Nationals Farm Authority

In continuing with some off-season interviews, Deric McKamey, author of the Minor League Baseball Analyst, agreed to discuss the Nationals minor leagues with me. Deric has been writing about the minor leagues with Ron Shandler since 1994 for both the Major and Minor League Analyst and the BaseballHQ.com website. He has also provided minor league content for Street & Smith’s baseball annual. It was from this association that he had the opportunity to attend the Major League Scouting Bureau’s Scout Development program in 2002. His analysis has foundations in both the statistical and scouting arenas.

Nationals Farm Authority (NFA): Thank you for taking the time this morning. When is the books scheduled to come out?

Deric McKamey (DM): It’s going to the printers this week and we hope it’s out some time during the last two weeks of January.

NFA: What is your opinion of the direction taken by the Nationals new ownership (i.e. 2006 draft and in-season trades)?

DM: I like what they’ve done. Over the past 3 to 4 years, ever since the trade of Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, and Brandon Phillips (to Cleveland for Bartolo Colon), it’s been a very weak system. Given the market they are in with Atlanta, New York, and Philadelphia, it’s wise to build from within. They spent their 2006 draft on highly projectable high school players. This what teams like the Nationals have to do to rebuild. Not all of the high school players will pan out, but they made some good selections.

NFA: What do you think the Nationals not signing 2006 second round selection Sean Black?

DM: Given the number of selections they had, if one or two players didn’t sign, it wasn’t that big a deal. They had arguably the best draft from an athleticism/projectability standpoint. All of the players they tabbed early are highly projectable.

NFA: Should the Nationals continue their focus on high ceiling high school players in the 2007 draft?

DM: It really depends upon how the first couple months of the season go. If they are in contention, they could focus more on college players. But if they are struggling, it may be the high school players again. Either way, their focus should be on talent this time around.

NFA: What impact will the hirings of Mike Rizzo and Manny Acta have on the Nationals rebuilding effort?

DM: They are two really good baseball people. I can see more Latin players coming on board with the presence of Acta. And Rizzo has a great track record from his days in Arizona where he was largely responsible for the success they have recently shown. But what is just as important is the Nationals scouting will get better. They have hired scouts to give them the personnel they need to compete with other teams. With a full staff that has a direction, it will certainly help.

NFA: In your analyst you state you like to look at the body type and athletic ability of a player before focusing on their pitching or hitting tools. What are some attributes on which the new Nationals management has focused?

DM: They have certainly focused on some very projectable players. I grew up in Cincinnati with Jim Bowden as the General Manager. He has a history of liking toolsy players.

NFA: Which Nationals prospect was the biggest surprise in 2006? Biggest disappointment in 2006?

DM: It wasn’t quite a good year for the Nationals prospects. A surprise to me was the development of RPs Brett Campbell and Roy Corcoran. They both showed good maturity. Also, Kory Casto performed well. His move to OF and ability to play 1B and 3B should add to value to his LH bat. I don’t necessarily see him as an everyday starter, but he will have value off of the bench. As for disappointment, I’d say SP Clint Everts. I liked what I saw of him prior to the injury, he had a dynamite curveball. But he did disappoint in 2006. However, I think he’ll bounce back.

NFA: Who is the most over hyped Nationals prospect? Most underrated?

DM: Collin Balester would have to be the most over hyped. He has a live arm and is projectable, but the offspeed pitch isn’t there nor is the command. I do like OF Rog Bernadina. He hasn’t developed the power expected but he’s a good OF defensively, he can get on base, and can steal bases. He might not be an everyday starter but he could be a solid #4 OF.

NFA: Who is the one Nationals prospect you look forward to watching in 2007?

DM: Esmailyn Gonzalez. Both he and Angel Villalona (signed by the Giants) were the best signings out of the Dominican Republic. He’s a plus defender with great bat speed. I’m hoping I can get down to Florida to check him out.

Deric was kind enough to give me a sneak peak at his Nationals Top 10 prospects list:

1. Esmailyn Gonzalez
2. Chris Marrero
3. Colton WIllems
4. Jesus Flores
5. Kory Casto
6. Collin Balester
7. Zech Zinicola
8. Justin Maxwell
9. Clint Everts
10. Emiliano Fruto