The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with Missouri State University left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler, the sixth overall selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.  Nationals Vice President/General Manager Jim Bowden, Assistant General Manager/Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo and Director of Scouting Dana Brown made the joint announcement.

Detwiler will travel to Washington, DC tomorrow to officially sign his contract and participate in various on- and off-field activities with the Nationals prior to Friday’s 7:05 p.m. series opener against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.  Detwiler will then report to Viera, FL to begin his professional career with the Nationals’ Rookie-level Gulf Coast League entry.  After a brief stint with the Gulf Coast League Nationals, Detwiler is expected to be promoted to the Potomac Nationals of the Single-A Carolina League.

Detwiler becomes the highest selection from the 2007 First-Year Player Draft to have agreed to terms.

Detwiler, 21, entered the 2007 First-Year Player Draft rated as the third-best pitching prospect, sixth-best overall, among draft-eligible players according to Baseball America.  He entered the ‘07 season as a Baseball America Pre-Season All-American and a Collegiate Baseball Louisville Slugger Second-Team Pre-Season All-American.  The southpaw went on to post a 4-5 record with a team-best 2.22 ERA in 14 starts to earn Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors.  He registered 110 strikeouts and a .198 batting average against in 89.0 innings.  Detwiler ranked third in the MVC in both ERA and strikeouts.