Release from the Nationals
The Washington Nationals today announced the roster for their 2008 Accelerated Development Program. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden, Assistant General Manager and Vice President, Player Development Bob Boone and Director of Player Development Bobby Williams made the joint announcement.
The club’s second annual Accelerated Development Program (ADP) will include 37 players, including 17 pitchers, and is intended to provide the best and brightest prospects in the Nationals’ system—not participating in big league camp—with high-intensity instruction and attention ratios provided by Washington’s top minor-league coordinators, managers, coaches and instructors.
Those invited to the ADP will report to the Nationals Spring Training Complex in Viera, FL on February 21 (pitchers and catchers) or February 23 (position players).
Over half of the 37 players participating in the ADP are ranked among the Nationals’ top 30 prospects according to Baseball America.
And now the roster:
PITCHERS (17)
- RHP Adrian Alaniz
- RHP Martin Beno
- RHP Adam Carr
- RHP Marco Estrada
- RHP Juan Jaime
- RHP Cole Kimball
- RHP Jeff Mandel
- RHP Shairon Martis
- RHP Brad Meyers
- RHP Jhonny Nunez
- RHP Brad Peacock
- RHP Hassan Pena
- RHP Beltran Perez
- LHP Cory VanAllen
- RHP Colton Willems
- RHP Jordan Zimmermann
- RHP Zech Zinicola
CATCHERS (4)
- Devin Ivany
- Derek Norris
- Brian Peacock
- Jhonatan Solano
INFIELDERS (9)
- 1B Chris Marrero
- 1B Andrew Lefave
- 2B Stephen King
- 2B Brandon Powell
- SS Ian Desmond
- SS Esmailyn Gonzalez
- 3B Leonard Davis
- 3B Steven Souza
- 3B Ofilio Castro
OUTFIELDERS (7)
- Edgardo Baez
- Michael Burgess
- Mike Daniel
- Stephen Englund
- Marvin Lowrance
- Aaron Seuss
- Jacob Smolinski
VladiHondo | 10-Jan-08 at 1:03 pm | Permalink
May I recommend to all those who frequent this site to go watch these guys. Its in the Carl Baerga complex on the right before the stadium, just park where all the player cars are and walk around. Its just like being at a little league complex, you can lean on the fence and be right next to a teenage phenom! Me and the wife meet Smiley Gonzalez and Chris Marrero! Saw Dmitri up close, Jim Bowden, Boone. Heard ‘em yell “Good Runner!” with Mike Daniels on 3rd. It was fantastic! Can’t go this year, tho.
My wife also got “hard stares” from some Baseball Annies looking for their meal ticket!
Brian Oliver | 10-Jan-08 at 1:11 pm | Permalink
VH - I could not agree more with you. I spent a few days over there watching them run through drills. The players were very open to talking to the fans
Sam | 10-Jan-08 at 1:18 pm | Permalink
Marco!
Freda | 10-Jan-08 at 1:21 pm | Permalink
Already have my reservations - we will be there 3/15 thru 3/23 - at the field by 9am everyday and won’t leave until they break for the day.
Five more weeks | 11-Jan-08 at 5:02 am | Permalink
Very, very cool. I admit that I am going to be a particular fan of Andy Lefave. He is not considered a real prospect apparently because of his age, but he won the batting title again playing for Western Michigan. He is an OBP machine.
And to think- we got him for a month’s worth of Ray King. I wonder who we will get for Ray King this year?
Mark | 11-Jan-08 at 11:55 pm | Permalink
I will be there 2/27 - 3/5 and I plan to spend every morning over at Carl Barger, it was the highlight of my trip down at Spring Training last year!
Jeff | 16-Jan-08 at 12:50 pm | Permalink
It’s good to see them list Chris Marrero at 1B… That’s where his future lies…
Imagine a 2011 Nationals roster that includes Chris Marrero at 1B, Ryan Zimmerman at 3B, Smiley Gonzalez at SS, Jesus Flores at C, Lastings Milledge at CF, Elijah Dukes in LF, and Michael Burgess at RF… Hmmmmm….
Gary | 19-Jan-08 at 10:43 pm | Permalink
So, they decided on Marrero @ 1B?? EXCELLENT!!!
Saw him @ Potomac last summer. I agree we need someone to take up the slack at first, in case Nick can’t make it through a full season SOME day.
Want to go back to Potomac THIS year, to see the new batch of future Nats.