Baseball America’s weekly account of minor league transactions begins the cleanup of many of the organizational guys.
Released: RHP Ben Grezlovski, RHP Alex Morales, RHP Damian Silva, RHP Jorge Urena, OF Garrett Bass, OF Jake Dugger, OF Brett Sellers Placed on restricted list: C Patrick Nichols, 2B Blake Stouffer
The 32-year old Grezlovski was signed as a minor league free agent this past off-season. The 26-year old Morales was a 2003 46th round draft pick by Expos who had a brief cup of coffee in Columbus in 2007 but really hit his ceiling in Double-A. Silva and Urena, both 22, are products of the Nationals Dominican academy, Silva made 11 appearances for the GCL Nats in 2008 and Urena made 10 for the GCL Nats and two for the Monsters. The 24-year old Bass was a 2007 42nd round draft pick by the Nationals who hit 205/228/220 for Hagerstown in 2008. The 24-year old Dugger was a 2007 49th round Nats draft pick who batted 220/383/390 for the Monsters in 2008. The 23-year old Sellers was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and hit 217/333/265 for the GCL Nats.
The players placed on the restricted list could have retired and not filed their official paperwork or are away from baseball for non-playing reasons.
Nichols was 2006 16th round Nationals draft pick who logged many miles for the Nats in 2008, spending time with Potomac, Harrisburg and Columbus.
The 23-year old Stouffer was a 2008 13th round draft pick out of Texas A&M. He struggled in his time in Vermont/Hagerstown batting a combined 192/304/301 but it’s still a surprise to see a 2008 draft pick gone already.
I’ll update the Big Board and the Draft Track shortly.
#1 by Brian Oliver - April 1st, 2009 at 14:54
Also noted that the Braves released former Nationals RHRP Emiliano Fruto (part of the Wily Mo Pena trade). And the Phillies released former Nationals draft pick RHP Steve Shepard (13th round of 2007). The Blue Jays released SS Marcos Cabral, LHRP A.J. Wideman (traded by the Nationals in 2005 to hang onto Rule 5 OF Ty Godwin)
#2 by Positively Half St. - April 1st, 2009 at 17:35
I haven’t been very supportive of Jim Bowden lately, so I think it is only fair for us to recognize that just like WMP didn’t work out, neither did Fruto. It was a wash, really, and the kid who went to Boston in the merry-go-round wasn’t really a factor for the Nats, since he was just an means to the end.
#3 by Jeff E. - April 2nd, 2009 at 05:01
Too bad Garrett was not as flexible in the outfield as his dad.
#4 by Jeff E. - April 2nd, 2009 at 06:34
Nice to see Acta looking at some kids from the B-fields against Jays: King, Daniel. Rhinehart. Not to mention Stammen’s 4 IP stint the day before. some good things cooking in the back fields apparently.
#5 by e - April 2nd, 2009 at 08:59
Sorry if this has been addressed in previous comments, but does anyone know how the minor leaguers are doing down in Viera? Are there any reports anywhere that I can view?
#6 by Brian Oliver - April 2nd, 2009 at 09:04
e – No. The minor league side gets little to no coverage. Only if a writer wanders over there will we get an update. The Nationals do not publicize what happens over there.
#7 by Jim Wilkie - April 2nd, 2009 at 09:31
On a surprising note, the Marlins have proclaimed Bonifacio as their starting 3rd baseman, moving Lugo to first.
#8 by Sue Dinem - April 2nd, 2009 at 09:58
For the record, the Red Sox got Chris Carter as part of the Nats-Dbacks-Sox trade and he’s about 99% certain to make the Boston 25-man roster as the 5th outfielder, making the minimum. While Fruto and Wily Mo didn’t pan out for Arizona and Washington respectively, Theo Epstein got precisely what he wanted: A make-good for one of his few mistakes.
#9 by Pilchard - April 2nd, 2009 at 10:42
I think that the Marlins are moving Jorge Cantu to first with Bonifacio going to 3rd. Would not be surprised to see the Marlins trade Dan Uggla at some point this season. Bonifacio is a questionable offensive player at 2nd; he simply does not provide enough offense to play 3rd base consistently on a MLB level.
#10 by Jane - April 2nd, 2009 at 11:17
Alex Morales, you will be missed!
Thanks for all of your hard work and autographs!!
#11 by VladiHondo - April 2nd, 2009 at 11:29
Garrett Bass is the young man who was tragically shot by police in his parents’ front yard in front of his mom & dad. His story was on 60 minutes.
#12 by Brian Oliver - April 2nd, 2009 at 11:40
That was Robbie Tolan, not Garrett Bass
#13 by cjrugger - April 2nd, 2009 at 12:39
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=3021
Cool idea, Reds playing a “Futures” team of all their prospects in their A and AA stadiums
#14 by VladiHondo - April 2nd, 2009 at 21:05
D’oh!
#15 by Jeff E. - April 3rd, 2009 at 06:23
As parents go shopping with a list of wants, I am sure Rizzo, Brown and Inc. have a short list: left-handed hitting players who can man infield spots and all three OF spots. prototypes such as: another Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips and a crafty Cliff Lee. No I am not lamenting the Colon deal- or am I??? Hey, I just celebrated a birthday with Coquille St. Jacques filled with seafood. what do I have to complain about??? plus a new sweetie who can speak three languages. who cares if Manny only has four starters. Craig Stammen and Seth Bynum prove that perspiration mixed with inspiration could result in 25 man exultation someday soon!
#16 by Jeff E. - April 4th, 2009 at 08:26
“E”- I always take the appearance of a kid in a -A_ boxscore as an indicator of someone who is opening eyes wideopen in back B fields. Stammen, Seth Bynum, Mike Daniel, Jo Padilla, the Long Beach Dirtdog SS….ZXach Zincola…. anyone concur?