Nationals Farm Authority

While the Baltimore Orioles concluded their batting practice this morning, Nationals President Stan Kasten answered a few questions regarding the Nationals minor leagues and their expanding presence internationally after initially asking we why I wasn’t down at HCBC in my element (more on my time there later)

The Nationals changed two of their affiliations this past off-season, AAA Columbus (from New Orleans) and Low A Hagerstown (from Savannah). I asked Stan if this was part of a plan to move all of their affiliates closer to Washington. “We took care of the concerns we had [with the moves to] Columbus and Hagerstown,” Kasten replied. He continued, “We are very happy with our affiliates and we’ll see how things go the next two years.” I then inquired whether there had been any thoughts in adding the recently abandoned Pulaski team in the Appalachian League. His reply was a quick no. “We have plenty of capacity for the arms we have now,” Kasten said, “When I was in Atlanta we added an extra affiliate because we had ten pitchers we needed to find space for. We are not there yet [in Washington].”

I turned the conversation to the Nationals expanding their presence beyond the border. He commented that both scout Bill Singer and Director, Baseball Administration, Squire Galbreath were involved in the process in Asia. Kasten stated,”Squire engineered the deal we have with Mexico, and we’re having talks at various levels with many, many different people.” When I pressed him for other areas worldwide the Nationals, Stan was expectedly guarded with his responses jokingly telling me he knew I’d immediately reveal his secrets to the competition.

“When we have news, we will make sure to let the world know,” Kasten concluded.