The 2007 non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone and as in 2006, the Nationals let it pass without making a move. One of the comments GM Jim Bowden made to Barry Svrluga was “I’d say we’re treading water from where we were a month ago, except for we’re continuing to sign players in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.”
This spring, the Nationals announced the signings of eight players from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. They were:
- 18-year old LHP Randy Almonte
- 19-year old LHP Francisco Vizcaino
- 18-year old LH 1B Juan Urdaneta
- 18-year old RHP Marcos Frias
- 18-year old RH CA Ricardo Martinez
- 16-year old SW IF Adrian Sanchez
- 17-year old RH OF Jesus Morales
- 18-year old SW CA Sandy Leon
Mid-season, the Nationals announced the signing of 17-year old SW IF Luis Castillo. Other than that, the Nationals have been pretty quiet about who has been brought on board internationally. I dug through the DSL roster and here is the list of additional players who are on either the DSL1 or DSL2 rosters that do not show any playing time in 2006, so they are new players to the organization:
- 17-year old LHP Joel Campana-Ventura
- 18-year old RHP Francisco Costanzo
- 19-year old RHP Antonio Guzman
- 17-year old RHP Ironel Paez
- 20-year old RHP Manuel Rivera
- 19-year old RHP Derlyn Tejada
- 19-year old RHP Rafael Castillo
- 20-year old RHP Santiago Molina
- 18-year old RHP Victor Mota
- 22-year old RHP Carlos Peralta
- 17-year old SW IF Hendry Jimenez
- 20-year old SW IF Francisco Soriano
- 17-year old RH OF Alejandro Hodge
- 17-year old RH OF Eury Perez
All added up, that’s 23 players that have been added to the Nationals player development system. Of that total, 13 are pitchers (10 RHP & 3 LHP), 2 are catchers, 5 are infielders, and 3 are outfielders. With the exception of CA Sandy Leon (in the GCL), all of the other 22 players are currently on one of the DSL rosters.
#1 by Louis J. - August 1st, 2007 at 09:43
Brian The names you list appears to indicate that they are adding Latin players to the system. They do operate two teams in the DSL and their GCL team is already over-stocked. Isn’t there a limit on how many players they can effectively develop. Developing Latin players takes time (being very young and immature, getting adjusted to being away from home, the language barrier, their diet and adjusting to the American Culture). Take a look at Smiley Gonzalez’s development challenges. I don’t understand what is the concern.
#2 by Sam - August 1st, 2007 at 10:39
Yes, but where our our detailed capsules on these guys? And photos?
(This is awesome reporting — thanks.)
#3 by Dick - August 1st, 2007 at 10:42
I agree with Sam!
Brian, you never cease to amaze me with your reporting!
#4 by Louis J. - August 1st, 2007 at 11:13
Brian I didn’t mean to sound negative. I also agree that you have an awesome website and a great deal of information for us. Much better than any media outlet! Keep up the great work. We would be lost without you guys.
#5 by John - August 1st, 2007 at 11:19
There could also be other 16-year olds that aren’t on those teams as Smiley wasn’t last year. I read that Itaniel Guzman signed with the Brewers, but there are still names out there. Anderson Pujols, Israel Perez, Carlos Flores, JR Garcia, and Moises Montero to name a few.
I’ll be interested to see how the guys they have do next year if they’re in the GCL or above.
#6 by John - August 1st, 2007 at 17:31
Barry Svrgula said in his chat today the Jose Rijo is excited about the talent on the Dominican teams. That sounds good to me.