Just out from the P-Nats …
Asked to carry the defending Carolina League champions into the 2009 season, Chris Marrero and Danny Espinosa proved that the organization’s faith in their abilities was definitely well-warranted. When the Carolina League Postseason All-Star team was announced Wednesday, it was no surprise that both Marrero and Espinosa found themselves penciled in with the league’s elite after enjoying stellar seasons with the Potomac Nationals.
#1 by estuartj - September 3rd, 2009 at 12:36
I’m excited about Espinosa having such a great year, apparently outstanding defensive skills (stays a SS at the MLB level?) and a solid (though not spectacular) year with the bat.
Marrero is a curious case, I like that his avg and obp have improved, but if he is going to be the star 1Bman of the Nats future I would expect better power numbers in high-A. He is still young for his level, and way ahead of college players at the same age, but I would still have liked to see a slg% over .500 and a obp over .400 at that level.
#2 by Jane - September 3rd, 2009 at 13:21
Brian, will you be doing a posting on where the players will be playing “winter ball”?
#3 by Brian Oliver - September 3rd, 2009 at 13:25
As I figure it out, yes. The team does not normally release anything and it becomes a matter of what I can cobble together from web searches and comments here
#4 by VladiHondo - September 3rd, 2009 at 14:05
Last year for Winter Ball, we had 21 position players and 10 pitchers play winter ball – but a good portion of those were your typical minor league free agent, AAAA-caliber type, signed just before ST.
Of genuine prospects, Justin Maxwell, Luis Atilano, Edgardo Baez (all Puerto Rico), Yunior Novoa in Dominican, and Bernadina and Adrian Sanchez (spot start late in year) in Venezuela. The winter leagues are generally about AAA/AA quality, so not many young prospects get to play.
#5 by VladiHondo - September 3rd, 2009 at 14:12
Last year Winter Ball, forgot Chris Lugo (Puerto Rico) and Francisco Plasencia (Venezuela) – though now both are “fringe” prospects.
I am excluding the AFL.