Thursday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Probable Pitchers |
| Syracuse | Won, 5-0 | @ Buffalo, 1:05 p.m. |
Hill (9-4, 2.63) vs. Valdes (3-3, 4.50) |
| Harrisburg | Lost, 6-4 | vs. New Hampshire, 7:00 p.m. |
Kroenke (2-3, 5.66) vs. Norris (1-1, 7.20) |
| Potomac | Lost, 9-4 | @ Winston-Salem, 7:00 p.m. |
Spann (7-4, 3.96) vs. Wendelken (5-8, 5.12) |
| Hagerstown | Lost, 6-2 | vs. Kannapolis, 7:05 p.m. |
Johansen (5-5, 5.00) vs. Lowry (4-4, 4.14) |
| Auburn | Won, 6-2 | @ State College, 7:05 p.m. |
Bourque (1-1, 2.87) vs. Anderson (4-1, 2.52) |
| GCL Nationals | Lost, 9-6 | vs GCL Cardinals, 12:00 p.m. |
TBD vs. TBD |
| DSL Nationals | Won, 9-3 | vs. DSL Yankees1, 10:30 a.m. |
J. Baez (3-1, 1.21) vs. E. Martinez (0-0, 1.82) |
Syracuse 5 Buffalo 0
• Cole (W, 3-0) 7IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 6K
• Grace 2IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 2K, HBP
• E. Perez 2-5, R, 2B, SB
• Souza 2-5, SB
A.J. Cole and Matt Grace combined on a four-hitter as the Chiefs blanked the Bisons, 5-0. Cole walked none and struck out six over seven scoreless innings with just three hits allowed to win his third AAA game. Matt Grace put on three baserunners — hit, walk, HBP — but none made it past second in his two innings of work, preserving the shutout. Emmanuel Burriss homered in the 3rd to get the Syracuse offense started, which was led by Eury Perez and Steve Souza who both went 2-for-5 with a stolen base.
Roster move: IF Zach Walters recalled to Washington; no corresponding move.
Bowie 6 Harrisburg 4
• Simms (L, 2-2) 4⅔ IP, 8H, 3R, 3ER, BB, 4K, HBP
• Harper 2IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 0K
• Taylor 2-3, 3R, 2BB, HR, RBI, SB(30)
• Martinson 2-4, 2B
The BaySox broke out for three in the bottom of the 6th to turn a 3-2 game into a 6-2 lead. The Sens responded with two in the top of the 7th but could get no closer as they dropped the series finale, 6-4. John Simms took the loss, his second at AA, giving up three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four. Michael Taylor singled, drew two walks, stole his 30th base, and smacked HR #21 to power the Harrisburg offense, which totaled 10 hits but just one in 12 chances with RISP.
Winston-Salem 9 Potomac 4
• Voth (L, 2-1) 4⅔ IP, 6H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 4K, HR
• C. Davis 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, K
• S. Perez 2-5, RBI, SB(25)
• Pleffner 3-4, 2B, BB
Not even the reigning C.L. Pitcher of the Week could escape the horror that is BB&T Park for Potomac, as Winston-Salem hammered them (again), 9-4. Austin Voth was lit up for five runs on six hits, including a solo HR to chase him with two outs in the 5th and hand him his first High-A loss. It was the 36th loss for the P-Nats in 49 regular-season games since the Dash’s park opened in 2010. All-Stars Stephen Perez and Shawn Pleffner combined for five of the ten Potomac hits. Cody Davis pitched a scoreless 8th in his Carolina League debut.
Kannapolis 6 Hagerstown 2
• Pivetta (L, 11-6) 4IP, 4H, 4R, 2ER, 3BB, 4K, HR, BK, HBP
• Valdez 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K
• Difo 2-4, R, 3B, RBI, 2E
• Ballou 1-4, 3B, RBI
The middle innings turned out to be the difference as Kannapolis plated five runs in those innings en route to a 6-2 win over Hagerstown. After the Suns tied up the contest in the bottom of the 1st with an Isaac Ballou RBI triple, Hagerstown starter Nick Pivetta struggled in the 4th inning, allowing three runs on two hits. Ryan Ullmann did not fare much better as the Intimidators scored two additional runs in the 5th off him. The Suns came back with one in the 8th with another RBI triple, this one from Wilmer Difo, but that was all the offense they would get for the night.
Roster moves: RHP Wander Suero placed on the 7-day DL, retroactive to July 18; OF Wilman Rodriguez activated from the 7-Day DL (rehab ended at Auburn).
Auburn 6 Jamestown 2
• Ott (W, 1-1) 6IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 4K
• McDowell (SV, 1) 3IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Read 2-4, 2R, HR, 2RBI
• Abreu 2-5, R, CS
• Davidson 1-4, 2R, HR, 3RBI
Auburn led from the beginning and also got a solid pitching performance from Travis Ott, as they defeated Jamestown 6-2. For the second consecutive start, Ott pitched at least six innings, this time allowing only two runs on four hits for his first win of the 2014 season. At the plate, the Doubledays were led by Austin Davidson and Raudy Read, who each hit a two-run homer during the contest. Chase McDowell also picked up his first professional save, pitching three innings to cap off the two-game sweep of the Jammers.
GCL Mets 9 GCL Nationals 6
• M. Rodriguez 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K
• Feliz (L, 2-1) 2⅔ IP, 3H, 3R, ER, 0BB, 2K
• Reetz 3-4, 2R, 3B, BB, RBI
• Gutierrez 3-5, R, 2RBI
• Lora 2-4, R
After tying up the game in the 7th, the G-Nats gave it away with one in the 8th and two in the 9th for the 9-6 loss to the G-Mets. Manny Rodriguez is back with the organization after missing the 2012 and 2013 seasons and pitched a scoreless 1st. Kyle Simmons took the brunt of the G-Mets attack with six runs allowed over two and 2/3rds innings. The loss went to John Feliz with three runs over the final two and 2/3rds. Jackson Reetz walked, singled twice and scored twice, and tripled while going 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead the G-Nats 12-hit parade.
Roster moves: RHP Manny Rodriguez assigned to Hagerstown from Washington, transferred to the GCL for minor-league rehab.
DSL Nationals 9 DSL Yankees1 3
• Bermudez (W, 2-4) 5IP, 2H, R, ER, 2BB, 5K, WP
• M. Pena 2IP, 2H, R, ER, 2BB, 3K
• Pimentel 3-4, R, 2B, HR, RBI, SB, CS
• Peguero 2-4, R, RBI
• J. Ramirez 2-4, R
The D-Nats broke through again in the 4th, scoring five runs this time to erase an early 1-0 deficit as they tripled up the Yankees1, 9-3. Juan Bermudez got the win with five innings of one-run ball, giving up two hits and two walks while setting down five on strikes. Davinson Pimentel was a triple shy of the cycle as the 17-y.o. went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored as the D-Nats pounded out 13 hits total.
Here’s to hoping Walters gets an extended run at 2B. We know exactly what we have in Espinosa: a miserable batter and a very good fielder. Unfortunately, that equation doesn’t add up to very much value. Whereas with Walters we have a lot of unknowns. Can his batting profile translate at the big league level? He’s not all that different from Espinosa- high strikeout-low walk guys with quite a bit of power. That hasn’t worked for Espinosa, but it might work for Walters. The difference is that Walters has been on an absolute tear for about 200 AAA games, where Espinosa never really set the minors alight in the same way Walters has done. Maybe it won’t work out for Walters, but it won’t be very difficult to best Espinosa’s terrible .193/.249/.321 slash over the last two seasons. Plus, if we learned anything from Rendon, it’s that it’s entirely possible for an athletic 3B to transition to 2B without too much difficulty. He probably won’t play defense like Danny, but it’s likely his offense won’t be as putrid either. Personally, I’d like to see what Walters can do, rather than watch Danny flail at strike three twice a day.
Will, I agree with this. Espinosa’s starting to look like that bench grit guy that adds mentoring to second division teams like the lowly Astros. Be nice to see Walters translate all that pop into a utility role, but doesn’t he have major issues fielding any time he’s expected to launch long throws across the diamond consistently?
Is it just me or has this been one of the most positive seasons so far for our farm system? There’s been so many huge stand out performances. Souza, Walters, Hood, Treinen, Hill, Jordan, Cole, Martin, Grace, Taylor, Voth, Ward, Bautista, Difo, Giolito, and I’m sure I’m missing others have all been excellent. There’s been some setbacks, notably Goodwin, Skole, Purke and Solis, but the injuries to Purke and Solis weren’t all that surprising, and Goodwin and Skole were pretty much blocked anyway, so another year of development doesn’t set them back too much. It’s been a pleasure to keep up with the teams this year, especially at the highest levels of the farm.
Baseball Prospectus has Eyewitness Reports on three Nats prospects this morning; Ward, Johansen, and Giolito. They’re not too high on Ward or Johansen. The reports are free and are definitely worth a read.
Great stuff, thanks for pointing it out (for the lazy, link is here: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=24231). I stopped paying attention to BP years ago, as their quality declined precipitously after losing some of their better writers, but it looks like they’ve returned to basics, and, miraculously, for FREE! I might reconsider my subscription…
With that said, the scout doesn’t seem to give much weight to the players’ age. There’s a short caveat at the end of Johansen and Ward’s reports, but it seems rather flippant. Johansen is 4 years older than Ward and they’re playing at the same level, surely Ward has much more room for development?
Fangraphs ran a similar scouting report on Johansen a few months ago: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/prospect-watch-pitching-behemoths/ The writer caught Johansen on one of his good days, but still worth a read (and watch).
Folks, it’s important to see what the scouts have to say — even (especially) if it’s not so glowing. Last year, the scouts said Johansen had the better raw stuff but Voth had a better idea of what he was doing and could potentially pass him by. Sure enough, that’s what has happened.
Crushing to read that analysis of Drew Ward. Moral of the story: I’m a fan not a scout who believes that everybody with good statistics and a nice personality can be better than Bryce Harper. I guess ultimately Drew Ward is a better human being than Bryce seems to be, but I haven’t been following things too closely. Bryce is probably behaving better now that he’s hitting better and the team is winning. Dude just simply hates losing and cannot stand it, and that’s the Michael Jordan killer instinct that everybody gravitates towards. Drew Ward, I hope you read that BP thing and that you’ll absorb negative feedback and learn from it. Wonder what that same scout who just blasted Drew Ward was saying about Desmond after he got demoted by Leatherpants the Loser.
Having been to more than ten games at Hagerstown this year, I find the assessment of Ward to be, frankly, ridiculous when it comes to his attitude. I have talked to the young man every time I have seen him. He does not goof off before games, and I cannot recall him arguing over balls and strikes. It seems that the writer caught him on one bad day and judged his overall makeup based on that. Ward is not a great player yet; but he is a good one, with potential. I would caution everyone from being too influenced by that write-up which I consider to be extremely inaccurate as far as his make-up.
Actually, Skole is coming off some significant injuries/surgeries and after his slow start is starting to hit pretty well. Goodwin on the other hand is just a shame.
For Skole to be successful, he has to mash the ball. Since his injuries, his power hasn’t returned. He’s slugging only .399 this season. A .148 ISO just won’t cut it.
I haven’t written him off, but this season has still been a step backwards for him.
I’m with Will on this one. Got to mash at 1B. Matt Skole is no defensive wizard plus line drive machine John Olerud, one of the few comps for effective 1Bs who lack power. So what do we do with Skole? There’s not much above him, right? He’s got to get downgraded to a C+ or C going forward. Don’t know how you get pop back once you lose it.
It is way too early to know anything definitive, but Davinson Pimentel is really looking like a find–he’s batting nearly .400 and leading the entire DSL in OPS as a 17-year old. Bonus baby Anderson Franco is also holding his own quite well at the tender young age of 16. These two will be fun to watch when they arrive stateside.
Pimental has put up great numbers. Looking at his MILB profile, he is listed as 5-9 170, and plays first base. Please tell me that his size numbers are wrong… Trying to think of the smallest first baseman in MLB history, and can’t think of any of them with such a diminutive frame.
You gotta hope he is still growing. Be sure to drink all your milk, Davinson! 🙂
Soul drummer guess who will be @ city isle
Tonight with zach K in bump ?
We can debate who is sexier. Bryce or Drew .
Drew just drives in the track team that
Boom or Wooten or Yezzo does not.
We need ward for Potomac 15 mash .
Car show @ fairgrounds
Pilchard
Eddie goedel. Kkkkkk
We have greyhounds in outfield in GCL DSL
Michael Barrett the guru for GCL
Jamey Carroll should join org next season
How about Taylor hill for Aaron hill
Mlb history. Same name trades?
Soul drummer. Will be in red nationals shirt
With blue sleeves
Looking forward to your report the comments. You do realize that I live in DC, right? Michael “BATMAN” Taylor earned his nickname from me, when he gave me a bat a game in Bowie I attended, not one in City Isle. I did see Michael Taylor hit three dingers, but that’s because I drove up to City Isle from DC. I love that ballpark and make sure that I catch at least one game of year. Want to hear your “WOOOOO!” from DC for the many whiffs the Harrisburg staff will author! Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and we’ll do our best to try to decipher your prophetic utterances.
Oops.
Soul drummer
Let’s see if zach can go 5 IP
Great night for baseball
Keyes Skole HRs would be worth drive
True that. He did got 5IP before he turned into pumpking, judging by the other thread. Keyes and Skole home runs would be worth the drive. Moreover, you are far hipper when you use abbreviated and clipped complete citizens! Today broken sentences! Tomorrow full sentences! Next year, paragraphs! I’m just clowning you, man. You’re a good dude, and I really appreciate your contributions to the site. Folks, like you are why I pray that we can organize some kind of get together at Potomac to celebrate a good year for somebody in the system, preferably broke and needing it Hagerstown over Luke’s stomping grounds in Potomac. Hagerstown, an impoverished industrial city losing its core industries and relying on for-profit business, simply cannot afford to lose that team to Fredericksburg. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve spent more of my dollars in Fredricksburg than Hagerstown. Fredericksburg’s a good stopover when I head down to Richmond. Hagerstown is not really close to much of anything, which is why as my father would say they’re in deep gumshoe.
My big report or WOO is about brother Harper’s
Mustache attempt to resemble Rollie Fingers .
He looked good sporting the navy bullpen jacket
With wAshington script across.
Zach had a decent outing but Norris has some
Sneaky fast in his stuff.
Was rather nostalgic laced with melancholy
To view the banners of past heroes especially
Cliff and Rondell off that 92 team which just
Owned the EL.
Yes nice park. The mayflies were not
Accumulated on a beautiful night .
Nice leather displayed by both JM and The
Hague.
I almost thought looking. @ hags box score
Tonight that Raffie Bautista was traded since
He was replaced after 2 AB by Mesa who
Had 4 hits. Stellar bullpen work in both
A clubs tonight
As for Taylor made in CF. What a glide to the ball
Unlike other CFs. Almost instintive in a manner
Reminiscent to the hawk in Montreal years with two healthy
Knees and valentine on his left
Potomac may be a doubles team as they were
Last year in hags but we know as Keyes / Taylor
Proving this year. City Isle is good for numerous
Players stats . Pleff and McQ
An outstanding report, and thankfully I think that I fully grasp many of your cryptic allusions. I’m not going to mention BATMAN in the same breath as Andre “the Hawk” Dawson, but I’m sure Michael Taylor’s knees appreciate that he’ll be playing on natural grass at home for the forseeable future. Imagine how great The Hawk would have been if Olympic Stadium didn’t rip up his knees? Perhaps the Players’ Union should spend more of its immense power working for healthier stadiums over more profitable ones. There’s more to life than just accumulating cash. After you make about 10 million or so, do you really need 90 million more? I would love to be able to explore this interesting in my own life but that would require my getting a good job first!