Comments on: NFA Top Prospects - #18 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/ We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future - FDR Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:27:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: 16 more days http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50524 16 more days Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:31:40 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50524 <p>Pahou-</p> <p>Respons to your last comment:</p> <p>If you all get Flores and a bunch of the good Nats prospects, you should have a lot more fun this coming year. Do you know how long the Nats have a contract with H-burg? A lot of folks around here are hoping to affiliate one of our clubs with Richmond to soldify the Virginia base of the team. I would love to come to the island and watch the Senators play this summer.</p> Pahou-

Respons to your last comment:

If you all get Flores and a bunch of the good Nats prospects, you should have a lot more fun this coming year. Do you know how long the Nats have a contract with H-burg? A lot of folks around here are hoping to affiliate one of our clubs with Richmond to soldify the Virginia base of the team. I would love to come to the island and watch the Senators play this summer.

]]> By: 15 more days http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50588 15 more days Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:37:11 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50588 <p>Thinking of VanAllen, I just figure it can't be a good sign when your #18 pitcher went 4-10. Then again, Colin Balester will show up much higher in the list, and he had a terrible record, as well. Of course, part of that was on the hideous Harrisburg team, and he had an ERA under 4.00.</p> <p>Our system is improving, but it needs to improve its depth.</p> Thinking of VanAllen, I just figure it can’t be a good sign when your #18 pitcher went 4-10. Then again, Colin Balester will show up much higher in the list, and he had a terrible record, as well. Of course, part of that was on the hideous Harrisburg team, and he had an ERA under 4.00.

Our system is improving, but it needs to improve its depth.

]]> By: Louis J. http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50599 Louis J. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:43:09 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50599 <p>OUCH ! No reflection on your choices, Brian, BUT the Nats still have a long way to go in order to build up the depth in the system if Davis & Van Allen are #18. Davis (at age 24) was in A ball and moved up to Advanced A ball late in 2007. His age vs. competition vs. performance is weak; and, his role as a UT-INF will be taken by someone in the 2007 Draft Class. Van Allen didn't like his 2006 draft position and returned to Baylor for his senior year afterwhich the Nationals drafted him in the 5th Round in 2006. His senior year performance was not that good to warrant a 5th round selection and his performance in the minors (Class A at age 23) has demonstrated that he may have reached his peak. As a starter, his repertoire is average at best and his control is still a problem. He will be surpassed by the new LHP power arms: Detwiler, Smoker & McGeary. And, as a reliever, he does not have any nasty go-to-pitch that would make him a valuable bullpen pitcher (Jack Spradlin appears to be a better LH-RP).</p> OUCH ! No reflection on your choices, Brian, BUT the Nats still have a long way to go in order to build up the depth in the system if Davis & Van Allen are #18. Davis (at age 24) was in A ball and moved up to Advanced A ball late in 2007. His age vs. competition vs. performance is weak; and, his role as a UT-INF will be taken by someone in the 2007 Draft Class. Van Allen didn’t like his 2006 draft position and returned to Baylor for his senior year afterwhich the Nationals drafted him in the 5th Round in 2006. His senior year performance was not that good to warrant a 5th round selection and his performance in the minors (Class A at age 23) has demonstrated that he may have reached his peak. As a starter, his repertoire is average at best and his control is still a problem. He will be surpassed by the new LHP power arms: Detwiler, Smoker & McGeary. And, as a reliever, he does not have any nasty go-to-pitch that would make him a valuable bullpen pitcher (Jack Spradlin appears to be a better LH-RP).

]]> By: Brian Oliver http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50603 Brian Oliver Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:20:02 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50603 <p>Yes, there is still work to do. But I also believe that most teams have question marks in the #40 and beyond range. I could be plugging in more guys drafted in 2007 but I'm trying to balance some existing guys with the new ones.</p> <p>It's going to gain a bit more momentum when I hit #10 on both sides, which is really getting better. The top 20 is leaps and bounds better than it was even one year ago.</p> Yes, there is still work to do. But I also believe that most teams have question marks in the #40 and beyond range. I could be plugging in more guys drafted in 2007 but I’m trying to balance some existing guys with the new ones.

It’s going to gain a bit more momentum when I hit #10 on both sides, which is really getting better. The top 20 is leaps and bounds better than it was even one year ago.

]]> By: Hendo http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50612 Hendo Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:34:57 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50612 <p>15md - I'm not so worried about VanAllen, although a 105 K:29 BB ratio is usually enough to get me all weak-kneed and hopeful anyway. The drawback to all those Ks is that if you throw a lot of strikes you're sometimes going to get knocked around. When VanAllen starts missing more bats, he'll look a lot more like a candidate for the Nats Park rotation.</p> 15md - I’m not so worried about VanAllen, although a 105 K:29 BB ratio is usually enough to get me all weak-kneed and hopeful anyway. The drawback to all those Ks is that if you throw a lot of strikes you’re sometimes going to get knocked around. When VanAllen starts missing more bats, he’ll look a lot more like a candidate for the Nats Park rotation.

]]> By: Jeff http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50613 Jeff Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:36:57 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50613 <p>Hey, injuries happen. You have to think about former #1 pick Adrian Gonzalez. He appeared to be a bust and now he's a very formidable player at an older age. From what I saw in Hagerstown last year I wondered why Leonard Davis was still in Low A ball and why he wasn't listed as a higher prospect even at 24. He has tremendous raw power for a small compact guy. I remember saying "that #21 can flat out crush the ball." I don't think there is anything at all wrong with him being at #18 especially considering the lack of middle infield talent in the Nats farm system to begin with... You have to let it play out. If he has a tremendous year in High A and then moves on to AA this year he could be looking to play in the bigs in '09 without a doubt...</p> Hey, injuries happen. You have to think about former #1 pick Adrian Gonzalez. He appeared to be a bust and now he’s a very formidable player at an older age. From what I saw in Hagerstown last year I wondered why Leonard Davis was still in Low A ball and why he wasn’t listed as a higher prospect even at 24. He has tremendous raw power for a small compact guy. I remember saying “that #21 can flat out crush the ball.” I don’t think there is anything at all wrong with him being at #18 especially considering the lack of middle infield talent in the Nats farm system to begin with… You have to let it play out. If he has a tremendous year in High A and then moves on to AA this year he could be looking to play in the bigs in ‘09 without a doubt…

]]> By: Terry Byrom http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50624 Terry Byrom Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:25:11 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50624 <p>Hey guys,</p> <p>First, the Sens and the Nats are bound through the end of the 2010 season. I've already covered the whole Richmond thing. I know there will be lots of speculation about Richmond, but keep in mind, the Nats do not control what minor league franchise moves to Richmond.</p> <p>About the list, keep in mind that right now minor league organizations have about 100-120 guys in it. In reality, there aren't more than a dozen "can't miss" type guys in even the best organizations. I have a book on the draft which lists every player drafted and what round they were drafted in and I could list literally dozens of top two picks that we've never heard of, so there are no guarantees.</p> <p>There is still work to do, but the organization is improving as a whole.</p> Hey guys,

First, the Sens and the Nats are bound through the end of the 2010 season. I’ve already covered the whole Richmond thing. I know there will be lots of speculation about Richmond, but keep in mind, the Nats do not control what minor league franchise moves to Richmond.

About the list, keep in mind that right now minor league organizations have about 100-120 guys in it. In reality, there aren’t more than a dozen “can’t miss” type guys in even the best organizations. I have a book on the draft which lists every player drafted and what round they were drafted in and I could list literally dozens of top two picks that we’ve never heard of, so there are no guarantees.

There is still work to do, but the organization is improving as a whole.

]]> By: Chris http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50628 Chris Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:45:07 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50628 <p>Looks like a make or break year for Van Allen. BA was down on him when he got drafted saying he didnt improve at Baylor. I think if he struggles this year he's off the prospect radar</p> Looks like a make or break year for Van Allen. BA was down on him when he got drafted saying he didnt improve at Baylor. I think if he struggles this year he’s off the prospect radar

]]> By: Ryan Sullivan http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50682 Ryan Sullivan Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:39:06 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50682 <p>Everyone-</p> <p>Should we assume the only real chance VanAllen will reach the majors will be as a lefty out of the pen? I watched him in college twice, and he seemed to have good stuff but always would somewhat screw up (ex. 1-2 count with a bad hitter, and would groove a pitch down the middle for a bloop hit type things).</p> <p>I haven't seen him with the Nats as of yet: anyone seen him and could give me/the board some more information?</p> <p>Thanks again for all the hard work Brian- your blog is by far the best we have for our Nats.</p> Everyone-

Should we assume the only real chance VanAllen will reach the majors will be as a lefty out of the pen? I watched him in college twice, and he seemed to have good stuff but always would somewhat screw up (ex. 1-2 count with a bad hitter, and would groove a pitch down the middle for a bloop hit type things).

I haven’t seen him with the Nats as of yet: anyone seen him and could give me/the board some more information?

Thanks again for all the hard work Brian- your blog is by far the best we have for our Nats.

]]> By: Baylor Fan http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50805 Baylor Fan Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:05:35 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50805 <p>If we are going to play Fantasy GM here, I'd like to suggest some of the posters step up their game a bit. Let's take the above discussion about VanAllen. If evaluating and projecting minor league pitchers was just about W/L/ERA, we could sort the data very quickly, make our decisions, and get back to the golf course. This is directed at you 15 More Days & Louis J.......need to take your thinking a little bit deeper guys.</p> <p>Kudos to Hendo, as he managed to investigate K/BB ratios, which is encouraging. Ground ball/fly ball ratios would also yield some good insights. Finally, some sense of durability......are pitchers able to take the ball every 5th day, or have they missed starts every season?</p> <p>Finally, we need to ensure we are factually correct with our statements (Louis J).....VanAllen was drafted after HS (3rd round) but didn't sign. He pitched at Baylor for 3 years and signed after his Jr. year (5th round). He's a 6' 3" LHP with a 90 - 94 FB with good arm side run, a solid CH, and an emerging breaking pitch. Drawing any conclusions other than he has the potential to be in a ML rotation at this point is frankly just pointless. Expect to see him and the rest of last years Potomac rotation at Harrisburg and let the performance speak for itself.</p> <p>As a side note, it would be interesting to see what comments from this group of pundits were last January about Lannan?</p> If we are going to play Fantasy GM here, I’d like to suggest some
of the
posters step up their game a bit. Let’s take the above discussion
about
VanAllen. If evaluating and projecting minor league pitchers was just
about W/L/ERA, we could sort the data very quickly, make our decisions,
and get back to the golf course. This is directed at you 15 More Days
&
Louis J…….need to take your thinking a little bit deeper guys.

Kudos to Hendo, as he managed to investigate K/BB ratios, which is
encouraging. Ground ball/fly ball ratios would also yield some good
insights. Finally, some sense of durability……are pitchers able to
take the ball every 5th day, or have they missed starts every season?

Finally, we need to ensure we are factually correct with our statements
(Louis J)…..VanAllen was drafted after HS (3rd round) but didn’t
sign.
He pitched at Baylor for 3 years and signed after his Jr. year (5th
round). He’s a 6′ 3″ LHP with a 90 - 94 FB with good arm
side run, a
solid CH, and an emerging breaking pitch. Drawing any conclusions other
than he has the potential to be in a ML rotation at this point is
frankly just pointless. Expect to see him and the rest of last years
Potomac rotation at Harrisburg and let the performance speak for itself.

As a side note, it would be interesting to see what comments from this
group of pundits were last January about Lannan?

]]> By: Brian Oliver http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50807 Brian Oliver Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:14:04 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50807 <p>BF - I believe Louis was referring to VanAllen in the 2003 draft where he was drafted in the 3rd round by the Dodgers but did not sign. Which then returns to your timeline.</p> BF - I believe Louis was referring to VanAllen in the 2003 draft where he was drafted in the 3rd round by the Dodgers but did not sign. Which then returns to your timeline.

]]> By: Suns Fan http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50822 Suns Fan Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:27:32 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-50822 <p>Davis bats left-handed...</p> Davis bats left-handed…

]]> By: Chedda http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-51116 Chedda Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:07:33 +0000 http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/2008/01/30/nfa-top-prospects-18/#comment-51116 <p>I think BF was referring to the statement made by someone that VanAllen returned to Baylor for his senior year. This was not the case. I'm with BF in the sense that I'm excited to see the majority of the rotation that finished up in Potomac last year start up in Harrisburg in 08. Remember Potomac finished pretty strong last season, and it was led by a solid rotation.</p> I think BF was referring to the statement made by someone that VanAllen returned to Baylor for his senior year. This was not the case. I’m with BF in the sense that I’m excited to see the majority of the rotation that finished up in Potomac last year start up in Harrisburg in 08. Remember Potomac finished pretty strong last season, and it was led by a solid rotation.

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