Just out from the Nationals
The Washington Nationals today claimed left-handed pitcher Jesse English off waivers from the San Francisco Giants and designated catcher Luke Montz for assignment. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
In seven professional seasons in the Giants chain, the 24 year-old English went 32-18 with a 3.94 ERA in 120 games (69 starts). San Francisco’s sixth-round selection in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, English has recorded 9.9 strikeouts per 9.0 innings during his career. English’s finest season came in 2008, when he was named a mid-season All-Star en route to recording career-best efforts in wins (13), ERA (3.19) and strikeouts (135) in the hitter-friendly Single-A California League.
English, who stands 6-foot-3, went 7-7 with a 4.20 ERA this season in 26 games (19 starts) for Connecticut of the Double-A Eastern League.
Montz, 26, hit .181 (58-for-320) with nine home runs and 36 RBI in 103 combined games this season for Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League.
A quick Google search turned up this article by Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly
English is definitely the most heartwarming story. He was simply dominant in the Arizona League after the Giants took him in the sixth round of the 2002 draft. English even outshone the high school pitcher taken in the first round of that draft, a fellow by the name of Matt Cain. But English got sidetracked because of assorted injuries and a lack of commitment. He just needed a little more time to mature, personally and professionally. English began to make strides toward the end of 2007 with Salem-Keizer, including a three-inning, nine-strikeout appearance. He was a steady contributor in San Jose’s rotation this past season, going 13-7 with a 3.19 ERA. The ERA was the fourth-best in the Cal League (with teammates Tim Alderson and Kevin Pucetas ranking ahead of him). English is still a project, but he’s a lefty with a good fastball and plus changeup. Guys like that always intrigue a front office
An item from back in 2002 on him
An MiLB article on him from 2008
#1 by Steven Biel - September 10th, 2009 at 19:23
Wait a minute. This guy has a 1:1 FB:GB ratio. Did Rizzo confuse him with someone else?
#2 by ckstevenson - September 10th, 2009 at 19:25
He can go on the 40 and be in the minors?
#3 by dd - September 10th, 2009 at 19:28
He struck out quite a few batters as a reliever. Did well as a starter as well. Walk quite a few. Can’t do worse than some relievers this year. Hope he succeeds!
#4 by dd - September 10th, 2009 at 19:44
Is it a good idea to send Storen to the AFL? Has he ever pitched this long in the season? This many innings? After being drafted in 2003, Chad Cordero (who had already pitched in 40 games for Cal State) threw in 19 games for Brevard (A ball) and 12 games in the bigs. Hopefully, Storen will not be overextended by the Nats.
#5 by peric - September 10th, 2009 at 21:08
Hope Brian’s enjoying the Ian Desmond debut. Looks like Jim Riggleman may be eating some crow?
#6 by estuartj - September 10th, 2009 at 21:58
Except for Desmond’s air mail throw to keep the 9th alive and set up the grand slam to close the game to 2 runs.
Still, 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs a dinger and a double isn’t to bad a first day on the job.
#7 by Dc wonk - September 11th, 2009 at 07:38
Peric – I must have missed that backstory – was Riggs against bringing up Desmond?
#8 by Sec 204 Row H Seat 7 - September 11th, 2009 at 08:57
Riggs is not on record on way or the other about Desmond being brought up. He seemed opposed to starting him any time soon. Hopefully, Desmond’s performance last night will change his mind. He will have to work on his fielding a bit. Tragic Number is down to 15. Apparently KC has won four in a row.
#9 by rukidding - September 11th, 2009 at 10:01
Brian, with the DFA of Montz how does next season look as far as the catchers? Like who will start AAA, AA, H-A, Low-A? I know it’s early but what does your gut say.
#10 by Brian Oliver - September 11th, 2009 at 10:12
Syracuse – Jhonathan Solano & some TBD veteran
Harrisburg – Sean Rooney & Brian Peacock
Potomac – Derek Norris & Travis Reagan
Hagerstown – Dan Killian & Sandy Leon
#11 by BinM - September 11th, 2009 at 12:24
Brian, aren’t guys like Solano, Peacock & Ivany either RuleV or FA-eligible in the off-season? I was thinking that with the loss of Montz, it created a possible gap in system catchers at HAR for 2010.
#12 by Brian Oliver - September 11th, 2009 at 12:26
BinM – I think all of them are R5 eligible but I made my guesses based on the fact that I strongly doubt any other team is going to claim those guys for the 25-man roster and I don’t even want to try to account for the minor league portion of the R5 draft
#13 by BinM - September 11th, 2009 at 12:42
Brian: Thanks for the response. FWIW, I had Solano & Rooney @SYR, ??? & Reagan @HAR, with Norris & Killian @POT for 2010. Re-signing Peacock would fill the gap at HAR.
#14 by peric - September 11th, 2009 at 13:24
I think Rooney is a switch hitter. Making him an interesting possibility from Rizzo’s perspective. One could see him start up in Syracuse just for that reason?
#15 by Robin - September 11th, 2009 at 13:26
Brian, question about Montz – Is he out of the Nationals organization or does he have the option of staying a Nats minor league player if he is not drafted? What do you think will happen with Ivany since he was not on your “guess” list.
#16 by Brian Oliver - September 11th, 2009 at 13:29
Robin – I need to double check but I believe if he clears waivers, the Nationals can still assign him because he does not have the service time necesary for minor league free agency. I know he’s close but I think it’s one more year. He still could be back in 2010, but i think the odds are 50/50.
My guess on Ivany is that he moves on to another team
#17 by BinM - September 11th, 2009 at 13:34
@peri: Yes, Rooney is a switch-hitter, as are Leon (VT) & Nieto (GCL). However, I tend to trust Brian’s ratings – My post-season rankings for 2010 are inside the orginazation navel-gazing, and don’t take off-season FA signings into account.
#18 by rukidding - September 11th, 2009 at 13:41
I think Rooney needs more time at HAR unless he does real well in Spring Training. I was thrilled/suprised to see the year he had after the terrible tragedy.
#19 by BinM - September 11th, 2009 at 14:48
@rukidding: IMO, Rooney has earned a shot at SYR, unless the Nationals sign a FA plug-in, as Brian suspects they will do. Either way, I think he could have a shot at the #2CA job with the big club in 2011.
#20 by pm - September 11th, 2009 at 17:57
BinM, Rooney hasn’t earned a shot a Syr based off his performance in Harrisburg .227/.254/.291.
#21 by John - September 11th, 2009 at 18:23
BinM: I think Nieto is strictly a RH bat now. In that video from spacecoastbaseball, he was batting right handed against a RHP.
#22 by Andrew Stebbins - September 11th, 2009 at 20:37
I think the #2 job belongs to Jesus Flores in 2011. Hello, Derek Norris. Bryce Harper, might have something to say about that come 2013.
#23 by BinM - September 12th, 2009 at 09:27
Andrew – Unless Norris actually learns to play the position, he won’t be a catcher by the time he gets to the majors. 18 errors & at least that many passed balls in HAG is a red flag, imho.
#24 by Josh - September 15th, 2009 at 21:20
I like English’s upside. He was a good guy to take a flier on.