Potomac Nationals Booster Club Silent Auction

During the game against the Lynchburg Hillcats at 6:05PM on Sunday, August 24, the Potomac Nationals Booster Club will be holding a silent auction. Items up for bid will be:

  • 2008 Carolina League/California League Autographed Allstar Game Program (52 autographs)
  • 2008 Carolina League Allstar Team Autographed Baseball
  • 2008 California League Allstar Team Autographed Baseball
  • 2008 PNats Autographed Baseball
  • 2008 PNats Autographed Bat
  • Elijah Dukes Autographed Game Used Bat
  • Johnny Estrada Autographed MLB Baseball
  • Odalis Perez Autographed MLB Baseball
  • Joel Hanrahan Autographed MLB Baseball
  • Shawn Hill Autographed MLB Baseball
  • John Lannan Autographed Washington Nationals Game Day Program
  • Lastings Milledge Autographed Washington Nationals Game Day Program
  • Shawn Hill Autographed Washington Nationals Spring Training Program
  • 2008 PNats Autographed April and August Team Photos

Potomac (A)

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Across the Affiliates 08/19/08

A bases loaded ground-rule double by 25-year old CA Luke Montz tied the game and after an intentional walk to 27-year old 1B Larry Broadway re-loaded the bases, 24-year old LF Leonard Davis provided a walk-off single in a 7-6 Columbus win over Louisville, salvaging one game of their for-game series (box/gamer). 29-year old RF Jorge Padilla was 2/5 with a two-run home run.24-year old CF Roger Bernadina was 2/5 with two doubles and two runs scored. Broadway was 2/3, Montz was 1/5, and Davis was 3/5.

Record: Columbus 63-65, 3rd place IL West (16GB w/ 14 games left) [eliminated]
Tonight: Columbus (pitcher TBA) versus Richmond LHP Chuck James (5-5, 2.88), 7:05PM

Harrisburg did not play on Monday.

Record: Harrisburg 68-61, 3rd place EL South (7GB w/ 13 games left)
Tonight: RHP Adrian Alaniz (0-5, 3.97) at Trenton RHP George Kontos (4-11, 3.78), 7:05PM

Potomac rode a seven-run third inning to an 8-4 victory over Kinston (box/gamer). Every P-Nats starter had at least one hit. 24-year old CF Francisco Plasencia was 2/5 with a run scored; 19-year old RF Michael Burgess was 1/4 with a solo home run and two runs scored; 20-year old 3B Stephen King was 1/4 with a double, run, & two RBI. CA Jhonathan Solano was 3/4 with a double, run & two RBI;adn 25-year old LF Boomer Whiting was 2/4 with a two-run home run.22-year LHP Ross Detwiler picked up his seventh win of the season with 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out four.

Record: Potomac 31-26, 1st place Carolina North (4 games ahead w/ 13 games left) [1st half champion]
Tonight: RHP Hassan Pena (1-1, 3.81) at Kinston RHP Carlton Smith (10-5, 4.24), 7:00PM

Hagerstown lost their seventh game in a row, falling 5-4 to Columbus in 10 innings, the Suns are now 3-14 in August (box/gamer). 25-year old DH Tim Pahuta was 2/5 and 23-year old RF Jesus Valdez was 2/5 with a double. 22-year old LF Bryan Miller was 1/3 with two runs scored. And, 23-year old 1B Robby Jacobsen was 3/4 with a double, run & RBI. 23-year old RHP Cole Kimball made the start, allowing three hits and two walks over three scoreless innings of work … his short outing could signal he is reaching his season innings pitch cap. 21-year old LHP Ricardo Pecina made his Hagerstown debut, allowing three runs on five hits over 3IP with two strikeouts.

Record: Hagerstown 21-36, 6th place Sally North (16GB w/ 13 games left) [eliminated]
Tonight: No game scheduled

Vermont is on their All-Star break. The game is scheduled for this evening at 7:15PM at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, NY. Representing the Lake Monsters will be RHP P.J. Dean (unlikely to see action given that he started on Sunday), CA Derek Norris, and OF Michael Guerrero.

Record: Vermont 23-34, 4th place NYP Stedler (9GB w/ 18 games left)
Tonight: New York/Penn League All-Star Game at 7:15PM

The GCL Nationals did not play on Monday.

Record: GCL Nationals 29-19, tied for 1st place GCL East (5 games ahead of 3rd w/ 8 games left)
Today: LHP Josh Smoker (2-1, 1.19) versus GCL Cardinals, 12:00PM

The DSL Nationals1 beat the Nationals2 11-5 in a weather-shortened 6 1/2 inning game (box). 19-year old LHP Raudy Almonte took the loss for the Nats2, allowing six runs on two hits and four walks without recording an out. 20-year old LHP Francisco Vizcaino pitched 4 1/3 innings of relief for the Nats2, giving up a run on three hits and three walks while striking out three. 23-year old RHP Juan Martinez started for the Nats1 surrendering three runs on three hits and two walks over just 1 2/3IP and did not factor in the decision. 21-year old RHP Derbin Reyes picked up the win with 3 1/3 innings of relief allowing a run on three hits while striking out three. 19-year old LF Weesley Hernandez was 2/4 with a solo home run and three RBI for the Nats2 while 19-year old 1B Juan Urdaneta was 2/3 with a  run scored. For the Nats1, 22-year old DH Danny Taveras was 1/3 with a run, two RBI and two more stolen bases … giving him 46 for the season. 18-year old 2B Hendry Jimenez was 1/3 with a run & RBI. 18-year old 3B Adrian Sanchez was 0/2 with two walks, two runs and his 19th stolen base of the season. 20-year old 1B Eduardo Urbina was2/4 with a run & RBI. And, 19-year old RF Angelberth Montilla was 1/3 with two runs, two RBI, and his 28th stolen base of the season.

Record: DSL Nationals1 51-15, 1st place DSL S.D. West (23 games ahead w/ 5 games left); DSL Nationals2 26-40, 4th place DSL S.D. West (25GB w/ 5 games left) [Nats1 clinched playoffs; Nats2 eliminated]
Today: DSL Nationals1 at DSL Tigers; DSL Nationals2 at DSL Padres; both games at 10:30AM

Harrisburg (AA)
Potomac (A)
Vermont (SS)
Gulf Coast League (R)
Across the Affiliates
Dominican Summer League
Hagerstown (A)
Columbus (AAA)

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Interesting Perspectives

An argument on how the “Nationals Were Winners at the Draft Deadline” compared to the ESPN’s Keith Law detailing “yet another misstep for the Nats” (Insider access).

I will always believe the truth lies somewhere between these two stories.

Draft

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Across the Affiliates 08/18/08

Columbus dropped a 7-5 home decision to Louisville (box/gamer). 23-year old RHP Tyler Clippard allowed only one hit over 6IP with seven strikeouts. Clippard is now 0-2 in August but has a 2.86 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over four starts in August (22IP) with 22 strikeouts and 10 walks. 29-year old RHP Jim Ed Warden took the loss surrendering five runs on seven hits and one walk in just one inning of work.  24-year old 2B Leonard Davis was 3/3, missing the cycle by a single. Davis had three RBI and scored twice. 29-year old 3B/SS Ed Rogers was 1/4 with a double & RBI.

Record: Columbus 62-65, 3rd place IL West (17GB with 14 games remaining) [eliminated]
Tonight: Columbus versus Louisville (pitchers TBD), 7:05PM

Harrisburg was swept away by Portland with a 3-2 loss on Sunday (box/gamer). 23-year old LHP Justin Jones started for the Senators allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk over 6IP with 10 strikeouts. 26-year old RHP Josh Perrault pitched two scoreless innings of relief, striking out one. And 24-year old RHP Adam Carr took the loss allowing a run on three hits and a walk in the bottom of the ninth without recording an out. 23-year old 1B Bill Rhinehart was 1/4 with a double; 25-year old DH Garrett Guzman was 1/3 with a double & run scored; and 22-year old SS Ian Desmond was 1/3 with a run scored.

Record: Harrisburg 68-61, 3rd place EL South (7GB with 13 games remaining)
Tonight: No game scheduled

24-year old RHP Erik Arnesen and two relievers combined on a seven-hit 3-0 shutout of Myrtle Beach (box/gamer). Arnesen held the Pelicans to six hits and one walk over 6 2/3IP with four strikeouts. 23-year old RHP Kyle Gunderson and 24-year old RHP Josh Wilkie pitched the final 2 1/3 innings allowing only a walk and a hit with Wilkie picking up his fifth save of the season. 24-year old SS Dan Lyons was 1/3 with a double & two RBI; 20-year old 3B Stephen King was 2/4; 25-year old CF/LF Boomer Whiting was 2/3 with a walk & run scored; and 25-year old 2B Michael Martinez was 1/4 with a walk, stolen base & run scored.

Record: Potomac 30-26, 1st place Carolina North (3 games ahead with 14 games left)
Tonight: LHP Ross Detwiler (6-8, 5.08) at Kinston LHP Kelvin De La Cruz (3-1,4.05), 7:00PM

24-year old RHP Osvaldo Rodriguez made his first start for Hagerstown after dominating the DSL. Unfortunately for Rodriguez, the Suns managed only six hits in a 6-0 loss to Columbus (box/gamer). Rodriguez allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over 6IP while striking out seven. 22-year old SS Jose Lozada was 1/4 with a double and 22-year old 2B Blake Stouffer was 2/4.

Record: Hagerstown 21-35, 6th place Sally North (17GB with13  games left) [eliminated]
Tonight: RHP Cole Kimball (5-8, 5.56) at Columbus (pitcher TBD), 7:00PM

Vermont was swept 2-1 by Staten Island headed into the All-Star break (box/gamer). 19-year old RHP P.J. Dean allowed two runs on two hits and four walks over 4IP. He also threw a wild pitch and balked twice. 20-year old LHP Kevin Light threw three scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits while striking out three. 21-year old SS Danny Espinosa continued his hot start, going 3/3 with a walk, double, stolen base & run scored. He is now 5/6 with a walk in his first two professional games. 23-year old LF Jake Dugger and 19-year old RF Yhonson Lopez had the other two Monster hits, both singles.

Record: Vermont 23-34, 4th place NYP Stedler (9GB with 18 games left)
Tonight: No game scheduled, NY/Penn League All-Star break

The GCL Nationals doubled up the GCL Marlins 6-3 (box). 19-year old LHP Jack McGeary was really good over his seven innings of work allowing a run on only two hits while striking out 10 and not walking a bater. 18-year old SS Smiley Gonzalez was 2/4 with a stolen base & run scored. 21-year old 3B Ronnie Labrie was 2/4 with a stolen base, RBI & two runs scored; he is now hitting 328/415/471 in 35 GCL games. 18-year old DH Adrian Nieto was 2/4 with a double, RBI & run scored; he is 4/7 with three RBI in his first two professional games. 20-year old RF J.R. Higley was 1/3 with one RBI and 22-year old 1B J.P. Padron was 1/3 with a double & two RBI.

Record: GCL Nationals 28-19, 2nd place GCL East (0.5GB with 8 games left)
Tonight: No game scheduled

The DSL Nationals1 and Nationals2 did not play.

Record: DSL Nationals1 50-15, 1st place DSL S.D. West (22 games ahead with 6 games left) [clinched]; DSL Nationals2 26-39, tied for 3rd place DSL S.D. West (24GB with 6 games left) [eliminated]
Today: DSL Nationals1 versus DSL Nationals2, 10:30AM

Harrisburg (AA)
Potomac (A)
Vermont (SS)
Gulf Coast League (R)
Across the Affiliates
Dominican Summer League
Hagerstown (A)
Columbus (AAA)

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The Bigger Picture

This is has been something that I have been thinking about since the signing deadline passed. I’m going to break from the mold that I typically have here where I attempt to be as even-keeled as I can when it comes to the happenings with the Nationals farm system.

This has little to do with not signing Aaron Crow but is more general in nature.

The Nationals have made it abundantly clear to us (their fan base) that the plan is to rebuild the team from the farm system on up. They have not signed any major league free agents of note and the results are clear on the field. However, many fans were willing to cut them some slack because they believed there was budget being invested in the farm system.

In last year’s draft, the Nationals were among the overall leaders in MLB with nearly $8 million invested in the 39 players they brought into the draft. That, to me, was a clear indicator they were investing in the minor leagues.

Now that the dust has settled on the 2008 draft, how much have the Nationals spent on bonuses for draft picks?

These are the bonuses we know …

  • Destin Hood $1.1 million (overslot)
  • Danny Espinosa $525K (overslot)
  • Graham Hicks $475K (overslot)
  • Adrian Nieto $376K (overslot)
  • Paul Demny $110K
  • Dan Killian $100K
  • Ricardo Pecina $100K
  • J.R. Higley $150K
  • Tommy Milone $65K
  • Marcus Jones $150K
  • J.P. Ramirez $1 million (overslot)
  • Nick Arata $35K

That would be $4.186M. There are an additional 18 players where we do not know slot bonus numbers. It’s only a guess-timate, but I’ve figured $1 million total for those remaining players, which averages out to $55K per player. That means the Nationals spent slightly more than $5 million on bonuses in 2008.

That is simply not enough for a team claiming to be rebuilding through the farm system.

The World Series champion Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals both broke the $10 million mark in signing draft bonuses. And the Nationals are only halfway there.

I’ll say it again. That is unacceptable.

Before anyone assumes this means I think the Nationals should have given Crow whatever he wants.

It doesn’t. The Nationals have every right to put a limit on what they value any individual player is worth to them.

What it means is I do not want to read this comment from Jim Bowden:

“[Ramirez] was done at one minute ’til midnight at the end. Here was a guy that, we were holding on to that because we didn’t know if we had enough money in our budget to get Ramirez. We had enough money to get Ramirez because we didn’t sign Crow. So that was done right there at the end. Because, OK, the money is sitting there and he’s a first-round talent. We took him like McGeary late but we didn’t think we could sign him. He wanted $1.6 million and we negotiated all summer with him, but at the end of the day, we didn’t think there were enough dollars. We wanted to save our money in case we could save Crow. That was what we were trying to do. Our scouting budget that we had to sign players - we were saving it for Crow. When he fell apart, we picked up the deal and closed it at the last minute.”

That is ridiculous. The Nationals should have had the budget to go to their limit on Crow and sign J.P. Ramirez. It should not have been an either/or!

To me, they should budget no less than $8 million on their draft class and spend every penny. Just like they spent in 2007.

I know it’s easy for me to say that since it’s not my money, but the Lerners knew they’d need to spend when they purchased the team and made the decision to rebuild the foundation.

If they were not going to break the bank for Crow, where was the money for Louis Coleman, Nick Akins, Scott Silverstein, Bryan Harper, Cory Mazzoni, or Chris Heston?

They need to show a commitment to the farm system if they are going to forgo the present for the future. And, $5 million is simply not enough of a commitment when other teams are out there spending double that.

It is not acceptable that they restrict the investment in the farm system.

Where are the international free agents?

The July deadline has come and gone and we have not heard anything about anyone being signed out of Latin America. Part of that, I’m sure, is dictated by the ongoing investigations there. But we have not heard word one from them about that.

I try to avoid getting up on a soapbox here, but I am extremely disappointed in the results of 2008.

/end vent 

Washington (MLB)
Management
Draft

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Marco Estrada to be Called Up

Watching the Nats game on MASN where the following was announced. RHP Marco Estrada will be called up from Columbus this week to assume the spot in the bullpen vacated by Luis Ayala.

Estrada is a combined 9-6 between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Columbus with a 3.09ERA and 1.35WHIP with 119 strikeouts and 53 walks over 139 2/3IP.

Harrisburg (AA)
Washington (MLB)
Players
Columbus (AAA)

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Across the Affiliates 08/17/08

Columbus lost their sixth straight game but managed to not be shutout for the first time in four games, dropping a 4-2 decision to Louisville (box/gamer). LHP Mike O’Connor allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits over 6IP with five strikeouts. RHP Levale Speigner threw three scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit while striking out four. 3B Greg Porter was 2/4; LF Frank Diaz was 1/4 with a run scored; and SS Ed Rogers was 0/2 with one RBI.

Record: Columbus 62-64, 3rd place IL West (16GB with 16 games to go)
Today: RHP Tyler Clippard (6-10, 4.24) versus Louisville LHP Bobby Livingston (2-2, 4.55), 5:05PM

Harrisburg lost their fourth game out of the last five, falling 6-5 to Portland (box/gamer). RHP Bobby Brownlie allowed six runs on nine hits and two walks over 5IP with five strikeouts. LHP Yunior Novoa threw three scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out five. CF Mike Daniel was 1/4 with a two-run home run; 2B Seth Bynum was 2/5 with a home run & two RBI; CA Javi Herrera was 0/3 but scored three runs; and SS Ian Desmond was 2/4 with a double.

Record: Harrisburg 68-60, 3rd place EL South (7GB with 15 games to go)
Today: LHP Justin Jones (2-4, 5.02) at Portland RHP Adam Mills (0-4, 4.74), 1:00PM

Potomac felll to Myrtle Beach 8-4 (box/gamer). RHP Clint Everts started for the P-Nats, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 4IP with six strikeouts. RHP Edulin Abreu gave up four runs on four hits and one walk over 2/3 of an inning. 3B Stephen King was 1/3 with a run & RBI; RF Michael Burgess was 1/4 with one RBI; LF Dee Brown was 1/3 with a run; and 2B Michael Martinez was 1/4 with two RBI.

Record: Potomac 29-16, 1st place Carolina North (2 games ahead with 15 games left)
Today: RHP Erik Arnesen (2-2, 4.74) at Myrtle Beach RHP Brett Butts (3-4, 4.08), 6:05PM

Hagerstown defense fell apart late as they fell 11-8 to Columbus (box/gamer). Notes: LHP Ricardo Pecina was promoted from Vermont to Hagerstown. RHP Terrence Engles allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks over 4 1/3IP. LHP Ryan Buchter took the loss, allowing four unearned runs on two hits and one walk over 1/3 of an inning. SS Jose Lozada was 1/4 with a double, run & three RBI; RF Jesus Valdez was 2/4 with a homer; two runs & two RBI; CA Sean Rooney was 2/5 with a homer, run & two RBI; and LF Bryan Miller was 2/4 with a solo homer.

Record: Hagerstown 21-34, 6th place Sally North (16GB with 15 games left)
Today: Hagerstown (pitcher TBD) at Columbus (pitcher TBD), 6:00PM

Vermont was swept away in a doubleheader at Staten Island, losing game one 5-4 (box) and game two 6-1 (box/gamer). LHP Will Atwood  allowed three runs on four hits and one walk over 4 1/3IP with five strikeouts in the first game. SS Dani Arias was 2/3 with two RBI; DH Nick Arata was 2/4; and CA Derek Norris was 2/4 with a run scored. LHP Pat McCoy  allowed six runs on six hits and three walks over 3IP with four strikeouts. RHP Randy Matias threw three scoreless innings of relief on one hit with four strikeouts. Danny Espinosa made his professional debut as the DH, going 2/3 with a double; Arias was 2/4; and LF Jake Dugger was 1/3 with a solo home run.

Record: Vermont 23-33, 4th place NYP Stedler (8GB with 19 games left)
Today: RHP P.J. Dean (3-0, 0.49) at Staten Island (pitcher TBD), 2:00PM

The GCL Nationals defeated the GCL Mets 4-3 (box) in the regularly scheduled game but it appears that the completion of the suspended game from 7/11 did not take place or was not updated online. LHP Bobby Hansen made the start, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over 3 1/3IP with five strikeouts. RHP Damian Silva picked up the win with 3 2/3 innings of three-hit shutout relief, walking two and striking out two. Adrian Nieto also made his professional debut as the DH going 2/3 with a double & two RBI; SS Smiley Gonzalez was 1/3 with a run scored; and 3B Ronnie Labrie was 0/1 with two runs and two walks.

Record: GCL Nationals 27-19, 2nd place GCL East (0.5 games back with 9 games left)
Today: GCL Nationals versus GCL Marlins, 12:00PM

The DSL Nationals1 and DSL Nationals2 box scores were not updated.

Record: DSL Nationals1 50-15, 1st place DSL S.D. West (22 games ahead); DSL Nationals2 26-39, tied for 3rd place DSL S.D. West (24GB)
Today: No game scheduled

Harrisburg (AA)
Potomac (A)
Vermont (SS)
Gulf Coast League (R)
Across the Affiliates
Dominican Summer League
Hagerstown (A)
Columbus (AAA)

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Ayala Traded

From the Nationals …

The Washington Nationals today acquired shortstop Anderson Hernandez from the New York Mets in exchange for right-handed reliever Luis Ayala. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.
The switch-hitting Hernandez—once ranked among the Mets’ top 10 prospects, Hernandez peaked at No. 8 entering the 2006 season according to industry-insider Baseball America—has swiped 166 bases at the minor-league level. Originally signed by Detroit in 2001, Hernandez rated as the best defensive infielder, and as owning the top infield arm, in the Tigers’ system two years later by Baseball America.
Last season, Hernandez earned the Mets’ Sterling Organizational Player of the Year award after hitting .301 with 28 doubles, five triples, five home runs, 42 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 128 games with New Orleans of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. His 167 hits in 2007 ranked second in the 16-team PCL.
In 2005, Hernandez was named Double-A Binghamton team MVP en route to hitting .315 with 35 stolen bases at the two highest levels within the Mets’ chain. The 25 year-old Hernandez has played in 35 games for New York (NL) the last three seasons, and was a member of the Mets’ Opening Day 25-man roster in 2006.
The 30 year-old Ayala has posted a 5.77 ERA in 62 games with the Nationals this season. He was the franchise’s longest-tenured player.

Here is BBA’s last capsule on him from 2006

Strengths: A switch-hitter, Hernandez is adept from both sides of the plate. He has learned to focus on using the whole field and to make use of his plus speed. Defensively, he has very soft hands, above-average range and an average, accurate arm. He has excellent body control and lateral mobility.

Weaknesses: For a player with very little power, Hernandez doesn’t control the strike zone, and he needs to do a better job of making contact. For all his defensive gifts, he gets himself into trouble when he tries to be flashy.

The Future: Hernandez isn’t going to move Jose Reyes off of shortstop, but the disappointing Kaz Matsui is vulnerable at second base. Most likely, Hernandez will wind up becoming a dependable utilityman.

Players

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Looking Back

Back on June 9, I made my best guess on what the Nationals would ultimately do with their 2008 draft picks. Here is how it ended up

Picks: Rounds 1-10 (My guess was 10/10)

Type 2006 2007 2008
College Bat (signed) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1)
JuCo/CC Bat (signed) 0 (-) 0 (-) 2 (2)
High School Bat (signed) 3 (3) 4 (4) 2 (2)
Total Bats (signed) 4 (4) 5 (5) 5 (5)
Type 2006 2007 2008
College Arm (signed) 2 (2) 4 (4) 3 (2)
JuCo/CC Arm (signed) 1 (0) 0 (-) 1 (1)
High School Arm (signed) 5 (2) 4 (4) 1 (1)
Total Arms (signed) 8 (4) 8 (8) 5 (4)
Type 2006 2007 2008
College (signed) 3 (3) 5 (5) 4 (3?)
JuCo/CC (signed) 1 (0) 0 (-) 3 (3)
High School (signed) 8 (5) 12 (12) 3 (3)
Total (signed) 12 (8) 13 (13) 10 (9?)

The 2006 draft saw the Nationals miss on signing four pitchers, three from high school arms and one from a junior college. Sean Black (2nd rd) and Sam Brown (7th rd) were both highly thought of among the scouting community but the Nationals did not agree to contract with either one. JuCo LHP Joey Rosas (9th rd) and Marcus Salmon (10th rd) were the other two unsigned early selections by the Nationals. In 2007, the Nationals were a perfect 13/13 in the first fifth of the draft.

The Nationals did not get 1st round pick Aaron Crow signed. They were one of only two teams that did not sign their first round draft (the Yankees were the other at #28). I gave my thoughts in the postmortem last night. After having a night to sleep on it, the blame should still be shared but I’m going to fault Crow and his advisors a bit more. They are playing a game of chicken that he’ll receive an equal deal or better in 2009 which is going to be a challenge for a guy drafted ninth and offered around $3.3M (with or without a major league deal depending upon who you believe). The Nats deserve criticism in this. It’s not because of the dollars because in retrospect they have their value and were well within their rights to stick to it. It’s for misreading Crow and missing on a top 10 pick. Next year is not going to be easy from a financial standpoint with two top 10 picks, and the Nats are now in a position where they have to sign the #10 pick because it does not get compensated again.

My guess was 10/10; Actual was 9/10 (running tally: 9/10)

Picks: Rounds 11-20

Type 2006 2007 2008
College Bat (signed) 2 (2) 5 (3) 4 (4)
JuCo/CC Bat (signed) 0 (-) 1 (1) 2 (1)
High School Bat (signed) 1 (0) 0 (0) 1 (1)
Total Bats (signed) 3 (2) 6 (4) 7 (6)
Type 2006 2007 2008
College Arm (signed) 1 (1) 3 (3) 2 (1?)
JuCo/CC Arm (signed) 5 (5) 0 (-) 0 (0)
High School Arm (signed) 1 (0) 1 (1) 1 (1)
Total Arms (signed) 7 (6) 4 (4) 3 (2?)
Type 2006 2007 2008
College (signed) 3 (3) 8 (6) 6 (5)
JuCo/CC (signed) 5 (5) 1 (1) 2 (1)
High School (signed) 2 (0) 1 (1) 2 (2)
Total (signed) 10 (8) 10 (8) 10 (8)

As you can see, the Nationals were remarkably consistent in their 11-20 range selections, getting eight of them under contract. The only players they missed on in 2006 were a high school bat (Dustin Dickerson) and high school arm (Sam Dyson) while in 2007, their misses were both college junior bats (Sawyer Carroll & Dan Cook).

The Nats surprised me at the last minute getting OFs Marcus Jones (11th rd) and J.P. Ramirez (15th rd) signed at midnight on 8/15. Ramirez received a $1 million bonus while Jones’ number has yet to be released. That brings their total in this range to the identical 8/10 they signed over the last two season. The only players missed were 14th round LSU junior RHP  Louis Coleman and 20th round CC 2B Nick Akins. Kudos to the Nats for getting the two last minute contracts and adding depth to an area that needs help … offense.

My guess was 8/10 (18/20 overall); Actual was 8/10 (running total: 17/20)

Picks: Rounds 21-30

Type 2006 2007 2008
College Bat (signed) 3 (3) 4 (4) 3 (3)
JuCo/CC Bat (signed) 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1)
High School Bat (signed) 2 (0) 2 (0) 1 (1)
Total Bats (signed) 6 (4) 7 (5) 5 (5)
Type 2006 2007 2008
College Arm (signed) 2 (1) 3 (1) 3 (3)
JuCo/CC Arm (signed) 1 (0) 0 (-) 1 (0)
High School Arm (signed) 1 (0) 0 (-) 1 (0)
Total Arms (signed) 4 (1) 3 (1) 5 (3)
Type 2006 2007 2008
College (signed) 5 (4) 7 (5) 6 (6)
JuCo/CC (signed) 2 (1) 1 (1) 2 (1)
High School (signed) 3 (0) 2 (0) 2 (1)
Total (signed) 10 (5) 10 (6) 10 (8)

In the middle rounds of the draft, the Nationals have been roughly 50/50 in getting players under contract, focusing primarily on collegians and missing on the high schoolers with a certainty. In 2006, they missed on a trio of high schoolers (Khris Davis, Burt Reynolds and Jim Birmingham), a college junior (Forrest Beverly) and a CC arm (Michael Robbins). In 2007, they missed on a pair of high school bats (Chris Berroa & Kelvin Clark), a college junior arm (Zack Pitts, and a draft eligible sophomore arm (Dave Duncan).

In 2008, they signed eight guys. So far OF Michael Guerrero (21st round) is a NYP League All-Star and OF Chris Curran (22nd round) is doing very well in the GCL.

They missed on one CC arm, 29th round RHP Chris Heston and one high school arm, 26th round RHP Cory Mazzoni. They ended up with more players signed in this range than I expected.

My guess was 6/10 (24/30 overall); Actual was 8/10 (running total: 25/30)

Picks: Rounds 31-40

Type 2006 2007 2008
College Bat (signed) 1 (1) 0 (-) 5 (3)
JuCo/CC Bat (signed) 1 (0) 1 (0) 0 (0)
High School Bat (signed) 2 (0) 2 (0) 0 (0)
Total Bats (signed) 4 (1) 3 (0) 5 (3)

Type 2006 2007 2008
College Arm (signed) 2 (2) 4 (3) 1 (1)
JuCo/CC Arm (signed) 0 (-) 3 (3) 1 (0)
High School Arm (signed) 4 (0) 0 (-) 3 (0)
Total Arms (signed) 6 (2) 7 (7) 5 (1)
Type 2006 2007 2008
College (signed) 3 (3) 4 (3) 6 (4)
JuCo/CC (signed) 1 (0) 4 (3) 1 (0)
High School (signed) 6 (0) 2 (0) 3 (0)
Total (signed) 10 (3) 10 (6) 10 (4)

The picks from 31-40 is where the Nationals made a big step from 2006 to 2007, doubling up their draft haul. As in the 21-30 range, high schoolers are a near lock to not sign. In 2006, the Nationals grabbed four high school arms and two high school bats, missing on all of them. They adapted in 2007, only drafting & missing out on two high schoolers (Dave Stewart & 2008 signee Dan Killian). College players were a more likely sing with the Nationals missing on only RHP Kenn Kasparek out of seven college players drafted in 2006 & 2007.

From 2008, they signed four players from this range. Signed were three bats … OF Brian Pruitt (34th rd), 3B Ronnie Labrie (38th round), and MI James Keithley (39th round) along with LHP Clayton Dill. So far, Labrie has been putting up solid numbers in the GCL.

Six guys remained unsigned:

  • Two college junior bats (OF Billy Cather & 2B Avery Barnes)
  • One CC arm (LHP John Lambert)
  • Three high school arms (LHPs Bryan Harper, Scott Silverstein, & Casey Selsor)

It’s typically a long-shot to find a major leaguer in this range or later.My guess was 6/10 (30/40 overall); Actual was 4/10 (running total: 29/40)

Picks: Rounds 41-50

Type 2006 2007 2008
College Bat (signed) 0 (-) 4 (4) 1 (1)
JuCo/CC Bat (signed) 2 (0) 2 (1) 2 (0)
High School Bat (signed) 1 (0) 0 (-) 4 (0)
Total Bats (signed) 3 (0) 6 (5) 7 (1?)

Type 2006 2007 2008
College Arm (signed) 3 (1) 1 (1) 0 (0)
JuCo/CC Arm (signed) 1 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0)
High School Arm (signed) 3 (1) 2 (0) 2 (0)
Total Arms (signed) 7 (2) 4 (1) 3 (0)
Type 2006 2007 2008
College (signed) 3 (1) 5 (5) 1 (1)
JuCo/CC (signed) 3 (0) 3 (1) 3 (0)
High School (signed) 4 (1) 2 (0) 6 (0)
Total (signed) 10 (2) 10 (6) 10 (1)

This is the area where teams rarely find anything more than organizational guys necessary to complete minor league rosters or back in 2006, identifying candidates for the now-defunct draft-and-follow process. The 2006 draft has a caveat in that the final two selections were sons of Nationals management (Josh Rodriguez [son of then bench coach Eddie] & Kyle Page [son of then hitting instructor Mitchell]). The only player remaining in the organization from 2006 is RHP Brad Peacock who was the Nats final draft-and-follow signing. In 2007, the Nationals were more aggressive, signing six (with four still in the organization). This was likely a function of restocking their lower levels of the minor leagues with players more compatible experience-wise. Over the previous seasons, the Nationals had placed quite a few players with multiple years of professional experience at lower levels just to fill out rosters.

The Nationals signed only one of their selections from 41-50, 1B J.P, Padron (44th round). The nine who did not sign were:

  • Two JuCo/CC bats (OF Naoya Washiya & SS Colin Rooney)
  • Four high school bats (CA Robert Brantly and OFs Alex Dickerson, Robert Zimmerman, & Fernando Frias)
  • One CC arm (LHP Mike Rayl)
  • Two high school arms (RHP Anthony Meo & LHP Anthony Colletti)

My guess was 3/10 (33/50 overall); Actual was 1/10 (running total: 30/50)

However, the Nationals did sign eight undrafted free agents this year which helps to make up for the players not signed in the 31-50 range. If you include those eight players, the Nationals brought 38 new players into the system in 2008 in comparison to 40 from last year’s draft (39 players they signed out of last year’s draft plus one undrafted free agent).

In the grand scheme of things, they stayed relatively consistent with the total number of players. They went over-slot on several deals (Hood, Espinosa, Hicks, Nieto, Ramirez and likely Jones). Missing out of their first round selection is going to be a tough one to handle and they are going to face some serious financial commitments with #1 and #10 overall in 2009 (as of today).

I’m working on a couple of other looks at the draft including comparing what other teams spent and who they signed.

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2009 Draft Order

Per a request in the comments, here is the 2009 draft order (as of today)

  1. Washington
  2. Seattle
  3. San Diego
  4. San Francisco
  5. Cincinnati
  6. Colorado
  7. Pittsburgh (same record as Atlanta & Kansas City)
  8. Kansas City (same record as Atlanta & Pittsburgh)
  9. Atlanta (same record as Kansas City & Pittsburgh)
  10. Washington (for Crow)
  11. Cleveland
  12. Oakland
  13. Detroit
  14. Baltimore
  15. Texas
  16. Toronto (same record as Houston)
  17. Houston (same record as Toronto)
  18. Florida
  19. LA Dodgers (same record as Arizona)
  20. Arizona (same record as Dodgers)
  21. NY Yankees
  22. Philadelphia
  23. NY Mets
  24. St. Louis
  25. Minnesota (same record as ChiSox)
  26. Chicago White Sox (same record as Minnesota)
  27. Milwaukee
  28. Boston
  29. NY Yankees (for Gerrit Cole)
  30. Tampa Bay
  31. Chicago Cubs
  32. LA Angels

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