tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331153976212430122024-03-12T22:22:14.015-07:00DC is for BaseballAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-20559139937990332072013-08-14T09:21:00.001-07:002013-08-14T09:22:46.943-07:00A rebuttal: DC is better than BaltimoreThe Baltimore Sun has quite the array of <strike>dumb</strike> informative slideshows on their site, from "<b><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/bs-b-strip-club-food-baltimore-pg,0,6505713.photogallery" target="_blank">Rating Baltimore Strip Club Food</a></b>" to "<b><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/bs-b-ravens-funny-faces-pg,0,6267796.photogallery" target="_blank">Ravens Making Funny Faces</a></b>."<br />
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Jordan Bartel and Meekah Hopkins of the Baltimore Sun added to the list of <strike>dumb</strike> informative slideshows today with a cute "<b><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/bal-100-reasons-why-baltimore-is-better-than-dc-pictures-20130809,0,7498621.photogallery" target="_blank">100 reasons why Baltimore is better than DC</a></b>" list. Now it's my turn to make my own list. Because I've got work to do, I only had time to get 50 reasons. Don't worry, I'll be adding more. Please feel free to leave comments with other reasons below. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
1) Our newspaper doesn't run Bleacher Report-esque slideshows.<br />
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2) You don't start conversations by asking, 'What do you do?' or 'Who do you work for?' because your unemployment rate is 1% higher than DC's.<br />
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3) Our rowhouses cost $100k more because people actually want to live here. You can buy rowhouses in Detroit for about $5, but does that make Detroit better than Baltimore and DC?<br />
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4) DC didn't kill Abraham Lincoln. John Wilkes Booth did. Lincoln just lived here. And if he lived in Baltimore, he <b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEkQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Farticles.baltimoresun.com%2F2013-08-02%2Fnews%2Fbs-md-rodricks-0804-20130802_1_gun-dealers-gun-violence-gun-purchases&ei=3IkLUu__JPDYyQGqj4BY&usg=AFQjCNGVgiXPeoP557jaYJ_0GnYOpON0-w&sig2=CX5g8mBEcQaON1tVe34f6A&bvm=bv.50723672,d.aWc" target="_blank">would have gotten shot</a></b> within half an hour.<br />
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5) I can't hear you talking trash about food, I have Ben's Chili Bowl clogging my arteries.<br />
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6) Natty Boh is terrible. Old-school beer does not mean good beer. And it's not even brewed in Baltimore (rather, NC and GA). If you want to be proud of a Baltimore beer, <b><a href="http://beerpulse.com/2013/06/shot-across-the-bow-heavy-seas-beer-may-be-taking-stand-against-natty-boh-544/" target="_blank">Heavy Seas is good for you</a></b>. DC Brau is good for us. You people (yes, I went there) embarrass me by reaching for Natty Bohs over Heavy Seas. If you're proud of Natty Boh, you shouldn't be. And Flying Dog is from Frederick, which last I checked is not in Baltimore.<br />
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7) You added a list of films and shows with DC settings that were filmed in Baltimore ('House of Cards' and 'Veep'), but their setting is DC...meaning people actually want to watch shows based on DC, not Baltimore.<br />
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8) "HAVE YOU SEEN THE WIRE?!? IT'S BASED IN BALTIMORE!" Oh, congratulations. We've had <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_television_shows_set_in_Washington,_D.C." target="_blank">shows based in our city</a></b> since the prehistoric ages.<br />
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9) Why are you proud of The Wire being based in Baltimore, anyways? I guess when you live in a terrible city that nobody cares about, you have to take joy in the small things like drug dealing and violence.<br />
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10) You're proud of Barack Obama enjoying The Wire. He lives here. You've probably always wanted to see his house. Which, just to remind you, is in Washington, DC. Because he lives here, and not in Baltimore.<br />
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11) DC has all 4 major sports here. Baltimore has 2. Another thing nobody cares about: Lacrosse, brah!<br />
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12) "78. We don't have to pick a fight with another city to make ourselves feel better." I don't know who from DC picked the original fight that you reference in your header (without a link, of course), but I wake up every day thanking God that I don't live in Baltimore. It's not picking a fight. It's just honesty.<br />
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13) Congrats on being the nation's capital before us! You're like the guy who comments in all of the message boards "FIRST!!!" You know why they moved the nation's capital out of Baltimore and Philly? BECAUSE THEY ARE SHITHOLE CITIES.<br />
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14) You certainly do have bros wearing salmon-colored pants. I saw them last time I was in your craptastic city. We eat salmon, too. You're stupid.<br />
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15) We don't value someone based on how much they spent on a suit. If you really believe that about DC, then you're stupid. But that's an already established fact.<br />
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16) Yes, you're the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner. You know why it was written in Baltimore? Because during the war of 1812, the British were just chillin in the water minding their own business and then they were like "OMG THIS IS CITY IS A BLOODY SHITHOLE. KILL IT WITH FIRE KILL IT WITH FIRE KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!!!!!" Major George Armistead is the one who ordered "a flag so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance" (Source: <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Armistead" target="_blank">WIKIPEDIA</a></b>). He was a Virginian, not a Baltimoron.<br />
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17) Baltimoron.<br />
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18) We can get reservations at our restaurants, too. Your list is stupid. You're stupid, Baltimorons.<br />
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19) On the slideshow page, the top two stories:<br />
<b>The best costumes of Otakon 2013 in Baltimore</b><br />
followed by<br />
<b>Otakon to move to DC, citing aging convention center</b><br />
LOL JUST LIKE THE NATION'S CAPITAL WE'RE STEALING YOUR ANIME CONVENTION<br />
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20) Regular bowling. Better than duckpin bowling. If duckpin bowling was better, maybe it would be on ESPN. SUNDAYS ARE FOR REGULAR BOWLING!<br />
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21) You weren't built on a swamp, true. You were built in the armpit of America.<br />
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22) You have a tumblr dedicated to <b><a href="http://thatguysonheroin.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">guys on heroin</a></b> in your city. Cute.<br />
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23) "57. You rarely meet someone who has lived in D.C. for five years. We can walk down our streets and meet someone who has lived here for 50 years." In our newspapers, we report facts rather than assumptions. My grandfather lived in DC for 50 years and he'll kick your grandfather's ass.<br />
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24) You had <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BronyCon" target="_blank">BronyCon</a></b> in your city. Point: DC.<br />
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25) YOU'RE SERIOUSLY PROUD OF HAVING BRONYCON IN YOUR CITY?!?!?<br />
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26) Food trucks: <b><a href="http://foodtruckfiesta.com/dc-food-trucks/" target="_blank">DC</a></b> > <a href="http://charmcityfoodtrucks.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Baltimore</a>.<b> </b><br />
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27) Congratulations, Cal Ripken showed up for work 2,632 consecutive times. He was a good baseball player, but let's not be ridicious and say that he's any bit better than the best DC sports figure. Walter Johnson, bro (I feel like I can call you that since you're from Baltimore. Or is it BRAH?). Slingin' Sammy Baugh. Not Cal Ripken.<br />
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28) How is having your bars close an hour earlier better? You're stupid.<br />
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29) Don't hate on the Cherry Blossom festival. Sorry we have something in our city that looks nice. Maybe you should try.<br />
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30) Edgar Allen Poe married his 13 year old cousin. Your list calls this "sassy." I call this "pedophilia" and "incest."<br />
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31) YOU DO NOT TALK SHIT ABOUT BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY. HE'LL KICK YOUR ASS.<br />
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32) "40. Oh, D.C. has the Ruby Slippers? We have the following museums: Baltimore Tattoo, American Visionary Arts, National Dentistry, National Great Blacks in Wax ... shall we go on?" <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_Washington,_D.C." target="_blank">List of museums in Washington DC</a></b>. Boom, roasted.<br />
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33) Tupac lived in Baltimore for 2-3 years. Baltimore is well behind the NYC and San Francisco areas in terms of being raised. Tupac is better than Wale, but Tupac is not from Baltimore. Wale was actually born and raised in DC.<br />
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34) You made a Chris Christie fat joke in a slideshow hating on DC? Baltimore's obesity rate is 28%, about 4% over the national average. Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, Baltimore.<br />
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35) We "stole" the Bullets from you because you couldn't get people to come and watch them play. Kyle Weidie of Truth About It sums it up well: "They weren’t packing houses in Landover, MD, but it clearly provided more opportunity than Baltimore, MD." Definitely click this link for his<b><a href="http://www.truthaboutit.net/2011/09/hello-and-goodbye-to-the-baltimore-bullets.html" target="_blank"> in-depth story</a></b> on the flight of the Bullets from Baltimore to Landover.<br />
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36) "32. The first lady has a vegetable garden? Cute. We've been turning vacant lots into community gardens and parks. On a regular basis." We don't have many vacant lots to turn into community gardens and parks because people actually want to live here. But there are still <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Parks_in_Washington,_D.C." target="_blank">plenty of parks in DC</a></b>.<br />
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37) And the <b><a href="http://www.usbg.gov/" target="_blank">US Botanic Garden</a></b> is eons better than your little community gardens.<br />
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38) You're actually proud of "Step Up" being based in Baltimore? Stupid.<br />
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39) NATTY BOH IS STILL CRAPPY BEER<br />
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40) "28. Our hookers don't hide in high-priced hotels." WHY IS THIS SOMETHING YOU'RE PROUD OF?!? I'M SO CONFUSED, LAX BRAHS!<br />
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41) Your homeboy Sisqo recently performed on a Thursday night at a small bar in Clarendon. That's like being proud of Vanilla Ice.<br />
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42) I'm not even going to bother with your F. Scott Fitgerald quote from 70 or so years ago. Baltimore might have been great then. It's not now.<br />
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43) "24. A town overflowing with sweaty, insolent interns whining all day about walking from the Capitol to other Congressional buildings? Sounds rough." YES, THERE ARE SOOOOOO MANY INTERNS ALL OVER THE PLACE WHAT WILL I DO??!?!? Good job with "insolent," though. It appears that there is at least one thesaurus in Baltimore.<br />
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44) Ray Lewis killed 2 dudes.<br />
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45) Your chance of seeing Michael Phelps out with his bros getting a DUI on any given night? 1 in 4.<br />
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46) "17. Mo'Nique can single-handedly kick D.C.'s collective a--." Nope. I'm not scared of some C-lister.<br />
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47) "15. The statue of Divine in the American Visionary Art Museum can beat up the statue of Andrew Jackson (and his horse) in Lafayette Square." Are you for serious?
48) "13. "Going to live at Baltimore laid the foundation, and opened the gateway, to all my subsequent prosperity." -- Frederick Douglass" And then he left Baltimore. And moved to DC. Where his <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass_National_Historic_Site" target="_blank">National Historic Site</a></b> is.<br />
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48) The Ravens have 2 Super Bowls. The Redskins have 3.<br />
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49) John Elway demanded a trade away from the Baltimore Colts just so he wouldn't have to be in your city.<br />
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50) You made a 100 list about being the superior city that was full of stupid fillers and somehow couldn't fit in the fact that Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-46188194527220617022013-01-31T11:22:00.000-08:002013-01-31T11:22:52.794-08:00The 2001 Baseball Prospectus top 40 Prospect List and the NatsYesterday, I came across the <strong><a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=884" target="_blank">Baseball Prospectus top 40 prospect list</a></strong> published in January 2001 and was amazed at how many ex-Nats were on the list (10 if you include Brian Lawrence. I have a Brian Lawrence Nats card, so he counts).<br />
<ol>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Ryan_Anderson" target="_blank">Ryan Anderson</a></strong>, LHP, Mariners </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burrose01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Sean Burroughs</a></strong>, 3B, Padres </li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/patteco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank"><strong>Corey</strong> <strong>Patterson</strong></a><strong>, CF, Cubs (2/15 in 5 games for the 2009 Nats)</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sheetbe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ben Sheets</a></strong>, RHP, Brewers </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oswalro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Roy Oswalt</a></strong>, RHP, Astros </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wellsve01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Vernon Wells</a></strong>, CF, Blue Jays </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=ortizjo04,ortizjo01,ortiz-014jos,ortiz-012jos&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Ortiz</a></strong>, 2B, A's </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suzukic01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ichiro Suzuki</a></strong>, RF, Mariners </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rolliji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jimmy Rollins</a></strong>, SS, Phillies </li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rauchjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank"><strong>Jon Rauch</strong></a><strong>, RHP,</strong> <strong>White Sox (21-15 witha 3.24 ERA, 23 saves and a 2.95 K/BB in 280 and 1/3 career innings for the 2004 Expos thru the 2008 Nats)</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Antonio Perez</a></strong>, SS, Mariners </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=bradle002rob" target="_blank">Bobby Bradley</a></strong>, RHP, Pirates </li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsni01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank"><strong>Nick Johnson</strong></a><strong>, 1B, Yankees (.280/.408/.460 with 56 HR in 2041 plate appearances for the 2004 Expos thru the 2009 Nats)</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hamiljo03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Josh Hamilton</a></strong>, RF, Devil Rays </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=georgch02,georgch01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris George</a></strong>, LHP, Royals </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=penaca01,pena--006car&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Carlos Pena</a></strong>, 1B, Rangers </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/credejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe Crede</a></strong>, 3B, White Sox </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sabatc.01.shtml" target="_blank">C.C. Sabathia</a></strong>, LHP, Indians </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/choihe01.shtml" target="_blank">Hee-Seop Choi</a></strong>, 1B, Cubs </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/housejr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">J.R. House</a></strong>, C, Pirates </li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/escobal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank"><strong>Alex Escobar</strong></a><strong>, CF, Mets (.356/.394/.575 in 99 plate appearances for the 2006 Nats. Wow.)</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithbu02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bud Smith</a></strong>, LHP, Cardinals </li>
<li><strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/menchke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kevin Mench</a></strong>, OF, Rangers</strong> <strong>(.111/.172/.111 in 29 plate appearances for the 2010 Nats. Had a -21 OPS+. Bad wow.)</strong></li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dunnad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank"><strong>Adam Dunn</strong></a><strong>, OF, Reds (.264/.378/.533 in 1316 plate apperances for the 2009-10 Nats)</strong></li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kearnau01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank"><strong>Austin Kearns</strong></a><strong>, OF, Reds (.242/.346/.376 in 1503 plate appearances for the 2006-09 Nats)</strong></li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilkebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank"><strong>Brad Wilkerson</strong></a><strong>, OF, Expos (.248/.351/.405 in 661 plate apperances for the 2005 Nats, and .256/.365/.452 in total 2690 plate appearances for the 2001 Expos thru the 2005 Nats)</strong></li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jimend'01.shtml" target="_blank"><strong>D'Angelo Jimenez</strong></a><strong>, SS, Yankees (.245/.379/.373 in 128 plate appearances for the 2007 Nats)</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Albert Pujols</a></strong>, 3B, Cardinals </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/ginteke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Keith Ginter</a></strong>, 2B/3B, Astros </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/prokolu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Luke Prokopec</a></strong>, RHP, Dodgers </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernaad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Adrian Hernandez</a></strong>, RHP, Yankees </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=wilsocr01,wilsocr03,wilsocr02&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Craig Wilson</a></strong>, C/1B, Pirates </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rivaslu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Luis Rivas</a></strong>, SS/2B, Twins </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bynummi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike Bynum</a></strong>, LHP, Padres </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/betemwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Wilson Betemit</a></strong>, SS/3B, Braves </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/neugeni01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Nick Neugebauer</a></strong>, RHP, Brewers </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/custja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jack Cust</a></strong>, LF, Diamondbacks </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gilesma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Marcus Giles</a></strong>, 2B, Braves </li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuddymi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Michael Cuddyer</a></strong>, 3B, Twins </li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lawrebr02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank"><strong>Brian Lawrence</strong></a><strong>,</strong> <strong>RHP, Padres (never pitched for the Nats, but was acquired in exchange for 3B </strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castivi02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank"><strong>Vinny Castilla</strong></a><strong> after the 2005 season)</strong></li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-69425371488336286952012-10-08T08:16:00.002-07:002012-10-08T08:16:26.577-07:00Participate in the 2012 Fan Scouting ReportThe reminder <strong><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/scouting-report-2012-by-the-fans-for-the-fans/" target="_blank">went up on FanGraphs</a></strong> today, so I figured I would give it a shoutout since right now the Nats only have like 22 responses. <br />
<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.tangotiger.net/scout/" target="_blank">IF YOU WATCH BASEBALL, PARTICIPATE IN THE FAN SCOUTING REPORT BY CLICKING HERE!</a></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(and if you don't watch baseball, I am confused as to why you are reading my blog, but thanks anyways!)</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
quoted straight from the project's page. emphasis is mine</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>The Project </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What I would like to do now is tap that pool of talent. I want you to tell me what your eyes see. I want you to tell me how good or bad a fielder is. Go down, and start selecting the team(s) that you watch all the time. <strong><u>For any player that you've seen play in at least 10 games in 2012, I want you to judge his performance in 7 specific fielding categories. </u></strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="important">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>Try to judge 'average' not as an average player at that position, but an average player at any position.</u></strong> If you think that Ben Zobrist has an average arm, then mark him as average, regardless if you've seen him play 2B, SS, or RF. </span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="important">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>DO NOT CONSIDER THE POSITION THE PLAYER PLAYS!<br />DO NOT CONSIDER THE POSITION THE PLAYER PLAYS!<br />DO NOT CONSIDER THE POSITION THE PLAYER PLAYS! </u></strong></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>If you don't have an opinion on a particular characteristic of that player, then go on to the next characteristic for that player.</u></strong> This applies especially for you TV watchers, and you can't tell how well Peter Bourjos can read the ball off the bat.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>And, most importantly, do not, absolutely do not, look at any numbers. Don't look at his fielding percentage, range factor, zone rating, UZR, or anything else that someone else is telling you. I just want you to rely on your eyes. You are the scout. I need you to rely completely on your own observations. </u></strong></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We know the fans know what they are talking about. We know they know how to observe good and bad fielding. Now, I just want to know what the fans know. And, hopefully, so do you. </span><br />
<i>Note: The rosters are based on any player with at least 90 innings played for a particular team in 2012. If you have any write-in candidates beyond that, <a href="http://tangotiger.net/mailbag/">tell me</a>.</i> </blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-71723391586519207182012-08-20T08:59:00.001-07:002012-08-20T08:59:41.513-07:00The 5 best Nationals hitters of all timeIt pains me to see the that the Nationals <strong><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/08/nationals-designate-cesar-izturis-for-assignment.html" target="_blank">DFA'ed</a></strong> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/izturce01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Cesar Izturis</a></strong> over the weekend to activate <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/desmoia01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Ian Desmond</a></strong> from the DL. While Desmond has put together a solid 2012 season, Izturis was much better, putting himself in position to be one of the top 5 Nats hitters of all time. Since Izturis will likely be called up again in September if he clears waivers, his spot on the list isn't cemented, but here is the list through Sunday, 8/19/2012.<br />
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<strong>1)</strong> <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hughetr01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Travis Hughes</a></strong></strong>: 1.000/1.000/1.000 (1 plate appearance for the 2006 Nats)<br />
On <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI200608200.shtml" target="_blank">August 20, 2006</a></strong>, the Nationals lost to the Phillies 12-10. If it wasn't for Travis Hughes, the game would have had a much further margin of defeat. The big righty trudged in from the bullpen in the fourth inning with the Nationals already down 10-1. He shut the door in the 4th and pitched a perfect bottom of the 5th as well in the last apperance of his Major League career. The truly amazing thing happened in the top half of the 5th, though, as Hughes hit a first pitch <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wolfra02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Randy Wolf</a></strong> fastball into RF to move <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castrbe01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Bernie Castro</a></strong> to 2B; Castro eventually scored on a <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lopezfe01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Felipe Lopez</a></strong> walk, narrowing the Phillies' lead to 10-2 and Hughes left the big leagues as a career 1.000 hitter.<br />
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<strong>2) <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shortri01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Rick Short</a></strong></strong>: .400/.471/.933 (17 plate appearances for the 2005 Nats)<br />
The 32 year old rookie who flirted with .400 in AAA was a <strong><a href="http://www.natsinsider.com/2010/03/catching-up-with-rick-short.html" target="_blank">fan favorite</a></strong> during the Nationals' first season in DC. He made his short (heh, get it?) ML stint worth it, homering twice and scoring four runs in 17 plate appearances. <br />
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<strong>3) <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/izturce01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Cesar Izturis</a></strong>: .500/.500/.750 (5 plate appearances for the 2012-present? Nats)<br />
#Cesar4MVP! While we hardly knew Cesar, he went 2/4 with a double and four runs in his short stint with the Nationals. If Izturis makes it back up in September, he could make it past Short for #2 best Nationals hitter of all time or even drop off the list if he goes into an 0-1 slump.<br />
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<strong>4) <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnese01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Sean Burnett</a></strong></strong>: .500/.750/.500 (5 plate appearances for the 2009-present Nats)<br />
I've heard many throw out the idea of using <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Stephen Strasburg</a></strong> as a pinch hitter down the stretch once he is shut down, but the Nats already have a ringer with his cap tilted to the side in the bullpen. Burnett struck out in his only batting apperance for the Nats during the 2009-10 seasons, but has gone 1/1 with a run and two walks in the 2011-12 seasons. Burnett, who went 0/23 hitting in 2004, his rookie season in Pittsburgh, is clearly in the prime of his career with the bat and with a double could easily take Izturis or Short's spots as the #2 or 3 Nationals hitters of all time.<br />
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<strong>5) <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezbe01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Beltran Perez</a></strong></strong>: .500/.571/.500 (7 plate appearances for the 2006 Nats)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nievewi01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Wil Nieves</a></strong> is the token "WHOOOOOO?!?" player of the Nats of the past, but Beltran Perez was a name that made me think for a second. The Dominican righty went 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 21 innings for the 2006 Nats, but his real value came with the bat: Perez smacked three singles in six at bats and even threw in a walk to boost his OBP to .571. While Beltran has been out of affiliated baseball since allowing 50 runs in 59 innings for Harrisburg in 2008, he's still only 30 years old and could be an excellent addition for a team looking for a <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernali01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Livan Hernandez</a></strong> type pitcher (one who can throw the ball in the general direction of home plate as well as hold his own from the batters box).<br />
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<strong>Honorable Mention:</strong><br />
<strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/storedr01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Drew Storen</a></strong>: </strong>.500/.500/.500<br />
<strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/escobal01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Alex Escobar</a></strong>: </strong>.356/.394/.575<br />
<strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wardda01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Daryle Ward</a></strong>:</strong> .308/.390/.567<br />
<strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/solanjh01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jhonatan Solano</a></strong>: </strong>.314/.351/.571<br />
<strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/soriaal01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Alfonso Soriano</a></strong>: </strong>.277/.351/.560Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-13430910051822491142012-08-13T06:56:00.003-07:002012-08-13T06:56:54.148-07:00Christian Garcia: a story of redemptionWhen <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=garcia001chr,garcia006chr,garcia003chr&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Christian Garcia</a></strong> signed with the Nationals last July, the move came with little fanfare. To the naked eye, he was a 25 (almost 26) year old RHP who had spent parts of the last 7 years in the Yankees organization, never rising above AA ball. On top of all of that, he was also recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. He was seen as organizational fodder or a shot in the dark, and as a result threw his 20 and 1/3 innings of 2.66 ERA ball in Auburn and Syracuse with little fanfare (despite having fantastic peripheral stats like a 1.3 BB/9 and 13/3 K/9).<br />
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Since I have a borderline unhealthy obsession with the minor leagues, I had an opinion on him when he signed (<strong><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/07/nats-minor-league-signings.html" target="_blank">7/28/2011</a></strong>): "The 2004 3rd round pick by the Yankees was once a promising prospect, but has seen his career shred to pieces by injuries over the years, most recently with his second Tommy John surgery in 2010. At only 25 (26 in August), his baseball life is still relatively young, and if he can stay healthy (which is a huge, ginormous IF), he could still be a solid ML pitcher." <br />
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Basically, all Garcia has done since then is get healthy. He was a perennially good pitcher with the Yankees' organization, posting a 3.65 ERA and strong strikeout numbers (albeit with command issues) in his time with their system. From the moment he was drafted in the 3rd round in 2004 and converted from a catcher to a pitcher to today, he's always been a good pitcher when he's been able to throw. Garcia was ranked by Baseball America as the Yankees' #4 prospect after 2004, #8 after 2005, #14 after 2006 (when he had his first Tommy John surgery) and #17 after 2008 (before his second TJ). John Sickels of <strong><a href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/" target="_blank">Minor League Ball</a></strong> rated Garcia as #9 in the Yankees organization with a C+ grade in 2005, #9/C+ in 2006, #9/B- in 2007 and #17/C+in 2009. <br />
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Before he tore his elbow up in 2006, Garcia was known as a fastball-curveball pitcher who seemed to be destined for the bullpen due to a lack of a third pitch (even though the other two were plus pitches). His curveball, in fact, was ranked as the best in the Yankees' system by Baseball America after the 2004, 2005 and 2008 seasons. After his first Tommy John surgery, he developed a solid changeup, good enough for Baseball America to note that some Yankees people felt it was their system's best. Garcia predictably lost some velocity after Tommy John surgery, but has recovered to the point that he can hit 97 MPH on the radar gun again with a filthy fastball that has more moves than Matt Hendricks in a shootout. The 2011-12 success Garcia has achieved isn't due to deception or being crafty; he's just a damn good pitcher that is better than the opposition.<br />
Since returning from his second Tommy John and signing with the Nationals organization, Garcia has dominated his opponents. I thought his 2011 stat line was impressive, but he currently has an 0.79 ERA and 16 saves in 45 and 1/3 innings between Harrisburg and Syracuse, posting a 3.0 BB/9 and 12.1 K/9. What's truly amazing is that he has only allowed 22 hits this season (4.4 H/9), including only 9 in 25 and 1/3 innings for Syracuse. Garcia's numbers are borderline unreal this season and he deserves to get the call to the bigs that he's <strong><a href="http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120812&content_id=36600462&notebook_id=36600464&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was" target="_blank">getting next month</a></strong>. <br />
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Time can only tell if Garcia will become a solid ML pitcher or not. Don't expect him to be afraid of injuring his elbow again, though. As he told Josh Norris in the article below when asked if he thinks about it happening again, "No, not at all. You can't play like that." That kind of tenacity is always welcome on the big league squad. We'll see if he can push the rest of the staff even harder as they close out the season.<br />
If you're new to Garcia's story, I highly recommend reading the following 2 articles to catch up on it:<br />
<strong><a href="http://minormatterstrenton.blogspot.com/2012/04/christian-garcias-ready-for-his-third.html" target="_blank">Christian Garcia's ready for his third chance</a></strong> (Josh Norris, the Trentonian, 4/27/2012)<br />
<strong><a href="http://syracusechiefs.mlblogs.com/2011/09/05/tommy-john-times-two-how-rhp-christian-garcia-is-on-the-road-to-recovery/" target="_blank">Tommy John Times Two: How RHP Christian Garcia is on the Road to Recovery</a></strong> (Kevin Brown, Inside the Chiefs, 9/5/2011)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-80425502620983480922012-07-20T06:54:00.003-07:002012-07-20T06:54:52.693-07:00Mid-Season Nationals Top Prospect Rankings - Sean HoganYesterday, I unveiled friend of the blog <strong><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2012/07/mid-season-nationals-top-prospect.html" target="_blank">Konnor Fulk's top 20 list</a></strong>. Please make sure to give him a follow on twitter <strong><a href="http://twitter.com/coolnovelbro" target="_blank">@coolnovelbro</a></strong>. Today, it's my turn; as you'll see, the list is relatively similar. As I said yesterday, there are two clear tiers: the top 4 (Giolito, Goodwin, Meyer and Rendon) and then everyone else. I will also put Nats rookies (Harper, Lombardozzi, Moore and Solano) where they would go in italics just for fun.<br />
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<em>1 - OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Bryce Harper</a></strong> - duh</em><br />
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1 - 3B <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=rendon001ant" target="_blank">Anthony Rendon</a></strong> - Even if he's always injured, he's basically <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=zimmery01,zimmer003rya,zimmer001rya&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Ryan Zimmerman</a></strong> part 2. Until he hurts his ankles/shoulder again, I still don't believe his injuries will be long-term issues. <br />
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2 - RHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=giolit000luc" target="_blank">Lucas Giolito</a></strong> - True ace potential and pretty polished for a high school guy. I'm not all that worried about his UCL issues; if they were a problem, I don't think the Nats would have drafted him and essentially punted the rest of the draft.<br />
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3 - RHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=meyer-001ale" target="_blank">Alex Meyer</a></strong> - His numbers are very encouraging so far, but it will take a few seasons of being able to show he can repeat his delivery and be consistent on the mound before I can really see him being a stud starter. <br />
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4 - OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=goodwi001bri" target="_blank">Brian Goodwin</a></strong> - I love the guy. Don't know that the power sticks as he gets older (I expect 40 2B, 5 3B, 15 HR types of seasons in his prime) but he's a legit offensive center fielder with the potential to have a hell of an all-around game. <br />
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<em>5 - 1B/OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moorety01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Tyler Moore</a></strong> - In the past, I haven't been a believer due to his poor BB/K rates. It takes about 200 PA to be able to judge improvements/declines in such rates. Moore is right around 200 at all levels this year, so I can say that I'm more of a believer with his BB% over 10% right now.</em><br />
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<em>6 - IF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lombast02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Steve Lombardozzi</a></strong> - In the same way that Moore has boosted his stock by getting on base more, Lombardozzi's stock has dropped a little to me. For whatever reason, I ignored his huge drop in BB% last year (career averages over 10%, last year around 6.4%), and it's gotten worse in his big league stints (4.9%). When you don't have a lot of power, you need to get on base to have value, and Lombardozzi is at the point where he has to hit .285 or so to be decent enough with the bat if his patience doesn't improve. I love all other parts of Lombardozzi's game (the utility factor, solid fielding, switch hitting, etc.), just want to see improvement with the bat.</em><br />
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5 - LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=purke-001mat" target="_blank">Matt Purke</a></strong> - His injuries scare me much more than Rendon or Giolito. If healthy, could be a very good starting pitcher. If not, could be <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnese01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Sean Burnett</a></strong>. My faith in him is floundering, though, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him 10th or lower in my end of the season rankings.<br />
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6 - OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brownco01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Corey Brown</a></strong> - When healthy, he has always been a good hitter. 20/20 potential at the big league level, walks a great share and keeps K's relatively low. May not be able to hack it full-time in CF, but bat can play in the corners. I've never put him this high before, but he's got a great combination of being close to the majors and having the ability to be pretty good when he gets there.<br />
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7 - 1B/3B <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=skole-000mat" target="_blank">Matt Skole</a></strong> - Until he stops hitting, he'll keep moving up lists. The K's are scary and he's not a great defender, but if he keeps looking this way he could end up being a Youkilis type. <br />
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8 - OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=taylomi01,taylor011mic&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Michael Taylor</a></strong> - Rough start to the year, but improving walk rate and steals are still there. Still only 21 years old with a lot of room to grow. <br />
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9 - IF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=walter001zac" target="_blank">Zach Walters</a></strong> - Always a favorite of mine, and is killing AA pitching since his promotion. Minor league numbers are all over the place (is he going to hit for power? get on base? both? neither?) but lefty hitting middle infielders are fun. <br />
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10 - 2B <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=renda-001ton" target="_blank">Tony Renda</a></strong> - has a good chance of turning into a Lombardozzi-type player albeit with a little bit more power potential. Love the quick hands. <br />
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<em>11 - C <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/solanjh01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jhonatan Solano</a></strong> - Took enough of a step forward with the bat last year that we can at least dream that he'll be a starting catcher at some point. Receiving skills are excellent, and at worst we'll have a solid backup catcher.</em><br />
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11 - OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=perez-001eur" target="_blank">Eury Perez</a></strong> - Will hit for average and steal bases, but nothing else. I don't think he'll be a good defender in CF and his bat won't play in a corner. <br />
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12 - LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=mooney001bre" target="_blank">Brett Mooneyham</a></strong> - Not as good of a starter as Solis, but Solis may not be the same pitcher after his surgery. I could see Mooneyham being similar to Detwiler. <br />
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13 - LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=solis-001sam" target="_blank">Sammy Solis</a></strong> - Has #2 potential and could shoot through the system once he gets healthy, but lost a key year of development to Tommy John surgery and isn't super young, either. <br />
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14 - LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=ray---001rob" target="_blank">Robbie Ray</a></strong> - Furthest away of the LHP types, so minor league numbers are inconsistent. Has room to add velocity, and if he does, could raise his ceiling. <br />
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15 - OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=hood--001des" target="_blank">Destin Hood</a></strong> - Move to AA was disappointing, but still only 22. Needs to show 2011 power levels again for me to believe. <br />
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16 - IF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=kobern002jef" target="_blank">Jeff Kobernus</a></strong> - Could be a serviceable utility guy. Plenty of guys who can play good defense with a .300 OBP...can his bat develop into anything better? <br />
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17 - IF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=hague-001ric" target="_blank">Rick Hague</a></strong> - The glove is pretty bad, so the bat will have to carry him. Right now, it's not. <br />
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18 - C <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=freita001dav" target="_blank">David Freitas</a></strong> - Bat has looked good at all levels, glove is iffy. If he can hit AA pitching, I'll become more of a believer. Moving forward, I would expect more years like 2010 and 2012 rather than 2011.<br />
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19 - 1B <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marrech01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Chris Marrero</a></strong> - Didn't just disappear, and close to the majors, but profiles as a below average hitting 1B. But he'll make the majors at least. <br />
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20 - RHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=karns-001nat" target="_blank">Nathan Karns</a></strong> - Looks fantastic this season, but very old for his level and still struggling with control to some degree. Past injuries will force him to stay in the minors a few more years to stretch his arm out unless he's bumped to higher levels as a reliever. <br />
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Next ten (no particular order): C <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leonsa01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Sandy Leon</a></strong>, LHP <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=rosenb001dan" target="_blank"><strong>Danny Rosenbaum</strong></a>, IF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=martin005jas" target="_blank">Jason Martinson</a></strong>, LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=turnbu001kyl" target="_blank">Kylin Turnbull</a></strong>, LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=smoker001jos" target="_blank">Josh Smoker</a></strong>, OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=burns-002bil" target="_blank">Billy Burns</a></strong>, OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=ramos-001wan" target="_blank">Wander Ramos</a></strong>, OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=ramsey000cal" target="_blank">Caleb Ramsey</a></strong>, RHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=hill--005dav" target="_blank">Taylor Hill</a></strong>, RHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=meza--001chr" target="_blank">Christian Meza</a></strong> <br />
<br />
Summary: The Nats have plenty of guys with some upside and plenty of guys who are close to the majors, but not a whole lot of guys that are close to the majors with much upside. I can dream that some of these guys evolve past role player status, but I'm honestly not that convinced. Losing 2/3 of your top 15 to injuries, promotions and trades is a tough problem, but the Nats are far from the worst minor league organization in baseball. It will be interesting to see <strong><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2012/07/cupboard-isnt-bare-for-nats-at-trade.html" target="_blank">who other teams will be interested in </a></strong>as the trade deadline approaches over the next week and a half.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-71975650897131159782012-07-19T08:04:00.000-07:002012-07-19T08:04:33.523-07:00Mid-Season Nationals Top Prospect Rankings - Konnor FulkKonnor Fulk (<strong><a href="http://twitter.com/coolnovelbro" target="_blank">@coolnovelbro</a></strong>) and I have been collaborating over the past few weeks on what the Nats' top 20 prospects should look like. By and large, our lists are pretty similar. There are pretty clear tiers in the Nats' prospect list: the top 4 (Giolito, Goodwin, Meyer and Rendon, however you decide to rearrange them) and then everyone else. Much of the intrigue over the list is how to rate injured prospects like Rendon, Purke and Solis, and as you'll see below, all three are still considered to Konnor to be top 15 guys (you'll see my list tomorrow). Enjoy, and make sure to give Konnor a follow on twitter!<br />
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1. <strong>3B <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=rendon001ant" target="_blank">Anthony Rendon</a></strong> </strong>- Still the top prospect; if healthy (big if) he could be a .300 hitter with 20 home runs (much like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=zimmery01,zimmer003rya,zimmer001rya&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Ryan Zimmerman</a></strong> at his fullest potential). The more he gets injured, the further he will drop down the top 20 prospect list. <br />
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2. <strong>RHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=meyer-001ale" target="_blank">Alex Meyer</a></strong> </strong>- 6'9" with room to build onto that body. Has been clocked at 99 (with some more muscle, he can hit 100, very intriguing) with a nasty slider that touches the low 90's. His control is questionable, but seems to be making reasonable improvement to that aspect. If he doesn't work out as a starter, he will be a great bullpen arm with high velocity. Should rise through system fast. <br />
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3. <strong>RHP <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=giolit000luc" target="_blank">Lucas Giolito</a> </strong>- The Nationals' 2012 16th overall draft pick, comes with great size (6'6") and front line starter stuff (fastball has been clocked at 100). When healthy (which is pretty foggy right now, with the Nats hopeful he won't need Tommy John surgery), he will become possibly the best prospect in the system. For now, his health is a question, so this explains why I still consider Meyer ahead of him. <br />
<br />
4. <strong>OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=goodwi001bri" target="_blank">Brian Goodwin</a></strong> </strong>- Up from spot 7 on the MLB.com rankings, he is having a great season: good arm and defense, good power, great contact, speed with 14 steals, and what makes me giddy, more walks then strikeouts! 2 years older then Taylor, but as a 1st round supplemental pick, he is proving himself as a top 5 organizational prospect. <br />
<br />
5. <strong>OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=perez-001eur" target="_blank">Eury Perez</a></strong> </strong>- Still good contact guy, .293 average, good contact, but apparently a reasonable outfield arm. Great lead off potential. 24 stolen bases, so still has great speed. Lacks plate control, with few walks. Personally I like him over Micheal Taylor, he could find himself in a September call-up, if and only if he is promoted to AAA fairly soon. <br />
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6. <strong>1B/3B <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=skole-000mat" target="_blank">Matthew Skole</a></strong> </strong>- Defense is awful (but will improve in left field or 1st base) his bat has put him here, and he deserves to be placed here. 21 homeruns, 70+ RBI, strikes out A LOT (94 times in the first half) but also 74 walks; his bat has put him into the systems elite. If he keeps up this batting potential, could be an intriguing major league corner outfield prospect or a trade piece. Should be in Potomac, must see how he hits at a higher level. <br />
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7. <strong>LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=purke-001mat" target="_blank">Matt Purke</a></strong> </strong>- I believe that when fully healthy he will get his stuff back and be a solid prospect. If not a major league starter in several years, I could easily see him as a lefty specialist. The Nationals hope for the pitcher that was featured at TCU, having made a big commitment to him financially, but Purke must get fully healthy for any advancement up this prospect list. <br />
<br />
8. <strong>OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=taylomi01,taylor011mic&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Michael Taylor</a></strong> </strong>- Organization loves this guy, who is still only 21. He's currently having a year that screams growing pains: his power numbers have dipped awfully, but possibly due to the difference from the SAL league. Still young and still a very impressive defensive prospect, the potential that has surrounded this guy still allows him to maintain top 10 prospect status. <br />
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9. <strong>IF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=walter001zac" target="_blank">Zach Walters</a></strong> </strong>- Mediocre beginning to season, but has really started to produce. Great production since promotion to AA, and has demonstrated reasonable power. Alright defensively with quick flashes of brilliance, possible trade chip with the depth at infield throughout the organization. <br />
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10. <strong>IF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=kobern002jef" target="_blank">Jeff Kobernus</a></strong> </strong>- Great speed, good contact hitter, with good defense. Very toolsy, but an all-the-way-around good prospect. Kobernus is a trade piece or major league utility player with speed. Kobernus should continue his steady advancement through the system. <br />
<br />
11. <strong>RHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=karns-001nat" target="_blank">Nathan Karns</a></strong> </strong>- Would be higher based off of his amazing stats, but he is a bit old for Potomac and still fairly untested. He has good stuff, and should rise easily through the system if he keeps it up. Arguably the best Nationals pitcher this season based only off stats, so don't be surprised if he gets a call up to AA, specifically so he can make an Arizona Fall League appearance. <br />
<br />
12. <strong>OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brownco01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Corey Brown</a></strong> </strong>- Great year has catapulted him into the top 20. Great power, and solid tools; if it wasn't for the Nationals stacked outfield, he'd be up on the team (although he should specifically replace <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nadyxa01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Xavier Nady</a></strong></strong>). He will be an intriguing trade chip for an outfield needy team. <br />
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13. <strong>LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=ray---001rob" target="_blank">Robbie Ray</a></strong> </strong>- Production has been down this year, specifically his strikeout numbers. He has managed not to have awful stats in the advanced A Carolina League at the age of 19, though. His potential makes him a top 20 prospect. Expect a repeat year at Potomac next year, and with good improvement, his prospect ranking could improve. <br />
<br />
14. <strong>LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=rosenb001dan" target="_blank">Daniel Rosenbaum</a></strong> </strong>- Underwhelming stuff, but great control and has the make up of a good #5 starter. His statistics have been weak lately, but expect him to be in AAA next year, with a call up to Washington possible at any needed moment. <br />
<br />
15. <strong>LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=solis-001sam" target="_blank">Sammy Solis</a></strong> </strong>- Injured, but if he maintains his stuff, he is our best lefty in the organization. Solis still has strong potential and should be watched in the 2nd half of next season. <br />
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16. <strong>LHP <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=mooney001bre" target="_blank">Brett Mooneyham</a></strong> </strong>- Based off of his tools, he could be a very strong lefty within the system, awful control. If he can fix that, no reason not to believe he could be a piece to watch rise through the system, he has the stuff to become a power lefty reliever or back end starter. <br />
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17. <strong>C <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=freita001dav" target="_blank">David Freitas</a></strong> </strong>- Great offensive catcher, but the knock on him is his defense. A move to the crowded 1B is possible. Expect him to be a trade piece or an eventual AAAA player. With the log jam at catcher, he could find himself competing for time with Leon and <strong>Johnatan Solano</strong>. <br />
<br />
18. <strong>OF <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=hood--001des" target="_blank">Destin Hood</a></strong> </strong>- A big drop off year has resulted in a drop in the top 20 prospect rankings. Still young and athletic, but needs to maintain his power from the previous year. He risks becoming an organizational guy without improved production. Expect a repeated year in AA for the future. <br />
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19. <strong>2B <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=renda-001ton" target="_blank">Tony Renda</a></strong></strong> - This year's 2nd round pick has not produced as expected so far in short season A Auburn. Expect him to improve and produce though. He only falls to 19 due to size and the fact I believe his ceiling is a fringe starter/utility infielder, but with all knocks aside, his heart and drive easily could push him through the system. <br />
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20. <strong>C <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leonsa01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Sandy Leon</a></strong> </strong>- Having a great offensive year, and will be valuable to the overall catching depth of the organization. Having his bat in AAA next year could be valuable. Leon will likely enjoy a further cup of coffee in the majors. <br />
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Just missed: <strong>1B <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marrech01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Chris Marrero</a></strong></strong>- He simply has lost his prospect status, injury concern and lack of power for his position shows what he really expects to be, a AAAA player. <br />
<br />
Honorable Mentions: <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=hague-001ric" target="_blank">Rick Hague</a></strong></strong>, <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=turnbu001kyl" target="_blank">Kylin Turnbull</a></strong></strong>, <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=martin005jas" target="_blank">Jason Martinson</a></strong></strong>, <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=garcia001chr,garcia006chr,garcia003chr&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Christian Garcia</a></strong>,</strong> <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=barret001aar" target="_blank">Aaron Barrett</a></strong></strong>, <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=ramsey000cal" target="_blank">Caleb Ramsey</a></strong></strong>, <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=dykstr001cut" target="_blank">Cutter Dykstra</a></strong></strong>, <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=souza-001ste" target="_blank">Steven Souza</a></strong></strong>, and <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=monar-001bla" target="_blank">Blake Monar</a></strong></strong> <br />
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Post summary: What the reader should learn from this is simple: the depth within the organization is still impressive. The <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzagi01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Gio Gonzalez</a></strong> trade drained the system of several top 10 prospects, but it is now evident that those particular players were expendable. <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/norride01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Derek Norris</a></strong></strong> was great, but Leon, Freitas, and Solano have impressed, while <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=cole--001aj-" target="_blank">A.J. Cole</a></strong></strong> and <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peacobr01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Brad Peacock</a></strong></strong> have been replaced by Giolito, Meyer, and Karns. Perhaps the best player lost in that trade was <strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/milonto01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Tommy Milone</a></strong></strong>, who has proved what I always believed he could be: a good and serviceable starter (3.54 ERA). Rizzo and the scouting staff have formulated a deep and exciting prospect pool, and even through big trades, the Nats still maintain a good and improving minor league system, with future stars still rising.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-55645899737905374382012-07-15T12:42:00.001-07:002012-07-15T12:42:32.724-07:00Nats internal infield optionsIf <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/desmoia01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Ian Desmond</a></strong>'s injury forces him to take a trip to the DL, the Nats are in a tough spot. Currently, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=rivero001car" target="_blank">Carlos Rivero</a></strong> is the only player on the 40 man roster with middle infield experience that is not already in Washington. Here is a quick look at the Nats' options if they decide to keep it in house (and if Desmond actually has to head to the DL):<br />
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<b>MOST LIKELY</b><br />
<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=rivero001car" target="_blank">Carlos Rivero</a> - the 24 year old is hitting .285/.314/.369 this season at Syracuse.<br />
Pros: made AAA all star team (how?!?) already on the 40 man roster, has SS experience, probably the only long-term piece that is close to ML ready<br />
Cons: no pop in 2012, a butcher at SS and is allergic to walks<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoffpja01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jarrett Hoffpauir</a></strong> - the 29 year old is hitting .273/.328/.330 this season at Syracuse<br />
Pros: Has 53 games of ML experience, can play 2B and 3B, generally a good OBP guy<br />
Cons: Can't play SS, hitting below career norms in 2012, not a high upside guy<br />
<br />
<b>DARK HORSES</b><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=negryc001jam" target="_blank">Jim Negrych</a></strong> - the 27 year old is hitting .296/.374/.468 between Harrisburg and Syracuse<br />
Pros: made the AAA all star team, has hit well at every level in his entire career, can play 2B and 3B, reminds me of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shortri01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Rick Short</a></strong><br />
Cons: poor fielder, little power, Rick Short barely got a chance<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=walter001zac" target="_blank">Zach Walters</a></strong> - the 22 year old is hitting .289/.323/.468 across all levels this season.<br />
Pros: biggest upside out of the group, crushing AA pitching in small sample size, a true SS<br />
Cons: still very young and raw and isn't really ready for the big leagues yet<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>UNLIKELY</b><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=bynum-001set" target="_blank">Seth Bynum</a></strong> - the epitome of organizational soldier (9 seasons, 839 career games in the Nats organization) is now 31 and hitting .215/.291/.331 in AAA.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=johnso011jos,johnsjo09,johnso012jos&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Josh Johnson</a></strong> - still young-ish at 26, but struggling to a .233/.333/.248 triple slash at Syracuse this season (although .272/.361/.344 across all levels).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-16846613980306588852012-07-12T09:35:00.003-07:002012-07-13T16:29:34.884-07:00The cupboard isn't bare for the Nats at the trade deadlineThe trade deadline is upon us in a little less than three weeks and while the Nats are currently in first place, they are not without holes in the lineup. The returns of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morsemi01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Mike Morse</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/werthja01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jayson Werth</a></strong> in the outfield will keep the Nats from having to play <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ankieri01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Rick Ankiel</a></strong> and his ghastly 34.5% K% much, but the Nats have no solution in sight to improve on poor performances by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/espinda01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Danny Espinosa</a></strong> or <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/floreje02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jesus Flores</a></strong> (other than hoping they will improve, at least). A case can be made to add to the starting rotation if the Nats are truly serious about fully shutting down <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Stephen Strasburg</a></strong> come late August or so when he hits his pitch count. <br />
<br />
The Nats theoretically could go after the likes of SP like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greinza01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Zack Greinke</a></strong> or <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dempsry01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Ryan Dempster</a></strong>, a middle infielder like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scutama01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Marco Scutaro</a></strong>, a catcher like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suzukku01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Kurt Suzuki</a></strong> or Kelly Shoppach or even a young outfielder like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/uptonju01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Justin Upton</a></strong> or <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/spande01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Denard Span</a></strong>. Obviously going after Greinke or Upton would cost a huge package of prospects and are unlikely, but no matter what the Nats do (and I'm confident that they'll do <em>something</em>), they'll have to move guys from their minor league system.<br />
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By the time the Nats were named the #1 farm system in baseball by Baseball America, they had already dealt four of their top 15 prospects for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzagi01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Gio Gonzalez</a></strong>. Since then, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Bryce Harper</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lombast02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Steve Lombardozzi</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moorety01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Tyler Moore</a></strong> have graduated to the big leagues and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=rendon001ant" target="_blank">Anthony Rendon</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=purke-001mat" target="_blank">Matt Purke</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=solis-001sam" target="_blank">Sammy Solis</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marrech01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Chris Marrero</a></strong> have misses essentially all of 2012 due to injury. The fact that they still have a solid minor league system after losing 2/3 of their offseason top 15 prospects is incredible. Next week, Konnor Fulk <strong>(<a href="http://twitter.com/coolnovelbro" target="_blank">@coolnovelbro</a></strong>) and I will both post our midseason top 20 reports, but for now, let's take a look at what the Nats have in the minors that could be in play at the deadline.<br />
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<strong>High ceiling prospects</strong><br />
Anthony Rendon and Matt Purke are almost certainly out of play, as they are both injured and trading them would be a lose-lose for both teams involved (Nats lose out on high-ceiling guys and trade them when their value is low, other teams take on a high level of risk with two injury-prone players). While technically neither can be traded until August 15 because they were 2011 draftees, they could be dealt as players to be named later (although since both are on the 40 man roster, such a deal could have to wait until after the season is over). I would be very, very surprised if either player was moved this year.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=meyer-001ale" target="_blank">Alex Meyer</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=goodwi001bri" target="_blank">Brian Goodwin</a></strong> are another story. Both players were high draft picks in 2011 and have either met or exceeded expectations in their pro careers so far (depending on how high your expectations for them were). Like Rendon and Purke, both would have to be players to be named later; unlike Rendon and Purke, neither are on the 40 man roster, so they could be dealt on August 15 as PTBNL's. Former Nationals GM and ESPN.com columnist Jim Bowden named Meyer as one of <strong><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post/_/id/4507/futures-game-players-who-could-be-dealt" target="_blank">5 futures game participants</a></strong> ($) who could be in play at this year's trade deadline, mentioning that the Nats could try to move him in a deal for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garzama01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Matt Garza</a></strong>, Denard Span or <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reverbe01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Ben Revere</a></strong>. Both Meyer and Goodwin have boosted their prospect profiles this season and have the right combination of tools and good stats to be great trade bait, but the Nationals would have to get a great player to move either one of these players.<br />
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<strong>Prospects with intriguing 2012 stats</strong><br />
Matt Skole obviously leads this list, with a .280/.434/.553 triple slash and 21 HR in the first half. He strikes out way too much (94 in 83 games) and his future position is in question (playing 3B for now but profiles best with the glove at 1B or in LF), but if he can keep hitting anywhere close to this level, a team will find a place to put him on the field.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brownco01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Corey Brown</a></strong> revived himself from being a borderline non-prospect to the guy the Nats were hoping they would get in addition to <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=rodrihe03,rodrig003hen,rodrig004hen,rodrihe02&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Henry Rodriguez</a></strong> when they traded <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willijo03.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Josh Willingham</a></strong> to Oakland. He has destroyed AAA pitching in the first half, hitting .296/.382/.561 with 19 HR and 11 steals, but only got a limited promotion to the big leagues. Brown has 20/20 MLB potential and an above average glove, but his batting average is generally low and he strikes out a lot, so teams could be a little scared off. I think Brown is a better idea to promote to the majors and not trade, but I expect his name to come up a lot in trade rumors with teams who need immediate OF help in the majors.<br />
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<strong>Toolsy prospects</strong><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=kobern002jef" target="_blank">Jeff Kobernus</a></strong> is hitting as well as he ever has (although that's not saying much - .285/.326/.338 with 34 /44 steals) in his first trip to AA. He doesn't profile as more than a utility infielder, but utility middle infield types who are close-ish to the big leagues are solid deadline pieces (see last year's <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=walter001zac" target="_blank">Zach Walters</a></strong> - <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marquja01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jason Marquis</a></strong> trade)<br />
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I am constantly frustrated by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=perez-001eur" target="_blank">Eury Perez</a></strong> in his quest to be the worst leadoff prospect who remains a prospect in the world. At only 22, he's hitting a solid .294 in AA but with only 7 BB and 50 K. Let him be some other team's Inning <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chaveen01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Endy Chavez</a></strong> while his prospect shine is still at least kind of there.<br />
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Despite losing <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramoswi01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Wilson Ramos</a></strong> to injury and trading <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/norride01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Derek Norris</a></strong>, the Nationals still have a plethora of decent catching prospects in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/solanjh01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jhonatan Solano</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leonsa01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Sandy Leon</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=freita001dav" target="_blank">David Freitas</a></strong>. All three have different strengths and weaknesses (Leon is a great defender and a meh hitter, Freitas is a good hitter and a meh defender, Solano is somewhere in between) and could all interest different teams at the deadline.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=ramos-001wan" target="_blank">Wander Ramos</a></strong> was <strong><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/new-york-penn-league-washington-nationals-prospects-tony-renda-wander-ramos/" target="_blank">named by Fangraphs</a></strong>/Scouting the Sally's Mike Newman (<strong><a href="http://twitter.com/scoutingthesally" target="_blank">@scoutingtheSAL</a></strong>) as a guy teams could look at as a PTBNL or throw in for a deadline deal this year. Newman wrote in his First Impressions piece on the New York Penn League, "For Auburn, [Ramos is] the only player on the roster with the present size of a big leaguer and real projection, even though he’s a bit long in the tooth for the league." Ramos hit .313/.401/.653 in 43 games in the GCL last year and is hitting .255/.358/.455 in 18 games at Auburn this year.<br />
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<strong>August waiver trade prospects</strong><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=souza-001ste" target="_blank">Steven Souza</a></strong> has puttered around in the Nats system since being a 3rd round pick in 2007 and is finally hitting (.284/.346/.556), albeit as a 23 year old spending his 4th season in Hagerstown. He could be dealt in August in a waiver deal for a bench player or average bullpen arm if the Nats have a need.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=dykstr001cut" target="_blank">Cutter Dykstra</a></strong> is a similar story to Souza; the Brewers' 2008 2nd round pick is 23 and playing in Hagerstown and has .299/.378/.413 with 25 steals in 69 games. Neither Souza or Dykstra are prospects anymore, but both show enough potential as AAAA/bench types that they could be moved for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kingra01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Ray King</a></strong> or <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hairsje02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jerry Hairston</a></strong> types.<br />
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As I said, be sure to catch Konnor and I's mid-season top 20s next week and catch me and the <strong><a href="http://citizensofnatstown.com/" target="_blank">Citizens of Natstown</a></strong> gang (<strong><a href="http://twitter.com/citsofnatstown" target="_blank">@citsofnatstown</a></strong>) tonight for our 8 pm podcast where I'll discuss Nats prospects and we'll interview Jonah Keri!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-64196713735144309072012-06-03T20:01:00.000-07:002012-06-11T21:26:28.389-07:00Sean's coverage of the 2012 draftSean's coverage of the draft:<br />
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<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">2011 Nationals Draft site</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://2012nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">2012 Nationals Draft site</a></b> (will be updated after the draft)<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.citizensofnatstown.com/home/2012/6/2/seans-draft-big-board.html" target="_blank">2012 Draft Big Board (top 30) for Citizens of Natstown</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.citizensofnatstown.com/home/2012/6/11/breaking-down-the-draft-nl-east.html" target="_blank">NL East Draft Breakdown</a></b><br />
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<div>
3 part preview series for <b><a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/">NationalsProspects.com</a></b>:</div>
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<ol>
<li><b><a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/2012/05/an-intro-to-the-2012-washington-nationals-draft/" target="_blank">Intro/History</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/2012/05/getting-to-know-the-nats-draft-folks/" target="_blank">Getting to know the Nats draft folks</a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/2012/05/2012-nats-draft-options-who-to-take/" target="_blank">2012 Nats draft options</a></b></li>
</ol>
<div>
<b><a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/2012/06/2012-mlb-draft-live-thread/" target="_blank">2012 MLB Draft Live Blog/Chat</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/2012/06/2012-nats-draft-recap/" target="_blank">2012 Nats Draft Recap</a></b> </div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-55260446544549253502012-05-22T21:49:00.000-07:002012-05-22T21:49:01.062-07:00Looking back on unsigned 2011 picksThe Nats did a great job signing the top picks in their <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">2011 draft class</a></b>. All of the picks from the top 12 rounds signed with the team as well as 15 of their top 21 picks and 30 of their 51 picks overall. Here's a look at what the 21 guys that went unsigned are up to:<br />
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13th round C/1B <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-13-casey-ory-kalenkosky-1b-texas.html" target="_blank">Casey Kalenkosky</a></b> (Texas State)<br />
In his senior year at Texas State, "Ory" has hit .262/.353/.487 with 9 HR, 33 R and 35 RBI. Texas State is the #3 seed in the Southland Conference tournament and will face off against Stephen F. Austin tomorrow afternoon to try and gain an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.<br />
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14th round 1B/OF <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-14-cody-stubbs-of-walters-state.html" target="_blank">Cody Stubbs</a></b> (University of North Carolina)<br />
After transferring from Walters State CC to UNC this season, the junior hasn't found his power, hitting .266/.354/.425 with 5 HR, 6 SB, 36 R and 33 RBI through 55 games. UNC plays Wake Forest tomorrow night in the ACC tournament, but are a lock for an NCAA tournament bid.<br />
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15th round SS <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-15-zach-houchins-ss-louisburg.html" target="_blank">Zach Houchins</a></b> (Louisburg JC)<br />
<b><a href="http://flotn.blogspot.com/2011/06/nats-draft-bigot.html" target="_blank">Everyone's favorite</a></b> unsigned pick from 2011 starred for the highly ranked (as high as #1 in the NJCAA this year) Louisburg College Hurricanes, hitting .400/.476/.726 with 14 HR, 32 XBH, 62 R and 52 RBI in 54 games. The #2 seeded Hurricanes were eliminated by USC Sumter on May 8th in the NJCAA DI Region 10 tournament, which was eventually won by Spartanburg Methodist College. Houchins has 2 years of college eligibility left, but will likely be drafted again this season due to his excellent 2012 campaign.<br />
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17th round RHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-17-esteban-guzman-rhp-san-jose.html" target="_blank">Esteban Guzman</a></b> (San Jose State)<br />
The senior struggled to a 1-3 record and 4.71 ERA in 13 appearances (8 starts) for San Jose State. In 42 innings, he walked 25 and struck out 26 while allowing 50 H, 12 XBH and 23 runs. The Spartans did not qualify for the WAC baseball tournament after a 9 game conference losing streak to end the season.<br />
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19th round RHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-19-hawtin-buchanan-rhp-biloxi-hs.html" target="_blank">Hawtin Buchanan</a>, </b>20th round RHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-20-josh-laxer-rhp-madison-central.html" target="_blank">Josh Laxer</a></b> and 44th round 1B <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-44-matt-snyder-1b-ole-miss.html" target="_blank">Matt Snyder</a></b> (University of Mississippi)<br />
Buchanan pitched out of the pen in 14 games as a true freshman in 2012, with a solid 3.79 ERA and staggering 30 strikeouts in 19 innings.<br />
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Laxer didn't have quite the awesome freshman year, but went 4-0 in 5 starts (11 total appearances) with a 5.33 ERA. His 10:15 BB:K ratio left plenty to be desired, though.<br />
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Snyder had a breakout year, hitting .340/.406/.581, leading the team in total bases (125) and RBI (57) to go with his 12 homers and .998 fielding percentage.<br />
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Ole Miss lost their first SEC tournament game to #11 Kentucky today (despite a 4-4 day by Matt Snyder) and need to beat Arkansas tomorrow morning to stay alive in the SEC tournament.<br />
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24th round LHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-24-kyle-ottoson-lhp-arizona-state.html" target="_blank">Kyle Ottoson</a></b> (Oklahoma State)<br />
In his senior season, Ottoson went 4-7 with a 3.86 in 11 starts (12 appearances). His 29:41 BB:K ratio in 63 innings isn't impressive and he was <b><a href="http://arrestnation.com/tag/kyle-ottoson-mugshot/" target="_blank">arrested for DUI</a></b> earlier in the year. He'll get drafted for the fifth time this year, though. Ottoson and the Cowboys saddle up against their rivals the Oklahoma Sooners tomorrow morning in the Big 12 tournament.<br />
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29th round C <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-29-sean-cotten-c-tusculum-college.html" target="_blank">Sean Cotten</a></b> (Tusculum College)<br />
Cotten, who was thought to have signed with the Nationals by both his college and Baseball America, but ended up not signing for whatever reason. I can't seem to find what he's doing.<br />
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31st round OF <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-31-josh-tobias-of-southeast.html" target="_blank">Josh Tobias</a></b> and 46th round OF <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-46-tyler-thompson-of-university.html" target="_blank">Tyler Thompson</a></b> (Florida) <br />
Tobias hit .250/.333/.310 in 34 starts for Florida this season. While his power didn't show up (only 2 XBH and 6 RBI), he held his own for a true freshman in SEC play. He'll need to pack some pop in 2013 and beyond if he wants to rebuild his draft stock, though.<br />
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Plagued by injuries in the past, Thompson started his senior season at an impressive tune of a .319/.365/.447 triple slash in 14 starts, but tore his ACL in March while making it all the way to 2nd base on a dropped third strike.<br />
<br />Florida beat Auburn in their first SEC tournament game today and will play the winner of tomorrow's South Carolina - Vanderbilt game on Thursday.<br />
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34th round LHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-34-calvin-drummond-rhp-university.html" target="_blank">Calvin Drummond</a></b> (San Diego)<br />
Drummond was once again solid for San Diego this season, going 8-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 79 and 1/3 innings. His 28:67 BB:K ratio was solid as well. Drummond and the Toreros (sounds like a good name for a band?) will face off against Pepperdine University this weekend for the WCC championship.<br />
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37th round LHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-37-derrick-bleeker-rhp-howard.html" target="_blank">Derrick Bleeker</a></b> (Arkansas)<br />
Bleeker was drafted as an LHP but only threw 1 inning this season for the Razorbacks (albeit with 3 K and 0 runs allowed). He hit .267/.333/.467 with 3 HR, 11 R and 15 RBI in 23 starts, but his pro baseball future still likely lies in the bullpen as a power lefty arm. Arkansas lost to Mississippi State in their first round SEC tournament game today and will face Ole Miss tomorrow in an elimination matchup.<br />
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38th round LHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-38-brett-mooneyham-lhp-stanford.html" target="_blank">Brett Mooneyham</a> </b>(Stanford)<br />
The 38th round was nowhere near Mooneyham's true talent level, but he was injured and seen as unsignable in 2011. He returned to form in 2012, with a 7-4 record and 3.30 ERA in 12 starts. Mooneyham struck out an excellent 87 batters in 76 and 1/3 innings while walking 34. Mooneyham will certainly go much higher in the 2012 draft than in the 2011 one. Stanford plays California this weekend, but cannot win the Pac 12 baseball title. They'll certainly make the NCAA tournament, though.<br />
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39th round OF <a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-39-peter-verdin-of-university-of.html" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Peter Verdin</a> and<b> </b>49th round OF <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-49-of-hunter-cole-of-dorman-hs.html" target="_blank">Hunter Cole</a> </b>(Georgia)<br />
Verdin hit .300/.395/.359 in his senior season at Georgia with 20 R in 48 starts and 13 SB in 15 attempts.<br />
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Cole was excellent in his freshman year, hitting .281/.377/.459 in 48 starts with 7 HR, 26 R and 23 RBI.<br />
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Georgia lost its first SEC tournament game and will face Auburn tomorrow for a chance to fight on.<br />
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40th round OF <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-40-stephen-collum-of-cartersville.html" target="_blank">Stephen (Cory) Collum</a> </b>(Snead State CC)<br />
Can't find any stats for Snead State CC. Something tells me I'll live.<br />
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42nd round SS <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-42-david-kerian-ss-bishop-heelan.html" target="_blank">David Kerian</a></b> (Illinois)<br />
Hit .192/.323/.192 in 26 at bats for Illinois in his freshman year this year. 5 BB ain't bad, though. Illinois lost a tie break to Ohio State and failed to make the Big Ten tourney this year, all but ending their season.<br />
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43rd round SS <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-43-mitch-morales-ss-wellington.html" target="_blank">Mitch Morales</a></b> (Florida Atlantic)<br />
In his freshman season, Morales hit .264/.338/.312 in 40 starts. The power is still far from being there, but he swiped 5 bags and played solid defense this season. FAU is the #1 seed in the Sun Belt tournament and play Western Kentucky to kick it off tomorrow.<br />
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47th round LHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-47-tj-montgomery-rockmart-hs.html" target="_blank">TJ Montgomery</a></b><br />
Can't seem to find anything on Montgomery or where he ended up going to school.<br />
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48th round OF <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-48-mike-bisenius-of-wayne-state.html" target="_blank">Mike Bisenius</a></b> (Wayne State College)<br />
The senior won his conference's gold glove award while hitting .314/.422/.605 in 50 starts. Bisenius lead his team with 10 HR, 44 RBI and 45 R and even stole 7 bases. Wayne State lost to Winona State and Minnesota State (finally, a state State) and is no longer alive in the NSC tourney.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-22754876343431270942012-05-19T09:45:00.001-07:002012-05-19T09:45:45.875-07:00What to expect from Ian DesmondIf you've read my blog and/or followed me on <b><a href="http://twitter.com/seanhoganvt" target="_blank">twitter</a></b> for any amount of time, you know that Ian Desmond is not my favorite National. His potential intrigued me in 2007 when he hit .264/.357/.432 (10.6% BB%!!!!) in high A, and again when he raked in AA and AAA in 2009. Since reaching the majors, Desmond has stopped progressing. His semi-promising 2010 season (.269/.308/.392) downgraded into a .253/.298/.358 2011 season. At 26 (almost 27) years old, players generally don't develop into completely different players, so at this point Desmond is probably going to be this type of player. But what can we expect from him going forward?<br />
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Desmond's .272/.294/.451 triple slash this season, good for a 104 wRC+ (league average is 100). His previous full season wRC+'s have been 88 in 2010 and 80 in 2011. That's quite an improvement, and even though the OBP is still awful, he's hitting with enough power to make up for it. Desmond's BB% at 3.3% is worse than at any level in his career (previous worst was 3.8% in 133 PA at AA in 2007, and his career MLB average is 5% even), but he's dropped his K% 2% since last year under 20%, which is not too bad. While Desmond is really, REALLY hacking (swinging at 36.3% of pitches outside the zone and 54.2% overall with career averages of 32% and 47.7% respectively), I can't imagine him go forth from here seeing 3.3 pitches per plate appearance with a 3.3% BB%. He'll improve at least a little.<br />
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Desmond's batting average has to stay pretty high to keep his overall batting approach around league average. At .272 right now (career .263), it's solid enough (of course, with 6 BB on the season, it still leads to a terrible OBP). I don't expect Desmond's batting average to dip anytime soon; his BABIP is actually below career average (.308 as opposed to .314, and with Desmond's speed, I wouldn't be surprised to see it get up around .320). He's hitting more line drives than his career averages (18.2% over 16.6%). The only real outlier in Desmond's batted ball stats is his 12.2% HR/FB (career average of 8.3%). His 6.0 HR/FB in 2011 was much lower than projected, so the regression would likely end up somewhere in the 9-10% range, which would still leave him with plenty of homers.<br />
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ZiPS' updated 2012 projections peg Desmond to finish the season with a .263/.301/.408 triple slash, 15 HR and 18 SB. I'd take the over on batting average and slugging, and the under on OBP. This is more or less what Ian Desmond is going to be in the near future. He's still a terrible option in the leadoff spot (don't even get me started with the .294 OBP and 3.3 pitches seen per plate appearance in the 1 spot), but he's a solid enough option to keep starting.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-56779399170071549232012-05-11T23:24:00.002-07:002012-05-13T12:25:32.363-07:00Flores for Callaspo? Yes.I admittedly arrived late to the party on the "<b><a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/11/angels-and-nationals-shoulder-consider-a-smaller-trade/comment-page-1/#comment-299662" target="_blank">Angels and Nationals should consider a smaller trade</a></b>" piece written by <b><a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/author/matthewpouliot/" target="_blank">Matthew Pouliot</a></b> of NBC Sports Hardball Talk. Pouliot doesn't go far into depth, but suggests that rather than worry about a <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bourjpe01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Peter Bourjos</a></strong> to the Nats deal, the teams should consider a <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/floreje02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jesus Flores</a></strong> for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/callaal01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Alberto Callaspo</a></strong> swap. Now, I'm not one to say whether it's fair from the Angels' perspective; with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iannech01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Chris Iannetta</a></strong> down for 6 weeks, they need catching help. I do think it would be a solid move for the Nats. Here are 4 reasons why:<br />
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<b>1. The deal would allow the Nats to send <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/espinda01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Danny Espinosa</a></strong> to AAA to find his swing. </b><br />
Currently, the Nats have three guys on the 40 man roster who can play 2B and/or SS: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/desmoia01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Ian Desmond</a></strong>, Danny Espinosa and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lombast02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Steve Lombardozzi</a></strong>. That's already pretty risky. When <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/derosma01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Mark DeRosa</a></strong> is healthy, you have 3 and 1/2, but that's about as good as you'll get. Espinosa needs a trip to Syracuse to concentrate on his swing against lower competition where the pressure is off and results matter less, but the Nats can't send him there unless they add another middle infielder. Benching him in favor of Lombardozzi is fine in theory, but Espinosa's swing isn't going to get better sitting on the bench, either. Acquiring a solid utility guy in Callaspo would allow the Nats to send down Espinosa without stretching the bench too thin.<br />
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<b>2. It would improve the team in the short term without hurting it in the long term.</b><br />
Acquiring Callaspo and sending Espinosa to AAA would likely thrust Lombardozzi into a better playing time situation where his .295/.377/.344 triple slash could thrive out of the leadoff spot. Callaspo isn't a slouch either, hitting a Desmondian .250/.301/.309 to start the year but with a solid .280/.335/.386 triple slash over his 617 game MLB career, a track record that suggests improvement. Danny Espinosa (.193/.279/.278) and Mark DeRosa (.081/.227/.081) have been outright terrible, so a situation where Lombardozzi and Callaspo absorbed their playing time would prod the Nats' mediocre offense in the right direction.<br />
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<b>3. Jesus Flores is fairly easy to replace.</b><br />
Yeah, the Nats dealt away <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=norris001der" target="_blank">Derek Norris</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramoswi01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Wilson Ramos</a></strong>' glove has been a little shaky so far this season. But Jesus Flores isn't the answer anymore. He's either injured or a backup (averaging less than 53 games total played over the past 6 seasons) and is looking like your run-of-the-mill backup catcher (career .253/.303/.356 and .208/.256/.292 since missing the 2010 season) who is nearing his 3rd year of arbitration (where he'll creep into the $1 million range). <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=solano001jho" target="_blank">Jhonatan Solano</a></strong> isn't going to develop into more than an ML backup, but his defensive game is already there and he hit .275/.325/.388 for Syracuse last season. Plug him into an ML role once he gets off the 7 day DL in Syracuse and he can't fare much worse than Flores. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maldoca03.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Carlos Maldonado</a></strong> has 3 cups of coffee in the majors and can hold his own if needed. Switch-hitting defensive stud <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=leon--001san" target="_blank">Sandy Leon</a></strong> is developing into a nice piece for the future in Harrisburg. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=skelto001jam" target="_blank">James Skelton</a></strong>, whose <b><a href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2008/12/10/689116/your-team-should-choose-ja" target="_blank">Beyond the Box Score</a></b> favorite status has faded since 2008, but has a weird ability to get on base a ton despite hitting for a very low average (career .221/.369/.305 hitter in AA).<br />
Mainly the point is: Flores isn't that good in the first place, so whatever warm body Syracuse deems ready will turn out just fine.<br />
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4. <b>Versatility, versatility, versatility.</b><br />
Yeah, the Nats will eventually get the likes of Morse, Werth and DeRosa (I hope not) back and could get help from guys like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=rendon001ant" target="_blank">Anthony Rendon</a></strong> by the end of the season, but the Nats could easily find a place to stash both Callaspo and Lombardozzi, who can both play pretty much any position besides pitcher or catcher (and I'm sure both would do either if you asked them). And omg, both can switch hit. Having 2 guys on the bench that can hit from both sides, get on base, play any position in the field...is this only a fantastic idea to me? Ideally, the Nats could carry this roster towards the end of the year:<br />
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C - Ramos<br />
IF - LaRoche, Espinosa, Desmond and Zimmerman<br />
OF - Morse, Harper and Werth<br />
Bench - Solano, Callaspo, Lombardozzi, Tracy and Ankiel.<br />
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That's 1 R, 2 S and 2 L off the bench and with decent defense, speed and power abilities. (I took off the following for the following reasons: Nady and DeRosa can't hit and can't make up for it with the glove. Davey won't play <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moorety01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Tyler Moore</a></strong> so might as well send him back to the Cuse and get him normal playing time. Bernadina just isn't that good, but I would be happy cutting Ankiel too).<br />
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The Flores for Callaspo thing isn't even a rumor, just a suggestion by a national blog, but I'd be very happy with such a move.<br />
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<b>EDIT</b><br />
Now that Ramos is likely done for the year, the Nats shouldn't make the move. Jesus Flores is still easily replaceable, but adding 2 new C to a team can't be good for continuity's sake.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-63214289529432050202012-04-29T10:03:00.002-07:002012-04-29T10:18:18.346-07:005 things to know about Tyler MooreAs you might have seen, 1B/OF prospect <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=moore-001tyl" target="_blank">Tyler Moore</a></strong> is on his way to <strike>Los Angeles</strike> the big leagues to make his ML debut, as <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/derosma01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Mark DeRosa</a></strong> has (mercifully) been sent to the DL. I've historically not been a big fan of Moore as a true prospect, but this is the perfect opportunity to get him some AB's to show what he can do. Here are 5 things to know about Moore before he plays in his first game.<br />
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1 - He is an excellent platoon candidate with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/larocad01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Adam LaRoche</a></strong>.<br />
Moore, a right-handed hitter, is absolutely annihilating left-handed pitching this season. In 20 plate appearances, he's hitting .421/.450/.789 with 2 HR and 6 RBI. While LaRoche is hitting .389/.450/.611 vs LHP this season, he is a career .249/.306/.436 against them. To get the most value about of Moore (as well as LaRoche), Davey should go with a platoon situation where Moore starts at 1B vs LHP and gets additional playing time with spot starts in the outfield and pinch hitting opportunities.<br />
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2 - He has aesome power. Not awesome. Aesome.<br />
Along with Diamondbacks 1B <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goldspa01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Paul Goldschmidt</a></strong> and Moore are the only players to hit 30+ HR in both 2010 and 2011. Moore's career ISO is .221, which is very impressive. Tyler Moore doesn't have above average tools across the board, but he can definitely hit the crap out of the ball.<br />
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3 - His plate discipline is improving slowly.<br />
Plate discipline is the reason I wasn't a huge fan of Moore in the first place. Striking out roughly 4 times per every walk is a recipe for disaster once players start facing pitchers at the MLB level who attack weaknesses. While it is a very small sample size, Moore has walked 10 times in his first 22 games in AAA against 20 strikeouts, improving his BB% from a previous career high of 8.4% (and 5.3% last year) up to 11% this season. He's striking out at his normal high rate, but the higher walk rate makes it tolerable. There is a huge difference between the value of a .270/.310/.500 hitter and a .270/.340/.500 hitter.<br />
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4 - He's a better fielder than you might expect.<br />
Moore is not just a right-handed <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dunnad01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Adam Dunn</a></strong>. While his range in the outfield leaves something to be desired, he's a sure-handed 1B who won't kill you in the outfield.<br />
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MASN's Byron Kerr in March <b><a href="http://www.masnsports.com/byron_kerr/2012/03/tyler-moore-focused-on-his-speed-and-footwork.html" target="_blank">talked to</a></b> Nationals outfield coordinator Tony Tarasco:<br />
"I don't expect Tyler Moore to wow you (in the outfield), but I do expect Tyler Moore to make the routine plays. And with his baseball intellect, he is the type guy who will throw the ball to the right base. He is going to make sure he doesn't miss cutoff men, the little pet peeves that haunt baseball teams (if those plays aren't made) during the season when they are trying to win baseball games."
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5 - He is a polarizing player.<br />
He's not just a right-handed Adam Dunn, but do you remember how polarizing Adam Dunn was? Not everybody loves guys that strike out a lot, even if they hit a ton of home runs. As I said before, I haven't been a big fan of Moore due to his poor walk rate. If his early 2012 improvement in plate discipline drops back to his 2011 (or even 2012 spring training, where he found a way to have a .296 batting average and .286 OBP and no, that's not a typo), he's basically a 1 tool player. That tool is aesome, but the rest leaves something to be desired, and he'll always have detractors.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-5317384121016955662012-04-15T20:14:00.002-07:002012-04-15T20:14:23.315-07:00Remembering Leslie Sherman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJPZnB_hWVcGZyBnPaxKZWXPxiUkOUFH2C7McAOviWH5xZQ3DyP8R1rfXVtaH6VQ3GMd4RVP8a29YHlz8wagnG8DpHOyt9qtHvTFKiqCVz_FSa9X2WR5fqhq-TEqWHAym7S-s48cExQ4/s1600/dmitri+vt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJPZnB_hWVcGZyBnPaxKZWXPxiUkOUFH2C7McAOviWH5xZQ3DyP8R1rfXVtaH6VQ3GMd4RVP8a29YHlz8wagnG8DpHOyt9qtHvTFKiqCVz_FSa9X2WR5fqhq-TEqWHAym7S-s48cExQ4/s1600/dmitri+vt.jpg" /></a></div>
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5 years ago today, the Nationals beat the Braves 5-1 to "improve" to 4-9 on the season. Was it a particularly memorable game? To most, probably not. It was a nice game, sure; the Nats got 5 runs and 9 hits out of their top 4 batters in the lineup (Felipe Lopez, Ronnie Belliard, Ryan Zimmerman and Dmitri Young) and Matt Chico pitched 5 innings of 1 run ball (with a spectacular 5 BB/0 K ratio). To me, though, this game was an escape from what had become the worst day of my life.<br />
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5 years ago today, my favorite place in the entire world was violated by a student named Sueng-Hui Cho. My oldest sister was a senior at Virginia Tech at the time (thankfully she was not harmed). My grandparents live about 20 minutes away from Blacksburg. My parents met at the school. I had sent in my deposit about 4 months prior and was ecstatic about joining the incoming class of 2011. </div>
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It was surreal at the time; obviously, a mass shooting is something that you would never expect to happen at the place that makes you feel happy and safe at the same time. Nobody deserves to lose a loved one in a tragedy, but could this really be happening to us? And even after watching all of the news coverage, it still didn't feel real. Then we got the call, and all I can remember is hearing from my sister, "Leslie is gone."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXmmLlSmYZ3hntt3dhNfkgu4NIRLkeg9fHB-L7VmJUPUFsiH1R9rZezApmMSgsYQwoOfm8R8npeAOZwizjrPhOMhr-mC5GIamtsjy0Ih0ZI9BNpnzOTqtwxxiWguE9mPh0cilvzljIgo/s1600/leslie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXmmLlSmYZ3hntt3dhNfkgu4NIRLkeg9fHB-L7VmJUPUFsiH1R9rZezApmMSgsYQwoOfm8R8npeAOZwizjrPhOMhr-mC5GIamtsjy0Ih0ZI9BNpnzOTqtwxxiWguE9mPh0cilvzljIgo/s320/leslie.png" width="236" /></a></div>
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Leslie Sherman was loved by everyone who knew her. In just over 20 years on Earth, she made more people laugh and smile than I think anyone else could do in 100. There isn't one word that could really describe her; nice, outgoing, friendly and spunky could all fit, but they don't do her justice. Leslie was well on her way to changing the world when her life was taken, but to be honest, she changed the hearts of so many others that the world really is a better place because of her.</div>
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Tragedies do not only have change the lives of those who lost loved ones. Please take some time, read about Leslie and let her story inspire you to be a better person.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.remembrance.vt.edu/2007/biographies/leslie_geraldine_sherman.html" target="_blank">VT page</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/lgsherman.htm" target="_blank">Arlington National Cemetary page</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/vatechshootings/victims/leslie_sherman.html" target="_blank">Washington Post page</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.roanoke.com/vtvictims/wb/113681" target="_blank">Roanoke Times obit</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.vt-memorial.org/profiles/Sherman.html" target="_blank">VT-Memorial.org page</a></b></div>
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<b>We are Virginia Tech. </b><br />
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We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while. We are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning.<br />
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We are Virginia Tech.<br />
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We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly, we are brave enough to bend to cry, and we are sad enough to know that we must laugh again.<br />
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We are Virginia Tech.<br />
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We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did nothing to deserve it, but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, neither do the invisible children walking the night away to avoid being captured by the rogue army, neither does the baby elephant watching his community being devastated for ivory, neither does the Mexican child looking for fresh water, neither does the Appalachian infant killed in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. <b>No one deserves a tragedy. </b><br />
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We are Virginia Tech.<br />
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The Hokie Nation embraces our own and reaches out with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong, and brave, and innocent, and unafraid. We are better than we think and not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imaginations and the possibilities. We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness.<br />
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<b>We are the Hokies. </b><br />
<b>We will prevail. </b><br />
<b>We will prevail. </b><br />
<b>We will prevail. </b><br />
<b>We are Virginia Tech.</b> - <b><a href="http://www.remembrance.vt.edu/2007/archive/giovanni_transcript.html" target="_blank">Nikki Giovanni</a></b>, April 17, 2007Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-49617553170457954632012-04-11T21:36:00.000-07:002012-04-11T21:36:59.339-07:00On the farm update - 4/12/12Before I say anything else: <b>SMALL SAMPLE SIZE</b>. Stats from the first 5-7 games of the season are not statistically significant enough to draw any conclusions. I will use them to hopelessly buy in to the encouraging trends some players are showing and at the same time dismiss discouraging trends due to small sample size.<br />
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<b>Looking good so far:</b></div>
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Corey Brown - One of my personal favorites, Brown is hitting .409/.536/.636 in his first 6 AAA games, including a 5 BB/2 K ratio. Given his poor 47 BB/136 K ratio from AAA and ML in 2011, the early plate discipline is encouraging. </div>
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Tyler Moore - Gotta give a guy I'm not as high on as most credit. Moore has only struck out 3 times in his first 6 games 21 at bats and has walked 3 times as well. Coming from a guy that generally strikes out an average of once per game and walks about once every four, I'm pleased to start the year.</div>
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Yunesky Maya - Oh yes, I went there. #1 on our least wanted list threw 6 shutout innings in his 2012 Syracuse debut with 4 K's, 4 hits and 0 BB allowed. Again, SMALLSAMPLESIZEOMGMAYASTILLSUCKS.</div>
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Zach Duke - Had a similar start to Maya, except with 1 run and 1 BB allowed. Duke will always be somewhat overrated because of his awesome 2005 rookie half-season, but is still a useful ML pitcher, and I would be surprised not to see him at some point this year.</div>
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Jeff Kobernus - Everything is fueled by an astronomic BABIP, but a .406/.424/.469 first week with 5/6 SB and 6 runs deserves a mention.</div>
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Jason Martinson - Already has 10 BB and 10 K through 7 games. 13 runs, 2 HR and a perfect 6/6 on SB attempts make him stick out compared to the others in the organization.</div>
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David Freitas - He's thought to be a below average defensive catcher, so his bat needs to carry him to the big leagues. At this rate, he's in good shape; David is hitting .467/.500/.733 so far this year.</div>
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Matt Skole - 10 K's in 23 AB's is a little bit disconcerting, but he has hits in most of his non-K at-bats and is at .348/.429/.565 so far.</div>
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Caleb Ramsey - .304/.360/.391. Get used to it.</div>
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Nathan Karns - 10 K and 2 hits allowed through his first 7 innings pitched. </div>
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Alex Meyer - 5 scoreless frames in his MiLB debut with 2 hits allowed, 0 BB and 4 K.</div>
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<b>Doing better than you think:</b></div>
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Bryce Harper - He's still like 14 years old and playing in AAA. .261/.320/.391 is okay for now. He still needs more minor league time, though. I am a part of a very small minority it seems that thinks Harper should be called up no earlier than August. His bat is likely going to face a significant adjustment when he hits the bigs for the first time, and it's probably not going to help the team all that much. So why burn future money to see a future star disappoint when you can save the hype train for a rainy day (like, say, when Strasburg gets shut down for the year).</div>
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<b>Not looking so good:</b></div>
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Jason Michaels - 1 for his first 13. His days of being a borderline ML roster player are behind him, but I'm sure he'll be a solid veteran presence in Syracuse.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rafael Martin - Another of my personal favorites, at least until he gave up 5 runs in 2/3 of an inning on Sunday.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The rotation behind Maya and Duke - Woof. Tanner Roark got busted up in his second outing and wasn't spectacular in his first, either. Mitch Atkins found a way to allow 4 hits and 5 walks in 5 innings with only 1 unearned run allowed to show for it, but he probably won't get that lucky again. John Lannan got bombed, as we all know by now.</div>
<div>
Harrisburg's plate discipline - No batter has more than 2 walks, and none of the prospect types (Kobernus, Perez, Hood) have more than 1. If you have poor plate discipline, you will get eaten alive by better pitching. These guys need to develop it at lower levels so when they get to AAA or the bigs, the holes in their swings won't be taken advantage of in every at bat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The guys in Potomac that I like - Michael Taylor is hitting .176/.364/.235 (yay walks!) but has been caught in all 3 SB attempts. Kevin Keyes is hitting .100/.182/.100. The "Groovin' Aruban" Randolph Oduber is at .158/.200/.211. Hopefully these guys will warm up and start hitting like Freitas.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-11299556247063067552012-03-14T19:56:00.000-07:002012-03-14T19:56:03.251-07:00March Madness - Who are the Nats rooting for?I don't know for sure who the Nationals are <i>really</i> rooting for, but here are the Nationals (and some notable prospects) who attended schools competing for the NCAA Tournament in Basketball:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=meyer-001ale" target="_blank">Alex Meyer</a></b> - Kentucky (#1 in South Region, plays #16 Western Kentucky on Thursday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=monar-001bla" target="_blank">Blake Monar</a></strong> - Indiana (#4 in South Region, plays #13 New Mexico State on Thursday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=hill--005dav" target="_blank">Taylor Hill</a></strong> - Vanderbilt (#5 in East Region, plays #12 Harvard on Thursday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Stephen Strasburg</a></strong> - San Diego State (#6 seed in Midwest Region, plays #11 NC State on Friday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lidgebr01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Brad Lidge</a></strong> & <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=dupra-001bri" target="_blank">Brian Dupra</a></strong> - Notre Dame (#7 seed in South Region, plays #10 Xavier on Friday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/teahema01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Mark Teahen</a></strong> - St. Mary's (#7 in Midwest Region, plays #10 Purdue on Friday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fulchje01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jeff Fulchino</a></strong> - UConn (#9 seed in South Region, plays #8 Iowa State on Thursday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoffpja01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Jarrett Hoffpauir</a></strong> - Southern Miss (#9 in East Region, plays #8 Kansas State on Thursday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=zimmery01,zimmer003rya,zimmer001rya&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Ryan Zimmerman</a></strong> - Virginia (#10 seed in West Region, plays #7 Florida on Friday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/espinda01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Danny Espinosa</a></strong> - Long Beach State (#12 seed in West Region, plays #5 New Mexico on Thursday)<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=kobern002jef" target="_blank">Jeff Kobernus</a></strong> & Dixon Anderson - California (#12 in Midwest Region, playing #12 South Florida on Wednesday in a play-in game)<br />
<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stammcr01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Craig Stammen</a></strong> - Dayton (not in the tournament, but can watch the "first four" games at his home arena!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-57670635705489676052012-01-26T20:18:00.000-08:002012-02-05T19:32:30.664-08:00Brad Lidge's upside (and downside)<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lidgebr01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker" target="_blank">Brad Lidge</a></strong> is not anywhere near the pitcher he used to be. That being said, he could still be a solid contributor for the Nationals in 2012.<br />
<br />
First of all, Lidge's average velocity on his fastball and slider have gone down significantly over the last two seasons (where he has missed significant time due to an elbow injury and rotator cuff surgery). Last season, his fastball velocity averaged 89 MPH and his slider averaged 80.9 MPH, far off of his career paces of 94.6 and 85.8 respectively (and his 2010 post-elbow injury 91.7 MPH average fastball and 83.4 MPH average slider). He also leaned on his slider much more in 2011 than ever before, throwing the pitch 72% of the time as opposed to about 45% of the time over his career and 60% of the time in his previous career high in 2011.<br />
<br />
What does this mean? It's hard to say. <b><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/brad-lidge-velocity-and-trevor-hoffman/" target="_blank">Eno Sarris of FanGraphs</a></b> theorized in July that if Lidge could dominate with his slider, he could continue being a reliable reliever in 2011 and beyond. His 2011 rate stats were both good and bad, with a 10.71 K/9 rate but a 6.05 BB/9 rate to go along with it. The high strikeout rate gives me optimism, as anything over 9 is very good and over 10 is awesome. The walk rate doesn't worry me all that much because, even though Lidge has never been a wizard with his control, he's still generally in the 4-5 BB/9 range, not near 6.<br />
<br />
Bill James' projections put Lidge down for a 3.86 ERA, 11.57 K/9 and 5.14 BB/9 in 2012 with a 1.03 HR/9 rate. I'd be surprised if they ended up around there, to be honest. I think he's going to be either awful or solid. If he can get solid velocity out of his fastball and slider and control him, he'll be pretty good; if he can't, he'll probably be pretty bad.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Side note - I hope you enjoy <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">2011 Nationals Draft Info</a></b>. I'm in the process of updating the profile for each signed player with 2011 stats (tables from <b><a href="http://baseball-reference.com/" target="_blank">Baseball-Reference</a></b>) as well as new analysis and reports from the likes of Luke Erickson of <b><a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/" target="_blank">Nationals Prospects</a></b>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=sulliv001rya" target="_blank">Ryan Sullivan</a></strong> of <b><a href="http://natsgm.com/" target="_blank">Nationals GM</a></b>, Todd Boss of <b><a href="http://www.nationalsarmrace.com/" target="_blank">Nationals Arm Race</a></b>, Jeff Reese of <b><a href="http://bullpenbanter.com/" target="_blank">Bullpen Banter</a></b> and potentially some other surprise guests. I'll be updating them three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) with some double posting possible.<br />
<br />
To date, the following players have been updated:<br />
<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-50-tony-nix-of-university-of.html" target="_blank">Monday, 1/23</a></b>: 50th round OF <b>Anthony Nix</b><br />
<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-45-lhp-richie-mirowski-oklahoma.html" target="_blank">Wednesday, 1/25</a></b>: 45th round RHP <b><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=mirows000rit" target="_blank">Richie Mirowski</a></strong></b><br />
<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-41-bryce-ortega-3b-university-of.html" target="_blank">Friday, 1/27</a></b>: 41st round IF <b><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=ortega000bry" target="_blank">Bryce Ortega</a></strong></b><br />
<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-36-ben-hawkins-lhp-university-of.html" target="_blank">Monday, 1/30</a></b>: 36th round LHP <b><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=hawkin000ben" target="_blank">Ben Hawkins</a></strong></b><br />
<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-35-alex-kreis-rhp-jamestown.html" target="_blank">Thursday, 2/2</a></b>: 35th round RHP <b><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=kreis-000ale" target="_blank">Alex Kreis</a></strong></b><br />
<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-33-trey-karlen-2b-university-of.html" target="_blank">Friday, 2/3</a></b>: 33rd round 2B <b><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=karlen000tre" target="_blank">Trey Karlen</a></strong></b><br />
<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-32-billy-burns-of-mercer.html" target="_blank">Monday, 2/6</a></b>: 32nd round OF <b><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker&id=burns-002bil" target="_blank">Billy Burns</a></strong></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-37179876219159036272011-11-28T19:09:00.000-08:002011-11-28T19:09:57.030-08:00Zimmerman for McCutchen?Talking about trading one of your most popular franchise players is often not a wise thing to do; you don't see many Brewers fans chanting "trade Ryan Braun," Red Sox bandwagonites asking to get <b><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=2289771&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_mlb&ymd=20071031">Tacoby Bellsbury</a></b> out of town or<b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Sternberg">Stuart Sternberg</a></b> (the only Rays fan in existence) trying to find Evan Longoria a <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4MOyS9RRqE">new cap</a></b>. Yet here I stand, suggesting that the Nationals move Ryan Zimmerman for the<b><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/pirates-would-consider-offers-andrew-mccutchen-.html"> apparently (and idiotically) available</a></b> Andrew McCutchen.<br />
<br />
Let me first start with why the Nats should entertain the idea of moving Zimmerman in general. One note: I'm not screaming <b>TRADE ZIMMERMAN</b>, as he is an immensely valuable player...simply stating that his value to the Nats may be at his highest now.<br />
<br />
1) Zimmerman is relatively expensive now ($12 mil in 2012, $14 mil in 2013) and will be a free agent after the 2013 season. Adam Kilgore in August <b><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/ryan-zimmerman-talks-next-contract.html">spitballed the idea</a></b> of an 8 year, $175 million deal for Zim ($21.875 mil/year); an extension could end up lower than that, but we're still talking about a major, MAJOR investment. McCutchen, on the other hand, is under team control through 2015, still one season away from arbitration. <b><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/pirates-would-consider-offers-andrew-mccutchen-.htm">MLB Trade Rumors suggests</a></b> that the Justin Upton 6 year, $51.75 mil contract could be a model for a McCutchen extension, but even a 6 year, $60 million deal would be a bargain.<br />
<br />
2) Zimmerman's injury history, while perhaps overstated, still exists. He played in only 106 games in 2008 due to a small tear in his left shoulder, couldn't finish the last 10 days 2010 season because of a rib sprain and missed significant time in 2011 due to abdominal injuries. I'm much more worried about Rendon's injury history than Zimmerman's, but it's still at least a minor point of concern. Besides missing a few games due to a bum hand from being hit by pitch, McCutchen hasn't been significantly injured in his 2 years of MLB service<br />
<br />
3) Zimmerman is an elite 3B, but 3B's are a lot easier to come by than CF's. The Nats have Rendon in the system behind him already (top prospects aren't slam dunks, but Rendon >>> anything the Nats have in CF). It's basically impossible to find an elite CF, which makes an already above-average CF like McCutchen so valuable.<br />
<br />
<br />
On July 18, <b><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/2011-trade-value-10-1/">Dave Cameron of FanGraphs</a></b> listed Zimmerman as the player with the tenth greatest trade value. His write-up:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Zimmerman is one of the game’s best players, but also one of the game’s best kept secrets. He is consistently ignored in things like All-Star placement and MVP voting despite the fact that he’s one of the best players in baseball. Because he’s not a premier power guy or an up-the-middle player and his value is largely tied to his defensive excellence, his excellence gets lost in the crowd, but it shouldn’t. He’s awesome. At $26 million over the next two years, he’s also one of the cheapest elite players in baseball, though the lack a true long term deal drags him down a bit. Still, his present value is sky high, and offsets most of the lack of value beyond 2013.</blockquote>McCutchen came in at number six on Cameron's list:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Already a terrific all-around player, McCutchen has added power this year and made himself into a legitimate MVP candidate at age 24. His broad base of skills suggests that he’ll age extremely well, there’s no injury history to worry about, and the Pirates control his rights for four more years after this one. They haven’t yet locked him up to a long term deal, but even if he goes through the arbitration process, he’ll still be a tremendous bargain. If you want to start handing out praise for why baseball is relevant in Pittsburgh again, start with McCutchen.</blockquote><br />
There are many factors that can't be measured objectively, such as Zimmerman's local ties (grew up in the Tidewater area and went to UVA) or his charity work with the <b><a href="http://zimsfoundation.org/">ziMS Foundation</a></b>, but from a strictly baseball-oriented point of view, I think the Nats would be foolish to not make a trade like this if it were ever on the table.<br />
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This all being said, the Pirates probably aren't really shopping McCutchen and despite his 2011 awfulness, Pedro Alvarez is still a solid prospect at 3B for them. But who knows.<br />
<br />
Vote in the poll:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" id="twpw_if" name="twpw_if" onload="TwtpwFm.registerFrame(this);" scrolling="no" src="http://twtpoll.com/badge/if/?twt=8c60lu&b=1&bt=1" width="100%">&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Your browser doesn't support iFrames :( Vote for this poll &amp;amp;lt;a href="http://twtpoll.com/8c60lu" title="here" target="_blank"&amp;amp;gt;here&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;</iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-70510395397331393082011-11-06T17:03:00.000-08:002011-11-06T17:03:12.098-08:00Ranking the Nats' minor league free agent pitchersBaseball America releases a <b><a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/11/minor-league-free-agents-2011/">beautiful list</a></b> of 500+ minor league free agents every November. In the past, I have attempted to do write-ups on all of them (or at least all of the relevant ones). This year, I'll simply rank the Nats' 26 minor league FA's and perhaps in a later post list some of the more intriguing names on the list from other organizations. Today, we'll look at the 8 pitchers who are now FA's.<br />
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One note - I will try to keep this updated as any of these players sign with other orgs or re-sign with the Nats. I haven't been able to keep up over the last week, though, so leave comments (with links) if you read anything on these guys.<br />
<br />
<b>1. LHP Oliver Perez</b><br />
Perez' bugaboo across his entire career has been his control. His best 2 ML seasons control-wise featured walk rates of 3.7 (2004) and 4.0 (2007); coincidentally, those were his best 2 ML seasons overall, putting up a 2.98 ERA in 196 innings for the Pirates in '04 and a 3.56 ERA in 177 innings for the Mets in '07. That's what gives me so much optimism about Perez' 2011 season; after putting up BB/9's around 8 for the last 2 seasons for the Mets, Perez made it all the way down to 3.2 for Harrisburg this year. His K/9 rate suffered (6.9 this year, 9.5 career minor league rate), but he could still be a much more effective LOOGY than Doug Slaten. With a career major league line of .226/.317/.374 against lefties, I would be more than happy to see Perez return to pitch in the Nats' organization in 2011 (assuming there were no underlying attitude problems that I didn't hear about).<br />
<b><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1514&position=P">Fangraphs</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=perezol01&year=Career&t=p">Baseball-Reference</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>2. RHP Shairon Martis</b><br />
Martis was a kinda bright spot for the 2009 Nats, starting out the season 5-0 despite having crappy overall numbers. After spending the second half of that season and all of last year in Syracuse, Martis found himself in Harrisburg for the entire 2011 season. What happened there was very intriguing. Martis finished the year with a 3.06 ERA and 2.79 FIP in 133 innings, with solid BB and K rates; Martis' 9.9 K/9 from 2011 is a huge improvement over his career numbers (7.3 across the minors for his entire career, 6.1 in AAA and 6.6 in his previous AA stays) and he lowered his BB rate an entire walk from 2010 to '11 (3.6 in AAA in 2010, 2.6 in AA in 2011). Inferior competition could be part of the explanation for his upswing in numbers, but we're still talking a very significant improvement. At 24 now (25 in March), Martis is still young enough to try to turn into a useful ML piece.<br />
<b><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6781&position=P">FanGraphs</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martish01.shtml">Baseball-Reference</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>3. RHP J.D. Martin</b><br />
While Martin's upside is low, he's an excellent guy to have around. His control is excellent (2.5 career ML BB/9, 1.4 BB/9 career AAA BB/9) and his results have been decent as well (2.66, 3.51 and 3.93 ERA's in his 3 seasons pitching AAA ball for the Nats and 4.32 ERA in 125 career ML IP). At 29 in January, he's still young enough to make an ML contribution for many organizations, but given the Nats' pitching depth, he will probably have to look elsewhere to get a better shot at getting back to the bigs. The 2012 Astros could very well be a haven for minor league lifers (like the 2006 Nats were), so I would advise Martin's agent to start calling Ed Wade.<br />
<b><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3685&position=P">FanGraphs</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martijd01.shtml">Baseball-Reference</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>4. RHP Garrett Mock</b><br />
Mock has been a frustrating player to follow since the Nats received him in the Livan Hernandez-to-the-Diamondbacks deal in 2006. His stuff was both never the issue and always the issue, with major inconsistency problems despite having a mid-90s (albeit flat) fastball and solid secondary options. Todd Boss of <b><a href="http://www.nationalsarmrace.com/?p=2386">Nationals Arm Race</a></b> put it best, calling Mock "a guy with a plus fastball but who has proven time and again that he can’t produce consistent results stays in the system to provide continual tempting of the club management (the leader of whom Rizzo has a soft spot for him, having drafted him while working in Arizona)."<br />
<br />
Mock missed most of the 2010 season due to injury and did not recover well this season, putting up a 6.39 ERA in 49 and 1/3 innings spread across four levels. His 9.3 K/9 rate from 2011 is slightly above his 7.8 career average across all levels, but he apparently lost all control of the strike zone at the same time, putting up a BB/9 rate of 5.3 this year. The walk rate is likely an anomaly, as Mock's career BB/9 in the minors is 2.7, but his time in the Nats organization is probably done. Mock is a Houston native, so that could also be a nice fit for him given the Astros' lack of talent across all levels.<br />
<br />
<b>5. RHP Luis Atilano</b><br />
Like Martis, Atilano spent time in DC before being sent all the way down to Harrisburg in 2011. Unlike Martis, he was injured for basically the entire season and gave up 9 runs in 6 innings in the two starts he did make. Even when healthy, Atilano was not a key ML piece but rather a spot starter/injury call-up. Alex Remington of FanGraphs described Atilano best in his 2011 Second Opinion Profile: "The Quick Opinion: A fly-ball pitcher who doesn't miss bats or keep the ball in the park: basically, he's a No. 7 starter."<br />
<b><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3802&position=P">FanGraphs</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/atilalu01.shtml">Baseball-Reference</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>6. RHP Jimmy Barthmaier</b><br />
Barthmaier came to the Nats in 2010 after being a<b> <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/features/05top10s/astros.html">highly-regarded prospect</a></b> in the Astros system in 2005 and 2006, reaching the bigs for the Pirates in 2008 for a cup of coffee and missing all but 1 inning of the 2009 season due to Tommy John Surgery. He pitched well for Potomac in '10 and as a result spent '11 with Harrisburg, posting a nice 9.2 K/9 but failing to recreate his 1.9 BB/9 from the '10 season, posting a 4.1 BB/9 in '11. At 27 years old (28 in January), Barthmaier's role with the Nats if they bring him back is as an organizational soldier, so he might be best off looking for opportunities elsewhere.<br />
<b><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6292&position=P">FanGraphs</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/barthji01.shtml">Baseball-Reference</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>7. RHP Sam Brown</b><br />
After turning down a chance to join the Nats as a 7th rounder in 2006 to attend NC State, Brown finally found himself with the organization in 2011. The 24 year old was not very impressive, throwing 59 innings of 5.34 ERA ball. His 2.6 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 are decent ratios, but not good enough to lead me to overlook his otherwise mediocre numbers.<br />
<b><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa502102&position=P">FanGraphs</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=brown-004sam">Baseball-Reference</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>8. RHP Carlos Martinez</b><br />
This organizational soldier may soon have no organization; the 27 year old (28 in March) spent his 7th season with the Nats' organization across three levels, putting up a 6.26 ERA in 69 innings. Having only reached AAA for a grand total of 3 and 1/3 innings at the age of 27 without great rate stats (his decent 2.9 career BB/9 is majorly outweighed by his 4.9 career K/9), Martinez's time in the game is probably close to being up.<br />
<b><a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa294742&position=P">FanGraphs</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=martin006car">Baseball-Reference</a></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-27794744612883845992011-11-06T17:02:00.000-08:002011-11-06T17:02:58.436-08:00Nationals top prospect listsThe reader voting here has concluded, so I figured I'd put up a table comparing some top prospect lists. Please add links if you see any that aren't included here. My list is a slightly revised version of my <b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/nats-expected-to-sign-top-4-picks.html">original list</a></b> made on August 7.<br />
<br />
<iframe width='500' height='300' frameborder='0' src='https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0Ary3lwJKnoqKdHdob05tV2tuaV9RX0tTNEZYV1ZyQ3c&single=true&gid=0&output=html&widget=true'></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-23851077927462309722011-10-16T18:39:00.000-07:002011-10-16T18:39:21.943-07:00Community Top Prospect List: #20Kevin Keyes won poll 19, gaining 41% of the votes. I think poll #20 will be the last one of the exercise, so rock the vote here!<br />
<br />
Here's your list so far:<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/nats-community-top-prospect-list_13.html">1.</a></b> OF Bryce Harper (90%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-2.html">2.</a></b> 3B <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-1-anthony-rendon-if-rice.html">Anthony Rendon</a></b> (83%)<br />
<a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-3.html"><b>3.</b></a> LHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-3-matt-purke-lhp-texas-christian.html">Matt Purke</a></b> (47%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-4.html">4.</a></b> RHP Brad Peacock (39%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-5.html">5.</a></b> RHP AJ Cole (44%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-6.html">6.</a></b> RHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-1-alex-meyer-rhp-university-of.html">Alex Meyer</a></b> (26%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-7.html">7.</a></b> LHP Robbie Ray (31%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-8.html">8.</a></b> C Derek Norris (41%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-9.html">9.</a></b> 2B Steve Lombardozzi (50%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-10.html">10.</a></b> OF <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-1-supplemental-brian-goodwin-of.html">Brian Goodwin</a></b> (38%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-11.html">11.</a></b> OF Destin Hood (44%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-12.html">12.</a></b> LHP Sammy Solis (74%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-13.html">13.</a></b> LHP Tom Milone (36%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-14.html">14.</a></b> 1B Chris Marrero (52%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-15.html">15.</a></b> RHP Brad Meyers (36%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-16.html">16.</a></b> LHP Danny Rosenbaum (34%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-17_19.html#comments">17.</a></b> OF Eury Perez (35%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-18.html">18.</a></b> 1B Tyler Moore (25%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/10/community-top-prospect-list-19.html">19.</a></b> OF Kevin Keyes (41%)<br />
<br />
Here's your new list. Remember, argue for your player in the comments section and leave a new name as well!<br />
<br />
<script src="http://twtpoll.com/js/ibadge.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<iframe src="http://twtpoll.com/badge/if/?twt=g7epqa&b=1&bt=1" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" name="twpw_if" id="twpw_if" onLoad="TwtpwFm.registerFrame(this);">Your browser doesn't support iFrames :( Vote for this poll <a href="http://twtpoll.com/g7epqa" title="here" target="_blank">here</a>.</iframe><br />
<br />
Since we're getting deeper into the prospect pool, here are some quick write-ups for the 10 candidates:<br />
<br />
C <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=freita001dav">David Freitas</a></b> - Bat is good; hit .288/.409/.450 this year and .307/.408/.450 last season. Defense is still shaky, however; as <a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/watch-list-and-player-reports/watchlist-catchers/">Nationals Prospects</a> notes, he's still relatively new to the catching position, but he still gave up 115 stolen bases in 154 attempts this season.<br />
SS <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hague-001ric">Rick Hague</a></b> - 2010 3rd round pick missed almost all of 2011 due to a shoulder injury suffered in the season's first week. Hague's bat is for real; he is career .319/.388/.493 hitter. Unfortunately, he's made 22 errors in just 191 total chances (.885 fielding percentage). How far will his bat take him?<br />
2B <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=kobern002jef">Jeff Kobernus</a></b> - His 2nd round draft pedigree was seen at the time as a minor overdraft, but John Sickels at the <b><a href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/11/18/1164112/washington-nationals-top-20">end of the 2009 season</a></b> liked him enough to rate him as a B- prospect (although he downgraded it to C+ <b><a href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/1/18/1257412/known-grade-changes-hitters">before the 2010 season started</a></b>). Kobernus is generally called "athletic" and "versatile," suggesting that he has a future as a utility guy. His walk rate sucks (4%) but his baserunning ability is legit (53 SBs in 61 attempts this season). Not a sure thing due to his lack of plate patience, but intriguing tools nonetheless.<br />
OF <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=komats001eri">Erik Komatsu</a></b> - Komatsu is seen by most as a future 4th outfielder, with good defense in the corner positions. If he can play even average CF, his high-contact bat, good batter's eye and above average speed could turn him into a decent starter, though.<br />
RHP <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=martin003raf">Rafael Martin</a></b> - At 27, he's older than everyone else on the list, but the Nats' second biggest<b><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/nationals-sign-rafael-martin.html"> recent international signing</a></b> behind <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=maya--001yun">Yuniesky Maya</a></b> had an absurdly good year in AA this season: 1.77 ERA, 26 hits allowed, 1 HR allowed, 9 walks and 44 strikeouts in 35 and 2/3 innings. He's been clocked as high as 96 MPH and has relatively little mileage on his arm.<br />
1B <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=moore-001tyl">Tyler Moore</a></b> - The power is real; Moore has 31 HR in each of the past 2 seasons. The negatives: he's old for his level and has a lot more K's than BB's (30 BB and 139 K this year, 123/441 for his career). Still, the power is real. Really real.<br />
3B <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=skole-000mat">Matt Skole</a></b> - The 2011 5th round pick is known for having a solid bat but a mediocre glove. Hit .290/.382/.438 in his pro debut, but where's the power? (<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-5-matt-skole-3b-georgia-tech.html">2011 Nats Draft Info page</a></b>).<br />
OF <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=taylor011mic">Michael Taylor</a></b> - Taylor is a mixed bag, with great power and speed potential but mediocre performance to date. His 2011 "breakout season" featured a .253/.310/.432 triple slash line with 32 walks and 120 strikeouts. His game has holes, but if he can patch them up, he'll rise quickly, similarly to how Destin Hood did this season.<br />
LHP <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=turnbu001kyl">Kylin Turnbull</a></b> - The 2011 4th rounder throws in the mid-90s with some projection left in his arm. Lack of secondary options probably will leave him in the bullpen, but he could be a dominant lefty reliever (<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-4-kylin-turnbull-lhp-santa.html">2011 Nats Draft Info page</a></b>).<br />
SS <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=walter001zac">Zach Walters</a></b> - The Nats grabbed Walters from the Diamondbacks in the Jason Marquis trade. I'm all for shortstops who can hit, and Walters has a career .299/.356/.451 line from both sides. Whether or not he can stick at SS is a question mark, but at this point in his career, that's the plan.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-65577044350870864052011-10-02T20:20:00.000-07:002011-10-02T20:20:17.934-07:002011 DC-IBWA Awards and my votesOn Thursday, the <a href="http://dc-ibwaa.blogspot.com/"><b>DC Internet Baseball Writers Association</b></a> released its <a href="http://dc-ibwaa.blogspot.com/2011/09/dc-internet-baseball-writers.html" style="font-weight: bold;">2011 player achievement awards</a>. Below you will find the results as well as my votes and analysis.<br />
<br />
<b>Goose Goslin Most Valuable Player </b><br />
(Player most valuable to the success of the Washington Nationals):<br />
<br />
1st: Michael Morse (108 points, 19 first place votes)<br />
2nd: Ryan Zimmerman (41 points, 2 first place votes)<br />
3rd: Danny Espinosa (32 points, 3 first place votes)<br />
<br />
Others receiving votes: Tyler Clippard (24-one first place vote), Jordan Zimmermann (11), Drew Storen (4), Stephen Strasburg (3), Wilson Ramos (3).<br />
<br />
My vote:<br />
1st: Michael Morse<br />
2nd: Danny Espinosa<br />
3rd: Wilson Ramos<br />
<br />
My MVP vote was basically a choice between Morse and Espinosa for #1/2 and between Ramos and Zimmerman for #3. Morse edged out Espinosa, who semi-surprisingly held the team's WAR lead (3.5 to Morse's 3.3, Ramos' 3.1 and Zimmerman's 2.5). Still, I think Morse's .387 wOBA with "meh" defense trumps Espi's .325 wOBA with awesome defense. This year it does, at least.<br />
<br />
Ramos and Zim were essentially a toss-up, but I picked Ramos for his slight edge in durability with similar other factors. While the difference between Ramos and Zim's games played were not that great (113 for Ramos to 101 for Zimmerman), I felt that a catcher playing in 7/10 of the team's games is pretty normal whereas a third baseman missing 60 games is not.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Walter Johnson Starting Pitcher of the Year </b><br />
(Excellent performance as a starting pitcher):<br />
<br />
1st: Jordan Zimmermann (125 points, 25 first place votes)<br />
2nd: John Lannan (51 points)<br />
3rd: Livan Hernandez (18 points)<br />
<br />
Others receiving votes: Stephen Strasburg (13), Ross Detwiler (9), Jason Marquis (5), Chien-Ming Wang (2).<br />
<br />
My vote:<br />
1st: Zimmermann<br />
2nd: Lannan<br />
3rd: Hernandez<br />
<br />
Zimmermann was obviously the #1 choice here, so I won't bother even discussing that. The choice between Lannan, Livo and Marquis for #'s 2 and 3. At the end of the day, I feel that Lannan pitched the most and the best out of the 3, with Livo pitching the second most and Marquis the second best. Since Livo put up 9 more starts than Marquis, I decided to go with him, but it was closer than most would think. While Stras, Detwiler and Wang were all pretty solid, I couldn't consider a pitcher with less than 100 IP one of the top 3 starters.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Frederick "Firpo" Marberry Relief Pitcher of the Year </b><br />
(Excellent performance as a relief pitcher):<br />
<br />
1st: Tyler Clippard (121 points, 23 first place votes)<br />
2nd: Drew Storen (79 points, 2 first place votes)<br />
3rd: Todd Coffey (11 points)<br />
<br />
Others receiving votes: Henry Rodriguez (6), Ryan Mattheus (3.5), Tom Gorzelanny (1.5), Sean Burnett (1), Collin Balester (1).<br />
<br />
My votes:<br />
1st: Clippard<br />
2nd: Storen<br />
3rd: Coffey<br />
<br />
The first two were easy; Clippard put up sick numbers and Storen put up slightly less awesome but still awesome ones. The third one was tough, but I felt that it was a choice between Coffey and MPH-Rod. Their ERA's and FIP's were similar (3.56/3.24 for Rodriguez and 3.62/3.41 for Coffey), but the difference came in the fact that <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=coffeto01&year=2011&t=p"><b>Coffey thrived most</b></a> in high- and medium-leverage situations while <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=rodrihe03&year=2011&t=p#lever">Rodriguez's best numbers</a></b> were in low-leverage spots.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Sam Rice Hitter of the Year </b><br />
(Excellence in all-around hitting, situational hitting and baserunning):<br />
<br />
1st: Michael Morse (103 points, 18 first place votes)<br />
2nd: Ryan Zimmerman (64 points, 6 first place votes)<br />
3rd: Danny Espinosa (23 points)<br />
<br />
Others receiving votes: Wilson Ramos (14), Ian Desmond (9), Laynce Nix (6-one first place vote), Jayson Werth (5), Jerry Hairston (1), Roger Bernadina (1), Rick Ankiel (1).<br />
<br />
My votes:<br />
1st: Morse<br />
2nd: Zimmerman<br />
3rd: Nix<br />
<br />
Morse, once again, was head and shoulders above the rest of the team, so that was an easy choice. Zimmerman was a pretty clear-cut second choice to me given his "Mr. Walk-Off" performances. Not sure why I went with Nix here, to be honest. His OBP dropped below .300 by the end of the season and his baserunning was nothing to write home about. Now that I think of it, I should have gone with Espinosa here.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Frank Howard Slugger of the Year </b><br />
(Excellence in power hitting):<br />
<br />
1st: Michael Morse (120 points, 24 first place votes) <br />
2nd: Danny Espinosa (56 points)<br />
3rd: Ryan Zimmerman (19 points) <br />
<br />
Others receiving votes: Laynce Nix (9), Wilson Ramos (5), Jayson Werth (4).<br />
<br />
My votes:<br />
1st: Morse<br />
2nd: Nix<br />
3rd: Espinosa<br />
<br />
Morse was 1st for obvious reasons (31 HR, .247 ISO). Nix finished solidly in second for me, with a .201 ISO and 16 HR despite only having 351 PA. Espi and Ramos were neck-and-neck in ISO, but Espi ended up passing the magic number of 20 HR, so I went with him as #3. And as much as I love Zimmerman, I don't see 12 HR and a .154 ISO as competitive with Morse, Nix, Espinosa or Ramos (or probably even Werth, who had 20 HR and a .157 ISO).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Joe Judge Defensive Player of the Year </b><br />
(Excellence in fielding): <br />
<br />
1st: Danny Espinosa (74 points, 11 first place votes) <br />
2nd: Rick Ankiel (62 points, 8 first place vote) <br />
3rd: Ryan Zimmerman (47 points, 4 first place votes) <br />
<br />
Others receiving votes: Wilson Ramos (15-one first place votes), Roger Bernadina (6-one first place vote), Adam LaRoche (6), Michael Morse (5), Jayson Werth (4), Ivan Rodriguez (4), Ian Desmond (2).<br />
<br />
My votes:<br />
1st: Espinosa<br />
2nd: Zimmerman<br />
3rd: Ankiel<br />
<br />
I toyed with putting Ankiel 2nd and felt that Ramos had at least an argument for top 3 consideration, but Espinosa and Zimmerman are both elite defenders with game-changing skills. Ankiel's arm is elite, but his range in CF is not amazing and I feel that 2B and 3B are much more valuable defensive positions than the corner OF's.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Mickey Vernon Comeback Player of the Year </b><br />
(Player who overcame biggest obstacle in the preceding season to contribute on the field): <br />
<br />
1st: Jordan Zimmermann (57 points, 8 first place votes) <br />
2nd: Chien-Ming Wang (55 points, 6 first place votes) <br />
3rd: Stephen Strasburg (52 points, 7 first place votes) <br />
<br />
Others receiving votes: Jesus Flores (15-one first place vote), Jason Marquis (5), Rick Ankiel (5-one first place vote), Laynce Nix (3), Roger Bernadina (3), Michael Morse (3), John Lannan (3), Ross Detwiler (1), Ian Desmond (1).<br />
<br />
My votes:<br />
1st: Jordan Zimmermann<br />
2nd: Chien-Ming Wang<br />
3rd: John Lannan<br />
<br />
My reasoning here was a bit jarbled; Zimmermann got my #1 vote for recovering from injury to play a full, awesome season. Wang got #2 because he recovered from years of injury to contribute at all. Lannan got #3 because he struggled enough last year to get sent to AA and rebounded for a full, successful year. Marquis would have likely taken spot #3 had he finished the year with the Nats and Detwiler got more consideration as the season's final month carried on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Josh Gibson Humanitarian Player of the Year </b><br />
(Player who meritoriously gave of himself to the community): <br />
<br />
1st: Ian Desmond (65 points, 10 first place votes) <br />
2nd: Ryan Zimmerman (50 points, 8 first place votes) <br />
3rd: John Lannan (20 points) <br />
<br />
Others receiving votes: Drew Storen (14-one first place vote), Ivan Rodriguez (12, one first place vote), Livan Hernandez (9-one first place vote), Danny Espinosa (4), Stephen Strasburg (3), Matt Stairs (2), Brian Bixler (1), Tyler Clippard (1).<br />
<br />
I did not vote here because I did not feel like I could contribute anything more than simply a wild guess as to who was most involved with the community. Zimmerman would have been my #1 due to ZiMS, but I had nothing to contribute after that, so I abstained.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Minor League Player of the Year </b><br />
(Minor league player most destined for big league success): <br />
<br />
1st: Bryce Harper (74 points, 13 first place votes) <br />
2nd: Brad Peacock (73 points, 7 first place vote) <br />
3rd: Steve Lombardozzi (26 points, 2 first place votes) <br />
<br />
Others receiving votes: Tom Milone (17, one first place vote), Chris Marrero (7), Roger Bernadina (5), David Freitas (3), Derek Norris (3), Tyler Moore (1), Sammy Solis (1), A.J. Cole (1).<br />
<br />
<br />
My votes:<br />
1st: Tom Milone<br />
2nd: Bryce Harper<br />
3rd: Matt Antonelli (didn't end up in the tally I suppose?)<br />
<br />
I mis-read the description; obviously if future major league stardom was the definition, I would have gone with Harper first. Still, Milone had a great year, Harper had a nice one as well and I wanted to point out how good Antonelli's season was for Syracuse.<br />
<br />
__________________________________________________<br />
<br />
SURVEY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS <br />
<br />
1. What player was the biggest surprise for the Nats this season? Michael Morse (10.5), Wilson Ramos (4), Ryan Mattheus (2), Rick Ankiel (2), Brad Peacock (1), Danny Espinosa (1), Chien-Ming Wang (1), Laynce Nix (.5). <br />
<br />
1/2 Nix and 1/2 Morse were my votes.<br />
<br />
2. What player was the biggest diappointment for the Nats this season? Jayson Werth (15), Adam LaRoche (4.5), Jim Riggleman (1), Sean Burnett (1), Ryan Zimmerman's injury (.5).<br />
<br />
Werth's struggles trumped LaRoche for me.<br />
<br />
3. Will Ryan Zimmerman sign a contract extension before the end of the 2012 season? Yes (16), No (6).<br />
<br />
I said no, but he will sign one in that offseason.<br />
<br />
4. Which players on the 40-man roster at the end of the season are least likely to return in 2010? Alex Cora (13), Ivan Rodriguez (13), Jonny Gomes (12), Doug Slaten (12), Laynce Nix (10), Livan Hernandez (9), Todd Coffey (6), Tom Gorzelanny (5), Collin Balester (5), Yunesky Maya (4), Chien-Ming Wang (3), Brian Bixler (3), Elvin Ramirez (3), Rick Ankiel (2), Chris Marrero (2), Roger Bernadina (2), Atahualpa Severino (2), Craig Stammen (1), Henry Rodriguez (1), Adam LaRoche (1), Corey Brown (1), Ross Detwiler (1), Jesus Flores (1), John Lannan (1), Steve Lombardozzi (1).<br />
<br />
Todd Coffey, Elvin Ramirez, Doug Slaten, Pudge Rodriguez, Alex Cora, Rick Ankiel, Jonny Gomes and Laynce Nix were my choices.<br />
<br />
5. Who is your favorite professional Nationals writer? Mark Zuckerman (12), Adam Kilgore (6), Dan Steinberg (1), Dave Kindred (1).<br />
<br />
Mark Zuckerman was my choice.<br />
<br />
6. Who is your favorite non-professional Nationals writer? Harper Gordek, Nationals Baseball (5), Dave Nichols, Nats News Network (4 1/3), Patrick Reddington, Federal Baseball (3), Andrew Kinback, Nationals Inquisition (2), Sue Dinem, Nationals Prospects (2), Nats Daily News Staff (1), Capitol Baseball (1), Nats GM (1/3), Brian Oliver, Nats Farm Authority (1/3).<br />
<br />
I went for Sue Dinem, but am also feeling Brian from NFA could be the 201? comeback blogger of the year if he comes back soon!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-10482790766939645412011-10-02T18:49:00.000-07:002011-10-02T18:49:21.490-07:00Community Top Prospect List: #19Tyler Moore finally won a poll with 25% of the votes, edging out OF Kevin Keyes (21%) and C David Frietas (19%). In the most evened-out poll to date, all 10 members got at least one vote. As suggested by commenter Will, 2009 2nd rounder Jeff Kobernus is the newest addition to the poll.<br />
<br />
Here's your list so far:<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/nats-community-top-prospect-list_13.html">1.</a></b> OF Bryce Harper (90%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-2.html">2.</a></b> 3B <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-1-anthony-rendon-if-rice.html">Anthony Rendon</a></b> (83%)<br />
<a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-3.html"><b>3.</b></a> LHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-3-matt-purke-lhp-texas-christian.html">Matt Purke</a></b> (47%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-4.html">4.</a></b> RHP Brad Peacock (39%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-5.html">5.</a></b> RHP AJ Cole (44%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-6.html">6.</a></b> RHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-1-alex-meyer-rhp-university-of.html">Alex Meyer</a></b> (26%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-7.html">7.</a></b> LHP Robbie Ray (31%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-8.html">8.</a></b> C Derek Norris (41%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-9.html">9.</a></b> 2B Steve Lombardozzi (50%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-10.html">10.</a></b> OF <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-1-supplemental-brian-goodwin-of.html">Brian Goodwin</a></b> (38%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-11.html">11.</a></b> OF Destin Hood (44%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-12.html">12.</a></b> LHP Sammy Solis (74%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-13.html">13.</a></b> LHP Tom Milone (36%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-14.html">14.</a></b> 1B Chris Marrero (52%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-15.html">15.</a></b> RHP Brad Meyers (36%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-16.html">16.</a></b> LHP Danny Rosenbaum (34%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-17_19.html#comments">17.</a></b> OF Eury Perez (35%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-18.html">18.</a></b> 1B Tyler Moore (25%)<br />
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Here's your new list. Remember, argue for your player in the comments section and leave a new name as well!<br />
<br />
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<br />
Since we're getting deeper into the prospect pool, here are some quick write-ups for the 10 candidates:<br />
<br />
C <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=freita001dav">David Freitas</a></b> - Bat is good; hit .288/.409/.450 this year and .307/.408/.450 last season. Defense is still shaky, however; as <a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/watch-list-and-player-reports/watchlist-catchers/">Nationals Prospects</a> notes, he's still relatively new to the catching position, but he still gave up 115 stolen bases in 154 attempts this season.<br />
SS <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hague-001ric">Rick Hague</a></b> - 2010 3rd round pick missed almost all of 2011 due to a shoulder injury suffered in the season's first week. Hague's bat is for real; he is career .319/.388/.493 hitter. Unfortunately, he's made 22 errors in just 191 total chances (.885 fielding percentage). How far will his bat take him?<br />
OF <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=keyes-001kev">Kevin Keyes</a></b> - Awful in his 39 game campaign last year after being drafted in the 7th round (.175/.321/.278), but rebounded to hit .263/.336/.510 in 2011. Plate discipline and defensive ability are two major question marks, but at this point he looks like a Michael Burgess-type hitter (albeit without the arm).<br />
2B <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=kobern002jef">Jeff Kobernus</a></b> - His 2nd round draft pedigree was seen at the time as a minor overdraft, but John Sickels at the <b><a href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/11/18/1164112/washington-nationals-top-20">end of the 2009 season</a></b> liked him enough to rate him as a B- prospect (although he downgraded it to C+ <b><a href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/1/18/1257412/known-grade-changes-hitters">before the 2010 season started</a></b>). Kobernus is generally called "athletic" and "versatile," suggesting that he has a future as a utility guy. His walk rate sucks (4%) but his baserunning ability is legit (53 SBs in 61 attempts this season). Not a sure thing due to his lack of plate patience, but intriguing tools nonetheless.<br />
OF <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=komats001eri">Erik Komatsu</a></b> - Komatsu is seen by most as a future 4th outfielder, with good defense in the corner positions. If he can play even average CF, his high-contact bat, good batter's eye and above average speed could turn him into a decent starter, though.<br />
RHP <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=martin003raf">Rafael Martin</a></b> - At 27, he's older than everyone else on the list, but the Nats' second biggest<b><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/nationals-sign-rafael-martin.html"> recent international signing</a></b> behind <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=maya--001yun">Yuniesky Maya</a></b> had an absurdly good year in AA this season: 1.77 ERA, 26 hits allowed, 1 HR allowed, 9 walks and 44 strikeouts in 35 and 2/3 innings. He's been clocked as high as 96 MPH and has relatively little mileage on his arm.<br />
1B <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=moore-001tyl">Tyler Moore</a></b> - The power is real; Moore has 31 HR in each of the past 2 seasons. The negatives: he's old for his level and has a lot more K's than BB's (30 BB and 139 K this year, 123/441 for his career). Still, the power is real. Really real.<br />
3B <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=skole-000mat">Matt Skole</a></b> - The 2011 5th round pick is known for having a solid bat but a mediocre glove. Hit .290/.382/.438 in his pro debut, but where's the power? (<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-5-matt-skole-3b-georgia-tech.html">2011 Nats Draft Info page</a></b>).<br />
OF <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=taylor011mic">Michael Taylor</a></b> - Taylor is a mixed bag, with great power and speed potential but mediocre performance to date. His 2011 "breakout season" featured a .253/.310/.432 triple slash line with 32 walks and 120 strikeouts. His game has holes, but if he can patch them up, he'll rise quickly, similarly to how Destin Hood did this season.<br />
LHP <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=turnbu001kyl">Kylin Turnbull</a></b> - The 2011 4th rounder throws in the mid-90s with some projection left in his arm. Lack of secondary options probably will leave him in the bullpen, but he could be a dominant lefty reliever (<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-4-kylin-turnbull-lhp-santa.html">2011 Nats Draft Info page</a></b>).<br />
SS <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=walter001zac">Zach Walters</a></b> - The Nats grabbed Walters from the Diamondbacks in the Jason Marquis trade. I'm all for shortstops who can hit, and Walters has a career .299/.356/.451 line from both sides. Whether or not he can stick at SS is a question mark, but at this point in his career, that's the plan.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33115397621243012.post-10949154441891402972011-09-26T21:44:00.000-07:002011-09-26T21:44:44.307-07:00Community Top Prospect List: #18OF Eury Perez emerged victorious from poll #17, gaining 35% of the total votes. 1B Tyler Moore finished second in the latest poll with 26%, followed by OF Michael Taylor in third with 22%.<br />
<br />
Here's your list so far:<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/nats-community-top-prospect-list_13.html">1.</a></b> OF Bryce Harper (90%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-2.html">2.</a></b> 3B <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-1-anthony-rendon-if-rice.html">Anthony Rendon</a></b> (83%)<br />
<a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-3.html"><b>3.</b></a> LHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-3-matt-purke-lhp-texas-christian.html">Matt Purke</a></b> (47%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-4.html">4.</a></b> RHP Brad Peacock (39%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-5.html">5.</a></b> RHP AJ Cole (44%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-6.html">6.</a></b> RHP <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-1-alex-meyer-rhp-university-of.html">Alex Meyer</a></b> (26%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-7.html">7.</a></b> LHP Robbie Ray (31%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-8.html">8.</a></b> C Derek Norris (41%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-9.html">9.</a></b> 2B Steve Lombardozzi (50%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-10.html">10.</a></b> OF <b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-1-supplemental-brian-goodwin-of.html">Brian Goodwin</a></b> (38%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-11.html">11.</a></b> OF Destin Hood (44%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/08/community-top-prospect-list-12.html">12.</a></b> LHP Sammy Solis (74%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-13.html">13.</a></b> LHP Tom Milone (36%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-14.html">14.</a></b> 1B Chris Marrero (52%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-15.html">15.</a></b> RHP Brad Meyers (36%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-16.html">16.</a></b> LHP Danny Rosenbaum (34%)<br />
<b><a href="http://dcisforbaseball.blogspot.com/2011/09/community-top-prospect-list-17_19.html#comments">17.</a></b> OF Eury Perez (35%)<br />
<br />
Here's your new list. Remember, argue for your player in the comments section and leave a new name as well!<br />
<br />
<<script src="http://twtpoll.com/js/badge.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<script src="http://twtpoll.com/badge/?twt=k1dbm9&b=1&bt=1" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<br />
Since we're getting deeper into the prospect pool, here are some quick write-ups for the 10 candidates:<br />
<br />
C <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=freita001dav">David Freitas</a></b> - Bat is good; hit .288/.409/.450 this year and .307/.408/.450 last season. Defense is still shaky, however; as <a href="http://nationalsprospects.com/watch-list-and-player-reports/watchlist-catchers/">Nationals Prospects</a> notes, he's still relatively new to the catching position, but he still gave up 115 stolen bases in 154 attempts this season.<br />
SS <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hague-001ric">Rick Hague</a></b> - 2010 3rd round pick missed almost all of 2011 due to a shoulder injury suffered in the season's first week. Hague's bat is for real; he is career .319/.388/.493 hitter. Unfortunately, he's made 22 errors in just 191 total chances (.885 fielding percentage). How far will his bat take him?<br />
OF <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=keyes-001kev">Kevin Keyes</a></b> - Awful in his 39 game campaign last year after being drafted in the 7th round (.175/.321/.278), but rebounded to hit .263/.336/.510 in 2011. Plate discipline and defensive ability are two major question marks, but at this point he looks like a Michael Burgess-type hitter (albeit without the arm).<br />
OF <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=komats001eri">Erik Komatsu</a></b> - Komatsu is seen by most as a future 4th outfielder, with good defense in the corner positions. If he can play even average CF, his high-contact bat, good batter's eye and above average speed could turn him into a decent starter, though.<br />
RHP <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=martin003raf">Rafael Martin</a></b> - At 27, he's older than everyone else on the list, but the Nats' second biggest<b><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/nationals-sign-rafael-martin.html"> recent international signing</a></b> behind <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=maya--001yun">Yuniesky Maya</a></b> had an absurdly good year in AA this season: 1.77 ERA, 26 hits allowed, 1 HR allowed, 9 walks and 44 strikeouts in 35 and 2/3 innings. He's been clocked as high as 96 MPH and has relatively little mileage on his arm.<br />
1B <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=moore-001tyl">Tyler Moore</a></b> - The power is real; Moore has 31 HR in each of the past 2 seasons. The negatives: he's old for his level and has a lot more K's than BB's (30 BB and 139 K this year, 123/441 for his career). Still, the power is real. Really real.<br />
3B <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=skole-000mat">Matt Skole</a></b> - The 2011 5th round pick is known for having a solid bat but a mediocre glove. Hit .290/.382/.438 in his pro debut, but where's the power? (<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-5-matt-skole-3b-georgia-tech.html">2011 Nats Draft Info page</a></b>).<br />
OF <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=taylor011mic">Michael Taylor</a></b> - Taylor is a mixed bag, with great power and speed potential but mediocre performance to date. His 2011 "breakout season" featured a .253/.310/.432 triple slash line with 32 walks and 120 strikeouts. His game has holes, but if he can patch them up, he'll rise quickly, similarly to how Destin Hood did this season.<br />
LHP <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=turnbu001kyl">Kylin Turnbull</a></b> - The 2011 4th rounder throws in the mid-90s with some projection left in his arm. Lack of secondary options probably will leave him in the bullpen, but he could be a dominant lefty reliever (<b><a href="http://2011nationalsdraft.blogspot.com/2011/07/round-4-kylin-turnbull-lhp-santa.html">2011 Nats Draft Info page</a></b>).<br />
SS <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=walter001zac">Zach Walters</a></b> - The Nats grabbed Walters from the Diamondbacks in the Jason Marquis trade. I'm all for shortstops who can hit, and Walters has a career .299/.356/.451 line from both sides. Whether or not he can stick at SS is a question mark, but at this point in his career, that's the plan.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00096823960889095209noreply@blogger.com2