The Washington Nationals today assigned right-handed pitcher Adam Carr and shortstop Ian Desmond to big league camp. The Nationals also reassigned left-handed pitcher Mike Bacsik, infielder William Bergolla, outfielder Roger Bernadina, right-handed pitcher Tristan Crawford, infielder Yurendell De Caster, left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler, outfielder Frank Diaz, left-handed pitcher Mike Hinckley, catcher Devin Ivany, left-handed pitcher Charlie Manning, outfielder Tommy Murphy, outfielder Jorge Padilla, infielder Antonio Perez, right-handed pitcher Ismael Ramirez, left-handed pitcher Josh Smoker and right-handed pitcher Jim Ed Warden to minor-league camp. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcements.
Interesting to see that Carr and Desmond have been added to the mix.
Positively Half St | 05-Mar-08 at 9:58 am | Permalink
I think that Bascik’s demotion is appropriate, and a sign of our improving fortunes. I am also intrigued by Carr and Desmond’s spring promotions. Is it only to give them the experience, or might a trade require additional bullpen or MI depth in the major league camp?
Positively Half St | 05-Mar-08 at 9:59 am | Permalink
Also interesting is that “Little Papi” made the first cut.
Brian Oliver | 05-Mar-08 at 10:01 am | Permalink
Good question regarding the promotions. I’m not sure how adding more bodies is completely necessary. A trade does seem like a possiblity.
Jeff | 05-Mar-08 at 10:07 am | Permalink
Call me crazy…
I think Adam Carr can make the club…
John | 05-Mar-08 at 11:02 am | Permalink
The Washington Capitals have a prospect camp prior to their training camp and “promote” the best players to the main camp. It’s a reward for doing well. I wonder if the Nats are doing that with Desmond and Carr.
As I recall Desmond, along with Maxwell, came on pretty strong at Potomac to end last season.
Brian Oliver | 05-Mar-08 at 11:15 am | Permalink
Desmond looked much better in the second half of the Carolina League season. I’m sure part of that was a function of his time in Carolina League allowing him to get used to the pitching but his approach at the plate was better later in the season than it was earlier in the season. He’s still a work in progress and he’s not the super prospect we were told in 2005, but he is still at least in the picture of guys to watch.
Pilchard | 05-Mar-08 at 11:26 am | Permalink
I assume that sending Detwiler to minor league camp ends any expectation that he is a candidate to start the season in the Nats pen? Realize that this question may simply state the obvious, but previously Bowden had been emphatic that Detwiler starting the season in the Nats pen was a realistic possibility.
Tom | 05-Mar-08 at 11:30 am | Permalink
Pilchard: Did you see JimBo’s lips moving when he said Detwiler had a realistic shot at the ML roster?
Phillip | 05-Mar-08 at 11:35 am | Permalink
Brian,
I’ve asked about Adam before. I think you mentioned he’s our hardest thrower in the system - mid 90s and a slider to boot. I guess my question is how high in the 90s does he get? Does he have another pitch (other than the two mentioned)? I find this guy really intriguing because he was a college fielder/hitter who converted to pitching. Crazy story, hope for a cool ending…
Mama B | 05-Mar-08 at 11:46 am | Permalink
Carr is the real deal. He’s working on a change-up. Fastball is generally 95 mph. Works really hard, and yes, it would be great to see a cool ending here.
Brian Oliver | 05-Mar-08 at 11:49 am | Permalink
Carr is an intriguing guy. Throws gas. But he needs experience as he has realistically only pitched any appreciable time in the Carolina League. I expect him to open 2008 in Harrisburg as their closer (might share some of the opportunities with Zech Zinicola). His greatest challenge is going to be cutting down on those walks. If the reports are to be believed, he’s close. But the results need to be seen on the field.
hartmanbirge | 05-Mar-08 at 10:05 pm | Permalink
Jimbo said that Carr gets it up to 98 mph… My Baseball America Prospect Handbook says 97mph. To me, that’s the kind of guy I want as my closer - lights out. I am assuming that Carr is there for 09 if Cordero gets traded. If the Nats carry 12 pitchers this year as I suspect then that means a bullpen of 7. Cordero, Rauch, Ayala, Rivera, Schroder, King, Colome. Those are the 7 but there is certainly room for a trade. Nice to see Desmond finally developing because Guzman will be gone next year. Lopez will probably test the market.
Mark | 06-Mar-08 at 12:59 am | Permalink
Ian and Adam are up to fill in during the split squad games, Adam is being rewarded for throwing well so far this spring and Ian is also being rewarded for his hustle. This could catapult Adam in front of Zech in the race to be the next Nats’ closer.
Gary | 07-Mar-08 at 11:11 am | Permalink
So now we know Ross Detwiler starts the year in the minors. Now the question: Potomac or Harrisburg??
Looks like we won’t know for a few weeks…
Matt | 08-Mar-08 at 8:33 pm | Permalink
Carr is legit. I’ve seen him deal and absolutely crush the ball since he was 12 years old. Played with him in JUCO and he should be in the big league pen right now. He’s lights out and will only get better control of his slider and his command in general. It’s time he competes at the highest level, because he’s gonna be there for years to come. Get the young guns up here and let them shine. And and wait till he hits, you’ll hear a loud sound that you haven’t heard in long time.