Nationals Farm Authority

Assume the # and * refer to switch-hitter and left-handed, respectively, right?

I really like the agressiveness with Jean Valez and Cleto Brazoban coming over, i assume that means they’ll start in the GCL next year?

Pilchard wasn’t Nieto playing hurt most of this year? It seemed by August he was hitting nicely…

You know, one thing that jumps out at me in looking at the list is the ages and levels of development – folks are pretty quick to label Smoker a bust and yet he’s a year younger than Strasburg or Storen – this would be his college junior year coming up.

No wonder some folks can be drafted have some success, fall apart, put it back together slowly make their way and then all of a sudden put it together and be a phenom at 25-26.

Happy to see Eury Perez – he’s my hope for Nyjer of the future. A good showing this year and hopefully in full-season ball next year, and he might be lining himself up nicely for 2012. The only question I have about him so far is defense – I like that his OPS has increased steadily every year. Looks pretty solid at 19. He’s not actually 23 is he?

who is coaching this year?

Peric- unless Hood makes some big strides on defense, you have 2 LF’s there

No McGeary?

yes nieto was playing most of the year with a pulled hamstring.

Couple of interesting links:

Desmond: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9523

Jesse English from a few years ago:

Burgess (requires subscripion): http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/

Any idea why Boomer Whiting is on this list? He is 25 y/o and by far the oldest to attend the camp.

Thanks chima. My mistake.

Sue would you say Boomer is the fastest or one of the fastest players in the Farm system?

Its good to see Karns out there. I hope he kicks off the way Storen did.

You have to wonder if in Rizzo’s mind Karns looks like a near term SP in his rotation. He purportedly has the ability and just needs consistency?

Brian, this is not on topic, but I wanted to pass along my thanks to you for running this site. I check it daily and it has really helped a neophyte like myself the ins and outs of a baseball team. My earliest memories of baseball are with my late father and I lost interest (mostly because there was no local coverage and there was no internet at the time) once the old Senators left for Texas. Being that I was only 9 years old in 1971, I never got to the point where I was able to follow and understand all the nuances of the game (rule 5, 25 and 40 man rosters etc.). Your site is concise enough for me to understand, yet detailed enough for me to get additional information. I can truly say that I understand most aspects of baseball now thanks to your efforts. Keep up the good work!

Tragic number at 12 now, right?

Instead of “tragic date” it should be called “inevitable date”!

expo_ram: Excellent – An insider to the AFL. Thanks, in advance.

Great article, and the reason I keep saying “patience” to those who want to give up on prospects who don’t jump to the forefront in the first few years…especially the high school guys. Until this year most had “written him off” as a “big prospect” because of his struggles, going so far as to even put high school newly drafted players in front of him. SOme even were critical of his success this year which is mind boggling considering his offensive number ALL YEAR. This young man is a great guy, and about to arrive now. Be patient, this is baseball!

What are the odds of Burgess repeating Potomac next year?

Honestly, that is the route I hope they take. He needs work. I don’t think its such a negative to repeat a level, when you obviously have the talent. You just need to work out some kinks. It’s not like he’s playing the exact same players as the year before, so hecan capitalize on the same mistakes. I think he needs to remain at a lower level to work on his game and swing. The jump to Harrisburg is going to be a big one, and if he struggles there, it will hit his confidence more to be demoted than to repeat initially IMO.

Based on age, he’s still fine for the level. Had he gone to college, he would be drafted in June and likely would start at Hagerstown. By that time this year, he could be in Harrisburg if he makes some progress. I think putting him in a lineup with Norris would help also.

Thoughts?