Nationals Farm Authority

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

• Leones de Caracas: Marco Yepez 1B/3B - 1/3 [12/26]
• Leones de Caracas: Marco Yepez 1B/3B - 0/2 1K [12/27]
• Leones de Caracas: Tony Armas SP - 4IP 5H 0R 0BB 3K [12/26]
• Navegantes de Magallanes: Alex Escobar RF - 1/3 1R 2K [12/27]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 0/4 1R 1K [12/27]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 2/5 1RBI 3K double [12/26]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 1/5 [12/27]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 1/3 1RBI 1K [12/26]
• Tigres de Aragua: Ramon Castro 3B - 1/4 1RBI 1K [12/27]
• 12/28 pending

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

• no Nationals played

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 1/4 1BB 1K [12/27]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 1/4 [12/28]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Alberto Castillo CA - 0/4 1RBI 1K [12/27]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Alberto Castillo CA - 0/2 [12/28]

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

• Website inaccesible

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

• Leones de Caracas: Marco Yepez 3B - 1/3 1K [12/12]
• Leones de Caracas: Marco Yepez 3B - 0/2 1K [12/19]
• Leones de Caracas: Marco Yepez PH/1B - 0/1 1BB [12/23]
• Navegantes de Magallanes: Alex Escobar PH/DH - 0/0 1BB [12/18]
• Navegantes de Magallanes: Alex Escobar RF - 2/3 2R 3RBI 1BB 1HR [12/19]
• Navegantes de Magallanes: Alex Escobar RF - 1/3 1R 1K [12/20]
• Navegantes de Magallanes: Alex Escobar LF - 1/3 [12/23]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 2/5 1R 2RBI 1BB 1K 1HR [12/12]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 2/5 1R 1K double [12/14]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 1/3 1R 1RBI 2BB double [12/15]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 1/4 1K [12/17]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 1/4 1R 2RBI 1HR 2K [12/18]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 1/4 1K [12/19]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 3/5 2R 5RBI 2doubles 1HR [12/22]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Jason Stevenson SP - 5.2IP 2H 0R 3BB 3K; Win [12/12]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Mayque Quintero SP - 3IP 3H 1R(1ER) 1BB 3K [12/12]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Jacobo Sequea RP - 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K [12/14]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Jacobo Sequea RP - 0.1IP 1H 0R 0BB 0K [12/15]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 0/4 1K [12/12]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 2/5 1R 2RBI 1K double 1E [12/13]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 1/2 1R 1RBI 2BB 1K double [12/15]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway DH - 0/3 1BB 2K [12/16]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway DH - 1/3 2K [12/18]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 3/4 2RBI [12/20]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 1/2 2BB 1K [12/22]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 2/5 1K [12/23]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 2/3 1BB [12/12]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 1/4 1R [12/13]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 2/3 2RBI [12/15]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 0/4 1K 1PB [12/16]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 1/3 1K 1E [12/18]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 0/3 1BB 1PB [12/19]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 0/3 1BB [12/20]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 0/2 1RBI [12/22]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Wiki Gonzalez CA - 0/3 1BB 1K [12/23]
• Tigres de Aragua: Ramon Castro PH/3B - 0/3 3K [12/12]
• Tigres de Aragua: Ramon Castro 3B - 0/1 1R 3BB [12/15]
• Tigres de Aragua: Ramon Castro 3B - 0/4 1R 1K [12/17]
• Tigres de Aragua: Ramon Castro 3B - 0/1 [12/18]
• No games on 12/24 and 12/25
• Boxscores from 12/26 pending

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

• no Nationals played

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 2/4 1RBI [12/12]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 1/4 2R 1BB 1K [12/13]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 2/5 2RBI [12/15]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B/LF - 1/5 1R 1E [12/16]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 1/5 1R triple [12/17]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 2/4 1BB [12/18]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 2/5 2R double [12/20]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 0/2 2BB 1K [12/21]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 2/4 1R 1RBI 1BB triple [12/26]

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

• Website inaccesible

Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Kwanzaa.

Thank you for reading and enjoy the holidays.

Everyone’s favorite utility infielder, Jamey Carroll, was tendered a contract by the Nationals late last night. The first word is that it is for $600k - a nice little raise for a guy who played hard and did whatever he was asked all of last year. It is a near certainty that both Carroll and Brendan Harris will not fit into the opening day roster.

As it pertains to last night’s deadline to tender contracts, Junior Spivey was not extended a contract offer and TJ Tucker (still recovering from Tommy John surgery) and Alex Escobar (still recovering from a foot injury) both agreed to minor league deals. These moves take all three players off of the 40-man roster.

Tony Armas, Jr. has yet to come to terms with the Nationals and has until January 8th to do so. He is reportedly also in negotiations with the Rockies. If the Nationals are unable to sign any other free agent pitchers, it is most likely that Armas and Ryan Drese would compete with Jon Rauch, Darrell Rasner, and maybe even Josh Karp for the final two spots in the starting rotation.

As expected, the Nationals non-tendered 2B Junior Spivey and IF Rick Short last night along with RP T.J. Tucker and OF Alex Escobar. Today, the Nationals re-signed Tucker and Escobar to minor league deals. In signing the minor league deals, the Nationals freed up two spots on their 40-man roster (the Nationals are presently at 36/40).

Tucker’s re-signing is a good gamble. He is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery completed in late June 2005. Prior to his injury, Tucker was a serviceable RH RP out of the bullpen. In his five years with the Nationals/Expos, he threw 228.67 IP with a 4.57ERA, 1.47WHIP, 5.5K/9IP, 2.9BB/9ip, and 1.1HR/9IP. Given a typical recovery period, Tucker should be expected back on the mound in mid to late July.

Escobar’s re-signing feels more like a move to validate his acquisition. Escobar was acquired from the Chicago White Sox by Jim Bowden in February of 2005 in exchange for minor league OF Jerry Owens. Escobar was once a highly touted prospect who has never lived up to the hype. Bowden coveted Escobar when he was GM in Cincinnati, nearly acquiring him in a deal with Mets involving Barry Larkin. Bowden finally got his wish acquiring him early in the spring for an underperforming minor league OF. At the time, Owens was a 23-year old who played the entire season with low-A Savannah (292/365/349). Once the trade was completed, everything went sour for Escobar who injured his foot and missed the 2005 season while Owens had a breakout season with AA Birmingham, batting 331/393/406, earning him a spot on the White Sox 40-man roster. The Nationals can only hope that 27-year old Escobar captures a fraction of his hype and becomes a #4/5 OF in the majors. But odds are he’s settled into the role of yet another organizational player, something of which the Nationals are flush.

The Nationals lost three players from their organization this weekend:

Marlins signed outfielder Matt Cepicky to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Cepicky was getting old and would have at best been a 5th outfielder. He may actually make the Marlins’ cut with all the minor leaguers they’ll be running out there next year.

Rockies acquired outfielder Doc Brooks from the Nationals as the player to be named in the July 13 trade for Preston Wilson. He’s getting ready to turn 26 and was still playing in A ball. No loss.

And last, but certainly not least: Rick Short intends to play for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan next season. I think we may all be Golden Eagle fans next year because our own Crash Davis story was loved by almost all Nationals fans. He’d make a great RH PH off the bench and can fill in serviceably at most IF positions. Oh well, it’s too late now.

As regular readers of this site will know, the Washington Nationals farm system is one of the five worst in major league baseball. Nevertheless, they’re still our guys and we here at Nationals Farm Authority try to keep you updated on anyone who might even be close to up-and-coming. To assist in getting the big picture, I’ve created an organizational big board that you’ll be able to get to at any time from the link on the right.

It’s a bit messy for now as we transition to the next season. We have a lot of relievers who are really only low-A quality pitchers at this time and thus there are too many players at the lower levels. As more moves are made (e.g. losing any 6-year minor league free agents) and as soon as rosters begin getting finalized in the spring, the big board will get clearer.

Edit: Here’s the Big Board

The Nationals re-signed LH RP Joey Eischen and signed CI/OF Robert Fick (who can also serve as an emergency catcher) to one-year deals.

Additionally, it appears the Nationals may have solved the problem of who is going to serve as a backup catcher to Brian Schneider by signing a slew of catchers to minor league contracts with invitations to Spring Training. Joining the Nats in Viera will be Wiki Gonzalez, Mike DiFelice, Alberto Castillo and Brandon Harper. I assume the hope is to find one guy (preferably a RH hitter) to serve as the back up out of a cast of six [in my order of most to least likely]:

1. Wiki Gonzalez (baseball-reference/thebaseballcube): The 31-year old has spent six season in the majors, most of which was with SD (he spent 2005 in SEA). He probably has the best bat of the bunch (240/312/362) 17HR in 801 career AB. And his glove is solid enough for a guy who will likely play 30-40 games in 2006 (990 FldPct; 24E in 242 career games; 22PB). He prides himself on calling good games and handling a pitching staff. He’s a favorite for the backup spot in 2006.
2. Alberto Castillo (baseball-reference/thebaseballcube): The 35-year old has spent parts of 11 seasons in the majors for seven different teams (NYM, TOR, STL, NYY, SF, KC, and OAK). Another servicable backup catcher, (222/295/296) and 990 career fielding percentage (23E in 398 career games) and 20 career PB. He, along with Gonzalez, are the favorites to backup Schneider. The odd man out may end up as the starter at New Orleans.
3. Mike DiFelice (baseball-reference/thebaseballcube): The 36-year old spent parts of 10 seasons with seven different teams (STL, TB, AZ, KC, DET, CHC, and NYM). He’s the dictionary definition of a backup catcher, little stick (career 238/288/359) with 28HR in 1,473AB and an adequate glove, 989 Fld Pct (36E in 495 career games). A few too many PB (50 in his career) which may conjure up images of Gary Bennett. My guess is he doesn’t stick with the Nationals.
4. Brandon Harper (thebaseballcube): The 29-year old has played the last two seasons at AAA with the Detroit Tigers. In 102 games, he batted (roughly) 235/325/350 with 9HR 41 RBI and 46/34 K/BB ratio. He’s probably destined for New Orleans if he sticks with the Nationals. As the youngest of the bunch, his age is an asset.
5. Hector Ortiz (baseball-reference/thebaseballcube): The 32-year old has limited major league experience (KC and TEX), 91G 5E 990FldPct. He has a bit more of a bat than Castillo, 288/339/358. He spent the 2005 with New Orleans (248/286/283) in 74 games. If he was going to be the choice, I’m guessing he would have got a call in September over Keith Osik. He’s probably one of the odd men out of the Nats plans.
6. Craig Kuzmic (thebaseballcube): The 28-year old split his first year with Washington between Harrisburg (236/366/439) and New Orleans (262/355/434). He had a combined 89/51 K/BB ratio between the two levels. Unless he demonstrates something in the spring, he may be released rather than return to New Orleans for a second year.

Frequent poster over at Yuda’s Gameday, Scott, will be joining me here at the Nationals Farm Authority. Scott’s initial responsibility will be to put together a Big Board for the Nats (hat tip to USS Mariner for the idea/formatting).

Welcome, Scott.

Not only have I been otherwise occupied, but the various league websites are not as prompt with their daily updates.

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

• Leones de Caracas: Marco Yepez PH/2B - 1/2 [12/8]
• Leones de Caracas: Marco Yepez 3B - 1/4 2RBI [12/9]
• Leones de Caracas: Marco Yepez PH/2B - 0/1 1BB [12/11]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 2/5 1R 2RBI 1BB 1K 1HR [12/8]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 0/4 1K [12/9]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 0/2 Sacrifice [12/10 Game 1]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 1/4 1R 2RBI double [12/10 Game 2]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Frank Diaz CF - 0/4 1K [12/11]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Jason Stevenson SP - 5.2IP 2H 0R 3BB 3K; Win [12/9]
• Pastora de los Llanos: Mayque Quintero SP - 3IP 3H 1R(1ER) 1BB 3K [12/10]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 0/4 1K [12/8]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway DH - 2/5 2R 1RBI double [12/9]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 1/3 1R 1BB 1K [12/10]
• Tiburones de la Guaira: Larry Broadway 1B - 1/4 2K [12/11]
• Tigres de Aragua: Ramon Castro PH/3B - 0/3 3K [12/8]
• Tigres de Aragua: Ramon Castro 3B /2B- 2/4 2R 1K [12/9]
• 12/12 box scores pending

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

• no Nationals played

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 2/4 1RBI [12/8]
• Aguilas Cibaenas: Bernie Castro 2B - 1/4 2R 1RBI 1SF [12/9]
• Dominican Republic vs Puerto Rico All-Star Game over the weekend

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

• Dominican Republic vs Puerto Rico All-Star Game over the weekend