Tuesday’s game between Columbus and Indianapolis was suspended by rain in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Clippers leading 2-0. The game will be resumed this afternoon (1PM). Tuesday’s game will be completed with nine innings followed by the regularly scheduled game which will be seven innings.
Record: Columbus 51-39, 1st place IL West (1.5 games ahead)
Today: Game two will feature RHP Dennis Tankersley (2-2, 4.62) at Indianapolis RHP Mike Thompson (1-1, 3.86) 1:00PM
Harrisburg lost to New Britain 4-2 (box/gamer/blog). 27-year old RHP Bobby Brownlie made another solid start for the Senators, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts. 26-year old Beltran Perez took the loss allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over only two innings of work, striking out four. 22-year old RF Edgardo Baez was 2/4 with his first home run for Harrisburg, a solo shot. 24-year old LF Leonard Davis was 2/4 with a double and is now batting 0.444 for Harrisburg. Notes: There was a question about the health of Justin Maxwell and Cory VanAllen, I’ve asked the question and will let you know what I find out.
Record: Harrisburg 49-40, 3rd place EL South (7GB)
Tonight: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (3-2, 4.12) versus New Britain RHP Jeff Manship (1-2, 3.91) 6:35PM
Potomac did not play on Tuesday.
Record: Potomac 11-7, tied for 1st place Carolina North (4 games ahead)
Tonight: LHP Ross Detwiler (5-5, 5.87) at Wilmington RHP Matthew Kniginyzky (4-7, 3.90) 1:00PM
Hagerstown split a doubleheader with Asheville, winning game one 5-1 (box) and losing game two 2-0 (box). In the first game, 22-year old RHP Brad Meyers picked up his fifth win giving up only one run on four hits and two walks over six innings, while striking out six. Since the Sally All-Star break, Meyers is 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA and a 0.242 BA against. 25-year old LF Boomer Whiting was 1/3 with a walk, run and two stolen bases (a team leading 33 on the season). 19-year old RF Michael Burgess was 1/2 with a walk and a solo homer (his team leading 16th). 22-year old CF Mark Gildea was 2/3 with a two-run home run. 25-year old 1B Tim Pahuta was 1/4 with a double and RBI. Pahuta has 10RBI in his last 10 games.
In the second game, the Suns managed only two singles, one by Burgess and one by 23-year old LF Garrett Bass. 22-year old RHP Terrence Engles was charged with the loss allowing two runs on three hits over four innings while striking out three.
Record: Hagerstown 10-9, 3rd place Sally North (4GB)
Tonight: RHP Erik Arnesen (6-2, 4.04) versus Asheville RHP Cory Riordan (6-7, 3.47) at 7:05PM
Vermont did not play on Tuesday.
Record: Vermont 12-9, 1st place NYP Stedler (1 game ahead)
Tonight: RHP P.J. Dean (2-0, 0.50) at Mahoning Valley LHP Eric Berger (0-0, 0.00) 7:05PM
The GCL Nationals lost to the GCL Mets 8-5 on Monday (box) but then defeated the GCL Marlins 6-5 on Tuesday (box).
On Monday, 20-year old CF Chris Curran was 4/4 with one, RBI, two runs and his eighth stolen base of the season. 18-year old SS Smiley Gonzalez was 1/3 with a double and two RBI. 21-year old 2B Francisco Soriano was 0/1 with two walks and two runs scored. 19-year old RHP Marcos Frias took the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits over three innings with three strikeouts.
On Tuesday, 19-year old LHP Jack McGeary picked up his first professional win, giving up four runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk over five innings pitched while striking out five. Newly signed 23-year old RHP Danny Gil pitched two shutout innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out three. 21-year old RHP Damian Silva pitched the final inning striking out one. Gonzalez was 4/5 with a double, run two stolen bases & two RBI. He is now hitting 412/464/588 with 16RBI in 13 GCL games. 22-year old 1B J.P. Padron was 1/4 with a double, run & RBI. 19-year old 2B Steve Lombardozzi was 3/4 with one RBI.
Record: GCL Nationals 7-8, tied for 2nd place GCL East (5.5GB)
Today: The GCL Nationals do not play today.
The DSL Nationals1 defeated the DSL Tigers 11-7 (box).20-year old LHP Roberto Herrera started for the Nats1, surrendering two runs on three hits and one walk over three innings of work, while striking out four. 20-year old RHP Antonio Guzman pitched the next 2 2/3 innings scattering five hits while striking out a pair. 21-year old RHP Ruben De La Rosa blew the save, allowing an unearned run on one hit and one walk over 1 2/3IP but picked up the win when the Nats1 retook the lead. 17-year old 2B Adrian Sancez was 5/6 with a triple, RBI & two runs scored. 18-year old Eury Perez was 1/4 witha run & his 16th stolen base of the season (in 32 games). 20-year old 3B Starlin Cespedes was 3/6 with two doubles, two runs scored, one stolen base & three RBI. 19-year old RF Angelberth Montilla was 3/6 with a double, run, RBI & stolen base.
The DSL Nationals2 defeated the DSL Padres 6-2 (box). 20-year old RHP Luis Ortega moved to 2-1 on the season with six shutout innings, allowing only five hits while striking out six. 20-year old RHP Rafael Castillo picked up his second save with 2 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit, two walks and two strikeouts. 20-year old 3B Earving Fernandez was 2/5 with one run. 20-year old DH Braulio Garcia was 2/5 with a double, run and two RBI. And, 18-year old Luis Castillo was 2/5 with one run.
Record: DSL Nats1 29-4, 1st place DSL S.D. West (13 games ahead); DSL Nats2 11-22, 3rd place DSL S.D> West (18GB)
Today: DSL Nats1 versus DSL Padres; DSL Nats2 versus DSL Tigers; both games at 10:30AM
2008 draft news:
- 3rd round draft pick Danny Espinosa … Danny Espinosa (Nationals) and Andrew Liebel (Blue Jays) remain unsigned after being high draft picks in the June draft. Money, naturally, is the issue. Espinosa could return to play in 2009 but that’s unlikely. Weaver waited almost a full year before signing, and they share the same agent, Scott Boras.
- 11th round draft pick Marcus Jones … Former Landon and current North Carolina State outfielder Marcus Jones said Saturday night that although Washington Nationals officials are saying the right things, a deal to play with his hometown club has not been reached because the two sides have not been able to agree on monetary terms. Although he did not specify the amounts discussed, Jones, selected by the Nationals in the 11th round, did say this: ‘‘As much as they say they want me in their organization, we’re still talking about a few numbers on a piece of paper. It is frustrating but it’s one of those things that has to work itself out. We’re still talking.” Jones, a native of Washington, D.C., is not standing idle during the negotiating process as he recently committed to play for the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He joined the squad last week. ‘‘I’m just trying to stay fresh and play somewhere,” Jones said. ‘‘The deadline [to sign] is Aug. 15 so I’ll have to make a move by then. We’ll see what happens. If I don’t end up signing I can go up to school and get my diploma [and finish his final year of college eligibility].”
Andrew F | 09-Jul-08 at 8:29 am | Permalink
Smiley!
Ronny | 09-Jul-08 at 9:11 am | Permalink
I think in the next two years Smiley Gonzalez will be the best prospect in our farm system. And that’s saying a lot when you got guys like Burgess and Marrero there. It looks like money well spent on this kid.
Chris | 09-Jul-08 at 9:15 am | Permalink
Please promote Smiley before july 22nd
SlowPitch63 | 09-Jul-08 at 9:20 am | Permalink
As always, thank your for your hard work. Based mainly on your comments with a sprinkling from other sources I would prioritize the remaining draft picks much differently than their round selected.
For your comments and criticizm and just for fun my priority, not probability, would be:
Crow, Hood, Nieto, Ramirez, Hicks, Coleman, Silverstein,
Jones, Espinoza, Mizzoni
Any thoughts from you or your very knowlwedgable posters?
Let’s play two!
JD | 09-Jul-08 at 9:22 am | Permalink
I wonder if they are holding the Vermont SS spot for Espinoza once/if he signs. I doubt they would want both at Vermont at the same time. I also doubt they would want to move Smiley up only to drop him back down once Espinoza signs. If Espinoza doesn’t sign by the 15th they Smiley gets promoted.
Just a guess.
Andrew | 09-Jul-08 at 9:29 am | Permalink
Ronny, let’s not get carried away. Smiley has definitely been a pleasant surprise this year, and ha shown form that gives me hope that he can be a big league starter down the road. BUT, he hasn’t done enough to pass someone like Burgess or Marrero.
Marc | 09-Jul-08 at 9:30 am | Permalink
Would Vermont be a promotion for Smiley, or a lateral move? I always get confused over the GCL and the NYPL. He’s so young, though, I think I’d let him finish out at the GCL and then put him in a good winter league somewhere - maybe even challenge him with the Arizona league
A 1.053 OPS is something, though - 50 ABs is a small sample, but I think I’m most surprised by the power - I had thought of him as a more stereotypical slap-hitting Dominican shortstop. The .124 ISO SLG is interesting and hopeful, considering he’s 18, and likely still got some projectability.
Tofu Dog | 09-Jul-08 at 9:30 am | Permalink
Stole two bases on Skipworth in one game.
Brian Oliver | 09-Jul-08 at 9:38 am | Permalink
My priority for the remaining unsigned are: Crow, Hood, Espinosa, Hicks, Nieto, Jones, Coleman, Ramirez, and Akins all need to be signed. That gets the Nationals every one of their top 20 picks under contract. I don’t necessarily have an order there, I would like to see all of them signed. The toughest of those nine is going to Ramirez (and the most likely not to sign IMO).
After that, any of the others are gravy.
Brian Oliver | 09-Jul-08 at 9:40 am | Permalink
Marc - He would be facing more experienced and ostensibly “better” talent in the NY/Penn League. The biggest change is leaving the more controlled environment of complex-based baseball and getting into more travelling and more traditional minor league baseball (long bus rides, etc)
nationals fan | 09-Jul-08 at 9:45 am | Permalink
Gulf Coast League is full of High School kids and youngsters from all over…NY Penn League is full of College guys and players who have proven themselves in the GCL…the NYPenn League is a relatively big step up from the GCL…definitely not a lateral transfer!
Ronny | 09-Jul-08 at 9:50 am | Permalink
Andrew- I know he hasn’t done enough to be better than those other two YET, that’s why I said in about another year or 2 he could be and should be our top guy giving his potential. It wouldn’t surprise me.
Suns Fan | 09-Jul-08 at 10:01 am | Permalink
Connor Graham had absolutely lights out stuff for Ashville last night. The two hits he allowed were both bloop singles. Very easily could’ve been a no-hitter.
The Suns threatened in the ninth after King and Burgess drew walks to lead off the inning. Sean Rooney laid down a perfect bunt. But the Suns couldn’t score.
King was especially impressive last night. He had a couple calls not go his way, but he went back to work and got things done. He played short stop in the second game, and made some outstanding plays. I have to eat my previous words on King: he’s been very impressive in Hagerstown this year. He has future major leaguer written all over him if he keeps it up. (Always an if though I suppose).
Burgess’ home run was to left field. It’s really hard to hit it out to left in Municipal Stadium. Reese fouled off 20 pitches on the evening, and drew a standing ovation after drawing a walk. Gildea had a really good game as well. He made a spectacular catch to end the first game.
Engles pitched well in the second game, as did Lehman. But Graham was unhittable.
JayB | 09-Jul-08 at 10:16 am | Permalink
Brian,
You made a great point about Crow and college pitchers not needing more innings at this point in a year thus we are not really wasting a year of development but what about an 11th round OF pick. Jones is willing to play in Cape Code league to keep sharp but Nats are not willing to pay for an 11th round pick? Nats need to get to work. They are not dealing from a position of strength with the fan base and what amount of cash could they be saving here. How much heat could Bud S. and the MLB office given them based on the TV numbers they are having to digest?
Suns Fan | 09-Jul-08 at 10:16 am | Permalink
Err the Suns threatened in the seventh!
Sec 204 Row K Seat 1 | 09-Jul-08 at 10:39 am | Permalink
Re: Justin Maxwell; Someone on NJ said he was out for season.
Re: Smiley;
As he is still very young, let him finish GCL and than Winter Ball somewhere as others have suggested. But the power he as displayed this season, oh my–shades of Cal!!
Marc | 09-Jul-08 at 11:27 am | Permalink
JayB,
I’m always a little hesitant to throw “cheap” flags around when it comes to signing draft picks until a little more detail comes to light about what they want. If the 11th round pick wants 1st round money, that’s not being cheap to refuse that….if the 11th round pick wants 9th round money - well, then pay the man and get him in camp.
Brian Oliver | 09-Jul-08 at 11:39 am | Permalink
The problem with all of these negotiations is we will never know all of the details. Did the Nationals know what kind of bonus the player wanted before drafting him and still select him knowing they would not pay it, hoping to get him cheaper? Did the player suggest a dollar figure and then change his mind once he saw what comparable players were offered? What is a reasonable difference for the Nationals to ‘just get it done’? 10% more than they value a player? 20% more? there is no limit? Are teams willing to establish a precedent where they give in to all their draft picks demands?
There are just way too many unknown unknowns in this process.
The Nationals did an admirable job getting things done in the draft last year, so that’s a glass half-full towards looking at the process in 2008.
But in the end, I’m holding off judgement until August 15. I know there is opportunity lost in these delays, but the negotiations are two-way streets and if I’m going to fault the Nats for not getting a player signed early and losing a year of development. I’m also going to fault the player for not signing and delaying his development.
Ric | 09-Jul-08 at 11:46 am | Permalink
I have seen reports in local Louisiana media that Coleman is very likely to return to LSU for his senior season. The thought is that he turned the corner this year and might improve his standing, plus LSU is expected to have a good team/CWS prospects next year and he was picked low enough that he won’t hurt himself by staying an extra year.
I’ve seen nothing on Ramirez or Akins, so I presume they are not signing. Ramirez was known to be unlikely (strong college commitment); Akins has top tools and probably views himself as worth a bonus in the top few rounds.
Andrew S | 09-Jul-08 at 11:51 am | Permalink
This is either Mike Rizzo’s first or second time in charge of dealing with signing the draft picks. Anyway, with a GM job somewhere in his future I bet he is trying to sign each pick for the absolute bare minimum and what’s taking so long is trying to figure out where everyone’s minimum rests. Hope that makes sense.
JayB | 09-Jul-08 at 12:00 pm | Permalink
I agree that both sides are playing a game of Lose, Lose, instead of win, win……I would say given the weak position the Nats are in that they should offer 20% above without any delay. If that is not taken by the player then they did a bad job in pre draft leg work and they should at least go public with the information that about who is at fault for the delay.
Yes sometime in the future they will be in a better situation and able to set a new direction in negotiations, that is a winning organization that can play hard ball with bonus money….but not now….just short sighted thinking that continues drag down the team in Fans eyes….over what $1 Million tops over 20 picks…..That is Johnny Estrada cash they wasted completely. I also understand you feel they have two budgets one MLB and on Minor League and I trust you are correct, but this is just bean counting…..move the money around.
Ronny | 09-Jul-08 at 12:03 pm | Permalink
? Could somebody tell me where was CC Sabathia drafted?
Andrew S | 09-Jul-08 at 12:08 pm | Permalink
1998 20th overall pick by Cleveland.
Ronny | 09-Jul-08 at 12:14 pm | Permalink
Thanks Andrew S, so he was a 1st rounder. I thought maybe he was one of those later round picks that surprised some people.
Marc | 09-Jul-08 at 12:18 pm | Permalink
JayB, the crux of it is that you don’t know (and I don’t know, and even Brian doesn’t know, and if Brian doesn’t know, then NOBODY knows) that the Nats aren’t doing exactly what you proposed, only to have the player refuse.
I also think there’s a certain management aspect to this. The day after the draft there are 50 negotiations to be conducted by Nats management, one for every player they drafted. Ultimately, all those decisions and negotiations have to run through a finite number of people, and each negotiation has its own rhythm and nuance, so there almost has to be a triage process where the Nats say “Ok, these are the 15 or so guys who are likely to sign quickly, let’s focus on this batch first. These are the 15 who are going to be tough, let’s make them an initial offer, and see what comes from that…” It’s obvious that with their 1-5 round picks all still unsigned, Mr. Round 11 probably isn’t yet getting Rizzo or Bowden’s full attention yet, so decisions like “let’s go 20% over slot” probably haven’t really been made yet. But all of this is internal sausage-making, and just adds to Brian’s list of unknown unknowns.
JayB | 09-Jul-08 at 12:29 pm | Permalink
Fair enough, you are correct I do not know the details of it but i can see that other teams are making much more progress with the same process…..Interestingly they are teams line the Marlins that are also much more successful on the MLB field.
JD | 09-Jul-08 at 12:29 pm | Permalink
The only thing we do know is that the team with the worst record in the Majors is the ONLY team that hasn’t signed one of its top 5 draft choices and only 1 other has signed fewer than 2 (SF).
Ric | 09-Jul-08 at 12:36 pm | Permalink
Coleman link — I recall seeing another, but can’t seem to find it now. This report is not definitive, but it sounds like he’s not likely to sign.
http://www.lsubeat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/SPORTS0202/306260002
Wally | 09-Jul-08 at 2:40 pm | Permalink
Relatively speaking, how do the ages of the Nats minor leaguers compare to their competition? The overall record of the Nats minor leagues is excellent, but is it with players ‘old’ for their league or with prospects appropriately aged for their level?
Marcus | 09-Jul-08 at 2:56 pm | Permalink
Sickels is doing an update on Burgess sometime today just letting yall know so yall can be on the look out.
Brian Oliver | 09-Jul-08 at 2:58 pm | Permalink
Wally - It’s a mixed bag. This is the general rule of thumb I use when defining a prospect
Ages/Level … roughly a player is considered a prospect if he is the following age at a level:
Drafted out of college
AAA: 23-24 years old
AA: 22-23
High A: 21-22
Low A: 20-21
Drafted out of high school
AAA: 22-24
AA: 20-23
High A: 19-21
Low A: 18-20
You can fudge around the margins on those ranges.
The Short Season leagues (NY/Penn and GCL) are primarily used for the new draft picks and international signings.
This year in Vermont, you’ll find the some of the high schoolers drafted in 2006 and many of the ones drafted in 2007. If a 2007 high schooler is beyond Vermont at this point, he is a premium guy (like Michael Burgess). Along with those high schoolers, you’ll find the college guys drafted in 2008. Additionally, international players older than 20 start to pop up here.
This year in the GCL, you’ll find many of the international players in their first year in the US along with high schoolers & JuCo/CC guys drafted in 2008. Along with a smattering of injury rehabbing guys
Dick | 09-Jul-08 at 3:07 pm | Permalink
JD: How many teams have gone over slot to sign a top 5 guy? I only see one, Avery with the O’s and maybe the Braves gave Spruill enough extra to buy a nice truck.
If our picks want more than slot, it is WAY too early to budge. Can’t see Hood having any better option than signing for $765,000 slot money when all is said and done. Boras won’t let Espinosa sign before 11:30 pm on August 15 on general principles, based on past experience.
As usual, it is too soon for self-flagellation in early July on signings.
Brian Oliver | 09-Jul-08 at 3:17 pm | Permalink
PGCC Draft bonuses (for the first 10 rounds of the 2008 draft)