UPDATE (6:30PM): From the Nationals, the GCL Nats clinched with a win today
In today’s division-clinching victory, LHP Graham Hicks, RHP Paul Demny and RHP Frederico Tanco combined to pitch 9.0 scoreless innings, striking out 12 and walking none. The 18 year-old Hicks, who was making his pro debut, allowed one hit and struck out two in 2.0 innings. Hicks was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 Draft. Demny, 19, struck out eight in 6.0 innings of relief. Demny, Washington’s sixth-round selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, is 4-0 with a 2.50 ERA in 11 GCL appearances (six starts) this season. Tanco struck out two in his lone inning of work to notch the save.
Hat tip to J. Cole who pointed out that the GCL Nationals have been tagged as the GCL Eastern Division champions.
The four teams in the GCL playoffs are the Pirates, Nationals, Phillies and Twins (wild card). If the current records hold, I believe the GCL Nationals will face off with the GCL Twins in the first round of the playoffs (basing match-ups on records).
With this, the Nationals organization has three of their affiliates in the post-season. The Potomac Nationals clinched the first half of the Carolina League (and are on their way to the second half as well) while the DSL Nationals1 return to the playoffs to defend their 2007 title.
There could be a fourth as the Harrisburg Senators are battling for a wild card spot in the Eastern League (five games behind Akron with seven games to play).
JMUNats | 26-Aug-08 at 3:27 pm | Permalink
That is awesome news. As a side note, do you know why the Eastern League insists on using its own website? The site is horrible and much less informative in comparison to the milb.com site.
Nate | 26-Aug-08 at 4:11 pm | Permalink
Only 3 playoff-bound affiliates? Fire Bowden!
A DC Wonk | 26-Aug-08 at 4:18 pm | Permalink
Question:
How many Nats affiliates have qualified for the playoffs in each of the last couple of years?
Cole | 26-Aug-08 at 4:41 pm | Permalink
It may be that losing out on Strasburg wouldn’t be quite as bad as we might have been led to believe. Here’s what BA’s Jim Callis had to say about Grant Green yesterday:
Green is clearly the top shortstop for the 2009 draft at this point, and he’s the top overall position prospect as well. He was an easy choice for the No. 1 prospect in the Cape this summer. One scouting director I spoke to said he embodied the best of Troy Tulowitzki and Evan Longoria, and others compared his bat to Longoria’s, high praise indeed. Though he’s 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Green should be able to stay at shortstop.
j | 26-Aug-08 at 5:05 pm | Permalink
Cole
So the Nats have to finish in the top 2. Either Strausburg or Green would go a long way towards helping with the rebuilding process.
J. Cole | 26-Aug-08 at 5:11 pm | Permalink
A DC Wonk - ZERO!!!!!
Ronny | 26-Aug-08 at 5:30 pm | Permalink
Could you imagine Grant Green and Zimmerman together? WOW!!!
Ric | 26-Aug-08 at 5:44 pm | Permalink
J. Cole - pretty sure that the DSL teams have qualified in previous years, but I think you are right about the US based teams.
J. Cole | 26-Aug-08 at 5:48 pm | Permalink
Yeah, for the US teams it’s zero. When Potomac won the first-half title the article on milb.com said they were the first Nationals affiliate to make the playoffs ever (meaning since they became the Nationals and not the Expos).
Tom | 26-Aug-08 at 5:58 pm | Permalink
Brian, When does Potomac’s roster get locked in for the play-offs?
John O. | 26-Aug-08 at 7:57 pm | Permalink
Nice pro debut for Hicks.
Nats fan in NJ | 26-Aug-08 at 9:44 pm | Permalink
Have to say, I’d rather have a young stud middle infielder than an arm. If Grant is that good, I’d take him over Strausburg. And I’m still hoping that Crow’s arm falls off in the independant league. Sorry, I know that was mean, but young, arrogant, greedy players and their greedy agents annoy me!!
Andrew S. | 26-Aug-08 at 11:24 pm | Permalink
Elite Pitcher, one not seen since Prior (better than Price) > Middle infielder.
Nate | 27-Aug-08 at 12:37 am | Permalink
The second coming of Mark Prior? Sign me up!