Ten Stories From 2014
In keeping with the new world order, I’m dropping back down to the more prototypical ten stories in the fifth annual edition of this piece. Naturally, they’re not ranked; I went through each month and started writing down ideas until I got there.
I’m sure I may have overlooked something or somebody; 2014 was a tough year for me personally, though I believe this site was something that helped distract from that fact, which is why I’m still holding on to it.
Without further vamping, here are ten stories that marked 2014 for the Washington Nationals minor leagues…
Long-Term Extensions For Syracuse, Harrisburg
I’m cheating a little here (Syracuse re-upped in December 2013), but instead of the usual two-year extensions, Washington doubled that with its AAA and AA affiliates. This will ensure an eight-year run for the top five rungs on the ladder after four switches in the first six seasons (two at AAA, one at Low-A, one at SS-A), which helps to offset the tiresome threat of relocation in Hagerstown and the tedious talk of a new stadium in Potomac.
Steven Souza
After years of tumult and torment, Souza put up a career year in 2014 and earned the International League’s MVP and Rookie of the Year awards at the not-so-tender age of 25. However, with only a bench spot open for 2015, GM Mike Rizzo horned in on a three-way (trade) and sold high on Souza, who will be remembered for a good catch and not his 3-for-23 mark over 21 games last summer.
Michael Taylor
Taylor wasted no time making it known that his time had come, smacking the game-winning triple in the Grapefruit League opener and then putting together an amazing campaign at AA — a .313/.396/.539 line with 22 homers and 34 steals while racking up 10 assists in CF. However, it did come at a cost of 161 whiffs over 127 total games. With just 12 games of AAA experience, the smart money is on him returning to Syracuse for more seasoning.
Reynaldo Lopez
Perhaps I’m giving short shrift to fellow Dominican Wilmer Difo, or taking his teammate Lucas Giolito for granted, but the ascendance of Reynaldo Lopez in 2014 is simply a better story. He signed for just $17,000 in 2012 and missed most of 2013 with arm soreness, reportedly due to bone weakness. After two poor starts in late May for the Suns, Lopez dropped to Auburn and dominated the NYPL for a 3-2, 0.75 mark over seven starts before returning to Hagerstown and dominating (15H, 1ER in 39⅔ IP).
Hapless In Harrisburg
They barely escaped being the worst Senators team ever in terms of wins and losses, but considering that they opened the season with six Top 20 prospects according to Baseball America, a dead-last finish seemed rather unlikely. Obviously, injuries were a factor all summer long it felt like watching a demolition in slow motion with each boxscore.
Matthew Purke
After finally putting in a full season in 2013, the hopes were high for Purke to build upon it and start producing. Instead, his season ended in May after just eight starts. He joined the legion of Nationals pitchers to undergo Tommy John surgery and was ultimately released in November to make room on the 40-man roster. While he re-signed and will perhaps make a handful of starts in 2015, thus far he represents a Mike Rizzo injury gamble that didn’t pan out.
John Simms, Austin Voth Rise From Low-A to AA
In general, 2014 saw the Nationals promote early and often. A lot of this was necessitated by injuries and ineffectiveness, but two pitchers who could have arguably been kept to just two levels made it from Hagerstown to Harrisburg with a stay at Potomac. John Simms spent April in the Suns bullpen but then started 10 games for Potomac before finishing up in Harrisburg. Voth, who is six months younger, stuck around longer in Hub City (13 starts), but blew through the Carolina League before joining Simms. Neither pitcher was effective at AA, which begs the question: were they pushed up too soon? How they do in 2015 could be the answer.
Potomac Wins The Mills Cup
After dominating wire-to-wire in 2013, Potomac matched the feat in 2014, taking the first half crown by 4½ games and the second by seven games. Still, their counterparts in the Southern Division, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans also won both halves and dominated them in their final two series, taking five of six games. Unlike 2013, the bats did not go dead and the team fired on all cylinders to win three straight after dropping Game One, 2-0.
Chiefs Make The Playoffs
For most of this site’s existence, Syracuse has been an also-ran with few homegrown players. In 2014, the Chiefs put up the league’s best record and made the playoffs with an 81-62 mark. Alas, the parent club called up six players including Souza and Blake Treinen while shutting down A.J. Cole as they were swept in the first round, losing 2-1 in 10 innings, 8-2, and 7-6.
Suns Fall Short In Sally League Finals
Hagerstown and Greensboro tied each other in wins and losses over both halves, with the Grasshoppers winning the first half and the Suns taking the second. After rallying for three in the 9th in Game One of the semis, Hagerstown took the series with a 6-2 win in Game Two. In the finals, the Suns were pounded 16-7 in Game One but battled back to tie the series twice before falling 4-1 in Game Five, the second straight year Hagerstown lost the Sally League Championship.
I’m with you on 2014. It was a bad year, but following the Nats and their minor league team was a welcome distraction. Thanks for hanging in there for us.
Here’s hoping that 2015 produces several Steven Souzas that Mike Rizzo can turn into the seeds of continued success. It is exciting to see the best prospects perform as expected, but I get a bigger thrill from seeing Ian Krol bloom enough to help bring in Doug Fister, trade throw-in Blake Treinen become valuable against the odds, or Jonathan Albaladejo impress enough to give us years of Tyler Clippard, who himself may bring more prospects this winter.
Personally, I wouldn’t describe my 2014 as good or bad. Intense or tumultuous would be better words, and I believe a willingness to confront some of my obstacles and go through painful growth will bear long term fruit. This site inspired me as well and provided me with focus and a forum to work on the discipline of writing consistently and well. For that, I am deeply thankful, Luke Erickson, and I hope Powers Greater Than This Blog Bless You with an Outstanding and Chill 2015 for you and your lovely family.
In 2015 it’ll seem very odd not having the top positional player in the system until June 15th or so …
Let’s hope Turner’s agent follows through and files a grievance. Not to mention a little litigation would help.
It’ll be interesting to see if the new Commissioner addresses this.
Luke, I agree that the Syracuse & Harrisburg extensions were a big deal. Even if the support in Syracuse is not there yet.
Turner’s agent is merely posturing – it’ll take more than just a grievance to overturn the Incavigia rule. And considering that MLB is facing not one, not two, but three lawsuits involving minor-league players, methinks this is pretty far down on the new Commish’s to-do list.
Interesting to see how SS is manned in Potomac until June .
David masters with glove or push Cody dent out there since
Difo should stick with /b.
Ah, prospects! While walking my dogs with visions of sugarplums in my head, I saw the 2018 Nats. Not only had the window not closed, or become too expensive, it was the best team ever. An infield of Rendon, Turner, Difo, Zimmerman with Ramos/Severino catching. An outfield of Harper, Taylor, and Batista. A rotation of Stras, Giolito, Lopez, Cole, and Fedde. Ah, what speed, defence, and power. What dominating fastballs and etc. And, of course, my team would not be marred by injury. All healthy, my boys.
And a happy New Year to you all.
This half-full before New Year’s Eve? I’ll have what you’re drinking, Jeeves!
Jeeves. Walking the dog. Aerosmith!
Best times to think. My dog still awaiting
Spring invite from rizzo. He’s faster than Span.
Something to consider about 2018. Three kids
To be added in June draft with first rounder
And two seconds. Hopefully a legit lefty to add
To arsenal .
Safe ny eve one and all
I think Difo’s rise has to be in the top 10 somewhere, all the way to the 40-man roster. I would also have Goodwin’s fall, from consensus #2 prospect to barely on lists in just a single season. I might also include the incredible disappearing Sammy Solis along with Purke. But bounce-backs are possible, as Destin Hood had to be one of the feel-good stories of the year as he revitalized his career. We’ll all be following him and Souza as they seek to stake their claims elsewhere after long roller-coaster rides in the Nats’ system.
Simms, meanwhile, was probably one of the under-noticed stories of the year. I had him in my top 10 arms. Voth’s leap was substantial as well.
Happy New Year to all!
I will certainly be rooting for Destin Hood wherever he lands. I am partial to Black Outfielders with Athletic Aptitude who choose Baseball over Football because they can be role models as I try to encourage not to give up football, but to spend more of their time learning fun skill sports and going Bo Jackson for leverage in high school before professionalization and focus. Very sad to me how a guy like Hood can’t do both at this point in this career. He looks like a 4th OF in MLB but can always resume status as a WR stud anytime he pleases in football. Best Nick Saban would sign him for his Crimson Tide in two seconds right now and wouldn’t be surprised if he calls up Hood on his rolodex all the time just to remind him of that.