Nationals Farm Authority

As I highlighted in the recent Farm Reports, the Nationals shuffled quite a few players in their farm system over the past few days.  Here is how the dust settled:

• New Orleans
• Promoted to Washington:  RH RP Jay Bergmann and LH SP Mike O’Connor
• Added:  LH SP Billy Traber (demoted from Washington); CA Russ Cleveland (promoted from Potomac)
• Off DL:  OF Kenny Kelly and 2B Bernie Castro
• On DL:  OF George Lombard
• Designated for assignment (status pending):  OF Ty Godwin and CA Wiki Gonzalez
• Harrisburg
• Added:  OF Ender Chavez (promoted from Potomac)
• Demoted:  OF/DH Tony Blanco (sent to Potomac)
• Potomac
• Lost:  OF Ender Chavez (promoted to Harrisburg); CA Russ Cleveland (promoted to New Orleans)
• Added:  OF/DH (demoted from Harrisburg); IF/OF Doug Vroman (promoted from Vermont/extended spring training)
• Savannah
• Off DL:  3B Leonard Davis
• Demoted:  IF Ofilio Castro (sent to Vermont/extended spring training)

Additionally, there are reports from Bill Ladson that the Nats may be making the call to the minors again for a SP.

If the bullpen is overworked before Sunday’s game and Day can’t pitch, the Nationals are prepared to bring up right-hander Shawn Hill from Double-A Harrisburg. Hill has recovered from elbow reconstruction and is 2-1 with a 1.86 ERA in five starts. If he starts on Sunday, he will pitch on three days’ rest.

First, Mike O’Connor is recalled to start a game on three days rest.  Now, there is a possibility that Shawn Hill may follow suit on Sunday.  What does all of this thrashing mean?  It highlights the SP problem facing the Nationals, a combination of injuries (Ryan Drese, Pedro Astacio, and John Patterson) and ineffectiveness (Ramon Ortiz and Livan Hernandez).  The Nationals have been placed in a position where they are going to have to designate multiple players for assignment (in addition to Gonzalez and Godwin) in order to open up spots on the 40-man roster for serviceable arms to help out. 

If Hill is in fact needed for Sunday, the Nationals will have to designate someone else for assignment in order to add him to their 40-man roster.  Candidates are likely to be the recently demoted Blanco, recalled and never used RH RP Saul Rivera, or more drastically, the release of a guy on the 25-man roster, such as LH RP Joey Eischen. 

The demotion of Blanco could be a sign that his days with the organization as a member of the 40-man roster are dwindling.  If he isn’t removed for pitching help, it may make sense to designate him in order to add a backup catcher, perhaps Alberto Castillo.  With Russ Cleveland and soon to be returning Brandon Harper (broken finger), the Zephyrs will again have three catchers on their roster (not to mention the chances that Wiki Gonzalez isn’t claimed and accepts assignment to New Orleans).  Ideally, once the thrashing over who comprises the rotation for the Nats is over, they can add an honest to goodness backup catcher and not a DH who can wear the equipment.

The bottom line is that the Nationals are frantically shuffling the end of their 25-man in hopes they find something that sticks.  Not a position you want to be in this early in the season.

• 4/28 Probable Starter:  Kip Bouknight (1-0 2.70) at Reading 6:35PM ET
• DH/OF Tony Blanco demoted to Potomac; OF Ender Chavez promoted from Potomac

Potomac (A Advanced) [Lost to Wilmington 2-0]

• Gamer/Box
• Rog Bernadina CF 0/4
• Marvin Lowrance LF 2/4 2K
• Devin Ivany CA 0/4 2K 
• Edgardo Baez RF 0/4 3K
• Clint Everts SP 4IP 2H 2R(2ER) 4BB 4K 3WP; Loss
• 4/28 Probable Starter:  Mike Hinckley (0-1 5.52) versus Frederick 7:05PM ET
• Nationals hitters struck out 13 times versus the Blue Rocks 
• DH/OF Tony Blanco demoted from Harrisburg; CA Russ Cleveland promoted to New Orleans; OF Ender Chavez promoted to Harrisburg; IF/OF Doug Vroman assigned from Vermont/extended spring training
• Notes from the game:
• While SP Clint Everts was charged with 3 wild pitches, at least 2 of them could have easily been called passed balls.
• Everts had a difficult time with first pitch strikes (7/18 batters had 1st pitch strikes, with 4 called 1st strikes).  He also struggled with his command, throwing 79 pitches (40 balls and 39 strikes).  His first time through the lineup was pretty efficient, he recorded all four of his strikeouts and only walked one.  His second time through the lineup, his control was definitely an issue.
• As mentioned above, CA Devin Ivany could have been charged with two passed balls.  However, he had two runners picked off and if not for the fielders not getting to the bag in time, they would have been easily picked off.  In fact, from the perspective of Yuda, who was there taking pictures (hopefully up some time this weekend) the throwdown to 2B in the fifth got the runner.
• Nationals hitters looked out of synch at the plate with only a couple of hard hit balls in the first 6 innings.
• 3B Marcos Yepez ran himself into an out trying to stretch a single into medium left center into a double.  He was out at 2B by at least five steps.

Savannah (A) [Swept by Charleston 1-3 & 2-5]

• Gamer1/Box1 
• Francisco Plasencia CF 0/3
• Brian Peacock CA 1/3
• Leonard Davis 3B 0/3 1K
• Dee Brown LF 2/3 1R 1RBI 1HR 1K
• John-Michael Howell 0/3
• Francisco Guzman RF 0/2 1BB 1K
• Brett Nyquist SP 4.1IP 5H(2HR) 3R(3ER) 4BB 0K 1HBP; Loss
• Gamer2/Box2
• Francisco Plasencia CF 2/4 1R 1K 1CS double
• Leonard Davis 3B 1/4 1R double
• Dee Brown LF 2/3 1RBI double
• Mike Daniel RF 0/2 1BB
• Francisco Guzman DH 0/3 2K
• Tim Pahuta 1B 0/3 1K
• Craig Stammen SP 4IP 8H(1HR) 5R(5ER) 0BB 3K 1WP; Loss
• 4/28 Probable Starter:  Ricky Shefka (1-2 4.57) versus Greenville 7:05PM ET

The Nationals signed RHP Friedel Pinkston as a minor league free agent.  he was originally drafted by the Expos in the 8th round of the 2002 draft a slide down driven by a torn labrum.  He did not sign with the Expos, details found here regarding his long path back to the Nationals.

A couple of 2001 Perfect Game USA Profils (one) and (two):  We have seen Pinkston enough to know he is for real. He is an athletic type pitcher who reminds us a little of Dewan Brazelton or old films of Satchel Paige. He throws easily in the 90s and even drops down once in awhile to side-arm a mid 80s sinker. His breaking ball and changeup are both potential plus pitches. and Reminds us of Dewan Brazelton. Low 90s, with good change and breaking ball. He is fun to watch and the sky is the limit.

Courtesy David Smith 

Born in Dallas, lefty, 6′3, 170 lbs, 25 yrs old, George Washington University graduate was picked in the 7th round by the Expos in 2002.  He was a reliever at GW.

In 2002, he pitched in relief at Vermont (Short Season A), went 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA, 48IP, only 25 H, had 27 BB (bit wild) and 66 K!!! Great rate.  He moved up to Savannah (A, full season) in 2003 and went 8-3 with 3.86 ERA in 70IP allowing 56H and 35BB while striking out 83.  Still good K to IP ratio, and still wild with the walks (4.5 per 9 innings).  He moved up to Brevard County (A Advanced, equal to Potomac) in 2004 and transitioned to starting.  He went 8-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 103IP allowing 98H and 42BB, and striking out 104.  He returned to A Advanced in 2005 (Potomac this time) as a SP going 10-11 with a 3.54 ERA in 168IP allowing 144H and 48BB (walks all the way down to 2.6/9IP) while striking out 158. 

John Sickel’s 2006 Prospect Guide had this comment regarding O’Connor:

A year ago at this time, he was a junkball lefty with good control and a decent-but-not-awesome track record in Class A. Now, he’s a junkball lefty with good control with another decent year, a little better than what he’s done before. Problem now is that he is 25, and has yet to face AA hitters. His K/BB and K/IP are reasonably good, but there’s no way to know how/if this will hold up. A lot of scouts are skeptical, but O’Conner has done enough to deserve a look.

Thanks David.

• Gamer/Box
• Kory Casto 3B 0/2 1R 3BB 1K 1E
• Alex Escobar RF 3/4 1R 2RBI 1BB 1K 2doubles
• Frank Diaz CF 1/2 1R 1K 1SB
• Ian Desmond PH-SS 1/3 1R
• Salomon Manriquez CA 1/5 2RBI 2K double
• Tony Blanco DH 1/4 1RBI 2K
• Shawn Hill SP 6IP 3H 0R 1BB 4K; Win
• Dan Kolb/Danny Rueckel RP 3IP 1H 2R(0ER) 1BB 3K
• No game scheduled on 4/27; next game 4/28 Kip Bouknight (1-0 2.70) at Reading 6:35PM ET
• CF Frank Diaz left the game in the bottom of the fifth after fouling a pitch off his left foot. Diaz was walking around afterwards and displayed no swelling, he’ll be evaluated later this week.

Potomac (A Advanced) [Defeated Wilmington 7-4]

• Gamer/Box
• Rog Bernadina CF 1/3 1R 1BB 2K 1SB
• Try Webb 2B 2/4 1R 4RBI 1K 1HR
• Marvin Lowrance LF 1/4 1K double
• Devin Ivany DH 2/4 1R 1K double
• Luke Montz 1B 1/4 1R 2RBI 1HR
• Edgardo Baez RF 1/4 2R 1RBI 1HR
• Ricardo Morales 5IP 10H(1HR) 4R(4ER) 0BB 3K; Win
• Gerald Plexico, Alex Morales, and Brett Campbell combined for four innings of one hit/one walk relief while striking out seven (Daniel Foli walked the only two batters he faced in relief).  Campbell was credited with his third save.
• 4/27 Probable Starter:  Clint Everts (0-1 7.94) versus Wilmington 7:05PM ET

Savannah (A) [Game postponed by rain]

• Game will be made up as part of a double header tonight 
• 4/27 Probable Starters:  Brett Nyquist (2-0 3.65) and Craig Stammen (0-3 2.84) at Charleston 5:05PM ET
• 3B Leonard Davis was activated from the DL and IF Ofilio Castro was sent down to Vermont.

The Nationals made a few roster moves today to shore up their beaten and injured rotation. 

First, the Nationals recalled RP Jay Bergmann from New Orleans and optioned LH SP Billy Traber back to the Zephyrs.  After last night’s bullpen fire drill, the Nationals needed a rested arm in the bullpen for this afternoon’s game against the Reds.  Bergmann last pitched on Monday night in New Orleans and is likey available for a couple of innings today.  In 11.1IP in New Orleans, he has surrendered 11H (1HR) and 3R (all earned) while walking 3 and striking out 10.  He is likely in DC for one day because …

Given Patterson’s arm problems and subsequent skipping in the rotation, Zephyr LH SP Mike O’Connor will make his major league debut tomorrow night in St Louis.  This move will require the Nationals to make both a 40 and 25-man roster move to open up spots for him there.  40-man roster move options abound, the Nationals could transfer Cristian Guzman or Robert Fick from the 15 to the 60-day DL, or more likely someone like Ty Godwin will be designated for assignment thus opening a spot for O’Connor on the 40-man.  And then the Nationals will have to make a move on their 25-man roster to open up a spot for O’Connor to start his game, likely the quick demotion of Bergmann back to New Orleans.  As for O’Connor, the 25-year old was the Nationals 2005 Minor League Pitcher of the Year in Potomac.  In 4GS in 2006 for New Orleans, he has 18.67IP 16H(1HR) 7R(5ER) 8BB 20K.

Finally, former Nat Zach Day was claimed off of waivers from Colorado and is scheduled to start on Friday versus St. Louis.  To make room on the 40-man roster for Day, the Nats designated CA Wiki Gonzalez for assignment.  This removes Gonzalez from the 40-man roster in order to make room for Day.  The Nationals will have to make room for Day on the 25-man to start, likely the demotion of O’Connor back to New Orleans after his Thursday start.  Day pitched poorly for Colorado, in 13.1IP, he allowed 22H (3HR) 17R(16ER) 10BB 6K.  Desperate times call for desperate measures and the RH SP traded last year for Preston Wilson will hopefully not be as bad as he has been in 2006, or as tentative as he was for the Nats in 2005.

UPDATE:  Hat tip to DMCj from over at Yuda’s Gameday for this bit of information regarding Zach Day.

Right-handed pitcher Zach Day has some tightness in his right shoulder and “maybe a little muscle spasm,” according to a second opinion given by Dr. Timothy Kremcheck, team doctor for the Cincinnati Reds. Day asked for the second opinion after the Rockies designated him for assignment Friday.

He complained of shoulder tightness after being knocked out in the fourth inning Wednesday against the San Diego Padres, but he never had asked for any shoulder treatment.

The Rockies have placed Day on waivers. If no team claims him, they are expected to outright him to Class AAA Colorado Springs. Day could file a grievance and force the team to put him on the disabled list.

Regardless, the Rockies are obligated to pay his $600,000 salary. Day, though, could get additional major-league service time if he won a grievance and had to be put on the disabled list.

The plot thickens.

HARRISBURG 4 NEW HAMPSHIRE 1 by Chip Millard

The Harrisburg Senators continued both their excellent pitching and winning ways at home, defeating the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4-1 on City Island. As has been their tendency in recent games, the Senators jumped out early, scoring 2 runs in the 1st inning on back-to-back singles by Dan Dement and Kory Casto and a double by Alex Escobar, all with 1 out. That proved to be all the runs Harrisburg starter Justin Echols needed, as he pitched a strong game after some early control problems. Echols pitched 6 innings, walking 4 batters and throwing a wild pitch, but also gave up only one hit, a infield single to 3rd base in the 5th inning that could have been called an error. The hosts plated another pair of runs in the 6th inning, using a walk by Casto, a single by Escobar, and 2-run double by Tony Blanco to extend their lead to 4-0. New Hampshire scratched out a run in the top of the 7th on their only legitimate hit of the game, an RBI double to the right field gap off of David Gil, but Gil escaped further damage and Beltran Perez pitched 2 dominant innings to close out the game and earn his first save of the season. Perez struck out 5 of the 6 batters he faced.

General game notes:

• From about the top of the 6th inning on, the game was played in a steady rain. The rain was particularly hard in the 7th inning and it was surprising the umpires did not call for a rain delay.
• Though the Senators committed 2 errors tonight (both by 1B Josh Whitesell) and had another play that could have been scored an error, they also made a number of excellent plays in the field. Harrisburg turned 2 around-the-horn double plays, including one that was a near spectacular play (see more below).

Individual Harrisburg Senators player notes:

• Kory Casto - went 1 for 3 with a single, walk, and 2 runs scored. The single was hard hit grounder in the hole between SS and 3B. Casto also stood out with his glove. Though he bobbled a ball near the line that he probably should have fielded and could have been ruled an error, he also made two outstanding defensive plays, one on a softly-hit chopper where he threw across his body slightly behind him to start a 5-4-3 double play, the other on a diving stop to his left that stole a New Hampshire hit.
• Frank Diaz - had a quiet night, going 0 for 3 with a strikeout and GIDP. He didn’t make any plays of note in CF but didn’t really have opportunities to do so either.
• Ian Desmond - was 0 for 3 with 1 strikeout. He was solid with the glove.
• Josh Whitesell - went 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. He committed 2 errors, both on hard-hit choppers that took funny hops and bounced away from him. On the other hand, he also made 2 fine scoops on throws from 2nd base to complete double plays.
• Alex Escobar - continues to show he’d like to get back to the major leagues; he went 2 for 4 with a double, single, 2 RBI’s, and a run scored.
• Tony Blanco - went 1 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI’s. He struck out in his 2 other at-bats.
• Dan Dement - this fringe MLB-caliber utility man went 1 for 4 with a run scored. He also made good turns on a pair of 5-4-3 double plays.
• Justin Echols - as noted above pitched 6 scoreless innings, giving up 1 disputable hit and 4 walks. He lowered his ERA to 1.57.
• Beltran Perez - though he’s a non-prospect, his 2 dominant innings of work, which included no base runners allowed and 5 strikeouts, is worthy of mention.