SB Nation User Blog: Mezza

Guzman now staying with Nats

Mezza — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:48:03 -0000

Guzman now staying with Nats

"Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman has cleared waivers and will not be traded to the Red Sox, according to a baseball source. "

"But the source said the Nationals have no intentions of trading Guzman. In fact, Washington was upset that the story on Guzman even came out. "

Why did they put him on waivers?

Washington Nationals = heaven? A Jorge Padilla story

Mezza — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:49:53 -0000

As reported widely around baseball today:

After 12 years in the minor leagues -- after 1,165 games; after spending full seasons in destination sites such as Martinsville, Va., and Binghamton, N.Y.; after being flushed from three organizations; after watching peers not only make the Show, but retire from it -- Jorge Padilla finally made it to the major leagues.

I've raved about Jorge (or 'George' as I like to call him in my native Australian language), and his performances for the Chiefs for most of the season (boring you all senseless). But I think its actually one of the better stories for the Nats this year. We all love the rags to riches/American dream-type stuff, but you've be forgiven for thinking that after 12 years in the minors...maybe it was time to run that used car business you always wanted?

"I'm still here...because I believe I can play in the big leagues and I believe that I have the physical makeup to play in the big leagues. That's the reason I'm here..." -- Jorge Padilla

Grabbed 3rd round of the 1998 draft (by Philadelphia), 74th overall, he was drafted ahead of other players such as:

Scott Proctor, 5th round, 156th overall

Aubrey Huff, 5th round, 162nd overall

Bill Hall, 6th round, 176th overall

Matt Holliday, 7th round, 210th overall

Eric Byrnes, 8th round, 225th overall

Jack Wilson, 9th round, 258th overall

Morgan Ensberg, 9th round, 272nd overall

Juan Pierre, 13th round, 390th overall

Jay Gibbons, 14th round, 411th overall

Eric Hinske, 17th round, 496th overall

B.J. Ryan, 17th round, 500th overall

Ty Wigginton, 17th round, 514th overall

Mark Buehrle, 38th round, 1139th overall

(Mark Teixeira (9th round, 265th overall), was selected in this draft but didnt sign).

Apart from some glaring issues around talent evaluation above - his stats in the minors have been:

Batting Statistics

Year	Team	Lg	Age	Org.	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO			SH	SF	DP	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
1998	MRT	App	18	Phi	Rk	23	90	10	32	3	0	5	25	2	0	4	24			0	3	3	.356	.378	.556	934
1999	BAT	NYPL	19	Phi	A-	65	238	28	60	10	1	3	30	2	1	22	79			1	2	3	.252	.331	.340	671
	PIE	SAL	19	Phi	A	44	168	13	35	10	1	3	17	0	0	5	44			0	1	5	.208	.247	.333	580
2000	PIE	SAL	20	Phi	A	108	413	62	126	24	8	11	67	8	4	26	89			0	4	10	.305	.346	.482	828
2001	CLE	FSL	21	Phi	A+	100	358	62	93	13	2	16	66	23	6	40	73			0	3	11	.260	.343	.441	784
2002	REA	East	22	Phi	AA	127	484	71	124	30	2	7	65	32	11	40	77			2	8	5	.256	.322	.370	692
2003	REA	East	23	Phi	AA	46	173	21	51	13	1	2	23	11	8	18	29			0	1	7	.295	.363	.416	779
2004	SCR	IL	24	Phi	AAA	117	364	51	92	12	0	7	45	11	7	48	75			7	3	12	.253	.348	.343	691
2005	CLE	FSL	25	Phi	A+	14	59	9	18	4	0	0	6	1	0	3	7			0	0	1	.305	.359	.373	732
	SCR	IL	25	Phi	AAA	59	204	25	55	6	1	1	17	4	5	15	41			5	1	9	.270	.324	.324	648
2006	BIN	East	26	Nym	AA	129	482	66	142	26	1	10	54	8	5	42	87	6	0	3	1	15	.295	.358	.415	773
2007	WIC	Tex	27	Kc	AA	69	247	51	83	13	1	10	49	11	3	32	40	8	2	2	3	10	.336	.424	.518	942
	OMA	PCL	27	Kc	AAA	55	196	27	57	9	1	6	20	8	3	14	26	1	1	4	3	6	.291	.336	.439	775
2008	HAR	East	28	Wan	AA	33	106	25	35	4	0	1	14	2	2	17	12	3	0	1	0	4	.330	.437	.396	833
	COL	IL	28	Wan	AAA	81	282	38	88	11	1	4	25	13	9	26	39	8	0	5	1	7	.312	.385	.401	786

Minor League Totals - 11 Season(s)						1070	3864	559	1091	188	20	86	523	136	64	352	742	70	13	30	34	108	.282	.350	.408	758

I sadly dont know the full story of where it all went wrong for George. I thought that many of the numbers he put up might have enabled him a call up (Im sure some stat monkeys here can tell me with a line graph and a few different stats). But alas, it wasn't to be - until now. He numbers for Syracuse have been great -

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
SYR	INT	.367	95	311	58	114	18	3	4	21	150	24	32	14	11	.424	.482	.907

I guess I always had the view that if you put up the numbers - regardless of the age and profile - you should be given the chance to play. More so on a team on pace to lose 110 games (although we can start revising that down now NJ has been traded). But I also like the fact that once here - its just a dream to be IN the majors...even if you know its probably not going to be for long. This article, written on July 14, outlines the progression at Syracuse:

Solid but not flashy

His manager, Tim Foli, describes Padilla as a player who flies "under the radar" because his game lacks the flash that generates headlines and intrigues general managers.

So in a season where flashy has tended to be something like a Hanrahan's called strike, or a Daniel Cabrera wild pitch - I'm looking forward to Padilla becoming the Jose Morales of the Nats for the rest of the season... and maybe beyond.

"My God," Padilla said. "I'm in heaven right now."

Washington Post article on Padilla

Also check out the 1998 draft here:

1998 draft

Who is that Ryan Langerhans guy also selected in the 3rd round?

Manny being Manny

Mezza — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:06:41 -0000

Manny being Manny

This is an amazing story.

Hey, it could be worse...he could be playing for the Nats!

It does raise the question - what did Olsen do when he rehabbed recently?

Nats unfinished business

Mezza — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:03:42 -0000

Nats unfinished business

This is seriously one of the funnist things in baseball. Because of rain, the May 5 game at Nationals Park against the Astros was suspended in the 11th inning, the score tied at 10.

All along, the teams, in partnership with Major League Baseball, had resolved to finish that game before the July 9 8:05 p.m. (EST) contest at Minute Maid Park.

Chich reports:

The game will resume in the bottom of the 11th inning, with the Nats batting with one out and a runner on first base. Astros RHP LaTroy Hawkins was the pitcher on the mound, and he is allowed to continue his outing if the Astros see fit. Elijah Dukes, though, was the runner on first. Dukes was demoted yesterday to Class AAA Syracuse, so the Nats can replace Dukes with a pinch-runner. (Anybody voting for Nyjer Morgan?)

Does anyone else find it amusing that Joel Hanrahan could pick up the win if we get this one right?

A picture that tells a thousand words...or maybe just one.

Mezza — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:22:40 -0000

As you guys may not know - I come from a bit of photographic background and figured it might be interesting to look at the Nats season via photos.

To me some of pics this year have said all that need to say about what the season has been this year. So feel free to add a pic from the thread and a caption and explain why you like it.

"I never saw it" Willingham said.

via the Washington Post.

To me this photo sums up the season. Josh 'Hammer' Willingham loses the ball in...the dark... and haplessly asks he coleagues "where the hell is it?".

It's both comical and horrifically sad.

The deep fly ball, hit by Nolan Reimold, ended up being a 3 run homer. I almost couldn't watch when I saw Hammer had completely lost sight of the ball and then desperately seeks help finding it. I swear he actually flinches when the shadow of the ball passes over his head.

It's not just the fact that the Nats have been horrible in the field (outfield also) but Im tortured by the fact that the 6 year old and his 14 year old brother clearly are better than Hammer at picking up the ball off the bat. If he wasn't tanked, I'd also suggest that the orange Darth Vader in the rows behind them might have had a go at catching it.

Im so glad that it didn't drop in for an in-the-park home run... we've seen enough of those.

Why I think Manny shouldn't be in charge

Mezza — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:58:10 -0000

I've generally been on the fence a bit regarding whether Acta should or should not be fired. I certainly dont think it's fair that he's left waiting for the execution to occur. That said, after tonight's game...I've come to the conclusion he really does need to go.

After reading about today's series opening loss to the Yankees, I usually go about reading the post game reviews. While reading my favourite beat reporter ~~Ed Chigliak~~ Chico Harlan, I was horrified by the following:

The two decisive doubles that New York hit in the seventh were catchable. The first, a Mark Teixeira shot into deep left-center, would have required a perfect sprinting catch. (The ball hit off Dukes' bare hand.) The second, a Robinson Cano shot just over Dukes' head, would have required a proper judgment of the ball right off the bat.

Should Elijah have caught those balls?

"Well, in his defense, he's not a natural centerfielder," Manny Acta said. "Those balls were hit pretty good, and would I want him to catch every one of them? Yes. But he did make an effort."
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/06/man_things_are_getting_predict.html?wprss=nationalsjournal

I don't expect any managers to call out/rag/beat up/abuse their players publicly (except for Frank Robinson). More so when their support is probably the only thing between Kasten and Rizzo doing their best impression of Donald Trump. But it's a issue of attitude from the manager that worries me.

My problems with this are:

He might not be a natural CF: So is that ok to make errors if your not in your natural position? No. If you are playing a position you should be ABLE TO PLAY IT! I well and truly understand that this team hasn't had a decent CF since our first base coach laced up the cleats. The problem is that we've got arguably one of our best and talented athletes at CF and it still isnt getting the job done. So either Manny is forced to play people out of position or he is making excuses. You decide.
Yes, but he did make an effort: NO NO NO. This isn't little league. It isn't even the Syracuse Chiefs. It's MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. These people we call fans dont pay money to see our brave little players try their darling little hearts out. We expect them to play good baseball and execute the plays they have been taught. We expect them to make these plays. They are earning (for the most part) more money that you and I will ever see...it's not about do your best and we'll all be happy. I'd expect that of a rookie pitcher on his first night. Dukes has been in the majors long enough to be responsible.

Basically, until there is someone that is willing to stand up and demand better from this team...it isn't going to happen. Im not surprised the players support Acta. If I booted plays and got patted on the back with "he did make an effort", I'd be Manny's biggest fan too. These guys are professional athletes and the Manny has to stop wrapping these guys up in cotton wool. It's not about being emotional - it's demanding better performances. Dukes should be told "You should have made those plays tonight. Lets look at ways we can fit in some extra prac so you get comfortable in making some of those".

Good managers get the best out of their players. They should never make excuses for them.

Cabrera Designated For Assignment After tonight's game, a 6-1 loss to the Mets, the Nationals...

Mezza — Wed, 27 May 2009 03:49:54 -0000

Cabrera Designated For Assignment

After tonight's game, a 6-1 loss to the Mets, the Nationals designated for assignment pitcher Daniel Cabrera. Acting GM Mike Rizzo said of Cabrera, "I was tired of watching him."

Cabrera had been signed this offseason to a one-year, $2.6 million deal.

Cabrera said tonight that he plans to become a free agent if he clears waivers.

With Cabrera's departure, the Nationals will recall from Class AA Harrisburg catcher Luke Montz. The move is entirely temporary. Catcher Josh Bard is leaving the team tonight to be with his wife, who is having an induced labor.

I'll have more on this move - and reaction from Cabrera - shortly.

By Chico Harlan | May 26, 2009; 10:54 PM ET

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/05/cabrera_designated_for_assignm.html?wprss=nationalsjournal

About time Manny started reading my posts... "never get beat on your best pitch"... 4 sliders in a...

Mezza — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:33:07 -0000

About time Manny started reading my posts... "never get beat on your best pitch"... 4 sliders in a row anyone?

* This was a big save tonight for Joel Hanrahan, who just one night earlier threw a bases-loaded wild pitch (a slider in the dirt) and took a loss. Tonight, we saw a different Hanrahan. He threw 19 pitches -- and 17 fastballs.

Said Acta: "He's been preached to lately about, you know, go ahead and get beat on your best pitch. He's got a very good fastball, and just try to execute the slider after you get ahead in the count. Tonight he went out there and carried the gameplan and it proved to him that it worked."

Quote of the week. "Step 1 is obvious. As soon as feasible, the Nats need to admit that the...

Mezza — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:53:57 -0000

Quote of the week.

"Step 1 is obvious. As soon as feasible, the Nats need to admit that the 6-foot-9 Cabrera, perhaps the wildest pitcher in captivity, is just the latest in a line of "high-ceiling" disasters from the Jim Bowden era, the pitching equivalent of Wily Mo Peña, the 500-foot BP extravaganza who couldn't hit any pitch with a wrinkle."
-- Tom Boswell.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content//article/2009/05/17/AR2009051701965.html

Minor League Report

Mezza — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:08:26 -0000

I pretty much lifted this minor league report on the discussion boards of the Washington Post. While I was going to consider this a Fanshot - I figured it might be better placed here for a discussion on who we'd like to see in the team before too long. How long before Stammen is called up? Or will Clippard be called up to fill the (gaping) hole in the bullpen?

Nice to see Ross D back to form.

The original post is here:

Washington Post discussion board

This Week's Top Headlines

ROSS IS BOSS: Harrisburg Senators LHP Ross Detwiler struck out 9 and did not walk a batter in 5.0 innings of one-run ball in his most recent start, Monday vs. Altoona (Pirates)...the southpaw has posted a 1.83 ERA (4 ER/19.2 IP) and recorded 20 strikeouts against 6 walks (3.33 K/BB ratio) over his last 4 outings...in his first season at the Double-A level, Detwiler owns a 2.96 ERA in 6 starts...the 23-year-old has allowed 2 earned runs or less in 5 of those 6 starting assignments...Detwiler, Washington's top pick (6th overall) in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, entered the season rated as the Nationals' No.2 prospect according to Baseball America.

DEREK'S DANGEROUS: Hagerstown Suns C Derek Norris ' 7 home runs and 25 RBI are both tops among minor league catchers, and rank 2nd in professional baseball behind only San Francisco's Bengie Molina (8 homers, 26 RBI)...Norris ranks among the Single-A South Atlantic league leaders in RBI (t-1st), walks (2nd, 17), homers (3rd), OPS (4th, .980) and slugging (5th, .583)...he has thrown out 34% (11-for-32) of would-be basestealers...per Baseball America , he entered the season rated as the No. 6 prospect and top overall catching prospect in Washington's system...Norris was selected in the 4th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of Goddard (KS) High School.

Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs

International League North Division

16-14, 4th Place , 6.0 Games Back

STAMMEN'S JAMMIN': RHP Craig Stammen won his 4th straight decision, allowing just 4 hits in 6.0 shutout innings, Sunday vs. Indianapolis (Pirates)...the 25-year-old is 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in 6 starts this season...he has allowed 2 earned runs or less in 5 of those 6 starts...Stammen was selected in the 12th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.

PAPER CLIP(PARD): In 9 relief appearances, RHP Tyler Clippard has allowed just 2 earned runs run in 18.1 innings (0.98 ERA) of work and posted a .175 BAA...he has struck out 22 and walked 8...Clippard, 24, has worked 2.0 or more innings in 7 of his 9 appearances...he made 2 spot starts with the Nationals last season, going 1-1 with a 4.04 ERA...the 24-year-old was acquired from the Yankees in exchange for RHP Jonathan Albaladejo, December 5, 2007.

START ME UP: RHP J.D. Martin surrendered just one hit, a solo homer, in 6.0 strong innings to earn the win on Monday vs. Indianapolis...in his last 3 starts, he has gone 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA (3 ER/16.0 IP), 16 strikeouts and just one walk...Martin is 3-1 with a 2.88 ERA and a 11.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio (22 K/2 BB) in 5 starts overall...the California native signed with Washington as a minor-league free agent in the offseason.

THE MASK OF JASON: RHP Jason Bergmann has offered scoreless relief in 8 of 9 appearances, going 1-0 with one save and a 1.46 ERA...the 27-year-old began the season with Syracuse before he was recalled to the big leagues on April 20...he made 3 appearances with Washington, but was optioned back to Syracuse on April 29 when the Nationals acquired RHP Logan Kensing from Florida...since being optioned, he is 1-0 and has worked 6.1 scoreless innings (5 games).

Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Month - April

INF Seth Bynum - batted .333 (13-for-39) with 3 doubles, 3 homers and 10 RBI in 11 games.

RHP Craig Stammen - went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA (6 ER/23.0 IP) and a .205 BAA in 4 starts.

Double-A Harrisburg Senators

Eastern League Southern Division

6-23, 6th Place , 16.0 Games Back

ZECHMATE: RHP Zech Zinicola has allowed only one earned run in 11.1 innings (0.82 ERA) in 10 games this season...he is 2-for-2 in save opportunities...Zinicola, selected in the 6th round of the 2006 Draft, was tabbed as Washington's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2006.

Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Month - April

OF Marvin Lowrance - hit .309 (17-for-55) with 4 doubles, one triple, 3 homers and 6 RBI in 16 contests.

LHP Justin Jones - posted a 3.31 ERA (6 ER/16.1 IP) in 3 starts.

Single-A Potomac Nationals

Carolina League Northern Division

19-12, 2nd Place , 1.0 Game Back

SIMPLY FILTHY: RHP Brad Meyers earned MILB.com Single-A Carolina League Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of May 4-10...Meyers has fired 20.2 consecutive scoreless innings over his last 3 games (2 starts)...he is 2-0 with 18 strikeouts, 2 walks (9.0 K/BB ratio) and a .159 (11-for-69) BAA in those contests...overall, the 23-year-old is 3-0 with a league-leading 1.16 ERA in 5 games (4 starts)...Meyers, selected in the 5th round of the '07 Draft out of Loyola Marymount University (CA), is scheduled to make his next start tomorrow vs. Salem (Red Sox).

DON'T DISS CHRIS: 1B Chris Marrero has reached base via hit, walk or HBP in 28 of 30 games this season...additionally, he has hit safely in 23 of those 30 contests, batting .295 with 7 doubles, 3 home runs and 15 RBI...the 20-year-old is tied for 8th in the CL with 33 hits...Marrero entered the season ranked by Baseball America as the No. 3 prospect -the top hitter- in Washington's system...he was the Nationals' top selection (15th overall) in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.

FRANCISCO TREAT: OF Francisco Plasencia is 13-for-33 (.394) with 7 runs scored, 5 doubles, 2 homers, 5 RBI, 6 walks and a 1.245 OPS in 9 games this month...in 27 games overall, he is batting .311 with 9 doubles, 5 homers, 17 RBI and a .544 slugging percentage...additionally, the Venezuelan native is hitting a team-best .346 (9-for-26) with 12 RBI with RISP.

WILL(EMS) POWER: RHP Colton Willems , 20, has yet to allow an earned run in 11.0 innings (2 starts) and owns a .147 BAA since joining the P-Nats on May 4...Willems was selected in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.

Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Month - April

SS Danny Espinosa - went 22-for-66 (.333 ) with 8 doubles, 2 homers, 10 RBI, 16 walks and 7 steals in 21 games.

RHP Brad Meyers - went 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA (4 ER/18.0 IP) in 3 starts.

Single-A Hagerstown Suns

South Atlantic League Northern Division

14-15, 7th Place , 3.0 Games Back

EVEN STEVEN: 3B Steven Souza is batting at a .405 clip (15-for-37) with 3 doubles, one home run and 4 RBI through 11 games in May...he has hit in 7 consecutive games, raising his average from .224 to .280...Souza, 20, was a 3rd-round selection in the '07 Draft.

Organizational Player and Pitcher of the Month - April

1B Robby Jacobsen - hit .341 (15-for-44) with 3 doubles, one triple, one homer and 10 RBI in 14 games.

RHP Brad Peacock - posted a 2.45 ERA (6 ER/22.0 IP) and a 6.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio (18 K/3 BB) in 4 starts.