The Washington Nationals are moving longtime scouting director Kris Kline into a new position as a special assistant to General Manager Mike Rizzo, three people close to the situation said.
He had been in charge of the team’s draft since Rizzo became general manager in 2009. Now, he’ll stay on the staff as a scout on the pro side.
Kline is responsible for drafting Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon in his time as director of scouting. But the Nationals haven’t hit on many picks since in the early or late rounds, forcing Washington to rebuild by revamping its farm system at recent trade deadlines.