Winter League Roundup
Our weekly look at the Nationals players in the Winter Leagues, with all statistics as 12:19 a.m. on November 13, 2011.
AFL HITTERS
AFL PITCHERS
DWL HITTERS
DWL PITCHERS
VWL HITTERS
VWL PITCHERS
MWL PITCHERS
PRWL PITCHERS
PRWL HITTERS
For those that are wondering, it appears that my data source for this feature has excised some of the recently declared free agents. I anticipate dropping others when it appears that they’ve been released, i.e. the stats stay the same for 2-3 weeks in a row. And obviously, once the AFL finishes, the final numbers will be reported once.
Hmmm … not sure how you’re looking at it but it sure feels like it will be an interesting year for you in Potomac given Fangraph’s assessments and their Nats top 10 prospects?
SLEEPER ALERT: Josh Smoker, LHP: Once considered a pretty good starting pitcher prospect and the 31st pick of the ’07 amateur draft, Smoker fell on hard times due to injuries and inconsistency. A permanent move to the bullpen, though, may have saved his career. His fastball is now showing mid-90s velocity and his breaking ball gives him a second weapon. He’s tough to hit when he’s on (5.68 H/9) but he needs to find the plate more consistently (6.57 BB/9).
They project Goodwin as a left fielder? Sounds like a left-handed Destin Hood? And they think Norris is headed in the wrong direction and that his development needs to be slowed down. He’s projected as a backup. (Seems to fit the current needs for the Nats?)
They really like AJ Cole and their projected Carolina league rotation looks pretty overpowering on paper.
Bear in mind, 2011 was the first roster I ever saw that was age-appropriate for Potomac. Getting one of the previous June’s draft picks on the Opening Day roster is the most I can realistically hope for given Rizzo’s conservative approach and their ages. Purke is probably the best bet.