Nationals Farm Authority

Any idea why Norris, Wilkie, & Espinosa are missing from the roster…it probably has something to do with AZL

It’s good to see Michael Taylor and Jeff Kobernus on there, but I’m disappointed not to see Marcus Jones. I guess he’s still injured.

Assume the # and * refer to switch-hitter and left-handed, respectively, right?

I really like the agressiveness with Jean Valez and Cleto Brazoban coming over, i assume that means they’ll start in the GCL next year?

Does Nieto make it to full-season baseball in 2010 or will go to Vermont?

Pilchard wasn’t Nieto playing hurt most of this year? It seemed by August he was hitting nicely…

Good info once again! Thanks Brian!

You know, one thing that jumps out at me in looking at the list is the ages and levels of development – folks are pretty quick to label Smoker a bust and yet he’s a year younger than Strasburg or Storen – this would be his college junior year coming up.

No wonder some folks can be drafted have some success, fall apart, put it back together slowly make their way and then all of a sudden put it together and be a phenom at 25-26.

Happy to see Eury Perez – he’s my hope for Nyjer of the future. A good showing this year and hopefully in full-season ball next year, and he might be lining himself up nicely for 2012. The only question I have about him so far is defense – I like that his OPS has increased steadily every year. Looks pretty solid at 19. He’s not actually 23 is he?

Hood, Perez and Ramirez. An interesting potential starting outfield?

who is coaching this year?

Peric- unless Hood makes some big strides on defense, you have 2 LF’s there

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4465001&name=arangure_jorge_jr

dont know if I missed that, but interesting article on possible new director of Latin American scouting. If the bonus allegations were unfounded, seems like he did a good job working with Rizzo before (and could get us back into Venezuela as well)

No McGeary?

I think that McGeary may be back at Stanford for the Fall semester. Pretty sure that he did not punt school altogether (considering the way he pitched, probably a good idea).

yes nieto was playing most of the year with a pulled hamstring.

chima: Is Nieto strictly a RH batter now? I thought I saw on the videos that he was batting RH against a RHP.

Couple of interesting links:

Desmond: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9523

Jesse English from a few years ago: http://www.minorleaguewatch.com/MLRamblings/020831je.html

Burgess (requires subscripion): http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/

Brian: Kind of suprised not to see Boekhouldt on the FIL roster. I thought he would have been added (like Taylor & Valdez) just to give him some game expierence.

Any idea why Boomer Whiting is on this list? He is 25 y/o and by far the oldest to attend the camp.

john: nieto is still switch hitting

Thanks chima. My mistake.

rukidding :

Any idea why Boomer Whiting is on this list? He is 25 y/o and by far the oldest to attend the camp.

Boomer was batting left-handed during the final series of the year – best guess: He’s attempting to become a switch-hitter and refine his bunting techniques.

Sue would you say Boomer is the fastest or one of the fastest players in the Farm system?

Berndaddy – I haven’t seen Chris Curran much, but Boomer’s closest competitors are Roger Bernadina and Michael Martinez, and I think he’s just a tad faster than both of those two. He’s certainly the system’s best basestealer, and it would appear that somebody agrees. Unfortunately, he’s weak-armed and doesn’t go back well on deep flyballs to CF. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him being tried at 2B in an effort to find a position that suits his strengths.

Its good to see Karns out there. I hope he kicks off the way Storen did.

Peric, BA had Karns the best in the summer league he was playing in, so let’s hope the best for this kid…

You have to wonder if in Rizzo’s mind Karns looks like a near term SP in his rotation. He purportedly has the ability and just needs consistency?

Brian – Do you know if anyone, anywhere will be broadcasting these games? I tend to doubt it, but thought I’d ask. I would imagine MLBN would televise some of the AFL.

AFL + Strasburg = Must see TV !!!

Brian, this is not on topic, but I wanted to pass along my thanks to you for running this site. I check it daily and it has really helped a neophyte like myself the ins and outs of a baseball team. My earliest memories of baseball are with my late father and I lost interest (mostly because there was no local coverage and there was no internet at the time) once the old Senators left for Texas. Being that I was only 9 years old in 1971, I never got to the point where I was able to follow and understand all the nuances of the game (rule 5, 25 and 40 man rosters etc.). Your site is concise enough for me to understand, yet detailed enough for me to get additional information. I can truly say that I understand most aspects of baseball now thanks to your efforts. Keep up the good work!

I agree with TimDz. Providing this sort of insight into the minor league system is something new and different for me. It gives one a leg up and the ability to almost see the “machinations” in the FO. Very well done and reasonably bug-free user-interface. My congratulations on the technical aspect of this web site as well as on the content.

Tragic number at 12 now, right?

Instead of “tragic date” it should be called “inevitable date”!

I will be giving regular updates as the Desert Dogs are about 20 minutes from my house and a buddy of mine scores the games.

expo_ram: Excellent – An insider to the AFL. Thanks, in advance.

Sickels took a look at Ian Desmond in his latest prospect profile: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/9/17/1035235/prospect-profile-ian-desmond#storyjump

Great article, and the reason I keep saying “patience” to those who want to give up on prospects who don’t jump to the forefront in the first few years…especially the high school guys. Until this year most had “written him off” as a “big prospect” because of his struggles, going so far as to even put high school newly drafted players in front of him. SOme even were critical of his success this year which is mind boggling considering his offensive number ALL YEAR. This young man is a great guy, and about to arrive now. Be patient, this is baseball!

Destin Hood will be starting, McGeary decided to not go to insturcts because he went last year and it was really hard to catch up with school.

What are the odds of Burgess repeating Potomac next year?

Honestly, that is the route I hope they take. He needs work. I don’t think its such a negative to repeat a level, when you obviously have the talent. You just need to work out some kinks. It’s not like he’s playing the exact same players as the year before, so hecan capitalize on the same mistakes. I think he needs to remain at a lower level to work on his game and swing. The jump to Harrisburg is going to be a big one, and if he struggles there, it will hit his confidence more to be demoted than to repeat initially IMO.

Based on age, he’s still fine for the level. Had he gone to college, he would be drafted in June and likely would start at Hagerstown. By that time this year, he could be in Harrisburg if he makes some progress. I think putting him in a lineup with Norris would help also.

Thoughts?