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Friday’s News & Notes

Team Yesterday Today Probable Pitchers
Syracuse Lost, 6-0 @ Rochester,
7:05 p.m.		 Espino (6-6, 3.44)
vs. T. Rogers (9-11, 3.91)
Harrisburg Lost, 5-4 @ Erie,
7:05 p.m.		 Rauh (1-4, 6.48)
vs. Kubitza (8-11, 5.55)
Potomac Lost, 5-2 @ Salem,
7:05 p.m.		 Spann (2-6, 4.67) vs.
McGrath (2-6, 4.05)
Hagerstown Won, 3-1 @ Lakewood,
7:05 p.m.		 Fedde (0-1, 5.14) vs.
Morris (5-0, 1.59)
Auburn Won, 3-1 @ State College,
7:05 p.m.		 Hearn (1-5, 3.97) vs.
J. Perez (4-2, 3.10)


Rochester 6 Syracuse 0
• Jordan (L, 4-5) 3⅔ IP, 7H, 6R, 6ER, BB, 0K, 2HR
• Billings 4⅓ IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 5K, 1-0 IR-S
• Skole 2-4, 2B
• Butler 1-3, 2B

A change in venue didn’t change the score as the RedWings shut out the Chiefs, 6-0. Again. Taylor Jordan was strafed for six runs in the 1st and left with two outs in the 4th, with one walk issued, seven hits allowed (including two HR), and no (zero, zip, zilch) strikeouts.
Bruce Billings finished the game with four and a 1/3rd scoreless innings. The offense, however, was still out to lunch with just six hits, no walks, and 13 whiffs on the night.
Roster moves: RHP Taylor Jordan activated from the 7-Day DL; IF Mario Lisson placed on the 7-Day DL

Erie 5 Harrisburg 4
• Voth (L, 5-7) 5IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 4K, 2HR
• Suero 2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Ballou 4-4, R, 2-2B, HR, RBI, SB
• Corona 3-5, R, 2B, RBI, SB, CS

Harrisburg had no answer for Erie’s three-run 5th and lost for the third straight time, 5-4. Austin Voth gave up all five runs on seven hits (including two HR) and two walks over five innings. He struck out four while losing his seventh game. Wander Suero and Gilberto Mendez did their part with three scoreless innings of relief combined. Like Donald Trump and tact, the clutch hit was seldom seen as the Sens were just 1-for-9 with RISP. Isaac Ballou led the charge with a single, two doubles, and a home run, as well as a stolen base.

Salem 5 Potomac 2
• A. Williams 6IP, 3H, R, ER, 4BB, 4K
• Johansen (L, 1-7) 2IP, 4H, 4R, 3ER, BB, 0K, HR
• S. Perez 2-4, RBI
• Keller 2-4, 2B

The Red Sox put up two-spots in the 7th and 8th innings to snap a 1-1 tie and beat Potomac, 5-2. Austen Williams turned in a quality start of one run on three hits and four walks over six innings while striking out four. Jake Johansen was knocked for the other four runs over the last two innings on four hits, including a home run. He walked one and struck out none while losing his seventh game. Stephen Perez and Alec Keller both went 2-for-4 as the P-Nats registered seven hits total.
Roster moves: OF-1B Tyler Moore, 2B Dan Uggla rehab assignments ended; 3B Drew Ward activated from 7-Day DL; IF-OF John Wooten placed on the 7-Day DL.

Hagerstown 3 Lakewood 1
• A. Lee (W, 3-0) 5IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 5K
• Napoli (H, 1) 2⅔ IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 4K
• Gardner 2-3, R, 2B
• Marmolejos-Diaz 2-4

The Suns scored three runs early and held off a late charge by the BlueClaws in a 3-1 win. Andrew Lee went the first five and let up just two hits and no walks while fanning five to win his third Low-A game. David Napoli got the hold with two and 2/3rds scoreless relief, walking one and setting down four on strikes. Jeff Gardner singled and doubled and scored a run to pace the Hagerstown offense.
Roster moves: RHP Drew Van Orden placed on the 7-Day DL; RHP Tommy Peterson reassigned from Auburn.

Auburn 3 State College 1
• Crownover (W, 1-4) 5IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 4K
• Torres (S, 3) 3IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• Wiseman 1-4, 2B
• Franco 1-4, 2B, 2RBI, E(4)

Three Auburn pitchers combined on a one-hitter in a 3-1 victory over State College. Matthew Crownover was perfect through five to earn his first professional win. Luis Torres was perfect in the last three to record his third save. Adam Boghosian let in the lone, unearned run on one hit and one walk in the 6th. Anderson Franco doubled in two in the 1st inning and went 1-for-4 overall as the Doubledays collected six hits and one walk total.
Roster move: RHP Mick Van Vossen reassigned from GCL Nationals; No, I do not know why Victor Robles was lifted for a pinch-hitter in his second PA.

23 Commments

  1. Andrew Lee, my man! Moved from the ‘pen to starting, he goes five, with only two hits and no walks. He’s given up only one (1–uno) run in 31.1 innings across three stops in the system, and only six walks, half of those in one appearance. Not a bad career start for an 11th-round pick! And I’m still convinced that he has more power at the plate than almost anyone else in the system . . .

    Bumpy rides for Jordan, Voth, and Johansen. It’s getting to the point where you have to wonder whether Johansen will be back. Another strong outing for Austen Williams, though. There are so many talented young starters in the system.

    1. +1 on this

      going from college reliever to professional starter a bit unusual but the results are promising

      power at the plate? now there’s some inside info!

      1. Tennessee let Lee be a two-way player this year, and he hit .306/.388/.590 with nine HRs, second-most on the team behind 1st-round pick Christin Stewart. He was also second behind Stewart in SLG and OPS. So he was a pretty darn good hitter in a tough league. I actually came across him when I was browsing the SEC stats in search of some later-round power bats the Nats might be able to pursue.

  2. Last minute bumps tell a few stories of 2016. Those players that show an easy adaptation have a path ahead, barring setbacks in the instructional league and injuries in the offseason.

    The week’s big development, which I am surprised went so quietly, was the promotion of Anderson Franco. He has been slotted into the middle of the Auburn lineup and has been hitting. His defense, of course, has carried a full dollop of nerves. However, the Nats promoted three Dominican position players (don;t forget the slightly older Florentino) in season from GCL this year, all of whom will finish the season the level above. That is more than I can remember in any previous year. And the Franco promotion is further indication that the teenager and power prospect has a Hagerstown ticket in 2016. That would be marvelous to see – especially given the need for depth exposed with injuries at the ML level. The system cannot be deep enough at the upper levels with players who can step in.

    Players I am watching this week (with one week to go):

    Andrew Lee – Not to be redundant to above, but it bears noting that the Nats may have only been able to draft him in the 11th round because his hitting distracted scouts from his pitching talent. Whatever the case, his production in translating over to a starter, now at five inning outings, has the same level of dominance that made Rey Lopez all the rage after the all star break in 2014. Lee, like Franco (whom I have as my #6 best prospect in the Nats system – which you can totally discount, because I have Rafael Martin #10 and I know he’s not allowed to be a prospect), will be rocketing up the pundit lists this winter. Speaking of Lopez, he is one of those folks who got the early shutdown. They’ve seen enough and now it’s time for him to develop himself for the next bump to AA.

    Ike (OK, Cat) Ballou – Time to give his due. Recall that when he was drafted, he wowed coaches with how advanced his game was, and showed power and speed in his first pro ball year. Then, things slowed down for him in A+. Given the “Keyes” type bump, he has reignited the engine, and with both power and speed. His slugging is up, he is finishing a long season strong, and with over 150 plate appearances at AA, he ought to be considered for AAA in 2016. It would be nice to know he was having this kind of production a year from now in AAA when the Nats lose two outfielders in the same day in August 2016.

    Lucas Giolito – Fister gone, Zimmerman gone. Strasburg – gone? I certainly hope they get more than a draft pick for a player who is one arm injury from having his value tank. Ross in. Roark? Well, then, it’s easy. But now the conversation of 2016 includes AJ Cole and Lucas Giolito. So I am watching Giolito’s every start as if he is a potential candidate to break camp with the Nats in 2016. And I know I am not alone.

    Blake Treinen – We know Storen is going the fall as well. So the logical choice to replace him is not Janssen. Is it Treinen? And why not?

    Koda Glover – The system has a dearth of closer types and he has showed power and control at low A, coming out of college. With Lee shifting over, Glover remains in the bullpen and may be one of the 2016 answers at A+ and AA in 2016 where answers were few and injuries (Benincasa) were key.

    Also, I guess we will be seeing more of Matt denDekker. He has peaked at the right time. Stranger things have happened.

    1. GG well said on this soliloquey.
      I am watching Brenden Webb to see if
      He warrants consideration as depth
      OF for burg next season. Granted Jeff Gardner
      Did not have the long ball coming off his
      Bat like Louisville Cards days
      Good point about Lee and Glover .
      A year from now we should many of the hags
      And auburn IF kids up to burg and potomAc .
      Maybe the faster riser besides Abreau and Meiija
      Could be Max Schrock??

      1. I wonder if Chad Tracy is helping Troy Gingrich
        With some of the farm hitters especially guys
        Like Page, Webb, Gardner, Wiseman etc etc??

    3. Lee didn’t pitch at all as a frosh in 2013 but hit only .187/.274/.267. The Vols moved him to the mound almost exclusively in 2014, but he floundered a bit in seven starts and got moved to the ‘pen, where he saved four. He was a hitter/reliever as a junior and flourished in both roles. He improved his K/9 rate from 7.02 in ’14 to 10.67, and he dramatically improved his K/BB ratio, from 1.80 to 6.40.

      Another thing to like is that in college, he threw only 84.2 innings TOTAL, so he’s got low, low mileage on his arm.

    4. Could Trea turner be the swing gate between the
      Nats being managed by Knorr vs matty9???
      The fork is sticking out of Williams back so much .
      The season is over …. Quoting Poe … Ever Knorr
      Ever Knorr!!!! A velvet glove he has on youth and pitching ( bullpens)
      Dear TED LERNER. Knorr 2016.

  3. Wiseman is finally warming up. Methinks he was trying too hard to be the hero and slowed down as a result. But he is picking it up.

    Mejia cannot be denied. He will learn patience in the instructional league and then head to Potomac with that slugging bat. And, perhaps some of Difo’s strength training in offseason will rub off on him. I’m excited by him.

    As for Schrock, they gave him 500k after cross checking him. He has hit at a low level, but there is no punch to be seen that takes him away from Tony Renda comparisons. You have to give Abreu his due.

    Storen and others (Stras ?) will be used to stock the pond. When year and fall instructor are done, we’ll know who the targets are. But that’s November and it will affect promotion thinking, and those who run out of chances.

    1. Wiseman has now hit in 13-straight games and 16 of his last 17.

      Andrew Stevenson, meanwhile, is fading a bit. Hitless in his last 3 games and 8-for-33 the past 10 games to drop his average at Hagerstown to .287. (Still hitting a very respectable .315 for the summer.)

  4. Nice to see Crownover finally getting a win, and tossing five hitless innings to boot. Hopefully, he can be a fast riser as the Nats sorely need some good lefties.

    1. Please don’t use “sorely” when referring to Nats’ port-side prospects! None of them ever seem to stay healthy. I had some hope for Connor Bach, but he got clobbered earlier this week. Still, he seems to have done enough to start at Potomac next year.

      1. At this point is it near impossible to evaluate the recent lefty starting crop in the lower minors based on current performance. College and high school pitchers are throwing more than they ever have. And none of them have been coached up in instructional league yet, so what we are seeing are players at their most raw. The Nats have the most excitement right now for Taylor Hearn. But Crownower, Borne, Guilbeau, Watson, the whole lot could shake out to any order next year.

        As for Connor Bach, I think he and Stevenson are fading and with better conditioning, will have more to offer for the long haul in 2016. Bach has really shown his flashes.

        Don’t forget Hector Silvestre. Hopefully his injury was not so irreversible, serious though it was to cost him the entire year. He and Anderson Martinez were the prospects whose disappearance particularly hit the starting rotation.

        1. Some of the DLd arms might have been
          Difference between bo playoffs and early Sept
          Post season games.

  5. So just checked out a few names I had not noticed before, first one was Bryan Mejia who is hitting .347 in Hagerstown in over 200 ABs. Looks promising except I took a triple take when I checked out the following stat-line, in 222 AB’s he has only walked once. How is that even possible? He makes Ian Desmond look like Joey Votto.

  6. Another strong GCL outing today for 18-year old lefty Tyler Watson, who threw 4 scoreless innings allowing one hit and a walk while fanning 5. Watson, who is 6-5, has now played in 5 games and thrown 13.1 innings and allowed one run, which was unearned, allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and struck out 16.

    Not bad for a 34th rounder the Nats convinced to give up playing at Loyola Marymount. Again, I know it’s a small sample size and I know it’s just Rookie League ball. But a big teenage lefty with a low ERA and WHIP and a good K/9 and K/BB ratio catches your attention.

    It’s too early to know if they got a steal in the late rounds but it will be interesting to see how this kid does next year at (presumably) Auburn.

  7. Good call Brooke. Think about how excited we were for Travis Ott. This guy has not allowed an earned run, and has great BB/KK. WHat I particularly like is that Watson was facing a Mets team for the third time. So they have had enough looks at him. And still he was more impressive than the last.

    1. According to Jim Callis, Watson has a 91 MPH fastball and a good curve.

      https://twitter.com/jimcallismlb/status/619620105270501376

      Is 91 good for an 18-year old, particularly a tall lefty? I know hitters add power as they get older and bigger and stronger. Do pitchers had MPH as they mature physically?

      BTW, finding info on this kid is a little tricky because the Angels have a kid of the same name in their system who also happens to be a lefty they took a flier on with a late round pick a year ago. So be sure you don’t post info on the wrong Tyler Watson.

      http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=watson000tyl

  8. Did we all concede the NL East a week ago
    But now the reality of having denDekker in CF
    Makes the fork deeper in Nats back ?
    Bummer about Taylors knee.
    That’s adding insult to injury.
    Expo fans. Isn’t it ironic that the Nats losexto a club
    With fatso Colon on it ??

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