Comments on: Instructional League Roster

By: Simon Oliver Lockwood

Simon Oliver Lockwood — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:32:09 +0000

That’s a lot of pitchers and catchers. They all going to be limited to 2 IP per game?

By: A DC Wonk

A DC Wonk — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:45:30 +0000

Similar naive question to other posts from someone who is trying to learn the workings of the minors. Basically, my question is: who in general gets sent here?

By looking at the list, I think I can guess the answer: it seems like it's pretty much all the best prospects that are lower than AA (with the exception of Maxwell, who I'm guessing from context is considered further along, and so gets sent to the Arizona league?)

And then, more specifically: I see that the strong Vermont pitching crew is all there: (Abreu, Beno, Gibson, Kimball, Pena, Smoker, Tavarez, Willems, Zimmermann) -- basically, everybody who is anybody, except for the one pitcher who has pitched heads and shoulders above everyone: Adrian Alaniz (7-2, 2.28, WHIP of 0.78!)

So, can somebody explain the logic here? Is Alaniz going somewhere else? Or, some other reason? It seems that of all the best prospects below AA, every player is going to Arizona or this Instructional league, except Alaniz. (Or did I miss something?)

Thanks,

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:52:28 +0000

It typically is those players the organization considers “prospects”. I cannot tell you the reason Alaniz is not there. But as you notice, neither is Ross Detwiler. It could be something as simple as the Nationals are letting both of them return to school to finish up their degrees (or as much as they can) before coming back in for spring training.

By: dd

dd — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:20:57 +0000

Brian, as a baseball fan and interested minor league fan, this site is, bar none, among the best, most concise, comprehensive one available.

Kudos!

By: Gil

Gil — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:33:46 +0000

Where’s Smolinski ? still injured ?

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:36:32 +0000

Gil - He broke his foot back in late July. I’d imagine they are taking it slow with him.

By: Pilchard

Pilchard — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:41:04 +0000

What are the dates for this and do they play games against other MLB Instructional League teams or is it inter-squad?

Also, I assume that the Nats will use the Viera complex for this, correct?

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:52:18 +0000

It’s usually a couple of weeks. I believe they are done no later than the end of October.

from MLB. com … Fall Instructional League works somewhat similar to Spring Training; it’s an all-day affair, with workouts and drills in the morning followed by games in the afternoon. Statistics take a back seat to specifics, in terms of learning. For many Minor Leaguers, it’s a chance to work on certain aspects of their game after the Class A and lower-level seasons are completed. For those who sign later, instructional ball can mark their first exposure to pro ball.

That brings up a good point. Since this is instructional and not really stats driven, there won’t be any box scores or stats released. The best we can hope for (save someone heading down to Viera) is a handful of highlights.

By: Freda

Freda — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:29:03 +0000

This year the Nationals Instructional League starts on September 17th and runs through October 10th. We are heading down the 4th through 8th.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:50:32 +0000

I didn’t see Boomer Whiting on the list. Where will he go?

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:56:17 +0000

I assume that anyone not listed on the above roater will head home. The winter leagues (Dominican, Mexican, etc) will often times show some guys.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:57:38 +0000

This is a bit of a random request, but after the draft, who are the Nationals top prospects?

By: John

John — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:25:34 +0000

Pilchard: I’ve read that these are very informal. They’ll use 10-man lineups with two DHs. They’ll go a full nine innings even if the home team is ahead if there’s a pitcher who needs work. It really sounds like this is about lessons more than production.

By: VladiHondo

VladiHondo — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:54:03 +0000

Did they have on last year? Wasn’t something like this cancelled in the Dominican due to a mix up at Rijo’s complex - (hotel not ready or something)?

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:02:56 +0000

VH - They did not have one last year. That was the reason they had the guys in early this spring

By: Freda

Freda — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:49:23 +0000

Steve - Boomer Whiting is not participating as he is getting married on September 15th then going on the honeymoon!

By: longtimesunsfan

longtimesunsfan — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:59:53 +0000

any off season info on Zach Baldwin?

By: Wookiee

Wookiee — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:00:08 +0000

Correct on Detwiler — I talked to Ross last night at Potomac. He is planning on heading back to college to finish up his degree..

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:01:36 +0000

I assume the daily workouts are in Viera are at the Carl Barger complex and the games over are at Space Coast Stadium??

By: Ed

Ed — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 12:35:51 +0000

Now that minors seasons are wrapping up, will you be doing an overview of best prospects in Nats’ system?

By: Benji

Benji — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 15:13:46 +0000

If you do a prospect update, could you do a really big one. Like a top 6 for every posistion. I would love to help!

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 16:09:27 +0000

Ed - Yes. There will be a wrap-up for each level. A new top 40 list (maybe to 50 … we’ll see). As for by position, provided it doesn’t prove to be too much of a time drain, I’ll see what I can pull together since I’ll really only be following the AFL for a while there

By: Mjames

Mjames — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 16:40:50 +0000

I see where the Yankees will be starting Ian Kennedy who pitched last year for USC. One area of the Yankees which receives little acknowledgement is their minor league system. They seem to be much more successful in this area than the majority of teams. They have Hughes, Chamberlain and Kennedy plus a number of South American players. I am wondering if they are out performing the Nats in this area. I think Kennedy was drafted the same year as Colton Welhems etc. I would love to have a Kennedy and Chamberlain starting for us.

By: Suns Fan

Suns Fan — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:48:26 +0000

I am posting this here: NEVER compliment the Suns’ defense. A day after they had a good defensive game, they made 9 errors in 9 innings in a 12-0 loss to Lakewood. Yet they don’t do defensive drills before the game? Why? They’re perhaps the worst defensive team in all of baseball ever. I’d be curious to know what the record for average errors per game is at all levels of baseball. The Suns, I’m guessing, are averaging close to–if not over–3 errors a game. They need to start stressing defense to their players. Martinez has a great glove. But you wouldn’t know if from his numbers. He does little things–things that could easily be improved upon with practice–that cause errors. I’m going for the last time tonight to bid adieu to the worst team I’ve ever seen. Perhaps, perhaps, they’ll win. Or maybe it’ll be another tie. A tie is an accomplishment for them!

By: raul

raul — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:32:33 +0000

Sunsfan
If you were at the game you have to agree that most of the errors were bad hops. I don’t know if this is the worst defensive team of all minor leagues, but by sure Municipal Stadium is the worst field of all minorleagues system. If you are a Hagerstown rersident, go to the city and ask them to repair this stadium, if they don’t, Hagerstown won be a minor league team after 2008 season.

By: Suns Fan

Suns Fan — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:50:26 +0000

3 throwing/missed catch errors. By the way, we can blame the field all we want, but why do visiting teams have less errors than the Suns, by a significant margin, at home this year. I listened to the game on the radio. Two bad hops, that still leaves seven errors. It’s easy to blame the field, but why not practice on a well worn field like that?

They’re going to resurface the infield with $40,000 of City money that was originally intended to improve the grandstands. They’re putting that off for a year to repair the infield. Then they’re going to pump $200,000 (the club and the city are going to split it) and resurface the entire field after the 2009 season. Apparently, the funding for major improvements should already be in place. It’s just a matter of when it can be accessed. But then again, it’s always fun when dealing with a City Council. 2009 is the election year for the City, so I’m guessing the Suns will get their money.

By: Hartmanbirge

Hartmanbirge — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 19:04:10 +0000

Ref the Yankees remember that they’ve leaned hard towards college ranks whereas the Nats are going more towards high ceiling HS talent. Colton Willems is only 19 years old and has time to develop - I just pretend he’s still in college and Nats have rights. I think it important to make distinction btwn the two. Though the Nats system does not have college prospects on par with the Yanks I’d bet that next year some of our guys (the older HS draftees and college picks) begin to really move. And we’ll see but I happen to think that some of the top Yanks prospects are overrated by the media to some extent. For the Nats, start with Detwiler and add Lannan, Zimmerman, Ballister as the top tier - then we get to Mock, Meyers, Martis, Nunez, Van Allen, Jones, and Alaniz any one of which could push into the top… Any one of these guys has the innate ability to dominate - all we need is a few. The top of our second tranche (recent HS) is probably 3-4 years away - Willems, Smoker, McGeary, Gibson…. And it’s not inconceivable that some of the young rookies on the major league team could develop into front line talent - namely Hill, Hanrahan, and Bergman - all are young and still developing. What a pleasant change from a year ago when top to bottom the entire system was putrid. Don’t look now but Nats would have a Top 5 pick next year too.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 20:56:25 +0000

Municipal Stadium is universally known as a poor field,when I talk to players in the league,Hagerstown is usually mentioned as one of the top 3 worst ranking with Savannah GA and Oneonta NY. The field is poor and needs a new surface ASAP and the conditions blame belongs to the city not the team.

However,the 07 Suns were about the worst team I have seen here. The players were the nicest bunch of kids that we have seen here in years,but the fact remains that there is not one player that dressed this year .after the mass callup. that is likely to reach AAA let alone Washington.

It was not due to lack of effort,but a less than talented team that plays on a awful field adds up to a lot of errors and losses.

By: Benji

Benji — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 20:34:43 +0000

Brian, why in the world are Dewilder and Maxwell begining called up.
pretty dumb move if you ask me. I really do hope
maxwell is great but
i think both needed more time in the minors

By: Suns Fan

Suns Fan — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 21:27:32 +0000

The Detwiler thing bewilders me. Maxwell, I think they might have to put him on the 40 man roster to protect him. Regardless, aside from the month of injury, he had one hell of a season. It’s a well deserved call up, and having seen him in Hagerstown, I think he’ll truly be a major league star. Best wishes to Mr. Maxwell as a Washington National!

By: Ric

Ric — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 22:46:50 +0000

Benji — both can be optioned to the minors for years to come. My guess is that, in Maxwell’s case, they really believe that the month will accelerate development (and are hoping he can compete for the job next year). Based on the statements around the time of Detwiler’s signing, who knows, maybe this was part of the deal to get him signed without a long holdout and at approximately slot bonus. In any event, the minors are done for the year now, so all its costs is (1) some extra salary, (2) time (in that the options clock starts running) and (3) a roster slot. Even if you think both need another full year in the minors, why not give them some seasoning if you expect them to be with the “big club” by 2009 at the latest?

By: Suns Fan

Suns Fan — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:52:03 +0000

Maxwell’s combined numbers for this year: 114 games played, .281 average 27 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 35 stolen bases. That’s an amazing combination of power and speed. Granted it was in A ball, but still give him a shot. I think he’ll be impressive.

By: D-Jay Nats

D-Jay Nats — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 02:06:24 +0000

On the 8/28 update. I placed an open bet that Maxwell would Maxwell called up in September. I asked for any takers on this ‘bet’ and “Nate” took me up on the offer.

Well, “Nate” wherever you are, I think you owe me a nice steak dinner or something along those lines.

Brian O, you seem to lament the lack of information from the complex in Viera during Instructional League. Would the “farm authority” have any interest in hiring someone locally near to give updates?

By: Hartmanbirge

Hartmanbirge — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 02:17:26 +0000

Ref Maxwell and Detwiler both are going to be called up “to learn the major league game” and sit and watch - so says Bowden. I wouldn’t read too much into it other than the Nats think very highly of both. It will be interesting to see Detwiler next year after he gets the full dose of Nats pitching philosophy pounded into his head in Extended Sprint Training(command the fastball low in the zone). It will be very very interesting to see if the Nats pursue a FA center fielder this off season or if instead they patiently wait for Maxwell to work his way through the system. Maxwell is the only guy in minor league ball to hit at least 25 homers with 25 steals. If they go out and sign say Andrew Jones as the sports writers are clamoring for then Maxwell will be ready before the contract is up and Pena shows all signs of deserving to start long term. The two call-ups which intrigue me are Albaladejo and Munoz from AAA. Here are two more young relief pitchers who have seemingly emerged from out of nowhere. Munoz could be a lefty specialist which don’t grow on trees. The staff in Columbus is raving about Albaladejo. And this says nothing of Abrieu who has dominated out of the Columbus pen and was also called up. Booker was not called up which is a mild surprise. I think of this and stand amazed at the depth in the bullpen. How many teams could say the same thing? This makes for a lot of quality bullpen arms (Cordero, Rauch, Schroder, Colome, Ayala, Rivera, Bowie, King, Bascik, Albaladejo, Abrieu, Munoz, Booker, and coming up Zinicola and Carr not to mention Speigner). Sure am glad Bowden was able to move Majewski and Bray for two starters!

By: CJ

CJ — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 09:44:03 +0000

Hi, do you happen to have their schedule by any chance? Thank you

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:45:39 +0000

The schedule is typically not released. I believe it’s handled similarly to the extended spring training this year. The players are out on the fields at Carl Barger in the morning, usually by 9AM, for practice/warmup and then games are played at around noon.