Nationals Farm Authority

New Orleans (AAA) [Lost 6-3 to Albuquerque]

• Brandon Watson CF - 2/4
• Ty Godwin LF - 0/2 1RBI 1BB 1SF
• Rehab Assignment: Nick Johnson 1B - 0/2 1K
• Rehab Assignment: Tony Blanco 3B - 0/4 1K
• Rick Short RF - 2/4 2 doubles
• Brendan Harris 2B - 0/4 1K
• Jason Bergmann RP - 3IP 2H 1R(1ER) 1BB 1K 3HBP
• Bill Bray RP - 1IP 1H 1R(1ER) 3BB 0K; Loss

Harrisburg (AA) [Lost 8-6 to Altoona]

• Rehab Assignment: Henry Mateo 2B - 2/5 1R double 1SB 1GIDP
• Edgar Gonzlaez LF - 0/5 1K
• Larry Broadway 1B - 1/4 solo-HR 1K
• Dutch Zimmerman 3B - 1/4 1R 2RBI 2R-HR 2K
• Josh Labandeira 2/3 1R 1BB

Potomac (High A) [Split DH with Kinston 3-4 & 9-0]

• G1: Ian Desmond SS - 1/4 1K double
• G1: Frank Diaz CF - 1/4 Solo-HR 1K
• G1: Kory Casto: 1/3 1BB 1K
• G1: Josh Whitesell 1B - 0/2 2BB 1K
• G1: Salomon Manriquez CA - 0/1
• G2: Ian Desmond SS - 2/4 2R 2RBI Solo-HR 1K
• G2: Frank Diaz CF - 1/4 1RBI double
• G2: Kory Casto 3B - 2/4 2R 1RBI Solo-HR
• G2: Josh Whitesell 1B - 3/4

Savannah (Low A) [Lost 8-5 to Columbus]

• Rogearvin Bernadina CF - 0/2 2BB 1K 1HBP
• Devin Ivany DH - 1/4 2RBI double
• Edgardo Baez RF - 0/2 1BB

Vermont (SS) [Lost 13-6 to New Jersey]

• Andrew Lane 3B - 3/5 2R 1E
• John Howell DH - 2/4 3RBI 1SF
• Dee Brown LF - 2/5 1RBI double
• Mike Daniel CF - 1/4 2K

GCL Nationals (R)

• No game scheduled.

Games from July 23.

New Orleans (AAA) [Defeated Albuquerque 8-4]

• Brandon Watson CF - 3/5 1R 1K
• Ty Godwin LF - 2/5 1R
• Rehab Assignment: Nick Johnson 1B - 0/1 1BB 1K
• Rick Short PR/1B/2B - 0/3 1R
• Rehab Assignment: Tony Blanco 3B - 3/4 1R 2RBI 1HR
• Brendan Harris 2B - 0/3

Harrisburg (AA) [Defeated Altoona 3-2]

• Rehab Assignment: Henry Mateo 2B - 0/4 1BB 2SB
• Larry Broadway 1B - 1/3 1BB 1K
• Dutch Zimmerman 3B - 1/4 1R 1K double
• Darrell Rasner SP - 7IP 3H 2R(2ER) 2BB 5K; Win
• Danny Rueckel RP - 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K
• Saul Rivera RP - 1IP 1H 0R 0BB 2K; SV

Potomac (High A)

• Game postponed by rain.

Savannah (Low A) [Lost 6-1 to Augusta]

• Rogearvin Bernadina CF - 0/3 1R 1BB 1K
• Edgardo Baez RF - 0/3 1BB 3K
• Devin Ivany CA - 1/4 1K 1GIDP

Vermont (SS) [Lost 10-1 to New Jersey]

• Dee Brown LF - 0/4 3K
• Mike Daniel RF - 0/4
• Andrew Lane 2B - 0/3 1BB
• Craig Stammen SP - 4.2IP 11H 7R(3ER) 1BB 5K
• Jeff Taylor RP - 2.1IP 2H 1R(0ER) 1BB 4K

GCL Nationals (R) [Lost 5-3 to GCL Marlins]

• Tim Pahuta 1B - 0/4 2K
• Rehab Assignment: Clint Everts SP - 3IP 4H 3R(1ER) 1BB 3K; Lost

Games from July 22.

New Orleans (AAA) [Lost 6-4 to Albuquerque]

• Brandon Watson CF - 2/4 1RBI 1SB 2CS
• Ty Godwin LF - 0/3 1BB 1K 1E
• Rick Short 2B - 1/4
• Rehab Assignment: Tony Blanco 3B - 0/4 2K 1GIDP
• Bill Bray RP - 0.2IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K 1WP 1HBP

Harrisburg (AA) [Defeated Altoona 10-4]

• Rehab Assignment: Henry Mateo 2B - 0/3 1R 2BB 1CS 1E
• Larry Broadway 1B - 3/5 3R 1RBI 1K; 2 doubles 1HR
• Dutch Zimmerman 3B - 3/5 2R double
• Josh Labandeira SS - 2/4 1RBI 1K
• Danny Rueckel RP - 0.2IP 1H 0R 1BB 1K

Potomac Nationals (High A)

• Game suspended by rain

Savannah (Low A) [Split DH with Columbus 0-4 & 5-3]

• G1: Edgardo Baez RF - 0/3 1K
• G1: Devin Ivany CA - 1/3 1K
• G2: Rogearvin Bernadina CF - 1/5 1R 1K double
• G2: Devin Ivany DH - 1/3 1R 1BB 1SB

Vermont (SS) [Lost 13-6 to New Jersey]

• Andrew Lane 3B - 2/4 2R double 1E
• John Howell DH - 2/3 3RBI 1SF
• Dee Brown LF - 2/4 1RBI double
• Mike Daniel CF - 1/3 1K

GCL Nationals (R) [Defeated GCL Marlins 3-1]

• Ryan Delaughter RF - 1/4 1RBI 2K
• Brian Peacock DH - 0/4 2K
• Coby Mavroulis SP - 6IP 5H 1R(1ER) 2BB 5K

Games from July 21.

New Orleans (AAA) [Lost 6-4 to Oklahoma]

• Brandon Watson CF - 3/5 3R 1K 2SB
• Rick Short LF - 3/5 1RBI 1K
• Rehab Assignment: Tony Blanco 3B - 1/5 1RBI 1K 1SB
• Brendan Harris 2B - 1/3 1RBI
• Jason Bergmann RP - 1.2IP 0H 0R 2BB
• Bill Bray RP - 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K

Harrisburg (AA)

• No games scheduled.

Potomac (High A) [Defeated Salem 6-5 in 14 innings]

• Ian Desmond SS - 1/6 2R 1BB 2K triple 1E
• Frank Diaz CF - 4/7 1R 3K 2 doubles
• Kory Casto 3B - 2/4 1R 2RBI 3BB 1HR
• Salomon Manriquez DH - 2/6 1RBI 1BB 1K
• Josh Whitesell 1B - 2/5 1RBI 2K 1HBP
• Greg Bunn SP - 4IP 7H 4R(4ER) 1BB 2K 1HR allowed 1HBP

Savannah (Low A) [Lost 8-5 to Columbus]

• Rogearvin Bernadina CF - 0/2 2BB 1K 1CS 1HBP
• Devin Ivany DH - 1/4 2RBI triple
• Edgardo Baez RF - 0/2 1BB

Vermont (SS) [Lost 7-4 to Aberdeen]

• John Howell DH - 1/4 1K
• Dee Brown LF - 1/4 1R
• Mike Daniel RF - 1/2 1R 2BB 1K 1CS
• Chris Lugo SP - 4IP 8H 4R(4ER) 1BB 4K
• Jeff Taylor RP - 0.1IP 1H 1R(1ER) 0BB 0K; Loss

GCL Nationals (R) [Defeated GCL Mets 8-6]

• Ryan Delaughter RF - 1/4 1R 2RBI 2K 1HR
• Brian Peacock CA - 0/5 3K 1E
• Tim Pahuta 1B - 2/4 1R 1RBI 1K double 1HR

I’m back and playing catch-up. First off, games from July 20. New Orleans (AAA) [Lost 8-0 to Oklahoma]

• Brandon Watson CF - 0/4; OF assist (runner @ 3B)
• Ty Godwin LF - 0/3
• Rick Short 1B - 0/3
• Rehab Assignment: Tony Blanco 3B - 1/2 1BB 1K 1E
• Brendan Harris 2B - 1/3

Harrisburg (AA) [Lost 3-1 to Trenton]

• Rehab Assignment: Henry Mateo 2B - 0/3 1BB 2SB
• Edgar Gonzalez DH - 0/4 2K
• Larry Boradway 1B - 2/4 2K
• Dutch Zimmerman 3B - 2/4 1R double
• Josh Karp SP - 7.1IP 2H 2R(2ER) 4BB 5K 1HR allowed
• Saul Rivera RP - 1.2IP 4H 1R(1ER) 0BB 3K

Potomac (High A) [Defeated Salem 8-3]

• Ian Desmond SS - 0/3 1R 1BB 1K 1SB
• Frank Diaz CF - 3/4 3R double
• Kory Casto 3B - 2/4 1R 3RBI 1HR 1K 1E
• Salomon Manriquez CA - 1/4 1R 1RBI
• Josh Whitesell 1B - 1/3 1R 1K double 1E

Savannah (Low A) [Defeated Augusta 10-3]

• Edgardo Baez RF - 0/4 1BB 2K
• Collin Balester SP - 5IP 3H 1R(1ER) 3BB oK

Vermont (SS) [Defeated Aberdeen 14-10]

• Mike Daniel RF - 1/6 1R 1K
• Dee Brown LF - 1/3 1R 2RBI 1BB 1HR
• Jason Lane 2B - 1/1 1R 2BB 1E
• John Lannan SP - 3.2IP 9H 6R(2ER) 0BB 3K 1HR allowed
• Ricky Shefka RP - 2.2IP 4H 2H(1ER) 2BB 3K; BS

GCL Nationals (R) [Lost 11-7 to GCL Mets in 11 innings]

• Tim Pahuta 1B - 2/6 1R 3K
• Ryan Delaughter RF - 2/5 1R 3RBI 1K 1HR
• Brian Peacock DH - 2/5 1R 2K
• Eduardo Pichardo RP - 1.1IP 3H 3R(3ER) 2BB 2K 2WP 1HBP
• Mike Watkins RP - 3.2IP 5H 4R(1ER) 0BB 5K 1HR allowed 2WP

Moose out front should have told you.

The Farm Authority will be on hiatus through Sunday July 24. Vacationing in Asheville. Postings will start again on Monday. Enjoy the Nats/Astros series.

John asked in my previous post who I thought could be going if a trade were to happen. I’m going to use Jim Bowden’s weekly article from the June 30 Examiner as a jumping off point.

On the 40-man (this doesn’t necessarily exclude them but if they freed up two spots it makes these guys less likely):

• LHP Michael Hinckley: He’s the Nats #1 prospect coming into the season. He’s struggled with injury and inconsistencty thus far in 2005. He’s currently looking to get back on track in High A Potomac. On a personal level, I hope not because solid LH SP are hard to come by and he has the potential to be a successful #2/3 SP in the majors. But if you have the opportunity to acquire Jason Schmidt, you may have to make the sacrifice
• RHP Danny Rueckel - I know Basil hopes not. He projects as a solid RH set-up guy and he is a solid contributor to the Senators this year out of the pen. I wouldn’t be opposed to moving him as well in the right deal
• RHP Josh Karp - He has all the talent in the world, but may lack the mental toughness to excel in the majors. He has been pitching better since showing up in Harrisburg from New Orleans, but it would not kill the system if he were to go
• RHP Darrell Rasner - A 24 year old SP currently in Harrisburg. He projects as an end of the rotation SP. He could go

Prospects not on the 40-man

• RHP Collin Balester - Balester has been pitching very well in Low-A Savannah. In 16G, he has ERA 3.29; WHIP 1.12; 2.9 BB/9; and, 6.4 K/9. He is another one with potential and he’s only 19 years old. You have to give to get. He’s a solid prospect in my eyes well worth haggling over but with the Nats in contention for the playoffs, he should be open to discussion.
• RHP Clint Everts - Everts was the Expos #1 prospect in 2003 and 2004. He was expected to miss all of 2005 with Tommy John surgery but has begun the rehab trail with the GCL Nats pitching sparingly in 6 games so far. The return on this investment is considerably further down the road but he should be viewed as an asset to a rebuilding club like the Devil Rays (aren’t they always rebuilding?)
• SS Ian Desmond - Discussed ad nauseum after his performance in Spring Training. He has shown improved BA/OBP/SLG with his promotion to Potomac (295/311/477) in 11 games. He still hasn’t shown the ability to consistently take a walk which leads to concerns he is creeping down the path to being the Endy Chavez of the infield. Additionally, his defense is most certainly a work in progress. He won’t be going anywhere (be that good or bad).
• RHP Armando Galarraga - Spotlighted this morning. Another gut feeling, but I hope Galarraga is staying put.
• LHP Bill Bray - Last year’s first round draft pick is currently closing part time in New Orleans after brief stopovers in Potomac and Harrisburg. He has a shot of being a closer someday and should be considered a valued chip in a potential deal, perhaps giving the Rays another option at closer if Baez were to be included in a deal. I would hope Bray only is moved in a big time deal as he offers the Nationals something they don’t have right now, a formidable LH RP out of the pen as a complement to Chad Cordero
• OF Rogearvin Bernadina - A toolsy OF in Savannah. He is a natural CF with blazing speed and developing power. The concerns leading up to this season was always his strike zone judgement, he’s shown much greater discipline in 86 games with 52BB and 59K. No reason not to include him in a deal
• 3B Kory Casto - 298/386/581 are his numbers in Potomac. His progress in the system as a 3B is definitely bleaker given the drafting of Dutch Zimmerman this year. He is showing improved power but doesn’t necessarily project as an everyday 3B in the majors so this Carolina League All-Star could be on the move
• RHP Shawn Hill - Tommy John surgery has sidelined him for all of 2005. A definite gamble isf someone takes him in a deal
• RHP Jason Bergmann - RP recently promoted to New Orleans. He projects to be a set-up man similar to want Danny Rueckel offers. He could go
• RHP Greg Bunn - As a SP in Potomac, he has performed OK, but not necessarily enough to warrant being considered a premier prospect, he could go as well

Not on Bowden’s list

• Larry Broadway 1B - Back in Harrisburg after a rehab assignment. With Nick Johnson’s injury history, the Nationals would be hard-pressed to move him in any deal other than one for a premier SP
• Brendan Harris 2B - Apparently not in the Nationals long-term plans, I expect him to go in any deal of note prior to July 31. He has solid hitting skills but is continually ignored by the Nats

During his chat today, Nats beat writer Barry Svrluga announced the Nationals had finally cut bait with the dead wood that was Wil Cordero. Cordero had done absolutely nothing since his return from the DL and veteran presence can only carry you so far. As this isn’t prospect news, I’ll move on to the parts that I find much more interesting from a minor league perspective.

First, the Nationals claimed Kenny Kelly off of waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. Kelly is a former University of Miami QB which tells you everything you need to know about his baseball acumen. Actually, Kenny Kelly is probably can be best described as a RH Tyrell Godwin. He had been playing well in Triple-A Louisville (326/382/438 in 61G with 18SB/22 attempts) prior to his bench warming in Cinicinnati. It is no shock to me that Jim Bowden (a) claimed a toolsy OF and (b) that he be from Cincinnati.

Additionally, the Nationals outrighted Joe Horgan to Triple-A New Orleans and Jacobo Sequea to Double-A Harrisburg. Both guys were already pitching in the minors, and neither Horgan nor Sequea are anything more than roster fodder so the Nationals aren’t really losing much. More interesting is the fact that the outrighting removes them from the Nationals 40-man roster. At present the Nationals have 38 men on the 40-man roster.

What I find interesting is that not only did the Nationals pick up another utility OF which on the surface does not make sense, but they also have two open 40-man roster spots. What this screams out to me is that the Nationals may be on the brink of announcing a deal to trade prospects (not on the 40-man roster) for major league ready talent. Specifically, one of the OF troika of Wilkerson-Church-Byrd. I severely doubt it’s Wilkerson as he is filling in at 1B until Nick Johnson’s return. Byrd is an average OF but would have to be packaged with alot to return anything of substance (remember he was traded straight up for Endy Chavez). This leads me to believe it may be Ryan Church who is on the move. Church is a solid contributor but remember he’s old for a rookie (26) and in my opinion he’s not a building block but more of a supplemental piece of the team.

As much as I would hate to see Church leave DC, if he brings a middle infielder and bullpen help, I’m behind the trade. The most frequently discussed names are Julio Lugo and Danys Baez from Tampa. There have been additional rumblings about Jason Schmidt and Deivi Cruz (fat chance). It will certainly be interesting to see what develops over the next 11 days.

After his complete game 7-0 shutout last night, now is probably a better time than any to turn the spotlight on Washington Nationals Double-A prospect, Armando Galarraga.

Galarraga was signed by the Montreal Expos as an amateur 17-year old free agent in 1998 out of Venezuela. He primarily pitched in relief in 1999-2000 to less than stellar results.

His arrival to the US and the GCL Expos in 2001 was moderately successful.

It was then he began to experience chronic injuries that resulted in two lost seasons capped off with Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in 2003. He began his comeback trail in 2004 with the Low-A Savannah Sand Gnats where he slid into the starting rotation without skipping a beat. In 23 games (19 starts):

He began 2005 with the High-A Potomac Nationals and quickly proved he was healthy and ready to pitch to the expectations of the now Washington Nationals. In only a half season with the P-Nats, he made the Carolina League All-Star team posting amazing numbers in 14 games (all starts).

His Carolina League All-Star appearance was followed by a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg where he kept the pace up. In only 4 starting appearances in Harrisburg, his numbers have not tailed off in the slightest.

Galarraga has a fluid delivery with a fastball in the 90s and a hard slider. Scouts believe if he develops an offspeed pitch, he can become a frontline starter. Otherwise, the belief is he can become a force out of the bullpen.

New Orleans (AAA) [Lost 11-3 to Oklahoma]

• Brandon Watson CF - 2/5 1R 1GIDP
• Ty Godwin LF - 1/4 1R 1K
• Rehab Assignment: Tony Blanco 3B - 0/4 1RBI 1K 1E
• Rick Short DH - 2/4 1RBI
• Brendan Harris 2B - 0/4 1K
• Jason Bergmann RP - 1IP 0H 0R 1BB 2K

Harrisburg (AA) [Defeated Trenton 7-0]

• Rehab Assignment: Henry Mateo 2B - 1/4 1R 1RBI 1SB 1E
• Larry Broadway 1B - 0/3 1BB 2K
• Dutch Zimmerman 3B - 1/4 1RBI 1K double 1 GIDP
• Josh Labandeira SS - 0/2 1BB 1K
• Armando Galarraga SP - 9IP 3H 0R 1BB 7K; CG shutout W, no-hitter through 5IP

Potomac (High A) [Lost 10-4 to Salem]

• Ian Desmond SS - 2/5 1R 2K double
• Frank Diaz CF - 1/5 1RBI; OF assist
• Kory Casto 3B - 1/3 1R 2RBI 1BB 1K
• Salomon Manriquez CA - 1/4 2K double
• Josh Whitesell 1B - 0/4 1K

Savannah (Low A) [Beat Augusta 11-2]

• Rogearvin Bernadina CF - 1/4 3RBI 1SF 1GIDP
• Edgardo Baez RF - 2/5 2R 1RBI 2K double triple
• Devin Ivany CA - 2/4 2R 2RBI 1BB double

Vermont (SS) [Lost 4-2 to Aberdeen]

• John Howell DH - 2/4 1R 2K
• Mike Daniel RF - 1/4 1RBI 3K

GCL Nats (R) [Lost 19-2 to GCL Dodgers]

• Brian Peacock CA - 1/4 3K
• Tim Pahuta 1B - 1/3 1RBI 1BB
• Ryan Delaughter RF - 0/3 1R 1BB 3K; OF assist
• Antonion Evangelista RP - 1.2IP 4H 3R(2ER) 2BB 3K 1HBP
• Coby Mavroulis RP - 1IP 0H 0R 1BB 0K
• Ouch of the night: Terrence Engles SP - 3.1IP 14H 11R(11ER) 1BB 2K 1HR allowed