Thursday’s News & Notes
| Team | Yesterday | Today | Pitching Probables |
| Rochester | Lost, 5-2 | vs. Worcester, 1:05 p.m. | Peralta (3-8, 6.63) vs. Van Belle (2-2, 7.76) |
| Harrisburg | Lost, 6-1 | vs. Reading, 6:30 p.m. | Alvarez (0-1, 3.60) vs. Haake (0-4, 6.35) |
| Wilmington | Lost, 10-9 | vs. Jersey Shore, 6:35 p.m. | A. Lara (4-8, 4.86) vs. Neunborn (2-2, 3.03) |
| Fredericksburg | Won, 8-7 | @ Salem, 7:05 p.m. | Cornelio (4-7, 5.02) vs. Monegro (3-2, 2.78) |
Worcester 5 Rochester 2
• A. Hernandez 4⅔ IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 2K
• G. Moreno (BS, 6) 1⅔ IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 2K, HBP
• Mengden (L, 2-2) 1IP, 4H, 3R, 3ER, IBB, 0K, HBP
• Noll 1-3, R, BB, HR(5), RBI
• Baker 1-3, R, 2B
The Red Wings held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 but had no answer for the (ugh) Woo Sox’s three-run rally in the 9th and fell, 5-2. Alemao Hernandez made his second AAA start and allowed one run on three hits and two walks over four and 2/3rds innings. He struck out two. The loss went to Daniel Mengden, who let in the final three runs on four hits and an intentional walk in the 9th. Jake Noll got the party started with a solo HR in the 4th while Luis García’s two-out RBI single in the 6th cashed in Darren Baker’s one-out double in the 6th to account for the two runs generated by five hits and two walks. Roster moves: UT-RHP Paul Witt placed on the Developmental List.
Reading 6 Harrisburg 1
• Saenz (L, 3-5) 6IP, 4H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 4K, HR, 2HBP
• Troop 2IP, 1H, 0R, 2BB, 4K, WP
• Wood 2-4
• Hassell 0-2, 2BB
Harrisburg barely avoided getting shut out, which along with $2, gets them a coffee this morning after losing to Reading, 6-1. Dustin Saenz went six innings but gave up all five runs on four hits (one HR), two walks, and two Robles. He struck out four while losing his fifth AA contest. James Wood singled and doubled, Robert Hassell walked twice, and the rest of the lineup went 0-for-22. Jackson Cluff scored the lone run on a fielder’s choice as Dylan Crews engineered a rundown on a two-out would-be steal of second.
Jersey Shore 10 Wilmington 9
• Cáceres 6IP, 4H, 5R, 1ER, 3BB, 2K, 2HBP
• Ribalta (H, 1) 1⅔ IP, 2H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 2K, BK
• Peterson (BS, 3; L, 2-5) ⅓ IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 0K, HR
• Made 3-4, R, 2-2B, RBI, E
• Frizzell 2-4, R, HR, 3RBI
• Morales 2-4, R, BB, 3B, 2RBI
The Blue Rocks rallied from a 5-0 deficit after to take a 9-6 lead after seven. Unfortunately, this was a nine-inning game and Jersey Shore got four in the final frame to win, 10-9. Bryan Cáceres let in five runs (one earned) on four hits, three walks, and two hit batsmen over six innings. The 23-y.o. Panamanian northpaw would get a no-decision when Wilmington got six on the 7th, highlighted by two-run triple by Yohandy Morales and an Earl Weaver Special by Will Frizzell. The blown-save-loss went to Todd Peterson on a two-run HR to the first batter he faced. Morales singled with two out but got no further when Branden Boissiere was caught looking to end the game.
Fredericksburg 8 Salem 7
• Sthele 3IP, 8H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 1K, HR, PTV
• Abreu (W, 2-0) 2IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 1K, PO @ 1B
• Grissom (SV, 9) 1⅓ IP, 1H, 0R, 2BB, 1K, 2-0 IR-S
• Green 2-5, R, 2-2B, RBI, 3K, SB
• Mota 2-4, 2R, 3B, RBI
• Thomas 2-4, BB, RBI, 2CS(11)
Fredericksburg prevented an organizational sweep with four runs in the 8th as they pressed Salem, 8-7. Travis Sthele stretched to three innings but was manhandled by the Red Sox for five runs on eight hits (one HR) and two walks. Juan Abreu put up two goose eggs in the 6th and 7th innings to get credit for the win while Marquis Grissom Jr. stranded two while getting the last two out in the 8th and the first two in the 9th before loading the bases and then striking out the last batter for his ninth save. Elijah Green improved his BABIP to .444 with two doubles and three strikeouts. The 19-y.o. also stole his 24th base. 18-y.o. Jorgelys Mota tripled and drove in the game-winning run with a single in his Low-A debut as the FredNats marched to an 11-hit parade and were 5-for-11 with RISP.
I like this kid, Mota. Think he’s the real thing. Been watching him since last year and predict that by this time next year, he’ll be a top ten Nat prospect.
Is there any sort of rules surrounding the Development List? And is there even a common understanding within the Nats org?
I noticed Wilmington is making most use of it. They currently have 4 batters on the “DL”, but interestingly no pitchers. Whereas Rochester has hardly made use of it at all. Paul Witt is the first player named to the DL on Rochester’s bloated roster. Fredericksburg has 3 player on the DL, and Harrisburg only 2.
Strangely, though, guys you’d expect to be prime candidates for a DL stint: Jake Bennett missed two months without a DL or IL stint. Cole Henry hasn’t appeared in a month and still remains on the active roster. Donovan Casey hasn’t played in 11 games, and only played 3 games total in August, and isn’t on either list.
Why the uneven use?
The rules are pretty broad: https://www.thecubreporter.com/book/export/html/5696 The wording is so vague that it may just be to serve the interests of certain “sponsors” of MLB.
Harrisburg was facing Mick Abel last night, the #49 overall prospect according to MLB.com. Wood was the only one with any success against that level of pitching.
Mota has received almost no prospect love. He’s been 18 for 1 month and he tore up the FCL this year.
I’m curious how much he signed for.
looks like $250K per Todd’s list
Abel looked good for Reading. He was consistently hitting 95. Wood went to left center with his single and left field line on his double. There was a minor skirmish when Saenz hit a Reading batter on top of helmet and Abel hit first Sens batter in the bottom of the inning. Words were exchanged, but umps kept both teams near their respective dugouts.
Harrisburg has been facing some tough cookies especially the kid from Virginia
Beach for the Richmond Braves lol Squires lol Flying Squirrels.
Yelling into the witness protection echo chamber , Luke ? Come back Rodney Theophile . Come back Little Sheba come back .
Bennett , Henry , Throphile Lazarus come forth !!
Let’s go Lara Alvarez Nrandon and any last minute scratches which tend to develop from no PR department in Wilmington
Snarkle snarkle
Some things make you scratch you head, while others make you want to bang it . . . like seeing that Antuna started over Lile.
Adding to the list:
Ildemaro Vargas or Michael Chavis over the 3 or so younger, better options on the roster.
don’t overlook the need for veteran leadership in the development of prospects. I think they’ve maintained a good balance this year, promotions, MLB looks for Garrett, Alu, Rutherford and Kieboom. I can see a plan and am on board
Also, sure hope that Stone Garrett’s injury isn’t bad. He wasn’t one of “our guys” for long, but he’s a great story and apparently a good dude. While it’s tantalizing that they may call up Wood or Crews, it seems like it will be more of an extended look for Rutherford, with utility guys like Alu in OF reserve.
Is bringing up Crews an option for the big club? Soto was brought up from AA when an injury occurred, while Robles was hurt at AAA at the same time
Will be interesting to see who the Nats bring up to replace Garrett. Garrett (or Carl Edwards) could go on the 60 day IL which would open up a roster spot. Would the Nats call up:
– Jacob Young after just a couple of days in AAA
– Darren Baker, who has moved to OF, but struggled lately
– Travis Blankenhorn, 27 year old
– Luis Garcia, and move Alu to the OF (would not like that)
Stealing my own thunder, but it appears that Jeter Downs is coming back to DC and Paul Witt is replacing Downs.
For now, Jeter Downs is up to replace Garrett, but think subsequent moves will follow.