Strasburg Starts Today
Posted by Brian Oliver in Players on March 9th, 2010
and my planning period at school just so happens to fall during the 1PM hour.
Option Status
Posted by Brian Oliver in Players on March 6th, 2010
There is a contractual nuance that seems likely to come into play when the Nationals make their 25-man roster decisions coming out of spring training.
It’s called option status. The quick and dirty on options is as follows
If a player is on the 40-man roster but not on the active 25-man roster, he is said to be on optional assignment. This means that the team can freely move him between the major league club and the minor league clubs. It’s better to think of the term as option years rather than simply options.
If a player is on the 40-man roster and not the active 25 man roster for any part of more than three seasons in which he spent 20 or more total days of service in the minors, he is out of options and may not be assigned to the minors without first clearing waivers.
There exists an opportunity for a player to have a fourth option year. If he has less than 5 years of professional experience, he may be optioned to the minors in a fourth season without being subject to waivers.
Why do I bring this up?
Because option status is likely to come into play when it comes to some of the decisions the Nats are going to make.
Here is the option status of everyone currently on the Nats 40-man roster:
- RHP Luis Atilano – Added to 40-man in November of 2008. Nats used first option year in 2009. He spent the entire 2009 season in the minor leagues. Option years remaining: Two [though Nats should be able to get a fourth given his service time]
- RHP Collin Balester – Added to 40-man June 2008; first option used in 2009. Option years remaining: Two
- RHP Jason Bergmann – The option poster child. Added to 40-man in August 2005; first option year was 2006 (he was up & down four times in 2006 but used only one option); spent entire season in majors in 2007 (no option used); used second option in 2008; and third option in 2009. Option years remaining: None (meaning he would have to face waivers this year if the Nats want to send him down)
- RHP Brian Bruney: Added to Diamondbacks 40-man November 2003; first option year in 2004 (Diamondbacks); second option year in 2005 (Diamondbacks); final option year in 2006 (Diamondbacks). Option years remaining: None (meaning he would have to face waivers this year if the Nats want to send him down)
- LHP Sean Burnett: Added to Pirates 40-man in November 2003; used first option in 2004 (Pirates); spent 2005 on DL (no option used); used second option in 2006, third option in 2007, & fourth option in 2008 (all with Pirates; 4th option granted given service time). Option years remaining: None (meaning he would have to face waivers this year if the Nats want to send him down)
- RHP Matt Capps: Added to Pirates 40-man in September 2005; has not used any options; update: he has less than 5 years service time, so options are still in play Option years remaining: Three
- LHP Matt Chico: Added to Nats 40-man in November 2006; Optioned down for only 15 days in 2007 so, if I am reading the rules correctly, did not use an option; first option used in 2008, second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One
- RHP Tyler Clippard: Added to Yankees 40-man in May 2007; first option used in 2007 (with Yankees); second & third options used in 2008 & 2009 (with Nats). Option years remaining: None (meaning he would have to face waivers this year if the Nats want to send him down)
- LHP Ross Detwiler: Added to Nats 40-man September 2007; first option year in 2008; second option year in 2009. Option years remaining: One (though Nats should be able to get one more given his service time)
- LHP Jesse English: Added to Giants 40-man November 2008; first option year used in 2009 (Giants). Option years remaining: Two [2010-11] (though Nats should be able to get one more given his service time)
- RHP Juan Jaime: Added to the Nats 40-man November 2009; no options used. Option years remaining: Three (with realistic chance of a fourth)
- LHP John Lannan: Added to the Nats 40-man July 2007; first option used in 2007; was optioned down for 9 days in early 2009 so I don’t believe he used an option year. Option years remaining: Two
- RHP Jason Marquis: Added to Braves 40-man in 2000; from what I was able to determine, he’s never been optioned to the minors. Option years remaining: Three (though given his service time, he can refuse demotion)
- RHP J.D. Martin: Added to Nats 40-man July 2009; no options used to date. Option years remaining: Three (with a realistic chance of fourth)
- RHP Shairon Martis: Added to Nats 40-man September 2008; first option used in 2009. Option years remaining: Two (with a realistic chance of an additional one)
- RHP Ryan Mattheus: Added to Rockies 40-man in November 2008; first option used in 2009. Option years remaining: Two (with an almost certain additional one)
- RHP Garrett Mock: Added to Nats 40-man October 2007; first option used in 2008; second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One
- LHP Scott Olsen: Added to Marlins 40-man June 2005; first option used in 2005; Unsure if he used an option in 2006 since he was only in the minors for 14 days. Option years remaining: One, possibly two
- LHP Atahualpa Severino: Added to the Nats 40-man November 2009; no options used. Option years remaining: Three (with realistic chance of a fourth)
- RHP Craig Stammen: Added to Nats 40-man May 2009; no options used to date. Option years remaining: Three (with a realistic possibility of an additional one)
- RHP Stephen Strasburg: Added to Nats 40-man August 2009; first option year used in 2009. Option years remaining: Two (with an additional one theoretically possible, but hopefully unnecessary)
- LHP Aaron Thompson: Added to the Nats 40-man November 2009; no options used. Option years remaining: Three (with realistic chance of a fourth)
- RHP Tyler Walker: TBD
- RHP Chien-Ming Wang: Added to Yankees 40-man 2005; Used options in 2003, 2004 & 2005. Option years remaining: None (may have 4th but not sure)
- (on 60-day DL) RHP Jordan Zimmermann: Added to Nats 40-man in 2009; no options used to date. Option years remaining: Three (he’ll likely spend entire 2010 season on DL which does not count as an option)
- CA Jesus Flores: Added to Nats 40-man (and active roster) December 2006; first option used in 2008. Option years remaining: Two
- CA Wil Nieves: Added to Padres 40-man July 2002; first option used in 2002 (Padres); second option used in 2005 (Yankees); final option used in 2006 (Yankees). Option years remaining: None
- CA Ivan Rodriguez: Added to Rangers 40-man in 1991; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
- SS Ian Desmond: Added to Nats 40-man November 2008; used first option in 2009. Option years remaining: Two (with an additional one possible)
- 1B Adam Dunn: Added to Reds 40-man in 2003; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
- SS Alberto Gonzalez: Added to Diamondbacks 40-man November 2006; first option used 2007 (Yankees); second option used 2008 (Yankees); final option used 2009 (Nats). Option years remaining: None
- SS Cristian Guzman: Added to Twins 40-man in 1999; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
- 2B Adam Kennedy: Added to Cardinals 40-man in 1999; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
- 1B Mike Morse: Added to Mariners 40-man November 2004; first option used in 2005 (Mariners); second option used in 2006 (Mariners); final option used in 2007 (Mariners). Option years remaining: None
- 3B Ryan Zimmerman: Added to Nats 40-man in September 2005; has not used any options. Option years remaining: Three (though highly unlikely to ever use them)
- OF Roger Bernadina – Added to Nats 40-man roster in October of 2007; first option used in 2008; second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One (could possibly earn an additional one but that would require an entire 2010 in the minors)
- OF Elijah Dukes: Added to Rays 40-man November 2006; first option used in 2007; second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One
- OF Willie Harris: Added to Orioles 40-man in 2001; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
- OF Justin Maxwell: Added to Nats 40-man September 2007; first option used in 2008; second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One (could possibly earn an additional one but that would require an entire 2010 in the minors)
- OF Nyjer Morgan: Added to Pirates 40-man November 2006; first option used in 2007; second option used in 2008. Option years remaining: One
- OF Josh Willingham: Added to Marlins 40-man 2004; first option used in 2004 (Marlins); second option used in 2005 (Marlins). Option years remaining: One (though he may have service time to refuse demotion)
Grapefruit League
Posted by Brian Oliver in Across the Affiliates on March 4th, 2010
The Nats kicked off spring training today with a couple of split squad games, one against the Marlins and another against the Astros. Thankfully the games don’t count and it is a time for teams to shake off the rust because the Nats came up on the short end of the stick in both games, falling 10-4 to Florida and 15-5 to Houston.
As a prospect guy, I always enjoy the split squad games because more often than not I get to see some names familiar to me (and the folks who frequent NFA). The majority of these guys are there to fill out the rosters, but it’s cool to see their names interspersed with guys who are locks on the 25-man roster.
In the loss to the Marlins, Ian Desmond played quite a bit as both a SS and RF. He finished the game 2/3 with a double, run stolen base & RBI. It’s interesting to see him spend time in RF … makes me wonder if the Nats are seriously considering him as a super sub on the major league roster. Justin Maxwell was 0/3 with a run and stolen base as the CF … I still think he’s fighting an uphill battle to win a roster spot in DC. Jerry Owens played RF, finishing 2/3 with a stolen base and RBI & Kevin Mench entered the game late as a LF, finishing 1/2 with a run & RBI … both guys are long shots to break camp on the 25-man roster.
The following minor leaguers also made appearances:
- CA Derek Norris was 0/0 with a pair of walks and a run scored
- 3B Steven Souza was 0/1
- 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 1/1 with one RBI
- 1B Chris Marrero was 0/0 with a SF
- IF Francisco Soriano was 0/1 as a PH
- RF Michael Burgess was 0/1
- 1B Tyler Moore was 0/1 as a PH
- RHP Luis Atilano was knocked around for four runs on five hits in just one inning of relief
- RHP Josh Wilkie threw 2/3 of a scoreless inning, walking one
In the game with the Astros, Roger Bernadina was 1/2 with a walk and two runs scored … I think he’s the favorite in the battle with Maxwell for that final OF spot. Chris Duncan played 1B, going 0/2 with a run & RBI … I’d imagine he and Mike Morse are battling for the same spot.
Minor leaguers popping up here were:
- SS Danny Espinosa was 0/1
- 2B Seth Bynum, LF Leonard Davis, and RF Mike Daniel were all 0/1
- Josh Whitesell was 2/2 with one RBI as the DH/1B
- CA Jhonathan Solano was 0/1 as the PH
- RHP Drew Storen pitched a scoreless/hitless inning of relief, striking out one
More than anything else, it’s nice to see baseball games back on the agenda.
Pardon the Interruption
Posted by Brian Oliver in Across the Affiliates on March 1st, 2010
Sorry for the quiet folks. A combination of student teaching and a balky internet connection have left me with little time to stay up to date with the happenings around the Nats.
Most of this stuff is old. Hopefully I will be able to get back in the swing of things this week.
- MASN will be broadcasting Stephen Strasburg’s first spring training start at 1PM on March 9
- Three Nats made Baseball America’s top 100 list. The names are no surprise with Stephen Strasburg at #2, Derek Norris at #38, and Drew Storen at #92. To be candid, the Nationals still have a ways to go in rebuilding the system. If, as expected, Strasburg & Storen make the majors in 2010, the Nationals will have just one guy (for now) remaining in the top 100 (assuming no one breaks through or rebounds this year). That’s a concern from my focus on the future of the Nationals
- Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus has his top 11 Nationals. It is a similar top of the list as Baseball America. The other names mentioned are also familiar with Danny Espinosa, Ian Desmond, Michael Burgess, and Chris Marrero making appearances. The one thing that stands out, as highlighted by Kevin in this post, is the lack of pitching outside of Strasburg & Storen. The only other arms that make the list are RHPs Juan Jaime and Paul Demny. Both seem most likely to be relievers which speaks volumes to the development (or lack thereof) of starters. I understand that guys like Ross Detwiler and Jordan Zimmermann have “graduated” to the majors, but the fact that high visibility guys like Colton Willems, Josh Smoker, and Jack McGeary are not on this list tells a story. Either (a) the Nationals are not adept at identifying young arms or (b) they are not adept at developing young arms. Mike Rizzo drafted quite a few college arms in 2009 and it will be interesting to see if the results improve with a more experienced stable of arms
- Speaking of Zimmermann, the Nationals placed him on the 60-day DL to open up a spot for Chien-Ming Wang. I’d be surprised if we saw Zimmermann make much more than a cursory appearance in the majors in 2010
- The Nationals added another minor league invite and it was a familiar face … Livan Hernandez. Add Livan to the list that includes Eddie Guardado, Miguel Batista, Ron Villone, Willy Taveras, and Chris Duncan as guys who could somehow find themselves in that 24th or 25th guy on the roster … though I’d be surprised if more than two of those guys were on the opening day roster
- There has been a bit of news around the Nats inking of RHRP Rafael Martin out of the Mexican League. It is progress internationally, but I am still holding out hope that there are going to be more moves internationally
- Nats also signed CA Carlos Maldonado, OF Sean Smith, LHP Ron Villone (spring invite), and re-signed LHP Doug Slaten
- Here are the spring training minor league games
- Syracuse
- March 20 - vs Gwinnett in Orlando, FL 1:00 pm
- March 21 - vs Toledo in Viera, FL 1:00 pm
- March 22 – vs Round Rock in Kissimmee, FL 1:00 pm
- March 23 – vs Toledo in Lakeland, FL 1:00 pm
- March 25 – vs Round Rock in Viera, FL 1:00 pm
- March 26 – vs Gwinnett in Viera, FL 1:00 pm
- March 27 – vs Round Rock in Kissimmee, FL 1:00 pm
- March 28 – vs Toledo in Viera, FL 1:00 pm
- March 29 – vs Gwinnett in Orlando, FL 1:00 pm
- March 30 – vs Gwinnett in Viera, FL 1:00 pm
- April 1 – vs Toledo in Lakeland, FL 1:00 pm
- April 2 – vs Round Rock in Kissimmee, FL 1:00 pm
- April 3 - vs Gwinnett in Viera, FL 1:00 pm
- Harrisburg
- March 20—Harrisburg Senators @ Mississippi Braves in Kissimmee, Florida
- March 21—Erie SeaWolves (Tigers) @ Harrisburg Senators in Viera, Florida
- March 22—Harrisburg Senators @ Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros) in Kissimmee, Florida
- March 23—Harrisburg Senators @ Erie SeaWolves (Tigers) in Lakeland, Florida
- March 24 – Camp Day
- March 25—Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros) @ Harrisburg Senators in Viera, Florida
- March 26—Mississippi Braves @ Harrisburg Senators in Viera, Florida
- March 27—Harrisburg Senators @ Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros) in Kissimmee, Florida
- March 28—Erie SeaWolves (Tigers) @ Harrisburg Senators in Viera, Florida
- March 29—Harrisburg Senators @ Mississippi Braves in Kissimmee, Florida
- March 30—Mississippi Braves @ Harrisburg Senators in Viera, Florida
- March 31 – Camp Day
- April 1—Harrisburg Senators @ Erie SeaWolves (Tigers) in Lakeland, Florida
- April 2—Harrisburg Senators @ Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros) in Kissimmee, Florida
- April 3—Mississippi Braves @ Harrisburg Senators in Viera, Florida
- Potomac
- March 20th vs ATL
- March 21st @ DET
- March 22nd vs HOU
- March 23rd vs DET
- March 25th @ HOU
- March 26th @ ATL
- March 27th vs HOU
- March 28th @ DET
- March 29th vs ATL
- March 30th @ ATL
- April 1st vs DET
- April 2nd vs HOU
- April 3rd @ ATL
2010 Upper-end Draft Prospect Reviews: Jameson Taillon
Posted by Todd in Draft, Future Focus on February 28th, 2010
(Note: Brian has been gracious to allow me to continue to post here and there about nat-worthy topics).
With the high school seasons starting now that its late February (remember DC folks; not everyone in the country got 4 feet of snow) and the college seasons 2-3 weeks in, lets take a look at some of the big names in the draft. I’ll talk about at least Harper, Taillon, Renaudo, Renden and McGuire.
While lots of pundits and readers already believe Bryce Harper is the presumptive #1 overall pick for the Nats, a lot can happen between now and June. Harper might tail off badly, get hurt, decided he wants more money than Strasburg, etc. So lets take a look at the top 4-5 names on most scouts minds. This is the first in a series of articles focusing on the top draft prospects that the Nationals might be considering.
Jameson Taillon is RHP from The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, TX (near Houston). This big high school righty already has a big league body (6′6″ 225) and his fastball is already is “sitting” in the 95-97 range. Wow. Imagine how much better this guy can get if he continues to grow and gain strength on what is already a 70-75 fastball. (Here’s Keith Law’s latest scouting post talking about Taillon, dated 2/26/10, and Jason Churchill’s latest scouting post dated 2/24/10, both ESPN insider only). He seems like the next in a series of hard throwing big Texas kids along the lines of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Josh Beckett or Huston Street. He’s verbally committed to Rice but there seems little chance he passes up on a major signing bonus.
Taillon’s problem: no right-handed prep pitcher have ever gone #1 overall, and the two lefty prep pitchers that did go #1 overall (David Clyde in 1973 and Brien Taylor in 1991) didn’t really turn out that great. Clyde’s story is rather infamous; Texas took him out of a local HS #1 overall in 1973 and he was pitching for the team by late June. Despite a fantastic debut he struggled (who wouldn’t with zero minor league time?) and made his last major league start when he was 24. Tayler was even more infamous; signing with the Yankees after showing an upper 90s fastball in highschool and then destroying his left shoulder in a bar fight two years later.
Truth is, prep players are huge gambles no matter how much upside they have or how level headed they may be. If you look at the Nationals’ HS draft picks over the past 4-5 years only one is really showing major promise (Derek Norris). The likes of Hood, Burgess, Marrero, Englund, King, Willems, McGeary and Smoker have all struggled and disappointed, contributing to the lower rankings of our overall farm system right now.
That being said, in modern baseball circles a guy like Taillon has already done enough traveling and pitching in various competitions that one could argue that he is as prepared for professional baseball as any college guy. Taillon has been on all-USA teams for years, was the leader of the under-18 team that won the World Championships down in Venezuela and has so many opportunities to pitch and compete in these “showcases” that he had to turn some down in order to stay eligible for his high school academically.
Taillon features very high on most draft boards (most have him 2-3, some have him #1 over Harper), but I cannot see the Nats taking him over Harper at this point. Rizzo generally wants more polished, quicker to the majors players (read, College guys). The Nats are now suddenly full of pitching prospects after 2009’s arm-heavy draft. Some team just below us in the 2010 draft will take Taillon and possibly have the next Rick Porcello on their hands. Possibly a team like Baltimore (drafting #3) since Pittsburgh seems to like college players as well.
What does NatsFarm think?
Accelerated Camp Roster
Posted by Brian Oliver in Across the Affiliates on February 24th, 2010
Hat tip to Mark Zuckerman who posted the Nats accelerated camp roster.
As he notes, Glenn Gibson (traded for Dukes) has returned to the organization
Andrew Brown is a name I am unfamiliar with. A search turns up a former Cardinal pitcher named Andrew Brown.
Rafael Martin appears to be from the Mexican League. He is the only other new name (to me).
Happy Valentine’s Day
Posted by Brian Oliver in Players on February 14th, 2010
Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone who visits NFA.
And what’s a better Valentine’s Day story than the Post writing about NFA favorite Josh Wilkie and his wedding.
Congrats to Josh & Jesse.
Couple of Items
Posted by Brian Oliver in Players, Washington (MLB) on February 12th, 2010
- The Adam Kennedy signing is official. This again puts the Nats at 41 on their 40-man roster. A corresponding move is being made but has yet to be announced. My guess is it’s going to be an arm. The names that jump out at me are Luis Atilano, Jess English, or Doug Slaten.
- The Post has apparently brought Adam Kilgore back to replace Chico Harlan on the Nats beat (H/T to Mike Harris). Kilgore has been covering the Patriots for the Boston Globe but has some history covering baseball. It’s a solid hire.
- And Baseball America has their latest round of minor league transactions: Nats signed: LHP Mike Venafro and re-signed OF Edgardo Baez. The 36-year old Venafro was born in Takoma Park, MD; he has not pitched at the professional level since 2007. While Baez returns to the Nats in 2010. The 24-year old Baez will have to sit out the first 17 games of the season as he completes his suspension for violation of the drug policy; I’ll say he starts in Harrisburg.
P-Nats Headed to Fenway
Posted by Brian Oliver in Potomac (A) on February 10th, 2010
The Potomac Nationals will be playing a game at Fenway Park on July 10. The Boston Red Sox have been playing the Futures at Fenway for the past five years, giving Red Sox fans a chance to see some of the team’s top prospects.
It’s something that I hope the Nationals will adopt themselves some time in the near future. With Harrisburg, Potomac, & Hagerstown as close as they are, it makes sense. I’ve asked Nats President Stan Kasten about this and he understood my interest in the game but was not sure there would be enough fan interest.
Report: Nats Sign Chien Ming Wang (Update)
Posted by Brian Oliver in Washington (MLB) on February 10th, 2010
Pete Abraham of Boston.com has just tweeted that former Yankees RHSP Chien Ming Wang has decided to sign with the Nationals.
From MLB.com’s Bill Ladson
Wang is still recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery that he had in late July. As of last week, Wang was throwing from 120 feet and is not in any pain. There is no timetable as to when Wang will throw off a mound.
I really like this gamble. Entering the off-season, there were three rehabbing pitchers I hoped the Nationals. Ben Sheets was my #1 guy but Wang was a close #2. As a sinker ball pitcher, I think any potential loss in velocity is minimized.
Update … it seems that Abraham may have jumped the gun. Mark Zuckerman, Ben Goessling, Chico Harlan and Bill Ladson are all reporting that no deal is done
