Transaction Update
With two major speculative items in the morning’s notes, as well as the weekly transactions post from Baseball America issued late yesterday afternoon, it’s time to get back on track when it comes to transactions…
WASHINGTON
• Recalled OF-1B Tyler Moore from Syracuse
SYRACUSE
• RHP Caleb Clay activated from TIL (placed on it 6/22)
• OF Micah Owings activated from 7-Day DL
HARRISBURG
• RHP Rafael Martin transferred to GCL for minor-league rehab
• RHP Taylor Hill promoted from Potomac
• RHP Paul Demny placed on 3-Day Temporary Inactive List
POTOMAC
• OF Bryce Harper assigned from Washington for MLB rehab
• RHP Brian Broderick reassigned from GCL
GCL
• Reassigned RHP Reynaldo Lopez from Auburn
SIGNED (IFAs)
• RHP Jose Nunez
• SS Francys Peguero
• SS Joshual Ramirez
• OF Oliver Ortiz
SIGNED (NDFAs)
• SS Kyle Attl
• OF Greg Zebrack
PLACED ON 7-DAY DL
• 3B Carlos Alvarez (unspecified)
RELEASED
• RHP Emmanuel de la Cruz
• RHP Shane McCatty
• 2B Trey Karlen
As always, the list of releases seems incomplete, which is not to say that we wish for more churn but to acknowledge that there seems to be more signings than space available. Both NDFAs have already seen game action, with Attl assigned to the GCL and Zebrack assigned to Auburn. Attl is an infielder from Cal State Northridge, while Zebrack is an outfielder from USC, presumably scouted at the same time as Matt Foat, who also signed as an NDFA last summer.
BA reports that Carlos Alvarez, nee “Smiley” Gonzalez has been placed on the 7-Day DL but for which roster remains a mystery. His player page is blank though he shows up in player search results on MiLB.com. Perhaps he’s already been released (other Nats farmhands known to have been cut appear likewise in search results), as the BA post covers the period of June 13-19. In any case, I only mention it because it’s hopefully the end of sordid chapter in Nats history.
UPDATE: Potomac has announced that RHP Taylor Hill has been promoted to Harrisburg, with RHP Brian Broderick reassigned from the GCL to replace him. Unfortunately, given the swirling speculation regarding Taylor Jordan’s next start, it’s quite possible that his stay in AA will be short. Hill has been solid in his last four starts, going 2-0 with an 0.63 ERA including a complete-game win against Frederick last Friday, so it’s also feasible that he could stay while another pitcher is moved if/when Jordan is returned.
UPDATE #2: To make room for Hill, RHP Paul Demny has been placed on the temporary inactive list for Harrisburg.
That must have been an uncomfortable conversation for Mike Rizzo with Steve McCatty, but he knows how it goes.
About time on McCatty, I was never impressed when he was at Hagerstown. When he pitched, the merry-go-round usually started. I can imagine how dad felt (as well as son), but yes, it’s a business.
So far this year, i’m amazed at what the Suns have been able to do with an average team, i.e. no standouts. I’m really liking Purke pitching. I think he’s got a chance!!
Where are the fireworks; we have the return of TBRFan!
Oh I’ve been lurking in the background, plotting my return. Just took McCatty getting cut to get the fingers typing again. 🙂
Got to get my Suns games in as it’s looking like i’m moving South to NC. I’ll be doing a lot of “road games” to catch my Nats fix!
Whether it’s temporary or not, Taylor Hill deserves the promotion. Potomac’s rotation has been fantastic this season, but between the other deserving candidates of Ray and Cole, Hill gets the nod due to age. He’s 24, while Ray and Cole are still only 21. It makes sense to be more aggressive with the guy playing under his age level.
Even so, Taylor Hill has been positively Taylor Jordanesque this June, posting a 0.63 ERA through 28 innings. And barring those two back-to-back 7 ER meltdowns in May, he’s been lights out all season.