The Nationals dealt 2B Ronnie Belliard to the Los Angele Dodgers for RHRP Luis Garcia and a player to be named later. The 22-year old Garcia was 5-3 with a 2.92 ERA over 34 appearances for the Midwest League’s Great Lakes Loons. Over 71IP, he struck out 55 and walked 15. A friend of mine is a Dodgers fan and he frequents the Dodger Thoughts site, according to the resident prospect expert there, Garcia is a legitmate relief pitching prospect. The other component to the deal is the PTBNL and that could very likely be a player currently on the 40-man roster who needs to clear waivers. We know from Mike Rizzo’s comments that the PTBNL will be a pitcher. Any player I’d highlight would be just a guess at this point.
Syracuse
- Friday – Game with Lehigh Valley postponed by rain. Rescheduled as part of doubleheader on Saturday.
- Saturday – Swept doubleheader from Lehigh Valley 4-0 (box) and 6-3 (box/gamer). In the first game, RHP Marco Estrada and LHP Yunior Novoa combined on a three-hit shutout. Estrada moved to 9-4 on the season, allowing just two hits & two walks over 6IP with three strikeouts. SS Ian Desmond was 1/2 with a three-run homer & four total RBI; CA Jhonathan Solano was 1/2 with a double; CF Justin Maxwell was 0/1 with two walks & a run scored; and 2B Seth Bynum was 0/3 with a stolen base & run scored. In the second game, LHP Ross Detwiler won his third time in his last four starts, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5IP with seven strikeouts. RHPs Zack Segovia & Logan Kensing pitched the final two scoreless innings with Kensing earning his 14th save. RF Mike Daniel made his Triple-A debut, going 2/3 with three runs scored; Desmond was 2/2 with a walk, double & two runs scored; 1B Brad Eldred was 3/3 with a double & six RBI; LF Leonard Davis was 1/2 with a triple.
- Sunday – Defeated Lehigh Valley 3-1 (box/gamer). RHP Andrew Kown held the IronPigs to a run on six hits and a walk over 6IP with five strikeouts. RHPs Zech Zinicola, Clint Everts & Kensing combined to strikeout five over the final three shutout innings of relief. Daniel was 1/4 with a double & run scored; 3B Kory Casto was 1/4 with a run & RBI; 1B Daryle Ward was 1/3 with a double, run & RBI; Bynum was 2/3 with a double & RBI; and Desmond was 1/3.
- Notes – OF Justin Maxwell was called up to replace Belliard on the 25-man roster. RHP Luis Atilano was placed on the temporary inactive list and RHP Collin Balester was activated. Additionally, RHP Andrew Kown was activated from the DL
- Today – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre LHP Kei Igawa at Syracuse RHP Collin Balester (7-9, 4.35) 7PM
- Remaining games: vs Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (2); at Lehigh Valley (2); at Pawtucket (2); vs Pawtucket (3)
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton/WB | 74 | 58 | 0.561 | - |
| Syracuse | 73 | 62 | 0.541 | 2.5 |
| Rochester | 67 | 68 | 0.496 | 8.5 |
| Lehigh Valley | 64 | 71 | 0.474 | 11.5 |
| Pawtucket | 57 | 77 | 0.425 | 18.0 |
| Buffalo | 53 | 81 | 0.396 | 22.0 |
Wild Card
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwinnett | 76 | 60 | 0.559 | - |
| Syracuse | 73 | 62 | 0.541 | 2.5 |
| Indianapolis | 68 | 67 | 0.504 | 7.5 |
| Toledo | 68 | 67 | 0.504 | 7.5 |
| Norfolk | 67 | 67 | 0.500 | 8.0 |
| Rochester | 67 | 68 | 0.496 | 8.5 |
| Charlotte | 65 | 70 | 0.481 | 10.5 |
| Lehigh Valley | 64 | 71 | 0.474 | 11.5 |
| Pawtucket | 57 | 77 | 0.425 | 18.0 |
| Columbus | 54 | 80 | 0.403 | 21.0 |
| Buffalo | 53 | 81 | 0.396 | 22.0 |
Harrisburg
- Friday – Game with Connecticut postponed by rain. Rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on Saturday.
- Saturday -Split doubleheader with Connecticut, losing game one 5-3 (box) and winning game two 1-0 (box/gamer). In the first game, LHP Matt Chico surrendered five runs on eight hits and four walks over 4 1/3IP with two strikeouts. CA Sean Rooney was 2/3 with a double; 2B Jemel Spearman was 2/3 with a two-run homer; and SS Freddie Bynum was 1/4 with a stolen base & run scored. In the second game, RHP Jesse Estrada and two relievers combined on a two-hit shutout. Estrada allowed one hit and two walks over 5IP with four strikeouts. LHP Atahualpa Severino picked up the win, allowing one hit and striking out one and RHP Drew Storen picked up his 8th save with a scoreless seventh. LF Marvin Lowrance was 1/3 with one RBI; 3B Matt Whitney was 1/2 with a run scored; and CA Luke Montz was 1/2 with a double.
- Sunday – Lost 6-3 to Connecticut (box/gamer). LHP Aaron Thompson gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks over 6IP with one strikeouts. RHP Adrian Alaniz allowed two hits and struck out two over 1 1/3 innings of relief. Spearman was 2/3 with a triple & RBI; 1B Chris Marrero was 1/3 with a walk & strikeout; CF Francisco Plasencia was 1/4 with atriple & RBI; and RF Ricardo Nanita was 1/2 with a solo homer.
- Notes – Geoff Morrow and the Patriot News did a series of features focusing off the field (players, coaches, & host families) as well as a look back on a scout’s take on the “worst Double-A team in the history of baseball” and how things have changed.
- Today – Connecticut RHP Daryle Maday (6-4, 3.69) at Harrisburg RHP Erik Arnesen (7-5, 3.64) 7PM
- Remaining games: vs Connecticut (1); vs Erie (4); at Bowie (5)
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 81 | 53 | 0.604 | - |
| Reading | 69 | 63 | 0.523 | 11.0 |
| Bowie | 68 | 64 | 0.515 | 12.0 |
| Erie | 68 | 64 | 0.515 | 12.0 |
| Harrisburg | 65 | 67 | 0.492 | 15.0 |
| Altoona | 60 | 74 | 0.448 | 21.0 |
Potomac
- Friday – Lost 7-1 to Kinston (box).RHP Adam Carr was torched for six runs on three hits and three walks over just 2/3 of an inning. LHP Pat McCoy gave up a run on five hits over 3 1/3IP; RHP Justin Phillabaum gave up one hit and walked three over 2IP; and OF Aaron Seuss pitched the final two innings of relief, allowing two hits and a walk over 2IP with two strikeouts. RF Michael Burgess was 3/3 with a walk; SS Danny Espinosa was 1/4 with a double & run scored; CA Brian PEacock was 1/4; and 2B Michael Martinez was 1/5.
- Saturday – Lost 10-7 to Kinston (box). RHP Trevor Holder was knocked around for eight runs on seven hits (including three homers) and two walks over 1 1/3IP. LHP Ricardo Pecina pitched 1 2/3 innings of shutout relief, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out three. RHP Hassan Pena gave up a run on two hits and a walk over 4IP while striking out two. LF Jesus Valdez was 4/5 with a homer, two runs & two RBI; Burgess was 1/3 with a walk & run scored; Peacock was 2/4 with a grand slam & solo homer; and Espinosa was 1/5 with a run scored.
- Sunday – Defeated Kinston 7-5 (box/gamer). LHP Tom Milone moved to 11-5 with seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits & striking out nine. Espinosa was 2/4 with a homer, two runs & three RBI; Burgess was 1/4; Martinez was 2/5 with a run & RBI; and 3B Stephen King was 1/3 with a solo homer.
- Today -No game scheduled
- Remaining games: vs Lynchburg (3); vs Kinston (4)
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 40 | 23 | 0.635 | - |
| Potomac | 38 | 25 | 0.603 | 2.0 |
| Frederick | 31 | 32 | 0.492 | 9.0 |
| Lynchburg | 25 | 38 | 0.397 | 15.0 |
Hagerstown
- Friday – Game with Delmarva postponed by rain. Rescheduled as part of doubleheader on Sunday.
- Saturday – Defeated Delmarva 4-0 (box/gamer). RHP Paul Demny allowed just one hit and one walk over 6IP with seven strikeouts and RHP Robinson Fabian gave up one hit and one walk over 3IP to earn his second save. RF J.R. Higley was 1/3 with a triple & two runs scored; DH Travis Reagan was 1/3 with a triple, run & two RBI; CA Derek Norris was 0/1 with three walks; 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 0/2 with a walk; 1B Tyler Moore was 1/4; and LF Robby Jacobsen was 1/4.
- Sunday – Swept doubleheader from Delmarva 17-6 in game one (box) & 6-3 in game two (box/gamer). RHP Pat Lehman picked up the win in the first game, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits over 5IP with five strikeouts. LHP Clayton Dill gave up two runs on two hits in one inning of work. Every Suns starter had at least one hit and scored at least once. LF Valerio Heredia was 2/3 with a triple, RBI & two runs; Lombardozzi was 1/3 with two runs & two RBI; Norris was 2/4 with two doubles, a run & four RBI; Moore was 2/4 with two runs; Higley was 3/4 with two homers, three runs & four RBI; SS Steve Souza was 2/4 with three runs scored; Reagan was 1/3 with two runs & two RBI; 3B James Keithley was 2/4 with a double, run & two RBI; and CF Chris Curran was 2/4 with a run & RBI. In the second game, RHP Juan Jaime gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits over 5IP with five strikeouts. Jacobsen was 4/4 with a double & run scored; Moore was 1/3 with a double, run & two RBI; Lombardozzi was 0/2 with a run & two RBI; Higley was 1/3; and Souza was 1/3 with a double & RBI.
- Notes – Higley joined the Suns over the weekend.
- Today – Hagerstown RHP Marcos Frias (8-4, 2.96) at Lakewood (TBA) 7:05PM
- Remaining games: at Lakewood (3); vs Lake County (5)
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kannapolis | 41 | 20 | 0.672 | - |
| West Virginia | 35 | 24 | 0.593 | 5.0 |
| Lake County | 35 | 27 | 0.565 | 6.5 |
| Lakewood | 31 | 29 | 0.517 | 9.5 |
| Delmarva | 28 | 31 | 0.475 | 12.0 |
| Hickory | 28 | 34 | 0.452 | 13.5 |
| Greensboro | 24 | 38 | 0.387 | 17.5 |
| Hagerstown | 21 | 38 | 0.356 | 19.0 |
Vermont
- Friday – Lost 5-4 to Aberdeen (box). LHP Paul Applebee gave up two unearned runs on five hits over 5IP with five strikeouts. RHPs Johan Figuereo & Federico Tanco pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. RF Destin Hood was 2/4 with a run & RBI; DH Justin Bloxom was 2/4 with a double, run & RBI; SS Sean Nicol was 1/4 with a run scored; and CA Sandy Leon was 1/4 with two RBI.
- Saturday – Game postponed by rain. It will not be made up.
- Sunday – Lost 5-4 to Staten Island (box/gamer). RHP Matt Swynenberg allowed two runs on six hits & three walks over 3IP while striking out five. RHP Dustin Crane gave up one hit & two walks over two scoreless innings and RHP Dean Weaver took the loss, surrendering a run on two hits & one walk over 1 1/3IP while striking out two. 2B Francisco Soriano was 2/5 with a run scored; DH J.P. Ramirez was 2/3 with a run & RBI; LF Destin Hood was 1/4 with a double, run & RBI; Bloxom was 1/4; and Leon was 2/4 with one RBI.
- Notes – Figuereo was activated from the DL
- Today – Staten Island at Vermont LHP Jack McGeary (2-4, 3.55) 7:05PM
- Remaining games: vs Staten Island (2); vs Tri-City (3); at Staten Island (3)
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell | 39 | 28 | 0.582 | - |
| Oneonta | 33 | 33 | 0.500 | 5.5 |
| Vermont | 31 | 36 | 0.463 | 8.0 |
| Tri-City | 23 | 44 | 0.343 | 16.0 |
Wild Card
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staten Island | 42 | 27 | 0.609 | - |
| Williamsport | 38 | 31 | 0.551 | 4.0 |
| Batavia | 35 | 34 | 0.507 | 7.0 |
| Oneonta | 33 | 33 | 0.500 | 7.5 |
| State College | 34 | 35 | 0.493 | 8.0 |
| Hudson Valley | 33 | 35 | 0.485 | 8.5 |
| Vermont | 31 | 36 | 0.463 | 10.0 |
| Jamestown | 28 | 39 | 0.418 | 13.0 |
| Aberdeen | 27 | 40 | 0.403 | 14.0 |
| Auburn | 24 | 44 | 0.353 | 17.5 |
| Tri-City | 23 | 44 | 0.343 | 18.0 |
Gulf Coast League
- Friday – Split doubleheader with GCL Cardinals, losing game one 4-3 (box) and winning game two 5-3 (box). In the first game, RHP Taylor Jordan allowed three runs on four hits over 5IP with four strikeouts. CF Eury Perez was 1/4 with a triple & run scored; 2B Hendry Jimenez was 2/4 with two doubles & a run scored; CA Adrian Nieto was 1/3; and LF Derrick Phillips was 1/2 with one RBI. In the second game, LHP Graham Hicks picked up the win giving up a run on three hits and one walk over 5IP with four strikeouts. Perez was 1/3 with a double and run scored; 1B Brett Newsome was 2/3 with a double, run & RBI; 3B Yeurys Tejeda was 2/2 with a run & RBI; and RF Naoya Washiya was 1/3 with one RBI.
- Saturday – Defeated GCL Astros 5-3 (box). LHP Bobby Hansen gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk over 6IP with six strikeouts. RHP Wanel Vasquez picked up thew win with two shutout innings, striking out two. Washiya was 1/3 with a double, stolen base, two runs & two RBI; DH Adrian Sanchez was 1/3 with a double & RBI; Tejeda was 1/4 with a double; SS Roberto Perez was 0/3; Phillips was 2/3 with a stolen base & run scored; 3B Alexander Romero was 2/4 with a stolen base, two doubles, a run & RBI; and 2B Kyle Breault was 0/4 with a run scored.
- Sunday – Defeated GCL Mets 8-5 (box). RHP Brandon King gave up two runs on five hits and a walk over 4IP with two strikeouts. Perez was 1/3 with a solo homer; Sanchez was 1/3 with a double & two runs; SS Justino Cuevas was 2/3 with a solo homer & three runs; Tejeda was 1/3 with a homer & three RBI; and Washiya was 1/4 with a double.
- Today – GCL Nationals LHP Danny Rosenbaum (4-1, 1.95) at GCL Marlins 10AM [end regular season]
- Tomorrow (playoffs) – GCL Nationals at GCL Twins 12PM [best of one]
Division
| Club | W | L | PCT | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCL Marlins | 38 | 17 | 0.691 | - |
| GCL Nationals | 36 | 19 | 0.655 | 2.0 |
| GCL Cardinals | 24 | 31 | 0.436 | 14.0 |
| GCL Mets | 22 | 34 | 0.393 | 16.5 |
| GCL Astros | 18 | 37 | 0.327 | 20.0 |
Wild Card – GCL Nationals won the wild card
Tragic Number Update
| MLB | W | L | GA | Left | Tragic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 46 | 85 | 0.0 | 31 | |
| Kansas City | 50 | 80 | 4.5 | 32 | 27 |
| Baltimore | 54 | 77 | 8.0 | 31 | 23 |
| Pittsburgh | 53 | 75 | 8.5 | 34 | 24 |
| San Diego | 56 | 76 | 9.5 | 30 | 21 |
| Cincinnati | 56 | 73 | 11.0 | 33 | 21 |
| Oakland | 57 | 73 | 11.5 | 32 | 20 |
| Cleveland | 58 | 72 | 12.5 | 32 | 19 |
| NY Mets | 59 | 72 | 13.0 | 31 | 18 |
| Arizona | 59 | 72 | 13.0 | 31 | 18 |
| Toronto | 58 | 70 | 13.5 | 34 | 19 |
| Houston | 62 | 68 | 16.5 | 32 | 15 |
| Chicago Sox | 64 | 67 | 18.0 | 31 | 13 |
| Milwaukee | 64 | 66 | 18.5 | 32 | 13 |
| Minnesota | 65 | 65 | 19.5 | 32 | 12 |
| Chicago Cubs | 65 | 63 | 20.5 | 34 | 12 |
| Seattle | 68 | 63 | 22.0 | 31 | 9 |
| Atlanta | 68 | 62 | 22.5 | 32 | 9 |
| Florida | 68 | 62 | 22.5 | 32 | 9 |
| Detroit | 69 | 60 | 24.0 | 33 | 8 |
| Tampa Bay | 70 | 59 | 25.0 | 33 | 7 |
| San Francisco | 72 | 59 | 26.0 | 31 | 5 |
| Colorado | 72 | 59 | 26.0 | 31 | 5 |
| Texas | 72 | 57 | 27.0 | 33 | 5 |
| Philadelphia | 75 | 53 | 30.5 | 34 | 2 |
| Boston | 76 | 54 | 30.5 | 32 | 1 |
“Eliminated”: Yankees, Dodgers, Angels & Cardinals
Remaining Schedule – Nationals
| vs. Team | PCT | H | A | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LADodgers | 0.595 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Philadelphia | 0.586 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Atlanta | 0.523 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Florida | 0.523 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| NYMets | 0.450 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| San Diego | 0.424 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 0.518 | 15 | 16 | 31 |
Remaining Schedule – Royals
| vs. Team | PCT | H | A | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYYankees | 0.631 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| LAAngels | 0.597 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Boston | 0.585 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Detroit | 0.535 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Minnesota | 0.500 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| ChiSox | 0.489 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Cleveland | 0.446 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Oakland | 0.438 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 0.530 | 14 | 18 | 32 |
#1 by Gusto - August 31st, 2009 at 08:08
Wow! I am so ready to see Desmond against Major League pitching! What a weekend for a SS, 4 for 7 with a walk and a HR, 4 RBI, 3 runs scored. As far as I’m concerned Guzman needs rest for his aging body, and he can have as much as we can make him take!
#2 by ‘Nats fan in NJ - August 31st, 2009 at 08:35
I really like this Belliard trade. Granted, a 22-year old relief prospect in low A isn’t perfect, but that combined with somebody (possibly) already on their 40 man roster makes this interesting. At the face of it now, it seems like a no brainer.
#3 by Scott - August 31st, 2009 at 09:49
Everyone should like this Belliard trade. What’s the downside – that we don’t have a chubby second baseman around to help us play spoiler?
Also – what’s the deal with Holder? Is he like a Livan Hernandez, where if he doesn’t have his good stuff, he REALLY doesn’t have his good stuff? Through 5 starts in high-A ball, he has varied wildly in terms of how hittable he is. Maybe just a small sample size, but does anyone have any scouting reports of him? Does his performance hinge on how good his secondary stuff is from start to start or something?
#4 by Ronny/Daggerrrrrr - August 31st, 2009 at 10:02
Tom Milone = Cliff Lee
#5 by cjrugger - August 31st, 2009 at 10:22
great to see the gcl nats back in the playoffs. Any chance they save Rosenbaum for tomorrow instead?
Love the Belliard trade also. Rizzo said Garcia can get up to 94
#6 by russ - August 31st, 2009 at 10:22
Wow on th Belliard trade! Especially if the PTBNL is another true pitching prospect. That is a lot of value for Belliard. Nice work by Rizzo.
#7 by dd - August 31st, 2009 at 10:37
Why do the Nats not find a position for Derek Norris? As discussed many times here, he will not be catching in the ML. His 16 PB in 47 Vermont games (2008) and 27 PB in 95 Hagerstown games this year is horrid. He can hit, probably the best offensive prospect on the farm, and there is no DH in the NL!!! Rather than have him DH and catch, should the “braintrust” not get him accustomed to another position so that he will have a few years to familiarize himself with another spot/
#8 by Ric - August 31st, 2009 at 11:14
Maybe the PTBNL is Elbert – he was mentioned in the Bell-Sherrill trade as someone the Dodgers were looking to include in a package to the Orioles. He was a top prospect once, coming off of a shoulder injury.
#9 by Scott - August 31st, 2009 at 11:16
Well if he can’t catch, he’s going to be playing a corner outfield position or first base, and those aren’t exactly tough to learn.
I’m sure they’re going to give him every opportunity to catch because his bat will have the most value behind the plate, which means he’ll be catching next year at Potomac and 2011 at Harrisburg. I don’t think they’ll switch his position until mid-2011 at the earliest, and probably not until 2012.
But how long could it possibly take him to learn a corner outfield position or first base? Guy’s like Jorge Posada, Mike Piazza, and BJ Surhoff all learned how to play positions other than catcher while they were in the big leagues with barely an adjustment period, I don’t see why it would take more than one season for a young kid to get comfortable playing somewhere else.
#10 by Chris - August 31st, 2009 at 11:21
Dagger = best poster on any Nats site. Seriously, love the optimism.
#11 by nationals fan - August 31st, 2009 at 11:37
I agree that Desmond has been amazing at the plate this year and deserves a shot at big league pitching. His defense is “coming”, but in the mean time I would find a place for him to play some In September.
#12 by Jane - August 31st, 2009 at 13:15
Justin Maxwell, congratulations on your well-deserved promotion!!!!!
#13 by dd - August 31st, 2009 at 13:27
Jane What well deserved promotion?
#14 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 13:41
Brian, did we miss something? Syracuse now has both Maxwell AND Morse on their roster? With 2.5 games between them and both the division and an all-star birth, did Rizzo change his mind?
#15 by Ronny/Daggerrrrrr - August 31st, 2009 at 13:43
We have a power hitting SS who’s defense is great. How often do they come around.
#16 by Brian Oliver - August 31st, 2009 at 13:45
peric – Not so much changed his mind as the situation called for them to get promoted. They need to field a 25-man roster and injuries have led to Syracuse not getting to retain all of their guys
#17 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 13:56
Brian,
So are Maxwell and Morse now back with Syracuse? I noted that, as you had posted, Atilano was removed? (Might he be starting in SD tomorrow?)
#18 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 13:59
Syracuse finishes up with nine games between now and labor day … Clearly Morse is the bigger gun between Padilla and Maxwell. Why not return Padilla to Syracuse until labor day? Is this because he couldn’t clear waivers and Morse …
Okay so maybe I am assuming that the roster posted on the Chief’s web site is correct. They do seem to keep right on top of it?
#19 by Brian Oliver - August 31st, 2009 at 13:59
Morse is still with the Nats and Maxwell is going to get the call (but transactions don’t reflect it yet)
Atilano could get activated for tomorrow. But the Chiefs actually need a bat with the losses of Orr and Maxwell
#20 by Pilchard - August 31st, 2009 at 14:04
Random question:
Has there been any update in the Smiley Gonzales situation since the start of the season? I realize that his actual age greatly reduced his value, but I thought that he played well enough last year to stay in professional baseball.
Are the Nats done with Smiley?
Are any other team interested in him or is he essentially blackballed from playing for any MLB organization?
#21 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 14:08
Syracuse seems to think they are getting Morse? Much, much better bat than both Orr and Maxwell? I guess its the fielding that keeps him out of an MLB starting line up?
Well, if anyone is going to know what’s going you will …
#22 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 14:11
I read today that Pittsburgh is attempting to sign a shortstop that lists his age as 16. But everyone says his age is “undetermined”?
Where’s the firestorm over that?
#23 by Marcus - August 31st, 2009 at 14:20
There was a blurb about Karns in todays BA College Summer prospects list:
“No. 1 Nathan Karns, rhp, Coppell (SIGNED: Nationals)
A hard-throwing righty with a good pitcher’s build at 6-foot-3, 223 pounds, Karns never quite harnessed his power repertoire in his freshman year at North Carolina State or his two seasons at Texas Tech. He turned a corner this summer, going 4-0, 1.20 with 47 strikeouts and 17 walks for the league champions. Karns delivers a low-90s fastball—which has been clocked up to 96 mph as recently as last summer in the Cape Cod League—and a hard, late-breaking curveball from a three-quarters arm slot. But if he is to cure his command struggles for good, he will need to smooth out a few mechanical kinks in his delivery. Karns signed with the Nationals as a 12th-rounder right before the Aug. 17 deadline for $225,000″
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/summer-scene/summer-league-top-prospects/2009/268791.html
#24 by cjrugger - August 31st, 2009 at 14:24
Plichard: Smiley, now Carlos Alvarez, played in the DSL this year to the tune of 280/423/427, pretty crappy for a soon to be 24 year old. Combined with his lack of a visa, I cant see any team being interested. I’d be suprised if he’s in the system next year
Peric- Why would there be a firestorm? They haven’t signed him yet because they (and MLB) are still investigating his age
#25 by Ric - August 31st, 2009 at 14:33
Unless I am miscounting, Syracuse is at 24 without Atilano – 11 position players and 13 pitchers (since Balester and Kown were activated) – so to activate Atilano would require another move. They have one spot on the 40-man (and could make more by shifting to the 60-da DL), so maybe the problem is solved by promoting a pitcher when rosters expand.
#26 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 14:52
Right now Syracuse’s official roster lists 25. If Maxwell gets promoted and Morse accepts reassignment to Syracuse to help them with their playoff bid then it would again be at 24.
#27 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 14:53
Otherwise, without Morse and Maxwell the roster would be at 23.
#28 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 14:55
My understanding is that it was about money not identity. The Pirates are after all pretty “frugal” … :) It didn’t say anything about investigating his age indicating that the Pirates either did finally sign him or are about to.
#29 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 15:00
So, assuming Mike Morse returns to Syracuse … he could play third base, 1st or left field. My guess would be 1st base and left field as that is where the really weak hitting is. Daniel is hitting and apparently playing well in center. Hopper in right field. Davis is at .214 in left. Neither Eldred or Ward are world beaters.
Since Mike Morse is now already on the 40-man he could be recalled after Syracuse ends its season.
#30 by Ric - August 31st, 2009 at 15:38
Peric – Syracuse website lists 26 active right now – 13 position players and 13 pitchers. Subtract Morse and Maxwell, who are both with Washington and appear in error on the Syracuse website, and you have 24, 11 position and 13 pitchers.
#31 by Sue Dinem - August 31st, 2009 at 16:44
Brian – Any chance that Potomac will get another position player after all the shuffling tonight? They’ve been at 24 since Marrero left and they have yet to put Dan Nelson on the DL, leaving them with just 11 position players.
#32 by Jeff E. - August 31st, 2009 at 17:07
Elbert or Leach or that V.L other lefty? lefty again. not bad. I guess Mock’s last few starts answers my question about how his change-up is tightening up. Perhaps Lombardozzi from HAG-town?? granted I am not in VA/MD physically for those who do not want comments without observation. Has Maxwell’s wrist fully recovered?
#33 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 17:22
You’re right. Have to assume someone gets put on the DL or released (Vento) as Mike Morse was not on the roster yesterday? Neither was Maxwell? They had 3 outfielders?
#34 by NG - August 31st, 2009 at 18:41
Perhaps this is a dumb question, but why would the PTNBL in the Belliard deal need to clear waivers? Couldn’t the Nats, having the worst record in the National League, simply put in a waiver claim and have the deal go through?
#35 by John - August 31st, 2009 at 19:04
NG: He was probably put through waivers before and claimed by another team and pulled back.
#36 by peric - August 31st, 2009 at 19:33
How long before a player can be put through again?
#37 by Wookiee - August 31st, 2009 at 20:05
Luis Garcia reported to Potomac today. He is expected to be activated tomorrow.
#38 by John - August 31st, 2009 at 21:18
He can’t. Once a player is claimed the two teams have 48 hours to work out a deal. If they can’t, the original team is stuck with him.