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Four Years and Counting


Pardon me for bit of navel-gazing. Four years ago today I started NFA as a way to track the progress of the Nationals farm system, with a specific focus on the draft class of 2005.

Here were the names of the guys I considered “prospects” back then along with their current status (bolded players are still with the Nationals organization)

New Orleans (AAA)

  • Bill Bray LHP – traded to the Reds in the Lopez/Kearns deal; out with TJ surgery
  • Jason Bergmann RHP – in the Nats bullpen
  • Brandon Watson LH OF – with the Reno Aces (Arizona Triple-A)
  • Larry Broadway LH 1B – with the Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Triple-A)
  • Brendan Harris RH 2B – traded to the Reds in the Lopez/Kearns deal; now the starting 2B for the Minnesota Twins
  • Ty Godwin LH OF – not in MiLB in 2009
  • Josh Labandeira RH SS- not in MiLB in 2009
  • JJ Davis RH OF- not in MiLB in 2009
  • for sentimental reasons, Rick Short RH IF – in Japan

Harrisburg (AA)

  • Ryan Zimmerman RH 3B – starting 3B for Nationals
  • Armando Galarraga RHP – traded to Rangers in deal for Alfonso Soriano; now starting for the Detroit Tigers
  • Darrell Rasner RHP- not in MiLB in 2009
  • Danny Rueckel RHP- not in MiLB in 2009
  • Josh Karp RHP- not in MiLB in 2009

Potomac (High A)

  • Ian Desmond RH SS – with the Harrisburg Senators (Double-A)
  • Clint Everts RHP - with the Harrisburg Senators (Double-A), now a reliever 
  • Erick San Pedro RH CA - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Frank Diaz RH OF - playing in the Mexican League 
  • Mike Hinckley LHP – with the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Texas Triple-A)
  • Greg Bunn RHP - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Salomon Manriquez - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Kory Casto LH 3B - with the Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A) 
  • Josh Whitesell LH 1B – with the Reno Aces (Arizona Triple-A); has had a couple cups of coffee with the D-Backs

Savannah (Low A)

  • Collin Balester RHP – with the Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A)
  • Daryl Thompson RHP – traded to Reds in the Kearns/Lopez deal; on the DL (shoulder) with Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Triple-A)
  • Edgardo Baez RH OF (19) – with the Harrisburg Senators (Double-A)
  • Rogearvin Bernadina LH OF – on the DL with Washington (ankle)
  • Devin Ivany RH CA – with the Potomac Nationals (High A)

Vermont (Short Season)

  • Jack Spradlin LHP - with the Harrisburg Senators (Double-A)
  • John Lannan LHP – member of Washington’s starting rotation
  • Mike Daniel LH OF – with the Harrisburg Senators (Double-A)
  • Ricky Shefka RHP - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Craig Stammen RHP – member of Washington’s starting rotation
  • Jeffrey Taylor RHP - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Josh Palm RHP – not in MiLB in 2009
  • Dee Brown RH OF – not in MiLB in 2009
  • Marco Estrada RHP – on DL with Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A)
  • John Howell LH OF - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Andrew Lane RH 2B – not in MiLB in 2009
  • Note: OF Justin Maxwell had not signed as on July 8, so he was not on this list

Gulf Coast League Nationals (Rookie)

  • Eduardo Pichardo RHP - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Michael Watkins RHP - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Deryck Johnson LH OF - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Ryan Delaughter RH OF - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Brian Peacock RH CA -with the Potomac Nationals (High A)
  • Andre Enriquez RHP - not in MiLB in 2009
  • Coby Mavroulis LHP - not in MiLB in 2009

It is interesting to look back at who I considered guys to watch. Quite a few of them have moved out/on to other organizations. The 2005 draft is looking pretty good with Zimmerman, Lannan, Stammen, & Estrada (along with Maxwell) making the majors. The bottom line is the overall health of the farm system has improved tremendously, but there is still room for improvement.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 8th, 2009, 8:37 AM and is filed under Across the Affiliates. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

  1. #1 by Paul - July 8th, 2009 at 09:29

    been following this site for years. it is a great resource and I am glad that you are putting this info out there. it gives me a glimmer of hope for an otherwise dismal looking organization.

  2. #2 by chuckc - July 8th, 2009 at 09:40

    Brian, I very seldom post, but I am viewing your site everyday. thanks for all the time you put into this and keep giving us hope!

  3. #3 by Chris - July 8th, 2009 at 10:01

    Fantastic stuff Brian. Well done.

  4. #4 by Uncle Teddy - July 8th, 2009 at 10:02

    Happy Birthday, old man.

  5. #5 by Andrew F. - July 8th, 2009 at 10:16

    Nice work, Brian.

  6. #6 by Jane - July 8th, 2009 at 10:54

    Great information, Brian…thanks!

    Do you know which team Frank Diaz is on in the Mexican League?

  7. #7 by Brian Oliver - July 8th, 2009 at 10:56

  8. #8 by Nick - July 8th, 2009 at 10:58

    Brian, what the heck ever happened to josh Karp? He was a high draft pick who was considered a great talent at the time, but he completely fell off the baseball landscape. Did injuries force him to retire or was he a complete bust?

  9. #9 by Brian Oliver - July 8th, 2009 at 11:01

    Nick – It was injuries that short circuited his career before it really even started

  10. #10 by Jane - July 8th, 2009 at 11:06

    Brian, thanks for the updated information on Frank Diaz!

  11. #11 by Berndaddy - July 8th, 2009 at 11:12

    Although it still pains me to see Josh Whitesell’s name in print for another team….

    Brian for all the work you do here, on MASN and with Steve from FJB and all other places that call you out for nats farm info, I really thank you for making it fun to be a fan here in Natstown. You da man.

  12. #12 by expo_ram - July 8th, 2009 at 11:18

    Great work (as usual) Brian!

    Boy, that list really emphasizes the damage MLB, Minaya, et al incurred on our talent base. It really has come a long way since then.

  13. #13 by Nick - July 8th, 2009 at 11:24

    Thanks Brian! Keep up the great work!

  14. #14 by Dave - July 8th, 2009 at 11:29

    I think Rasner went to Japan?

  15. #15 by dd - July 8th, 2009 at 11:35

    Great trip down the memory lane!!! I was a tot when the Expos began in Canada and have seen many many many prospects disappear into the sunset without so much as a cup of major league coffee. Super job, Brian!

  16. #16 by expo_ram - July 8th, 2009 at 12:42

    Norris mentioned again by Goldstein…

    This is getting ridiculous

    Derek Norris, C, Nationals (Low-A Hagerstown) Tuesday’s stats: 2-for-3, 2 HR (20), 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB, K We had the Josh Vitters run of 11 home runs in 15 games, and we had Jesus Montero’s recent explosion, but we never had a short-term run like this, as Norris finished up his four-game streak against Hickory by going 8-for-14 with a double, six home runs and 11 RBIs. His numbers were great before the streak began, but now they’re bordering on ridiculous at .320/.416/.605.

  17. #17 by Greg - July 8th, 2009 at 12:51

    Thanks Brian, so very interesting to see where previous draft classes are.

    Regarding Norris, other than my own benefit of seeing a prospect progress, is there really any downside to keeping him in Hagerstown getting reps and building upon his successes?

  18. #18 by Scott W - July 8th, 2009 at 13:01

    Brian – it’s great to look back. It makes me wonder how the current crop will work out. Thanks

  19. #19 by Mike - July 8th, 2009 at 13:07

    Great post Brian. Check out your site everyday.

  20. #20 by Steven Biel - July 8th, 2009 at 13:48

    kudos!

  21. #21 by Steve - July 8th, 2009 at 17:43

    Great job Brian, I visit the site daily. I’ve learned a lot about minor league ballplayers from you and the people who post here.

  22. #22 by BinM - July 8th, 2009 at 18:49

    16 of your initial prospects are still in the system – five (including Bernardina) are currently with the Nationals, and overall, 17 have at least had “a look” in the majors. I guess you could say that Harris & Gallarraga were “the ones that got away”. No shame in those numbers, sir.

  23. #23 by Scot - July 8th, 2009 at 23:29

    Great work Brian.

  24. #24 by Basil - July 9th, 2009 at 10:16

    Good job, Brian. I remember when this was just a germ in your enterprising, prospect-obsessed mind.

    Thanks for the Baby Ruckles reference; I cherish those.

  25. #25 by SpringfieldFan - July 10th, 2009 at 10:36

    Thanks so much for the update on Rick Short. I’m happy to hear that he’s still playing.

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