From the Nationals
The Washington Nationals today named outfielder Justin Maxwell as its Minor League Player of the Year and lefthander John Lannan as its Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Nationals Vice President/General Manager Jim Bowden, Vice President/Player Development Bob Boone and Director/Player Development Bobby Williams made the announcement.
Maxwell, who grew up in Olney, MD and attended the University of Maryland, combined to hit .281 with 25 doubles, 27 home runs, 83 RBI and 35 stolen bases this season for Potomac of the Single-A Carolina League and Hagerstown of the Single-A South Atlantic League. He was the only player in minor league baseball in 2007 to record at least 25 doubles, 25 home runs and 25 steals. Maxwell led Nationals farmhands in homers, while ranking second in both RBI and steals.
The 23-year-old, who was Washington’s second selection (fourth round) in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft behind Ryan Zimmerman, had his contract selected by the Nationals from Potomac on September 4. He made his big league debut as a pinch hitter the next night vs. Florida, and flew out to the warning track in right-centerfield. Then on September 11 at Florida, he clubbed a pinch-hit grand slam off Chris Seddon for his first big league hit. He is batting .250 (5-for-20) with two homers and five RBI in 12 games (four starts) overall with Washington.
Maxwell hit .301 with 14 homers and 40 RBI in 56 games with Hagerstown before his June 11 promotion to Potomac. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder went on to hit .263 with 13 homers and 43 RBI in 58 games with the P-Nats. He twice earned Topps Player of the Month honors during the year, winning the award in May, when he hit .320 (31-for-97) with seven home runs, 18 RBI and five steals in 25 Sally League games, and in August, when he batted .343 (35-for-102) with 10 homers, 28 RBI and 10 steals in 27 Carolina League contests.
Maxwell entered the 2007 season ranked as the Best Athlete and as the Fastest Baserunner among Washington prospects according to Baseball America’s annual “Best Tools” survey. He will play for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League after the season.
Lannan, who celebrates his 23rd birthday today, went a combined 12-3 with a 2.31 ERA in 21 games (19 starts) this season with Columbus of the Triple-A International League, Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League and Potomac of the Single-A Carolina League. He led Washington farmhands in ERA and ranked second in wins.
Washington’s 11th-round selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft had his contract selected by the Nationals from Columbus on July 26. The Siena (NY) College product made his major league debut that day, and went 2-2 with a 4.15 ERA in six starts at the big league level. Lannan earned his first big league win August 1 vs. Cincinnati. He tossed seven innings of one-run ball on two occasions, August 6 at San Francisco (no-decision) and August 11 at Arizona (loss). Lannan held Barry Bonds hitless in three at-bats during that August 6 start, including a strikeout to end the seventh inning in a 1-1 ballgame.
Lannan was named to the Carolina League All-Star team after going 6-0 with a 2.13 ERA (12 ER/50.2 IP) in eight starts with Potomac, but he did not participate in the game against the California League All-Stars because of his May 21 promotion to Harrisburg. He went 3-2 with a 3.25 ERA (13 ER/36.0 IP) in six games (five starts) with Harrisburg. Lannan then went 3-1 record with a 1.66 ERA (7 ER/38.0 IP) in seven games (six starts) with Columbus after his June 20 promotion. Opposing left-handed hitters combined to hit only .152 (17-for-112) against him at the minor league level.
Louis J. | 27-Sep-07 at 4:09 pm | Permalink
Brian
What are Ian Desmond’s future prospects? He improved his stats in the 2nd half. Can he progress far enough in the next few years to make the Nationals (first as utility player and maybe convert to 2B). I get so upset watching him at Potomac. He’s a good athlete with good tools and a very outgoing personality BUT he lacks what I call the Tiger Woods drive to be the best, and instead, ends up with medicore results. We all said his immaturity was do to his age. He’s 22 now and the time is now here for him to “grow-up”. Prospects have been drafted who may past him soon.
Brian Oliver | 27-Sep-07 at 4:14 pm | Permalink
His arm plays best at SS. It really is that strong. By far the strongest I saw in the Carolina League in 2006 and 2007. He seems to have started to click a little bit in the second half of 2007. Ideally he can build off of that in Harrisburg in 2008. While he might never develop into an everyday starter (though it’s still possible), he seems to be the perfect utility guy. If he can handle SS/3B/2B, he could make a great supersub/PR.
Benji | 27-Sep-07 at 5:49 pm | Permalink
What about an outfeild posistion. It sounds like he has great speed.
I think this will be a make or break year, becuase he has to show some motivation which he showed in the second half. We shall see
Tofu Dog | 27-Sep-07 at 8:25 pm | Permalink
Brian, I agree that Maxwell is too unproven to wait if a deal can be made in the off-season. But where do the Nats look to trade for a CF? Multiple choice: a-Damon, b-Coco Crisp, c-Baldelli, d-Wlaimir Balentien, e-the cupboard is bare.
Brian Oliver | 27-Sep-07 at 8:59 pm | Permalink
Damon - Pass. Too old. Too expensive. Declining.
Crisp - Intriguing option though I doubt the Red Sox are looking to give him away.
Baldelli - Too costly in terms of a deal. I don’t think the Nats have the pieces to get a deal done. Plus the injury thing is a concern
Balentien - I like that option. Don’t think Seattle is chomping at the bit to move him.
My rank order (assuming a reasonable deal can be accomplished): Balentien, Crisp, Baldelli, bare cupboard, Damon.
Likely deal rank order: Crisp and Balentien. The other two seem unlikely.
Tofu Dog | 28-Sep-07 at 3:32 pm | Permalink
I would say Crisp is the right answer–Ellsbury is ready to play CF in Boston, so if the Nationals have anything Boston needs, that one seems doable. Balentien is the best answer although less likely. Ibanez might block Balentien for another year and Seattle needs pitching more than another outfielder, so it seems like something could happen there. We HAVE had success there before if you count Wily Mo as what we ultimately got for Vidro. Should be a fun winter, been a great year.
C. Hen | 28-Sep-07 at 8:42 pm | Permalink
Have we gotten the PTBNL from the Van Buren deal to Oakland? If not is there any chance they have anyone who they would be willing to give up that would be of any interest for the nats to try out in Spring Training?
Louis J. | 29-Sep-07 at 10:24 pm | Permalink
Relax everybody. We’re discussing a team that finished last in the NL East from 2004-2006 and 4th in 2007. Kasten’s Plan is to “mix & match” until the prospects grow into starters and then fix any holes with a free agent. They are not going to invest $$$ and/or draft prospects to fill positions where they think they have good prospects who could develop in the next 2 years. Remember every contender will be looking for a starting pitcher and another bat which will drive up the prices for said players and the Nats are not going to spend the $$$$. Eric Byrnes of Diamondbacks signed for $30/3yrs and he’s a B player in my book. Based on questionable talent, Gil Meche (RHP) signed for $55/5 yrs? Also, no one wanted to trade with Bowden before; therefore, what makes you think they’ll change their minds now. If we could have made the trades for Balentien, Crisp, etc., these players would be Nats. Will Bowden be willing to give up more to get less just to make a trade for these players now. NO!! Bowden will be asked to build on what they already have and add some more C class players or minor leaguers. Maybe even LIVAN for 2yrs/$10 mil. Next year the goal will be to finish 81-81.
Louis J. | 01-Oct-07 at 3:03 pm | Permalink
CF solution
With the Nats need for hitting, Ryan Church playing CF and batting in the middle of the lineup is a much better idea than Nook Logan, Crisp or Balentien hitting leadoff. Also, the leadoff hitter isn’t going to be Pena, Kearns, Johnson, Zimmerman or Schneider. If the Nats are going to fine a leadoff hitter, it has to be the 2B or SS, whether that’s Lopez, Guzman or some other middle infielder that doesn’t exist in the sytem, yet. For conversation purposes, GOOGLE/read about Eugenio Velez (Giants) who is a 2B/SS who could be used instead of Jimenez and slowing put at SS/leadoff to see how he would do. Remember, Guzman/Lopez are free agents after 2008.