Vorstellungen » to take the NFC South

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Houston Astros had the No. 1 pick again, and this time, they took a pitcher polished beyond his years. California high school left-hander Brady Aiken was the first selection in the Major League Baseball draft Thursday night. "Its the most advanced high school pitcher Ive ever seen in my entire career," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "He has command like Ive never seen before of his stuff." The 17-year-old from San Diegos Cathedral Catholic High School is just the third prep pitcher to be selected first overall, joining fellow lefties Brien Taylor (1991, Yankees) and David Clyde (1973, Rangers). The Miami Marlins made it the first time high school pitchers were the top two picks in the draft when they selected Tyler Kolek, a hard-throwing right-hander from Shepherd High School in Texas. Twenty pitchers were taken in the first round, tying the draft record set in 2001. The Astros are the first team to select first in three consecutive drafts, having picked shortstop Carlos Correa in 2012 and right-hander Mark Appel last year. Aiken is in line to receive a huge contract. The allotted slot bonus for the top pick is nearly $8 million. "Unbelievable. Its really a dream come true," Aiken said. "This is something that Ive wanted ever since I was a young kid. Im at a loss for words. This is my dream and its finally starting to come true." Aiken is also the first high school lefty to be drafted in the first five picks since Adam Loewen went fourth overall to Baltimore in 2002. The UCLA recruit, who compared himself to Clayton Kershaw and David Price, has terrific control of a fastball that hits 96-97 mph, a knee-buckling curve and a tough changeup that sits in the low- to mid-80s. The 6-foot-5 Kolek has a fastball that sits in the high-90s and touched 100-102 mph several times, causing many to compare him to fellow Texas flamethrowers such as Nolan Ryan, Kerry Wood and Josh Beckett. "How do you pass up a guy throwing 100?" Marlins manager Mike Redmond said after Miamis 11-6 win at Tampa Bay. "So, Im happy with the pick. Its a big, old, country strong right-hander." The Chicago White Sox selected North Carolina State left-hander Carlos Rodon with the third overall pick. The 6-3, 235-pound junior was widely regarded as the top college pitcher available and had been in the mix to go No. 1 overall. He followed a dominant sophomore year with a solid but not spectacular junior season. Indiana slugger Kyle Schwarber went No. 4 overall to the Chicago Cubs as the first position player selected. He is a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award as the best catcher in Division I, although he could move to third base or the outfield in the pros. "Well let that play out," Cubs senior vice-president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod said. Nick Gordon, the son of former big league pitcher Tom Gordon and brother of Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon, went fifth overall to Minnesota. The Florida high school slick-fielding shortstop was the first of the seven prospects in attendance at MLB Network Studios to have his name called by Commissioner Bud Selig, who is retiring in January and presiding over the draft for the final time. After a few interviews, Gordon breathed a big sigh of relief and gave his father a huge hug. "This is a proud moment. Its hard to describe," Tom Gordon said. "I have nothing but pride and pure joy for my boys." Gordon, from Orlandos Olympia High School, also has some family bragging rights now: His father was a sixth-rounder by Kansas City in 1986, while his brother was a fourth-rounder by Los Angeles in 2008. "Were pretty much the same player," Nick Gordon said of the brothers. "You know, hes got a little bit more speed than I do, Ive got a little bit more pop than he does. But, you know, we model our game after each other." A few other players followed in the footsteps of famous family members. Wichita State first baseman Casey Gillaspie went 20th overall to Tampa Bay, 17 spots ahead of where his brother Conor, the White Soxs third baseman, was picked in 2008. "I cant really compare myself to him because hes in the big leagues," Casey said. "It was cool when it happened, but now Im just ready and focused." San Francisco outfielder Bradley Zimmer was taken 21st by Cleveland. His brother, Kyle, was the fifth overall pick by Kansas City in 2012. With the next pick, Detroit took California high school outfielder Derek Hill, whose father Orsino was a first-rounder in January 1982 and is now a scout for the Dodgers. California high school catcher Alex Jackson went sixth to Seattle, which intends to move him to the outfield. "Ive been playing multiple positions my whole life," Jackson said. "Its nothing extra ordinary that has been thrown my way. Im looking forward to getting out there competing." LSU righty Aaron Nola was the seventh overall selection by Philadelphia. Evansville lefty Kyle Freeland, a Colorado native, went No. 8 to the Rockies and said hes used to pitching in the thin Denver air and isnt afraid of it. East Carolina right-hander Jeff Hoffman went ninth to Toronto, which also took Kennesaw State catcher Max Pentecost two picks later. The New York Mets rounded out the top 10 picks by selecting Oregon State outfielder Michael Conforto. In the year of Tommy John surgery in baseball, two pitchers who recently had the operation were selected in the first 18 picks -- a sign that teams are confident in the success rate of the procedure. Even though theyll likely be sidelined for 12-18 months, Hoffman and UNLV righty Erick Fedde (No. 18 to Washington) remained attractive prospects. Vanderbilt righty Tyler Beede was the 14th overall pick by San Francisco, becoming the 18th player in draft history to be selected in the first round of two June drafts. He went 21st to Toronto in 2011. St. Louis wrapped up the first round of the draft, which is held over three days and 40 rounds, by selecting California high school righty Jack Flaherty at No. 34 -- seven picks after taking Florida State right-hander Luke Weaver. Gareth Morgan, from Toronto, was the first Canadian selected this year. The right-handed outfielder was drafted out of Blyth Academy by the Seattle Mariners, 74th overall. "Im honoured that the Mariners selected me and its also very special to be the first Canadian to be taken in the draft," said Morgan from his home in Toronto where he was following the draft with his family. "I have worked very hard throughout my career for this moment and Im excited for what the future holds." NMD For Sale . His Brazilian opponents said he produced miracles. There is no doubt that Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was the one responsible for spoiling Brazils hopes of another World Cup victory at its home tournament. NMD Cheap . Span, Danny Espinosa and Adam LaRoche had two hits apiece as Washington won the final two games of the series. The Nationals improved to 3-7 against Atlanta. They increased their division lead over the Braves to 1 1/2 games. https://www.cheapnmdoutlet.com/. Cleveland released the troubled wide receiver on Wednesday, an expected ending after Bess was arrested in January for assaulting a law enforcement officer at an airport and other bizarre behaviour. NMD Store . Radulov scored the lone goal in the shootout, and the Predators edged the Minnesota Wild 2-1 on Tuesday night to reach 100 points for the second time in three seasons and fourth in seven. NMD Wholesale . Chris Heisey followed with a two-run triple and Billy Hamilton added an RBI double, all but sealing Cincinnatis fourth straight victory and seventh in eight games. Brandon Phillips, celebrating his 33rd birthday, hit a go-ahead homer in the ninth for the Reds before pinch-hitter Buster Posey tied it with an RBI double off hard-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman in the bottom half.TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona Cardinals head east with former third-stringer Ryan Lindley as starting quarterback.Coach Bruce Arians confirmed after Thursdays practice that Lindley will start in Saturdays wild-card playoff game at Carolina.The announcement was no surprise because Drew Stanton did not practice all week.Stanton, the starter after Carson Palmer went down with a season-ending knee injury on Nov. 9, will miss his third straight game with a sprained right knee. He had the knee scoped last week after developing an infection.Arians said Stanton, who will not be in uniform, is close, but theres no way Im risking it.That leaves rookie Logan Thomas as Lindleys backup.Released by the Cardinals at the end of preseason, Lindley was signed off the San Diego practice squad two days after Palmer was hurt.He started the last two regular-season games, losses at Seattle and San Francisco. He threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday against the 49ers, but was intercepted three times.Arians said Lindley is light years better now than he was when he took the field in Seattle.When you get experience in big games, and those were big games, it affects how you play, Arians said. I think hes more than ready to play extremely well.Arians said Lindley has the things that really count.Hes smart, hes tough and his accuracy is getting better and better, the coach said.Lindley is not overwhelmed by the situation, Arians said.Thats one thing thats got everybody excited, the coach said. Its not been too big for him. Hes as calm as you could be out there, and they all know he knows what hes doing. Thats the confidence factor everybody has.Ariians raved about the teams two practices this week.ddddddddddddYesterdays practice in pads was as good a practice as (before) any playoff Ive ever seen, he said. You had to say Whoa, you didnt have to say sic em. They were getting after it pretty good.Defence has been the backbone of the Cardinals, who had a 9-1 record but lost four of their last six as the injuries mounted.But the defence had its two worst performances in the last two games, missing tackles and giving up big plays to quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick. Now Arizona faces another strong running quarterback in Cam Newton.Defensive end Calais Campbell said players have to stick to their assignments and not try to do too much.This game comes down to just doing your job, he said, and if all 11 players on defence execute their job, we should be successful. But when you try to do too much and start pressing and try to do somebody elses job, then youre jobs probably not being done like its supposed to, and thats when you cost the team.Inside linebacker Larry Foote said the defences goal is the same regardless of what the offence is or isnt doing.If we have Joe Montana (at quarterback), our job is to keep them from scoring, Foote said. Thats our game plan.The Cardinals (11-5), who travelled to Carolina on Thursday, are 6 1/2-point underdogs against the Panthers (7-8-1), who won four in a row to take the NFC South title.Arians said this team is accustomed to that role.The locker rooms loud, he said. Theres a true belief that were going to win the game, and theres no doubt about it.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '