Archive for category Washington (MLB)
Couple of Items
Posted by Brian Oliver in Players, Washington (MLB) on February 12th, 2010
- The Adam Kennedy signing is official. This again puts the Nats at 41 on their 40-man roster. A corresponding move is being made but has yet to be announced. My guess is it’s going to be an arm. The names that jump out at me are Luis Atilano, Jess English, or Doug Slaten.
- The Post has apparently brought Adam Kilgore back to replace Chico Harlan on the Nats beat (H/T to Mike Harris). Kilgore has been covering the Patriots for the Boston Globe but has some history covering baseball. It’s a solid hire.
- And Baseball America has their latest round of minor league transactions: Nats signed: LHP Mike Venafro and re-signed OF Edgardo Baez. The 36-year old Venafro was born in Takoma Park, MD; he has not pitched at the professional level since 2007. While Baez returns to the Nats in 2010. The 24-year old Baez will have to sit out the first 17 games of the season as he completes his suspension for violation of the drug policy; I’ll say he starts in Harrisburg.
Report: Nats Sign Chien Ming Wang (Update)
Posted by Brian Oliver in Washington (MLB) on February 10th, 2010
Pete Abraham of Boston.com has just tweeted that former Yankees RHSP Chien Ming Wang has decided to sign with the Nationals.
From MLB.com’s Bill Ladson
Wang is still recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery that he had in late July. As of last week, Wang was throwing from 120 feet and is not in any pain. There is no timetable as to when Wang will throw off a mound.
I really like this gamble. Entering the off-season, there were three rehabbing pitchers I hoped the Nationals. Ben Sheets was my #1 guy but Wang was a close #2. As a sinker ball pitcher, I think any potential loss in velocity is minimized.
Update … it seems that Abraham may have jumped the gun. Mark Zuckerman, Ben Goessling, Chico Harlan and Bill Ladson are all reporting that no deal is done
Goal Reached …
Posted by Brian Oliver in Spring Training, Washington (MLB) on February 9th, 2010
Thanks to those who contributed. If you check the counter on IE vice Firefox, you’ll see that Mark Zuckerman reached his $5,000 goal in less than 36 hours.
For those who contributed, thank you.
If you haven’t, you should still feel free to contribute. The cost that Mark estimated was $5,000 but I am certain he cut that estimate to the bone. Any extra can help him in carrying his work over into the regular season (i.e. getting to out of town locations [hotel, travel, food]).
It’s amazing and impressive what a grassroots effort can pull together. We’ve all given Mark the resources to get to and stay in Viera for spring training. Now, he has the opportunity to deliver on his plans for Nats coverage from mid-February through early April.
The Times
Posted by Brian Oliver in Washington (MLB) on December 30th, 2009
It appears that some time over the next few days, the Washington Times sports section will be no more. I’ll refer you to Dan Steinberg’s Bog posting for the details.
I wanted to take the time to thank them for everything they’ve done with regards to Nationals coverage. While the Post only had one beat writer following the team, the Times employed two guys to cover a team that just turned in back-to-back 100 loss seasons.
The Times was the one local media source that provided regular coverage of the minor leagues for the Nationals.
Putting aside the politics of the Times as a whole (which really had no influence on the sports coverage), we as Washington sports fans and specifically fans of the Nationals are going to be considerably poorer when the inevitable end of the sports section arrives.
I want to thank the entire Times sports staff and wish them best of luck.
But I would like to single out Mark Zuckerman and Ben Goessling. They have been tremendous resources for me here at NFA and I am, without question, going to miss their coverage.
So when you are toasting in the new year, please consider thanking these guys for what they’ve provided and wish them best of luck wherever their future may take them.
I know I will.
Whitesell Returns; Nats Add Bruntlett
Posted by Brian Oliver in Players, Syracuse (AAA), Washington (MLB) on December 28th, 2009
Just released from the Nationals
The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with first baseman Josh Whitesell and infielder Eric Bruntlett on 2010 minor-league contracts that include invitations to big league Spring Training. Nationals Senior Vice President & General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Whitesell returns to the Nationals after two seasons in the Diamondbacks organization, including 46 major league games in 2009. He seems destined for Syracuse in 2010.
Bruntlett is an interesting signing. He has spent the past two seasons in the utility role for the Phillies. He can handle any spot but CA so it wouldn’t shock me to see him make the 25-man in 2010
Full of Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing
Posted by Brian Oliver in Players, Washington (MLB) on November 20th, 2009
Back on July 12, 2006, the Nationals made what at the time was a huge deal for them.
The Washington Nationals today acquired outfielder Austin Kearns, shortstop Felipe Lopez and right-handed pitcher Ryan Wagner from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for right-handed pitcher Gary Majewski, left-handed pitcher Bill Bray, infielder Brendan Harris, shortstop Royce Clayton and right-handed pitcher Daryl Thompson.
Why do I bring this up today? Well, according to Cincinnati reporter C. Trent Rosencrans, the Reds today ourighted Thompson from the 40-man roster, ostensibly ending what ended up being a pretty uneventful deal.
The only players remaining with their respective team is Bray who underwent Tommy John surgery this year and Thompson.
The other principles of the deal have either been released, traded or outrighted from the Nats or Reds. And for the most part without much to show for it on the field.
Here are their respective stats just for their next organizations
| Player | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEARNS | 390 | 1503 | 1286 | 177 | 311 | 63 | 4 | 34 | 159 | 7 | 8 | 179 | 270 | 242 | 346 | 376 | 484 |
| LOPEZ | 325 | 1354 | 1202 | 147 | 301 | 58 | 8 | 13 | 97 | 49 | 20 | 119 | 223 | 250 | 320 | 344 | 414 |
| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | GF | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | WHIP | BB/9 | SO/9 | SO/BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAGNER | 3 | 5 | 5.05 | 40 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 46.33 | 56 | 32 | 26 | 5 | 23 | 29 | 1.71 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 1.3 |
| Player | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLAYTON | 50 | 164 | 149 | 13 | 35 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 32 | 235 | 290 | 329 | 9 |
| HARRIS | 8 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 200 | 273 | 500 | 5 |
| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | GF | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | WHIP | BB/9 | SO/9 | SO/BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRAY | 7 | 6 | 3.84 | 111 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 89.00 | 99 | 45 | 38 | 8 | 38 | 91 | 1.54 | 3.8 | 9.2 | 2.4 |
| MAJEWSKI | 2 | 6 | 7.38 | 88 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 78.00 | 134 | 67 | 64 | 10 | 22 | 46 | 2.00 | 2.5 | 5.3 | 2.1 |
| THOMPSON | 0 | 2 | 6.91 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14.33 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1.89 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 0.9 |
None of the three players acquired by the Nationals returning anything near the results anticipated with Lopez playing his way out of DC, Kearns cratering in his final two seasons, and injuries forcing Wagner to retire.
The returns for the Reds was not that much more impressive. Majewski immediately came up lame (which led to much complaining and a protest from Cincy). Bray is injured and likely will not be ready until late in 2010 at the earliest, Thompson had a cup of coffee, Clayton finished the year with the Reds with less than stellar numbers, and Harris hardly played before being dealt to Tampa Bay in the off-season for an unknown return.
It goes to show that even as big a deal that appeared at the time, the final results (still TBD to some degree) have fallen far from huge.
Updated Organizational Chart
Posted by Brian Oliver in Gulf Coast League (R), Hagerstown (A), Harrisburg (AA), Management, Potomac (A), Syracuse (AAA), Vermont (SS), Washington (MLB) on November 19th, 2009
I have once again updated my best guess of the Nationals hierarchy. There are still some unknown players in the chart (my pet rock of an overseer of the Pacific Rim a prime example).
The next step we have is the announcing of the coaching staffs. To date we have …
Washington
- Manager: Jim Riggleman (returning, had interim tag removed)
- Bench Coach: John McLaren (replaces Pat Corrales)
- Hitting Coach: Rick Eckstein (returning)
- Pitching Coach: Steve McCatty (returning)
- First Base Coach: TBD (replaces Marquis Grisson)
- Third Base Coach: Pat Listach (returning)
- Bullpen Coach: TBD (replaces Randy Knorr)
Overall Minor Leagues
- Minor League Pitching Coordinator: Spin Williams (returning)
- Minor League Hitting Coordinator: Rick Schu (replaces Ralph Dickenson)
- Minor League Field Coordinator: Bobby Henley
Syracuse
- Manager: Trent Jewett (replaces Tim Foli; Jewett was Potomac manager in 2009)
- Hitting Coach: TBD (replaces Darnell Coles)
- Pitching Coach: TBD (replaces Rich Gale)
- John Poppert served as the bullpen coach in 2009, no idea if this role will be retained
Harrisburg
- Manager: Randy Knorr (replaces John Stearns)
- Hitting Coach: TBD (Troy Gingrich in 2009)
- Pitching Coach: Randy Tomlin (returning)
Potomac
- Manager: TBD (replaces Jewett)
- Hitting Coach: TBD (Jerry Browne in 2009)
- Pitching Coach: TBD (Paul Menhart in 2009)
Hagerstown
- Manager: TBD (Matt LeCroy in 2009)
- Hitting Coach: TBD (Tony Tarasco in 2009)
- Pitching Coach: TBD (Franklyn Bravo in 2009)
Vermont
- Manager: TBD (Jeff Garber in 2009)
- Hitting Coach: TBD (Sergio Mendez in 2009)
- Pitching Coach: TBD (Mark Grater in 2009)
GCL
- Manager: TBD (replaces Bobby Henley)
- Hitting Coach: TBD (Paul Sanagorski in 2009)
- Pitching Coach: TBD (Joel Sanchez in 2009)
- Cesar Cedeno was a coach in the GCL in 2009, no word if this position will be refilled
DSL
- Manager: TBD (Juan Bernhardt in 2009)
- Hitting Coach: TBD
- Pitching Coach: TBD
A Variety of Things
Posted by Brian Oliver in Fall, Harrisburg (AA), Management, Players, Syracuse (AAA), Washington (MLB) on November 19th, 2009
Here are a series of links of interest with my quick thoughts:
- The Nationals officially hired Davey Johnson as a Senior Advisor to Mike Rizzo. It’s nice to see another solid baseball guy in the front office though I wonder if there is any possibility that Johnson could be a replacement for Jim Riggleman.
- The Nats held a roundtable with the local writers where a few things came out:
- Added 17 new front office positions to include scouts. Still no official word on if there is anyone in the Pacific Rim. I’ll keep asking
- Finalized a deal to build a new Dominican complex in Boca Chica. Good to see they are getting their own place after having to scramble for a location at the last minute this past year.
- Nats scouts have already watched potential 2010 #1 overall Bryce Harper and that he is not as clear cut a #1 as Strasburg was in 2009. That could just be posturing.
- Tracee Hamilton has a feature on NFA favorite Josh Wilkie. Nice to see Josh get some publicity in the local media.
- and a blog post on Jeff Mandel and how the Baby Nats will be competing for the AFL title this weekend with Strasburg starting the championship game
- The Syracuse Chiefs lost money again in 2009 but less than they did in 2008. An extended assignment of Stephen Strasburg is what they are hoping for in 2010. I don’t think Strasburg will start the season in Triple-A. Coming from a guy who was born in Syracuse and still has family there, it’s still pretty cold in April in upstate New York and I’m not sure the Nationals will want to risk injury having Strasburg pitch in a chilly environment.
- Geoff Morrow of the Patriot News has an update on the renovations on City Island.
- and news that Randy Tomlin will be returning as Harrisburg’s pitching coach in 2010. Tomlin will again be working with Randy Knorr (they previously worked together in Potomac in 2007-08)
- John Sickels has his preliminary Nats Top 20 up at Minor League Ball and the #1 is as expected. I’m working on my own top prospect list and should have it up within a week or so
- and on a final note, Dan Steinberg tweeted that the Post is now looking for a new Nats beat writer after Chico Harlan decided to pursue other opportunities. I enjoyed his writing as he attempted to find different angles of a really bad team. I’ve learned over the years how much of a drain the day in and day out can be … and that’s just me doing the Across the Affiliates and other stuff I do here at NFA. I don’t have to see the players, managers, management every day, fostering relationships yet still attempting to be critical when the need arises. I don’t have to work under tight deadlines attempting to bring an interesting perspective to gamers. The other major sports have many more off-days that allow for a battery recharge. Harlan has his detractors, especially after his Washingtonian interview earlier this year, but I want to thank him and wish him the best of luck.
Minor League Transactions
Posted by Brian Oliver in Players, Washington (MLB) on September 18th, 2009
Baseball America has their latest list of minor league transactions up for the timeframe September 7-13. It lists a slew of activations from the minor league DL but that is not unexpected and is strictly procedural.
Of interest is the fact that there were more players recalled than previously reported. The following players were recalled but did not report:
- RHP Luis Atilano
- RHP Collin Balester
- RHP Shairon Martis
- RHP Ryan Mattheus
- RHP Stephen Strasburg
- LHP Matt Chico
I left a comment for the author, Matt Eddy, and he confirmed that all of those players were recalled and are accruing service time. It’s not likely to amount to much, but there are six players who are going to accrue roughly 30-35 days of service time while not playing in any major league games.
Desmond Debuts
Posted by Brian Oliver in Players, Washington (MLB) on September 11th, 2009
The Nationals gave SS Ian Desmond his first major league start last night and he showed some things I’ve seen and some things I have not seen.
Desmond’s first AB saw him drive the second pitch he saw to deep center for an out.
He saw his first play in the field in the top of the fourth, handling a groundball off of the bat of Raul Ibanez.
Desmond got his first major league hit and RBI in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI double to right center, scoring Elijah Dukes.
The fifth inning saw Desmond handle a pop out and then I saw something I had never seen from Desmond in all the times I’ve watched him in the minor leagues … a booming three-run homer that nearly cleared the Red Porch. It drew a curtain call from the fans at Nationals Park.
He handled another groundout in the seventh and flew out to left in the bottom of the inning.
And it was in the ninth inning that I saw something I have seen quite a few times. After catching a pop up off the bat of Raul Ibanez, Desmond fielded a routine grounder from Jayson Werth and airmailed a throw to first base. This has always been the knock on him, making the hard plays look easy while committing errors on the routine ones.
Desmond was part of the game-ending double play helping the Nats escape with an 8-7 win.
All in all, a great debut for Desmond. He showed much more power than I expected.
