Minor League Coordinators
- Field Coordinator: Bobby Henley (GCL manager in 2009)
- Pitching Coordinator: Spin Williams (returns)
- Hitting Coordinator: Rick Schu (new)
- OF/Baserunning Coordinator: Devon White (returns)
- Infield Coordinator: Jeff Garber (also Vermont manager) [returns]
- Rehab Pitching Coordinator: Mark Grater (returns)
- Strength & Conditioning Coach: Landon Brandes (TBD)
Syracuse
- Manager: Trent Jewett (Potomac manager in 2009)
- Pitching Coach: Greg Booker (was scout for Rockies in 2009; previously coach with Indians, Rockies & Padres)
- Hitting Coach: Jerry Browne (Potomac hitting coach in 2009)
- Trainer: Beth Jarrett (returns)
Harrisburg
- Manager: Randy Knorr (Nationals bullpen coach in 2009)
- Pitching Coach: Randy Tomlin (returns)
- Hitting Coach: Troy Gingrich (returns)
- Trainer: Atsushi Toriida (returns)
Potomac
- Manager: Gary Cathcart (coach/manager in Blue Jays organization)
- Pitching Coach: Paul Menhart (returns)
- Hitting Coach: Matt Nokes (new)
- Trainer: Jeff Allred (TBD)
Hagerstown
- Manager: Matt LeCroy (returns)
- Pitching Coach: Chris Michalak (new)
- Hitting Coach: Tony Tarasco (returns)
- Trainer: Alan Wood (TBD)
Vermont
- Manager: Jeff Garber
- Pitching Coach: Franklin Bravo
- Hitting Coach: Paul Sanagorski
- Trainer: Jon Kotredes
GCL
- Manager: Bobby Williams
- Pitching Coach: Joel Sanchez
- Hitting Coach: Sergio Mendez/John Poppert
- Trainer: Wilkin Perez
#1 by JayB - December 4th, 2009 at 15:07
Spin Williams stays….that is a joke….Bobby Williams stays but bumped all the way down to GCL….classic….some changes here but not near enough to make a difference…..still bottom 5 farm system and the teachers to match.
#2 by Rich - December 4th, 2009 at 15:16
Why isn’t Foli on this list? Isn’t he like quality control or something?
#3 by Brian Oliver - December 4th, 2009 at 15:16
JayB – I’m not sure how we can make that assertion about the coaching staffs right now.
I’m actually happy to see some continuity in the management. In the previous years I have seen more upheaval among the staffs. Having some consistency can be an asset.
#4 by Brian Oliver - December 4th, 2009 at 15:17
Not listed in the release.
#5 by JayB - December 4th, 2009 at 15:25
Brian,
If the Nats had a progression of successful player development I would agree that continuity would be good but……Look at the long history of failure to develop top picks….Smoker, McGeary, Brguess, King, England,…..you know the list better than I but it is long and it telling….I would have cleaned house completely much like the front office…..too much time it seems will tell if Rizzo is can turn this ship around but we know the current Player Development staff is bad. Example D White…..can any of our prospects play the outfield, hit cut off men or run the bases when they get to the Bigs? How about throw strikes……Spin Williams….come on….you have walked throw camp too. What do you see from Williams?
#6 by MiLB Fan - December 4th, 2009 at 15:28
How/where does Bob Boone fit in (if at all)?
#7 by Brian Oliver - December 4th, 2009 at 15:30
He is the VP of Player Development. In essence, the guy who oversees the whole minor league operation.
Mike Rizzo => Bob Boone => Doug Harris => Minor League Coordinators/Coaches
#8 by JayB - December 4th, 2009 at 15:32
Brain,
You can sensor if you like but it does not change the data or the facts.
#9 by SpashCity - December 4th, 2009 at 15:33
Nationals Journal has a source saying Foli is “special advisor to the general manager, for player development”(Essentially, Foli will oversee all minor league instruction.)
#10 by Brian Oliver - December 4th, 2009 at 15:38
JayB – You have every right to your opinion but there has to be some silver lining at some time. Everything cannot always be gloom & doom. I understand (and share) several of your concerns but the outright dismissing of everything out of hand seems like trying to find the negative at all costs
#11 by JayB - December 4th, 2009 at 15:46
Brian, your call that is fine but you know that when I do see things that work I am very happy to complement. I am happy with SS signing. I like bringing back Riggelman for the most part because he is about defense and old school baseball. I like Foli getting more responsibility for the same reason.
If they start to win then I will be happier, if they make some smart roster moves I will say so…….to date we are going in the wrong direction with wins, ratings by independent organizations, peer perceptions….why should I be happy about that?
#12 by Berndaddy - December 4th, 2009 at 16:02
Brian thanks for taking the high road. That’s why many of us prefer your site.
Some fires can only be stoked and never quenched, eh…
#13 by peric - December 4th, 2009 at 16:24
The farm teams as a whole did pretty well. Especially Potomac and Syracuse with Harrisburg coming on at the end. GCL did extremely well.
Didn’t the “teams” play reasonably well overall? Its the prospects that have not “advanced” as quickly as one would hope, and well okay, that this team actually needs. You have to hope that the last draft brings in some starting / relief pitching sooner rather than later. And not just Strasburg and Storen. We’ll have to see.
#14 by Sue Dinem - December 4th, 2009 at 16:28
I, for one, am glad to see Randy Knorr and Randy Tomlin reunited at Harrisburg. These two appear to be among the best teachers in the system and have been able to do it with a wide variety of players… and win.
#15 by Pilchard - December 4th, 2009 at 16:46
Any idea where Marquis Grisson is now headed?
#16 by Brian Oliver - December 4th, 2009 at 17:11
JayB – Did you change how you were posting comments? Because half of them are getting classified and filed as spam
#17 by Nate - December 4th, 2009 at 17:25
Perhaps the comment filter has become self-aware? I’m pretty sure SkyNet started life as a disgruntled DoD spam filter.
#18 by JayB - December 4th, 2009 at 17:51
Nope, just going to wait until there is some news that I like…..it could be a long time at the pace this front office is working…….see you down the road I hope.
#19 by AlexVA - December 4th, 2009 at 18:25
Pilchard, my guess is that new job will not be easy for Grissom if based on his work here. I remember a number of times that he did not seem to have his head in the game. Maybe his behind the scenes coaching was beneficial, his 1st base work left a lot to be desired, IMO
#20 by BinM - December 4th, 2009 at 18:52
This may be self-serving, but I like the staff they have assigned to POT. Menhart did a very good job with the young arms last year, and seemed to work well with Cathcart in the AFL, imo; Nokes was a good-hitting CA in the bigs – Let’s see if he has any wisdom to pass along.
#21 by BinM - December 4th, 2009 at 19:40
Brian: The one thing I think is missing from the Orginization tree (beside a Pacific Rim scouting Chief) is a Director of Marketing & Sales for the Nationals. I know most of that part of the operation got purged back in October – Any word on who might be filling that role, or has Stan K. stepped into the breach?
#22 by joNAThan - December 4th, 2009 at 20:54
Things look fine, but shoot, what do I know. I do regret losing Coles, I thought he was a rising star. Any insight as to why he left the organization?
#23 by just in time - December 4th, 2009 at 21:23
With all the talk about how the Nats develop talent, its worth noting that maybe just maybe some of these players are just not all that talented. Most of the slow learners/promotions are from the HS kids. I agree some of the problem is the scouts evaluating the talent but the player still has to perform. It’s the same thing in all the other major sports. Example Kwame Brown from the Wizards 1st Overall pick. I guess what I am saying is the players have to be held accountably at some point. Nats example, maybe Stephen King just is not that good or motivated to play at a high level.
#24 by Jane - December 5th, 2009 at 03:36
Randy Knorr, welcome to Harrisburg!
Randy Tomlin, Troy, and Atsushi – welcome back to Harrisburg!!
Much continued success to all!!!!!
#25 by Jeff E. - December 5th, 2009 at 11:50
Chris Michalek! what a name from the ex-po past! happy holidays every one. you think Rizzo could drink eggnog with the angels and talk Guzman @ 3b in post Chone/Halo era?? so much for so sliding into the hotel in indpls. and titling back a few cold ones to see which brass is walking around the winter meetings. closed house to the public the papers are saying. Matt Nokes. huh! Greg booker did some good things with the padres. who here would like A. Callaspo @ 2b from K.C? if Manny wants Maxwell- do it! get a couple kids out of CLE. maybe even a slick middle IF?? may all your holiday wishes come true. even if Mr. Rizzo does not meet Santa Claus ranking.
#26 by BinM - December 6th, 2009 at 15:12
Brian: This might be a question better asked after the R5 draft, but do you have any thoughts on who will get their ‘walking papers’ (released) from the system over the winter?
#27 by Louis J - December 7th, 2009 at 11:51
There’s a report that the Mets are interested in Josh Willingham and that the Nats would be interested in a pitcher in exchange. Do the Nats think that the Mets will trade John Maine? God save us if Oliver Perez is Mets option. Would Willingham for a young (age 25) finesse pitcher like Lance Broadway or groundball pitcher like Jack Egbert be acceptible?? By the way, when will the Nats become interested in a position player instead of a pitcher in a trade??
#28 by Ryan - December 7th, 2009 at 13:24
Louis J-
I would think a package of B.Parnell/J.Niese, Brad Holt and a prospect would be a nice deal for both teams… they get the corner OF bat they need, and we get a MLB ready pitcher, a future #3/4 SP or late inning reliever and a youngster with upside…
#29 by Pilchard - December 7th, 2009 at 14:09
Would be surprised if the Mets were willing to offer thatt much for Willingham. Parnell was the #5 prospect in the Mets organization last season, and Niese is #6 this year. Holt was their #1 pick in 2008.
Willingham will be a FA after next season. just don’t see the Mets giving up a couple of their hest pitching prospects for a solid (but not great) bat, but poor defensive player that is one year from being on the open market.
#30 by Sec 204 Row H Seat 7 - December 7th, 2009 at 14:26
Anyone know about Brian Brunney?
#31 by Ryan - December 7th, 2009 at 14:28
Pilchard-
If I was not clear, I was saying one of Niese or Parnell, not both… if I couldn’t get one of these guys, along with Holt and another prospect, for a total of 3, I probably sit tight with Willingham…
#32 by longterm - December 7th, 2009 at 15:25
it’s getting hot in here!
#33 by Sue Dinem - December 7th, 2009 at 16:20
I’m surprised the tester for Preparations A through G hasn’t remarked about being freed from Saul Rivera?!
#34 by JayB - December 7th, 2009 at 17:39
Yet again Sue proves what a good person she is……I am happy to be ride of Saul….like to know who the PTBNL is but I like they picked up a proven Bull Pen Arm today.
#35 by Sue Dinem - December 7th, 2009 at 17:56
Wait a minute: JayB liked a front-office move? Then again, a broken clock is right twice a day…
#36 by Rich - December 7th, 2009 at 18:19
UGH did you guys see the PTBNL? That takes all of the fun out of the Rule 5 draft….
#37 by JayB - December 7th, 2009 at 18:50
I like not having your roster tied up by a rule 5 restriction so I really like this move. Brunney seems to me is a huge upgrade over whomever they could get as a Rule 5 and if not then he can be moved off the roster and perhaps Storen or someone else is better by August. I like power arms that have proven they can do the job.
#38 by Sue Dinem - December 7th, 2009 at 21:05
Miracles never cease – I actually agree with JayB on this one, at least on the efficacy of dealing away a maybe for a known quantity, even one with an injury history.
#39 by Brian H - December 7th, 2009 at 22:44
Completely off-topic, but has anyone seen a word about the Nats being in on Chapman? I realize that would be two high-priced arms in one yr, but…. Given the group’s stated goal of amassing talented young arms combined with the rumors that his price tag is dropping precipitously, it would seem to make sense for a team like the Nats to be pursuing him — would it not?
#40 by JayB - December 8th, 2009 at 06:53
Love the Ivan move….half the price of Paul Lo D. too and much better player and person….Non tender Olson now and offer Will N arb as a backup plan then trade him (with cash if needed) mid season only if catching stabilizes in the minor leagues and Flores is fully recovered. Time to get some starting pitching now……
#41 by JayB - December 8th, 2009 at 07:10
Will Pudge the first Hall of Fame player to ever put on a Nats Uniform?
#42 by VladiHondo - December 8th, 2009 at 08:34
F-Robby’s the 1st!!! Didn’t even have to wait 5 years.