June 19, 2013

Washington Nationals Minor League Update and Prospect Report for June 17

June 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SYRACUSE CHIEFS
AAA-INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
Week: (1-4, 2 PPD) Season: (27-40, 6th in IL North, 12.5 GB)

Danny Espinosa, 2B: The Nats injured second baseman is on a rehab stint with the Chiefs. He’s gone 2-for-9 this week with no extra base hits, four Ks and two walks.

Tyler Moore, OF/1B: Since being sent down by the Nats, Moore has continued his season-long struggles. He went 3-for-19 this week but making his few hits count with a double, homer and seven RBIs. He has struck out five times and has not drawn a walk. Season: .158/.182/.368 with one home run and 7 RBIs.

Corey Brown, OF: The left-handed hitting outfielder went 2-for-18 this week with two doubles and three RBIs and a whopping six strikeouts against two walks. Season: .250/.319/.528 with 10 HRs and 28 RBIs.

Eury Perez, OF: Perez went 6-for-21 this week with two multi-hit games, a home run and two stolen bases. He struck out three times and walked once. Season: .315/.338/.438 with four homers, 12 RBIs and 11 SBs.

Zach Walters, SS: Walters was named International League Batter of the Week as he picked it up this week average-wise after a miserable two-month start to the season. He went 11-for-19 with three doubles, three homers and seven RBIs with one K and no BBs. Season: .233/.265/.482 with 14 HRs and 32 RBIs.

Erik Davis, RHP: In his first appearance since being sent down, Davis got hammered Sunday pitching in relief. He gave up four earned runs on one hit and three walks, giving up a grand slam in the top of the 10th inning in Syracuse’s 8-4 loss to Toledo. Season: 1-3, 7 SVs, 4.21 with 30 Ks and 11 BBs in 25 2/3 innings.

Christian Garcia, RHP: On rehab from the big club, Garcia has made two appearances but has been shut down again with soreness in his shoulder after being out all season with a partially torn tendon in his right forearm. In three innings, Garcia has allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks, striking out four.

Danny Rosenbaum, LHP: Rosenbaum was lit up in his one start this week against Toledo, though he didn’t factor in the decision. In four innings, he allowed four earned runs on nine hits and three walks, striking out two. Season: 5-3, 3.75 in 13 starts with 41 Ks and 33 BBs in 72.0 IP.

HARRISBURG SENATORS
AA-EASTERN LEAGUE
Week: (5-1), Season (37-32, T-1 in IL West)

Brian Goodwin, OF: Goodwin went 5-for-21 this week with a triple and three RBIs. He struck out seven times and walked once. Season: .240/.346/.374 with four homers, 16 RIs and 13 SBs (8 CS).

Destin Hood, OF: Hood had a five-game hitting streak this weeks, going 7-for-20 with two doubles and an RBI. He struck out twice and walked once. Season: .249/.292/.373 with four homers, 28 RBIs and 4 SBs.

Sandy Leon, C: Leon went 5-for-15 with two doubles and an RBI this week. The switch-hitting catcher struck out twice and walked three times. Season: .235/.338/.350.

Taylor Jordan, RHP: The 24-year-old tall righty continued his breakout season, throwing a complete-game shutout Wednesday over Richmond. He allowed five hits and a walk to go along with his 11 Ks. Season (AA & AAA): 7-1, 0.93 with 68 Ks and 12 BBs in 77 1/3 IP.

POTOMAC NATIONALS
HIGH-A CAROLINA LEAGUE
Week: (6-1), Season: (42-27, 1st in CL North)

Michael Taylor, OF: Taylor had a five-game hitting streak this week, going 6-for-22 with a homer and three RBIs. He had 9 Ks and a BB and stole four bases. Season: .255/.337/.408 with six homers and 41 RBIs.

Billy Burns, OF: The speedster went 7-for-222 with an RBI, nine runs scored and six stolen bases. Season: .299/.428/.358 with no homers, 15 RBIs, 49 runs and 36 SBs.

Randolph Oduber, OF: Oduber went 5-for-22 with a double, four RBIs and a steal. He struck out seven times and drew two walks. Season: .251/.317/.377 with three homers, 28 RBIs and seven SBs (6 CS).

A.J. Cole, RHP: Cole was dominant in his start this week against Frederick. He allowed no runs on four hits and two walks over seven innings, striking out 10 in the process to earn the win. Season: 4-2, 4.16 with 82 Ks and 18 BBs in 71 1/3 innings over 13 starts.

Robbie Ray, LHP: The lefty made two starts this week on diametrically opposite ends of the spectrum. Tuesday he won, allowing one earned run on just two hits, though he gave up four walks. He struck out seven over seven innings. Sunday he had a rough go of it against Frederick. He gave up six earned runs on six hits (including three homers) and two walks, striking out five. Season: 5-2, 2.22 with 88 Ks and 33 BBs in 69 innings over 13 starts.

Sammy Solis, LHP: The big lefty was put on the seven-day disabled list with ”general shoulder soreness”. Solis missed all of 2012 due to Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. Season: 0-0, 3.38 with nine Ks and five BBs in 16 innings over four starts.

HAGERSTOWN SUNS
LOW-A SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE
Week: (5-3, 1 PPD), Season: (38-29, T-1 in SALLY North)

Tony Renda, 2B: Week: 7-for-29 with a double. 6 Ks and 4 BBs. Season: .291/.355/.415 with one homer, 27 RBIs and 13 SB (2 CS).

Brandon Miller, OF: Week: 8-for-29 with four doubles, one homer and eight RBIs. Season: .253/.310/.510 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs, 85 Ks and 17 BBs.

Matt Purke, LHP: Two starts this week for Purke as he continues to build up arm strength. Tuesday: 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 8 K, 2 HRs. Sunday: 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K.

Robert Benincasa, RHP: 2 1/3 IP with a save in three games. Struck out five and no walks, hits or runs. Season: 0-1, 2.57 with 10 saves, 30 Ks and 5 BBs.

NATS TOP PROSPECTS FOR 2013

1. Anthony Rendon, 3B/2B – MLB

Rendon, 23, was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2011 draft and is a natural hitter with lightning quick wrists and developing doubles power to both gaps. He’s a potential Gold Glove caliber defensive player at third base and is learning to play second base at the Major League level to good reviews thus far.

2. Brian Goodwin, OF — AA

A 22-year-old center fielder, Goodwin was the 34th overall pick in the 2011 draft out of Miami Dade South CC. Possessing good power, speed and plate discipline, Goodwin is a capable defender in center and would be above average in left field if he ends up there. Went .280/.384/.469 between Hagerstown and Harrisburg in 2012.

3. A.J. Cole, RHP — HI-A

Returned to the Nats in the Michael Morse deal, Cole (6’4″, 180) is a 21-year-old right hander that profiles as a mid-rotation starter with the potential for All-Star stuff. He’s got a huge fastball (96-MPH) with good movement, a slurvy curveball that can be league average and good feel for his changeup at an early age.

4. Lucas Giolito, LHP — A, INJ

Giolito was seen as the top high school arm in his draft class and ended up with the Nats with the 16th overall pick in 2012 due to injury concerns as he missed his senior year of high school with a sprained UCL. The giant righty (6’6″, 230) made one two inning appearance last season for the Nats Gulf Coast team before being shut down and eventually had Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow in August. He boasts a plus fastball in the upper 90s, a power curve and a solid change-up.

5. Matt Skole, 3B/1B — AA, INJ

Skole was a 5th Round pick in 2011 and all he’s done since signing with the Nats out of Georgia Tech is mash the baseball. In 119 games between Hagerstown and Potomac last year the 6’4″, 220 left-handed batter hit 27 homers and drove in 104, hitting .291/.426/.559. Slated for Harrisburg this year, he injured his left elbow in a freak collision which required Tommy John surgery and is out for the season.

6. Nate Karns, RHP — AA

Another big (6’3″, 230) right handed starter, Karns has a nice fastball and good command over his other pitches, but none really profile as plus pitches at the big league level. He’s a shoulder injury survivor (torn labrum in 2011) so it’s easy to root for him, but the former 12th round pick probably has a ceiling at the back of a rotation or in the pen. But he’s got a big league arm.

7. Sammy Solis, LHP – HI-A

The massive (6’5, 230) 24-year old left-hander was the Nats 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft, with a projection for a quick path to the Majors out of U. of San Diego, but Tommy John surgery delayed his path after the 10 starts in 2011. Owns a 3.75 K/BB ratio in 23 minor league starts.

8. Matt Purke, LHP — LO-A

Purke, 22, was the Nats 3rd round pick in 2011 out of TCU, where is final season was limited by bursitis in his left shoulder, which resulted in his drop in the draft. National Freshman of the year, he was drafted and thought he had a deal with the Rangers but the deal was disallowed due to the Rangers ownership questions at the time. He’s possesses and above-average fastball and slider and has shown feel for the changeup.

9. Chris Marrero, 1B — MLB

It’s easy to forget Marrero is only 24. The often-injured right-handed first baseman is a natural hitter with gap power with impressive plate discipline. A capable defender at first base, he might not put up big home run totals in the Major Leagues, but his hit tool (.286/.353/.456 career MiLB) is real.

10. Eury Perez, OF — AAA

Signed as am undrafted free agent in 2007, Perez’ best tool is his off-the-chart speed. He’s stolen over 160 bases in three-plus seasons in the minors. He’s a smart runner and puts good use to his speed in center field, where he’s proven to be capable with the possibility of spectacular. Unlike many speedsters, though, Perez also has a plus arm. Perez is a slap-hitter at the plate and his career MiLB OBP is just a few ticks over his batting average, so plate discipline is an issue and question as he moves up the ladder.

11. Tony Renda, 2B — LO-A
12. Robbie Ray, LHP – HI-A
13. Zach Walters, SS — AAA
14. Destin Hood, OF — AA
15. Michael Taylor, OF — HI-A
16. Jeff Kobernus, OF/2B — MLB
17. Taylor Jordan, RHP – AA
18. Brandon Miller, OF — LO-A
19. Sandy Leon, C — AA
20. Erik Davis, RHP — AAA

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Washington Nationals injury updates: Mattheus no surgery; Espinosa with broken wrist

May 24, 2013 by

Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson had a couple of injury updates in his pre-game press conference Friday before taking on the Philadelphia Phillies. One injury we knew about was an update – Ryan Mattheus will miss a “couple months” but will not need surgery on his broken hand, sustained last Saturday after he punched a wall following his five earned run with a balk appearance.

The other injury news was a surprise, but not really considering the player. Johnson revealed 2B Danny Espinosa sustained a broken bone in his wrist when he was hit by a Paul Maholm fastball late in April and has been playing through the injury since. With Espinosa hitting .163/.196/.291, it’s not shocking to hear this news. Espinosa also has been dealing with a torn rotator cuff in his left (non-throwing) shoulder as well.

Johnson indicated that the team would make a move Saturday, returning a reliever to the minors (most likely Yunesky Maya) and calling up a position player from AAA. Johnson was specific that Anthony Rendon is not being considered for a recall. For now, it appears the Nats will allow Espinosa to sit for a few days to see if that will help with the pain in the wrist.

Among the candidates for recall are Will Rhymes (.299/.366/.344 in 178 PAs at AAA), Jeff Kobernus (.333/.378/.420 in 193 PAs) and Zach Walters (.215/.244/.436 with 9 HRs in 181 PAs). None of the three players are on the Nats 40-man roster.

If the Nats are content to allow Steve Lombardozzi play everyday until Espinosa either feels better or goes on the D.L., then most likely the move will be Rhymes, a player with Major League experience who is more capable of sitting on the bench and coming in as a pinch-hitter. Walters probably would have been at the top of this list coming out of spring training, but his mostly terrible first two months in AAA probably keeps him there for now.

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Washington Nationals Minor League Update for the Week of 4/14/13

April 17, 2013 by

With full-season teams now in to the second-week of their 2013 campaigns, clubs are starting to get a feel for their minor-league talent. Many re-buidling big league teams are preparing to call-up their top prospects in just a couple of more weeks, when arbitration rules will fall in their favor. Contending clubs like the Nationals are less inclined to make front-page moves so early in the season, but they too are keeping an eye on their young’ins. They’re trying to get a read on what these players are worth in preparation for a mid-season trade, and they’re definitely looking for someone who can contribute in the event they need to to patch a hole internally.

The Nationals, who are now 8-5 with their win over the Marlins on Monday night, are very comfortable with their Major League roster. Outside of a few bullpen/bench tweaks they might be preparing to make–like adding an effective left-handed relief pitcher for instance–they probably aren’t going to replace one of their veteran big leaguers with any of their prized prospects just yet. Of course, things will change quickly if one of their stars suffers a serious injury.

As Mike Rizzo proved last season with Bryce Harper, he isn’t afraid to call-up one of his young stars when the club needs a boost. There’s an outside shot that top prospects like Anthony Rendon and Brian Goodwin could be in the Majors by mid-summer, while other promising minor leaguers like Danny Rosenbaum, Christian Garcia, Eury Perez and Zach Walters could contribute earlier.

Two weeks in to the 2013 season, here are some of the notable performances from the Washington Nationals minor league system:

[Read more...]

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NATS/CHIEFS: Syracuse Chiefs Opening Day Roster, April 4

April 4, 2013 by

Today, April 4 is the opening day for the Syracuse Chiefs, Washington Nationals Triple-A Affiliate.

Syracuse Chiefs Press Release HeaderCHIEFS ANNOUNCE PRELIMINARY 2013 OPENING DAY ROSTER
12 players from last year’s team to return

Syracuse, NY—The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are pleased to announce their preliminary roster for the 2013 season. Syracuse, led by second-year manager Tony Beasley, will begin its season on Thursday, April 4, at 7:05 at Lehigh Valley, with its home opener on Friday, April 12 at 2:05 vs. the IronPigs.

Syracuse’s active Opening Day roster features 16 former major leaguers and seven players on the Nationals’ 40-man roster. The Chiefs also return 12 players from last year’s Syracuse squad and 15 former Chiefs in total.

The Chiefs’ opening day staff will consist of 13 pitchers, five of whom spent time in Syracuse last season. Yunesky Maya (11-10, 3.88 ERA in 28 starts with the Chiefs in 2012), Tanner Roark (6-17, 4.39 ERA in 26 starts) and Ryan Perry (1-1, 4.50 ERA in 11 relief appearances) are slated to hold three of the spots in Syracuse’s rotation. Maya returns for his fourth season with Syracuse, with Roark and Perry as second-year Chiefs.

The other two spots in Syracuse’s season-opening rotation will be held by right-hander Ross Ohlendorf and left-hander Danny Rosenbaum. Ohlendorf, a veteran of 108 major league games with the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres, is in his first year with the Nationals’ organization. Rosenbaum, recently returned from Colorado after being selected in the 2012 Rule V draft, will begin his fifth professional season in the Nationals’ organization. He sported a 3.94 ERA for Double-A Harrisburg in 26 starts last season.

The bullpen will feature returning right-handers Erik Davis and Jeff Mandel, with Mandel also entering fourth Syracuse season and Davis his second. Right-hander Ryan Tatusko also rejoins the team for the second time after spending the entire 2012 season in Harrisburg, where he sported a 3.50 ERA.

Two other former Chiefs join the bullpen – left-hander J.C. Romero and right-hander Jeremy Accardo. Romero, a veteran of 680 major-league games, pitched in five games for the Chiefs in 2011. Accardo, who’s pitched 262 games in the majors, tossed five games for the Chiefs in 2008, the final year of Syracuse’s affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The remaining three spots in the bullpen are filled out by two former major leaguers – left-hander Fernando Abad (Houston) and right-hander Mike Crotta (Pittsburgh) – and left-hander Patrick McCoy, who finished 7-3 with a 3.70 ERA in 50 games for Double-A Harrisburg last season.

Offensively, both Chiefs catchers return from last year’s squad. Jhonatan Solano rejoins Syracuse for the fourth time after a season in which he made his major league debut (.312 batting average in 12 games with Washington), while veteran Carlos Maldonado also returns to Syracuse for the fourth time. The two have combined to play in 306 career games with Syracuse.

Syracuse’s infield is split between three returning Chiefs and three newcomers. First baseman Chris Marrero, shortstop Zach Walters, and third baseman Carlos Rivero – a postseason International League All-Star last season – will rejoin the Chiefs after spending time in Washington’s major league camp this spring. Infielder Jeff Kobernus, who led stole 42 bases for Double-A Harrisburg to lead the 2012 Eastern League, will join them for his Triple-A debut. Former major leaguers Mike Costanzo (Cincinnati) and Will Rhymes (Detroit, Tampa Bay) round out the six-man group.

In the outfield, postseason International League All-Star Corey Brown will return to Syracuse for the third time. Brown led all Chiefs players in 2012 with 25 home runs and also appeared in 19 major league games for Washington. He’ll be joined by 22-year-old Eury Perez, the youngest Chief on the Opening Day roster. Converted pitcher Micah Owings, who’s appeared in 174 major league games, and former Canadian Olympic outfielder Jimmy Van Ostrand will both join the Chiefs for the first time.

Tickets for all Syracuse Chiefs home games are on sale now and can be purchased online at SyracuseChiefs.com, by calling 315-474-7833, or in person at the Chiefs ticket office. Full- and partial-season ticket plans are also available through each of the same three methods.

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Washington Nationals Prospect Preview and Scouting Report: Zach Walters

March 27, 2013 by

Zach Walters

Shortstop
Height/Weight: 6’3”/210 lbs
Born: 9/5/1989
Bats/Throws: Both/Right
Comparable MLB Players: Jason Barlett, Adam Kennedy, Omar Infante, Erick Aybar, Brandon Crawford

Scouting Grades

 Present  Future
 Hitting Ability  4  5
 Raw Power  4  5
 Power Frequency  3  4
 Plate Discipline  3  4
 Running Speed  5  5
 Baserunning  4  5
 Arm Strength  7  7
 Arm Accuracy  4  6
 Fielding  4  6
 Range  5  6
 Overall  4  5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Washington Nationals trim spring roster to 33

March 18, 2013 by

With Opening Day just two weeks away, and manager Davey Johnson’s preference to play his starters heavily in the next-to-last week of Spring Training, the Washington Nationals sent out much of their Major League-ready backup talent to the minors before taking on the Detroit Tigers at Space Coast Stadium Monday morning.

The Nats today optioned right-handed pitchers Erik Davis, Yunesky Maya and Ryan Perry, catcher Jhonatan Solano, infielder Chris Marrero and outfielder Corey Brown to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Additionally, the Nationals re-assigned right-handed pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and infielder Zach Walters to minor league camp.

Along with sending these players down, the Nats also granted catcher Chris Snyder his unconditional release. Snyder had an opt-out in his contract and is expected to sign a contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

The Snyder move signals that the team is comfortable with Wilson Ramos to open the season on the active roster. Ramos missed much of last season with two surgeries to his knee.

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Washington Nationals Spring Training: Homers happen as Nats topple Marlins

March 9, 2013 by

The Washington Nationals have not hit a ton of home runs yet this spring. That’s not really a source of concern, as pitchers are usually ahead of the hitters for the first couple of weeks at Spring Training. Saturday, however, the Nats broke out their big sticks, hitting three homers in an 8-7 win over the Miami Marlins at Space Coast Stadium in Viera.

Bryce Harper (2) and Ryan Zimmerman (1) went back-to-back in the fifth inning, while SS Zach Walters added his second of the spring in the eighth. Harper finished the day 2-for-3 with two runs and Zimmerman went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. The Nats pounded out 12 hits total against four Miami pitchers.

Steve Lombardozzi added a two-run single and Danny Espinosa had a run scoring single as well.

It was a tough day for pitchers overall, as some may be entering their “dead arm” period as they try to strengthen their bodies to be ready for opening day. Free agent signee Chris Young started for the Nats with Ross Detwiler away for the World Baseball Classic. Young went three innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits and three walks, striking out two.

Craig Stammen followed and was punished — allowing three earned runs on four hits and a walk, all in just two-thirds of an inning.

The Nats received credible relief after that, as Erik Davis provided 1 1/3 scoreless innings (1 hit, 1 K), and Ryan Perry had another good outing, throwing two scoreless frames and allowing just one hit. Fernando Abad was credited with the victory for his scoreless inning of work, and though he gave up a run on three hits, Jeremy Accardo “earned” his second spring save.

The Nats travel to Lakeland Sunday for a 1:05 tilt against the Detroit Tigers.

 

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Washington Nationals 2013 Season Preview: The Infield

February 7, 2013 by

This week, District Sports Page will take a look at the players that should comprise the 2013 roster of the Washington Nationals. Following a record-setting season last year that saw the Nats finish first in the N.L. East and advance to the playoffs for the first time since the relocation, GM Mike Rizzo has tweaked the roster a bit and expectations have never been higher for the organization, which is expected to be a legitimate World Series contender this season.

On Monday we broke down Nationals’ starters, Tuesday we evaluated the bullpen and Wednesday we looked at the outfielders. Here now is a preview of the infield.

PROJECTED OPENING DAY INFIELD: 1B–Adam LaRoche, 2B–Danny Espinosa, SS–Ian Desmond, 3B–Ryan Zimmerman. Bench: 2B/SS Steve Lombardozzi, 1B/3B Chad Tracy. First callups: 3B Carlos Rivero, 1B Chris Marrero, 2B Will Rhymes. On the Farm: 3B Anthony Rendon, 1B/3B Matt Skole, SS Zach Walters [Read more...]

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