full of guesses.
I have had a few comments over the past couple of weeks asking who will be assigned to what levels in the minor leagues. Over the past couple of days, I attempted to make an educated guess and this is what I came up with.
There is an overabundance of arms that need to be assigned (and I still didn’t find a home for Josh Smoker or Colton Willems in full season ball).
Let’s use this as a jumping off point. Feel free to critique, criticize or tell me I’m nuts.
#1 by Dougie - March 19th, 2010 at 19:31
Do you think Eury Perez, Hendry Jimenez and Tejeda are all still looking at short season?
#2 by Brian Oliver - March 19th, 2010 at 20:07
Most likely yes
#3 by Stuart - March 19th, 2010 at 20:57
We should make this like office basketball brackets …..
#4 by Marcus - March 19th, 2010 at 21:03
Interesting, I think the only reason E. Perez didn’t move up to Vermont w/ Destin Hood last year is because it was his first year in the states.
I think the Nats will let him sink or swim at Hagerstown this year, if it doesn’t work out they’ll move him down to Vermont.
I also think Burgess will atleast start the year in Potomac since he didn’t exactly dominate last year. But Rizzo spoke very highly of him in his MASN blog.
That Potomac rotation looks great.
#5 by RD - March 19th, 2010 at 21:11
Can’t see Strasburg going below Harrisburg. He’s the best pitcher at the big league level to this point. Im sure they’ll demote him, but he’ll be at AA IMO.
Also, I think pushing Kobernus to Potomac is premature, on two levels. One, he didn’t play much last year and didn’t do much when he did. More importantly, you can’t put Lombardozzi on the bench. He played great last year at Hagerstown, and has simply proven a lot more than Kobernus. And he’s only 21. Kobernus at Hagerstown makes more sense to me, even though Im sure he carries more long term potential than Lombardozzi.
What about Lombardozzi at SS? Im sure he doesn’t have the greatest range or a cannon, but why not see if he can do it? Lozada may be quicker, but he’s just an organizational guy. Maybe that’s all Lombardozzi amounts to, but he’s at least proven himself much more and deserves to play everyday. If that means Kobernus goes to Hagerstown, or Lombardozzi forms a middle infield pair with him at Potomac … whatever it takes. Lombardozzi should be starting.
#6 by Pilchard - March 19th, 2010 at 23:01
Whatever happened to Marcus Jones? The Nats paid a premium to sign him after taking MJ in the 2008 draft. Aware that Jones was injured early last season, but have heard nothing about his rehab or his return. Is he still property of the Nats? Where is he expected to play in 2010?
#7 by Toast - March 19th, 2010 at 23:13
With regards to S. King’s 50 game suspension; is he allowed to participate in spring training? Or does he have to be away from the team?
#8 by Freda - March 20th, 2010 at 01:24
Pilchard – Marcus Jones in still with the Nats. He is here in Viera at Spring Training. Toast – not sure what the rules are – but I know that there is a player in camp this year that still has suspension time remaining. On an unrelated note – I was excited to see Strasburg pitch Friday night in Viera. Sat around 97 most of the night – went 4 innings.
#9 by wiggles - March 20th, 2010 at 08:34
Stephen Souza couldn’t cut it in low A. Worst baserunner I ever seen. I don’t know why he would warrant a promotion.
#10 by Freda - March 20th, 2010 at 09:17
And Ricky Nolan is not in camp.
#11 by Todd Boss - March 20th, 2010 at 09:20
Before the season I had my own guesses on rotations and the overabundance is definitely pushing guys down. You have to start wondering if older guys (for their levels) like Chico and Arneson won’t be jettisonned soon to allow guys like Holder and Morris to start a level higher (where they probably should be). Plus, I don’t think Stammen makes the team (Livo looks to be the 5th starter) so that might be one more arm to find a spot for.
I can see some releases or trades upcoming. Maybe we trade arms for bats and cut the guys who are 28 or 29 on our AA and A rosters. That by itself is a testament to just how weak our farm system is.
#12 by peric - March 20th, 2010 at 10:31
Looks like it needs to be updated again.
#13 by Russ - March 20th, 2010 at 10:32
RD…I read that Strasburg was sent to Harrisburg so it looks like you are correct with your AA prediction. I don’t know where Storen will end up but I guess it will be AA or AAA.
#14 by Jake - March 20th, 2010 at 12:00
Brian, I think Danny Rosenbaum will definitely be in the rotation for Hagerstown.
#15 by peric - March 20th, 2010 at 15:20
Storen is definitely in AA with Strasburg. It will be interesting to see if they promote Norris to AA Harrisburg out the gate. Then they would have their 6 top prospects (assuming here that Desmond makes the 25) all together in one place in Harrisburg. Its almost like MR wants to see how they play together … what sort of chemistry this new nucleus has.
#16 by peric - March 20th, 2010 at 15:39
Karns as a closer? With Storen in Harrisburg? I’d expect they try him as a starter first.
#17 by pm - March 20th, 2010 at 16:22
I don’t see how Mattheus is the closer for Syracuse. He had Tommy John last July. Chances are that he won’t even play this year.
#18 by Jeff E. - March 20th, 2010 at 20:28
Brian, do not feel bad. I spent some evenings with pencil and paper drawing out the depthchart the way BA did in their handbooks. I am curious on Justin Bloxum. He must have intrigued scouts with some varied tools. Potomac according to you could be deep and varied if the tools come together for some. Leonard Davis= trade bait for that next R/R OF to buy time for Hood or the Rule V kid from HOU. Davis needs more ABs with an odd spring? Since I am sitting in cold NW and no New Balances on the ground in Viera- I take your views interesting. Carl Loedenthal must have some Ryan Church in him if he plays @ CF. What became of Sean Smith? Carl Maldanado is a catcher who can pick @ 3b or 1b? RV man?? Z2. set-up man in SYR or HARR. crazy, Brian is wearing long shorts in 37 degree weather. LOL!! the new book on Clint Eastwood by Marc Elliot is very good. who knew 3 Mules for Sister Sara scfript was originally in Liz Taylor’s lap…LOL!!
#19 by Jeff E. - March 20th, 2010 at 20:39
PS: Rizzo should be called the WASH. Wizard if he could turn Marrerro into a nice bounty. Crossed fingers that the Bowden era gems pan out- McGeary and Smoaker, especially Smoaker.
#20 by Sue Dinem - March 21st, 2010 at 08:41
I sure hope you’re right about Potomac. This will be my 5th year watching them and it seems like they’ve always had more 24+ players than <=23 players.
#21 by estuartj - March 21st, 2010 at 11:52
Another great weekend by Bryce Harper, what impresses me the most is he’s not batting hot/cold – crushing bad pitchers but struggling against good ones. He’s been very consistent, especially at getting on base. Numbers for the year so far;
.514obp/.864slg/1.378ops, 18BB, 19K, 8HR 1triple 13doubles (22 of 37 hits for extra bases) and only 1gdp.
And all that with a wood bat against players mostly 2-3 years his senior.
#22 by peric - March 21st, 2010 at 17:07
Storen is also in Harrisburg (although it isn’t reflected on the Big Board for some reason?), in fact his mom said “see you in Harrisburg”. Not sure why he ends up in Syracuse closing … I believe it will be way too crowded there for him to get in enough work.
Plus Harrisburg appears to be the place where Mike Rizzo wants to put his top, close to major league, prospects. As opposed to Syracuse which appears to have mostly veterans or “just past” prospects clawing at another chance in the bigs.
#23 by peric - March 21st, 2010 at 17:08
The Big Board shows Storen as Syracuse’s Closer. He is going to Harrisburg.
#24 by Jeff E. - March 21st, 2010 at 20:25
Z2 for SYR closer?? give him a run. trades could always be done with Dana Brown in TOR and Antonelli in CLE…ex-pos…
#25 by cjrugger - March 22nd, 2010 at 07:56
Nice job, thats a lot of work. A couple of things I see
I’d rather Lombardozzi play everyday in Hagerstown instead of sit on the bench in Potomac. I wouldnt be surprised to see Kobernus start in Hag due to his lack of ABs last year
I’d rather see Smoker get starts over Applebee or Klegg or someone like that. We have a lot more invested in him, he should be healthy, lets see what hes got
Burgess being promoted worries me. I’d like to see him go back to Potomac and dominate before he gets moved up
I’d love to see Eury Perez in Hagerstown, but I think Vermont would be best for him
#26 by Russ - March 22nd, 2010 at 10:31
where is Leonard Davis?
#27 by Dick - March 22nd, 2010 at 15:47
I see the Yanks returned their Rule 5 pick to the Dodgers. That means we got Bruney for nothing. Hope it is not a case of you get what you pay for!
#28 by Moe Greene - March 22nd, 2010 at 16:56
Is it douchebag in here or is just you, Peric?
#29 by Brian Oliver - March 22nd, 2010 at 17:09
Moe – No need for that.
#30 by mcgalinmd - March 23rd, 2010 at 09:42
I agree on the Souza comment, but i’m glad he’s not in Hagerstown anymore. Please, oh please, don’t send him back here. Hothead, bad base runner, and seemingly more concerned with how he looks than how he plays. I shouted ole’ way too many time at him last year. Ugh!
#31 by mcgalinmd - March 23rd, 2010 at 09:42
I agree on the Souza comment, but i’m glad he’s not in Hagerstown anymore. Please, oh please, don’t send him back here. Hothead, bad base runner, and seemingly more concerned with how he looks than how he plays. I shouted ole’ way too many times at him last year. Ugh!
#32 by Moe Greene - March 23rd, 2010 at 09:51
With all due respect, Brian, I feel there’s no need for Peric’s attitude on your site. Between here and Zuckerman’s page, his only intent is to make the author look incompetent. I’m sorry for bringing my hostility to your page. I feel that you put far too much work into this site for someone like Peric to tarnish your efforts. Thank you for creating this forum, Brian, and keep up the good work.
#33 by cjrugger - March 23rd, 2010 at 11:39
“You do not come to Nats Farm Authority and talk to a man like Moe Greene like that!”
#34 by SpringfieldFan - March 23rd, 2010 at 13:29
Why did I think that Atilano was getting a tryout as a reliever? Was I just operating under a bad assumption, or has the club been trying him out as a reliever because of the bullpen concerns? If I read back through many old posts, I’ll find my answer, I’m sure…
#35 by Moe Greene - March 23rd, 2010 at 13:39
cjrugger – How do you say banana daiquiri?
#36 by cjrugger - March 24th, 2010 at 09:15
well done moe
Ask ba has an interesting take on the top of the ‘10-’12 drafts http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2010/269713.html
#37 by peric - March 24th, 2010 at 10:34
I don’t Moe, it sure seems to me like your really rotten banana peel attitude is showing dude. Not sure what you mean by disrespect as I have always deferred to Brian’s opinion on every site. I believe he said he wanted people to look at it and find anything that looked amiss. I thought I was doing that. I know that the spreadsheet is very difficult to put together as is this site and I have complimented him on it many times. I do this for a living so I do know. Based on your posts I sincerely doubt that you would have the requisite intellect to even attempt it. Knuckledraggers like you usually quail in person this I know. And I am a very big guy. So, I suggest you watch yourself.
#38 by peric - March 24th, 2010 at 10:44
And Moe I am always happy to discuss your “hostility” up front and personal like … dude.
#39 by Joel - March 24th, 2010 at 11:32
“And I am a very big guy. So, I suggest you watch yourself.”
“I am always happy to discuss your “hostility” up front and personal”
Did Peric just threaten physical violence against another reader? I thought this was a baseball blog.
#40 by Moe Greene - March 24th, 2010 at 11:57
Do you know who I am? I’m Moe Greene! I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders!
If Olsen were to be sent down, would he continue through extended spring training or simply a demotion to AAA?
#41 by peric - March 24th, 2010 at 12:28
Yeah I know who you are Moe Greene, my Italian family put the hit on you in Vegas. Aren’t you dead?
#42 by cjrugger - March 24th, 2010 at 12:43
Peric is a big guy, I was able to find a picture of him
http://www.steveweisslive.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/a-InternetToughGuy1.jpg
#43 by Jeff E. - March 24th, 2010 at 18:19
Expo fans were more laid back than some of the SNL behavior. Lets hope that ushers do not have to relocate fans at parks in the system this summer.
#44 by Russ - March 25th, 2010 at 10:21
What a strange thread. The only thing of value in the last couple of days was the link by cjrugger. It looks like Bryce Harper is the best of the next 3 drafts if you believe BA. At this point it seems like a no brainer that the Nats take Harper.
Brian…please post something new so that this thread will die.