Wednesday night was the first game where I took advantage of the Nationals extending me media credentials and I could not have picked a more intriguing game. RHP Drew Storen made his home debut for the Nationals, picking up his first major league win in Washington’s 5-3 win over the New York Mets. Storen entered the game in the top of the seventh with a runner on base and one out; he retired the two hitters he faced on a lineout to shortstop and a groundout to shortstop. From the crow’s nest press box, Storen’s stuff looked really good. He struggled some with his control against the second hitter he faced, but in the end accomplished his job, stranding an inherited runner. Additionally, I got to witness the first inside the park home run at Nationals Park (by the Mets CF Angel Pagan) and the first triple play I have ever witnessed in person (also involving Pagan). Notes: I was unable to nail anyone from the PD staff down while I was there but during Jim Riggleman’s pre-game press conference, a question was asked about Pudge Rodriguez’ playing time and whether he was playing more than expected. Riggleman mentioned that Pudge was on track for around the number of games they anticipated, around 110. What I read into that is that Jesus Flores is likely not expected back any time soon. Bill Ladson had a note about the rehabbing Detwiler, who “said there is no timetable as to when he will return to the big leagues.”
“This is like my Spring Training now, so I could build up arm strength before I leave here,” Detwiler said by phone. “The team is trying to figure out a schedule for me. They have to finalize that, and we’ll go from there.”
RHP Stephen Strasburg was somewhat wild early in the game, but settled down to strike out a career high nine batters in Syracuse’s 5-1 win at Rochester (box/gamer). Strasburg allowed no runs on three hits (all singles), walking four. He threw 92 pitches/60 strikes; facing 24 batters and getting 7 ground outs to 2 fly outs. So far in Triple-A, he is 3-0; throwing 18 1/3 innings, giving up four hits (all singles), walking four and striking out 22. Overall, he’s 6-1 with an 0.89 ERA over 40 1/3IP striking out 49 and walking 10. According to reports, his next start is Monday 5/24 at home versus Toledo (broadcast live on MASN). LHP Jesse English allowed the lone Wings run on a solo homer in his 2 1/3 innings of relief, striking out three and RHP Joel Peralta earned his tenth save, striking out the one batter he faced. CA Carlos Maldonado was 1/1 with two ssacrifice flies and a run scored; LF Leonard Davis was 3/5 with a stolen base & run scored; 1B Josh Whitesell was 3/3 with two walks, a run & RBI; and CF Justin Maxwell was 2/5 with one RBI.
Today: Syracuse RHP Jeff Mandel (0-0, 1.69) at Rochester LHP Glen Perkins (0-5, 10.08) 7PM
Not to be outdone, Harrisburg RHP Brad Meyers struck out nine over his 5 2/3 innings of work, settling for the no-decision in the Senators walkoff 2-1 win over Reading (box/gamer). Meyers allowed just four hits and no runs in his outing. RHP Rafael Martin struck out two in his 1 1/3 innings of work. RHP Adam Carr allowed an inherited runner to score, blowing the save but picked up the win when CF Brad Coon tripled in CA Jhonathan Solano with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Coon was 2/4 with the RBI & a run scored and Solano finished 1/3 with a run scored. SS Danny Espinosa was 1/4 and 1B Chris Marrero was 2/4. Notes: Geoff Morrow has a feature on Coon.
Today: Reading at Harrisburg 10:30AM (pitchers TBA though I’ll guess that LHP Chuck James will start for the Senators)
Potomac dropped their third straight game at Frederick, falling 6-4 in a game that saw four homers, two for each team (box/gamer). RHP A.J. Morris started for the P-Nats, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings of work while striking out five. RHP Dan Leatherman took the loss, surrendering two runs on two hits and a walk over his 2 2.3 innings of work, also striking out five. Each pitcher allowed a home run. CA Derek Norri hit his first Carolina League homer, a two-run shot in the third and RF Michael Burgess hit a then game-tying two-run homer in the eighth. 1B Tyler Moore was 2/4 and CF Boomer Whiting was 1/4 with walk & two stolen bases.
Today: Potomac RHP Patrick Lehman (1-1, 4.50) at Frederick LHP Rick Zagone (1-4, 3.24) 11AM
RHP Trevor Holder was solid in Hagerstown’s 2-1 win over Asheville, initiating the game-saving play (box/gamer). From The Herald-Mail …
Holder (3-1) was nursing the one-run lead heading into the sixth inning when Eliezer Mesa led off with a line drive to right-center that skipped past center fielder Eury Perez for a triple. It gave the Tourists (14-24) the tying run on third with none out.
Holder, slightly tilted by the sequence, brought out the safety net.
“The ball took an unfortunate hop to get by Eury,” Holder said. “My thought was to try and get the next batter to get some weak contact.”
Wong hit a bouncer back to Holder, who caught Mesa a third of the way down the third-base line. He fought the urge to throw the ball to third baseman Steven Souza and ran at Mesa, freezing the baserunner in his tracks. It ended up in a rundown that erased Mesa for the important, run-saving first out.
Holder moved to 3-1 on the season, allowing just one run on four hits over 7IP with four strikeouts. RHP Rob Wort pitched two scoreless innings of relief, striking out two to earn his first save. SS Francisco Soriano was 3/4 with a run scored; 1B Justin Bloxom was 1/4 with one RBI; RF J.R. Higley was 1/3 with a double & RBI; and LF Destin Hood was 0/3.
Today: Hagerstown LHP Jack McGeary (3-1, 4.50) at Delmarva 7:05PM
#1 by Scott - May 20th, 2010 at 08:10
After spending part of the season last year in Harrisburg and repeating the level and dominating thus far this year, I’d imagine Brad Meyers might be in line for a September callup this year, right? As long as he keeps it up, of course.
In fact, this is the kind of guy I wish more teams would develop ala Earl Weaver – bring him up in relief at first, let him help the team out that way and get used to major league hitters, then slowly stretch him out and let him compete for a starting role next year. I mean, what would we really lose replacing Miguel Batista’s terrible innings with those of a young future starter? Or Tavarez’ last year, for that matter. There always seems to be a crappy old mop up guy in the pen whose innings could be given at no cost to a young guy to get him acclimated.
#2 by Chris - May 20th, 2010 at 08:10
Stras dominates, Meyers shows he’s healthy, our two studs at Potomac go yard and Marrero continues to break out of his slump. Nice night for our top prospects.
#3 by Scott - May 20th, 2010 at 08:17
Marrero’s slash line makes babies cry.
#4 by alexva - May 20th, 2010 at 08:18
Strasburg was so impressive he made us forget about the second game for Syracuse yesterday :)
#5 by Brian Oliver - May 20th, 2010 at 08:21
alexva – I’m just lazy ;)
#6 by cjrugger - May 20th, 2010 at 08:25
Wow big night all around. I hope Norris and Burgess get used to hitting in the middle of lineups togetehr
Agree on Meyers, but I’d give him a little more time. Thats only his 3rd start of the year
#7 by Mark L - May 20th, 2010 at 08:38
I guess this should stop all that world class whining about Holder being drafted. The system is developing some good depth at starting pitching.
#8 by Sue Dinem - May 20th, 2010 at 08:44
@MarkL – As Yoda might say… Hold breath not would I, hmmm, to whine something else about they will find, always.
#9 by Toast - May 20th, 2010 at 08:47
When Strasburg is called up who in the rotation will be sent down?
#10 by Brian Oliver - May 20th, 2010 at 08:50
Toast – I’m guessing either Atilano or Stammen.
#11 by Mark L - May 20th, 2010 at 08:54
Okay, Sue, maybe I deserved that. Brian, I’m shocked that you left a Josh Wilkie hitless inning pitched go unreported in the ‘other’ Syracuse game :)
#12 by Scott - May 20th, 2010 at 09:18
@MarkL – not really. Isn’t a 23-year old pitcher from a power baseball conference SUPPOSED to handle himself in the Sally League?
It’s not that Holder is bad, it’s the if you’re a team “rebuilding yourself through the draft” you have to do better than a signability RHP with a 5th starter upside in the 3rd round, especially if you already have a system full of that type of player.
#13 by Todd Boss - May 20th, 2010 at 09:20
Strasburg should replace Atilano; despite Stammen’s inflated ERA his FIP is actually 2nd best out of the starters (Olsen is best) and Atilano currently has more walks than Ks (a bad trend).
Stammen though is next in line to go if/when Detwiler or Wang is ready to give it a shot.
I’d be curious to see what is next for Chico. His minor league numbers are medicore but his one spot start for the Nats was pretty good.
#14 by Greg - May 20th, 2010 at 09:22
Big start tonight for Atilano
#15 by Gavin B - May 20th, 2010 at 09:34
Brian – You mentioned on Twitter that Clippard seemed to favor his arm after the last out pitch. Did you ask around about that?
#16 by Scott - May 20th, 2010 at 09:35
Next for Chico – I’d guess nothing. Maybe a spot start here or there. But you always prioritize the needs of the better prospects/players, and Chico’s gotta be pretty far down that list. This year and next, I’d say Strasburg, Zimmermann, Wang, Marquis, Brad Meyers, Stammen, Atilano, and Lannan are above him on the list of possible starters.
Chico has an 87 mph fastball and an 81 MPH changeup and according to metrics doesn’t have a SINGLE above-average pitch. He’s also a flyball pitcher! All in all, not a recipe for success. Unfortunately, his career line against LHB is worse than his line against RHB, so he doesn’t even have a future as a LOOGY.
#17 by Todd Boss - May 20th, 2010 at 10:00
Scott: For some reason I think the team still believes in Chico, despite what you point out (which is all true).
What i don’t understand is, why are we giving starts to guys like Chuck James, Andrew Kown, JD Martin instead of actual prospects? Having these guys clog up the upper ends of the rotations in our farm system means that we have a guy like Rosenbaum, patently too old for low-A, not being challenged and thus delaying his development.
You can make similar arguments all the way down the line. Meyers, Milone, Arneson, Clegg and Holder all seem to be too old for their levels. Maybe they don’t all merit promotions right this second but it seems like each of these guys made an argument either last season or so far this season that it is time to move up.
#18 by peric - May 20th, 2010 at 10:14
Now, who was it again who said that Holder was a “wasted pick”?
#19 by peric - May 20th, 2010 at 10:24
I think Rizzo said it best when he said his minor league philosophy does not condone promoting players “early”. He said he wanted to make sure they master each level and league before moving on.
If JD Martin, Kown, and James have mastered AAA and there is no room at the pro level then perhaps its about competition. Who is better? Is Mandel better than a James? Is Balester better than a Kown? Because that is who he will be replacing in Syracuse as a long middle relief spot start specialist I guess. When Strasburg gets promoted who replaces him? Is Milone ready or would Meyers be a better choice? Competition probably makes them better pitchers doesn’t it? It seems to have worked having Strasburg as competition at least from my perspective?
#20 by Scott - May 20th, 2010 at 10:24
Oh, I believe the team still “believes” in Chico. It’s a good quality for a GM to have faith and be loyal to his players (like Chico, who Rizzo knows from Arizona). I don’t have a problem with that.
But obviously Rizzo has MORE faith in the guys I listed above. At the very least if they had bigger plans for Chico than “organizational” pitcher they would have him getting the major league starts over Stammen and Atilano.
And I agree with your other point. Sometimes you have to take a step back and say, “what’s the goal here?” instead of being so nice about everything.
Like Brian was having a hard time finding someone who Rosenbaum could replace in Potomac. Well, if he’s a real prospect, who cares? The chances of any current Potomac starter developing into anything more than a major league reliever is tiny. Or promote someone to Harrisburg to create a spot for him, and put 26-year old Arnesen in AAA where he belongs to flourish or bust.
What you don’t do is keep 22 year olds in the Sally League because you have 23 year olds in A ball because you have 25 year olds in AA ball because you have MLB washouts in AAA ball.
I’m not saying you should be overly aggressive, but you gotta find places to promote guys whose development is stagnating due to overqualification, the same way you need to find places for guys like Burgess to repeat levels and solidify the improvements in approach they’re making.
#21 by Sec 204 Row H Seat 7 - May 20th, 2010 at 11:35
Meyers is continuing his good work from last season, D. Norris is getting back into form, and if McGeary does well tonight, all is well!
#22 by Mets - May 20th, 2010 at 11:43
That is so awesome they actually gave you media credentials.
#23 by cjrugger - May 20th, 2010 at 11:45
Peric- I did. and he’s a 23 year old, 3rd round pick from the SEC pitching well in LowA, let’s hold off on annointing him
#24 by tyrusray367 - May 20th, 2010 at 11:48
You know what a good day is? Its when one of your minor league pitchers makes a start that is the talk of the game the next day and it’s still the 2nd best starting pitching performance in your system!
#25 by cjrugger - May 20th, 2010 at 12:04
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/05/maya-unblocked-yankees-interested.html
28 year old cuban pitcher is now a free agent, will be interesting to see how interested we are after the chapman bidding.
#26 by Andrew F. - May 20th, 2010 at 12:17
Brian, is Meyers doing anything to change what is his generally perceived ceiling (#4/5 starter)?
#27 by S.Smith - May 20th, 2010 at 12:20
a good day is when you are flipping through the channels and you see someone you know pitching for the nats :) i was so excited to finally see drew pitching at home, doing a nice job and getting his first win!
congrats bud! hope to see you soon! :)
#28 by Souldrummer - May 20th, 2010 at 12:40
@Brian With your luck at Nationals Park, I suggest we either take up a collection for you to go to more games or organize a grading ring to free up time so that you can continue bringing good karma to the squad. A historic game couple with a win? Nice work there.
#29 by Souldrummer - May 20th, 2010 at 12:45
“What i don’t understand is, why are we giving starts to guys like Chuck James, Andrew Kown, JD Martin instead of actual prospects?” I haven’t seen Kown, so I don’t know what to make of him. Note Chuck James is starting for Harrisburg today. We just promoted Mandel moved him from the rotation. We are going to be conservative with prospects, but I don’t think that the Chuck James’ of the world carry a lot of weight around here. We’ll sign them, allow us to manage our prospects conservatively, and let them be organizational depth if they so choose.
As far as JD Martin goes, I believe he had some back issues earlier on in the year and his performance at AAA has been worse than it was last year but certainly competent. He’s outperformed both Balester and Martis and will help the Chiefs win and possibly serve as a spot starter if things are necessary in the bigs. I think Rizzo actually believes it’s good for for prospects to not only develop their skills but to develop their skills in higher leverage situations. In other words, if you’re playing in games where your competitive, prospects will have to learn how to survive higher leverage situations that will allow them to play against other teams best minor league talent in meaningful game situations.
#30 by Souldrummer - May 20th, 2010 at 12:51
@the Holder lobby I was against the Holder pick and I remain against the Holder pick because we seem to be a team that is determined to amass as many 4/5 starters as possible rather than go riskier or above slot to get guys who have more dominant 1/2 stuff and can benefit from good player development. Holder has had two great starts in his last two outings. That is not enough to silence his critics as a college pitcher in low A ball who doesn’t seem to have much plus major league stuff. We don’t know about the quality of competition. A lights out outing against our Harrisburg Senators doesn’t mean that much this year because they can’t hit. A lights out outing against our Hagerstown for somebody probably does.
I’d like to be proven wrong by seeing him do well. I haven’t researched all the picks who’ve followed him in the draft either. But there’s a long way to go on what Holder has to offer.
#31 by peric - May 20th, 2010 at 13:06
I
I’d like to be proven wrong by seeing him do well.
Uhh, I think its already happened? You all had already pronounced him as a FAIL. So far you are dead wrong. Period.
He has made progressive improvements throughout the year. He is not a #4 or #5 starter because he does have that fastball that peaks out at 92-94 mph. Unlike all the others who are now ahead of him in Potomac and above except for Strasburg.
Control has never been his issue. He has always been a low walk, high strike out guy. Its been getting those ground balls instead of fly balls and hits. His greatest strength may be his “make up” as they call it. If anything gets him all the way through that will. Holder is definitely not a Colton Willems or a Josh Smoker. Now those were wasted picks.
#32 by Andrew Z. Stebbins - May 20th, 2010 at 13:50
I saw Strasburg last night, the fans in Washington who haven’t seen him yet are in for a treat!
#33 by Souldrummer - May 20th, 2010 at 14:40
@all I’m sorry to hear that Leatherman got lit up in Frederick last night. He’s been a good story and organizational depth since I think he’s from the area. I remember going to a game in Frederick last year and bumping into some people from the Frederick area who were supporting him and even someone who he had stayed with while he was in Minnesota’s farm system. He’s not going to make the big club, but he sounds like a good family guy and you hate to see someone have a bad outing in front of his friends and loved ones.
#34 by RT - May 20th, 2010 at 14:55
I think most people issue with the Holder pick was not that we drafted him, but when we picked him. Atleast this is my opinion. I am rooting for him like all other prospects, but most scouts after the draft were questioning the pick because the nationals could have waited and picked him up in the 4th or 5th round. Instead they reached on a player who was an easy sign in the 3rd round.
I personally would rather they picked up someone with a higher ceiling in the 3rd round, and then come back in the 4th or 5th round and picked him up then.
#35 by cjrugger - May 20th, 2010 at 15:09
peric- If youre not his agent, he should at least be cutting you in!
#36 by Sue Dinem - May 20th, 2010 at 15:39
@MarkL – That was me trying to say “Don’t worry. DC’s got impatience and entitlement in spades” – there’s always something for these whiners to b!tch about, and lo and behold, my point has been proven. I go off to see a game in Frederick and come back to see there’s a chain of complaint about Trevor Holder, who hasn’t pitched a full season of pro ball yet.
#37 by jeff e. - May 20th, 2010 at 18:26
was moose stubing the guy to suggest Coon and the IF @ Potamac from the angels or another scout? Brian, any buzz about who the cross-checkers are zoning in on less than a month before the draft in rounds 2-40?????
#38 by BinM - May 20th, 2010 at 19:12
I’ll admit to not being a big fan of the Holder pick, but he seems to be doing well as the #3SP for HAG so far. However, I still think he’s only the 4th best pitcher on that staff, behind Rosenbaum, Morrison & Applebee.
I’m taking a “wait and see” on how the post-draft shuffling goes for players under contract, once the short-season teams start play & 2010 Amateur picks start to sign. There will be some roster casualties, and the interest is in who moves up as a result.
#39 by Jeff - May 20th, 2010 at 19:43
All of this talk about Holder is hilarious to me. Nobody complained when the Nats selected the young Josh Smoker with a supplemental pick in the ‘07 draft & he’s been absolutely awful.
Stop talking about age & talk performance.
#40 by Scott - May 21st, 2010 at 09:15
Give me a break about Smoker. Nobody complained about McGeary either, and despite floundering in limbo between school and baseball for 2 years, he’s finally a real prospect again, 2 years younger than Holder, at the SAME level.
All anyone is saying is that if you have an organization with a ton of #5 RH starters in it, maybe you should be drafting something else, like more position players or high schoolers with higher ceilings.
I’m not worried about our ability over the next five years to develop depth at the major league level, or enough RHP to put up 4.50-4.75 ERAs. I’m worried about our ability to develop upper end talent.