Andy Seiler has started tracking the summer leagues. His post today contains a week in review as well as some links to other summer league information.
Stephen Strasburg starts for the Nationals tonight at home against the Chicago White Sox.
Syracuse dropped both games at Gwinnett, losing the completion of their 5/8 game 6-3 (box) and the regularly scheduled game 3-0 (box/gamer). Although he is currently in the major leagues, RHP J.D. Martin picked up the loss as he started the game back in May, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks over 4 2/3IP with four strikeouts. 3B Leonard Davis was 1/2 with a solo homer and 2B Chase Lambin was 2/4 with one RBI. In the regularly scheduled game, RHP Shairon Martis took the loss, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over 6IP with four strikeouts. The Chiefs managed only four singles of offense, one each by Boomer Whiting, Justin Maxwell, Jason Botts, and Devin Ivany.
Today: Syracuse RHPs Craig Stammen (0-0, 5.68) & Erik Arnesen (1-2, 4.79) at Gwinnett (pitchers TBA) 6:05PM
Harrisburg let a passed ball and throwing error in the bottom of the eighth lead to four unearned runs on a 6-3 loss at New Britain (box/gamer). LHP Aaron Thompson was solid in his six innings of work, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout. RHP Cole Kimball allowed the four unearned runs on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts in his two innings. A passed ball on Sean Rooney on the third strike compounded by a throwing error opened the floodgates for New Britain. SS Danny Espinosa’s streak of games with a home run was snapped at three as he went 0/3 with a walk & run scored; 1B Chris Marrero was 2/4 with a double; and 3B Tim Pahuta was 1/4 with a two-run homer.
Today: Harrisburg LHP Ross Detwiler (0-0, 2.45) at Bowie RHP Chorye Spoone (5-5, 3.75) 7:05PM
Potomac broke out the lumber (though only three extra base hits) in a 13-4 win at Myrtle Beach (box). 2B Stephen Lombardozzi was 2/6 with a run & RBI; RF Michael Burgess was 2/5 with two runs; CA Derek Norris was 2/3 with two runs & one RBI; 1B Tyler Moore was 2/5 with a double, run & RBI; CF Nick Moresi was 4/5 with two doubles, three runs, & three RBI; and DH Brian Peacock was 2/5 with two runs scored. RHP Adrian Alaniz was the beneficiary of this offense and gave the P-Nats eight innings, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
Today: Lynchburg RHP Mark Serrano (2-4, 3.62) at Potomac RHP Brad Peacock (1-8, 4.87) 7:05PM
Hagerstown dropped the series opener at West Virginia 7-5 (box/gamer). LHP Dan Rosenbaum gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks over 5IP with one strikeout. 2B Jeff Kobernus was 1/4; LF/3B Justin Bloxom was 1/4 with a double, run & RBI; DH J.P. Ramirez was 2/4 with a two-run home run; RF/LF Destin Hood was 2/4 with a run scored; and CF J.R. Higley was 2/4 with one RBI.
Today: Hagerstown LHP Mitchell Clegg (7-0, 2.95) at West Virginia RHP Phillip Irwin (1-0, 1.71) 7:05PM
Vermont kicks their season off tonight at home against Lowell. Notes: Apparently, the Nationals have signed one more from the 2010 draft and an additional undrafted free agent. OF Rick Hughes, a 29th round draft pick from Marin Community College, has been added to the roster along with RHP Shane Zellers. A quick Google search finds that Zellers is a starting pitcher from Alvernia University in Reading, PA.
Today: Lowell HP Mendez (NR) at Vermont RHP Taylor Jordan (NR) 7:05PM
The GCL Nationals roster has still not been released. Their season starts on Monday.
The DSL Nationals rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the DSL Cubs2 5-2 (box). RHP Adalberto Mieses allowed two runs on four hits and five walks over 5IP with three strikeouts. RHP Karin Burgos struck out two in his two scoreless innings of relief and RHP Inocencio Heredia earned his third save with a scoreless ninth. CA Adderling Ruiz was 1/3 with a double & two RBI.
Today: DSL Nationals at DSL Marlins 10:30AM
#1 by Sue Dinem - June 18th, 2010 at 08:42
Good, Bad, Interesting… Vol. 10: http://bit.ly/a4JWZ8
My only quibble with the summer collegiate wood-bat leagues is that lately they’ve been eating into the space of the independent leagues, and that’s primarily a function of economics.
The collegiate wood-bat leagues worth checking out, but make no mistake: These are amateurs. And as that first commenter on Seiler’s article noted, the other leagues aren’t that far behind the Cape. Case in point: Strasburg pitched for Torrington of the NECBL.
#2 by ckstevenson - June 18th, 2010 at 09:09
Can we start to reach any conclusions on Boomer Whiting at Syracuse now? Is this just one of those rare instances where a guy gets promoted and does a great job, even though past play wouldn’t have indicated he could have? .304/.406/.446 with 10 steals (1 triple, no doubles)
Chase Lambin is the best hitter at Syracuse I guess? Would they ever give him a shot of Guz can’t play 2B and Adam Kennedy isn’t much better (if at all)? I realize Chase isn’t a prospect at all, but maybe he could do a better job?
Mench is just filler at this point.
Maxwell hit .244 in May and .273 in June. He’s hitting .278 in his past 10 games, but has a .333 slugging % (for a weak .699 OPS). He’s hitting .385 against lefties, and .211 against righties. I think this is his last year for a real shot, and he’s not getting it done.
#3 by Jeff E. - June 18th, 2010 at 11:23
Yes, many of us which the tools and talent would translate for Maxwell. Stephen King @ Vermont for how long after the 50 game suspension? numbers should determine or playing shape sharpness??? Nats have any interest in the fellow designated by PITT replaced by Neil Walker???
#4 by jeff e. - June 18th, 2010 at 11:57
Brad Peacock @ Potomac. What is the story? 1-8 with an ERA over 4 pushing 5. 85 Ks in under 70IP. sloppy leather behind him? untimely walks mixxed with sloppy leather??? inquiring mind wants to know from miles away…….
#5 by DJ - June 18th, 2010 at 12:17
Big night for starting pitchers tonight: Detwiler, Clegg, Jordan all on the bump and Stammen/Arnesen in AAA.
#6 by Souldrummer - June 18th, 2010 at 12:57
We simply won’t let Maxwell be what Maxwell can be for the club: a right handed platoon OF complement for CF who offers speed and defense as a late inning replacement.
I’d rather see Maxwell on the club than Willie Harris at this poing, but I don’t think we have the stones to make such a move. I would especially appreciate that move if it meant that Riggles wouldn’t have the temptation to start Willie Harris in AL ballparks.
#7 by Alex - June 18th, 2010 at 13:57
Anyone know the latest with Garrett Mock? In late April, note I saw expected him to be out for 2 weeks with that spine injury. Haven’t heard or seen anything since.
Then, yesterday he gets put on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 11!! Saw note that said “He will be sent to the minors when he is ready to resume pitching.”
Anyone?
#8 by Alex - June 18th, 2010 at 14:12
Sorry, the Mock DL posting is a bad yahoo sports post () but the question still stands: at the time, seemed like people weren’t sure how long he would be out but could be as little as a couple of weeks.
Anyone know how he’s doing?
#9 by DJ - June 18th, 2010 at 14:29
Alex, no clue, but let’s be honest … he’s not going to help this club at all.
#10 by Dick - June 18th, 2010 at 14:43
I hope that Mock gets well quickly and has a wonderful life that doesn’t include anymore time on the hill as a Nat.
#11 by RT - June 18th, 2010 at 15:04
Problem with Maxwell is that he cant hit, he never has hit even at the minor league level. Obviously I’m not saying that Willie Harris can hit, but Maxwell is a downgrade from both Bernadina and Morse.
#12 by Toast - June 18th, 2010 at 16:31
Mock had neck surgery and is in Florida rehabbing
#13 by Brian Oliver - June 18th, 2010 at 17:06
@jeff e. – Sorry for delay in getting comment approved. Not sure what’s going on with the filter
As for Peacock. He runs into trouble with two outs and even more on second or third time through lineup. What start out as broken bat hits turn into solidly hit balls
#14 by Brian Oliver - June 18th, 2010 at 17:07
Aki Iwamura? Not sure the Nats will be in on him
#15 by Sue Dinem - June 18th, 2010 at 17:34
@jeff e. – Brad Peacock’s troubles have been well documented over at [plug]NationalsProspects.com[/plug] but to expand upon Brian’s assessment, Peacock’s inability to command his breaking pitches has been his downfall.
Typically, the pattern goes like this… Peacock overpowers batters with his mid-90s fastball and gets ahead. When he goes to the curve and change, he has mixed results, but the first time through, he can get as many as five or six K’s.
Then, once the opposing lineup has him timed, his fastball becomes less effective. He’ll turn to offspeed stuff, on a good night, he’ll get a curve over and keep them honest, but more often than not, the counts start to get longer and longer.
The key pitch for Peacock to develop will be his changeup, not his curve, because it’s got such backspin that it looks like a fastball for just an instant. Unfortunately, because it’s in the dirt as often as it’s near the plate, he loses confidence in it quickly and he becomes a two-pitch pitcher, and his curve isn’t nearly as effective.
#16 by Alex - June 18th, 2010 at 19:22
@DJ/Dick – Totally disagree on Mock. Whereas guys like Atilano haven’t had a year in AAA, Mock has and has dominated. Kid has some serious heat and, if he’s healthy and unless 3 out of Z-mann, Marquis, Wang, and Detwiler are all healthy, he’d look a lot better in the 4 or 5 spot than Martin, Atilano, or Stammen.
#17 by Alex - June 18th, 2010 at 19:23
P.S. Thanks, Toast.
#18 by Dave in Midlothian - June 19th, 2010 at 02:56
When was 2009 14th round pick Naoya Washiya released?
I was looking at the GCL roster, and it seemed at least 5-6 guys that were on the team were released according to their MiLB player profile.
I guess they’ll fill the team mostly with 2010 draftee signings?
#19 by Kevin - June 19th, 2010 at 14:55
Disagree on Maxwell – the kid draws walks, gets on base, and has some useful speed. If nothing else, he’s not getting paid $1.5 to ride the bench/kill rallies like Harris. :/
Linked at Beltway Baseball.