Stephen Strasburg chosen first; four locals go in first 21 picks of baseball draft

San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg was chosen first overall and four Southland players were selected in the top 21 picks in the annual Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

As expected, the Washington Nationals selected Strasburg, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior who throws a fastball that has been measured at more than 100 mph.

Pitcher Matt Hobgood of Norco High was chosen fifth by the Baltimore Orioles, left-hander Tyler Matzek of Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley was selected 11th by the Colorado Rockies, USC shortstop Grant Green went 13th to the Oakland Athletics and La Verne Bonita High shortstop Jiovanni Mier, who has committed to USC, was selected 21st by the Houston Astros.

The Angels chose two high school outfielders with successive picks, Randal Grichuk from Texas 24th and Mike Trout from New Jersey 25th, and among supplemental picks between the first and second rounds selected Santa Monica High left-hander Tyler Skaggs 40th overall.

The Dodgers’ first pick, 36th overall, was Aaron Miller, a pitcher-outfielder from Baylor.

Strasburg was 13-0 during the regular season before suffering a loss to Virginia in an NCAA regional. He struck out 195 and walked only 19 in 109 innings while compiling a 1.32 earned-run average.

“This is definitely a day I’ve been waiting for for a very long time,” Strasburg said during a television broadcast of the draft on MLB Network.

Mike Rizzo, the Nationals’ general manager, said, “There was never really a thought of taking another player. We’re just thrilled to death that he was available this year when you have the first pick.”

Agent Scott Boras has served as Strasburg’s advisor and is reportedly seeking a record-setting deal.

Last year’s top pick, high school shortstop Tim Beckham, received a $6.15-million bonus from the Tampa Bay Rays. But Boras is expected to seek a deal that will surpass the $10.5 million big-league contract former USC pitcher Mark Prior received from the Chicago Cubs when he was selected No. 2 overall in 2001.

Asked if he were prepared to pitch in the major leagues this season, Strasburg said, “It’s tough to say right now. I’m just really enjoying this time right now with my friends and family we’ll just have to go from here and see what happens.”

After Strasburg, the next two picks were position players. Picking second, the Seattle Mariners chose North Carolina first baseman-outfielder Dustin Ackley, and the San Diego Padres took outfielder Donavan Tate of Cartersville (Ga.) High.

Hobgood, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound right-hander, was chosen after the Pittsburgh Pirates took Boston College catcher Jorge Sanchez.

Jim Callis, executive editor of Baseball America, said Hobgood might have benefited from the financial demands of other prospects.

“The last couple days a lot of these high school kids have thrown out big signing numbers that kind of put off some of the teams,” Callis said during the television broadcast. “I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Matt, I think, was one of the more signable high school kids and then that’s why he went where he did.”

Hobgood said he his advisor received a phone call from the Baltimore Orioles an hour before the draft telling him that if Ackley of North Carolina were selected, they would pick Hobgood No. 5.

When Ackley went to the Mariners, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Hobgood let out loud applause.

“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “I don’t know what to say. This is about all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears. I’m so happy they pulled the trigger.”

Despite hitting 21 home runs, Hobgood said the Orioles have told him he was selected to become a pitcher.

As for how long it will take for him to sign, Hobgood said, “It shouldn’t take long. I’m ready to sign.”

Questions about Matzek’s enthusiasm for signing might have contributed to his fall from the top 10.

“They took a guy who may be asking for as big a bonus as anybody in this draft,” Callis said. “Some teams had him as the No. 2 player in the whole draft, even ahead of Ackley, so I think it’s a tremendous pick.”

Matzek emerged as perhaps the top player in Southern California after throwing 18 1/3 scoreless innings during the Southern Section Division I playoffs. He hit a home run in his team’s 1-0 victory in the title game at Angel Stadium.

Matzek, who has signed with Oregon, made it clear there is more work to be done.

“This is the start of the business side,” he said.

Green began the season projected to be chosen in the top five. He batted .374 with four homers and 32 runs batted in for the Trojans, who were hoping that Mier might replace him.

But that line of succession is in now in doubt after the Astros’ selection of the 6-2, 170-pound Mier.

Three other local players were among supplemental picks: Yucaipa High third baseman Matt Davidson, 35th overall by Arizona; USC pitcher Brad Boxberger, 43rd, Cincinnati; and former Dana Hills High and Fresno State pitcher Tanner Scheppers, 44th, Texas.

Times staff writer Eric Sondheimer contributed to this report.

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gary.klein@latimes.com