Catching Up On Transactions
Roster moves since the Lombardozzi callup
A few moves since the Lombardozzi move from Harrisburg to Syracuse…
SYRACUSE
C Carlos Maldonado placed on the 7-Day DL
RHP Zech Zinicola assigned from Harrisburg
HARRISBURG
RHP Hassan Pena assigned from Syracuse
POTOMAC
OF Destin Hood activated from 7-Day DL
OF Chris Curracn placed on the 7-Day DL
RHP Dean Weaver assigned to Hagerstown
IF Francisco Soriano activated from 7-Day DL
HAGERSTOWN
OF Randolph Oduber placed on the 7-Day DL
RHP Matt Swynenberg placed on the 7-Day DL
AUBURN
RHP Silvio Medina assigned to GCL
GCL
OF Chris Curran assigned from Potomac
DSL
RHP Andy Santana assigned from GCL
RHP Jorge Hernandez activated from Restricted List (suspended July 2010 for PEDs)
C Victor Chavez assigned from GCL
UPDATED: Zech Zinicola and Hassan Pena have swapped places on the Syracuse and Harrisburg rosters while Victor Chavez has returned to the DSL
The more I watch the Nats bullpen the more inclined I am to suspect that Mattheus could become the closer and Storen/H-Rod/Burnett to setup. Mattheus never panics. Has a 95mph killer FB and filthy splitter.
Rizzo, says “MINE! MINE! MINE! I want all of the young right handed power arms! Bwahahahahahaha!”
The man’s strategy appears to be to corner the market on power relievers and infielders through the draft. It will be interesting to see if he can develop a 1B or a non-BryceHarper OF in-house.
@Souldrummer,
MI/SS types can usually be easily converted to CI and the outfield. Pete Rose is an example many like to use. Many claim that slick and sure defense starts in the Little Leagues. Unfortunately, from personal experience I know this to be true.
As for your query about Rizzo?
Round 5: 3B Matt Skole.
Round 13: 1B Case Kalenosky
Plus there’s Bloxom, Moore, and Marerro all still young enough to be developed into DH/1B types. So, there seems to be plenty to watch in that area?
I’d hold off a little longer on Mattheus before annointing him as a possible closer – Once the advance scouts start compiling a ‘book’ on him, those early numbers may fade. Keep in mind, next to nobody has seen him since mid-2009.
Not sure he will be anointed Closer BinM, That will be up to senior advisor on player development and advanced scouting to Mike Rizzo Davey Johnson. And he’ll likely continue that role while managing the ball club.
What I will say, again, (and I posted above before Mattheus or Clippard entered the game) is that he is head-and-tail above Clippard, Balester, Burnett, Coffey, Gaudin, etc. Storen has an FB that has peaked at 98 with movement and a five pitch repertoire. I still think he specs out better as a starter but …
Mattheus might not be the closer but he will become the most reliable arm in the Nationals bullpen. That’s my prediction.
Really, you think Mattheus is near the top of the BP pecking order based on four appearences in DC? A bold prediction, but I’d rather see where he’s at around the All-Star break. It’s all about ‘the book’ and other teams recognizing tendencies, imo. Time will tell for Mattheus, as it does in many cases.
… and it looks like Nate Karns (okay so he is an older prospect) is lights out in the GCL as a starter. Have to see if he ends up as a “sleeper” like Peacock and Selik.