Nationals Farm Authority

There was an RH reliever named Andrew Brown who pitched with the Padres and most recently with the A’s. He was injured with the A’s and not on their 40 man roster last year.

I am glad to know we got Dukes for nothing in the end, but it is a little disconcerting that someone the Rays released (I assume) is good enough to make the Nats’ Accelerated Camp.

Martin showed up on the last Baseball America minor league transactions post: http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=7532 They’ve got a nice little blurb on him: Martin, 25, has spent most of the past three seasons in the bullpen of the Mexican League’s Saltillo franchise. Last season, he posted strong ratios over his 63 innings and 54 appearances, including 9.2 strikeouts, 3.1 unintentional walks and 0.9 home runs per nine innings. He continued rolling in the Mexican Pacific League (33 whiffs, 13 walks, zero homers in 35 frames) and capped it off with a four-strikeout, no-run showing in 2 1/3 Caribbean Series innings.

Congraulations to Andrew Kown, Jeff Mandel, Josh Wilkie, Sean Rooney, Jonatan Solano, Seth Bynum, Chris Marrero, Mike Daniel, Leonard Davis, and Brad Meyers on being selected for the Accelerated Development Team! Continued success this season!!!!!!!

Glad to see Graham Hicks in there. 2009 was a bit rough for him, but he’s still so young that it’s good the Nats still believe in him.

To 1/2 street — There is no deeper well of pitching than the Rays minor system, so no reason to moan. Again, Gibson’s young so that book hasn’t been written yet.

Wonder why A. Nieto didn’t get an invite?

Brian, there’s an Andrew Brown that pitched for Sacramento, the A’s AAA team, as well as the A’s last year. It could be that they are one and the same. I’m sure Mark can easily find out.

Andrew Brown. Dodgers to Indians in Milton Bradley circus career….

Where is Derek Norris? 23 pitchers, 4 catchers and no Derek Norris? Others that got the snub or are in camp and I don’t know it: Stephen King Marvin Lowrance Bill Rhinehart

In camp? Justin Maxwell Roger Bernadina

Norris is a non-roster invite to the Major League camp! King is on 50 game suspension. JMax & Berny are on the 40 man and in ML camp.

Interesting comments by Stan Kasten. He mentioned that the Nats have signed some international free agents, but that they haven’t released the names yet. Furthermore, they signed an “older guy who could help the major league club this year”. Does anyone have any more insights?

I would imagine that Steven King is able to participate in camp activities but his 50 game suspension is for regualr season games. That accelerated list tells a few things: the top line catchers for the top 4 affiliations, Leonard Davis is being viewed more for OF play than 2b/3b, 3b affiliation posts to be manned by utility types…. older guy who could help the MLB club…Kasten is high on Carl Loedenthal? LOL!!

Nick,

Could Kasten be referring to Livan?

Rich :

Nick,

Could Kasten be referring to Livan?

I asked, and no. I believe he’s referring to Cuban 1b Jose Julio Ruiz

Rich :

Nick,

Could Kasten be referring to Livan?

I asked, and no. I believe he’s referring to Cuban 1b Jose Julio Ruiz.

Yeah good article in the post today about the creation of the new faciltiy

Andrew- wow really? I would be pleasntly surprised, Jorge Arangue had good things to say about him in La Esquina

ANDREW BRWON IS THE OAKLAND PITCHER THAT PITCHED THERE TWO YEARS AGO BEFORE ARM SURGERY…..HE IS NASTY!! WATCH OUT FOR THIS GUY, WISHING YOU THE BEST AB

Lizard13

what became of Smiley Gonzalez???

Hoagie :

Last season, he posted strong ratios over his 63 innings and 54 appearances, including 9.2 strikeouts, 3.1 unintentional walks and 0.9 home runs per nine innings. He continued rolling in the Mexican Pacific League (33 whiffs, 13 walks, zero homers in 35 frames) and capped it off with a four-strikeout, no-run showing in 2 1/3 Caribbean Series innings.

Folks over at BDD also were intrigued by his ability to strike people out in a league that’s known for low K rates:

http://www.baseballdailydigest.com/2010/02/25/from-saltillo-with-heat-nats-sign-marti/

What I couldn’t see/find is how the Mexican League compares in terms of walks. In other words, is the low-K rate a function of players being hackers? (Which may also explain the high GB rate).

I think Stan is referring to Rafael Martin.

jeff- In the DR story yesterday Rizzo said don’t be surprised if you see him in the US this year. I’d be surprised if he ever steps foot in this country

Folks at BDD had an interesting item regarding Rafael Martin:

http://www.baseballdailydigest.com/2010/02/25/from-saltillo-with-heat-nats-sign-marti/

What remains to be seen is whether the high GB rate was a function of the Mexican League being a “hackers league” (i.e. they strike out less because they’re willing to make contact in favor of taking a walk). Pavlidis didn’t give the dope on the league’s BB rate.

http://bit.ly/9mWG0R

Baseball Digest Daily (above) had an interesting story about Martin as a prospect. Would have liked to have seen a discussion of BB rate, though. It’s possible, for example, that this is a hacker’s league (low-K, low-BB) which may also explain the high GB rate.

Looks like new beat reporter and NJ blogger Adam Kilgore made a call to Jose Julio Ruiz camp and spoke to his “trainer”. Denied any interest on the part of the Nats but said the door is still open.

jeff e. :

what became of Smiley Gonzalez???

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blockquote> He’s still there with developments to come. Might see him in the minors this year according to Stan. </blockquote