Across the Affiliates 06/05/09
The Chiefs swept a doubleheader from the Yankees, winning the first game 8-6 (box) and the second game 7-3 (box/gamer). In the first game, newly promoted CA Jhonathan Solano homered in his first Triple-A at-bat for Syracuse. RF Jorge Padilla was 2/5 with a solo homer; DH Mike Vento was 2/4 with a solo homer, two runs and two RBI; 2B Seth Bynum was 2/3 with two doubles, a run and two RBI; and CF Corey Patterson was 1/3 with a double, run & RBI. RHP Marco Estrada made the start for the Chiefs, allowing five runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings with four strikeouts. RHP Cory Doyne picked up the win in relief allowing one hit over two shutout innings with one strikeout and LHP Wil Ledezma earned his first save for Syracuse with a scoreless ninth. In the second game, RHP Jorge Sosa picked up the win, striking out six over five innings. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks. RHP Tyler Clippard pitched the final two innings, giving up no runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two. Vento was 2/3 with one RBI and two runs scored; Bynum was 1/2 with a homer and two RBI; 1B Ryan Langerhans was 1/3 with a double, run and RBI; and 3B Marcos Yepez was 1/3 with two RBI.
Tonight: Syracuse RHP Garrett Mock (0-0, 7.59) at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees RHP Josh Towers at 7:05PM
Harrisburg blanked New Hampshire for the third straight game, winning 1-0 on a walk-off hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the ninth (box/gamer). LHP Justin Jones made one of his strongest starts of the season, but finished with the no-decision. Over six innings of work, Jones allowed thre hits and three walks while striking out six. RHP Matt Avery threw 2 2/3 no-hit innings of relief and LHP Jack Spradlin vultured a win recording the final out in the the top of the ninth. LF/2B Jemel Spearman was 1/3 with the game-winning RBI on a bases loaded HBP. CA Luke Montz was 3/4 with a double for the Senators.
Tonight: New Britain LHP Ryan Mullins (3-6, 5.07) at Harrisburg RHP Erik Arnesen (2-2, 3.60) at 7PM
Potomac’s return home against Myrtle Beach was postponed by rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader at 5:35PM this evening (two seven inning games). That means the P-Nats and Pelicans will play doubleheaders on both Friday and Saturday.
Tonight: Myrtle Beach LHP Jose Ortegano (2-4, 5.03) & RHP Erik Cordier (2-2, 2.87) at Potomac LHP Will Atwood (1-4, 6.44) & RHP Jeff Mandel (6-2, 3.00)
The Suns doubleheader with the Captains was postponed by rain last night. As a result, Hagerstown will also be playing back-to-back doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday evenings, both starting at 5:35PM.
Tonight: Lake County LHP T.J. House (1-5, 3.10) & TBD at Hagerstown RHPs Brad Peacock (1-4, 4.50) & Paul Demny (1-4, 4.50)
The DSL Nationals won their third straight game, defeating the DSL Rockies 7-2 (box). 21-year old RHP Antonio Guzman earned the win with six three-hit shutout innings with one strikeout. 19-year old LF Alejandro Hodge was 0/2 with three walks, one RBI, one run and one stolen base. 23-year old SS Carlos Alvarez was 1/3 with two walks, two runs two RBI and a home run. The DSL Nats walked thirteen times.
Today: DSL Twins at DSL Nationals at 10:30AM
Hi Brian, been thinking, after reading about Solano’s AAA debut, there is a great story to be told about the catching position in the Nats organization. Anyone who’s watched MLB network has heard the common thread that there is a real shortage of quality catching in a lot of organizations. I’ve heard it over and over. It seems the only reason Norris hasn’t been moved up yet is there is no obvious open spot. And we haven’t even heard from Nieto yet this year. I’d like to hear yours and everyone else’s thoughts.
Mark – Catching is the most difficult position to really project. Most of the time, a catcher will get to the majors based on his glove and then the bat develops. There are exceptions, but for the most part we see catchers make the majors and hit 240 with solid pitch calling/defense.
The guys the Nats have in the pipeline are all very interesting. Solano at AAA, Rooney at Hi A, Norris at Low A along with Nieto and Dan Killian (another guy drafted last year). Norris has turned himself into a legit prospect. The other guys are still works in progress.
The one thing the Nats have to their advantage is there is little chance all of them are going to develop. But they have enough options that I can feel comfortable assuming one will turn into something
And some of the time, a “catcher” will get to the majors on the basis of his bat and folks will grit their teeth waiting for him to get a clue on pitch calling and defense. When that catcher is Mike Piazza, you’ll take it, but in that scenario, it’s usually a guy like Scott Hatteberg.
Out of curiousity, has Norris ever played a CI position? Because while everyone and their Grandmother has Marrero pegged as the 1B of the future, it’d be nice to know there’s an age-appropriate alternative.
SueD- Norris was a 3B in HS before his shift behind the plate. I know there are scouts that believe Norris will eventually have to move to CI or corner OF
Brian – Not surprised and it certainly explains why he’s ahead of the curve compared to most catchers his age.
Brian
Are the Nats going to get Carlos “Smiley” Alvarez a work visa and move him to Potomac/Harrisburg to ascertain if he can play with players of his age.
Louis – I’m not sure the Nats are going to get him a visa given the fact Alvarez misrepresented himself and the story had so much coverage.