The Nationals official release came out today with six names we knew and one new one … 2nd round pick Jeff Kobernus from Cal.
Here is the release …
The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with second baseman Jeffrey Kobernus (second round, University of California), left-handed pitcher Chad Jenkins (17th round, Cecil Community College), left-handed pitcher Daniel Rosenbaum (22nd round, Xavier University), shortstop Kyle Breault (23rd round, Northville [MI] High), right-handed pitcher Brandon King (27th round, Martinsburg [WV] High), right-handed pitcher Matt Swynenberg (28th round, Black Hawk [IL] College) and right-handed pitcher Shane McCatty (34th round, Oakland [MI] University). Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
That brings them to 23 players under contract.
#1 by Ronny - June 29th, 2009 at 16:18
Okay. Now we’re rolling.
#2 by VladiHondo - June 29th, 2009 at 17:24
9 more to go.
(1-Strasburg, 4-AJ Morris, 5-M Pena, 7-Weaver,8-R Perez, 10-Applebee, 12-Karns,15-C Davis,18-Stroman)
#3 by BinM - June 29th, 2009 at 18:06
They already released Corolla? He was on the VT DL list as of Saturday – what gives?
#4 by Brian Oliver - June 29th, 2009 at 18:18
BinM – He failed a physical. No word on what exactly made him fail
#5 by BinM - June 29th, 2009 at 18:18
Vladi – I’d be really suprised if Strohman signs with a full-ride to Duke as an alternative. To the other side, I’m a little shocked that Rudolph (47th rd) hasn’t returned a signed contract yet.
#6 by BinM - June 29th, 2009 at 18:19
Wow – So much for those Texas scouts, eh? Thanks.
#7 by Andrew Z. Stebbins - June 29th, 2009 at 20:00
BinM, you’re right about Stroman. Probably is really going to Duke. But we said the said same thing about Ramirez and Tulane just last year (and McGeary 2 years ago).
#8 by RD - June 29th, 2009 at 20:58
Im surprised they ponied up for King. As happy as I am that they were actually aggressive towards signing him, I wish that money would have been put towards Stroman.
Where is Kobernus slated to begin? I would imagine Hagerstown, but where do we shift Lombardozzi? Any chance he can shift over to SS, since we aren’t getting much production from there anyway? He’s 20 and playing well, so he needs to play. And clearly, Kobernus is at this point, our 2b of the future based on where he was selected.
#9 by Brian Oliver - June 29th, 2009 at 21:00
Kobernus is headed to Vermont per the Post
Doubt he’d be a SS option, if he’s not a 2B, I’d guess Kobernus would go to 3B
#10 by John - June 29th, 2009 at 21:03
I think RD meant Lombardozzi at SS.
I’d bet against 3rd for Kobernus. They’ll likely keep their higher rated prospects away from there as long as possible. I’d bet 2B or the outfield.
#11 by RD - June 29th, 2009 at 22:39
John is right. Sorry for the confusion. I was asking if Lombardozzi was a candidate for SS, clearing the 2b spot for Kobernus.
#12 by VladiHondo - June 30th, 2009 at 08:49
BinM,
MLB teams do not offer contracts to everyone they draft, due to our lack of decent depth, the Nats actually sign guys drafted in the 30’s and 40’s. If you look at the Braves draft, most years they sign no one past Round 25. Last year they signed only 23 total, only 2 past round 26 (30 & 43). In 2k8 we signed 30, plus 3 undrafted US Free Agents (Light, Slovak, Mason Smith). Alot of that is due to not much help from the Dominican Summer League.
#13 by Freda - June 30th, 2009 at 09:14
Vladi – add another undrafted US free agent to your list for 2008 – Stephen Stewart
#14 by Berndaddy - June 30th, 2009 at 12:00
Freda I read a profile of host families at Vermont was the Freda in the story you? The story was wonderful and a cool insight into life for the prospects coming up. Keep up the great work if indeed it was you and if not thanks as always for the info about Vermont.
#15 by Freda - June 30th, 2009 at 13:20
Bern – yes that was me.
#16 by Berndaddy - June 30th, 2009 at 14:22
Wow, great story, of course it’s not a story to you, it’s your life, but I’ve got to believe the kids give back as much as they take. As a Nats fan it’s good to know that the prospects we’ll be rooting for in the future are so well taken care of in the presents. God Bless you !!!!
#17 by Mark L - June 30th, 2009 at 19:26
Does anyone have a link to Freda’s story?
#18 by Freda - July 1st, 2009 at 10:00
Here is the link – http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090611&content_id=5280810&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp
#19 by Mark L - July 1st, 2009 at 10:53
Thanks, Freda.
#20 by Nick - July 1st, 2009 at 11:05
Go Martinsburg High School Bulldogs and Brandon King!!!