Columbus lost their series opener against Norfolk 8-6 (box/gamer). 24-year old RHP Craig Stammen took the loss allowing seven runs on ten hits and two walks over 4 1/3IP. 26-year old DH Luis Jimenez was 3/5 with a double, RBI & two runs scored. 27-year old 1B Larry Broadway was 2/4 with a rn & RBI. 28-year old CA David Wallace was 1/4 with a two-run home run. 27-year old SS Rey Olmedo was 3/4 with a double.
Record: Columbus 60-55, 3rd place IL West (8GB)
Tonight: RHP Garrett Mock (6-3, 3.05) versus Norfolk LHP Chris Waters (3-6, 5.70), 7:05PM
Harrisburg saw a return to the mound from 23-year old LHP Cory VanAllen and got seven combined RBI from 27-year old 2B Seth Bynum and 22-year old SS Ian Desmond, holding on for an 8-7 win over Erie (box/gamer). VanAllen returned from the DL (RHP Zack Segovia was inactivated) and surrendered five runs on nine hits over 5IP with three strikeouts. 24-year old RHP Carlos Martinez picked up the win in relief, holding Erie to no uns on one hit over 2IP. 24-year old RHP Adam Carr picked up the save despite allowing a two-run homer in the ninth. It was Carr’s 10th save for Harrisburg. Bynum was 3/4 with a double, homer, run & four RBI while Desmond was 4/4 with a walk, double, homer, run & three RBI. 24-year old LF Marvin Lowrance was 3/5 with two doubles & two runs scored; 23-year old 1B Bill Rhinehart was 2/4; and 26-year old CA Devin Ivany was 2/3 with a run scored.
Record: Harrisburg 64-51, 3rd place EL South (4.5GB)
Tonight: RHP Bobby Brownlie (8-1, 3.38) at Erie LHP Luke French (5-11, 4.22), 7:05PM
Potomac battered Lynchburg for sixteen hits in a 13-7 win over Lynchburg (box/gamer). The #1 through 4 hitters for the P-Nats were a combined 11/19 with five doubles, nine runs & nine RBI. 25-year old 2B Michael Martinez extended his hitting streak to 13 games, going 3/4 with a double, two walks, two RBI & three runs. 23-year old SS Dan Lyons was 3/6 with two doubles, one RBI & three runs. 24-year old 1B Andrew Lefave was 3/4 with two walks, a run & three RBI. And, 25-year old LF Dee Brown was 2/5 with two doubles, two runs & three RBI. Adding to the Potomac onslaught was two RBI from 23-year old RF Aaron Seuss and two doubles & a run scored from 22-year old CA Jhonathan Solano. 23-year old RHP Hassan Pena started for Potomac, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks over 4 1/3IP. 24-year old RHP Josh Wilkie picked up the win in relief, with his 1 2/3 shutout innings, striking out two.
Record: Potomac 25-18, 1st place Carolina North (6 games ahead)
Tonight: RHP Jeff Mandel (4-3, 4.13) at Lynchburg RHP Jared Hughes (3-9, 4.60), 7:05PM
Hagerstown got strong pitching from 22-year old RHP Bradley Meyers as the Suns defeated Kannapolis 4-1 (box/gamer). Meyers scattered ten hits over 6IP allowing only one run while striking out seven. 23-year old RHP Dan Leatherman picked up the three-inning save, holding the Intimidators scoreless and hitless while striking out a pair. 22-year old CF Mark Gildea was 1/3 with a two-run home. 22-year old SS Jose Lozada was 2/4 with two doubles and a run scored. 20-year old 3B Stephen King was 2/4.
Record: Hagerstown 20-24, 4th place Sally North (10GB)
Tonight: RHP Terrence Engles (3-3, 5.06) at Kannapolis RHP Jason Rice (6-7, 4.69), 7:05PM
Vermont was swept by Lowell with a 3-2 loss on Monday, their seventh straight and twelfth out of their last thirteen (box/gamer). 23-year old LF Jake Dugger and 21-year old CF Michael Guerrero were both 2/4 with a double; Dugger scored a run while Guerrero drove one in. 19-year old RGP P.J. Dean started for the Monsters, allowing only one run on five hits and one walk over 4IP with four strikeouts.
Record: Vermont 19-26, tied for 3rd place NYP Stedler (6GB)
Tonight: No game scheduled
GCL Nationals rode strong pitching from 19-year old RHP Paul Demny to a 5-3 win over the GCL Cardinals (box). Demny helded the Dodgers scoreless over his five innings of work, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out four. 20-year old CF Chris Curran was 2/4 with a walk, triple, RBI & two runs scored. 19-year old SS Smiley Gonzalez was 2/5 with a double. 19-year old DH Steve Lombardozzi was 2/4 with a run scored. And, 20-year old RF Chris Blackwood was 1/4 with one run & one RBI.
Record: GCL Nationals 23-14, 1st place GCL East (1 game ahead)
Today: LHP Jack McGeary (0-1, 5.25) versus GCL Dodgers, 12:00PM
DSL Nationals1 blanked their Nationals2 counterparts 9-0 (box). 24-year old LHP Osvaldo Rodriguez moved to 11-0 on the season with six innings allowing three hits and one walk while striking out six. 18-year old RHP Joaquin Santamaria picked up the three-inning save with three shutout innings allowing only one hit while striking out five. 20-year old LHP Francisco Vizcaino took the loss allowing seven runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks over 4IP while striking out five. 21-year old CA Yan Carlos Hiciano was 1/3 with a double, run & three RBI. 19-year old RF Angelberth Montilla was 1/4 with a walk, two runs & two stolen bases. 21-year old LF Samuel Gomez was 3/4 with a run. 19-year old LF Juan Urdaneta was 2/3 for the Nats2
Record: DSL Nationals1 44-10, 1st places DSL S.D. West; DSL Nationals2 22-33, 3rd place DSL S.D. West (22.5GB)
Today: DSL Nationals1 at DSL Tigers; DSL Nationals2 at DSL Padres; both games at 10:30AM
Chris | 05-Aug-08 at 8:26 am | Permalink
Great starts from Demny, Dean and Meyers
Why is Meyers still in Hagerstown (6 ER in his last 35inn)?
Brian Oliver | 05-Aug-08 at 8:36 am | Permalink
Chris - Very good question re: Meyers. I’d hope he gets promoted in time to help the P-Nats in the playoffs.
Kyle | 05-Aug-08 at 9:40 am | Permalink
And, hopefully P.J. Dean would fill the open spot in the Suns rotation if Meyers was promoted — 2 ER in 31 innings.
Chris | 05-Aug-08 at 9:40 am | Permalink
Yeah, especially since he finished last year at Potomac
Positively Half St | 05-Aug-08 at 9:41 am | Permalink
It looks like Little Papi is playing well in Columbus, with a high BA and some power. Of course, it doesn’t seem a good sign for any minor leaguer to be playing DH. Jimenez has had a good year overall, including at Harrisburg.
He is 26, and hasn’t tasted the bigs yet, as best as I can tell. What is his value to the organization after a good year?
Mark | 05-Aug-08 at 10:25 am | Permalink
PHS - I suspect that Jimenez is at best a AAAA player who would have spot duty on an MLB roster. He’s a quality organizational player so far, and may deserve a shot at some playing time, but again, I think he really doesn’t have MLB type stuff. Just a hunch…
Andrew S. | 05-Aug-08 at 12:32 pm | Permalink
If the PNats can get Crow, Meyers, Detwiler, Pena, and Mandel down the stretch I’d like their chances to win it all. All are young too which is a positive.
Offense/offensive | 05-Aug-08 at 2:00 pm | Permalink
Has there been any news re: signing any of the currently unsigned draft picks? The only thing that I’ve seen was Bowden discussing the lack of progress with Crow last week.
Brian Oliver | 05-Aug-08 at 2:42 pm | Permalink
O/o - Nothing new to report today. My guess is, at this point, we won’t hear anything until next week
Nick | 05-Aug-08 at 2:51 pm | Permalink
Hi Brian. I just read that the Yankess have placed some employees on leave due to the latin america bonus investigation. Boston is another one - they actually fired one of their scouts. Have the Nats done anything of such?
Brian Oliver | 05-Aug-08 at 3:01 pm | Permalink
Nick - Nothing that I have read, heard or been told
Offense/offensive | 05-Aug-08 at 3:10 pm | Permalink
Who are the prospects that are most likely to help the big league club within the next 2 years? It doesn’t seem like there are too many prospects that are knocking on the door right now. Absent some free agent signings, the Nats are going to need to fill 1b, RF (or LF, if they move Dukes to RF after next year), and a couple of rotation spots along with a few spots in the bullpen. Setting aside relievers for this discussion, who in the minors is most likely to get a shot?
Offense/offensive | 05-Aug-08 at 3:13 pm | Permalink
And Brian, thanks for all the great work you do here. The big board, draft track, and really everything on this site are outstanding.
Brian Oliver | 05-Aug-08 at 3:18 pm | Permalink
O/o - There are not many everyday players on the horizon. Maybe Maxwell, but his health still has to be a concern. Most of the hitters in Columbus or Harrisburg are better served as role players or bench guys.
From Columbus … Montz, Bernadina, and Davis are not full-time starters
From Harrisburg … Rhinehart, Desmond, Lowrance, and Daniel are in the same boat
The closest thing to an everyday starter is realistically Chris Marrero and even he has questions and is likely a longer term option … 2010 or later.
Andrew S. | 05-Aug-08 at 3:28 pm | Permalink
The 2 years part hurts, because beyond 2 years there is a lot more to look forward to.
expo_ram | 05-Aug-08 at 3:50 pm | Permalink
Brian, your comments on every-day starters surprises me a bit. I agree with your take on Maxwell, but I think Desmond, Daniel, and maybe Montz, Bernadina, and Rhinehart could be every day big leaguers. Granted, not for playoff teams, but enough to at least be trade bait…
Brian Oliver | 05-Aug-08 at 3:53 pm | Permalink
expo_ram - Within the next two years? I don’t necessarily believe any of those guys are everyday starters in 2009 or 2010. Can they be on the 25-man? Absolutely. But not as guys who will play 120+ games in either of the next two seasons.
A DC Wonk | 05-Aug-08 at 4:28 pm | Permalink
I don’t see that. A player (like, say, Rhinehart!) who does well in AA the rest of this year, and if he does well in AAA next year, could be in the bigs in 2010.
stats freak | 05-Aug-08 at 4:41 pm | Permalink
I don’t think Brian is saying they couldn’t get to the big leagues, I think he’s saying they aren’t going to be everyday players.
Brian delves into all the information, talks to people in the business, and has his own opinions. I trust him.
Instead of hoping/thinking with your heart just look at what different guys are really doing. Look at the trends. Look at how they stack up or put the ball in play. Don’t just simply say this guy is hitting X so that means he’s ready.
And there is a heck of a lot more to it than offensive numbers anyway, in the Nat’l League, defense is required of every player.
I happen to agree with Brian on all the players except Bernadina. He’s a guy that has all the tools and all of the abilities. He did well last year and this year in AA, he’s killing AAA now, and he’ll get another shot in the big leagues.
Based upon reading, watching, listening… he’s the best outfield prospect above Hagerstown in the Nats organization. He can run, throw, hit, hit for some pop, and play D.
Rocket Surgeon | 05-Aug-08 at 5:07 pm | Permalink
While it might hurt to hear it, I think Brian has got it right about the level of talent in the Nats system. I think a great example is the Rays. Consider how long and how many overall #1 draft choices it took for the Rays to finally compete effectively. The reality is that it takes great (not just good) judgement of talent (in trades, drafts, and FA’s), consistent player development, money, and a dose of luck to build a competitive team at the MLB level. The fact is that the Nats have not had enough of any of these for a sufficient length of time to build up their player pipeline. My observation is that success starts in the Majors with the General Manager (Red Sox, Rays, DB’s, Cardinals, Angels, Cubs). They blend internal player development with smart acquistions to construct a team that can compete. I don’t think Jim Bowden is that guy. Look at his track record. I believe the Nats need to find a young, aggressive GM to lead the rebuilding. That’s the first step.
expo_ram | 05-Aug-08 at 5:33 pm | Permalink
If the criteria is for the Nats within 2 years, then I totally agree - I only see a healthy Maxwell (if one exists) breaking into the lineup since we are already pretty much committed at every other position. However, I think all of the ones listed would project to not be the worst at their positions if starting in the NL in 2 years….
expo_ram | 05-Aug-08 at 5:36 pm | Permalink
Rocket - agree whole-heartedly. I think Bowden is a lame duck for those reasons. Seems over the last couple of years, there hasn’t been a stud GM available to slide into the spot long term for us, so why not stick with Jimbo while the MLB club doesn’t really matter yet. Maybe I’m alone in this thinking, but I Cashman would bring our org instant cred and I think his contract runs out this year with the Yanks?
Berndaddy | 05-Aug-08 at 5:43 pm | Permalink
Brian
I read here before that Brian Cashman is from the DC area. Hypothetically would it be possible to get someone like him and is he the type of GM DC needs.
Straight up what’s the quality you’d look for in a GM. Brian you’re the president of baseball operations for a day. Do it my brother.
Berndaddy | 05-Aug-08 at 5:45 pm | Permalink
Expo-ram we must have posted at the same time. Like mind, eh…
Other Marc with a C | 05-Aug-08 at 5:50 pm | Permalink
I don’t know that I consider Cashman in that “stud” category. Even the fans the most critical of the Lerners cannot expect them to have the same checkbook as the Yankees and Cashman has never been tested on ANY kind of budget. He has never worked in an organization that had a real budget of any kind.
Besides, I thought Kasten was supposed to bring us instant cred.
Personally I am ready for Bowden to go because of, among other things, his mouth. I don’t think he has ever had a real shot here, because either MLB gave him NO budget, or the Lerners/Kasten gave him no budget for the Major League team. I think that his trades over the last year have been scrutinized and that he has had less latitude then previously.
If the picks don’t get signed that is on Kasten, not Bowden - but the time has come for a GM that works with Kasten, Rizzo, Brown, and not on his on island.
Rocket Surgeon | 05-Aug-08 at 6:05 pm | Permalink
It’s hard to tell how talented someone is when they are working with a $209 million payroll (the Yankees are paying the Giambino $23 million this year). I think the Nats need a GM with a player development background.
Andrew S. | 05-Aug-08 at 6:51 pm | Permalink
I don’t understand the theory of “he hasn’t had an above average budget, therefore we can’t tell if he is a good General Manager.” coming from the Bowden supporters camp. That is when the good GMs (Beinfest/Hill, Byrnes, Smith, Beane, Schuerholz/Wren) get seperated from the bad (Bowden, Sabean, Ricciardi, Colletii).
EdDC | 05-Aug-08 at 7:15 pm | Permalink
If you say, you can sign a couple players, but sign them for one year only and for no more than $5 million or so. And you say, go get some good players in a trade, but don’t get me somebody who has a long term mega-buck contract, and don’t trade away prospects. And then you say, by the way, you have no one on your team anyone else really wants, but get me some exciting new players anyway. And then you say, stay within slot on your draft picks. Now, all those who want to be the Nats’ GM, take a number, it will take quite a while to interview all of you.
Bowden will probably be gone (that’s the popular guess, anyway). But it is not easy creating a Soriano, Bonifaio, Kearns (who looked superb at the time), Flores, Milledge, Dukes, Redding, etc. out of almost nothing. Bowden seems like an asset, but it looks like he has alienated the fan base, sad to say. Is it fair?
Other Marc with a C | 05-Aug-08 at 8:12 pm | Permalink
I don’t know if it is fair, but I think he has not just alienated the fan base, but also the other GMs and sometimes his own players. I have defended the guy, but I think, fair or not, a new face of the franchise is needed.
Rocket Surgeon | 05-Aug-08 at 9:19 pm | Permalink
EdDC- I think your points are valid but the fact is other teams manage to be competitive with budget limitations. I’m a big believer in developing your own talent. It takes time but it can be done. The Twins manage to do it. They have a program and work it. It may not be fair but who said life’s fair?