Nationals Farm Authority

The Nationals home page just posted a slew of links with minor league goodness:

• Beat writer Bill Ladson highlights Kory Casto.  Ladson still has him potentially slated for 2B in Harrisburg.  This runs counter to what Andy Dunn said to Baseball America the other day that Casto would remain at 3B in Harrisburg.  I believe it might make the most sense to allow Casto to continue to develop offensively without having to deal with a more difficult defensive position. 
• Bill also discusses the prospects of Jon Rauch with the Nats.  While Rauch is definitely far beyond what anything remotely prospect-oriented, it’s an interesting perspective on a guy the Nats hope can follow in the footsteps of John Patterson, once-hyped prospect finally delivering on some of the expectations.  Rauch is out of options so if he’s not the long relief/spot starter in Washington, expect him to be dealt.
• Continuing on his busy day, Bill also has quick hits on the Nats.  Of note, prospect-wise, Zimmerman is excpected to take the next step. And, if [the Nationals] are out of the race by July, look for Soriano to be traded for prospects.  What level prospects they can expect are open to debate.  Much of this will be decided by how well Soriano plays in LF, not to mention the team that comes calling.  Teams the Nationals hope come calling (i.e. strong farm systems):  Boston, Anaheim, Atlanta, Los Angeles, or Arizona.
• Finally, MLB.com links to the MiLB.com organizational report for the Nationals.  Kevin Czerwinski covers most of the notable prospects (Casto, Everts, Desmond, Diaz, Hinckley, Watson, and Broadway [Larry not Lance] ) as well as some of lesser names (Ivany, San Pedro, and Plasencia).  There’s a good quote from Director of Scouting, Dana Brown, with regards to 2005 draftees Justin Maxwell and Marco Estrada

“Maxwell and Estrada can make big impacts quick. Estrada is a starter with three really good pitches. His stuff is average but his pitchability is real good, and every now and then he’ll reach back and throw harder for strike three. It’s just a matter of him getting used to throwing to professional hitters. Maxwell played really well in the Cape League, and he had some good years at Maryland. But he didn’t play a lot of college ball because he was hurt. Still, here’s a guy that’s talented and has a history of doing well with a wood bat. He can really turn the corner because he’s such a special makeup kid. He’s the first one in there in the morning and the last one to leave. He’s working hard to make up for lost time.”