By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

Just a couple weeks ago, RHP Ashe Russell (Cathedral HS, IN) and RHP Nolan Watson (Lawrence North HS, IN) were opponents. While they didn’t face off in the game, Watson’s team eliminated Russell’s from the postseason. Lawrence North was eliminated in the next round—the region semifinals—and both players shifted their focus to the draft. Both had high expectations going in. Russell has been a first-round prospect for some time and Watson made a noticeable jump forward, putting together a spring that placed his name among the top pitchers in the country. But they probably didn’t expect the way it all actually panned out.

Russell attended the draft at MLB Network’s Studio 42 while Watson hosted a party at his house. Russell knew he wasn’t going in the top 10 picks, but had heard from some teams in the teens and thought he might go there. The anticipation was stressful.