As we ramp up to Opening Day we are seeing more and more prospects lists hit the interwebs. The latest to be released is from Baseball America, one of the first publications to focus their efforts on the lower-levels of professional baseball. Aside from other prospects lists, this one is done as a group effort amongst 8 of the BA writers where each writer complies a list of their 150 top prospects before they all get averaged into one group list.
I'll go through the Nats prospects on the list, but that's not what inspired me to write about this list. One of the writers for Baseball America, Jim Callis had the brilliant idea to release the list of all the names that appeared on at least 1 of the Top 150 lists including their peak position. It shows who is on the radar but just missed the cut.
Let's check out all the Nats that were represented.
#1 - Bryce Harper - OF - MLB ETA: 2012
#19 - Anthony Rendon - 3B - MLB ETA: 2013
That's it... But remember, Baseball America rated the Nationals as their #1 system is all of baseball prior to the Gio Gonzalez deal. Let's see where those pieces landed...
#36 - Brad Peacock
#57 - A.J. Cole
That would've been 4 top 60 prospects for the Nationals, including the #1 overall prospect.
Now, we get the to fun part. Let's check out the members of the Nats system that just missed the cut..
Alex Meyer - Named on 7 Ballots - Top Position: #77
Brian Goodwin - Named on all 8 Ballots - Top Position: #80
Sammy Solis - Named on 7 Ballots - Top Position: #88
Matt Purke - Named on 6 Ballots - Top Position: #91
Stephen Lombardozzi - Named on 2 Ballots - Top Position: #113
Alex Meyer is singled out on this list as the #1 player that "could make big moves on the 2013 list" - they say "With a fastball that touches 100 mph and a wicked slider, Meyer had one of the most electric arms in the 2011 draft. If he continues to progress as he did last spring as a Kentucky junior, he'll rush through the minors."
Those now with the A's...
Derek Norris - Named on 5 Ballots - Top Position: #101
So, the Nationals system has taken a huge hit in losing Peacock, Norris, Cole, and Milone to the Athletics but there are several players lurking just outside of the Top 100 with only Solis (Tommy John Surgery) and Lombardozzi (Eligibility) poised to not be on next year's list.
Despite losing several top prospects in a trade, the Nationals system is set to remain among the top farm systems in baseball due to the strength of their 2011 draft class. It should be fun to follow both the MLB and MiLB Nats this coming year!
Showing posts with label prospects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prospects. Show all posts
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Monday, September 19, 2011
Rookie Talent
This September had the potential to be a harbinger for things to come in NatsTown - a chance for all the fans to catch a glimpse of the future. Thus far, the rookies have provided more than just a glimpse of the future, they have given the team a new present. Three rooks in particular have piqued my interest. Let's take a look at their resumes and potential for MLB employment in 2012.
Chris Marrero - Drafted 1st round (15th overall) in 2006
Drafting high school players has always been a gamble. The potential is always there with such young players, but it rarely ever develops to full potential - Marrero is no exception. He never turned into the power-hitting first-baseman. However, this September he has shown that although he doesn't have the 1B power he is a fairly intelligent baseball player who has a well-rounded game.
His 2011 season has seen 9 RBIs in just 75 ABs, to go along with a decent .989 Fielding Percentage.
I don't see Marrero with the big club next year, not with LaRoche expected to return in Spring Training and Morse roaming around in Left Field.
Brad Peacock - 41st round (1,231st overall) in 2006
For a player that literally came out of nowhere, Peacock has a helluva resume, from stellar minor league seasons to Pitcher of the Year awards. Peacock has flown through the ranks of the Nationals system, poised to become a major league pitcher as soon as next year. He has shown nothing but positive signs that he is a major part of our future.
His first appearance aside - Peacock dazzled in his only start of his major league career; going 5.0 innings, allowing just two hits and getting his first MLB win.
I see Peacock being in the Nats Rotation in 2012.
Tom Milone - 10th round (301st overall) in 2008
Milone has had a bit more time in the Majors than his counterparts, and his rust is beginning to wear off. So far, each start has been better than the previous, and that is about all you can ask for at this stage. As he gets more comfortable being in 40,000+ seat stadia, Milone has begun to show the stuff that has made him a top Nats prospect.
In his most recent start he went 5.1 IP while giving up just 3 hits - earning his first MLB win.
I see Milone being in the Nats Rotation in 2012.
The scouts and baseball people always say that you can't put too much stock into September performances, I don't think that tells the whole picture though. You can't put too much stock into the numbers in September, whats important to look for is how the players are adjusting to the pressures of everyday life in the bigs - whether they are capable of moving a runner over, or knocking him in on a SAC fly - whether they can get through a lineup that third time, do they get better each time out.
We are witnesses to all of these positives with these three players - enjoy it.
Chris Marrero - Drafted 1st round (15th overall) in 2006
Drafting high school players has always been a gamble. The potential is always there with such young players, but it rarely ever develops to full potential - Marrero is no exception. He never turned into the power-hitting first-baseman. However, this September he has shown that although he doesn't have the 1B power he is a fairly intelligent baseball player who has a well-rounded game.
His 2011 season has seen 9 RBIs in just 75 ABs, to go along with a decent .989 Fielding Percentage.
I don't see Marrero with the big club next year, not with LaRoche expected to return in Spring Training and Morse roaming around in Left Field.
Brad Peacock - 41st round (1,231st overall) in 2006
For a player that literally came out of nowhere, Peacock has a helluva resume, from stellar minor league seasons to Pitcher of the Year awards. Peacock has flown through the ranks of the Nationals system, poised to become a major league pitcher as soon as next year. He has shown nothing but positive signs that he is a major part of our future.
His first appearance aside - Peacock dazzled in his only start of his major league career; going 5.0 innings, allowing just two hits and getting his first MLB win.
I see Peacock being in the Nats Rotation in 2012.
Tom Milone - 10th round (301st overall) in 2008
Milone has had a bit more time in the Majors than his counterparts, and his rust is beginning to wear off. So far, each start has been better than the previous, and that is about all you can ask for at this stage. As he gets more comfortable being in 40,000+ seat stadia, Milone has begun to show the stuff that has made him a top Nats prospect.
In his most recent start he went 5.1 IP while giving up just 3 hits - earning his first MLB win.
I see Milone being in the Nats Rotation in 2012.
The scouts and baseball people always say that you can't put too much stock into September performances, I don't think that tells the whole picture though. You can't put too much stock into the numbers in September, whats important to look for is how the players are adjusting to the pressures of everyday life in the bigs - whether they are capable of moving a runner over, or knocking him in on a SAC fly - whether they can get through a lineup that third time, do they get better each time out.
We are witnesses to all of these positives with these three players - enjoy it.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Education Day with Bryce Harper
(All images courtesy of Craig MacHenry/Capitol Baseball 2011)Yesterday afternoon, I ventured into small, and somewhat backwards, town of Hagerstown to watch a 10:35am ballgame. The day's promotion, Education Day, brought in about a thousand elementary/middle school aged students, to cheer on their beloved Suns; but more importantly, to eat gallons of Dippin' Dots Ice Cream of the Future. It was the earliest game I have seen since little league. And though some of the on-field play was little league-esque, the Suns were able to take advantage of the miscues to pick up a 7-3 win.
Let's take a look at some of the highlights from the day.
- Most importantly - Bryce Harper was able to come back from 2 early strikeouts to finish the day 2 for 5 with an RBI. Here is his At-Bat rundown:
1 - Fly out to CF on the first pitch of the AB.
2 - Strikeout swinging against Luis "Father Christmas" Noel.
3 - Strikeout on a check swing and rung up by the Home Plate ump.
4 - 2-out, RBI single but thrown out going to 2nd base (was sent by his coach).
5 - Single to RF.
- In addition to his day at the plate, Harper had an eventful day in the field. Recording 3 outs - 1) A brilliant catch at the wall for the first out of the game 2) A foul out in the 6th and 3) A great catch in the gap in the 9th.
- The most interesting Harper play of the day was in the 2nd when he tried to throw a runner out at the plate - the throw, from deep right, went well over the catchers head and into the netting. If on target, it would've been a photo finish.
- 2008 18th Round pick LHP Bobby Hansen picked up his 4th win of the season with a quality start, though he seemed to struggle early in his outing. 6 IP. 7 H. 3 R. 2 ER. 3 BB. 3 K.
- The Delmarva Shorebirds (seriously, that's their name) starter, Luis "Father Christmas" Noel, had a very rough outing, lasting just 3 innings. In those three innings he managed to allow 4 runs on just 3 hits, due to the fact that he walked a whopping 7 batters.
- Shane McCatty, son of Nats pitching coach Steve McCatty, threw 2 innings of 1 hit ball in the 7th and 8th.
- Chris Manno, 26th round pick from this past year, closed out the game with his herky-jerky mechanics. It was a 1-2-3 inning with 2 strikeouts.
- Other standouts for the Suns were...
Blake Kelso (10th rounder from 2010) - 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI.
Adrian Sanchez (International FA in 2007) - 2 for 5 with a double and 2 runs.
Michael Taylor (6th rounder from 2009) - 1 for 3 with a double, walk, 2 RBI, and a run.
So, if you ever find yourself at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD be sure to pack the sun screen and the ear plugs (the announcer yells everything!). And make sure you don't go on Education Day - cause that was loud.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Mr. Greinke Comes to Washington?
If some of you were still convinced that Cliff Lee could become a Washington National in the off-season, I sure hope the playoffs this year have caused that idea to flow from your cranium into the garbage can. He's too good and will command an obscene amount of money.
But back in reality, Zack Greinke really wants to get out of Kansas City's organization, and he wants out bad. He complained about playing for the Royals throughout the 2010 campaign and is (rightly) frustrated with a team that has failed to help him much at all. Still, somehow Greinke has been .500 or above 3 of his last 4 years in the bigs.
Greinke will turn 27 on Thursday (Happy birthday, Zack) and will be a guy moving into the prime of his career after he's already won a Cy Young Award in 2009. He posted an astounding 16-8 record with a 2.16 ERA in almost 230 innings. His WAR (wins above replacement) that year was 9.0.
Translation: This guy is going to be really, really expensive.
Unfortunately, with this kind of expense, it'll cost the Nationals prospects, not money. The Nats have spent the last few years rebuilding the franchise from the bottom up, literally. Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen, Danny Espinosa, Ian Desmond. These are guys that are minors to majors Nationals (and Expos in Desmond's case) products. All of these guys are seemingly long term solutions to the Nationals woes in the win column.
Plain and simple, the Nats will have to give up one of these guys to get Greinke.
Sure, there is great value in guys like Destin Hood, Michael Burgess, Stephen Lombardozzi (who may have become less relevant and more tradeable with Espinosa on the scene), and Josh Wilkie, but is any combination of those guys going to entice the Royals to get Greinke to Washington? Not a chance.
Then there's the problem of Greinke's no trade clause. He can look at the Nationals and say, "no way," and the deals off. If Greinke has the choice to come to DC or go to... I don't know... almost anywhere else, do you think he's coming here? Not likely. The Nats can renegotiate his contract, try to offer more money, the whole 9 yards, but when you are 27 years old and have already won the highest individual honor a pitcher can get, you want one thing: a World Series ring. You are in the prime of your career, and if you're going to do it, now's the time.
So I guess this is all to say Zack Greinke is an outstanding pitcher. Any of the 30 MLB teams would love to have him. He's going to cost a ton to any team that gets him, and even more for the Nationals, Orioles, and Pirates of the world. While I'd love to see Greinke wearing #23 in red, white, and blue in 2011, I just don't think it's going to happen.
But back in reality, Zack Greinke really wants to get out of Kansas City's organization, and he wants out bad. He complained about playing for the Royals throughout the 2010 campaign and is (rightly) frustrated with a team that has failed to help him much at all. Still, somehow Greinke has been .500 or above 3 of his last 4 years in the bigs.
Greinke will turn 27 on Thursday (Happy birthday, Zack) and will be a guy moving into the prime of his career after he's already won a Cy Young Award in 2009. He posted an astounding 16-8 record with a 2.16 ERA in almost 230 innings. His WAR (wins above replacement) that year was 9.0.
Translation: This guy is going to be really, really expensive.
Unfortunately, with this kind of expense, it'll cost the Nationals prospects, not money. The Nats have spent the last few years rebuilding the franchise from the bottom up, literally. Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen, Danny Espinosa, Ian Desmond. These are guys that are minors to majors Nationals (and Expos in Desmond's case) products. All of these guys are seemingly long term solutions to the Nationals woes in the win column.
Plain and simple, the Nats will have to give up one of these guys to get Greinke.
Sure, there is great value in guys like Destin Hood, Michael Burgess, Stephen Lombardozzi (who may have become less relevant and more tradeable with Espinosa on the scene), and Josh Wilkie, but is any combination of those guys going to entice the Royals to get Greinke to Washington? Not a chance.
Then there's the problem of Greinke's no trade clause. He can look at the Nationals and say, "no way," and the deals off. If Greinke has the choice to come to DC or go to... I don't know... almost anywhere else, do you think he's coming here? Not likely. The Nats can renegotiate his contract, try to offer more money, the whole 9 yards, but when you are 27 years old and have already won the highest individual honor a pitcher can get, you want one thing: a World Series ring. You are in the prime of your career, and if you're going to do it, now's the time.
So I guess this is all to say Zack Greinke is an outstanding pitcher. Any of the 30 MLB teams would love to have him. He's going to cost a ton to any team that gets him, and even more for the Nationals, Orioles, and Pirates of the world. While I'd love to see Greinke wearing #23 in red, white, and blue in 2011, I just don't think it's going to happen.
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