Stephen Strasburg screen cap 480

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals have the first pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, and according to a team source, San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg is expected to be their top choice provided that he is healthy on June 9.

The Nationals plan to scout Strasburg again on Friday, when San Diego State plays Air Force at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Game time is at 9 p.m. ET. Strasburg is 10-0 with 147 strikeouts and 15 walks for San Diego State this season.

ROUND 1 PICKS
Follow every pick
  1 WAS: S. Strasburg
  2 SEA: D. Ackley
  3 SD: D. Tate
  4 PIT: J. Sanchez
  5 BAL: M. Hobgood
  6 SF: Z. Wheeler
  7 ATL: M. Minor
  8 CIN: M. Leake
  9 DET: J. Turner
10 WAS: D. Storen
11 COL: T. Matzek
12 KC: A. Crow
13 OAK: G. Green
14 TEX: M. Purke
15 CLE: A. White
16 ARI: R. Borchering
17 ARI: A. Pollock
18 FLA: C. James
19 STL: S. Miller
20 TOR: S. Jenkins
21 HOU: J. Mier
22 MIN: K. Gibson
23 CWS: J. Mitchell
24 LAA: R. Grichuk
25 LAA: M Trout
26 MIL: E. Arnett
27 SEA: N. Franklin
28 BOS: R. Fuentes
29 NYY: S. Heathcott
30 TB: L. Washington
31 CHC: B. Jackson
32 COL: T. Wheeler
36 LAD: A. Miller
72 NYM: S. Matz
75 PHI: K. Dugan

MORE COVERAGE
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• Follow Draft on Twitter
• New tech helps clubs spot talent
• Bodley: Nats must be patient

"He is our top choice right now, but what if he gets hurt? We can't say today that Strasburg will definitely be the guy. A lot could happen between now and then," the source said.

Published reports indicated the Nationals will not be scared off by the price tag -- believed to be $50 million-plus -- for the right-hander. But the source expects the negotiations between the Nationals and Strasburg's advisor, Scott Boras, to go down to the wire.

If he is drafted and signed by the Nationals, Strasburg will go straight to the Minor Leagues.

The Nationals also have not ruled out drafting right-hander Aaron Crow for the second year in a row. Last year, Washington could not reach an agreement with Crow, their first-round selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, by midnight ET on Aug. 15. Money turned out to be the sticking point.

The Nationals are going to watch Crow pitch for the Fort Worth Cats of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball on Monday.

By not signing Crow last year, the Nationals will get the No. 10 pick in this year's Draft as compensation.

Acting general manager Mike Rizzo and team president Stan Kasten did not return several phone messages on Monday, but Rizzo said on Saturday the Nationals are close to deciding which players they want to select for the entire draft.

"We are well on our way with the draft preparation. It is right around the corner and we are starting to finalize our targets for 1, [10] and beyond. That's kind of the mode we are in right now," Rizzo said. "We are putting the final touches to our list. We are going to take the best player available.

If it's a pitcher, so be it. You know [10] is a terrific pick. It's a high pick. We are hoping to get an impact player.