Nationals Farm Authority

Roster Limitations

• International League (Columbus): 24 active
• Eastern League (Harrisburg): 24 active from Opening Day through the 30th day of the season and from August 10 to the end of the season; 23 active from 31st day of season until Aug. 10
• Carolina League (Potomac): 25 active
• South Atlantic League (Hagerstown): 25 active

My 24-man rosters will have 13 bats and 11 arms. The bats will include the starting nine (including a DH), one backup catcher, one backup middle infielder, one backup corner infielder, and one backup outfielder. In the cases where the rosters are 25, I’ll add an infielder or an outfielder. Pitching will include five starters, two long relievers/spot starters, one closer (if possible), and three short relievers (trying to make at least one a lefthander). There are going to be quite a few guys left unassigned (especially when you get to Columbus), but keep in mind that minor league teams can control more players than they can have active. This means the players can be accounted for on a given team but not be in uniform. Some of these players will often travel with the team (like a third catcher).

Here is Potomac…

• Catchers. Jhonathan Solano (R) & Brian Peacock (R). If Jesus Flores does in fact start in Harrisburg, Peacock seems most likely to return to Potomac in 2008, else I could see Peacock getting a shot in Double-A
• First baseman. Chris Marrero (R). Seems a likely jumping off point for the top ranked Nationals prospect. I’m sure the Nationals are hoping he makes quick work of the Carolina League so they can challenge him in Harrisburg.
• Second baseman. Jonathan Martinez (SW). This is where the Nationals lack of depth in the middle infield will be most visible.
• Third baseman. Matt Rogelstad (L).
• Shortstop. Michael Martinez (SW). See second base.
• Utility infielders. Joe Napoli (R) [1B/OF], Robby Jacobsen (R) [1B], and Trevor Lawhorn (R) [1B/3B]. The Nationals might replace one of the corner IF/corner OF guys here with another middle infielder, though I’m not sure that player is currently in the organization. I’d almost predict a deal here by the Nationals for an organizational type middle infielder.
• Left fielder. Marvin Lowrance (L). Lowrance has bounced around Potomac the last two seasons but worked his way onto the Nationals radar this spring (he’s part of their Accelerated Development Program [ADP]).
• Center fielder. Francisco Plasencia (L).
• Right fielder. Aaron Seuss (R). Aside from Marrero, Seuss is the guy I’m most intrigued by (assuming he is assigned to Potomac). At this point, he does not project as a future starter but could develop into a serviceable 4th or 5th outfielder.
• Designated hitter. Andrew Lefave (L). Acquired from the Brewers in exchnage for Ray King, Lefave is likely the promary DH if Marrero is there playing 1B.
• Fourth outfielder. Francisco Guzman (R). Much like with the utility infielders, there is a strong chance that the Nationals have other players in camp that were signed but not yet announced. These would be more organizational type guys.
• Starting pitchers. Jordan Zimmermann (R), Jhonny Nunez (R), Adrian Alaniz (R), Yunior Novoa (L), and Erik Arnesen (R). There are rumors that 2007 first round draft pick LHP Ross Detwiler might begin 2008 in Potomac. If that is the case, slot Detwiler first and slide everyone else down one spot in the rotation. It also would not surprise me to see RHP Brad Meyers here.
• Long relievers. Cory VanAllen (L), Craig Stammen (R), and Jeff Mandel (R).
• Closer.  Clint Everts (R). Call this one a gut feel. I’m going to guess the Nationals are going to give the former first rounder a look as the closer. If not Everts, perhaps Eddy Baeza (R) gets the call.
• Short relievers. Yader Peralta (R) and Josh Perrault (R). The Nationals could look to add a lefthander here.

Names I left off here are CA Patrick Nichols, 1B Tim Pahuta, RHP Chris Lugo and RHP David Trahan.

If the P-Nats end up with both Detwiler and Marrero, fans in Woodbridge should be excited to see the top Nationals pitching and hitting prospects in one place.

The starting pitching looks interesting with Zimmermann, Alaniz, Nunez, Mandel and VanAllen, all who are participating in the Nats ADP. Offensively, the team is a mixed bag. Not the high ceiling flavor in Hagerstown, but still an improvement on the teams that showed up from Montreal. Among the potential P-Nat bats in ADP are Marrero, Solano, Lowrance, Seuss, Lefave and Peacock.