| Rank | Hitters | Pitchers |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Dani Arias | Martin Beno |
| 20 | Bill Rhinehart | Hassan Pena |
| 21 | Mark Gildea | Yader Peralta |
| 22 | Aaron Seuss | PJ Dean |
| 23 | Edgardo Baez | Federico Tanco |
| 24 | Garrett Bass | Jack Spradlin |
| 25 | Alejandro Hodge | Marcos Frias |
| Francisco Soriano | Juan Jaime | |
| Yeurys Tejeda |
Checking it at #19 for the hitters is Dani Arias, another product of the Dominican Summer League. Arias played for both the DSL Nationals 1 and 2 in 2007. The 19-year old switch-hitting shortstop hit 311/395/363 over 190AB with 18/27 stolen bases. He’s still a raw prospect but given the dearth of middle infield prospects in the organization, he has the opportunity to make a name for himself. He should play 2008 in the GCL.
Beno was a late selection in the 2007 (36th round) out of Oklahoma State. The 21-year old right-handed relief pitcher made his professional debut with one appearance with the GCL Nationals before moving onto 16 relief appearances with the Vermont Lake Monsters. Over 21 2/3 innings of work, he struck out 38 while walking 16. He has two pitches, a fastball that was clocked at the mid-90s in college but is more consistent in the high-80s/low-90s. His secondary pitch is a split finger. He’s another guy the Nationals have who could develop into an arm for the bullpen. The numbers game will dictate whether he is in Hagerstown or Potomac in 2008.
Four more weeks | 26-Jan-08 at 11:19 am | Permalink
I’m glad that there are starting to be enough good players that there even is a “numbers game” to worry about. I am sure that a few years ago it was easier to put the good players wherever you wanted and to mercilessly shuttle the lesser players around as needed.
It seems likely that a small number of DSL players from last year will be making their way to the GCL this year. The Nats hopefully have a pipeline of younger Dominican players who can come in to fill up the two teams in the DSL. It would be a pity to go down to only one team if effort could sustain both of them.
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 26-Jan-08 at 4:00 pm | Permalink
4MW — Amen, brother. I’ll be glad when the 25-yo’s can only be found at AA or higher.
Hendo | 26-Jan-08 at 8:30 pm | Permalink
If Beno is only #19, which is probably not unreasonable, I’m really looking forward to numbers 18 through 1.
While Beno’s repertoire may not be the stuff of the Hall of Fame, I like guys who can throw some strikes while keeping the ERA in the 4 range. Whether he can do that in the higher levels of A ball is, of course, something we’ll all be keeping an eye on.
Louis J. | 26-Jan-08 at 10:57 pm | Permalink
Brian:
Wow, Dani Arias! Like to know more about him (defense, arm, can he play 2B). Looking forward to following his progress next year.
Beno is the second relief pitcher they drafted from Okla St, (2006- Adam Carr). He had a good year for the Nats. I was concentrating on following Corey Brown (OF) at Okla St. that I never viewed Beno as a prospect. Good thing I’m not a Nats’ scout.