Thanks to a tip from Patriot News’ Geoff Morrow, I’ve learned that the Washington Nationals released 3B Brandon Larson from Harrisburg after last night’s doubleheader against Reading. Replacing Larson on the Harrisburg roster will be IF Ofilio Castro from Potomac. The 31-year old Larson hit 238/289/413 with 8 home runs and 18 RBI in 52 games (189AB) with the Senators. Larson was a former 1st round draft pick (#14 overall) in 1997 by the Cincinnati Reds. The 23-year old Castro was Potomac’s representative on the Carolina League All-Star team. He batted 304/359/369 in 55 games (214AB) for Potomac.
No word on who will replace Castro in Potomac.
UPDATE: The Nationals also optioned CA Brett Logan from Harrisburg to Hagerstown. The Senators presently have 23 men on their avtive roster, one below the 24-man limit
Kevin (Fairfax) | 28-Jun-07 at 9:38 am | Permalink
There have been a whole lot of moves lately. It seems that the team is setting up for new new batch of draftees, as much as anything else, by releasing a number of players. I guess that many players cast off by the Nats simply see their careers end, since we supposedly have the lowest-ranked system for now.
Nate | 28-Jun-07 at 10:45 am | Permalink
By and large the organization is jettisoning minor league free agent types and promoting home grown “talent”, such as it is. Martinez, Van Buren and Larson were nothing more than organizational filler. The fact that they might get something (anything) for Martinez and Van Buren is icing on the cake.
Brian Oliver | 28-Jun-07 at 10:47 am | Permalink
Exactly. I have commented a bunch of times about how many 6-year minor league free agents the Nationals had in the organization. It appeared to me that there were far too many at lower levels and the composition of the minor league rosters at all the full-season levels seemed dominated by guys older than the level they were playing at. It’s a nice thing to see as the Nationals get the infrastructure in place for a future (hopefully) successful player development system.
Alan | 28-Jun-07 at 10:59 am | Permalink
Brian - Can’t wait to see the “state of the farm” overview you promised a few postings back. I’d bet no one outside the Nats player development organization knows as much about it as you. Thanks again for sharing your excellent work.
Lou Z | 28-Jun-07 at 1:14 pm | Permalink
I like Ofilio Castro as a very good utliity infielder whose bat is starting to develop. I can see him making a serious run as a bench player for 2008. He can give Zimmerman, Guzman or Lopez relief during the season.
Lou Z | 28-Jun-07 at 1:19 pm | Permalink
Is just me or is Justin Maxwell starting to get a reputation about not playing hurt. He sounds like another John Patterson who is very in tune with his body which has to be perfect before he plays!
Freda | 28-Jun-07 at 2:44 pm | Permalink
Brian - is Logan REALLY going to Hagerstown or is this just a paper move?
Brian Oliver | 28-Jun-07 at 2:47 pm | Permalink
Freda - The question has been asked. We’ll see what they have to say.
Pilchard | 28-Jun-07 at 3:01 pm | Permalink
If the Nats sign Ross Detwiler would they place him at Harrisburg? The last time the Nats drafted a college player with their 1st pick (Zimmerman), the Nats started their 1st round pick at Harrisburg.
Brian Oliver | 28-Jun-07 at 3:07 pm | Permalink
Freda - It appears that Logan is actually headed to Hagerstown in order to play. I’ve heard compliments regarding his defense from a few people.
Pilchard - Zimmerman actually played about a week in Savannah (same level as Hagerstown) when he signed, but the bulk of his playing time was in fact in Harrisburg.
Ric | 28-Jun-07 at 4:04 pm | Permalink
I would be extremely surprised to see Detwiller above Potomac, and would think that Hagerstown or Vermont is the most likely starting destination.
Brian, it seems probable that Davis (low-A all-star, draft class of 04) would be Castro’s replacement in Potomac, what do you think?
Brian Oliver | 28-Jun-07 at 4:50 pm | Permalink
Davis could be a strong consideration (poor Hagerstown losing another bat)
Brian James | 28-Jun-07 at 6:50 pm | Permalink
In the GCL today…
Souza debuted at third base, drew a four pitch walk his first time up, bounced out to first base, was hit by a pitch that barely grazed him, struck out and doubled his final time up. He did not have a good showing defensively. He didn’t have any errors but his range was poor. Several balls that a better third baseman could come have come up with, he didn’t. Jim Bowden was at the game today. I asked him when they were going to trade Souza to an AL team. He got a good laugh out of that.
Smolinski tweaked his hammy trying to leg out an infield hit, I imagine he will sit for a while now.
Gonzalez was the dh, I asked and they told me his shoulder was giving him some trouble.
Shane Funk and Juan De Los Santos were released, Moises Corporan was placed on the DL.
Norris was added to the roster, but did not play, maybe tomorrow.
Estrada started rough but finished strong.
Johan Figuereo was made his debut as a pitcher, he doesn’t have a second pitch and his fastball quite frankly is nothing special. You can guess how his inning went.
Brian James
dd | 28-Jun-07 at 11:30 pm | Permalink
Thanks for the GCL updates, Brian
What is Estrada doing in the GCL?
Do you know how many 2007 draft picks are suiting up in the GCL?
One more question, are any players from the Dominican summer teams expected to join the GCL Nats this year?
Thanks Again
roberto rodriguez | 28-Jun-07 at 11:43 pm | Permalink
Thanks for the opportunity to express my opinion. I think that the best substitute for O. Castro in Potomac is Marcos Cabral. Cabral can play 2B and be the back up of Deamond at SS. Davis only can play 2B, and 3B and his defensive abilities are questionable
Brian James | 29-Jun-07 at 12:12 am | Permalink
By my count fourteen draft picks will suit up for the GCL Nats eventually.
McCollum and Beno are on the roster now but haven’t pitched yet. The recently signed Gunderson will report to the GCL around the 4th of July.
I wouldn’t expect a lot of DSL guys coming over, with fourteen picks already on the team, potentially Smoker and Burgess likely to end up in the GCL as well, along with several 2006 picks thant need seasoning (Englund, King, Peacock) combined with the Dominican players already in the GCL, and then rehab guys cut further into playing time. There simply aren’t a lot of AB’s or innings to go around.
roberto rodriguez | 29-Jun-07 at 8:47 pm | Permalink
When the Nationals will release Abernathy and Alexander to make room for younger talent coming from the lower levels?