D-Backs don’t see ‘special’ player in coming draft class

Whomever the Diamondbacks select next month with the first overall pick in the draft, it will be, scouting director Deric Ladnier said, a player the club is excited to add to the organization.

But Ladnier echoed the rest of the industry on Monday in saying he doesn’t see a player in this class who has separated himself from the pack the way others have in recent draft history, such as Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg or David Price, among others.

“I don’t want to discredit anybody — we like the guys we’re considering — but there’s not a guy you would say is special,” Ladnier said. “They’re good players and we want them, but they’re not in that special category.”

As such, one option the club is considering is to cut a below-slot deal with the top pick in order to reallocate that money elsewhere in the draft. If the Diamondbacks don’t believe there’s a significant » Josh Collmenter struggles early as Nationals cruise to 11-1 win. Recap, 5C » Vidal Nuño steps in admirably when needed during Monday’s loss. 5C » MLB roundup, standings and scores. 4C talent difference among players at the very top of the draft but do see a difference in their price tags, that kind of strategy could make sense.

“I think it’s an option for every organization,” Ladnier said. “I do think we’ll go down every avenue we have to secure the best player we possibly can and the best deal we possibly can. But under no circumstances will we take a lesser value player just so we can save money.”

The Diamondbacks have been connected to more than a half-dozen names, including Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson, Florida prep shortstop Brendan Rodgers, UC-Santa Barbara righthander Dillon Tate, New York prep out-

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