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Wednesday’s News & Notes

Team Yesterday Today Pitching Matchup
Syracuse Won, 11-5 vs. Durham,
12:00 p.m.		 Milone (6-4, 4.47) vs.
Weber (6-3, 2.05)
Harrisburg Won, 5-2 vs. Akron,
12:00 p.m.		 Sharp (1-1, 5.14) vs.
Civale (5-2, 2.45)
Potomac OFF DAY @ Myrtle Beach,
7:05 p.m.		 TBD vs. Uelmen (3-1, 3.31)
Hagerstown Lost, 10-9 OFF DAY N/A
Auburn Lost, 5-3 vs. Mahoning Valley,
6:30 p.m.		 Teel (1-0, 4.00) vs.
Draper (1-3, 4.50)
GCL Nationals Lost, 4-3 vs. GCL Marlins,
12:00 p.m.		  

Syracuse 11 Durham 5
• Valdez 3⅔ IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 1K, HBP
• Marmolejos 2-5, R
• Ward 1-3, R, BB, RBI, E

Harrisburg 5 Akron 2
• Darnell (W, 6-4) 5IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 4K, HR
• Mendez (SV, 8) 2IP, 1H, 0R, BB, K
• Jones 2-4, 2R, 3B, BB, RBI
• Noll 2-4, R
• Zimmerman 1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB

Harrisburg took advantage of four Akron errors to score five times on just seven hits in a 5-2 win. Logan Darnell threw five innings of two-run ball on six hits (one HR) and two walks. He struck out four while winning his sixth game. James Bourque and Roman Mendez both turned two scoreless innings for the hold and save, respectively. Ryan Zimmerman continued his annual rehab tour and homered in the 1st. Hunter Jones singled, tripled, and walked while Jake Noll singled twice to lead the Sens regulars. Roster move: 1B Ryan Zimmerman reassigned from Potomac for MLB Rehab.

Potomac – OFF DAY
Yesterday was the first scheduled off day for the P-Nats since June 20. They’ll make their one and only regular-season trip to Myrtle Beach, where they’ll play through Friday before heading up to Salem for three, then return to Woodbridge on Tuesday.

Kannapolis 10 Hagerstown 9
• A. Lee 2⅓ IP, 3H, 6R, 6ER, 6BB, 3K, 0HR
• Held (L, 2-5) 2⅔ IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, 0BB, 3K, 1-1 IR-S
• Upshaw 4-5, R, 2B, 3RBI
• Meregildo 3-5, 2B, 3RBI
• Antuna 2-5, R, BB, E(28), CS(7)

Hagerstown couldn’t hold a 4-0 lead and couldn’t come back from three-run 5th as they came up short again, 10-9 to Kannapolis. Andrew Lee didn’t walk 11 of the 17 batters he faced but they made him pay for the six that he did for six runs over two and a 1/3rd innings. The loss went to Sam Held, who let in one inherited runner and three of his own over two and 2/3rds innings. Armond Upshaw and Omar Meregildo combined for seven hits and six RBI while tablesetters Yasel Antuna and Cole Freeman each had two singles to lead the Suns offense.

Mahoning Valley 5 Auburn 3
• Vargas 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 3K
• F. Peguero (L, 2-2) 5IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, BB, 6K, HR
• Mendez 2-4, 2B
• Rhinesmith 2-5, 2RBI

The Doubledays led early, 2-0, but fell behind late to lose to the Scrappers, 5-3. Cesar Vargas was given two innings of rehab before giving way to Francys Peguero, who did his best Joan Baez imitation by giving up two runs in his first inning of work then settling down. He would still take the loss, giving up three runs total on five hits and walk while fanning six. Ricardo Mendez singled and double while Jacob Rhinesmith drove in two and collected two hits to lead the Auburn attack. Roster moves: RHP Cesar Vargas assigned from Syracuse for MiLB rehab; RHP Colin Morse reassigned from the GCL.

GCL Astros 4 GCL Nationals 3
• Strom 4⅔ IP, 2H, R, ER, 3BB, 5K, WP, HBP
• Milacki (BS, 1; L, 2-1) 1IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, BB, 1K
• Vega 2-4
• Sosa 2-4
• Robles 1-2, R, 2B, BB, HBP

A 3-1 lead was too small for the G-Nats ‘pen to hold as the G-Astros rallied late for a 4-3 win, the tenth G-Nats loss in its last 12 games. Leif Strom pitched into the 5th for the first time as pro, as he let in one run on two hits and three walks and struck out five. The loss went to (yet another) legacy pick Bobby Milacki, who coughed up two in the bottom of the 8th on three hits and a walk. Onix Vega and Ronaldy Sosa had the games to match their names as they both went 2-for-4 to lead the non-rehabs. Roster move: RHP Mason Denaburg (1st. Rd., Merritt Island, FL H.S.) assigned from Washington.

32 Commments

  1. A Denaburg sighting!

    I’m also a bit worried about Kieboom. He’s now 1 for his last 20 with 7 Ks. It wouldn’t be his first slump. He started the season dreadfully.

    Also, why is he still playing SS? The only rationale I have is that the Nats are shopping him around, because he has literally no value to the Nats as a SS.

    1. Rightly or not, “prospects” have more value at SS. It will be interesting to see if he starts getting reps at 2B after the trade deadline . . . (or in the AZ Fall League).

      Hate it when the first-round picks wait until the last minute to sign, then take longer to report/be assigned. Shaddy signed around the same time Denaburg did but played his first pro game two weeks ago.

      1. Prospects only have value in two ways: internally (to their big league club) or externally (as trade bait).

        With Turner occupying SS for the next five years in Washington, Kieboom offers no internal value to the Nationals as a SS, besides as a back up for the 10 games Turner doesn’t start.

        Which leads me to assume the Nationals are using him as trade bait to keep his external value high.

        Meanwhile, the Nationals have an imminent black hole at 2B this winter (unless you’re really high on Difo), and Kieboom was projected to not be a good defensive SS anyway, and have to move off there as he grows/ages. Makes sense to give him reps there, since his future with the Nats lies there or at 3B.

        1. I sure hope the folks who were saying over the last offseason that Difo could be a regular to replace Murphy have learned that’s not a good idea. I’ve seen conflicting reports on whether to expect Kendrick back by the beginning of ’19. I’m sure the Nats’ preference would be to keep Kieboom down on the farm a few weeks into the season to get another year of control, but if Kendrick isn’t ready, they may not have many options.

          It may sound a bit nuts, but I wouldn’t rule out the Nats re-signing Murphy if he has a strong second half. I’m not sure that’s the best idea, unless they’re going to have him at 1B a lot, but I think it’s possible.

        2. Love the discussions on this site, but generally those that post here are a little aggressive in their promotion schedule. A player has a good week or two, and there is clamoring for a promotion.

          Don’t think the Nats have penciled Kieboom as the starting second baseman for 2019. He is 20; he has a total of 688 professional at-bats, and his 334 ABs this year are the most he has had in any professional season by almost a hundred. A little early to start pigeon-holing him as a career MLB second-baseman, particularly as early as the start of next year. Barring an unexpected series of injuries and an epic minor league performance like Soto, Kieboom would be, at best, a part-time option at 2nd base over the second half of next year, and that is likely more aggressive than the Nats’ plan.

          Also, shortstop is the toughest position to master among the IF spots (not counting catcher), and shortstop skills are directly translatable to second base. For example, before coming up to the big leagues late in 2016, in AA and AAA, Wilmer Difo played 96 games at SS and 2 games 2b in 2015, and 104 games at SS and 0 games at 2b in 2016. That’s 200 games at SS and 2 games at second base in Difo two minor league seasons before being promoted to MLB. Also, Winter Difo only played SS in the Dominican Winter League over the winter or 2016 and 2017. Even so, Difo has been solid defensively at 2B in the majors this year.

          If Kieboom improves his defense at SS that will help his defense at second as well, and he is not starting at second base early in 2019 regardless. Keeping Kieboom at SS for the first few games after the All-Star break does not mean that the Nats are trading him.

          1. Pilch, I’m generally one who cautions against aggressive promotion schedules. In this particular case, though, with Kendrick’s injury and Kieboom’s rapid advancement (until the recent rough patch), I’m just wondering whether plans are changing.

            Kendrick was going to be the perfect bridge next year to Kieboom, but now he’s in question (and has been much missed in the lineup this season as well). Difo shouldn’t be a regular starter for a contender. He’s fine as a utility guy, but not a starter. So the Nats may have to do something. And that “something” may be Kieboom, at some point in 2019. Not saying that it will be, or even that it should be, just that it could be.

          2. Aggressive ? No just making conversation to spur other comments.
            Yes the NYPL SS is just a short set of games for kids to get their feet wet outside of the friendly confines of WPB.
            A minus is a gauntlet for many to busy through not to mention
            Pitching savy A plus . AA is the proving ground where someone polishes off the dust or doesn’t and becomes an EL circuit rider or somebody else’s chance on AAA fodder or Indy League .

        3. Are you certain Turner occupies shortstop for 5 seasons? I’m not. Jump throws are not the hallmark of a good major league shortstop.

          3. They’ve got too many OFs as it is. No reason to move the best defensive shortstop in the National League off of shortstop.

    2. Ben Badler in BA may have to write up a post season DSL top ten prospects entitled LAUNCHED
      Including Braian Fernandez following up on his Ready to Launch piece from June 29-July 13

    3. It might be because short of Jose Sanchez he’s become the best defender at shortstop? Its not a bad bet to think he is better than Trea Turner at the position. He is still only 20 so much could potentially change as he matures.

  2. Great comeback by Borque in that hold where he loaded the bases then fanned the last two for outs

  3. Jacob Rhinesmith has to wonder what else he needs to do to get a ticket to Hagerstown. Leif Storm looks ready for the step up to Auburn. He’s a BIG dude, listed at 6-6, 215.

    Robles with HBP two days in a row, so he’s back in midseason form. He’s ready, call him up!

    1. No kidding about Rhinesmith
      Considering the way Anderson could use another lefty bat who can hit lefties
      Luke : is Leif Strom related to the old lefty who was Expo pitching guru in farm now with Astros ?
      Will Abreau in Burg ever draw a walk.
      ( Luke sarcasm )???

      1. I couldn’t find anything that indicated any relation, which seems unlikely given Brent Strom is almost 70 and his current wife is at least 60. They do have four bulldogs, which is usually the kind of bio item of a childless couple.

        1. Ok.
          Luke. Understatement of the summer ? The conversion to pitching with Elvis Alvarado
          In GCL isn’t smooth ?? Lol

        2. Nothing better than a bulldog pack! Unless you throw in a very similar Boston bull terrier or two with the bullies. Sadly, they have such short, too short lives … sigh …

    2. Hit for more power?

      Pray that Upshaw, Choruby and Esthay suddenly remember how to hit so they get promoted to Potomac and open up a spot for him?

      1. Weirdly, Rhinesmith has equaled his doubles total in 52 college games this season (4) in 25 games at Auburn, but he’s got no homers after 14 in college. But he had 19 doubles in JUCO in ’17. Anyway, in listing Upshaw, Choruby, and Esthay, I think you made my point about not much standing in the way of promotion. (Although Upshaw seems to have hit a spurt and has nine hits over his last four games.)

  5. One looks forward to the three rehabbers in GCL to end their
    Reps and move up so Caldioli Sanfler
    Can get back to playing in CF
    Interesting core @ DSL built around
    Fernandez , Arias, Hudalgo, Tatis & Tovar plus Danny Hernandez . Pedro Gonzo should get a plane ticket to Miami and a shuttle to WPB soon.
    Thoughts anyone. ? Gil ?

  6. Tom Milone is making a case to be the next Nats minor leaguer to get a start with the big club when it’s needed. Today, Milone dominated: 7 IP 3H 0BB 10Ks.

    After a poor start, Milone is 5-0 (with a bad team) 60 IP 42 H 12 BB 69 Ks in his last 10 starts.

    Nats would need to make a move to add Milone to the 40 man roster, but his play merits a look.

    1. I wouldn’t say he had a poor start … at least the advanced stats didn’t agree. Milone pretty much pegged a consistent spot 2nd to EJax.

      Its waaaaay past time to bring him up and into the major league rotation.

      1. So Jamari Blash hits a 2 run tater
        Tonight for Teel the night after he
        Had two ducks on the pond in 9 th last night down 3
        Both Rhinesmith but especially OConner knocking the ball around lately. Anderson could use both of them in Hags

    2. Rightly or wrongly, the guys on the 40-man got the first shots at fill-in starter. It’s not just the bad start to this season Milone is trying to shake, though; it’s also some ugly numbers in the majors the last two years.

      He may have moved up the emergency pecking order just because Voth and Rodriguez have moved down, but he’s still not a primary option. The full rotation is back, and Fedde will be #6 when healthy . . . unless they trade for a starter to replace Roark in the rotation.

        1. Angels are saying no. Either would look good in a Nats’ uniform, but we’d lose several of our higher-ranked prospect friends to get one.

          1. As I say I say many things to raise responses. I know Turner will never go back to CF while the Angels with that sharp former Yanx guy as GM would never surrender good LHP assets for less than prime meat .

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