| Rank | Hitters | Pitchers |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Mike Daniel | Colton Willems |
| 6 | Stephen Englund | Jack McGeary |
| 7 | Steve Souza | Tyler Clippard |
| 8 | Esmailyn Gonzalez | Shairon Martis |
| 9 | Stephen King | Adam Carr |
| 10 | Ian Desmond | John Lannan |
| 11 | Derek Norris | Garrett Mock |
| 12 | Josh Whitesell | Brad Peacock |
| 13 | Matt Whitney | Brad Meyers |
| 14 | Garrett Guzman | Jhonny Nunez |
| 15 | Roger Bernadina | Zech Zinicola |
| 16 | Kory Casto | Marco Estrada |
| 17 | Andrew Lefave | Adrian Alaniz |
| 18 | Leonard Davis | Cory VanAllen |
| 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 |
The fifth ranked bat is Mike Daniel, a 2005 7th round draft pick out of North Carolina. The lefthanded Daniel was overshadowed in 2007 by Chris Marrero and Justin Maxwell but had an above average season splitting time between Hagerstown and Potomac (294/362/458). He has average power but is more of a gap hitter. While his speed may be classified as slightly above average, he was among the smarter baserunners I saw in Potomac in 2007. He knew when to take the extra base. Defensively, he can play all three positions in the outfield though his arm might make a spot in center field tough. Daniel is personal favorite of mine. Reports have his ceiling as a #4 outfielder but I believe he has the chance to turn himself into a starter if things break right. He’ll be in Harrisburg in 2008 but definitely has the chances of being a breakout candidate.
Colton Willems was the second first rounder the Nationals grabbed in the 2006 draft (Marrero was the first). The righthander arguably has the highest ceiling of all of the Nationals arms but with that high reward comes high risk. He possesses a fastball that has reached the mid-90s though recently it’s been clocked in the 87-92 range. He also has an above average curve and slider (though according to report the slider has been shelved). His changeup is a work in progress. What is impressive about Willems is how he composes himself on the mound. Reports have him rarely being rattled and he pitches well when the heat is on (193/338/263 with runners in scoring position). What Willems needs most now is experience. He should front the rotation in Hagerstown in 2008.
Louis J. | 27-Feb-08 at 7:43 am | Permalink
Brian
I also like Daniel BUT with the outfielders that the Nats have, I doubt that he’s ever make the ML with the Nationals; therefore, I see him as part of a trade package. I see Garrett Guzman and Roj Bernadina moving ahead of him.
Louis J. | 27-Feb-08 at 7:54 am | Permalink
Brian
Colton Willems has been a “small” uncertainity for me. His poise and mound presence appear to be outstanding but his secondary pitches have not progressed enough. This progression problem could be pitching guru’s Spin Williams method of first having him concentratie on commanding his fastball low in the zone and limiting the number of breaking balls he threw.
If in 2008, he begins to thorw more breaking balls and commands a good change up against LHH, then my “small” uncertainity would disappear.
Louis J. | 27-Feb-08 at 8:04 am | Permalink
Change of subject…what a difference a year makes! The Nats supply of young pitchers who could be ready to pitch in the ML has improved greatly. If the starting rotation is Hill, Patterson, Bergmann, Redding & Odalis Perez that leaves youngsters like Chico, Clippard, Lannan, Detwiler, Balester & Mock in AAA ready to move up with Wagner (injury?), Hanrahan (starter/reliever), Zinicola & Carr ready to move into the bullpen.
Brian Oliver | 27-Feb-08 at 9:48 am | Permalink
My gut tells me that both Guzman and Whitney end up back with their respective organizations. Beyond the position crunch they both face, the Nationals need the 40-man spots for guys like Ray King and Odalis Perez who both seem likely to make the 25-man.
As for dealing Daniel, I’m not sure what value he would have to other teams. It would seem to me that the Nationals would find more suitors for an Austin Kearns or Justin Maxwell (if you expand to minor leaguers). Daniel seems a guy who would be an ideal candidate for the 5th OF off of the bench next season. Being lefthanded and having the ability to play all three OF positions.
Louis J. | 27-Feb-08 at 10:57 am | Permalink
Brian
Interesting! Somehow I see Guzman & Whitney staying on the 40-man roster with trades being arranged. Rule 5 selections are sort of a reward for the scouting department who think that the draftees are worthy of adding to the team. Keeping them instead of Casto & Bernadina (who Bowden did not draft and doesn’t viewed as ML material) is an easy decision for Bowden. AND THE SCOUTING DEPARTMENT HAD A VERY GOOD 2007 YEAR!!! Therefore, I see Casto, Langerhans and Bernadina as the likely candidates too be waived or traded (maybe for Guzman & Whitney) which makes room for King, Perez & (Detwiler or Bret Boone).
Daniel could also be traded for Guzman or Whitney since he doesn’t need to be protected this year where Guzman & Whitney did need to be protected.
Marcus | 27-Feb-08 at 12:32 pm | Permalink
If Willems has so much potential and so little service time how come sites like Baseball America(not in anyones top 150 while, McGeary and Smoker are mentioned) and BP(ranks him a 2-star prospect, while McGeary & Smoker are 3-star prospects) are so low on him?
Brian Oliver | 27-Feb-08 at 12:51 pm | Permalink
In my opinion …
BPro provides more stats driven analysis and Willems stats have not been eye-popping.
BBA likes to look at the next best thing and guys like Smoker and McGeary are both “new toys” that intrigue them (not to mention they are both lefthanded while Willems is a righty).
Willems is truly the definition of a high risk/high reward player. He could turn himself into a legitimate #2 starter or he could flame out as the talent he faces improves.
Marcus | 27-Feb-08 at 5:09 pm | Permalink
Thanks for the response really appreciate it!
Eliot | 28-Feb-08 at 10:23 am | Permalink
I’d like to second Louis J. Got a feeling about Whitney. 32 home runs last year after a long comeback due to injury. He was drafted in the first round. Judging by a batting practice video on youtube he has a pretty short, very relaxed and balanced swing for a power hitter. No prediction, just a feeling they’ll try to keep him. (Looking good during batting practice never hurt anyone’s chances.)