It’s Friday, so that means Todd Jacobson of the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star has a couple of articles on the happenings in the Nationals minor league/player development.
First, he profiles P-Nats OF Edgardo Baez …
“The difference has been maturity,” Knorr said. “You know he’s committed to getting better every single day he comes in here. Sometimes you tend to forget that he’s just 21 years old and he’s been growing up.”
Next, he takes a look at the progress the Nationals have made in signing their 2007 draft picks …
Second-rounders Jordan Zimmermann and Jake Smolinski–relative bargains with signing bonuses of $495,000 and $452,500 … [McGeary] said he’s looking for a signing bonus akin to a first-rounder, and it will likely take in excess of $1 million to land him … Smoker should command a signing bonus near $1 million. (Last year’s 31st pick, Preston Mattingly, received exactly that). Detwiler should command much more
More importantly, these are some of Todd’s last articles with the Free Lance-Star. (update: Todd will actually have at least two more articles, though today is his last day with the Free Lance-Star). He is moving on to another job in journalism, though not sportswriting. This is without a doubt unfortunate news for fans of the Nationals. Todd has been a tremendous source of information for the happenings in the farm system, even before Stan Kasten and the Nationals chose to shine the spotlight there. I want to thank him for his efforts and wish him best of luck in the future.
Chris | 29-Jun-07 at 2:37 pm | Permalink
I got my question answered on a BA chat about international signings:
chris from nyc asks:
Last year my Nats signed Smiley Gonzalez for big money and I got the impression it was supposed to be as much a statement to their commitment to DR, as much as for Gonzalez himself. Is that true? And if so, why don’t I see us linked to any of those guys you mentioned in your report? Thanks a lot, keep up the great work
A: Chris Kline: NYC, Your Nats are defintely committed to the Dominican Republic, though several sources have told me it could only be described as ‘misdirected.’ Gonzalez is interesting, but I’m not sure as the first international signing that was treated to a press release will live up to that kind of billing when it’s all said and done. The Nats have money to spend, and if it’s not this year, I think they will make a major impact next season. From what I know, they have a lot of impact 15-year-olds that will be eligible next year and have shied away from the big money guys this year. If they sign someone, I’m sure they’ll drop a press release on us and you’ll know within moments of it
He had an article today talking about all the big bonus guys and the Nats werent listed for any of them. We shall see…
Brian Oliver | 29-Jun-07 at 2:39 pm | Permalink
Chris - I saw that Q/A. Glad that one of us got an answer (I submitted as well). It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
VladiHondo | 29-Jun-07 at 3:33 pm | Permalink
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
No more Jacobson!! Probably no more local minor league news of much value.
Good luck Todd in your new venture and you will be missed!
Chris | 29-Jun-07 at 3:33 pm | Permalink
Yeah I’ve seen a couple of reports that we overpaid for Gonzalez, but the felling I get is it was more of a statement overall, in addition to the fact they really liked Gonzalez. I hadnt heard anything about the 15 year olds tho, that would be great.
Marcus | 29-Jun-07 at 4:07 pm | Permalink
What do you guys think Kline meant with the ‘misdirected’ comment? Was he refering to Gonzalez or the operation itself?
Todd Jacobson | 29-Jun-07 at 4:45 pm | Permalink
Thanks for all the kind words Brian. You do a great job with this site and it was an invaluable resource for me over the last few years. And to anyone that enjoyed my coverage, thank you.
Brian James | 29-Jun-07 at 5:36 pm | Permalink
In the GCL…
Norris debuted at dh and made quite a first impression, doubling in his first two at bats. He nearly had a third double, a line drive which was snagged by the third baseman.
Smolinski was back in the lineup and continues to hit everything hard, flying out to the warning track in center field and hitting an opposite field double.
Pridmore hit his first professional homerun, a moonshot to straight away center.
Souza looked better at third base today, made a diving stop, got up quickly and gunned the runner out at first, a play he several times failed to come up with yesterday.
Claussen looked superb on the hill today I suspect he’ll be leaving for Potomac.
Jim Bowden said negotiations with Burgess did not seem to be going well. He felt negotation tactics from Burgess’ camp were shall we say “inappropriate”.
Bowden’s stance on Burgess is that Smolinski and Souza have a better chance at the big leagues than Burgess does. The reason they took Burgess before Smolinski or Souza was because Burgess played in Tampa, FL and wouldn’t be on the board by the time the Nats picked in the second round.
John | 29-Jun-07 at 5:48 pm | Permalink
Brian James: I assume the Nats won? Did Smiley play?
Your comments on Burgess surprise me, because I though they said he was in their top 20. So the Nats would get pick number 49A if they don’t sign Burgess. I wonder what overall pick that will end up being. Hopefully, the Nats can use some of the money they may save on McGeary.