Nationals Farm Authority

Minors 2006 (1 of 7) – Dominican Summer League

Minors 2006 (2 of 7) – Gulf Coast League

Minors 2006 (3 of 7) – Vermont

Minors 2006 (4 of 7) – Savannah

Everyone knew the Nationals farm system was a work in progress. However, the thing the Nationals were counting on entering the 2006 season were the three pitchers who were anticipated to lead the Potomac Nationals rotation. Collin Balester, Clint Everts, and Mike Hinckley were the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th overall prospects in the organization according to Baseball America. But unfortunately to Washington, all three guys surprisingly struggled at various points during the season leading to a middling Carolina League performance.

Record: Potomac finished both halves of the Carolina League schedule with sub-500 records, 33-37 in the first half and 31-39 in the second half.

Statistics: The Potomac Nationals pitching, a supposed strength, turned into their greatest weakness. Potomac ranked dead last in the Carolina League in WHIP and ERA while leading the league in walks. The offense was equally as futile finishing in 5th (out of 8) in batting average, and 7th in both on-base percentage and slugging.  

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Top 10 Potomac Nationals Prospects

1. Collin Balester RHSP – While his 2006 numbers left much to be desired (118IP with 5.19ERA, 1.52WHIP, 6.6K/9, 4.0BB/9, and 0.9HR/9), Balester boounced back from a dreadful first 8 starts to show signs of the fastball that Nationals management has raved about. He demonstrates a command and control of the fastball well beyond his 20 years and just needs to learn how to dictate a game. He complements his fastball with an above average curveball and developing changeup. His mid to late season performance was enough to earn a promotion to Harrisburg where he seemed to put it together in his final 3 starts. He’ll likely return to Harrisburg to start 2007.
2. Zech Zinicola RHRP -Zinicola makes his second appearance on a organization’s top 10 list in Potomac. The 21-year old 2006 6th rounder tore his way up through the system with an impressive 10 games for the P-Nats. Over 13.67IP, Zinicola was 3-0 with 3 saves striking out 13 and walking only 3. Like Balester, Zinicola completed his 2006 in Harrisburg where he’s likely to return in 2007. Though an off-season reshuffling of the Washington bullpen and a solid spring, Zinicola has an outside shot at cracking 2007 at RFK.
3. Clint Everts RHSP – The 22-year old former 1st rounder (2002) continues to battle back from Tommy John surgery. He apparently struggled with elbow tendinitis in 2006 leading to a subpar seaon of 90IP with a 6.00ERA and 1.66WHIP. But it’s still too early to count him out. Everts still has a low-90s fastball, above average curveball, and a tremendous changeup. It will bear watching to see if Everts can rebound quickly in 2007 where it could be realistically either Potomac or Harrisburg based upon how the personnel shake out.
4. Ian Desmond SS – The 21-year old is a name quite familiar to Nationals fans after a dazzling spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles. The athleticism of Desmond is beyond question, but Desmond is still developing and needs to establish more of a gameplan at the plate if he wants to make a major league impact. He was overplaced in Harrisburg to begin 2006 and was hampered further by a back injury. He returned to Potomac where he batted 244/313/384 in 92 games. He displayed flashes of power (9HR) and speed (14SB) that will keep Desmond on the prospect map. Ideally his winter play in Hawaii will aid him in developing his game. He’ll probably get a second shot in Harrisburg in 2007.
5. Rogearvin Bernadina OF – The 22-year old native of the Netherlands finally made it out of Savannah after three seasons in the South Atlantic League. In his first exposure to A Advanced Potomac, Bernadina built upon his solid 2005 with a very good season for the P-Nats batting 270/355/369 in 123 games. He displayed the speed that has drawn praise with 28/39 stolen bases as well as some devloping power 6 home runs in a tough HR ballpark of Pfitzner. His defense has never been the question, he has tremendous range in CF and a strong, accurate arm. Bernadina will likely begin 2007 in Harrisburg (assuming Frank Diaz moves up to Columbus).
6. Devin Ivany CA – The 24-year old catcher was known more for his defense than his offense entering the 2006 season. In Potomac this year, his bat started to come around hitting 262/311/359 with 6HR and a solid 12 SBs in 115 games. He has been working on hitting the balls to all fields and given the lack of catching depth in the Washington organization, Ivany will have every opportunity to make a name for himself. He joins Desmond in Hawaii this fall and will likely challenge Sal Manriquez for catching duties in Harrisburg in 2007.
7. Brett Campbell RHRP – The 2004 34th rounder continues to surprise. After starting the season in dominating fashion in Potomac, 22.67IP with a 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 10.7K/9, and 0.8BB/9, Campbell pitched in Harrisburg and New Orleans before completing his rapid rise with a September call-up to Washington. He is likely to start 2007 in Columbus but if he can excel in his assignment to the Arizona Fall League, he may be in the discussions to fill in the Washington bullpen in the spring.
8. Alexis Morales RHRP – An even longer shot than Campbell, the 2003 46th rounder had a solid season pitching in relief for Potomac. His mid-90s fastball and hard slider helped Morales in his 45.67IP where he had a 2.17 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 9.7K/9, and 4.9BB/9. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Morales start 2007 in Columbus but he’ll most likely begin 2007 in Harrisburg.
9. Mike Hinckley LHSP -The former top Nationals prospect likely had the most disappointing season of anyone in the organization. In 148.33 iinnings, the 23-year old Hinckley allowed 178 hits (18 HR), waslked 63 and only struck out 79. After post-2005 surgery on his shoulder, Hinckley never regained the velocity thae made him one of Baseball America’s top left-handed pitchers in all of the minor leagues. It’s an uncertainty whether he will remain on the Washington 40-man roster, and he’ll have to really turn it around quickly in 2007 if he hopes to make the majors.
10. Juan Ovalles RHRP – A 24-year old minor league free agent with an impressive slider, Ovalles biggest challenge is controlling it. If he can harness control of his slider to complement his solid fastball, he could quickly become a relief option for Washington.