew Pomeranz with the fifth overall pick in the baseball draft on Monday.

The team had been targeting the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder for more than a year.

“We started watching him in high school three years ago,” said Indians scouting director Brad Grant. “He had a big season in 2009 and we really started following him then.

“He’s got a power fastball, and a late breaking curve,” Grant said. “We like his ability to start. He’s never had any arm injuries, but had a pectoral problem at the end of March and beginning of April.”

Pomeranz went 9-2 with a 2.24 ERA in 16 starts this season for the Rebels. He struck out 139 in 1022/3 innings, and was named the Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year.

Pirates

PITTSBURGH

The Pirates chose hard-throwing Texas high school right-hander Jameson Taillon with the No. 2 pick, hoping he’ll be the impact starter they have failed to land in past drafts.

“There’s a lot there to like,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.

The 18-year-old Taillon’s fastball has been clocked at 99 miles per hour, and he has the kind of power arm the Pirates lack throughout their system.

In 10 seasons from 1998-2007, they drafted eight pitchers — and only Paul Maholm is in their rotation.

Taillon was 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 622/3 innings this season at The Woodlands High, where former Pirates pitcher Doug Drabek’s son, Kyle, once pitched.

Nationals

SECAUCUS, N.J.

The Washington Nationals selected junior college slugger Bryce Harper with the No. 1 overall pick.

Harper, a 17-year-old with prodigious power from the College of Southern Nevada, is one of the most-hyped players in draft history because of his eye-popping talent at the plate.

He hit .443 with 31 home runs and 98 RBIs in his first college season in a wood bat league, after skipping his final two years of high school and getting his GED.

“It was pretty difficult at the beginning, but you know, being around the guys I was around,” Harper said, “all the guys I played in high school, my brother being around, it made it easier.”

Harper can play catcher but was announced as an outfielder.

“I can get better out there, I think,” Harper said. “Anywhere they need me, I’ll play.”