Nationals Farm Authority

Record: 6-3

Hitting

AB	R	H	XBH	RBI	BB	SO	SB/SBA	AVG	OBP	SLG
274	38	65	24	8	37	28	56	6/11	237	314|391

Pitching

IP	SHO	SV	HLD	ERA	WHIP	BB/9	K/9
75.00	2	3	1	2.40	1.25	3.4	6.4

Prospects of note

• CA Luke Montz
• CA Brian Peacock
• SS Ian Desmond
• OF Dee Brown
• OF Edgardo Baez
• RHSP Clint Everts
• RHSP Shairon Martis
• RHSP Craig Stammen
• LHSP John Lannan
• RHRP Adam Carr
• LHRP Jack Spradlin

As mentioned in the TWN for Harrisburg, the Nationals rebuilding effort circa 2006 really has not impacted the farm system at the Double-A or higher level (with the exception of the struggling Zinicola). It’s in Potomac where the first fruits of their labor are really starting to develop. While only Carr and Martis are players acquired since the new ownership took over, guys like Everts, Stammen, and Lannan have been identified as the first candidates to begin the process of replenishing depth in the system for starting pitchers. Everts and Martis are still young enough to develop into starting pitching options. Stamman, Lannan, Spradlin, Montz, Peacock, Brown, and Baez appear to be fringe prospects but are precisely the type of players the Nationals need to develop in order to re-establish a healthy farm system from top to bottom, as they will ideally understand the Nationals player development methdology and be able to demonstrate how things should be done.

Offensively, the P-Nats began the season hot. Players like Brown, Montz, Lowrance, and Baez led the offensive outburst that resulted in the 2nd best offense in the Carolina League (237/314/391). While on the surface those numbers do not appear remarkable, consider the candidates (ranked via OPS):

1. Winston-Salem 270/364/435/798 (BA/OBP/SLG/OPS)
2. Potomac 237/314/391/704
3. Kinston 231/311/381/693
4. Myrtle Beach 236/308/357/664
5. Salem 255/331/329/660
6. Frederick 234/332/317/649
7. Lynchburg 223/296/343/638
8. 176/230/241/471

The strongest performer offensively during the first two weeks of the season has been Baez (320/320/640). He leads the team in RBI and is tied for the lead in home runs. It is concerning that he’s struck out 9 times in 25AB. Brown (273/351/455) has got his share of hits but has yet to have the players on base to capitalize on it (only 3RBI in 9 games). Montz (207/343/483), on the other hand, has got his share of RBI (6) and has shown some patience at the plate (6BB in 35PA). The one disappointment has been SS Ian Desmond who continues to struggle at the plate (167/219/267).

Potomac is the first instance I can provide some firsthand impressions. The difference in their approach at the plate from 2006 to 2007 is remarkable. Last year, it seemed the P-Nats went up to plate hacking. This season they have been much more selective, making the pitcher work and trying to hit their pitch. Nine games is honestly too small a sample size to really show in the numbers (either positively or negatively), but something seems to be different in how they have been taught to approach an at-bat.

It’s promising that pitching continues to perform well as you drop down to the High A level. Everts, Martis, Stammen, and Lannan have been good winning 5 of the 6 games for Potomac in 2007 with an 2.49ERA and 1.22WHIP. The welcome surprise of 2007 has been Lannan. In winning the Carolina League’s Pitcher of the Week honors, Lannan allowed only one run on nine hits and one walk in 13IP with nine strikeouts. The highly thought of Martis has pitched solidly though pitch count restrictions have led to uneven performances where his strikeouts and walks have been good (10K/1BB in 9IP) while his hits allowed have been not as good (11H and 5R). After what was a lost season in 2006, Everts showed flashes that he was back in top level form in his first start, a six inning shutout where he surrendered only three hits (but four walks) while striking out five. But his regressed in his next start, struggling with his control over 4.33 spotty innings.

It’s hard to get a good read on the bullpen as P-Nats manager Randy Knorr has spread out his appearances  almost equally among seven pitchers. The one thing that’s known is that as a unit they’ve been solid with 27.33IP allowing only 18 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) while striking out 24.

All in all, in a small two week sample size, the level of play in Potomac has improved and there are the first signs in Woodbridge that the rebuilding effort is underway.