I've been working with the broadcast crew with the Columbus Clippers (AAA). My observations of this team have allowed me to form some definite conclusions. As expected, the starting rotation won't last in Cleveland. As you already know Mitch Talbot is flat out bad and Josh Tomlin's consistency has waned because of location issues.   Zach MacAllister is the popular decision for a potential candidate because of his great numbers, but in terms of ability and stuff i would give scotty barnes a look. Maybe not someone that you call up right now, but if all hell continues to break loose I could definitely see this kid being a fine piece. He has a quirky, deceptive left-handed delivery coupled with a solid fastball and changeup and dynamite slider. His slider is something he struggled with earlier on in his starts, but he has learned to control this pitch and now he has a great three pitch arsenal with room to develop other pitches as well. Barnes has allowed only 4 earned runs in his last 4 starts in which he has pitched 5+ innings in each of those respective starts. The strikeout totals for each of those 4 starts are even more impressive: 9 9 8 7. He's got the tools and ability to make a big league impact with the indians this season and for the future i look for barnes to be a key piece to cleveland's up and coming rotation,

After reviewing the statistics of AAA Iowa I think that some callups need to be conducted. Jake Fox is so hot that you can't help but give the guy a look. He's hitting .423 with 63 hits in only 40 games. Other outfielders such as Doug Deeds, from Ohio State, and veteran Jason Dubious are tearing up the PCL. It's a short term solution for our slumping offense, but I think it could help to give these guys like Fox that we haven't seen a solid chance at the Major League level.

I've seen some previous fanposts about the young pitcher out of Japan Yu Darvish. I also watched the ESPN2 documentary about Bobby Valentine and they gave Yu Darvish lots of praise. He looks like a great and very dominant pitcher and has taken over the Japanese League with full force. Last year his ERA was 1.89!

So, we know that this guy is a stud, but my question is what teams are interested in this kid and if he wants to go to the states at all? I wonder if the Cubs would be interested and whether we can afford that kind of player?

I heard you guys might be moving your club to San Jose or a surrounding city. My mom's side of the family lives in Concord and are big A's fans. I just simply wanted to know the details about if and when you guys will be moving.

I would think that your fan base would be quite upset considering you guys have  great fans. I really enjoyed watching a game in Oakland last summer. Keep up the great play this year. I hope you guys continue to do well.

Garrett Mock started for the Clips today as the Columbus Clippers battled the Leigh Valley Ironpigs in the last game of the series. Mock pitched 6 innings and let up 8 hits and 3 earned runs. Mock left the game with an ERA of 3.89 and a record of 2-1.

Supplying the offense for the Clips was Tommy Murphy, 3-5 with a run scored, Alex Escobar 2-3, and continuing his hot streak was third baseman Yurendell de Caster who had 3 hits including a double and scored 3 runs. Other hitters of note were Ed Rogers 2-3, and also with a solid performance at the dish was Jason Dubois who went 1-4 with his 4th home run of the year and 2 runs batted in

The Clppers couldn't leave with a victory and lost to the opposing Ironpigs 6-5 when the Ironpigs scored 2 in the 9th to win the game. The AAA affiliate of your Washington Nationals went to 20-18 with the loss.

Records of Washington's other farm teams

AA Harrisburg- 22-13 -first place in the EAS Southern division

A- Potomac Nationals - 22-13-  CAR  Northern Division

A- Hagerstown Suns- 16-19

Today, Sean Gallagher pitched 4 1/3 innings of I 4 ER baseball. Two of those earned runs were let up by Chad Fox as he walked in two consecutive batters with the bases loaded. There was no doubt that Sean pitched a solid start, but the wheels started going off in that last inning, which was predictable for an inexperienced pitcher making his first start at the Major League level.

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The clippers played at Lehigh Valley (AAA for the Phillies) and lost in a close matchup 2-1. Pitching was the story here as Clippers pitcher Steven Shell went 5 innings with 0 ER, 2 hits, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Also making appearances were Dennis Tankersley and last year's Clipper All-Star the hard-throwing closer Chris Booker. For the opposing side, the win went to Steve Green and Matt Childers recieved the save.

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I have always wondered why Brandon Watson hasn't gotten a good shot at playing at the major league level. Over the last 3+ years he has put up great minor league stats. In 2005 he was voted a PCL all-star and last year he had a 43-game hit streak and was one of the strongest outfielders in the IL. HIs average during that hit streak was an outstanding .350. He looked like a major league quality player.

Despite his great play he only has played in a total of 40 major league games in a span of 3 seasons. Even though he didn't hit well, he didn't recieve a chance to play enough. In 2008, Watson is hitting .288, a team high for average. I think Watson should get a chance to play somewhere. Would you guys have any spot for this guy on your team?

I have always wondered why Brandon Watson hasn't gotten a good shot at playing at the major league level. Over the last 3+ years he has put up great minor league stats. In 2005 he was voted a PCL all-star and last year he had a 43-game hit streak and was one of the strongest outfielders in the IL. HIs average during that hit streak was an outstanding .350. He looked like a major league quality player.

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Lots of talk is going around about trading Jason Marquis. If we were to deal Jason who would we get to replace his shoes. Personally, I would like a starter. I would like a guy who can provide that needed one two punch with Zambrano. We really need that one guy who can be reliable, throw strikes, and rack up double-digit wins. Maybe we need another spot filled. If Marquis was to be moved who would you want?

The AAA Columbus Clippers are constructing a beautiful new ball park in the arena district named Huntington Park in 2009 . We signed a two-year deal to be the AAA team for the Washington Nationals that will end after the 2008 season.

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Former standout Notre Dame wide reciever  Jeff Samardzija is lookin' good for the Chicago Cubs as he continues to move up the ladder in the Cubs' farm system. Jeff started in the lowest class of A ball last year and enjoyed enough success to bring him to AA Tennessee and a spot on the Cubs' 40 man roster in 2008.

This year the hard throwing righty has posted an outstanding 3.44 ERA and a record of 3-2. His most recent start was an excellent outing in which he went a solid 5 2/3 innings in a 6-1 victory over Cincinnati's Chattanooga Lookouts. Jeff can also swing the bat as he scored a run as well.

Former standout Notre Dame wide reciever  Jeff Samardzija is lookin' good for the Chicago Cubs as he continues to move up the ladder in the Cubs' farm system. Jeff started in the lowest class of A ball last year and enjoyed enough success to bring him to AA Tennessee and a spot on the Cubs' 40 man roster in 2008.

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I'm not a huge Nats fan, but I live in Columbus and have been paying close attention to the Washing AAA team the Columbus Clippers.

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Dating back to last year questions have arisen about Alfonso Soriano hitting leadoff. So far, Soriano is hitting in the high one-hundreds coming in at .177 with 3 home runs and 10 runs batted in. I think that Soriano should be batting in a lower spot in the order, or a place he can drive in more runs. WIth Reed or Ryan in the leadoff hole, I think we are more likely to win. Soriano will get his stroke back, but I think some changes in our lineup need to take place.

This has been an on going topic, but I would like to hear what some other Cubs fans think. Any thoughts?

The Chicago Bears didn't formally draft a quarterback, but they did sign a prominent quarterback out of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. This quarterback is Caleb Hanie, a senior who finished with a record of 3-9 in the weak Mountain West Conference. He is 6-2 236 lbs and had 18 Touchdowns and 15 interceptions for the Rams. In the 2007 season he also threw for 2,455 yards.

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I'm not sure I agree with the recent Bears pick of OT Chris Williams out of Vandy. In terms of OT's I had Otah out of Pittsburgh before Williams. I think we should have gotten a good RB in the first round. I would have gone with Felix Jones because of his athleticism and experience in the best college conference the SEC. Also, I think it's pivital that we select a quarterback because I don't think Rex and Kyle have the potential to be long-term quarterbacks. Brian Brohm Louisville?

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