Nationals Farm Authority

Columbus (AAA) 5-11

• IF Bernie Castro returns after 15-game suspension; IF Marcos Yepez sent to Potomac
• IF Manny Alexander added to Columbus roster; IF Greg Thissen returned to extended spring training

4/22: Lost to Charlotte 3-2 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Kory Casto LF  1/3 1R 1RBI 2K 1HR

• SB: Castro, B (1)
• CS: Dorta (3)
• Pickoff: Van Buren (Terrero at 1st base)

4/23: Joel Hanrahan (0-1 2.20) at Durham 7:00PM

Harrisburg (AA) 3-12

• Geoff Morrow’s weekly notes on the Senators 
  • Nothing new to report on the potential sale of the Harrisburg Senators, said Andy Giorgione, council to Harrisburg Civic Baseball Club, Inc., which owns and operates the Senators. That means International Facilities Group, L.L.C., of Northbrook, Ill., operated by Michael Reinsdorf, is still the front-runner to buy the club. It also means Ivy Walls Management of Lexington, Ky., continues to pursue the Senators.

4/22: Lost to Altoona 8-7 (Gamer/Box/Liveblog)

NFA Player of the Game: Josh Whitesell 1B 2/4 1R 2RBI 1BB 1HR

• SB: Bernadina (9), Robinson, W (2)
• CS: Bernadina (1)
• E: Robinson, W (4, throw), Bynum (3, fielding)
• PB: Suomi (1)

4/23: TJ Nall (0-3 4.00) at Reading 6:35PM

Potomac (High A) 8-5

• IF/OF Logan Sorensen placed on DL; IF Marcos Yepez returned from Columbus to Potomac

4/22: Lost to Frederick 4-0 (Gamer/Box)

[No photo]

NFA Player of the Game: Robert Sandora CA 3/4 2 doubles

• SB: Powell (2), Brown (2), Castro (2)
• E: Castro (2, fielding)

4/23: Shairon Martis (0-1 5.00) at Winston-Salem 7:00PM

Hagerstown (Low A) 6-11

• LHP Gene Yost added to Suns roster; no news who was removed (for either Yost or RHP Eduardo Baeza)

4/22: Lost to Lakewood 4-3 (Box)

[No photo]

NFA Player of the Game: Edulin Abreu SP 6IP 5H 2R(2ER) 0BB 4K

• SF: Maxwell
• SB: Maxwell (6), Daniel (4)
• CS: King (2)
• E: Napoli (2, throw), King (8, fielding)
• Pickoff: Yost (Naughton at 1st base)

• WP: Abreu

4/23: Cory VanAllen (0-1 4.91) at Lakewood 6:35PM

Columbus (AAA) 5-10

4/21: Defeated Charlotte 4-1 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Emiliano Fruto SP 5.33IP 3H 1R(1ER) 6BB 7K 1WP; Win

• SF: Broadway
• SB: Broadway (1), Abernathy (2)

• WP: Fruto
• HBP: Batista (by Nunez)

4/22: Mike Bacsik (0-1 0.87) at Charlotte 2:15PM

Harrisburg (AA) 3-11

4/21: Lost to Altoona 7-1 (Gamer/Box)

• SB: Whitesell, J (2), Diaz, F 2 (3), Bynum (2)
• E: Robinson, W (3, fielding)

4/22: Anastacio Martinez (0-1 2.57) at Altoona 5:05PM

Potomac (High A) 8-4

4/21: Lost to Frederick 6-5 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Dee Brown RF 3/5 2R double 2K

• SB: Castro (1), Mortimer (3)
• CS: Peacock (1)
• PO: Peacock (1st base by Salazar, R)
• E: Desmond (3, fielding)
• Outfield assist: Brown (Davis at 3rd base)
• Pickoff: Martinez, C (Jones, K at 1st base)

• WP: Martinez, C

4/22: Clint Everts (1-1 1.74) versus Frederick 1:05PM

Hagerstown (Low A) 6-10

• RHP Eduardo Baeza added to Suns roster; no news who was removed
• Hagerstown Herald feature on Justin Maxwell

4/21: Defeated Lakewood 7-6 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Mike Daniel RF 2/4 1R 2RBI 1BB 2K 1SB 1CS

• SF: Martinez, M
• SB: Maxwell (5), Daniel (3)
• CS: McMillan (1), Daniel (2)

• HBP: Antoniato (by Jackson), Maxwell (by Dubee)

4/22: TBD at Lakewood 1:05PM

Columbus (AAA) 4-10

4/20: Lost to Durham 9-8 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Abraham Nunez DH 2/5 1R 3RBI 1K 1HR

• SB: Dorta (3)
• E: Abernathy 2 (3, throw, fielding)
• Outfield assists: Watson (Ruggiano, J at home)

4/21: Emiliano Fruto (0-1 2.53) at Charlotte 7:15PM

Harrisburg (AA) 3-10

4/20: Defeated Altoona 3-1 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Mike Hinckley SP 6IP 2H 0R 1BB 3K; Win

• SB: Bernadina (8)
• E: Bynum 2 (2, fielding, fielding)

• HBP: Bynum (by Sanchez, R), Blanco (by Sanchez, R)

4/21: Beltran Perez (0-0 2.70) at Altoona 5:05PM

Potomac (High A) 8-3

4/20: Defeated Frederick 8-2 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Ian Desmond SS 3/5 2R 3RBI double HR K

• SF: Plasencia
• SB: Mortimer (2), Powell (1)
• E: Lannan (1, fielding), Desmond (2, fielding), Powell (3, throw)

4/21: Carlos Martinez (0-1 10.38) versus Frederick 7:05PM

Hagerstown (Low A) 5-10

4/20: Lost to Lake County 10-4 (Gamer/Box)

• SB: King (5, 2nd base off Gomez/McBride)
• E: King (7, fielding)

4/21: Edulin Abreu (0-1 5.63) at Lakewood 1:05PM

Columbus (AAA) 4-9

• OF George Lombard & LHP Chris Michalak to the DL; RHP Edward Valdez and LHP Arnie Munoz added to roster

4/19: Defeated Durham 5-4 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Tony Batista 3B 3/4 1R 2RBI double triple HR

• SB: Dorta (2)
• CS: Watson 2 (2)

• HBP: Riggans (by Valdez, E)

4/20: Felix Diaz (0-0 0.93) versus Durham 7:25PM

Harrisburg (AA) 2-10

4/18: Lost to Altoona 4-2 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Collin Balester SP 6IP 4H 0R 2BB 6K 1HBP

• SB: Bernadina 2 (7), Blanco (3)
• E: Diaz, F (1, throw)

• WP: Balester
• HBP: Lee (by Balester), Lee (by Magrane), Chaves (by Campbell)

4/20: Mike Hinckley (1-1 5.40) at Altoona 6:35PM

Potomac (High A) 7-3

4/19: No game scheduled

4/20: John Lannan (2-0 0.69) versus Frederick 7:35PM

Hagerstown (Low A) 5-9

4/19: Defeated Lake County 9-5 (Gamer/Box)

[No photo]

NFA Player of the Game: Jhonny Nunez SP 5IP 3H 0R 3BB 4K 2HBP; Win

• SB: Maxwell (4), King (4)
• PO: Daniel (2nd base by Wright)

• HBP: Davis (by Nunez), Garcia (by Nunez), Weglarz (by De Los Santos)

4/20: Jhonny Nunez (0-1 2.16) versus Lake County 6:35PM

Columbus (AAA) 3-9

4/18: Lost to Durham 5-4 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Joel Hanrahan SP 6.1IP 5H 3R(2ER) 2BB 9K 1HBP

• SB: Abernathy (1)
• E: Dorta (2, fielding), Nunez, Ab (1, fielding)
• Pickoffs: Hanrahan (Richard at 1st base)

• WP: Schroder
• IBB: Broadway (by Orvella)
• HBP: Richard (by Hanraha

4/19: Edward Valdez? (NR) versus Durham 7:05PM

Harrisburg (AA) 2-9

4/18: Lost to Reading 6-1 (Gamer/Box)

4/19: Collin Balester (1-0 3.62) at Altoona 6:35PM

Potomac (High A) 7-3

4/18: Defeated Salem 7-6 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Marvin Lowrance DH 2/4 2R 3RBI 1BB 1K 2HR

• SB: Desmond (3)
• E: Powell (2, throw)
• Outfield assist: Brown (King at 2nd base)

• WP: Perrault, J, Morales, A 2

4/19: No game scheduled

Hagerstown (Low A) 4-9

• LHP Cory Van Allen added to Hagerstown roster; LHP Dan Pfau is no longer listed on the Suns roster though no confirmation of his promotion has been released

4/18: Lost to Lake County 7-6 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Chris Marrero LF 2/3 1R 3RBI 1HR (1st professional HR)

• SF: Marrero
• SB: Guzman (1)
• E: King (6, throw), Davis 2 (3, fielding, throw), Maxwell (1, throw)

• WP: Mavroulis
• Balk: Mavroulis

4/19: Jhonny Nunez (0-0 9.39) versus Lake County 6:35PM

Record: 6-3

Hitting

Pitching

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.

Record: 2-8

Hitting

Pitching

Prospects of note

• OF Roger Bernadina
• 1B Josh Whitesell
• OF Frank Diaz
• CA Devin Ivany
• RHSP Collin Balester
• LHSP Mike Hinckley
• RHRP Zech Zinicola
• RHRP Brett Campbell

As illustrated by the list above, the Senators have eight players who could be considered prospects. There are also a couple of other fringe prospects like SS Seth Bynum and RHSP Beltran Perez. But for the most part, Harrisburg can run out four everyday starters and a handful of pitchers who offer the greatest opportunity to continue to develop into major leaguers.  Balester and Zinicola likely offer the highest ceilings as major league regulars, while the other six seem to project best as platoon starters or bench players for the hitters; and, spot starters, or middle relievers pitching. In other words, there is still room to improve at the Double-A level.

Much like the Columbus Clippers, the bats have just not produced for the Senators over the first two weeks of the 2007 season. Of the twelve teams in the Double-A Eastern League (EL), Harrisburg rank 9th offensively at 230/289/332. They do rank atop the EL with 14 stolen bases (only caught once) and are tied for the league lead with 6 HRs and are third with 21 extra base hits (out of 81 total). The only true standouts offensively have been Whitesell (333/394/600) leading the team in HRs and total bases, and Bernadina (283/298/348) leading the team with 5 stolen bases in as many attempts. But both performances also need to be tempered with the fact they’ve struck out a combined 24 times in 76 total AB while walking only 4 times. Disappointing so far in Harrisburg are Ivany (182/250/227), Diaz (211/318/316) and Tony Blanco (200/282/343).

Starting pitching has been solid enough compiling a 2-4 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 3.1BB/9, and 7.7K/9 in 56IP. Minor league veteran TJ Nall has been the strongest (though his performance versus Reading today will change that) with a 2.25ERA, 1.17WHIP, 2.3BB/9 and 9.0K/9. While Balester has surrendered an alarming 14 hits in only 10 innings pitched, he has minimized the walks (only 2) and the subsequent damage in runs scored, only 4. He has posted solid strikeout numbers with 10 in as many innings pitched. As lucky as Balester has been pitching around his hits, Hinckley has been unlucky with a very nice 12 strikeouts in 10 innings but surrendering 12 hits and 7 runs.

On the other hand, the two prospects in the Senators bullpen have struggled in their 2007 debuts. Zinicola and Campbell have allowed 10 hits, 8 walks, and 11 runs in only 8.33 innings pitched (6 total appearances). Of concern is 2006 Nationals Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Zinicola, who has allowed 2, 2, and 4 runs in his only three appearances. It’s too early to sound any sort of alarm, but it is a clear indicator that the 2006 6th rounder is not necessarily ready to step into the big league bullpen.

Early season struggles like these are not unusual for a team with a healthy farm system. The struggles for the Senators should not surprise. The bottom line is, and I’ll continue to write this, the Nationals rebuilding effort is by no means a quick fix. They are attempting to repopulate a prospect pool that, due to neglect, had reached a critically low level. The steps they have taken over the past year plus are promising, but as the performances in Triple and Double A illustrate (5-16 overall), those players are not ready to contribute at these higher levels. And, until they are, their margin for error is much smaller.

The rainy, cold, and blustery weather continues to play havoc with the minor league schedule leading to the postponement of 11 games so far for the four affiliates. The delays and inconsistent schedules do not entirely explain the early struggles of all but one of the Nationals farm teams (Potomac). Columbus, Harrisburg, Potomac, and Hagerstown have got off to slow and uneven  15-27 start to the 2007 season.

The common sentiment of major league player development is to dismiss the records of the minor league teams as a whole and focus more on the development of the individual prospects. This thought certainly has some merit but I believe there is almost as much value in developing a winning attitude as in developing the individual prospect. What the performances have displayed to me thus far is that while there are certainly players developing, the chore of rebuilding the player development system is still in its infancy.

While the sample size is certainly small (no team has played more than 12 games), there are indications the Nationals have some pieces in place but still too often have to rely upon too many organizational players to fill out their rosters.

In the next four postings, I’ll take a look at how the team performed over a two week period, and point out the highs and the lows.

Much has been made of the composition of the Columbus Clippers where, in all honesty, the Nationals have only three players: 1B Larry Broadway, RHP Emiliano Fruto, and the recently demoted OF Kory Casto that realistically qualify as prospects. The rest of the roster is comprised of what are commonly referred to a “Four-A players”, players that can be called upon to fill in for a couple of weeks when injuries dictate. Don’t get me wrong, guys like Mike Restovich, Melvin Dorta, Joel Hanrahan, and Chris Booker are a necessary component to a major league team because no one in MLB can expect to complete a 162 game season without the need to call on such guys in the short term. But this can also explain the Clippers 3-8 record thus far. Thirteen of the current Clippers were not with the Nationals organization in 2006 (fourteen if you include the recently promoted Mike Restovich). The Clippers are trying to in essence build a team from scratch. Players are learning the Nationals method of player development while at the same time figuring out how they fit into the part of a competitive team. 

The Clippers offense is in one word, offensive. In eleven games this season, they are dead last offensively in the International League batting 197/269/267 (BA/OBP/SLG) with only 17 extrabase hits out of 62 total. The weather is an excuse, up to a point, but with only a few exceptions, the team has struggled mightily at the plate. Only 3B Tony Batista (297/316/324) and OFs Mike Restovich (278/357/333) and Darnell McDonald (290/395/355) have put up numbers one would expect from a starting lineup. But even that is a concern, of the aforementioned three players 30 total hits, only 5 have been for extra bases (all doubles). The Clippers are trying to win games with singles. Not a recipe for long term success. With Casto sitting on the bench for the Nationals, their only prospect to get any playing time has been Larry Broadway, who while having the only two Clippers home runs is hitting a troubling 152/263/394.

With an anemic offense like that, the Clippers pitching has been strong enough to keep them in games until they could scratch out a run or two. Of particular promise is the starting pitching where the unexpected trio of Joel Hanrahan, Emiliano Fruto, and Felix Diaz have combined to pitch 30.33 inning while allowing only 17 hits, 12 walks & 6 runs while striking out 22. Unfortunately for the threesome they have 0 combined wins in 6 starts. The other area the Clippers have excelled in is relief, Mike Bacsik, Billy Traber, Winston Abreu, Chris Schroder, and Chris Booker have pitched 34.67 innings of stellar relief, allowing only 21 hits, 13 walks, & 4 runs (only 2 earned) while striking out 33. Those eight pitchers account for 65 of the 89.33 innings the Clippers have played this season with an ERA of 1.11, 0.97 WHIP, 3.5BB/9, and 7.6K/9. The biggest disappointment so far has been starter Tim Redding who with one abyssmal start (12ER in 1.33 innings Monday night) has an unbelievable ERA of 11.91 and WHIP of 2.29.

While the bats need to warm up (hopefully with the weather), the pitching has been a welcome positive given the uncertainty with how the major league club will pitch as the season wears on.

Buried in last night’s game notes from Bill Ladson was this:

After the Tuesday’s game, the Nationals announced they will option left fielder Kory Casto to Triple-A Columbus and purchase the contract of outfielder Michael Restovich from the Clippers on Wednesday. Washington’s bench is overloaded with left-handed hitters, and the team hopes Restovich can provide power from the right side of the plate.

Given the fact that Chris Snelling was playing regularly (and producing), this move was a no-brainer. There was no reason to have Casto stagnate on the bench when he could be playing everyday in Columbus working on improving.

I want to point you towards the analysis over at Capitol Punishment.

Columbus (AAA) 3-8

• UPDATE: Starter Chris Michalak had to leave when he suffered a strained quadriceps pitching to the third batter of the game; he will go on the disabled list; hence the promotion of Valdez from the Senators.

4/17: Defeated Durham 5-2 (Gamer/Box)

NFA Player of the Game: Larry Broadway 1B 2/3 1R 4RBI 1BB double HR

• SB: Watson (1, 2nd base off Niemann/Riggans)
• E: Broadway (1, fielding)

4/18: Joel Hanrahan (0-1 1.80) versus Durham 12:05PM

Harrisburg (AA) 2-8

• Senators manager Scott Little said after the game the Washington Nationals were moving Senators pitcher Eduardo Valdez to Class AAA Columbus. Valdez was 0-0 with an ERA of 0.00 and five strikeouts in five innings. Dan Kolb from Class A Potomac will replace him on the Senators’ roster. He has no decisions and a 3.00 ERA with five strikeouts in three innings. 

4/17: Lost to Reading 3-2 (Gamer/Box)

• SB: Whitesell, J (1)

4/18: TJ Nall (0-2 2.25) versus Reading 12:05PM

Potomac (High A) 6-3

4/17: Swept by Salem 4-3 (Gamer/Box) and 3-1 (Box)

Game 1

NFA Player of the Game: Edgardo Baez RF 1/3 2RBI 1K

• S: Desmond
• CS: Montz (1), Castro (1)
• E: Rogelstad (2, throw), Everts (1, pickoff)

Game 2

• SB: Brown (1)
• CS: Rogelstad (1)
• PO: Rogelstad (1st base by Salamida)
• E: Mortimer (1, pickoff), Castro (1, pickoff)

4/18: Craig Stammen (2-0 3.27) at Salem 7:07PM

Hagerstown (Low A) 4-8

4/17: No game scheduled

4/18: Chris Lugo (0-0 10.29) versus Lake County 6:35PM