Off-Day News: Nats Sign Hood!

The Nationals just sent out a press release announcing the signing of outfielder Destin Hood, their second round pick from the 2008 Amateur Draft.

Hood was a two-sport star at his Alabama High School, and signed a letter of intent to play both baseball and football for the Crimson Tide.

Hood will be assigned to the Nationals’ Gulf Coast League affiliate in Viera, FL.

Here's the full text of the release:

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with outfielder Destin Hood, the club’s second-round selection in this year’s First-Year Player Draft. Hood will be assigned to the Nationals’ Gulf Coast League affiliate in Viera, FL. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden, Vice President of Baseball Operations and Assistant General Manager Mike Rizzo, and Director of Scouting Dana Brown made this joint announcement.

Hood, 18, was a two-sport standout for St. Paul’s Episcopal High School in Mobile, AL. This year, the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder batted .485 with 19 extra-base hits, eight home runs, 32 RBI and 17 stolen bases while leading his team to the 5A state semifinals and earning a spot on the USA Today All-USA High School Baseball Team. Hood was recognized as the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 5A Player of the Year, and was named the High School Baseball Player of the Year by the Mobile Press-Register. He was a 2008 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American, after batting .517 with seven home runs, 36 RBI and 43 stolen bases as a junior. His impressive junior campaign earned him AFLAC All-American honors and a spot in the AFLAC All-American Home Run Derby, which he won with eight homers.

This season on the gridiron, Hood caught 56 passes for 995 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to Alabama’s 5A State Championship. A starter at wide receiver and defensive back, he was named First-Team All-State by The Birmingham News, Mobile Press-Register and the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Hood, who attended the same high school as San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy, had signed a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Alabama.

Bottom(feeder) Line: This is certainly good news, especially considering Mark Lerner's ridiculous statements at the beginning of the week concerning the state of negotiations with the previously unsigned top five draft picks. Hood is a premium athlete with very good baseball acumen, and should advance fairly quickly through the minor league system. He fell to the second round primarily because of his commitment to Alabama.