Nationals Farm Authority

Minors 2006 (1 of 7) - Dominican Summer League

Minors 2006 (2 of 7) - Gulf Coast League

Minors 2006 (3 of 7) - Vermont

Minors 2006 (4 of 7) - Savannah

Minors 2006 (5 of 7) - Potomac

Minors 2006 (6 of 7) - Harrisburg

Sorry for the delay, work has pushed this final installment down the road a bit. In the final season as the Triple-A affiliate for the Washington Nationals, fans in New Orleans were treated to a revolving door of player moves.  The Nationals used the Zephyrs as a taxi squad compensating for a rash of injuries and poor performances. There were 29 players (12 hitters & 17 pitchers) who played for both the New Orleans Zephyrs and Washington Nationals in 2006. Given the constant state of flux manager Tim Foli was placed in, the overall Zephyrs’ performance was not that unexpected.

Record: The Z’s were the only affiliate to finish with a record above 0.500, though only one game at 72-71.

Statistics: Pitching. Pitching Pitching. That is precisely what carried the Zephyrs in 2006. While playing in one of the stronger pitcher’s parks in a league known primarily for its offense, New Orleans was at or near the top of the list in practically every pitching category. Third in ERA (3.84) and WHIP (1.35), second in Opponents BA against at 0.252, and first in K/9 with 7.9 (while walking only 3.5 batters per 9 … league average). Unfortunately for New Orleans, their hitting failed to live up to even league average (264/334/381 versus 270/341/415).

Offense:

Pitching:

Players: This is going to be a bit different perspective as there were not what one would refer to as prospects in New Orleans, outside of 1B Larry Broadway. The Zephyrs were primarily comprised of 27 year old and older hitters and pitchers who served as replacement for the rash of injuries suffered in Washington.

As mentioned, the only player who would qualify as a prospect was the 25-year old Broadway. In 123 games in New Orleans, Broadway batted 288/353/455. His season was cut short with a shoulder injury. While on the surface Broadway’s numbers look OK, he lacked the extra-base power a team would expect out of a 1B with only 42 extra-base hits in his 128 total. Additionally, he struck out 116 times in 444AB while walking only 45 times. He still has the ability to contribute off of the bench and if he can play a Daryle Ward level of LF, his LH bat would be a welcome addition for the Nationals in 2007.

The only other names of note from New Orleans are, with a few exceptions, guys that Nationals fans had the opportunity to watch fot periods of time in 2006:

• Bernie Castro, a 27-year old 2B, who hit 284/329/347 in 69 games while stealing 22/24 bases. He’s likely a utility IF in 2007 with the likes of Jose Vidro, Cristian Guzman, and Felipe Lopez taking the majority of the playing time.
• Josh Labandeira, 27-year old SS, had a cup of coffee with the Expos in 2004. In 120 games he hit 276/351/352. With the assortment of middle infielders in front of him, his best chances may be elsewhere in 2007.
• Mike Vento, 28-year old OF, earned a brief promotion to Washington while putting up great numbers in New Orleans (341/396/502) in 62 games. An ankle injury suffered after his return to New Orleans in essence ended his season and his tenure with the Nationals. He elected for minor league free agency.
• George Lombard, 31-year old OF, was a September roster call-up after batting 302/392/524 in 62 games for the Zephyrs. He also elected for minor league free agency.
• Brandon Harper, 30-year old CA, was probably the best find from New Orleans in 2006. The RH catcher batted 292/394/425 in 43 games in New Orleans before getting recalled to Washington. He spent the rest of 2006 serving as the backup to Brian Schneider and has a good shot of retaining that spot in 2007.
• Saul Rivera, 28-year old RHRP, was the other find in AAA. He turned 12 solid appearances in New Orleans (28.33IP allowing 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out 28) into a spot in the Washington bullpen … eventually serving as a key contributor for the Nats after the trade of Gary Majewski.
• Anastacio Martinez,27-year old RHSP, was 5-11 in 128.67 innings for the Zephyrs. He finished the season with a 4.48 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 8.0K/9, 4.1BB/9, 0.9HR/9, and a 0.251 Opp BA. He never got the call to Washington and will likely not return to Columbus in 2007.
• Billy Traber, 27-year old LHSP, was 7-7 in 21 starts for New Orleans. in 124.33 innings, he had a 4.05ERA, 1.36WHIP, 7.4K/9, 1.9BB/9, and 0.6HR/9. He made a couple of stops in Washington where he initially started but finsihed the season in the bullpen. I would guess he’s not in the 2007 plans for Washington.
• Steve Watkins, 28-year old RHSP, like Martinez, put up solid enough numbers in AAA (112.33 IP with a 3.85ERA, 1.30WHIP, 6.2K/9, and a 0.246 OppBA) but never was promoted to Washington.

According to the Columbus Dispatch:

The board of directors of the Columbus Clippers will meet this afternoon in the Captain’s Club of Cooper Stadium to approve a working agreement with the Washington Nationals baseball team. Sources said the player development contract, as it is known, is for the next two seasons, per the wishes of the Clippers. The deal includes the Nationals playing a major-league preseason game in Columbus next year.

The Nationals now have agreements with 5/6 minor league affiliates. Only a replacement for the Vermont Lake Monsters is still pending.

While I was on vacation, there were several stories that were released regarding the AAA affiliation status of four teams, the Nationals, Orioles, Yankees, and Mets.

First off, the reports are stating that the Yankees are going to cut their ties with Columbus, OH after a 28-year relationship. The thought is the Yankees are going to make the move to Scranton replacing the Phillies who have already agreed to relocate (along with the Ottawa franchise) to Allentown, PA.

With Columbus open, another report has the Mets decided to end their 37-year relationship with Norfolk to move to Columbus as a likely landing spot.

With Norfolk opening up and the Nationals affiliation with New Orleans expiring, it would seem the door is wide open for the Nationals to move their location not only closer but actually into a market I would imagine the Lerners and Stan Kasten would like to expand into, Southern Virginia. Kasten has been understandably tight-lipped about the process telling Nats.com beat writer Bill Ladson, “I just don’t know that yet; [we] haven’t completed that analysis. I hope to know one way or the other in the next two weeks.”

If the Nationals do move to Norfolk, that leaves New Orleans and Baltimore as the only team/city not paired up. The Virginian Pilot does offer one insight into Baltimore’s chances with Norfolk

The X factor could be Tides president Ken Young’s existing business dealings with the Orioles. Over the summer, Young formed an ownership group that purchased three Orioles farm teams, all in Maryland: the Bowie Baysox, Frederick Keys and Delmarva Shorebirds.

None of this is a certainty by any means. All of the involved cities and teams are quiet while the courting process begins, but the pieces are in place for the Nationals to move their AAA team into their “backyard.”

In other affiliation-related news, the Toronto Blue Jays notified their Appalachian league affiliate Pulaski that they will not be returning in 2007. This presents the Nationals with another opportunity to expand their presence in Virginia by either relocating their Short Season Vermont or GCL team to Pulaski, or adding a seventh farm team by adding Pulaski. One issue with assuming Pulaski as an affiliate is much like the GCL affiliation, the parent organization owns the team rather than agreeing to a lease with an individual or city. This is another opportunity for the Nationals to demonstrate their desire to rebuild the farm from the ground up.

In both cases (AAA relocation and the availability of Pulaski), the Lerners and Stan Kasten have a golden opportunity to make concrete improvements to their organization.

The names of the September call-ups have come out.

The Washington Nationals tomorrow are expected to purchase the contracts of infielder Melvin Dorta, outfielder George Lombard and right-handed pitchers Chris Booker and Brett Campbell from New Orleans of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Right-handed pitcher Beltran Perez is also expected to have his contract purchased from Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Nationals Vice President/General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

As mentioned in this morning’s farm report, RH RP Chris Booker is on his way to Washington. Joining Booker from New Orleans are RH RP Brett Campbell, OF George Lombard, and IF Melvin Dorta. Also, RH RP Beltran Perez from Harrisburg has been tabbed as a September roster call-up.

I’ve previously touched Booker, Lombard, and Dorta as possible call-up options. The trade of Daryle Ward and Marlon Anderson make Lombard’s LH bat more appealing off of the bench. Dorta can fill in as a super sub. And Booker can settle into a middle relief role in a heavily used Nationals bullpen, now down Kevin Gryboski.

Campbell’s selection seems curious given the Nationals’ plan to send him to the Arizona Fall League. GM Jim Bowden had previously stated that top prospect and AFL attendee 3B/OF Kory Casto would not be called up because he was “not a big believer in bringing up a young prospect to sit a month.” Campbell has pitched solidly in 2006, putting himself on the Nationals’ radar. If he is added some time over the next few days, Campbell will join Booker in middle relief.

Speaking of middle relief, the final name is Beltran Perez. Perez has spent the entire season in Harrisburg splitting his time between starting and relieving. He has posted a solid K/BB ratio (107/40) in his 121.2IP in 2006. Perez has bounced around the minor leagues of the DIamondbacks and Dodgers since 1999, never getting above AA. The 24-year old Perez could be called upon to pitch out of either the starting rotation or in long relief.

Full press release follows

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In light of the September 1 roster expansion, the Nationals have moved some players around.  I’ll update this post as I uncover the names.

So far:

From Potomac to Harrisburg: RHPs Shairon Martis & Ricardo Morales and LHP Jon Felfoldi

From Savannah to Potomac: RHP Carlos Martinez

Also, Senators OF Frank Diaz has left the Senators to return to his native Venezuela due to a death in the family.  OF/2B Tim Raines Jr has been sent down from New Orleans to fill Diaz spot.

Frankie Piliere of the always solid Capitol Dugout has a good recap of the status of the Nationals affiliations.

• New Orleans: Concurs with my thoughts that the only options for the Nationals AAA affiliation are Richmond (if the Braves move) or the soon-to-be available Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
• Harrisburg: Agreement through 2010
• Potomac: Agreement expires at end of 2006, but Piliere believes there is little reason to move (as do I).  Though there were some rumblings earlier this summer about Brevard County becoming a Nationals affiliate again
• Savannah: No reason to change affiliation but stranger things have happened
• Vermont: Expires after 2006.  Piliere lists Batavia (Western NY near Rochester) and Jamestown (Southwestern NY near the NW corner of Pennsylvania)

On Friday September 1, major league teams are permitted to expand their rosters from 25 players to any number up to 40. Only players on the 40-man roster are eligible to be recalled, and it’s typically the opportunity for teams to add extra depth to their bench/bullpen or give younger players their first chance in the major leagues. Teams will also activate injured players from the disabled list.

In 2005, the Nationals added five bench players (Ryan Zimmerman, Rick Short, Brandon Watson, Kenny Kelly, and Keith Osik) as well as two arms (Travis Hughes and Darrell Rasner). Activated from the DL were RP Jon Rauch, IF Junior Spivey, and OF Ryan Church.

Here are the candidates for recall in 2006:

DL Players

• Micah Bowie LH RP - Bowie seems like the most likely of all the disabled players to make a September return. In his time with the Nationals, Bowie has provided solid relief from the LH side replacing the traded Bill Bray and Mike Stanton. In 19.2IP over 15 games, Bowie allowed only 3 runs on 11 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7.
• Mike O’Connor RH SP - O’Connor has been on the DL since August 2 with a mild elbow flexor strain. The Nationals could use another arm in the rotation after the abuse their starters have taken over the last week. This would allow the Nationals to put Jason Bergmann back into the bullpen where he would be better utilized.
• Felix Rodriguez RH RP - Rodriguez has been rehabbing from right shoulder tendinitis since May 26. In 7.0IP in New Orleans, he’s allowed 4ER allowing 11 hits and 5 walks while striking out 4. Rodriguez’ activation would require the Nationals open up a spot on the 40-man roster as he is currently on the 60-day and not counted as part of the 40-man roster.
• John Patterson RH SP - In my opinion, Patterson is a long shot to return from the right arm nerve injury, but the Nationals may want to bring him back later in September to allow him real time game actio before the season ends.
• Luis Ayala, Zach Day, Ryan Drese, Shawn Hill, and Brian Lawrence, all RHPs & Joey Eischen LHP - I would not expect to see any of these guys as they all recover from their various injuries
• Cristian Guzman, Alex Escobar, and Jose Guillen - None of these three will be making any September appearances

On the 40-Man

• Roy Corcoran RH RP - He may make a return but the Nationals, but since he’s been selected to Participate in the Arizona Fall League, the Nationals may select to sit him down in preparation for his work in the AFL
• Mike Hinckley LH SP - I would say that it’s safe to say, that Hinckley has no chance of making a September appearance. His performance in Potomac in 2006 has to be a disappointment. In 26 games in A Advanced Hinckley is 6-8 in 138.1IP allowing 94R (83ER) on 162H(17HR) and 57BB while striking out only 69.
• Larry Broadway 1B - Broadway’s shoulder separation rules out any September appearance which is disappointing for Broadway given Nick Johnson’s latest injury.
• Kory Casto 3B/OF - GM Jim Bowden has stated that Casto won’t be making a September appearance. He is also scheduled to play in Arizona so the Nationals may opt ot rest him in September so as not to wear Casto out unnecessarily.
• Melvin Dorta UTIL - Dorta has been tearing it up in New Orleans since his promotion this week. Through Saturday’s game, Dorta is 10/17 with 5R 1HR 2RBI and 3/4 in SB attempts. He would provide a solid PR/UTIL piece off of the bench in September but the presence of Henry Mateo and Bernie Castro may limit his opportunity.
• Tony Blanco OF/DH - Shoulder surgery ended his season a few months ago, no chance he’s around in September.
• Frank Diaz OF - DIaz is a defensive wiz in CF who has shown the ability to hit LHP (309/333/473 in 110AB in Harrisburg), but struggles against RHP (242/283/340 in 285AB). I doubt he is going to be called up, but his glove puts him on the map for the Nats in the future.
• Mike Vento OF - Vento is finally back in New Orleans after missing most of his return to the Zephyrs in early June with an ankle injury. He’s 7/14 with 5R and 5RBI in his return to AA this week. He’s primed for a September roster spot once the 2006 season ends for New Orleans.

Other Guys to Consider, any of these guys would require the Nationals open up a spot on their 40-man roster to accomodate them. Their are such chances, Jose Guillen and Alex Escobar can be transferred to the 60-day DL to open a spot (as can Shawn Hill and John Patterson if the Nationals want)

• Chris Booker RH RP - Booker was picked up from the Cincinnati Reds after the 2005 season. He was selected in the Rule 5 draft and bounced between Kansas City and Philadelphia before being returned to Washington on July 14. In his 14 games in New Orleans, Booker has thrown 15.1 innings allowing 7 runs on 14 hits and 13 walks with 27 strikeouts. If Felix Rodriguez is not recalled , expect Booker to get the nod.
• Marlon Byrd OF - Byrd was designated for assignment and assigned to New Orleans on July 14. Since his demotion, Byrd has rediscovered his stroke (291/377/520 in 127AB). Since August 1, Byrd has hit 6HR while hitting 305/370/598. With the injury to Alex Escobar, Byrd should be an option given his ability to play CF.
• George Lombard OF - The 30-year old Lombard has battled injuries this year in New Orleans, but since his return in July has been batting 293/383/550 with 8HR in 131AB. The LH presence of Robert Fick and Daryle Ward make Lombard’s bat less mecessary, but he has shown a nice enough balance of power and speed in his career to include him on the short list of September options.
• Steve Watkins RH SP - Watkins has provided solid SP in New Orleans in 2006. In 19G (18 starts), he’s pitched 100.0 innings allowing 56 runs (46 earned) on 96 hits (10HR) and 37 walks while striking out 66. He could serve as a mop-up RP/spot SP during September.

When roster expand in early September, I expect to see Micah Bowie, Mike O’Connor and Felix Rodriguez activated from the disabled list along with the additions of Mike Vento and Marlon Byrd for the OF and Melvin Dorta in a PR/super sub role. But it would not surprise me to see guys like Chris Booker, George Lombard, or Steve Watkins also receive some attention as the month rolls on.

A thank you to BristowNats who pointed me towards this article from the Hampton Roads Pilot regarding the rumor that the Mets may be vacating Norfolk.

While it doesn’t completely kill the rumor

Ken Young, president of the Tides, reports that last week he had preliminary discussions with Mets CEO Jeff Wilpon, Mets assistant general manager John Ricco, and Mets director of minor league operations Adam Wogan.

Young said that he expects further discussions in the upcoming week and the two parties could reach a deal in the near future. The Tides have been affiliated with the Mets since 1969.

It is sounding less likely the Nationals will be relocating from New Orleans to Norfolk in 2007.

I’m still working on some confirmation regarding the rumors of the Nationals shifting their AAA affiliation from New Orleans to Norfolk.

Here is what I can find from some simple searches:

1. The Ottawa Lynx of the International League (presently the AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles) have told the city of Ottawa that they plan to move.
2. The Phillies will be leaving their present location in Scranton-Wilkes Barre, another International League team.
3. The understanding is that the Lynx will be relocating to Allentown, PA as an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies in the International League. Allentown is just 45 miles* from Philadelphia while Scranton is 100 miles.
4. Scranton has a stadium available and will almost certainly receive an affiliate in 2007
5. The article linked in (2) suggest that the possible teams moving to Scranton as the following teams from the International League: Baltimore (from Ottawa), the New York Yankees (from Columbus), the New York Mets (from Norfolk), or the Chicago White Sox (from Charlotte); or, the Washington Nationals from Pacific Coast League New Orleans.

Here is the breakdown of likelihood of movement to Scranton:

• Ottawa (Orioles): This would seem the easiest move as it involves the least teams switching places. It has the added bonus (at least for Orioles owner Peter Angelos) of establishing an Orioles presence in Pennsylvania.
• Columbus (Yankees): This to me seems to be the longest shot. The Yankees have been affiliated with Columbus for 27 years and Scranton would be significantly closer to the Bronx than Columbus (485 to 100 miles). But in February 2006, plans were announced that a new stadium will be built in the Arena District of downtown Columbus. Play is expected to begin at the new stadium in the 2008 season. I would seem odd for the Yankees to abandon Columbus right when a new ballpark was on the horizon.
• Norfolk (Mets): This is another one that would seem peculiar as the Mets have had an association with Norfolk since 1969 (then the Tidewater Tides). The only positive I can envision of such a move is reducing the distance between Flushing, NY and their AAA affiliate from 300 (Norfolk) to 100 miles (Scranton).
• Charlotte (White Sox): While this is one of the more recent affiliations (started in 1998), it would seem peculiar for Chicago to move further north (their rough distance from Chicago would increase from 590 to 620 miles). And while Chicago moving to New Orleans (if the Nationals were to leave) would put them in the same time zone, it would actually move their affiliate further away (820 miles). A move to New Orleans would put the White Sox in PCL competition with the crosstown rival Cubs (Iowa) among other central teams (Cincinnati, Kansas City, Houston, Milwaukee, and St Louis)
• New Orleans (Nationals): Anywhere in the International League would be closer and in many ways better than New Orleans. The Nationals are now almost 1,000 miles from their AAA affiliate making it difficult to keep an eye on the players most often recalled to Washington as well as rehabbing players.

The Nationals move to Norfolk seems really difficult, and it’s hard for me to imagine the Mets leaving a state-of-the-art ballpark in Norfolk without some serious enticement from the folks in Scranton. If it were to happen, it would be a significant shift of several franchises that may look something like this:

1. Phillies from Scranton to Allentown
2. Mets from Norfolk to Scranton
3. Nationals from New Orleans to Norfolk
4. White Sox from Charlotte to New Orleans
5. Orioles from Ottawa to Charlotte

If I were to hazard a guess (and this is a complete guess). I would envision:

1. Phillies from Scranton to Allentown (moving the Ottawa affiliate)
2. Orioles assuming Scranton (only 150 miles from Baltimore)
3. Nationals and White Sox swapping affiliations. This would put the Nats in Charlotte (330 miles from DC) and the White Sox in New Orleans and the central time zone

Only time will tell. Sometime in the next 4-6 weeks, the affiliation merry-go-round will stop and odds are there will be several teams in new cities.

* Distances are “as the crow flies 

Basil from Federal Baseball informed me of a rumor coming out of the Richmond area.

Greg Burton of ESPN Radio 950 (Red Zebra-owned) and WTVR CBS 6 is reporting a rumor that the Norfolk Tides may be interested in changing their affiliation to another team … the Washington Nationals

Presently, the Nationals AAA franchise is in New Orleans of the PCL and the Norfolk Tides are an International League team affiliated with the New York Mets.  The agreement between the Nationals and New Orleans expires at the end of this season.

More as this story develops.