Nats select Bucky Dent's son in 22nd round

The Nationals continued to emphasize pitching on Day 3 of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, but perhaps their most notable Saturday selection was an unheralded infielder with a .134 batting average.

The Nationals used their pick at the end of the 22nd round, No. 676 overall, to select Cody Dent, a rising senior at the University of Florida. Dent's father, Bucky, was a three-time All-Star and 1978 World Series Most Valuable Player for the Yankees.

The elder Dent played for four Major League teams during his 11-year career. He won two World Series rings with the Yankees and is well known for his three-run home run in the 1978 AL East divisional round game against the Red Sox. He also managed the Yanks from 1989-90.

Cody Dent had a forgettable season for the Gators this year. He started 24 games, mostly at third base, and batted .134 with seven walks and four RBIs. He led the Gators with 10 sacrifice hits.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said before the Draft that the club would place an emphasis on pitchers, and that has certainly proven to be the case. Eight of Washington's first 12 selections were pitchers, including the team's first three picks on Day 3.

In the first 25 rounds, the Nats selected 13 pitchers, six infielders, four outfielders and one catcher.