UPDATE: The official rosters are out and five of my six are on it. Strasburg, Storen, Norris, Marrero & Espinosa will join the Phoenix Desert Dogs. The Nationals still have two pitching spots they can fill. One will be a full-time guy and one on the taxi squad, most likely.
On Sunday, both Stan Kasten and Mark Scialabba hinted that the Nationals participants in the 2009 Arizona Fall League (AFL) will be among the best classess of prospects that one MLB team has sent.
From the AFL website, here are the eligibility criteria:
Each Major League organization is required to provide six players subject to the following requirements:
- All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible, provided the players are on at least a Double-A level roster no later than Aug. 1
- One player below the Double-A level is allowed per Major League team.
- One foreign player is allowed, as long as the player does not reside in a country that participates in winter ball, as part of the Caribbean Confederation or the Australian winter league.
- No players with more than one year of credited Major League service as of August 31 are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded Major League Rule 5 Draft.
- To be eligible, players on Minor League disabled lists must be activated at least 45 days before the conclusion of their respective seasons.
I have confirmed with MilB’s Jonathan Mayo that there are two exemptions for players below Double-A with the cancellation of the Hawaiian Winter Baseball League. I have also heard conflicting reports that the deadline to Double-A was moved to August 17 as opposed to August 1 but I have been unable to confirm that.
Assuming that the deadline is 8/17 and given Kasten’s claim of the high talent level of this year’s class, my guess for the Nationals players headed to Arizona are:
- RHSP Stephen Strasburg (currently unassigned)
- RHRP Drew Storen (Harrisburg)
- LHP Aaron Thompson (Harrisburg)
- 1B Chris Marrero (Harrisburg)
- SS Danny Espinosa (Potomac)
- CA Derek Norris (Hagerstown)
The most obvious candidates for inclusion are 2009 first round draft picks Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen. If the 8/17 deadline is to be believed, Storen slips in with six days to spare. Strasburg might get an exemption based upon the fact that he is a hish prestige guy and gives the AFL something to sell tickets around.
Thompson is my wild card choice. I added him to balance the Nats attendees at 3 pitchers and 3 hitters. He needs to be added to the 40-man this off-season or be exposed to the Rule 5 draft and I’ll wager the Nationals want to see what they have in the AFL.
Marrero gets in right under the wire in the 8/17 deadline is to be believed and he would add Q-rating value to the Nats AFL class for certain.
Espinosa and Norris were mentioned as attendees by the folks at MASN about a month ago on the TV broadcast and I think they’ll get the two below Double-A exemptions.
A class containing Strasburg, Storen, Marrero & Thompson, all former first round draft picks along with arguably the top non-Strasburg prospect in Norris along with the Nats Futures Game representative would fit the bill of an impressive AFL class.
#1 by Sec 204 Row H Seat 7 - August 25th, 2009 at 13:57
Great list Brian! I have a little doubt about Storen. I believe he will be called up in September, and will do “well.” If this does not make him ineligable, his performance may cause management to send someone else who might need the stint more.
#2 by Berndaddy - August 25th, 2009 at 14:16
Brian would/could Brad Meyers be consider as well? He’s kind of played himself into being the Nats’ Minor league pitcher of the year, eh. It would be nice to see him get the nod…
#3 by Moe Greene - August 25th, 2009 at 14:40
What’s the word on Meyers. Another Nats fan brought his success to my attention last week. The numbers speak for themselves; is he a legit prospect?
Is he closer to:
Jordan Zimmermann, Craig Stammen, or Shairon Martis?
#4 by Brian Oliver - August 25th, 2009 at 14:44
Meyers was the guy I had there with Thompson.
I’d put Meyers behind Zimmermann, but ahead of Stammen & Martis. Solid #4 as a ceiling perhaps pushing #3
#5 by Hendo - August 25th, 2009 at 14:44
Meyers is a standout but I’m not sure he has as much to prove as Thompson, a thoughtful choice (guess) on Brian’s part.
#6 by Ric - August 25th, 2009 at 15:09
I don’t recall where, but I have already seen Marrero, Storen, Norris and Espinosa reported as attending. I would guess that two of Strasburg, Meyers, Detwiler, Thompson, Everts, Willkie and Spradlin would round out the list. Compare to 2007 – Ivany, Casto, Maxwell, Carr, Alex Morales, Mock and Zinicola.
#7 by Berndaddy - August 25th, 2009 at 15:14
Boy, you all we’ve got choices! We have to choose between kids. ;)
I guess I wasn’t asking for Thompson or Meyers. I was asking for both. BTW wouldn’t it be a dream if Thompson turn into something.
Brian how would you say Rizzo is doing as a prospector?
#8 by Chris - August 25th, 2009 at 15:16
During the Strasburg presser, Rizzo point blankly said Strasburg was headed to the Florida Instructional League and then to the Arizona Fall League.
#9 by expo_ram - August 25th, 2009 at 15:25
Buddy of mine scores games in the AZ fall league and he just got a fax of the rosters. The Phoenix Desert Dogs have Strasburg, Storen, Norris, Espinosa, and Marrero listed. They also have 2 slots for WSH designated as TBA. Here is the paste from the fax (hope it looks ok):
Phoenix Desert Dogs Organizational Affiliations: Athletics, Jays, Nationals, Orioles, Rays Home Games: Phoenix Municipal Stadium Manager: Gary Cathcard (TOR) As of August 25, 2009 Pitching Coach: R.C. Lichtenstein (TB) Hitting Coach: Brian McArn (OAK) Trainers: Atushi Toriida (WAS) Pat Wesley (BAL) Pitchers Team B T Ht. Wt. DOB Birthplace 2009 Club Brandon Erbe BAL R R 6-4 180 12/25/87 Owings Mills, MD Bowie (AA) Eddie Gamboa BAL R R 6-2 195 12/21/84 Merced, CA Bowie (AA) Matt Gorgen TB R R 6-0 210 01/27/87 Concord, CA Montgomery (AA) Paul Phillips TB R R 6-1 211 01/26/84 Ypsilanti, MI Montgomery (AA) Heath Rollins TB R R 6-1 190 05/25/85 Florence, SC Montgomery (AA) Stephen Strasburg WSH R R 6-4 220 07/22/88 San Diego, CA San Diego State (NCAA) Drew Storen WSH S R 6-2 180 08/11/87 Brownsburg, IN Harrisburg (AA) Ryohei Tanaka BAL R R 6-0 169 11/18/82 Ishikawa, Japan Bowie (AA) T.B.A. BAL T.B.A. OAK T.B.A. OAK T.B.A. OAK T.B.A. OAK T.B.A. TOR T.B.A. TOR T.B.A. TOR T.B.A. WSH T.B.A. WSH Catchers Team B T Ht. Wt. DOB Birthplace 2009 Club J.P. Arencibia TOR R R 6-1 210 01/05/86 Miami, FL Las Vegas (AAA) Nevin Ashley TB R R 6-1 215 08/14/84 Vincennes, IN Charlotte (Hi-A) Derek Norris WSH R R 6-0 210 02/14/89 Goddard, KS Hagerstown (Lo-A) Infielders Team B T Ht. Wt. DOB Birthplace 2009 Club Josh Bell BAL S R 6-3 235 11/13/86 Rockford, IL Bowie (AA) David Cooper* TOR L L 6-0 200 02/12/87 Stockton, CA New Hampshire (AA) Brad Emaus TOR R R 5-11 210 03/28/86 Kalamazoo, MI New Hampshire (AA) Danny Espinosa WSH S R 6-0 190 04/25/87 Santa Ana, CA Potomac (Hi-A) Adam Loewen TOR L L 6-6 235 04/09/84 Vancouver, BC, Canada Dunedin (Hi-A) Chris Marrero WSH R R 6-3 210 07/02/88 Miami, FL Harrisburg (AA) Shawn O’Malley TB R R 5-10 155 12/28/87 Richland, WA Charlotte (Hi-A) Brandon Snyder BAL R R 6-2 215 11/23/86 Las Vegas, NV Norfolk (AAA) Brandon Waring BAL R R 6-4 195 01/02/86 Columbia, SC Frederick (Hi-A) Jemile Weeks OAK S R 5-10 175 01/26/87 Orlando, FL Midland (AA) Outfielders Team B T Ht. Wt. DOB Birthplace 2009 Club Matt Angle BAL L R 5-10 175 09/10/85 Westerville, OH Frederick (Hi-A) Corey Brown OAK L L 6-2 210 11/26/85 Tampa, FL Stockton (Hi-A) Cody Cipriano TB R R 6-0 200 01/07/85 Irvine, CA Montgomery (AA) Grant Desme OAK R R 6-2 205 04/04/86 San Luis Obispo, CA Stockton (Hi-A) *Denotes “Taxi Squad” activated only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Brian, I can email you the .pdf if you are interested…
#10 by expo_ram - August 25th, 2009 at 15:25
sorry about the formatting…
#11 by expo_ram - August 25th, 2009 at 15:29
Also, looks like there are only 2 players younger than any of ours on the Phoenix roster.
Can’t wait – that stadium is only about a 20 min drive from my house!
#12 by Berndaddy - August 25th, 2009 at 15:39
Expo_ram renting any rooms ? Just kidding !!
#13 by VladiHondo - August 25th, 2009 at 15:54
If the roster above is right, wouldn’t we “test” some other Rule 5 eligibles against the big hitters of the AFL?
So wouldn’t Novoa, Wilkie be good for the AFL?
#14 by VladiHondo - August 25th, 2009 at 15:59
Roster is up on website – not full yet:
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=t_ros&cid=454
#15 by cjrugger - August 25th, 2009 at 17:29
Wow, that’s quite a team. I’m jealous
#16 by Brian Oliver - August 25th, 2009 at 17:34
Wilkie, Novoa and Everts would all be solid choices
#17 by Rich - August 25th, 2009 at 18:17
What is the taxi squad?
#18 by Brian Oliver - August 25th, 2009 at 18:18
Player who plays on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Basically a way to get an extra guy or four on the roster