SB Nation - Marco Estrada

Washington Nationals Top 20 Prospects for 2010

John Sickels — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:29:54 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

The Franchise (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)

Top 20 Washington Nationals Prospects for 2010.

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get beyond the Top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you want to emphasize.

Feel free to critique the list, but use logic and reason rather than polemics to do so. The list and grades are based on a blending of present performance and long-term potential. Full reports on all these players can be found in the 2010 Baseball Prospect Book.

1) Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Grade A: He's done enough in Arizona to justify the Grade A rating in my opinion. We have to remember that he's a human being, but he is immensely talented.

2) Derek Norris, C, Grade B+: Somewhere on the Mickey Tettleton/Mike Napoli spectrum: high walks, lots of power, defense should be good enough, might not hit for average.

3) Drew Storen, RHP, Grade B+: Has put aside concerns about being an overdraft. Could help in pen very soon, future closer if all works out.

4) Danny Espinosa, SS, Grade B: Has some pop, steals bases, draws walks, very good glove. Scouts in Arizona love him.

5) Chris Marrero, 1B, Grade B: I don't think he's going to be a star, but with proper development he can be a solid regular.

6) Jeff Kobernus, 2B, Grade B-: Another guy who should be solid, though I'd like a larger pro sample size before going higher with the grade.

7) Michael Burgess, OF, Grade B-: borderline C+. Power potential, throwing arm, and youth are big positives, will take a walk, but strikes out a lot and batting average is quite low.

8) Justin Maxwell, OF, Grade C+: What you see is what you get: power, walks, speed, low batting average. Can they look past that and appreciate his secondary skills?

9) Ian Desmond, SS, Grade C+: I think he made some legitimate improvements, but not as much as the raw numbers indicate. BABIP probably unsustainable, and he needs to tighten his defense.

10) Bradley Meyers, RHP, Grade C+: One of several strike-throwing types with limited upside but good pitchability.

11) Destin Hood, OF, Grade C+: High power upside, with a high chance of failure. Could rank ninth or tenth.

12) A.J. Morris, RHP, Grade C+: Kansas State ace may move faster in relief.

13) Eury Perez, OF, Grade C+: Need data from higher levels, but could be a Juan Pierre type. I don't mean that as an insult.

14) Aaron Thompson, LHP, Grade C+: Pitchability guy acquired from the Marlins. No longer a top prospect, but still a decent one.

15) Juan Jaime, RHP, Grade C: High-ceiling arm with strong fastball needs to improve secondary pitches. Could rise rapidly if he does so. Perhaps I should go with C+.

16) J.P. Ramirez, OF, Grade C: Production was somewhat disappointing in the New York-Penn League, but not terrible for context. Full-season data in '10 will be illuminating.

17) J.R. Higley, OF, Grade C: High-ceiling tools hound, didn't light up the NY-P but still has potential.

18) Paul Demny, RHP, Grade C: Went 3-11 with 5.14 ERA in the Sally League, but with 110 strikeouts in 105 innings. Could go a long way if he improves command.

19) Marco Estrada, RHP, Grade C: I have no actual evidence to support this, but I keep thinking he could have a surprisingly good season in 2010. Nothing left to prove in Triple-A.

20) Jeff Mandel, RHP, Grade C: Looked very good in Arizona Fall League relief action; he might sneak in some major league innings.

OTHERS: All Grade C: Evan Bronson, LHP; Clint Everts, RHP; Marcos Frias, RHP; Victor Garate, LHP; Luis Garcia, RHP; Trevor Holder, RHP; Hendry Jimenez, 2B; Taylor Jordan, RHP; Nathan Karns, RHP; Pat Lehman, RHP; Steve Lombardozzi, 2B; Jack McGeary, LHP; Tom Milone, LHP; Adrian Nieto, C; Brad Peacock, RHP; Atahualpa Severino, LHP; Josh Smoker, LHP; Greg Veloz, 2B; Dean Weaver, RHP; Josh Wilkie, RHP. Most of these guys could fit into the 16-20 spots, depending on what you want to emphasize.

The Nationals system has an amazing talent in Strasburg, and I'm also very high on Norris, Storen, and Espinosa. After that, it fades quickly. Hitters like Marrero, Burgess, Maxwell, Desmond, Hood, and Perez all have significant unanswered questions. All could be very good players, all could fail. There are several low-ceiling arms who could contribute in the majors soon (Meyers, Thompson, Estrada, Mandel, Wilkie, Garate), and there is also a group of live arms who have problems that need addressing.

The system has material to work with, particularly on the pitching side beyond Strasburg and Storen. They need to add bats with fewer questions, and it will be interesting to see what direction GM Mike Rizzo and his new staff take in the 2010 draft.

Washington Nationals Drop Their 100th Game Of 2009, 7-6 To The Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:57:16 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

3 months ago: Los Angeles Dodgers' shortstop Rafael Furcal (15) is greeted at the home plate by teammate Andre Ethier (16), after furcal hit a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, in Washington. Nationals catcher Jaime Burke stands at left. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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• Before the 102-loss 2008 Washington Nationals, and ignoring for a moment the Montreal Expos' past of the current DC-based baseball franchise since the Nationals' ownership group has no love for this team's Francophone roots, you have to go back to 1964 to find the last 100-loss season in DC baseball history. It was also the last time, (before this year) that a team from the nation's capital had back to back hundred-loss campaigns. The 1964 Senators dropped the 162nd game of that season to Johnny Pesky and the Boston Red Sox to finish the year 62-100. The previous year, the '63 Senators dropped their one-hundredth in game 153 against the Baltimore Orioles, and they ended the season 56-106. In 1962, the Senators dropped number 100 to Elston Howard, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and the NY Yankees in game 159 of 161, and in '61 the Senators hit the century mark in Game 161 against the Kansas City Athletics in the first year after the Original Senators left and became the Twins...

• The Original Senators dropped 100 games or more four times...The 1955 Senators dropped No. 100 in the next-to-last game of their 154 game schedule, which they completed 53-101 after three straight losses to the Baltimore Orioles. Before that, the 1949 Senators finished 50-104, losing their 100th to Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto and the Yankees in the 147th of 154...One-hundred years ago this season, loss 100 for the 1909 Senators came against the St. Louis Browns in game 136 of 142, with Washington eventually finishing 42-110...And, finally, there's the 1904 Senators, who reached one-hundred losses in game 132 of 157 to Willie Keeler, Wid Conroy and the 1904 New York Yankees...

Last year, Washington lost 100 of 159, hitting triple digits against Phillies, and then dropping two more to finish 59-102. This year...??? AFTER THE JUMP...

• The DC Faithful Were Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's LA Dodgers Blog: True Blue LA.

• Follow The 100-Loss Story At The Hub: SB Nation.com StoryStream.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Trying To Avoid Triple Digits, The 52-99 '09 Nationals take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third of a three-game series in DC...

• The first three Dodgers to come up in the first, Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez, hit back to back to back singles to start the game and Ramirez’s scores the Dodgers’ first run of the night off DC’s J.D. Martin. Matt Kemp drives in the next three with a 3-run HR on the first pitch he sees after a visit to the mound from DC Pitching Coach Steve McCatty. Fastball down the pipe and out to left, into the Red Porch. 4-0 LA...

• Ryan Zimmerman walks and Josh Willingham rips a fastball from Vicente Padilla back up the middle to put two on for Elijah Dukes, who doubles off the right field wall to drive Zimmerman in and cut the lead to three. 4-1 LA. Alberto Gonzalez goes the other way with a fastball outside for a line drive single that scores Josh Willingham. Jamie Burke’s first RBI for Washington makes it a one-run game, but that’s as close as DC can get. 4-3 Dodgers.

• J.D. Martin gives a run right back, with a HBP, a single and a walk to start the Dodgers’ third. Martin gets Ronnie Belliard swinging, but gives up a sac fly to Blake DeWitt to put the Nationals two runs behind L.A. at 5-3 after three. The Nationals climb back within one when Willie Harris scores Alberto Gonzalez from second on a two-out single, 5-4 LA, but the Dodgers are quickly up by two again after Matt Kemp reaches first on a line drive to left that Josh Willingham drops after losing it in the lights... E: 133...takes on second on the Willingham error, and moves to third on a wild pitch/ball four from DC reliever Marco Estrada to James Loney, before scoring on hard hit Blake DeWitt grounder to third that makes it 6-4 LA.

• Cristian Guzman and Willie Harris hit back to back two-out RBI singles off LA righty Ramon Troncoso in the sixth to score Elijah Dukes, who'd wallked with one down and Alberto Gonzalez, who hit a one-out single. 6-6 ballgame after six, and it looks like LA's going to take the lead right back in the seventh after Matt Kemp flies to left, to the wall, and has it bounce of Josh Willingham's glove and fall in for a stand-up triple, but three outs later, Tyler Clippard's retired the side with a strike out, an infield pop out and a fly ball to center to strand Kemp...

Top of the eighth...DC lefty Ron Villone gets pinch-hitter Jim Thome to ground out to first, but in the next AB, Villone throws a 1-0 sinker to Rafael Furcal that hangs up in the zone and ends up going out to right, right over the out-of-town scoreboard and into the first row of seats. Ballgame. 7-6 Dodgers win.

Nationals now 52-100.

GAME REPORT:

Los Angeles Dodgers At Washington Nationals. Game 152 Of 162.

Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez hit back to back to back singles to start the game and Ramirez’s hit scores the Dodgers’ first run off DC’s J.D. Martin. 1-0 LA. Matt Kemp drives in the next three with a 3-run HR on the first pitch he sees. Fastball down the pipe and out to left, into the Red Porch. 4-0 LA. J.D. Martin throws a sharp slider inside to get James Loney swinging. Martin throws a fastball by Ronnie Belliard for his second K. Blake DeWitt sends a line drive to short on one hop, but Ian Desmond dives to stab it, jumps up and throws DeWitt out (ESPN Webgem #5)...Willie Harris pops out to the infield. Ian Desmond K’s swinging over a two-strike curve outside. Adam Dunn K’s swinging over a full-count slider from Vicente Padilla.

Russell Martin backs Josh Willingham up to the track in left, flying out for the first out of the second. J.D. Martin gets the opposing pitcher swinging. Rafael Furcal keeps the inning alive, wrapping a grounder around first base and fair, and sliding in ahead of Elijah Dukes’ throw to second. Andre Ethier grounds out to second and Alberto Gonzalez’s throw ends LA’s second...Ryan Zimmerman walks to start DC’s second. Josh Willingham gets his first solid hit in recent memory, lining a 2-0 pitch to center. Padilla leaves a fastball up in the zone and Elijah Dukes destroys it, doubling off the right-center wall. Alberto Gonzalez goes the other way with a line drive to right that scores Willingham. 4-2 Dodgers. Jamie Burke scores Dukes from third with a sac fly to the track in left field. 4-3 LA. J.D. Martin bunts Alberto Gonzalez over. Willie Harris pops out to short to end the second.

Manny Ramirez takes a fastball on the elbow. Matt Kemp lines by J.D. Martin’s glove and under a diving Ian Desmond at short for a single. Russell Martin walks. Ronnie Belliard’s got the bases-loaded chance. J.D. Martin makes Belliard look silly with a looping 1-2 curve. Blake DeWitt flies out to right, Josh Willingham overthrows the cutoff man to give up the run and two extra bases. 5-3 Dodgers. Russell Martin gets the intentionals. VIcente Padilla flies out to end LA’s third...Ian Desmond K’s swinging to start DC’s third. Adam Dunn grounds to Loney at first, Padilla covers. Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham both walk with two down and Dukes has another chance. Vicente Padilla hits the outside corner with a full-count fastball for a called strike three.

Marco Estrada takes over for J.D. Martin and strikes out Rafael Furcal to start the fourth. Estrada hits the outside corner with fastball for strike three on Andre Ethier. Manny Ramirez swings through a fastball upstairs, just tipping it into DC backstop Jamie Burke’s mitt...Alberto Gonzalez reaches on a swinging bunt toward third that Blake DeWitt just watches. Padilla hits the outside corner to get Jamie Burke staring at strike three. Marco Estrada gets down the second successful sac of the night to move Gonzalez to second. Willie Harris knocks Alberto in with a line drive single to make it 5-4 then gets thrown out running with Desmond at bat.

Matt Kemp ends up on second when Josh Willingham drops his line drive to left and throws in late to second. James Loney walks and ball four gets by Jamie Burke. Kemp takes third. Ronnie Belliard swings through a straight-up fastball. Ryan Zimmerman fields a high hopper from Blake DeWitt on his backhand, spins and leaps to fire to second for the force as Kemp scores. 6-4 Dodgers. Russell Martin pops out to short right to end the Dodgers’ fifth...Vicente Padilla hits the outside corner with a two-seam fastball to get Desmond looking again. Adam Dunn pops up behind home but it plays tricks on Russell Martin and he misses it. Dunn pops out to Kemp in center. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to second to end the fifth.

Pinch hitter Juan Pierre lines out to the Hammer in left. Rafael Furcal hits a one-out double over Willie Harris’ head in center. Andre Ethier pops out behind second. Jason Bergmann’s on for Estrada with two down and Furcal still at second. Bergmann vs Manny Ramirez. Bergmann gets a harmless fly to center from LA’s slugger to strand Furcal on second...Ronnie Belliard leaps to pull a line drive from Willingham down. Ronald Belisario vs Elijah Dukes. Dukes uses his Discering Eye to draw a one-out walk. Alberto Gonzalez sneaks a single through short. Jamie Burke K’s swinging. Pinch hitter Cristian Guzman grounds sharply to second where Belliard awaits on the grass. Belliard fields and rushes a throw that sails by first, Loney and Guzman collide, Dukes scores, 6-5 LA. Willie Harris lines a single over short to score Alberto Gonzalez, and it’s tied at 6-6. Ian Desmond K’s swinging and has to run it out.

Matt Kemp flies deeep to right off Tyler Clippard....Josh Willingham tracks it and leaps at the wall...but misses, trapping it up with his glove, but letting it drop...and Hammer thinks it’s out...Kemp keeps running, and it’s a triple before Willingham finds it in his feet. James Loney K’s swinging at a fastball outside. Ronnie Belliard takes a full-count fastball for ball four. Clippard pops up Blake DeWitt, Zimmerman catches it in foul territory off third. Clippard gets a fly ball to center from Russell Martin and the leadoff triple is stranded!!! Still 6-6...Adam Dunn walks on four straight from Ramon Tronocoso to start DC’s seventh. Ryan Zimmerman gets jammed and flies out to left. Dunn’s running as Josh Willngham grounds out to DeWitt at third. Dukes gets the intentionals to bring up Alberto Gonzalez. The General grounds weakly to third to end the seventh.

Ron Villone starts the eighth against Jim Thome who grounds out to first. Rafael Furcal gets a 90 mph sinker for ball one. Villone comes back with another sinker that hangs up high in the zone and Furcal launches it to right, and, GONE! Solo HR, 7-6 Dodgers. NO!!! Andre Ethier grounds out and Villone’s done. Logan Kensing comes on and walks Manny Ramirez before popping up Kemp to end the LA eighth...George Sherrill gets a fly ball to left from Jamie Burke and a line drive to center from Justin Maxwell. Willie Harris walks to give Ian Desmond a two-out shot. Desmond lines to right, Harris rounds third, Ethier comes up throwing, and it’s perfect, Harris is dead, he tries to ram Russell Martin, but it’s no use, Martin holds on, 7-6 LA after eight.

James Loney lines out to to left. Logan Kensing pops Ronnie Belliard up. Blake DeWitt’s thinking double when he lines to right, but Dukes’ arm holds him at first. Russell Martin flies out to right to end the Dodgers’ ninth...Dunn, Zimmerman and Orr vs Jonathan Broxton. Adam Dunn grounds to DeWitt at second in the dramatic shift. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to DeWitt at third. Pete Orr grounds back to the mound. The Nationals lose their 100th game of 2009. 7-6 final.

Nationals now 52-100.

First It Rains, Then It Pours, Washington Nationals Whipped, 11-3 By Florida Marlins.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:52:48 -0000

More photos » by Wilfredo Lee - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals' Marco Estrada delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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A three hour and ten minute game after a two hour and thirty-minute rain delay is enough to test any fan's patience, and an 11-3 loss that featured the end-of-'09 Syracuse Chiefs' bullpen marching out to the mound to get pounded one after another got old real quick. The difference early was that the Marlins were cashing in on the runners Marco Estrada let on, or at least Jorge Cantu was. Hanley Ramirez K’d looking and hit into a force in his first two RBI chances tonight and Cantu followed Ramirez with a 3-run HR in the first after a leadoff single by Chris Coghlan and a walk to Nick Johnson, and a two-run double in the third for a 5-1 lead that chased Estrada after the right-hander gave up back to back walks to Coghlan and Johnson to start the frame. Estrada's out with one down in the third, having thrown 61 pitches, 35 for strikes and allowed 3 hits and 5 ER.

The Nationals, however, when it was still a game, came up short in several opportunities. Ian Desmond walked his way on in the first and Ryan Zimmerman singled, but Adam Dunn followed with his 159th K of '09, and Josh Willingham struck out to let Marlins' starter Anibal Sanchez off the hook on a first and second, no-out chance. Ian Desmond doubled to start the third, but only got within 90ft of home before he was stranded. In the fifth, after Ryan Zimmerman hit into a double play with Willie Harris on second and Ian Desmond at first, Adam Dunn finally cashed one in, scoring Harris from third with an RBI double to make it 5-2. By the end of the sixth though, once Logan Kensing had given up 3 runs on a solo home run, a single and a two-run blast before he recorded an out, the game was completely out of reach, then Victor Garate, who allowed a solo HR and a two-out double in his DC debut gave up an RBI double and a sac fly to score two in the seventh and Zack Segovia, who gave up a grand slam in his first appearance with Washington, surrendered a leadoff triple, a walk and a sac fly to start the eighth before retiring the next two Marlins in order.

Marlins win, 11-3 final.

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Stuck With It...

Check Out The SB Nation's Florida Marlins Blog: FishStripes - Open Thread And Ichthyomancy.

"Game 142: Another Fun Collapse" - by Doghouse

BACKPAGE:

• Maxwell And Desmond Get It Done.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 49-93. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...7.)

• Maxwell And Desmond Get It Done.

The Nationals’ one early run comes on a big opposite field blast by Justin Maxwell, his first of the season, and it goes out to deeeep right to leadoff the second, and Maxwell comes back with his second of the year on a second-deck job to left in the the eighth when the Nationals are already down 10-2. Ian Desmond was 4 for 4 with a walk tonight, and two games into his MLB career, the 23-year-old rookie shortstop is 6 for 8 with 3 doubles, 1 HR and 4 RBI's, and he also made slick play on a grounder from Hanley Ramirez with runners on first and second in the third, sliding to his right side to field a sharp grounder and throwing from his back to get a force at third. Ryan Zimmerman goes 1 for 5 with 2 K's and the Nationals' third baseman strands 6, grounding into two double plays for 22 GIDP in '09, good for 4th in the NL behind Kevin Kouzmanoff (25), Yadier Molina (26) and Miguel Tejada (28).

GAME REPORT:

Florida Marlins At Washington Nationals. Game 142 Of 162.

Anibal Sanchez gets Willie Harris looking to start the first, then issues a one-out walk to Ian Desmond, who’s starting at short tonight in Florida. Ryan Zimmerman moves Desmond up with a single to right. Adam Dunn K’s chasing a 2-2 fastball outside for out number two. Two on, two out for Josh Willingham. The Hammer gets a two-strike change and K’s way out in front...Marco Estrada, the DC right-hander making his debut as a starter, gives up a leadoff single to Chris Coghlan who snaps a grounder through second. Nick Johnson doesn’t see anything he likes, and the ump agrees. Single and a walk to put two on for Hanley Ramirez. Estrada gets squeezed on the inside corner when he "misses" with a 2-2 heater, but he hits the outside edge to get Hanley Ramirez looking with two on and no one out, uh, before the K, that is. Jorge Cantu battles and finally gets a fastball up that goes out in a hurry for a 3-0 Marlins’ lead early. The Mustachioed John Baker takes a two-strike fastball. Dan Uggla doesn’t see the 1-2 curve coming and it’s 3-0 Fish after one.

Justin Maxwell starts the second with a fly, ball, to, right and GONE!!! J-Max hits one all the way the other way into the second deck in right. 3-1 ballgame. Josh Bard grounds out to second, but Alberto Gonzalez gets one through the middle of the infield for a one-out single. Marco Estrada gets down a good enough bunt for Gonzalez to move up. Willie Harris pops out to third to end the Nationals’ second...Cody Ross rips a low liner to third, but that’s where Zimmerman plays. Brett Carroll pops out to second. Marco Estrada gets the opposing pitcher swinging.

Ian Desmond doubles off the old-timey scoreboard in left, sliding in headfirst ahead of Coghlan’s throw. Ryan Zimmerman K’s chasing an 0-2 heater outside. Adam Dunn hits a weak grounder toward third to at least move Desmond up. Josh Willingham walks in front of Justin Maxwell. J-Max flies out to Brett Carroll in short right...Chris Coghlan walks to start the Marlins’ third. Nick Johnson takes the second straight walk. Hanley Ramirez grounds to short, Ian Desmond makes a sliding play and throw to third for the force from his back. Jorge Cantu knocks Estrada out with a two-run double to the left-center gap for a 5-1 Florida lead. John Baker grounds back to the mound as DC righty Saul Rivera settles things down. Ian Desmond can’t barehand a weak grounder up the middle by Dan Uggla, but Cantu almost gets nailed going to far around third. Cody Ross up with runners on first and third. Ross swings through a two-strike change.

Josh Bard grounds out to start the fourth. Alberto Gonzalez hits a low liner to Uggla at second. Pinch hitter Jesus Flores flies deeep to right, but Cody Ross robs him with a catch as he hits the wall...Ross Detwiler gets back into the action for the first time since his September call-up. Detwiler vs Brett Carroll. Carroll grounds out to Desmond at short to start the bottom of the fourth. Detwiler walks Anibal Sanchez. Chris Coghlan pops out over the mound. Nick Johnson grounds out to Dunn to end the fourth.

Willie Harris walks to start the fifth and moves up a base when Ian Desmond smacks a single through second. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to short, Hanley Ramirez to Dan Uggla to Nick Johnson double play. Adam Dunn lines a single up the middle to score Harris from third, 5-2 Marlins. Josh Willingham vs Anibal Sanchez. Hammer walks and Sanchez is out. Tim Wood gets Justin Maxwell to chase strike three to end the DC fifth...Hanley Ramirez takes a leadoff walk in front of Cantu. Cantu flies out to Willie Harris in straight center. John Baker goes the other way with a line drive out to left. Dan Uggla shatters his bat lining out to first.

Josh Bard starts the sixth at the plate. Fly ball to left for the first out. Tim Wood gets a ground ball to second for Dan Uggla to handle. Jorge Padilla K’s in a pinch hit appearance...Logan Kensing takes over for DC and gives up a HR to left to Cody Ross for a 6-2 lead in the sixth. Brett Carroll hits a single to center. Gaby Sanchez gets hold of a hanging slider over the middle and he hits it real far, two-run HR, 8-2 Marlins. Chris Coghlan grounds out to first. Willie Harris hits the wall hard while catching Nick Johnson’s deep fly. Logan Kensing gets a line drive to short from Hanley Ramirez to end the sixth.

Brendan Donnelly gets Willie Harris to drill one straight down for the catcher to handle. Ian Desmond rips a one-out double to left on a line drive. Zimmerman swings through a two-strike fastball inside. Adam Dunn will not swing at the fastball outside, even with two strikes...Victor Garate takes over for the Nationals against Jorge Cantu. Leadoff walk. John Baker gets hit by a pitch. Dan Uggla flies out to left. Cody Ross doubles off the wall in left center to score one. 9-2. Brett Carroll flies out to center to score Baker. 10-2. Pinch hitter Wes Helms flies to left to end the seventh.

Josh Willingham K’s to start the eighth. J-Max hits a flat-out bomb off Matt Lindstrom!!! Deeeeep to left and into the upper deck!! One to each side tonight. 10-3 Florida. Josh Bard flies out to left. Alberto Gonzalez lines to center to end the Nationals’ eighth...Zack Segovia takes over for DC. Chris Coghlan triples to the wall in center, and probably could’ve scored on an error on a throw in. Nick Johnson walks and is replaced by Andy Gonzalez. Hanley Ramirez hits a sac fly to center. 11-3 Marlins. Jorge Cantu takes strike three. John Baker grounds out to first to end the eighth.

Renyel Pinto’s on to end it. Pinch Hittin’ Pete Orr singles through short to start the ninth. Willie Harris flies out to left. Ian Desmond singles on a short fly to right that drops in front of Brett Carroll. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to second, Dan Uggla tags Desmond and throws to first, double play to end it. 11-3 Marlins win.

Nationals now 49-93.

Washington Nationals: September Call-Ups: Ross Detwiler, Zack Segovia, Marco Estrada, Logan Kensing and IAN DESMOND!!!

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:55:11 -0000

More photos » by Evan Vucci - AP

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Washington Nationals Call Up Detwiler, Segovia, Estrada, Kensing and Desmond.

• Everyone in DC knows Ross Detwiler, who's been plying his trade with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs since he was sent down in July after going (0-5) with a 6.40 ERA in 10 starts and 52.0 IP with Washington. In his first stint at Triple-A, Detwiler, a 23-year-old left-hander taken 6th overall in the '07 Draft by the Nationals, who'd jumped from Double-AA Harrisburg to DC to make his debut as a starter on May 18th of '09, was (4-2) with a 3.10 ERA and 42 K's over 10 starts and 49.1 IP for the Chiefs, over which he walked 20 and allowed 56 H, 23 R, 17 ER and 2 HR to opponents who hit for a .281 AVG with Detwiler on the hill...

• Zack Segovia is a former Philadephia Phillies' prospect who was signed by the Nationals as a free agent on June 18, 2008. Segovia, a 2nd Round pick, taken 58th overall by the Phillies in the 2002 MLB Draft, underwent Tommy John Surgery that cost him his 2004 season when he was just 21-years-old. In 3 years, Segovia recovered from surgery and rose through every level of the Phillies' system even making one start in the majors against the Florida Marlins in 2007, but when he signed with Washington he started back and in the GCL as a 25-year-old in rookie ball. According to an article by Geoff Morrow of the Patriot News (a local paper covering Harrisburg, PA) entitled, "Segovia's seven stops", when Segovia was released by Philadelphia:

"The Washington Nationals quickly snatched him up, knowing that he was still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery..."

(continued after the JUMP...)

(cont...)

Segovia ended the '08 season in Double-AA Harrisburg, and started there in 2009, going (1-3) with a 3.68 ERA and 39 K's in 44.0 IP before moving up to Syracuse where he saved 5 games and finished the year with a (2-2) record and a 2.54 ERA in 27 appearances and 28.1 IP over which he allowed 18 H, 8 ER, 1 HR and 8 BB's and collected 27 K's, while holding opposing hitters to a .184 AVG.

• Marco Estrada And Logan Kensing...Estrada hasn't pitched in the Majors since the end of September 2008, when he made 11 appearances with the Nationals. In 12.2 IP, Estrada, who failed to record a decision, posted a 7.82 ERA and allowed 17 hits, 13 runs, 11 earned, 4 HR and 5 walks while striking out 10 batters. When Estrada was drafted by the Nationals with the 174th pick in the 6th Round of the 2005 Draft, scouting director Dana Brown told MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in an article entitled, "Nationals excited with draft results", that when Estrada arrives in the Majors:

"...he will be an innings eater and a fifth starter-type guy. He was valued because of his pitch ability. He really throws a lot of strikes..."

Estrada, now 26, appeared solely as a reliever in 2008 with the Nationals, but in Syracuse this season, he made just 2 relief appearances, starting 25 times and posting a (9-5) record with a 3.63 ERA in 136.1 IP in which he gave up 13 hits, 55 ER, 10 HR and 33 walks while piling up 98 K's. Estrada was also named the Topps IL Pitcher of the month for August, an honor that's bestowed monthly, according to a Chief's press release, "...by the field managers within the 14-team (International League)," Logan Kensing? Kensing, another 26-year-old right-hander has already had two stints with the Nationals this season, and he's (0-2) with a 10.46 ERA in the 26.2 innings he's pitched for Washington. With Syracuse, Kensing is (2-1) with a 2.97 ERA in 31 games and 33.1 IP. Kensing's walked 15 and given up 6 HR's in 23 games with the Nationals. In 31 games with Syracuse he's walked just 6 and allowed 2 HR's. Maybe the third time is the charm for Mr. Kensing...?

• Ian Desmond...Finally!!!

The Montreal Expos' 3rd Round pick, 84th overall in 2004, Ian Desmond, 23, has played at every level in the system in his 6 years with the franchise, but only this season did he finally rise up to Triple-AAA where the shortstop hit for a .354 AVG in 55 games and 177 at bats, after having put up a .306 AVG with 12 doubles, 6 HR's and 18 RBI's at Double-A Harrisburg. Once with Syracuse, Desmond lifted his .372 Double-AA OBP to an impressive .428 OBP as a Chief. In August, Desmond was 36 for 100, for a .360 AVG with a .413 OBP, .510 SLG and .923 OPS, and he ended the season with a 12-game hit streak in tact.

• ?'s For The DC Faithful...

• Will Ian Desmond force the Nationals to move finally move Cristian Guzman out at short?

• Do you expect anything different from Logan Kensing?

• Had anyone been paying attention to Zack Segovia before yesterday afternoon? Seriously?

• Are you surprised Shairon Martis didn't get the call?

• Anyone else you wish had been called up?

• Which of the September call-ups will have the biggest impact?

Washington Nationals: Final Minor League Minute. September Call-Ups...

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:44:37 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

We won't be seeing Shairon Martis this September. Washington Nationals announce September Call-ups. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Browse more photos »

Minor League Minute...

On the last day of the season for the Washington Nationals' affiliates, four teams were in action, (with the notable exception of the GCL Nationals who captured the GCL Title last week and the Vermont Lake Monsters, whose season ended last night), and at the end of the day several players and one manager from the Triple-AAA affiliate in Syracuse, NY got the call to come down to DC for Tuesday night's game against the Phillies.

• Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-AAA) - The Pawtucket Red Sox ended the 2009 International League schedule in Syracuse, where they dropped a 5-3 decision to the Chiefs, who rallied for a 3-run eighth to overtake the Red Sox' Triple-A affiliate. Shairon Martis was on the mound for Syracuse, and the former DC starter threw 102 pitches over six innings, allowing 6 hits and 3 ER to end the '09 campaign with an (0-3) August in which he allowed 44 hits, 24 ER and 6 HR's in 6 starts and 36.1 IP. Martis did not get the W for the Chiefs though, and he didn't get the call back to the big leagues either, instead, RHP Zack Segovia got both the win and the ticket, joining fellow Syracuse pitchers Logan Kensing, Ross Detwiler, Marco Estrada and infielder Ian Desmond as the September additions to the Nationals' roster. (ed. note - "Syracuse skipper Tim Foli will also join the Chiefs making the trip to the big leagues, as announced by MLB.com's Bill Ladson yesterday in a blog post entitled, "Craig Stammen has surgery; Foli to be called up"...)

• Syracuse Chiefs - MiLB.com 2009 Team Stats.

Continued After the JUMP...

(cont.)...

• Harrisburg Senators (Double-AA) - Rain ended the Senators' season finale after six and a half, and the Nationals' Double-AA affiliate beat the Bowie Bay Sox (BAL) 5-3 to improve to 70-72 on the season, good for 5th out of 6 teams in the Eastern League's Southern Division. Right-hander Bradley Meyers improves to (5-1) with the win and ends the '09 campaign with a 2.25 ERA in 9 starts and 43.0 IP with the Senators after being called up from Class-A Potomac, where he'd been (6-2) with a 1.43 ERA in 15 G and 88.1 IP. Meyers ends 2009 with an (11-3) record overall and a combined 1.72 ERA with 32 walks and 108 K's in 136.1 IP over which he allows just 26 earned runs while holding opponents to a .223 BAA. 1B Chris Marrero goes 2 for 3 with a double, his 6th, and his 12th RBI in 23 games at Double-AA after he'd hit for a .287 AVG with 21 doubles, 2 triples, 16 HR's and 65 RBI's in 112 games with the P-Nats.

• Harrisburg Senators - MiLB.com 2009 Team Stats

• Potomac Nationals (Class-A Advanced) - The P-Nats beat the Kinston Indians 9-4 Monday with 4 runs in each of the last two innings on their '09 schedule, which ends with the P-Nats second overall in the Carolina League's Northern Division, 4.0 games behind the Kansas City Royals' Class-A affiliate, the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The P-Nats started the seventh down 4-1 but rallied with RBI singles by center fielder Boomer Whiting and second baseman Michael Martinez, a game-tying RBI triple by SS Daniel Espinosa and a game winning RBI double by right fielder Michael Burgess. After four more in eighth, Potomac stopper Cole Kimball closes out the '09 campaign with his 9th save of the season.

• Potomac Nationals Weekly Update Archive

• Potomac Nationals - MiLB.com 2009 Team Stats

• Hagerstown Suns (Class-A) - The Suns dropped their season finale 4-2 to the Lake County Captains, the Class-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, when the Captains rallied for a 3-run fourth off Hagerstown starter A.J. Morris. Morris, the Washington Nationals' 4th Round pick in this year's draft, was taken 112th overall after having completed a (14-1) season at Kansas State University, where he posted a 2.09 ERA and collected 100 K's in 116.1 IP. Morris started his professional career with the GCL Nationals after signing and moved to Class-A Hagerstown where he was (0-4) with a 3.82 ERA in 8 starts and 37.2 IP over which he walked 8 and struck out 36.

• Hagerstown Suns - MiLB.com 2009 Team Stats.

Washington Nationals' Possible Candidates for September Roster Expansion

Dave at Nats News Network — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:54:55 -0000

More photos » by Morry Gash - AP

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Collin Balester could rejoin the team as early as Sept. 1 when the major league rosters expand. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Browse more photos »

With September 1 literally just hours away, major league teams can expand their active roster to include anyone occupying a spot on their 40-man roster. Traditionally, teams have utilized the "September call-up" in one of several ways:

1) For contenders, it's a chance to give their regulars a night off here and there in preparation for the gruel of the playoffs

2) For middle of the pack teams, it's often a reward to long-time minor leaguers or AAAA-types toiling in obsurity

3) For bottomfeeders, it's an opportunity for a chance to see that prospect that everyone is excited about, even for just a quick appearance

The Nats seem to fall into all three categories this year.

The Nats have already indicated that they will wait until Syracuse's season is over before calling anyone up, though. So any help will still be at least a week away from arriving in D.C.

Because of the rash of injuries, trades and bullpen struggles, general manager Mike Rizzo has already made the bulk of his September call-ups before the roster expansion happened. Jorge Padilla, Pete Orr, Justin Maxwell, Mike Morse...even pitchers like J.D. Martin, Tyler Clippard and Jorge Sosa would have been prime candidates, were it not for the need earlier in the season.

So who is left? Let's take a look!

ON THE 40-MAN ROSTER

By my count, with Justin Maxwell's impending promotion there are currently 14 players on the 40-man roster NOT on the active 25-man roster:

C: Jesus Flores (15-day DL), Luke Montz (AA-Harrisburg)

SS: Ian Desmond (AAA-Syracuse)

OF Austin Kearns (15-day DL), Nyjer Morgan (15-day DL)

LHP: Scott Olsen (15-day DL), Ross Detwiler (AAA-Syracuse), Matt Chico (AA-Harrisburg)

RHP: Collin Balester (AAA-Syracuse), Shairon Martis (AAA-Syracuse), Marco Estrada (AAA-Syracuse), Luis Atilano (AAA-Syracuse), Ryan Mattheus (minor league DL), Stephen Strasburg

60-day DL: OF Roger Bernadina, RHP Terrell Young, 1B Dmitri Young, RHP Jordan Zimmermann

Players on the 60-day DL do not count toward the 40-man roster, so there may still be some wiggle room to place a player or two on the 60-day to open 40-man space.

Of the 14 players on the 40-man, Flores, Morgan, Olsen and Mattheus are out for the season with injury. And from the sounds of this, Kearns is probably joining them. So we can rule all of those players out.

Rizzo has already been on record that Chico is not likely a candidate, and Strasburg's plans have been laid out in excrutiating detail. Additionally, Rizzo has all but ruled out a cameo for Drew Storen, blazing his way up the minor league chain after being selected No. 10 overall in this year's amateur draft.

That leaves Desmond, Detwiler, Balester, Martis, Estrada and Atilano off the 40-man roster eligible. It's been assumed that the Nats will recall a couple starters to relieve some of the burden from young arms accumulation of innings. But with the signing of Livan Hernandez, who eats innings as well as any pitcher in the majors, maybe that goal has already been achieved.

Still, I can envision seeing Balester, Detwiler, Martis and Estrada all being recalled and utilized as starters or swing-men in September.

And I'll also pencil in Desmond. He's had a terrific season, and the Nats have to be wondering if the best arm and range in their minor league system can handle the bat enough at the big league level to replace the very quickly aging Cristian Guzman and his bunions.

Atilano is 2-0, 2.45 in two starts since his promotion to Syracuse, and the one-time first round draft pick of the Altanta Braves has enjoyed a fine season overall, but the Nats are probably happy to let him finish the season and head into spring training.

As for players currently not on the 40-man roster? There are certainly some candidates, and most of them are bullpen guys that could again help manage the workload of some of the young starters.

OTHER PITCHERS

There are six relievers in Syracuse that could certainly get "The Call" : RHPs Zech Zinicola, Zack Segovia, Josh Wilkie, Clint Everts and LHPs Jack Spradlin and Yunior Novoa.

Segovia has some major league experince, a 2.70 ERA and five saves for Syracuse. Everts was the Expos 2002 first round pick. In 2009, in over 57.1 IP at three levels (Potomac, Harrisburg & Syracuse), Everts has been outstanding (8-1, 1.41 ERA, 1.116 WHIP, 10.4 K/9). Spradlin is 4-3 with four saves and has a 3.19 ERA and 1.212 WHIP across AAA-AA in 44 games. He has struck out an even 7.0 per nine.

Wilkie was an unheralded pitcher from George Washington University (sound familiar?) and has been promoted twice this season. Novoa has a great change but has only been "just decent" this season, despite being promoted three times this season. Zinicola (6.04 ERA) has struggled this year.

OTHER HITTERS

Most of them are already with the big club. Rizzo said the other day he doesn't envision calling up a third catcher just for the heck of it. Montz is the only other catcher on the 40-man, and he's really regressed this season (.184/.295/.314 in 347 plate appearances) after hitting 16 homers last season.

Could Seth Bynum (.263/.306./453, 18 HR, 62 RBI in 433 ABs), Kory Casto (.268/.332/.373, 7-55), Norris Hopper (.291/.342/.344, 23 SBs), Brad Eldred (.267/.338/.478, 16-56) or Daryle Ward (.235/.320/.389, 12-45) get promoted? Possible, but not likely. The only compelling possibility is Hopper, who is a plus defender in center. But you have to figure whatever at bats Wee Willie Harris doesn't get are going to go to Justin Maxwell, in what could make or break his tenure in the organization.

SURE TO BE INCORRECT PREDICTIONS

The Nats add a bunch of arms, but just one more hitter, injury notwithstanding.

From the 40-man: RHPs Balester, Detwiler, Martis, Estrada and SS Desmond

Need to be added to 40-man: RHP Everts and Segovia and LHP Spradlin

Your guess is as good as mine, though. Let's hear 'em in the comments.

Potomac Nationals Weekly Update: Tim Pahuta Interview.

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:00:16 -0000

Somerset, New Jersey born, Seton Hall University educated, Potomac Nationals' first baseman Tim Pahuta, the Washington Nationals' 18th Round draft pick, taken 534th overall in 2005, (behind a few names you might recognize like Ryan Zimmerman, Justin Maxwell, Marco Estrada, John Lannan and Craig Stammen, among others), was two seasons into his professional career when he suffered a torn ACL which cost him his entire 2007 season when he was 24-years-old. Pahuta has been tasked, as the P-Nats fight for a pennant in the Class-A Advanced Carolina League's Northern Division, with replacing the top first base prospect in the Nationals' system, Chris Marrero, who was called up to Double-A Harrisburg last week after hitting .287 with 21 doubles, 16 HR's and 65 RBI's in 112 games with Potomac.

Pahuta, who hit 24 doubles, 17 HR's and 73 RBI's in 116 games with the Hagerstown Suns last season, and so far this year has collected 13 doubles, 7 HR's and 35 RBI's in 77 games, reluctantly admits in the interview included below, that at 26, he's an "elder statesmen" on the Class-A team, with the ACL tear having significantly slowed his development, and as such, Pahuta has responded to the increased importance of his role with the team by hitting .294 with 8 doubles, 4 HR's and 19 RBI's in 37 games since the All-Star break. "With just two weeks left in the year and the team in the thick of a pennant race, (Pahuta's) responded very well to the pressures of the position as well as picking up the slack lefty by Marrero," Anthony Masterson, (Broadcast/Media Assistant with the Class-A Carolina League's Potomac Nationals), wrote in a note he sent along with this week's interview.

After Monday night's 5-3 loss to the to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the P-Nats find themselves 2.5 games behind the Carolina League's Northern Division leading Wilmington Blue Rocks, but third baseman Stephen King recently returned from the disabled list and there's a possibility of help arriving soon...From Hagerstown? Mark Scialabba, the Nationals' Assistant Director Of Player Development, said that might be a possibilty when asked if anyone would be joining the pennant race during a Washinton Nationals Bloggers Day interview this weekend. In Mr. Scialabba's own words, someone might be brought up, "If there's a guy who we feel like can help," and only if it's in the best interest of the prospect's development, Mr. Scialabba qualified, like, "last year," when, "...Michael Burgess and Stephen King were promoted, early August and it was great, they added a lot, Michael Burgess ended up hitting 6 HR's and Stephen King played steady third base." Help is on the way in the form of Mr. King, be interesting to see if anyone else joins the P-Nats' race...

AUDIO: Potomac Nationals Weekly Update - Tim Pahuta Interview - Anthony Masterson (Length: 5:53)

Potomac Nationals Weekly Update Archive: (After The JUMP)...

Potomac Nationals Weekly Update Archive:

• 8/20 - Tom Milone Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 8/7 - Will Atwood Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 7/26 - Drew Storen Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 7/23 - Danny Espinosa Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 7/14 - Boomer Whiting Interview - Anthony Masterson.

• 7/8 - Sean Rooney Interview by Anthony Masterson.

• 6/29 - Chris Marrero Interview by Anthony Masterson.

• 6/15 - Stephen King, Will Atwood.

• 6/5 - Cole Kimball, Sean Rooney.

• 5/25 - Chris Marrero, Jeff Mandel, Sean Rooney.

• 5/17 - Tom Milone, Michael Burgess, Chris Marrero.

• 5/12 - Sean Rooney, Francisco Plasencia, Erik Arnesen, Brad Meyers and Jeff Mandel.

• 5/5 - Dan Nelson, Erik Arnesen.

Washington Nationals: Minor League Minute.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:15:07 -0000

Minor League Minute...

The Syracuse Chiefs(AAA) had a three-game winning streak ended by the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, losing 2-0 on Sunday. Elijah Dukes was 2 for 4 with a double. Marco Estrada took the loss in spite of having allowed only 1 ER in 6.0 IP... The Akron Aeros beat the Harrisburg Senators (AA) twice Sunday. SS Ian Desmond was 1 for 6 in the doubleheader, dropping his average to .287 on the season. In 35 games, Desmond's hit 10 2B, 6 HR's and collected 16 RBI's and 12 SB, while posting a .354 OBP, .483 SLG, .837 OPS...The Potomac Nationals (Class A) are 4-1 in July following Sunday's 4-3 win over the Frederick Keys. Chris Marrero was 1 for 2 with 2 RBI's Sunday, and he was 4 for 13 with 2 2B's and 2 RBI's in the four game set with the Keys. Will Atwood improved to (4-6) on the season, allowing 4 H, 1 ER and 2 BB in 5.0 IP in which he K'd 8...The Hagerstown Suns (Class A) dropped a 9-7 decision to the Hickory Crawdads Sunday. In 2 games against the Crawdads this weekend, C Derek Norris ('07 4th Rd) was 4 for 7 with 3 HR's and 4 RBI's, now hitting .314 with 19 2B, 17 HR's and 57 RBI's in 77 games with a .406 OBP, .569 SLG, and .975 OPS...The Vermont Lake Monsters dropped a 5-1 decision to the Hudson Valley Renegades Sunday. J.P. Ramirez ('08, 15th Rd), who was ranked 9th overall in the Nationals' system by Baseball America in 2009, hit his 1st HR of the year, and the first this season at Centennial Field...

Spring Training: Game 7 Game Thread: The Washington Nationals vs New York's Hated Mets.

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:30:13 -0000

Who Needs A New GM?

Don't think for a second that Stan Kasten couldn't do this all himself if he wanted to. I doubt he will for much longer, but as an AP story which was printed today in the Newark Star-Ledger's baseball "Notebook" column entitled, "A's set to sign SS Cabrera", reminded everyone, Mr. Kasten, "..at 27 became the youngest GM in NBA history," and, "...in 1999 simultaneously served as president of baseball's Atlanta Braves, the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, and the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers." So it should come as no surprise that Mr. Kasten's taking calls on trades, negotiating with Ryan Zimmerman's agent and simultaneously searching for departed GM Jim Bowden's successor.

Washington Times' writer Ben Goessling reported, in a Chatter post entitled, "Talks resume on ZImmerman contract", on Ryan Zimmerman's agent Brodie Van Wagenen's arrival at the Nationals' Spring home to discuss signing the Face of the Franchise© to a long-term deal with Mr. Kasten, "...with the possibility of getting something done by Opening Day," as a goal, though Mr. Goessling just says, "I'm told," as far as the source of his story...(which must infuriate the Former Nationals' GM.)

The only surprising aspect of this for me, (since I think signing the player who is, (arguably? POLL?), the most popular player in franchise's history might be a good idea to counter all the bad press that's sullied the Nationals' Spring), is that the last I remember reading from Mr. Kasten about Zimmerman's agent was in Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's article entitled, "NatsFest, Over And Out", where Mr. Kasten, then with a single job title, told those in attendance at the NatsFest festivities that he believed Mr. Van Wagenen, "...didn't like to do long-term contracts before free agency."

When the Nationals and Zimmerman agreed on one-year, $3.325 million dollar deal back on February 20th, Mr. Van Wagenen was quoted in MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article entitled, "Nats' Zimmerman avoids arbitration", telling reporters:

"'The Nationals and Ryan have a good relationship,' Van Wagenen said. 'We are working hard to get a deal done. The Nationals made it clear that they want Ryan, and Ryan expressed he wants to be with the Nationals.'"

Before Opening Day would be great...Now about that new GM, Mr. Kasten? "Later this week", I know, I know...

I See A Direct Connection...

So I read MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article about Elijah Dukes offering hitting advice to Roger Bernadina in an article, (which is updated now), entitled, "Bernadina excels after Dukes' tips", and then several hours later I hear the MLB Homeplate Update about Bernadina's three-run walk-off home run to save the Nationals the embarrassment of losing to the lightly-regarded Italian entry in the upcoming WBC, after the Italians were able to take advantage of the struggling relievers Marco Estrada and Wilfredo Ledezma, who combined to allow 5 hits and 5 runs over 1.2 IP. (But seriously, OE Val Pascucci hit a HR? My brother and I talked to him when we went to Montreal and he was deep in left on the turf outfield. He actually responded politely to my Brother Scout's drunken Braves-talk.")

Dukes and Bernadina combined to avoid an international incident, (and if Washington lost, I would've demanded a best of three!), with Dukes 2 for 3 with a triple, a HR and 3 RBI's, and Bernadina, 3 for 5 with the 3-run dinger. (ed. note - "I wonder if Elijah Dukes gave Kory Casto advice too...Sorry, Mr. Ladson, at least it was a rental!") The most important line in today's box score, as I see it:

"2-out RBI: Milledge; Zimmerman, R; Dukes 2; Bernadina 3."

As much because of the names, as it is because of the clutch hitting on display. Now I just want to see the headline, "Zimmermann, Shell, Hinckley and Mock combined on a shutout of the Mets on Wednesday!!!"(ed. note - "That's right, Lou!!!)...

THE HATED METS ARE COMING TO SPACE COAST!!! THE OFFICIAL GAME THREAD!!!!

Bring it Pelfrey!! The Nationals got Jordan Zimmermann!! With 2 N's!!! Maybe I shouldn't taunt Pelfrey, he reportedly threw heat by the Italian team when he pitched against them last week...Tomorrow in Space Coast, the 22-year-old Zimmermann faces the 25-year-old Pelfrey in the first meeting of the year between the NL East rivals (though the Mets' fans laugh thinking that DC fans might see it as a "rivalry").

Pelfrey held the '08 Nationals to a .242 AVG last season, posting a 2.36 ERA in 26.2 IP against DC in which he allowed 7 runs, 7 doubles, a HR and 11 walks, while going (1-2) in 4 starts...

Nationals vs Mike Pelfrey...

Ronnie Belliard - 3 for 15, .200 AVG, 4 K's, 1 2B.

Kory "Shattered Glass" Casto - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 2 RBI's.

Elijah Dukes - 2 for 3, .667 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Team USA's Adam Dunn - 2 for 7, .286 AVG, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 RBI's.

Cristian Guzman - 5 for 14, .357 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 SB.

TAWH - 3 for 7, .429 AVG, 2 RBI's.

Austin "Ringo Starr at the End of 'Helter Skelter" Kearns - 5 for 16, .313 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI's.

Lastings Milledge - 3 for 10, .300 AVG, 1 2B.

Josh Willingham - 3 for 10, .300 AVG, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI's.

Ryan Zimmerman - 5 for 24, .208 AVG, 1 2B, 2 RBI's.

Game time 1:05 pm EST from Space Coast. I'll be listening in if anyone's following the action...(Note: I actually don't see it listed on the radio or XM...so???)

?'s For The DC Faithful?

• Are you hearing any new names in the Nationals' GM Search? Are the Nationals in a media lockdown?

• Will Triple-A Syracuse with Leonard Davis, Roger Bernadina and Justin Maxwell in the outfield (presumably) be just as fun to watch as the Nationals? You Chiefs' fans are lucky!

• Do you consider the Hated Mets the Nationals' biggest rivals? The Orioles? The Phillies?

• Should Kory Casto pay for Bill Ladson's rental's window? (ed. note - "I still think Gary Majewski owes me $300 for giving up a HR to Ryan Howard in Philly that set me on the way home late and into an accident that never would've happened if Majewski didn't hang that slider!")

• Is there anyone else out there who's become as big a Dukes' fan as me? If he takes over right field in '09, I'm getting a #34 name and # t-shirt! (Especially since Milledge had to go change his # to #85...now I have no accurate shirts...)

Who's Following Spring Training baseball between DC and NY???

(ed. note - "Phew, I made it through a post that discussed the Italian team without an Italian cooking joke!)

Poll

Who Is The Most Popular Player In Nationals' History?

"Mr. National Himself" Livan Hernandez?

4 votes

Vinny "The Vacuum" Castilla?

0 votes

Alfonso soriANO!!!

15 votes

Ryan Zimmer- THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!!

89 votes

The Flat-Brimmed Closer Chad Cordero?

12 votes

Chris Snelling?

2 votes

Nick Johnson?

5 votes

Brad "Wilkie" Wilkerson?

1 votes

Other? Write-In Votes In the Comments!!!

6 votes

134 votes | Poll has closed

Washington Nationals: Spring Training 2009 Profile- John "Cool Hand" Lannan

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:00:11 -0000

John "Cool Hand" Lannan's Improbable Journey...

The Washington Nationals selected John Lannan with the 324th overall pick in the 11th Round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft. The 6'5'', 200 lb left-hander out Siena College and originally Long Beach, NY, was coming off a (10-2) '05 campaign with the Siena Saints (as in St. Bernards) in which he'd posted a 2.29 ERA in 12 starts and 1 relief appearance while striking out 83, walking 28 and throwing 8 complete games, 2 of which were shutouts.

Lannan got a quick mention at the end of MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article on the '05 Nationals' Draft class entitled, "Nationals excited with draft results", which, of course, focused on the #1 overall selection, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, as well as outfielders Justin Maxwell and Ryan DeLaughter, right-handed starters Marco Estrada, Scott Barnes and Robert Leonhardt, and left-hander Jack Spradlin, with John Lannan described as, "...the other lefty they(Washington) drafted in the 11th round," though DC's Scouting Director Dana Brown praised both of DC's left-handed selections:

"'It's just tough to get left-handed pitching. There were a lot of other lefties on the board, but they were relievers,' Brown said. 'We felt those two starters we drafted had fastball command. That's why we went after them.'"

After going (3-5) with a 5.26 ERA in his first 14 professional appearances with the Nationals' Class-A affilliate in Vermont in 2005, Lannan was just (6-8) with a 4.70 ERA in 25 starts in his first full season with the Class-A Savannah Sand Gnats in 2006, but his (6-0) start with Class-A Potomac in '07 earned him a call-up to Double-A Harrisburg, and he soon jumped again, to Triple-A Columbus, all before July 26th when an injury to DC starter Jason Simontacchi led the Nationals to call upon John Lannan, who was by then considered the top pitching prospect in their organization, though five pitchers (C. Balester, C. Willems, Z. Zinicola, G. Gibson and M. Chico -who had already debuted in April '07-) had been ranked ahead of Lannan in the January '07 edition of Baseball America's Top Ten Prospects list which was compiled by BA writer Aaron Fitt.

Nationals' Manager Manny Acta heaped praise on Lannan before his MLB debut in another article by MLB.com's Bill Ladson entitled, "Nationals to give Lannan a shot", where Mr. Acta was quoted as stating:

"The kid has taken every challenge that we have thrown at him, so far. He has pitched well at every level. Our baseball people down there feel that he is ready to come up...[He is] one of the guys that is going to be part of the future...according to everything we heard, and the way he has pitched this year, he is going to be part of the plan."

With an ejection in his debut against Philadelphia, the result of back to back hit batters, Lannan quickly endeared himself to the DC Faithful, and he impressed enough in his first 6 MLB starts that even though he was shut down for the season in Mid-August, merely as a precautionary measure, he was considered a front-runner for a spot in the starting rotation heading into Spring Training in '08.

Lannan lost out to Matt Chico (and his new/old high leg kick delivery) in a battle for the last spot in the Nationals' starting rotation, and was set to start the '08 season with Triple-A Columbus, but he only had time to throw a simulated game before being called back up to DC in the wake of a series injuries to Nationals' pitchers. Upon being recalled, the same command which had originally caught Scouting Director Dana Brown's attention back in 2005 was cited by DC Manager Manny Acta as the one of the main reasons Lannan was being brought back to the majors, as he told MLB.com's Bill Ladson in an article entitled, "Lannan happy to be back in majors":

"'[I like] his command. It's very good for a guy his age, especially being left-handed,' manager Manny Acta said. 'He is able to hit that glove consistently and he shows no fear.'"

31 starts, a (9-15) record and a 3.91 ERA with 117 K's, 72 walks and a 1.34 WHIP later, Lannan had earned himself a spot in the '09 rotation as the only returning starter that we know, or at least assume, will be on the mound for Washington in '09. Washington Post writer Chico Harlan wrote Saturday, in an article entitled, "Nats Seek Stable Set Of Arms", that Lannan has, "...a lock on a rotation spot," but don't tell that to Lannan, who, Mr. Harlan writes, has, "...never dared to let himself feel entrenched," though DC Manager Manny Acta hinted yesterday, in an interview with XM MLB Live Weekend host Casey Stern, that Lannan, Scott Olsen and Daniel Cabrera are set in 3 of the 5 rotation spots as of right now. We'll just have to wait and see how the rotation looks after six weeks of Spring Training...

(ed. note - "For those of you who like going deeper into stats, Doghouse has been leading the Federalbaseball.com W.A.R. Effort, and he put together his pitching projections in an article entitled, "Pitching for W.A.R" about a month ago now, which contains the Marcels and CHONE projections for the DC Starting Rotation as well as the official W.A.R Spreadsheet which is being developed under the guidance of the SB Nation's Beyond the Boxscore.")

The Mailbox Is An Inbox Now...

MLB.com's Bill Ladson is back once again, but not with the "Mailbox", this time around it's the, "Inbox: Who will play first in '09", which features a question from someone known as Bern D., (aka Berndaddy, a regular voice in the Federalbaseball.com Comments sections), who asks Mr. Ladson whether or not the Nationals will pursue hitters in this year's draft to compliment the legion of arms DC has in its system, with Mr. Ladson responding that if you asked the Nationals' Asst. GM or Scouting Director, they'd say that they'll draft the best available player with each pick, but in Mr. Ladson's opinion:

"I'm sure they will go after hitters, but I expect them to draft an equal amount of pitchers like they have in previous years."

And Mr. Ladson then fields a question from yours truly, "Ed in New Jersey", who was wondering, "If Joel Hanrahan can't hold onto the closer role, who's next in line for a chance as Washington's stopper?" Mr. Ladson's response:

"I asked Acta the same question Sunday afternoon. He will not know until the end of Spring Training. Right-hander Shawn Hill could do a great job in the role if Hanrahan falters. The guy is all business on the mound and I believe his arm could withstand pitching an inning or two in a game."

I've speculated this offseason that Jason Bergmann could end up in a relief role, but I hadn't considered Hill for a bullpen spot, though now that Mr. Ladson mentions it, such a move could lessen the load on Hill's oft-injured right arm. Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's broached the same subject with Hill in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "How is Shawn's arm", where Mr. Harlan wrote, "...if he's healthy, he figures he can be in the rotation," but, "...if he's not in the rotation, he won't complain."

DC Closer Shawn Hill? It could happen...(Though I'm 100% in "Wild" Joel Hanrahan's corner...")

10 Days away from the first game of Spring...2/25/09 @ Houston...

?'s For the DC Faithful...

What do you expect from John Lannan in '09?

Do you expect Shawn Hill to move to the pen? What about Jason Bergmann?

Any other starters you think would be better suited to a bullpen role? (ed. note - "I'm looking at you Daniel Cabrera?)