Note: My latest podcast with Steven from FJB where we discuss the All-Star Game, Elijah Dukes, and heroes/goats/signs of hope.
RHP Shairon Martis and RF Elijah Dukes led the Chiefs to a 9-3 win over Lehigh Valley (box/gamer). Martis allowed one run on eight hits over 6IP while striking out five to earn the win. RHP Zech Zinicola struck out two in his one inning of relief. Dukes was 1/3 with a two-run homer for Syracuse. Also contributing on offense were 1B Brad Eldred who was 3/3 with a run & two RBI; his replacement Kory Casto was 2/2 with a pair of homers and three RBI; and CF Justin Maxwell was 1/4 with a double, run & stolen base.
Today: Rochester RHP Armando Gabino (3-2, 3.17) at Syracuse RHP Collin Balester (6-7, 4.11) 7PM
Harrisburg salvaged a game from Akron with an 8-2 win on Monday (box/gamer). LHP Justin Jones gave up two runs on four hits and a walk over 6IP while striking out four. RHP Andrew Kown picked up the win in relief and LHP Yunior Novoa warned his first save with two scoreless innings of work. 1B Bill Rhinehart paced the offense, going 3/4 with two doubles, a run scored & three RBI. LF/RF Mike Daniel was 2/3 with one RBI; SS Michael martinez was 2/4 with a run & RBI; and CA Luke Montz was 1/4 with two runs & two RBI.
Today: Harrisburg LHP Matt Chico (Rehab #3) at Bowie LHP Brian Matusz (3-0, 0.49) 7:05PM
Potomac had Monday off. Still no official word on the promotion of RHP Brad Meyers or who will replace him with the P-Nats.
Today: Potomac LHP Tom Milone (3-3, 3.91) at Myrtle Beach LHP Cole Rohrbough 7:05PM
Hagerstown won for only the second time in the second half of the season, blanking Hickory 10-0 (box/gamer). RHP Hassan Pena made his first start for the Suns (LHP Ricardo Pecina was apparently placed on the DL). Pena allowed two hits over 5IP to pick up the win. LHP kevin Light and RHP Osvaldo Rodriguez pitched the final four scoreless frames for the Suns. 2B Stephen Lombardozzi led the way on offense, going 3/5 with a stolen base, two homers and four RBI. CA Derek Norris was 2/4 with a double, three RBI, and his 18th home run of the season. SS Steve Souza was 1/5 with a solo homer; RF Charlie Fermaint was 2/4 with a stolen base & run scored; DH Travis Reagan was 2/5 with a double & run scored; and LF Robby Jacobsen was 1/4 with a double & run scored.
Today: Hagerstown RHP Brad Peacock (2-7, 3.99) at Hickory 7PM
Vermont was edged out 2-1 by Hudson Valley (box/gamer). LHP Mitchell Clegg took the loss, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over 5IP with a pair of strikeouots. RHP Johan Figuereo struck out two in his one inning of work. LF J.P. Ramirez again provided the offense with a solo home run, his second in as many games. SS Sean Nicol was 3/4 and CF Jay Sferra was 1/4, accounting for the other four Monsters hits.
Today: Vermont RHP Juan Jaime (0-0, 1.12) at Oneonta 7PM
The GCL Nationals were held to only two hits in an 11-1 loss to the GCL Mets (box). LHP Bobby Hansen surrendered six runs (five earned) on six hits and a walk over 3IP. DH Ricardo Martinez was 1/3 with a triple & run scored and 2B Hendry Jimenez was 1/3 in the loss.
Today: GCL Marlins at GCL Nationals 12PM
The DSL Nationals defeated the DSL Diamondbacks 8-3 (box). 20-year old LHP Francisco Vizcaino picked up his first win of the year, allowing a run on three hits and three walks over 5IP with five strikeouts. 17-year old LHP Gregory Baez struck out two over two scoreless innings of relief. 19-year old LF Alejandro Hodge was 2/5 with a run scored; 18-year old DH Joseph Cabreja was 2/5 with a double & three RBI; 20-year old 1B Juan Urdaneta was 2/4 with a double & three RBI; and 23-year old SS Carrlos Alvarez was 1/3 with a double, run & RBI.
Today: DSL Nationals 18-year old RHP Pedro Encarnacion (1-3, 2.95) at DSL Cubs1 10:30AM
#1 by cjrugger - July 7th, 2009 at 09:08
JP Ramirez has drawn one walk in 70 ABs??? what happened to that “advanced plate approach?”
And why no Micheal Taylor in the GCL yet?
#2 by Marcus - July 7th, 2009 at 09:32
Hey Brian,
You usually do a midseason prospect rankings, are you waiting till after the signing deadline to rank our prospects this year?
Here’s my Mid-Season top 10(Assuming Strasburg Signs):
My list is more based upon potential than results. Above are the the players I see with the best chance to be average and above ML one day. Espinosa just missed my list but his BA and OBP trouble me a little expected him to be a bit more advanced coming out of college. Stephen Lombardozzi has quietly put together a good season so far without much fan fare. G. Hicks seems to coming along in the NYPL and glad J. Smoker is pitching again. Honorable mention to I. Desmond as well.
#3 by Marcus - July 7th, 2009 at 09:32
Hey Brian,
You usually do a midseason prospect rankings, are you waiting till after the signing deadline to rank our prospects this year?
Here’s my Mid-Season top 10(Assuming Strasburg Signs):
My list is more based upon potential than results. Above are the the players I see with the best chance to be average and above ML one day. Espinosa just missed my list but his BA and OBP trouble me a little expected him to be a bit more advanced coming out of college. Stephen Lombardozzi has quietly put together a good season so far without much fan fare. G. Hicks seems to coming along in the NYPL and glad J. Smoker is pitching again. Honorable mention to I. Desmond as well.
#4 by Brian Oliver - July 7th, 2009 at 09:33
Marcus – It’s on a backburner right now. Trying to keep a few plates spinning.
#5 by JMUAlumni - July 7th, 2009 at 10:01
Brian, have you heard anything about who the other four international signings were besides Cabral?
#6 by Brian Oliver - July 7th, 2009 at 10:06
JMU – Not a word. The Nationals are holding off until physicals are passed and documentation verified. If we don’t get a leak from their buscones or other reps, we are left to guess
#7 by pm - July 7th, 2009 at 10:51
Please promote Derek Norris. The man needs to be showcased in Potomac.
My midseason prospect list: Strasburg (If he signs) Norris Marrero Burgess Espinosa Storen Hood Nieto Meyers Ramirez Hicks (If Strasburg doesn’t sign)
#8 by Scooter - July 7th, 2009 at 11:27
I keep seeing Matt Chico’s games referred to as “rehab” starts. Makes sense, since he was hurt. But there’s no limit here, like he needs to be on a particular roster by a particular date, is there? Is the team sorta saying he “belongs” in Syracuse, so anything before that is just working his way back?
#9 by expo_ram - July 7th, 2009 at 13:28
FYI, from Goldstein’s daily prospect report (baseballprospectus.com):
Holding down the No. 1 spot for the Nats until Strasburg signs
Derek Norris, C, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown) Monday’s stats: 2-for-4, 2B, HR (18), R, 3 RBI, 2 BB In his last three games, Norris has now gone 6-for-11 with four bombs to raise his season averages to .317/.410/.583. He’s has plus power, tons of patience (42 walks), plays solid defense, and scouts love his max-effort style of play. I don’t know what else you’d look for in a catching prospect, and Norris is quickly putting his name among the best young backstops in the game.
#10 by Chris - July 7th, 2009 at 13:59
Scooter, a player designated as on rehab doesn’t take the roster spot of someone already on the team. In other words, Syracuse didn’t have to demote/release anyone to make room for Chico.
#11 by Scooter - July 7th, 2009 at 14:59
Gracias, Chris. Seemed like a minor thing, but so often a word choice actually turns out to mean something in the obtuse world of baseball contracts. Glad I asked.
#12 by Ric - July 7th, 2009 at 19:40
Top 10 (assuming Strasburg signs and excluding all players currently on MLB roster, as well as Dukes, Bernadina, Mock and Martis):
Strasburg Norris Hood Burgess Balester Maxwell Desmond Marrero Storen Espinosa
Next ten: Nieto Meyers Frias Morris McGeary Ramirez Zinicola Everts Smoker Arneson
#13 by chima - July 7th, 2009 at 19:51
Ric Maxwell is too old to be a top ten prospect so is balester espinosa
#14 by souldrummer - July 7th, 2009 at 20:09
Chima, Don’t you mean Desmond is too old, not Espinosa?
#15 by chima - July 7th, 2009 at 20:45
yes