Here is a hodgepodge of minor league news & notes …
- The Nationals will be looking for at least two new managers for their minor league system as both Harrisburg manager Scott Little and Hagerstown manager Tom Herr have opted not to return to the organization in 2008. Little expressed frustration with his standing within the organization while Herr believed he was a better fit for managing at the Double-A level (the Nationals did not agree). The Senators (55-86) and Suns (55-81) finished with the two worst records among the Nationals affiliates in the US (the DSL Nationals 2 were 25-39). It is rumored that Potomac manager Randy Knorr is the favorite to take over in Harrisburg. No word on the status of the other managers or any other coaching decisions. It will be important to watch these developments. While the Nationals have received alot of positive press about their recent draft classes, it is equally as important that they have the PD system in place to actually develop players for the future. Constantly reshuffling of personnel is not something you want to see.
- Columbus closer Chris Booker was named to the Team USA professional baseball roster. This team will play in Arizona Fall League as a tune-up for the 2007 World Cup. The Baseball World Cup is an international tournament in which national baseball teams from around the world compete. It is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (courtesy of Wikipedia). Booker was 2-5 with 30 saves for the Clippers in 2007.
- Nationals CF prospect Justin Maxwell will be keeping an online journal documenting his time in the Arizona Fall League.
Suns Fan | 04-Oct-07 at 11:32 am | Permalink
Both Gerry Browne and Paul Menhart would make very good managers. Menhart especially. He has the combination of knowledge, a good friendly with the public, and passion for the game. But he may be too valuable to the Nationals as a pitching coach.
I hope both Browne and Menhart get a shot to manager somewhere within the organization next year. They deserve the chance.
Suns Fan | 04-Oct-07 at 11:33 am | Permalink
attitude should be after friendly. Sorry for the typo.
hartmanbirge | 06-Oct-07 at 12:43 am | Permalink
Looks like the Nats are going to move Marrero to First Base. I think this is excellent news in that the path to DC is now wide open. First Base will make the average speed and the average arm moot points. It will allow him to focus more on hitting which is why he’s here to begin with… Bob Boone said that he’d probably start the year at Potomac again - no rush. All of this shows me that the Nats are making intelligent choices….
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 06-Oct-07 at 10:42 am | Permalink
Average speed is kind. He’s slower than Ivany. Average arm would be more accurate if it was, too. First base might be the place for him until the Nats can use him as trade bait with an AL team.
Hartmanbirge | 06-Oct-07 at 10:46 am | Permalink
If he’s the kind of hitter that everyone says he is then he’s no trade bait. He’s our first baseman of the future - pencil him in for 15 years.
Tofu Dog | 06-Oct-07 at 12:13 pm | Permalink
Marrero played third base in high school, so he should be able to make the transition easily. It gives the Nationals the freedom to move Maxwell to left if they find a cf somewhere else, or an outfield three years from now of Burgess, Maxwell and Kearns; and infield of Marrero, spot, spot, Zimmerman. I saw him play twice this year. One game was unbelievable. Two very long homeruns–one had to be close to 500 feet, well over the 400 mark in dead center at Pfitzner.
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 06-Oct-07 at 12:43 pm | Permalink
Nobody’s doubting his ability to hit (Manny Ramirez comes to mind), and I’m sure he’d be no worse than Statue Mortimer as a 1B, but the defensive instincts that I saw every night in Woodbridge for a little less than half a season scream “DH” at this point; hence the reference to an AL team trading for him.
Shawn | 06-Oct-07 at 12:49 pm | Permalink
Browne should get a managing job somewhere in the system,if he wants one.
Could not be any worse than Tommy Herr for sure.
hartmanbirge | 06-Oct-07 at 2:57 pm | Permalink
Tofu…..The guy I think you’re leaving out is Wily Mo…. he’s not but 26 years old…. He has a good arm. He surprised on his reads and jumps this year so he’s improved in the field. Acta was surprised at how well he ran. He was hitting “inside out” and going the opposite way and improving as a hitter. I can’t help but think that he could be with us a very long time. There are not too many in the game with that kind of power and it will only get better as he matures. I;d be cautious of the Boston press and how they painted him. Things change. As for Maxwell, I have to think it’s CF or bust… Kearns is older… give Burgess another 4 years in the minors and he’d only be 22. At that stage Kearns would be older and perhaps time to move on…or else he becomes Nat for life. Wily Mo could be with us another decade launching moon shots into the night…. Maxwell….. Burgess….. Zimmerman…..spot….spot….. Marrero….Flores. I definitely want to see Wily Mo make it and make it big - with us. Guys like that don’t grow on trees…..
Tofu Dog | 07-Oct-07 at 12:16 pm | Permalink
Where to you put him? I like Wily Mo and he may be the man. You are right about the timing. Kearns is only thirty two in four years and Burgess may take a while. Watching the playoffs I am struck by all of the very young guys like Steven Drew, Tulowitski, Holliday, Cabrera for the Indians and I don’t know what explains it unless it it the rise of the “travel team” mentality for young kids in baseball where they are getting much better instruction early on. Watching the 21 year old Astrubal Cabrera lay down a bunt in the playoffs was a clinic in how to do it. No intimidation, just bunted a high fastball perfectly. Bottom line is you don’t really know how long Burgess takes or what Kearns has left. Wily Mo is a one dimensional player though, no defense unless they move HIM to first base.
hartmanbirge | 08-Oct-07 at 12:46 am | Permalink
I’ll take Wily No in Left any day…. You can “hide” a guy in LF a little bit. His defense was apparently much improved over the earlier Cinci Wily Mo. Acta commented about it all Sept. He DOES have a good arm. The open question was his reads and jumps and this area has improved. Then you look at that power bat. There is no doubt in my mind that when he was in the lineup we were a far far better team in terms of run production. He has holes in his swing but that’s improved as well. So I see a 26 year old kid with prodigious power who is improving his game across the board. By the end of the season Acta had moved him up in the lineup which I think reflects the improvement in his plate discipline. The kid loves being here and is thankful. He tasted the other side in Boston and I expect a breakout season next year and I expect him to be here a long time. I also think that Marrero will be a lot more comfortable at 1B and he can better focus on hitting. I am not enthusiastic about our current 1B candidates at the ML level so I hope Marrero moves FAST….
Louis J. | 08-Oct-07 at 7:57 am | Permalink
Marrero and Burgess advancements are not determined by which position they can play, it will be determined by can they be a power hitters. They need to be able to hit hit home runs, doubles and drive in runs in the major leagues. If they can do that, the Nationals will find positions for them, quickly!
Suns Fan | 09-Oct-07 at 6:34 pm | Permalink
I agree Shawn, nobody could be worse than Tommy Herr, who is on his way back to Lancaster.
Suns Fan | 09-Oct-07 at 6:35 pm | Permalink
Also, I think Browne would make a very good, if not excellent, manager. Heck, for most of the season, he was the one that brought out the lineup cards!