Nationals Farm Authority

Hat tip to Ballpark Digest for this rumor …

Though it’s not been officially announced, we’ve heard the Washington Nationals are switching their Low Class A affiliation to the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League). The move makes geographic sense for the Nats, who are switching affiliation from the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low Class A; Sally League). The Suns had previously been an affiliate of the New York Mets

A move from Savannah to Hagerstown would certainly move the Nationals A-level affiliate closer to Washington DC along with AA Harrisburg and A Advanced Potomac. If the Nationals in fact have agreed to this and they can also agree with Norfolk for their AAA franchise, it would place the organization in a much more manageable arrangement for overseeing their player development.

This will be the first of seven installments looking at the best of the farm system.

The Nationals had two teams in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) in 2006, and I’ll cover them together. It’s difficult to provide an assessment of the play there given there are only box scores and overall statistics to use as a guide. But from what I know, the DSL is considered a strong pitcher’s league where you do not see alot of home runs, so it requires a bit more digging to uncover the interesting hitting prospects.

Record: I don’t place too much value in the records of the teams, the goal of the organization is to develop the best possible players, and while winning is an indicator of organizational strength, it’s not the only thing to watch. For the record, both of the DSL teams finished under 0.500, DSL #1 30-34 & DSL #2 21-45, a trend that continues with every team but AAA New Orleans.

Statistics: DSL #1 was marginally better than DSL #2 both offensively and pitching-wise:

Offense: 

Pitching: 

Players: From a scan of the players, it appears the Nationals placed a relatively balanced team (19.5-year old bats & 19.9 year-old arms, on average) with their DSL #1 team, while assembling a mix of younger bats (18.6-year olds) and older arms (20.7-year olds) on their DSL #2 team.

Top 10 DSL Nationals prospects

1. Yunior Novoa SP DSL2: The 21-year old LHP was the clear choice here. Novoa was one of nine DSL players who joined the Gulf Coast League Nationals once the GCL season began shortly after the 2006 draft. While in the Dominican, Novoa pitched 35.33 innings while allowing a microscopic ERA of 0.76 and WHIP of 0.59. His other peripherals were equally as astounding racking up 17.1K/9 while walking only 0.8BB/9 and opponents BA of 149 (including no HR surrendered). Novoa continued his strong performance in the GCL, wrapping his season up with one start in Savannah (A).
2. Juan Bautista SP DSL1: The 19-year old Bautista threw the most innings in the DSL (59.67), making the most of his time there. He had a 4-0 record with a 0.75ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 10.6K/9, 2.4BB/9, oppBA 168, and no home runs allowed.
3. Atahualpa Severino SP/RP DSL1: I’ve touched on the 21-year old Severino courtesy of Global Baseball. The lefty burst onto the radar statistically in 45.33 innings with an ERA of 0.99 and a WHIP of 0.77, while striking out 15.7 batters per 9 innings and opponents only batted 121 against him. Severino is recovering from Tommy John surgery, and has likely add his name to those to watch entering 2007.
4. Luis Solorzano SS DSL1: A 19-year old RH SS, Solorzano was the strongest of a lackluster group of bats statistically. Batting 254/351/291 in 213AB, he showed a developing eye (26BB/45K), but what placed him at #4 was his speed, 17SB in 24 attempts. With the signing of Esmailyn Gonzalez, Solorzano will need to build on his 2006 performance to thrust himself into the future plans of the Nationals.
5. Carlos Cabral OF DSL1: The 21-year old OF was one of two DSL Nationals who managed more than 10 extra base hits in 2006. In 178AB, the switch-hitting Cabral batted 225/359/337 with 8 doubles, 3 triples, and 2 home runs. He led all DSL Nats with 35 walks and added 9/13 in stolen bases.
6. Moises Corporan SP DSL1: The 20-year old RHP put up a solid 2.75ERA and 1.06ERA in 55.67IP with 10.6K/9 and 2.4BB/9 while holding opponents to a BA of 201.
7. Yeurys Tejeda SS: An 18-year old RH SS, Tejeda led DSL Nationals with 26RBI in 196AB. He batted 214/276/316 and was the only other DSL Nat to compile more than 10 extra base hits (9 doubles, 1 triple, and 3 home runs). His plate discipline needs serious improvement (69K) but he shows a solid balance of extra base power and speed (12/17 in SB).
8. Amado de los Santos RP DSL1: A 20-year old RHP who pitched primarily in relief in 50.33 innings. He had a WHIP of 1.19, 11.4K/9, and 2.11BB/9. 
9. Danny Taveras CA DSL1: The 20-year old hit 244/381/299 in 127AB in the DSL. He did show patience at the plate walking 22 times while only striking out 32 times. He has one advantage over many of the Nationals prospects, there are not many premium catching prospects in the organization, so the opportunity is there for him to succeed if he can build on 2006.
10. Samuel Gomez IF DSL2: While his BA and SLG need serious improvement (174/371/240), the OBP shows that the 19-year old IF has plate disciplinebeyond that of most of his teammates. In 121AB, Gomez had only 4 extra base hits, but took advantage of his OBP with 10/15 in SB attempts.

Next GCL Nationals

The Post’s Barry Svrluga had this in today’s note section:

Team president Stan Kasten and General Manager Jim Bowden were in Columbus, Ohio, yesterday to explore the possibility of moving the club’s Class AAA affiliate there. Washington’s agreement with New Orleans expires this year and the team is considering several options

While I was on vacation, there were several stories that were released regarding the AAA affiliation status of four teams, the Nationals, Orioles, Yankees, and Mets.

First off, the reports are stating that the Yankees are going to cut their ties with Columbus, OH after a 28-year relationship. The thought is the Yankees are going to make the move to Scranton replacing the Phillies who have already agreed to relocate (along with the Ottawa franchise) to Allentown, PA.

With Columbus open, another report has the Mets decided to end their 37-year relationship with Norfolk to move to Columbus as a likely landing spot.

With Norfolk opening up and the Nationals affiliation with New Orleans expiring, it would seem the door is wide open for the Nationals to move their location not only closer but actually into a market I would imagine the Lerners and Stan Kasten would like to expand into, Southern Virginia. Kasten has been understandably tight-lipped about the process telling Nats.com beat writer Bill Ladson, “I just don’t know that yet; [we] haven’t completed that analysis. I hope to know one way or the other in the next two weeks.”

If the Nationals do move to Norfolk, that leaves New Orleans and Baltimore as the only team/city not paired up. The Virginian Pilot does offer one insight into Baltimore’s chances with Norfolk

The X factor could be Tides president Ken Young’s existing business dealings with the Orioles. Over the summer, Young formed an ownership group that purchased three Orioles farm teams, all in Maryland: the Bowie Baysox, Frederick Keys and Delmarva Shorebirds.

None of this is a certainty by any means. All of the involved cities and teams are quiet while the courting process begins, but the pieces are in place for the Nationals to move their AAA team into their “backyard.”

In other affiliation-related news, the Toronto Blue Jays notified their Appalachian league affiliate Pulaski that they will not be returning in 2007. This presents the Nationals with another opportunity to expand their presence in Virginia by either relocating their Short Season Vermont or GCL team to Pulaski, or adding a seventh farm team by adding Pulaski. One issue with assuming Pulaski as an affiliate is much like the GCL affiliation, the parent organization owns the team rather than agreeing to a lease with an individual or city. This is another opportunity for the Nationals to demonstrate their desire to rebuild the farm from the ground up.

In both cases (AAA relocation and the availability of Pulaski), the Lerners and Stan Kasten have a golden opportunity to make concrete improvements to their organization.

Minor League News

• Geoff Morrow of the Patriot News provides an informative review of 2006/look forward for the Harrisbug Senators

Vermont (Short Season)

• 9/7: Lost to Brooklyn 4-3 in 12 innings (Box/Gamer)

• SB: Maxwell (20, 2nd base off De La Torre/Cummins), Daniel (13, 2nd base off De La Torre/Cummins), Martinez, J (7, 2nd base off Mullens/Cummins)
• E: Peralta (5, throw), Goldschmeding (16, missed catch)
• PB: Rooney (3)

• WP: Kimball, Meque

That wraps up the 2006 minor league season for the Washington Nationals affiliates. And that’ll be a wrap for me (for at least the next week or so). I’m off on vacation. Scott and John will keep the porch light on in case there are any breaking news stories while I’m gone.

When I get back, I’ll have a recap of the years for each of the affiliates, my top prospects (both by level and organization wide), and I’ll continue to track the Nationals prospects in the Arizona Fall, Hawaiian Winter, Venezuelan Winter, Puerto Rican Winter, Dominican Winter, and Mexican Winter Leagues (and any others I can dig up).

Thank you all for stopping by this year, it’s been alot of fun and I have appreciated the feedback and comments.

Minor League News

• Todd Jacobson interviews 4th round pick LHP Glenn Gibson
• Jacobson provides more details on Sean Black attending class at Seton Hall
• He also cleans up the Nationals players going to Arizona and Hawaii
• Harrisburg 1B Josh Whitesell is replacing the injured Larry Broadway in Arizona
• Harrisburg RH RP Dan Foli (son of Zephyrs managaer Tim) is also going to Arizona
• Savannah RHP/1B Adam Carr is replacing RP Zech Zinicola in Hawaii (no reason given for Zinicola not going to Hawaii)
• Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post highlights the improvement in the Nationals farm system in 2006
• Bob Boone commented “we have 11, 12 guys who are definite major league prospects that we didn’t have last year” … if I were to guess, I believe he is referring to (in no particular order):

1. Matt Chico
2. Garrett Mock
3. Shairon Martis
4. Chris Marrero
5. Colton Willems
6. Stephen King
7. Stephen Englund
8. Glenn Gibson
9. Zech Zinicola
10. Adam Carr
11. Luis Atilano
12. Esmailyn Gonzalez

Vermont (Short Season)

• 9/6: Split with Brooklyn 2-3 & 7-2 (Box1/Box2/Gamer)
• 9/7: Glenn Gibson (0-0 0.00)/Cole Kimball (1-4 6.39) at Brooklyn 7PM EDT [final game of season]

Game 1

• E: Goldschmeding (15, throw)

Game 2

• SB: Goldschmeding (8, 2nd base off Warren/Jacobs), Daniel (12, 2nd base off Warren/Jacobs), Jacobsen (1, home off Warren/Jacobs)
• PB: Logan (2)

… and so ends the 2006 portion of the draft class. Todd Jacobson of the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star reported in his blog that the Nationals learned that 2nd round selection Sean Black went to class at Seton Hall today, thereby ending his negotiations with the Nationals. If the player attends a four-year college, the club’s negotiating rights are lost as soon as the player enters his first class at the end of the summer.

I’ve split the group up into three groups, first are the players whose negotiating rights have expired::

Here are the unknowns:

And here are the draft-and-follow candidates, the Nationals have until one week prior to the 2007 draft to sign them:

Teams typically will focus on getting around half of their draft class signed (roughly 25 guys, which is exactly where the Nationals are as of 9/6). Roster sizes dictate the number of players a team get realistically sign. When you add the players from the Dominican Summer Leagues, the spots fill up. Most of the second day of the draft is spent assembling a class of draft-and-follow-candidates (this year Rounds 20-50 took place on day two).

However, teams do typically hope to sign most of their first 10 rounds, when possible. The Nationals currently have 8 of their 12 players selected in rounds 1-10 under contract. The outstanding candidates were Sean Black (2nd round committed to Seton Hall), Sam Brown (7th round committed to NC State), Joey Rosas (9th round), and Marcus Salmon (10th round). Rosas and Salmon are potential draft and follow candidates who will pop back onto the radar in 2007.

I like what the Nationals have accomplished with the 2006 draft. While the additions of Sean Black, Sam Brown, Dustin Dickerson, and Sam Dyson would have been nice, the class they acquired is solid. The Nationals made the conscious effort to draft high ceiling players in hopes of rebuilding the farm system, by adding the likes of Marrero, Willems, King, Englund, and Gibson, the Nationals did just that. There are those who will criticize the Nationals for “wasting” a second round pick, but I believe it requires risks to put the farm system back on the developmental track. Taking a risk on Sean Black was precisely the type of gamble the Nationals needed to take.

Draft News

• Todd Jacobson has the latest on unsigned 2nd round draft Sean Black … [He] skipped his first day of college yesterday, keeping negotiations between the Nationals and their second-round selection alive for at least one more day

Vermont (Short Season)

• 9/5: Postponed by rain
• 9/6: Zach Baldwin (1-5 3.91) & Cole Kimball (1-4 6.39) at Brooklyn 5PM EDT

Draft News

• Todd Jacobson has the latest on unsigned 2nd round draft Sean Black
• “Washington will lose the rights to Black if he attends his first class at 11:30 a.m. today at Seton Hall University”
• “According to a source, Nationals general manager Jim Bowden, president Stan Kasten and principal owner Mark Lerner met yesterday to discuss negotiations with Black”
• “Though Black could cut off negotiations by attending class at Seton Hall today, the window for talks could stretch if Black decides not to go to class”

New Orleans (AAA)

• 9/4: Defeated Memphis 6-4 (Box/Gamer)

• SB: Sorensen (1, 2nd base off Doyne/Esposito), Labandeira (11, 2nd base off Rodriguez/Esposito)
• PO: Godwin, T (1st base by Doyne)

Harrisburg (AA)

• 9/4: Defeated New Britain 3-2 in 10 innings (Box/Gamer)
• Kory Casto yesterday was selected to the Eastern League Baseball Writers Association All-Star team as an outfielder

• SB: Thissen (1, 2nd base off Sawatski/Christy)
• CS: Thissen (1, 2nd base by Blackburn, N/Christy), Raines (5, 2nd base by Blackburn, N/Christy)

• Pickoffs: Balester (Span at 1st base)
• HBP: Tolbert (by Balester)

Potomac (A Advanced)

• 9/4: Defeated Winston-Salem 3-2 (Box/Gamer)

• SB: Bernadina (28, 2nd base off Hernandez/Ricks)

• Balk: Hinckley

Savannah (A)

• 9/4: Lost to Rome 4-2 (Box/Gamer)

Vermont (Short Season)

• 9/4: Lost to Aberdeen 8-7 (Box/Gamer)
• 9/5: Zach Baldwin (1-5 3.91) at Brooklyn 7:05PM EDT

• SB: Daniel (11, 2nd base off Clark, Z/Pierce)
• CS: Delaughter (3, 2nd base by Schindling/Pierce), Maxwell (5, home by Lebron/Kotch)
• E: Jackson (2, throw)
• Outfield assists: Delaughter (Florimon Jr. at 3rd base)

• WP: Anderson

A commenter here at Nationals Farm Authority raised the possibility of the Nationals relocating their minor league affiliate to Florida State League Brevard County (equivalent level to A Advanced Potomac).  Those rumors can be put to rest as Florida Today has the story of the Brevard County Manatees sigining a four-year deal to remain a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate.

The Nationals have expiring agreements with:

• AAA New Orleans
• A Advanced Potomac
• A Savannah
• Short Season Vermont

Their agreement with AA Harrisburg is through 2010.  All affiliations and their expirations can be found here. All information courtesy of Michael McCann (whose site is currently down).