Nationals Farm Authority

While I was away over the weekend, the Nationals accepted the resignation of Director of Player Development, Andy Dunn.

[Bob] Boone and the remainder of the baseball operations staff will assume all Dunn’s duties. Further restructuring within the Nationals’ player development department will be announced at a later date.

Dunn was initially the Director of Ballpark Operations in the Nationals first year at RFK before replacing Adam Wogan as Director of Player Development in October of 2005. While the timing of this move is a bit unusual, it is not exactly unexpected. When the Nationals hired Mike Rizzo as the Assistant General Manager & Vice President, Baseball Operations, the organizational structure of player development changed significantly. The understanding was that Rizzo would spearhead much of the rebuilding effort within the Nationals player development, thereby removing much of Dunn’s day-to-day responsibilities. It will certainly bear watching how the Nationals restructuring is done.

UPDATE: Looking around online, I found this additional bit of information regarding the Nationals restructuring.

The other three — Michele Copes, coordinator of scouting and player development; Tyler Holmes, assistant to the farm director; and Matt Blaney, assistant, player development-Florida operations — were fired.

Ryan Thomas, an Assistant Player Development, is the only one that remains from Dunn’s Player Development staff. It appears the Nationals have completely eliminated a Player Development staff that was reorganized in December of 2006.

Estero HS (FL) SS John Tolisano

Perfect Game scouting report: Good body with strength, good actions, strong arm, good glove, good body control, switch hitter, lots of strength, huge raw power, great leverage at contact, very good bat speed, can hit HR’s to any field, crushes fastballs.

Aflac All-American baseball profile: “A switch-hitting power hitter, John seems to do everything effortless on the baseball field. He’s athletic, strong and fluid in all phases of the game.”

Tolisano is a switch hitting middle infielder with developing power. He has committed to Florida. Tolisano is another candidate who could quickly climb into the mid-first round, but will likely be a supplemental first round selection.

Chatsworth HS (CA) 3B Matt Dominguez

PG Crosschecker scouting report: Dominguez is more athletic than Vitters but might fall a bit short in the pure raw power department.

Dominguez is athletic enough to play SS, but has the arm/reflexes to remain at 3B. He has a solid eye at the plate and hits the ball to all fields. He’s committed to Cal State Fullerton. Dominguez projects a supplemental first round selection.

The Hagerstown Suns are proud to announce that WICL Cool 95.9FM, a Prettyman Broadcasting station, will serve as the new flagship station for Suns’ radio broadcasts. The two year deal covers all baseball games during the Suns 2007 and 2008 seasons. All 140 games each season will air live on Cool 95.9FM, marking the club’s first foray into FM radio in the tri-state community. In addition, all games are available over the Internet at www.hagerstownsuns.com.

Theodore HS (AL) OF Kentrail Davis

Perfect Game scouting report: Body - physical, powerful, stocky. Offense - slightly open, plus bat speed, aggressive big hack but contolled, plus power, barrel on time, barrel alive thru zone, very dangerous hitter. Defense - accurate arm, good one hops, above average arm strength, corner type, could play CF.

Aflac All-American baseball profile: “compact, muscular frame and a powerful lefthanded swing. He runs well, can cover plenty of ground in the outfield and plays the game with fervor, aggressiveness and intensity.”

Davis has committed to play for Tennessee. He’s likely a mid to late 1st round selection.

The new Washington Times Nats Home Plate has a Q&A with LHSP prospect Matt Chico.

Sorry about the light posting, but until the minor leaguers show up (reportedly this weekend), things will be quiet. In the interim, Jeff Sackmann at the Hardball Times ranks the top minor league organizations. Guess who is #30?

Henry County HS (GA) 1B/OF Jason Heyward

Perfect Game scouting report: Body - strong, plus frame, MLB build. Offense - slightly open, plus contact point, consistently hard barrel contact, lively and fast hands, plus power, easy swing, line drives with power, patient hitter, good pitch recognition. Defense - plus raw arm strength, accurate arm, good hands, feet work well.

Aflac All-American baseball profile: “possesses intriguing raw power from his tall, strong and proportionate frame. He has drawn comparisons to former major leaguer Fred McGriff for his powerful lefthanded swing.”

Heyward has also drawn comparisons to a lefthanded Derrek Lee. He has committed to UCLA. He projects out as either a 1B or a corner OF. Another first round selection.

Cypress HS (CA) 3B Josh Vitters

Perfect Game scouting report: Body - strong, broad frame and a physical presence, strong lower half. Offense - plus plus bat speed, aggressive, fires hands, swing is alive, quick to ball, quick trigger, easy and explosive power, good trajectory off bat, handles velocity easily, premium hitting prospect. Defense - has feel for the game, strong arm, makes plays, can play on move, tools and reactions fit well at 3B, aggressive to ball, prototype at the position.

Aflac All-American baseball profile: “oone of the top hitting prospects in the class of 2007 due to his compact swing, strong arm and lean, strong body. He has a simple approach at the plate, outstanding bat speed, impressive power and all the tools that suggest improvement as he matures.”

Vitters is the third of the top prep bats to commit to Arizona State (along with Burgess and Jackson). He is a certain first rounder and could be selected anywhere from the top of the draft through #30. Given the presence of Ryan Zimmerman, Vitters might not be the choice at #6, but the talent is there if the Nationals wanted to make the selection.

TC Roberson HS (NC) SS Justin Jackson

Perfect Game scouting report: Body - Lean, athletic, long, fluid. Offense - square stance, easy swing, effortless, plus barrel, on time, accelerates thru contact, ball jumping off bat, sets up well, comfortable, has feel, hands work, good body control, has become a hitter, plus power projection. Defense - smooth actions, fluid to and thru ball, plus arm, tracks, soft hands, good feet, fun to watch play, polished, MLB SS.

Aflac All-American baseball profile: “outstanding defensive shortstop with good hands, excellent range and a strong arm. His excellent speed enables him to range deep in the hole, up the middle and also aids his prowess on the basepaths.”

Many scouts describe Jackson as the best all-around position player in the draft. His defense is already exceptional, and he will be one of the fastest players drafted in 2007. His bat is still developing but experts have commented on his natural ability at the plate an believe it will continue to develop. Jackson is rumored to be advised by Scott Boras, making his signing more challenging yet not impossible. Like Burgess, Jackson has committed to Arizona State. He is likely a top 10 selection at this point.