Nationals Farm Authority

The Washington Post has the story, ineffective RP Joey Eischen was ineffective for a reason. 

[He] has an injury to the rotator cuff in his left shoulder and likely will miss the remainder of this season, the club announced Wednesday

Taking his place will be 2004 1st round draft pick, RP Bill Bray.  The 22-year old lefty is a local guy out of William & Mary and will join the Nationals on Friday with Eischen likely going to the 60-day DL.

Bray will make the Nationals the only team with their last three first round draft picks on the 25-man roster (2003 - Chad Cordero and 2005 - Ryan Zimmerman).  The 6′3″ 215 lb lefthander has pitched in New Orleans in 2006 compiling a 4-1 record with 5 saves in 21 games (31.2IP).  He has a 3.98ERA 1.11WHIP 1.4HR/9 12.8K/9 2.6BB/9.

Bray is probably best projected as a LOOGY (Left-handed One Out GuY) but if given the opportunity, I believe Bray can be a solid contributor as the LH side of a set-up tandem with Gary Majewski.  Given Frank’s preferences towards established player, Bray will likely assume a spot behind Majewski, Mike Stanton, and Jon Rauch in the bullpen.  He’ll likely battle Saul Rivera and Santiago Ramirez (or Jay Bergmann if Ramirez is injured) for opportunities.

New Orleans (AAA) [Lost to Omaha 4-3]

• Gamer/Box
• Bernie Castro CF 0/4 1RBI
• Ryan Church RF 0/4 1K
• Brendan Harris 2/4 2R 1K double
• Larry Broadway 1B 3/4 1RBI 1K double
• 5/31 Probable Starter: Pedro Astacio (Rehab Assignment) at Omaha 8:05PM EDT
• Wiki Gonzalez accepted assignment to New Orleans

Harrisburg (AA) [Lost to New Britain 10-2]

• Gamer/Box
• Kory Casto 3B 1/4 1BB
• Frank Diaz CF 0/4 1K 1HBP
• Salomon Manriquez CA 3/4 2R 1BB
• 5/31 Probable Starters: Beltran Perez (2-1 3.45) & TBD at New Britain 10:35AM EDT & 6:35PM EDT

Potomac (A Advanced) [Defeated Lynchburg 13-4]

• Gamer/Box
• Rog Bernadina CF 1/4 1R 2BB 1K
• Ian Desmond SS 2/5 2R 1BB 1K 2doubles
• Tony Blanco DH 2/5 2R 2RBI 1BB 1K 2doubles
• Trey Webb 2B 1/5 1R 3RBI 2K 1SB 1SF
• Devin Ivany CA 3/5 2R 1BB
• Luke Montz 1B 1/2 1R 1RBI 2BB 1SF
• Marcos Yepez 3B 3/4 1R 4RBI 1BB
• Mike Hinckley SP 7.1IP 8H(1HR) 4R(3ER) 0BB 4K 2WP 2BK 1HBP; Win
• 5/31 Probable Starter: Jason Norderum at Lynchburg 1:05PMEDT

Savannah (A) [Defeated Charleston 6-4]

• Gamer/Box
• Ofilio Castro 3B 3/5 1RBI
• Brian Peacock DH 0/4 1BB 2K
• Edgardo Baez RF 2/4 1R 1RBI
• Dee Brown LF 1/4 1R 2RBI 1HR
• Tim Pahuta 1B 2/4 1R 1K triple
• John Lannan SP 6IP 4H 3R(2ER) 3BB 6K; Win
• Coby Mavroulis RP 1IP 1H 1R(1ER) 1BB 1K; Save
• 5/31 Probable Starter: Gene Yost (3-0 1.40) versus Rome 7:05PM EDT

Jim Bowden’s weekly Examiner article details who they may be looking at in the draft.

For those interested, Geoff Morrow of the Patriot News has a very good recap of the demotion of Ian Desmond from Harrisburg to Potomac.

The Nationals had several draft prospects in for a visit at RFK this weekend. All of them high schoolers with the exception of Kyle Page

Lars Anderson, Chris Parmelee, Billy Rowell, Cedric Hunter, Steve Englund, Stephen King, Dustin Dickerson, Chris Marrero, David Christensen and Kyle Page were all working out for the Nationals’ think tank, which included Robinson, general manager Jim Bowden, scouting director Dana Brown and farm director Bob Boone

Who are these guys? Continue Reading »

The Nationals signed 2005 33rd round pick LHP Ryan Buchter last night before last night’s deadline for signings.

What is “draft and follow”?  From Baseball America

It allows clubs to maintain exclusive signing rights to a drafted player until a week before the following draft, if that player attends junior college.

The 19-year old Buchter was drafted out of Highland Regional HS in Blackwood, N.J. He went unsigned in 2005 and pitched the 2006 season for Gloucester County College in New Jersey.  Through May 1, Buchter appeared in 10 games with a 3-0 record and 1 Save.  In 31.67IP, he’s allowed 32 hits, 29 walks, 24 strikeouts, and 21 runs (19 earned).

New Orleans (AAA) [Lost to Oklahoma 4-3]

• Gamer/Box
• Bernie Castro CF 1/5 1R 1K double
• Ryan Church RF 2/4 1K; OF Assist
• Brendan Harris 1/4 1R 1RBI
• Larry Broadway 0/2 2BB 1K
• Billy Traber SP 6.1IP 7H 4R(4ER) 0BB 6K 1WP; Loss
• Jay Bergmann RP 2.2IP 2H 0R 0BB 4K; Blown save
• 5/30 Probable Starter: Andrew Good (0-4 6.80) at Omaha 8:05PM EDT
• SP Billy Sylvester will actually report to Harrisburg; RP Devin Perrin will remain in New Orleans

Harrisburg (AA) [Lost to New Hampshire 14-4]

• Gamer/Box
• Melvin Dorta RF-3B 0/5 1SB
• Kory Casto 3B 0/3
• Frank Diaz CF 0/3 1K
• Tim Raines Jr CF 1/1 1R double
• Josh Whitesell 2/4 2R 1RBI 1K double
• Salomon Manriquez CA 2/4 1RBI double
• 5/30 Probable Starter: Justin Echols (3-1 3.70) at New Britain 6:35PM EDT

Potomac (A Advanced) [Lost to Lynchburg 12-4]

• Gamer/Box
• Ian Desmond SS 1/4 1E
• Trey Webb 2B 1/4 1R 1K
• Tony Blanco DH 1/4 1RBI 2K double
• Devin Ivany CA-1B 1/4 1R
• Rog Bernadina CF 1/3 1RBI 1K double
• 5/30 Probable Starter: Mike Hinckley (2-3 5.31) at Lynchburg 7:05PMEDT

Savannah (A) [Swept Charleston 12-0 & 8-3]

• Gamer/Box1
• Ofilio Castro 3B 2/3 3R 2BB
• Francisco Plasencia CF 2/4 2R 1RBI 1BB
• Brian Peacock DH 2/3 1R 3RBI 1K
• Edgardo Baez RF 1/3 1R 1RBI 1BB 1K
• Dee Brown LF 1/3 2R 2RBI 1BB double
• Tim Pahuta 1B 1/3 1R 2RBI 1BB 1E
• Craig Stammen SP 5IP 3H 0R 2BB 5K; Win
• Don Levinski RP 2IP 1H 0R 1BB 4K 1HBP
• Box2
• Jonathan Castro SS 1/3 1R 2RBI 1BB 2K
• Francisco Plasencia CF 1/4 1R 2K
• Edgardo Baez RF 2/3 1R 1BB 1K double
• Dee Brown LF 2/3 1R 1RBI double triple 1HBP
• Leonard Davis 3B 1/4 1R 3K
• Tim Pahuta 1B 1/2 2RBI double
• 5/30 Probable Starter: John Lannan (1-2 4.67) versus Charleston 7:05PM EDT

The Harrisburg Senators announced today that OF Jesus Feliciano has been placed on the disabled list effective today. To fill Feliciano’s spot on the roster the Senators will receive Tim Raines Jr. from the Vermont roster.

Feliciano was hit on the hand while attempting to bunt in the game on Sunday afternoon. He was batting .228 with 1 HR and 11 RBIs in 45 games this season. Feliciano spent much of last season with the Senators and had a team high 17 game-hitting streak in 2005.

The 26-year-old Raines was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round of the 1998 draft. He played with Baltimore on three different occasions, appearing in 7 games in 2001; 20 games in 2003; and 48 games in 2004 and he has .213 batting average with 0 HR and 7 RBI’s in the big leagues. He spent all of 2005 with Ottawa, the Orioles AAA team and batted .254 with 6 HRs and 42 RBIs in 122 games.

With the moves today, the Senators roster stands at 22 active players.

Washington (MLB) [Defeated Dodgers 10-4]

• Mike Vento RF 2/3 1R 1RBI 1BB

New Orleans (AAA) [Defeated Oklahoma 9-8]

• Gamer/Box
• Bernie Castro CF 2/5 1K
• Ryan Church DH 1/4 2R 1K 1HBP 1SB
• Larry Broadway 1B 3/4 2R 4RBI 1BB 1K 1HR
• Ty Godwin LF 1/4 1R 2RBI 3K double
• Kenny Kelly RF 1/3 2RBI 1BB 1K double
• Bill Bray RP 1IP 2H(1HR) 2R(2ER) 0BB 0K; Save
• 5/29 Probable Starter: Billy Traber (3-2 4.03) versus Oklahoma 8PM EDT
• Times-Picayune profiles SS Josh Labandeira
• Zephyrs add SP Billy Sylvester to team; RP Devin Perrin sent to Vermont

Harrisburg (AA) [Defeated New Hampshire 8-6]

• Gamer/Box
• Melvin Dorta LF-RF-SS 2/5 2R 1K 1SB
• Dan Dement 2B 2/4 1R 2RBI 1BB 2K 1SF 1HR
• Kory Casto 3B 1/3 1R 2RBI 1BB 1HR
• Frank Diaz CF 2/5 1R 1RBI 1K double
• Salomon Manriquez CA 3/4 1R 1RBI 1E
• Josh Whitesell 1B 1/4 1R 2RBI 1HR
• Roy Corcoran RP 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K; Save
• 5/29 Probable Starter: David Maust (2-5 4.11) at New Hampshire 6:35PM EDT

Potomac (A Advanced) [Lost to Salem 4-3]

• Gamer/Box
• Rog Bernadina CF 2/5 1CS
• Ian Desmond SS 2/5 1R 2K
• Trey Webb 2/4 1R 1RBI double
• Tony Blanco DH 1/4 1RBI 2K
• Brandon Powell 1B 2/4 1RBI 1K 1SB
• Jon Felfoldi SP 6.1IP 3H 0R 1BB 5K 1HBP
• Alex Morales RP 1IP 0H 3R(0ER) 3BB 0K
• 5/29 Probable Starter: Ricardo Morales (1-3 5.23) at Lynchburg 7:05PMEDT

Savannah (A) [Defeated Charleston 5-4 in 11 innings]

• Gamer/Box
• Brian Peacock CA 2/4 2R 1BB double
• Edgardo Baez RF 2/5 1R 1RBI 1K double; OF assist
• Leonard Davis 3B 05/ 1K
• Dee Brown DH 2/4 2R 1RBI 1K double
• Tim Pahuta 1B 1/2 1RBI 2BB
• Mike Daniel LF 0/4 2K
• David Trahan SP 6IP 8H 1R(0ER) 2BB 5K
• Juan de los Santos RP 2IP 0H 0R 2BB 4K
• Yader Peralta RP 1IP 2H(1HR) 3R(3ER) 1BB 2K 1WP
• Jack Spradlin RP 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 3K; Win
• 5/29 Probable Starters: Craig Stammen (1-7 4.25) and Carlos Martinez (1-2 6.61) versus Charleston 5:05PM EDT
• RP Josh Perrault to the DL; RP Yader Peralta added from extended spring training
• IF Jon Castro added from Potomac

Washington (MLB) [Lost to Dodgers 3-1]

• Shawn Hill SP 7IP 5H 1R(1ER) 2BB 3K 1HBP; No decision
• Mike Vento RF No AB

New Orleans (AAA) [Defeated Oklahoma 17-2]

• Gamer/Box
• Bernie Castro CF-2B 4/6 3R
• Ryan Church RF-CF 1/6 3R 1RBI
• Brendan Harris 3B 3/3 4R 2RBI 2BB 1HBP
• Larry Broadway 1B 4/5 3R 5RBI 1BB 1K 1HR
• Ty Godwin LF 3/6 1R 5RBI 1K 2doubles
• Alberto Castillo CA 3/4 2R 1RBI 1BB
• Devin Perrin SP 2IP 3H 1R(1ER) 1BB 0K
• Chris Schroder RP 4IP 3H(1HR) 1R(1ER) 0BB 3K; Win
• Tim Foli RP 3IP 2H 0R 0BB 4K
• 5/28 Probable Starter: Nelson Figueroa (1-0 5.40) versus Oklahoma 3PM EDT
• Times-Picayune profiles Jay Bergmann
• RP Dan Foli, 25-year-old son of Zephyrs manager Tim Foli, joined the Zephyrs on Saturday after being promoted from Class A Potomac (EDIT: Foli was actually in Savannah after making his debut in Potomac)
• OF Brandon Watson, who dislocated his left shoulder Friday, was placed on the disabled list and said he’s scheduled to have an MRI on Monday
• SP Anastacio Martinez, who is on the DL and recovering from a dislocated left (non-throwing) shoulder, threw a batting-practice session before Saturday’s game
• Brendan Harris left the game after being hit on the left arm by a pitch in the seventh inning

Harrisburg (AA) [Defeated New Hampshire 2-1]

• Gamer/Box
• Jesus Feliciano RF 2/4 1R
• Melvin Dorta SS 1/4 1R
• Kory Casto 3B 1/4 2K
• Frank Diaz CF 2/4 1RBI
• Josh Whitesell DH 2/3 1RBI 1CS
• Kip Bouknight SP 6IP 4H 1R(1ER) 1BB 4K; Win
• Danny Rueckel RP 2IP 3H 0R 0BB 2K
• Roy Corcoran RP 1IP 1H 0R 1BB 1K; Save
• 5/28 Probable Starter: Oscar Alvarez (2-3 4.02) at New Hampshire 1:05PM EDT
• Hat tip to Basil who was watching the game on CN8 … game ended on an impressive running catch by RF Jesus Feliciano

Potomac (A Advanced) [Salem]

• Gamer/Box
• Reggie Fitzpatrick RF 1/4 1R 3RBI 1BB 1K 1HR
• Trey Webb 2B 2/5 double
• Devin Ivany CA 0/5 2K 1E
• Marvin Lowrance LF 1/3 2R 2BB 1K; OF assist
• Tony Blanco DH 2/5 1K double
• Brandon Powell 3B 3/5 1R 1K 2doubles 1E
• Rog Bernadina CF 1/3 1R 1BB 1K 1SB
• Collin Balester SP 4.1IP 4H(2HR) 2R(2ER) 4BB 3K
• Juan Ovalles RP 3.2IP 2H 0R 1BB 3K; Win
• 5/28 Probable Starter: Jon Felfoldi (1-1 7.08) at Salem 2:07PM EDT

Savannah (A) [Rained out]

• 5/28 Probable Starter: Carlos Martinez (1-2 6.61) versus Charleston 2:05PM EDT

New Orleans (AAA) [Defeated Oklahoma 3-2]

• Gamer/Box
• Bernie Castro 2B 0/4
• Brendan Harris 3B 0/3 1BB 2K 1E
• Larry Broadway 1B 2/3 1R 1BB 1SB
• Brandon Larson DH 1/4 1R 3RBI 1K 1HR
• Jay Bergmann RP 3IP 1H 0R 1BB 2K; picked off runner
• Bill Bray RP 1IP 1H 0R 0BB 1K; Save
• 5/27 Probable Starter: Chris Schroder (0-0 0.00) versus Oklahoma 7:00PM EDT
• CA Wiki Gonzalez was outrighted from Washington and SP Shawn Hill was added to the 25/40-man roster and will start today.
• CF Brandon Watson left the game in the second inning with a dislocated left shoulder. Watson, who had missed the previous four games with a groin injury, injured the shoulder while trying to make a diving catch of Burke’s sinking liner
• RF Mike Vento is leaving New Orleans to join the Nationals, Zephyrs manager Tim Foli said after the game. Vento is leading the PCL in hitting at .375 [OF Jose Guillen is going to the DL; SP Zach Day, 27, will have exploratory surgery on his right shoulder next week. The date of Day’s surgery, and the doctor who will perform it, will be determined at a later date. Thus opening spots on the 25 and 40 man rosters for Vento]
• OF George Lombard, who is on the disabled list, is scheduled to have hernia surgery today in Florida, team athletic trainer Mike Quinn said
• CF Ryan Church will join New Orleans from Harrisburg

Harrisburg (AA) [Lost to New Hampshire 5-4 in 10 innings]

• Gamer/Box
• Ryan Church CF 1/5 1RBI 2K 1SB
• Frank Diaz RF 0/4 2K
• Kory Casto DH 1/2 2BB
• Ian Desmond SS 1/4 2RBI 1K double
• Beltran Perez SP 6IP 4H 1R(1ER) 2BB 9K
• 5/27 Probable Starter: Kip Bouknight (2-3 3.73) at New Hampshire 1:05PM EDT
• SS Ian Desmond was demoted to Potomac. IF Seth Bynum was promoted to Harrisburg
• CF Ryan Church was promoted to New Orleans; no replacement named

Potomac (A Advanced) [Defeated Salem 3-0]

• Gamer/Box
• Trey Webb 2B 2/4 2R 1RBI 1HR double 1SB
• Devin Ivany CA 0/4 2K
• Tony Blanco DH 0/4 2K
• Brandon Powell 3B 1/4 1R 1RBI 1K 1HR
• Pedro Astacio SP 3IP 3H 0R 0BB 2K [Rehab assignment]
• Jason Norderum RP 5IP 1H 0R 1BB 2K; Win
• Brett Campbell RP 1IP 2H 0R 0BB 2K; Save
• 5/27 Probable Starter: Collin Balester (1-3 7.23) at Salem 7:07PM EDT
• SP Clint Everts spot in rotation skipped
• IF Seth Bynum was promoted to Harrisburg; SS Ian Desmond demoted from Harrisburg

Savannah (A) [Defeated Rome 7-5]

• Gamer/Box
• Francisco Plasencia CF 2/5 1R 2RBI 2K triple
• Brian Peacock CA 3/4 2R 1BB 1K
• Edgardo Baez RF 2/5 1RBI 1K triple
• Leonard Davis 3B 0/3 1R 2BB 2K 1E
• Dee Brown LF 2/5 1R 1RBI 1K
• Gene Yost SP 5IP 3H 0R 1BB 4K; Win
• 5/27 Probable Starter: Carlos Martinez (1-2 6.61) versus Charleston 7:05PM EDT