Nationals Farm Authority

John Sickels reinforces what we already know, the Nats system has nowhere to go but up.

Baseball America has ranked the Nats top 10 prospects. Scouting reports are subscriber only.

1. Ryan Zimmerman, 3b
2. Collin Balester, rhp
3. Clint Everts, rhp
4. Ian Desmond, ss
5. Armando Galarraga, rhp
6. Kory Casto, 3b
7. Mike Hinckley, lhp
8. Bill Bray, lhp
9. Larry Broadway, 1b
10. Daryl Thompson, rhp

Zimmerman was an obvious choice as #1. After that, I don’t necessarily quibble with who are #2-10. The order is open to debate.

Bray has the greatest chance of an immediate impact. Assuming that LH RP Joey Eischen is not re-signed, Bray would have to be the clubhouse leader in the competition for LH out of the bullpen. He quickly climbed the organizational ladder from Potomac to New Orleans in 2005. His struggles in Triple-A (1.50WHIP and 1.3HR/9IP) are balanced by a solid 3.8BB/9IP and a very good 10.6K/9IP.

With regards to the SPs, I would rate Galarraga the highest for near term impact. He posted a 3.80ERA, 1.23WHIP, 7.9K/9IP, 2.5BB/9IP, and 1.0HR/9IP in 156.33IP split between Potomac and Harrisburg. He has an opportunity to make an appearance in Washington some time in 2006. He projects as a #4 SP. Everts, continuing his recovery from Tommy John, pitched sparingly in 2005 (35IP split between GCL Nats and Vermont) with 3.60ERA, 1.69WHIP, 9.3K/9IP, 5.1BB/9IP, and 0 HR allowed. As I stated in my review of the Vermont prospects, I’d like to see him challenged with a placement at Harrisburg or New Orleans, but he could easily begin the season in Potomac in an effort to build up arm strength. Balester built upon his strong debut with an equally strong performance in Savannah. In 125IP, he compiled a 3.67ERA, 1.18WHIP, 6.8K/9IP, 3BB/9IP, and 0.8HR/9IP. He probably has the highest upside of any pitcher on the list above. The 19-year old is, at best, 3 years away from the majors. Potomac is his most likely destination in 2006 with a quick promotion to Harrisburg if he continues to pitch well. Thompson will likely join Balester in Potomac after a brief but strong second season in Savannah. In 53.2IP, 3.35ERA, 1.30WHIP, 8.1K/9IP, 4.0BB/9IP, and 0.5HR/9IP. He had shoulder surgery and a full season with the P-Nats is in the offing. Last season’s #1 prospect, Hinckley had a disappointing 2005 which rightfully led to his slide down the list. After a solid finish to the 2004 season in Double-A Harrisburg, his performance at Potomac (127.2IP with 4.93ERA, 1.58WHIP, 5.6K/9IP, 3.6BB/9IP, and 0.7HR/9IP) cannot be entirely written off to injury. He has alot to prove in 2006. I would have ranked the pitchers: Bray-Galarraga-Balester-Everts-Thompson-Hinckley.

Desmond at #4 is a function of how weak the upper levels are. His numbers split between Savannah and Potomac show promise but his K/BB (113/34) is definitely a concern. Many Nationals fans have adopted Desmond as a future star of the franchise. I don’t see that. He has the potential to be a very solid utility IF but I don’t see his bat as strong enough to carry him to a starting SS job. Casto had a break out season with P-Nats in 2005. He switched from OF to 3B in hopes of accelerating his climb to the majors, and that he did. Unfortunately for him, the Nats drafted Zimmerman putting an end to his chances of making the majors as a 3B. The Nats are now determining if he can make the switch to 2B in hopes of replacing Vidro in a couple of years. I still see his best chances as a corner IF. Broadway had a disappointing 2005 battling injury and inconsistency. He has something the Nats need … LH power. With Nick Johnson’s inability to stay healthy, Broadway still has a chance to make noise at 1B. I would have ranked the positional players.: Zimmerman-Broadway-Casto-Desmond.

Overall, my ordering of Baseball America’s top 10:

1. Zimmerman
2. Bray
3. Galarraga
4. Balester
5. Everts
6. Broadway
7. Casto
8. Thompson
9. Hinckley
10. Desmond

The St Louis Cardinals signed LHP Rich Rundles as a 6-year minor league free agent. Rundles was acquired in 2001 from the Red Sox (along with Tomo Ohka) in exchange for Uggie Urbina. The 24-year old Rundles spent his second straight season in Double-A Harrisburg compiling a 9-19 record over the last two years with a 3.88ERA, 1.40WHIP, 5.4K/9IP, 2.9BB/9IP, and 0.7HR/9IP in 46GS. It appears that St Louis will convert him to a RP. It’s a disappointment to see Rundles leave, but hopefully Bowden/Boone have some plans on bringing in some 6-year minor league free agent LHPs.

The Nationals released OF Kenny Kelly yesterday. The 26-year old Kelly was claimed off of waivers from the Cincinnati Reds on July 27. He was another one of Bowden’s toolsy OFs (see Escobar, Alex). In 24G, he only had 13AB with 4H. With the presence of Brandon Watson and Ty Godwin, Kelly was superfluous. His release opens another spot on the 40-man roster.

With Beltran, Tucker, Drese, Escobar, and Sledge all on the 60-day DL, the Nationals are presently at 34/40.

Regional Olympic Qualifying Tournament

• USA defeated Guatemala 23-0 in 7 innings (mercy rule)
• Panama defeated Mexico 17-4 in 8 innings (mercy rule)
• Canada defeated Nicaragua 3-0
• Brendan Harris 2B - 1/2 1R 1RBI

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

• no Nationals played

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

• box scores of 11/15 pending

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

• Bernie Castro 2B - 1/5 1R 1BB

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

• Box scores for Puerto Rican winter leagues yet to be posted (season began on 11/11)

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

• no games on 11/14

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

• no Nationals played on 11/12
• no Nationals played on 11/13
• no games on 11/14

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

• 11/12 Tigres del Licey Tony Blanco - 0/1 1K
• 11/12 Aguilas Cibaenas Bernie Castro - 1/4 1R 1RBI 1K
• 11/13 Aguilas Cibaenas Bernie Castro - 3/5 1R 1K
• no games on 11/14

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

• Box scores for Puerto Rican winter leagues yet to be posted (season began on 11/11)

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

• 11/12: Pastora de los Llanos Frank Diaz CF - 2/3 1R 2BB 1K
• 11/12: Pastora de los Llanos Mayque Quintero SP - 3IP 6H 5R(5ER) 1BB 2K
• 11/12: Leones del Caracas Armando Galarraga SP - 2.2IP 4H 4R(4ER) 3BB 3K
• 11/12: Leones del Caracas Ed Yarnall RP - 0.2IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K; Win
• 11/13: Pastora de los Llanos Frank Diaz CF - 0/0 4BB

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

• 11/12 and 11/13 boxscores pending

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

• 11/12 and 11/13 boxscores pending

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

• 11/11 through 11/13 boxscores pending

Brendan Harris is playing for 2005 Olympic Qualifying team. Below is their schedule.

• 11/15/05 vs Guatemala
• 11/16/05 vs Mexico
• 11/17/05 vs Nicaragua
• 11/18/05 vs Panama
• 11/19/05 vs Canada

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

• Pastora de los Llanos Frank Diaz CF - 1/4 2K
• Pastora de los Lanos Jason Stevenson SP - 5IP 7H 2R(1ER) 0BB 3K
• Navegantes de Magallanes Ender Chavez CF - 3/5

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

• 11/9 through 11/11 no Nationals played

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

• Tigres del Licey Tony Blanco - 0/1
• Aguilas Cibaenas Bernie Castro - 3/5 1R 4RBI double triple HR

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

• 11/11 season opening box scores pending

Peoria (AFL)

• Josh Whitesell DH - 1/3 double
• David Maust SP - 2IP 2H 3R(3ER) 2BB 0K 1HR
• Chris Schroder RP - 1H 0R 0BB 1K
• AFL regular season ended - Peoria Saguaros season over

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

• no Nationals played

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

• 11/9 & 11/10 boxscores pending

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

• no Nationals played

According to the Burlington Free Press, the new name, logo, jerseys and some merchandise will be unveiled at a Tuesday 11/15 news conference beginning at 5 p.m. at University Mall in South Burlington, VT.

UPDATE: Discussions over at Chris Creamer’s Sports Logo Community uncovered this information:

The domain names www.vermontlakemonsters.com and www.vtlakemonsters.com were both registered by the owner of a firm called e-fish solutions. Said firm provides services for clients including website planning, design and production… website hosting… website maintenance… e-commerce and online shopping support… domain name registration and administration, etc. Interestingly enough, among e-fish solutions’ clients is - you guessed it - the Vermont Expos

A nice bit of detective work