Baseball America has some signings we knew about as well as some signings/releases of which we were previously unaware
Re-signed 2B Daniel Dement, RHP Chris Booker, and SS Marco Yepez
Dement split his 2006 between Harrisburg and New Orleans batting a cumulative 225/308/399 while playing in an utility role. He’s likely to begin the 2007 season in Columbus. Booker was a post-2005 season signing by the Nationals who was lost in the Rule 5 draft to the Detroit Tigers who traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies who then traded him to the Kansas City Royals before returning him to Washinton. He finished the 2006 season in the Nationals bullpen pitching in 10 games (7.33 innings) with a 3.68ERA, 0.82WHIP, 8.6K/9, and 1.2BB/9. He’s currently on the 40-man roster and is likely a candidate for the 2007 bullpen with his low-90s fastball and plus slider. Yepez split his 2006 between Potomac and Harrisburg much like Dement, in an utility role. In 378AB, Yepez batted 270/330/370 with 5 HR and 25/39 stolen bases. He’ll start 2007 in Harrisburg.
Signed LHP Bill White, OF Wayne Lydon, RHP Josh Hall, RHP Colby Lewis, RHP Jim Magrane, RHP Thomas Nall, RHP Jermaine Van Buren, SS Alejandro Machado.
All of these names were previously released by the Nationals. Of note are two players, Jermaine Van Buren and Colby Lewis. Van Buren was added to the Nationals 40-man roster. Like Booker, Van Buren’s repertoire consists of a low-90s fastball and plus slider. He’s likely to compete for a spot in 2007 Nationals bullpen. Lewis is a former Texas Rangers 1999 1st round draft pick who missed the 2004 season after rotator cuff surgery. He’s a prototypical righthanded power pitcher with above average fastball and curveball. With the need for starting pitchers in Washington, Lewis will have every opportunity to prove he’s capable of an opportunity. His 2007 season is likely to begin in Columbus with his early season performance an indicator if he’s ready to help out in Washington.
Released 3B Richard Caputo, RHP Robert Caputo, RHP Josh Palm, SS Brandon Conway
Ricky Caputo was a 2006 24th round draft pick out of Hofstra. He played 3B in Vermont once he signed hitting 180/241/267 in 48 games. Robert Caputo is a RHP who was a 2001 18th round selection. He hasn’t pitched since 2003. Josh Palm was a 2005 draft pick who missed the 2006 season after Tommy John surgery. Brandon Conway retired mid-way through the 2006 season.
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