SB Nation User Blog: NFA Brian

BA WAS Top 10

NFA Brian — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:34:25 -0000

The posting is not up online at Baseball America yet, but per the mailed copy of NL East Top 10 Prospects issue ...

Jordan Zimmermann, RHP
Ross Detwiler. LHP
Chris Marrero, 1B
Michael Burgess, OF
Jack McGeary, LHP
Derek Norris, C
Destin Hood, OF
Adrian Nieto, C
J.P. Ramirez, OF
Esmailyn Gonzalez, SS

There are three players from the 2008 draft (Hood, Nieto, & Ramirez) all crack the top 10 list. This system is without question a work in progress. Still no premium prospects, though Strasburg might change that in 2009.

MOD Nationals I

NFA Brian — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:35:35 -0000

The Washington Nationals picks are as follows:

1st round: #9
2nd round: #55
3rd round: #87
4th round: #121
5th round and out: +30 (i.e. 151, 181, etc)

They didn't lose any picks by signing a free agent nor do they have any additional picks from losing any free agents.

With the ninth pick, obviously the Nationals should go with the best player available but based upon needs they should focus on:

Catcher: Aside from Jesus Flores, there is little depth in the organization. None of Luke Montz, Devin Ivany, Brian Peacock, Sean Rooney, Jhonathan Solano, Sean Rooney, Pat Nichols, or Derek Norris project out as anything more than a backup catcher.
Middle infielders, specifically shortstop: The Nationals have focused on pitchers and outfielders early in the past couple of drafts with the exception of Stephen King in the 3rd round of 2006. They could really use a premium guy at SS

The Nationals have made several picks among high school bats in the past two seasons. It might be time to consider balancing that out by focusing on college bats early in 2008.

At number nine, there is the chance to get a solid guy. And new ownership has demonstrated the willingness to go above slot if the situation calls for it (Jack McGeary signing as an example). If I'm the Nationals, I'm hoping that Gordon Beckham slides here. If not Beckham, then perhaps Kyle Skipworth. Given that both of those guys are likely off the board when they select, I'd target a college bat like Justin Smoak or Yonder Alonso and consider HS 1B Eric Hosmer.

MOD Nationals?

NFA Brian — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:44:24 -0000

John, et al

I noticed that the MOD for the Nationals is the only MLB team missing a FanPost. I am willing to take over the Nationals if bartonboi is not able to do so.

I have a pretty solid background in the Nationals minor league system. I know there system pretty much top to bottom. I can be available on May 31 at the designated time.

Please let me know if you need me (or someone else) to take over the Nationals.

Information on Alvaro Aristy?

NFA Brian — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:12:47 -0000

Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post had an item in his notes article this morning about a Dominican prospect

Nats Host Dominican Teenager

The Nationals are scheduled to host a workout Tuesday morning for one of the top Latin American prospects available in this year’s signing period, Dominican shortstop Alvaro Aristy, according to sources. Aristy, 16, is the only top international prospect to have secured a visa to travel to the United States and work out for clubs privately before the end of spring training

Does anyone have any information on Aristy?

Baseball America's Top 10 Organizations

NFA Brian — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:39:01 -0000

As part of a press release from the Nationals, they listed Baseball America's top 10 organizations for 2008.

Tampa Bay
Boston
Cincinnati
Texas
New York Yankees
Los Angelese Dodgers
Colorado
Atlanta
Washington
Los Angeles Angels

The Rangers jumped 24 spots from 2007 while the Nationals jumped 21

Nationals Acquire Tyler Clippard

NFA Brian — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:15:34 -0000

At the bottom of Barry Svrluga's article on the Elijah Dukes deal

A source with knowledge of the situation said the Nationals traded reliever Jonathan Albaladejo to the New York Yankees in exchange for right-hander Tyler Clippard, pending physical examinations of both players. The 22-year-old, who went 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA filling in for the Yankees this year, has a 3.52 ERA over five minor league seasons. He should immediately be a contender for Washington's rotation. Bowden did not return messages seeking comment on the deal.

Albaladejo was picked up by the Nationals after the Pirates released him from the minor leagues in 2007.

Why would the Yankees do that?

Elijah Dukes a National

NFA Brian — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:31:52 -0000

From the Washington Post

Dave Sheinin just confirmed what I've been trying to for the last couple hours -- that troubled Tampa Bay outfielder Elijah Dukes has been dealt to the Washington Nationals.

We do not yet know who was dealt in return.

Link

Any guesses from the peanut gallery who is Tampa bound?

MiLB.com's Top 50 (31-40)

NFA Brian — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:42:42 -0000

MiLB.com has moved on to their #31 to #40 prospects

Chris Marrero
Reid Brignac
Andy LaRoche
Joey Votto
Max Scherzer
Scott Elbert
Ross Detwiler
Elvis Andrus
Chris Volstad
Luke Hochevar

Baseball America Nationals Top 10

NFA Brian — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:39:36 -0000

Baseball America has moved on to the Nationals top 10 prospects list

Chris Marrero, OF/1B
Ross Detwiler, LHP
Collin Balester, RHP
Michael Burgess, OF
Jack McGeary, LHP
Josh Smoker, LHP
Jordan Zimmermann, RHP
Glenn Gibson, LHP
Justin Maxwell, OF
Colton Willems, RHP

Half of those players are from this past year's draft and eight of the ten have come into the organiztion since the Lerners took ownership. Only Balester and Maxwell predate that (and Maxwell was a Bowden pick in 2005).

Nationals Acquire Andrew Lefave from Milwaukee

NFA Brian — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:33:04 -0000

The player to be named later in the Brewers/Nationals deal involving LHRP Ray King was named.

The Washington Nationals today acquired 23 year-old outfielder/first baseman Andrew Lefave from the Milwaukee Brewers to complete the September 4 trade in which Milwaukee acquired left-handed pitcher Ray King in exchange for a player to be named later. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

The Single-A South Atlantic League batting champion, Lefave hit .345 (146-for-423) with 25 doubles, 17 home run, 79 RBI and 59 walks in 112 games for the West Virginia Power this season. Lefave's batting average ranked second in minor league baseball among players with at least 350 at-bats. He also led all Single-A batters with at least 350 at-bats in batting and on-base percentage (.432). Lefave, who bats and throws left handed, led the entire Brewers organization in hitting in 2007.

In one-plus seasons, or 147 professional games, Lefave is a .347 career hitter with 18 home runs and 101 RBI. He also sports stellar career on-base (.431) and slugging (.517) percentages. Lefave originally signed with the Brewers as a non-drafted free agent on July 1, 2006 after attending Missouri Valley College.