Nationals Farm Authority

The long-rumored hiring of former Arizona Diamondbacks Scouting Director Mike Rizzo was completed today when Rizzo was named the Assistant GM and Vice President of Baseball Operations by GM Jim Bowden.

The highly respected Rizzo is considered one of the top talent evaluators in the major leagues. Rizzo assumed his position with the Diamondbacks in 2000. During his tenure, the Diamondbacks’ farm system showed marked improvement (ratings from Baseball America):

• 2001 - #29: The Diamondbacks sacrificed a farm system in order to win the World Series in 2001. Most of their viable prospects were dealt away to secure a World Championship.
• 2002 - #23: Rizzo began his rebuilding process in earnest, highlighted by the drafting/signing of four players (Mike Gosling, Scott Hairston, Lino Garcia, and Jason Bulger) who immediately were among the top 10 prospects in the organization.
• 2003 - #21: While some of the premium prospects were derailed by injury, several late round draft picks began to shine (2000 8th rounder Brandon Webb and 2001 7th round selection Chad Tracy)
• 2004 - #13: As the Diamondbacks began paying for their all-or-nothing effort in 2001, Rizzo was relied upon to provide the team with viable major leaguers in the near term. Chad Tracy continued his climb up the ladder, and 2003 first round selections Conor Jackson and Carlos Quentin burst on the scene.
• 2005 - #13: This rating was lower because 2004 first rounder Stephen Drew was unsigned. Drew slid to the Diamondbacks due to signability concerns, but according to most was the #1 talent available in the 2004 draft. The Diamondbacks subsequently signed him further strengthening a farm system flush with high level prospects.
• 2006 - #4: Once again, their rating was based without the inclusion of another unsigned first round pick, this time #1 overall pick Justin Upton. And again, the Diamondbacks delivered on the signing of Upton, providing the club with an abundance of riches in the farm system, including Stephen Drew, Conor Jackson, and Carlos Quentin.

Rizzo takes over a franchise in Washington with similar concerns to those he faced in his early years in Arizona. The Expos/Nationals have ranked in the bottom third (#29 in 2003; #30 in 2004; #26 in 2005; and #24 in 2006). Unlike Arizona, the chief reason was MLB’s neglect of the organization while ownership remained in limbo.

Rizzo will oversee the Baseball Operations with three key components: Director of Amateur Scouting (currently overseen by Dana Brown), Director of Professional Scouting and Director of International Scouting. Brown has done a remarkable job handling the amateur draft, identifying and drafting Chad Cordero, Bill Bray (since dealt to Cincinnati), and Ryan Zimmerman — all of whom became key contributors to the Nationals almost immediately. And in 2006, he was like a kid in the candy store drafting a slew of high-ceiling high school players (including recent signees Chris Marrero, Colton Willems, and Stephen Englund) as part of the Stan Kasten plan to rebuild the farm system.

The other two positions have yet to be filled. There have been rumors that the Nationals have sought permission to speak with Minnesota Twins Scouting Director, Mike Radcliff, presumably to fill the Director of Professional Scouting position. Radcliff was the architect behind the strong Twins drafts of the last five years.

It’s clear that the Nationals and Stan Kasten are wasting no time in putting the best possible people in place in the organization to best serve the long term health of the organization.