The Nationals made a series of pitching moves today, releasing LHP Ron Villone, optioning RHP Juan Jaime to Potomac, RHP Ryan Mattheus & LHP Aaron Thompson to Harrisburg, and RHP Collin Balester & LHP Atahualpa Severino to Syracuse.
I guess the two most surprising moves were the release of Villone and demotion of Balester. With the Villone’s release, the Nats are likely to carry just one lefthander in the bullpen (Sean Burnett). Matt Chico, Ross Detwiler, Scott Olsen, and John Lannan are all starters, though Chico could be a relief candidate.
Balester’s demotion is interesting to me. With all of the struggles of the Nats’ pitchers this spring, I figured Balester still had a chance at the back end of the rotation. It doesn’t mean a whole lot right now (except to Balester) but I wonder where Balester falls in the starting pecking order.
The Big Board has been updated.
#1 by peric - March 15th, 2010 at 16:38
Is Rafael Martin still on the Nats MLB ST roster? Or is he in the Accelerated camp? The Big Board shows him in Viera with the big club?
#2 by Brian Oliver - March 15th, 2010 at 16:47
I have not seen anywhere that he was sent to minor league camp
Did I miss a press release?
#3 by peric - March 15th, 2010 at 16:54
Then he’s still there along with lefties Jesse English (the big board lists him as a righty) and Slaten along with Burnett?
So, then who are the “45″ left in camp … its confusing without a scorecard … LOL
#4 by cass - March 15th, 2010 at 16:58
Hasn’t Rafael Martin always been in minor league camp? I thought he had never been in the major league camp. See below:
“Martin, 25, has arrived in Florida, and he took his physical on Thursday and will report to Minor League camp Friday. Washington beat out the Mariners and Yankees for his services.”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100225&content_id=8140682&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was&partnerId=rss_was
#5 by Brian Oliver - March 15th, 2010 at 17:15
I think the 45 I have listed on the Big Board on the far right are the 45 left in camp
Though I am only going on what I have heard/read
#6 by John - March 15th, 2010 at 17:31
What is the status of Wilkie at this point?
#7 by peric - March 15th, 2010 at 18:07
Mark Zuckerman said:
Rafael Martin was never in big-league camp. He’s been on the minor-league side since signing with the organization.
#8 by peric - March 15th, 2010 at 18:10
Also I think Rafael Martin is a right-handed pitcher not left-handed?
#9 by peric - March 15th, 2010 at 18:11
Last I read, Wilkie was in the Accelerated minor league camp where Martin and host of others are.
#10 by peric - March 15th, 2010 at 18:15
Slaten (the lefty) is still in camp he would be #45 I think. JZimm is on the 40 but he is injured have to assume DL?
Duncan bats left throw right … not sure if you indicate throwing side or bat side?
#11 by Brian Oliver - March 15th, 2010 at 18:17
Batters are listed by how they hit
JZim is on the 60-day … went on it to open a spot for Chien-Ming
#12 by Brian Oliver - March 15th, 2010 at 18:18
Big Board has been tweaked
#13 by Jake - March 15th, 2010 at 21:12
Hi guys- Does anybody know where to find Jameson Taillon’s stats for this year? I’ve looked everywhere!
#14 by Freda - March 15th, 2010 at 22:33
Saw Wilkie pitch with the accelerated guys yesterday. Of interesting note – they have kept the accelerated guys and the other minor league guys working seperately. Accelerated in the AM and the others in the afternoon. I believe they merge the two camps tomorrow.
#15 by Brneyedgrl - March 16th, 2010 at 06:39
Excuse me for being a ‘rookie’ but what and where exactly is “The Big Board”?
#16 by Jane - March 16th, 2010 at 07:10
Aaron, welcome back to Harrisburg!
Severino, much continued success at Syracuse!
#17 by Nats fan in NJ - March 16th, 2010 at 09:30
What do you think Thompson’s upside is? He seems to have had a strong camp and is only 23. A #3 starter as a ceiling, you think?
Also, how old are English and Slaten?
#18 by jeff e. - March 16th, 2010 at 10:00
I believe panic is not in order for Baleaster unless he came out of a NCAA program vs. HB, CA. HS. Right, Brian? coaching job for Villone? No he will probably be the MLB george blanda. LOL! in the backlots, fellow fans, any free agents toiling signed from other orgs. since camp began?
#19 by SpringfieldFan - March 16th, 2010 at 10:12
Love what you’ve done with Desmond on the Big Board, Brian.
I’m expecting Martin and Chico to be next to head to Syracuse. I think it’ll be interesting to see what kind of approach the team wants to take with Stammen and Martis, with Livo available and pitching reliably like Livo. Will they start the season at Syracuse, knowing that there will be a need for replacement SPs at some point in the season (even accepting that Wang and Strasburg will be joining the team within a few months) and let Livo eat some innings? Or will they let the younger guys start up where they left off last year? I can see the benefits to either approach.
#20 by Toast - March 16th, 2010 at 12:49
Brian,
Where do you think the catchers will fall for the upcoming season?
#21 by Brian Oliver - March 16th, 2010 at 13:57
@Brneyedgrl – The Big Board is linked in the upper right corner of the web page. It’s a listing of every player in the organization and their corresponding level. I try to keep it as up to date as I can when moves are made
@NatsNJ – Thompson seems like a #4 guy to me. Slaten is 30 and English is 25
@Toast – trying to pull that together for each level
#22 by Chris - March 16th, 2010 at 14:50
Isn’t Chico out of options? I’d surprised if no one took a chance on him.
#23 by Mark L - March 16th, 2010 at 15:51
It’s good to see our northernmost correspondent, Freda, lapping up some rays in Florida. Of course, when she gets back to Vermont there will still be two more months of winter. Keep us posted Freda!
#24 by SpringfieldFan - March 16th, 2010 at 16:13
According to Brian’s analysis, he’s got one option year remaining.
#25 by cjrugger - March 16th, 2010 at 16:57
Norris with a pinch hit walk today bringing his spring line to 0-4 5BB, 2 K (556 OBP)
Marrero with a double
Word was Hood and Burgess made the trip but didn’t play
#26 by RD exposfan - March 17th, 2010 at 10:20
The Washington Nationals today unconditionally released outfielder Elijah Dukes. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
The Nationals currently have 44 players in their big league camp.
#27 by Chris - March 17th, 2010 at 11:14
Good to hear!
#28 by John - March 21st, 2010 at 01:57
Anyone know what’s the status of RHP Patrick Lehman.